Who stands up for science? UCS does. Will you join us?


Right now we’re witnessing an all-out war on science, the environment, and human health.

“I think that the science is inconclusive on this. I personally believe that the solar flares are more responsible for climatic cycles than anything that human beings do.”

—Representative Jim Sensenbrenner (R WI), new vice chair of the House Science Committee

A number of irresponsible corporations are spending millions to deceive the public about climate change science. Media personalities are spreading false information and discrediting scientists. And many elected officials are not only blocking efforts to address America’s energy and climate crises—they’re also threatening to roll back many of the hard-fought human health and environmental protections we’ve won in the last few years!

“I think that the science is inconclusive on this. I personally believe that the solar flares are more responsible for climatic cycles than anything that human beings do.”

—Representative Jim Sensenbrenner (R WI), new vice chair of the House Science Committee

You can help UCS expose and challenge attacks like this on science—become a member today.

Become a member of UCS today and join us in exposing and challenging these attacks on science and effective, life-saving public policies.

Politicians and media pundits who claim “global warming is a hoax”, that it’s just “sunspot activity,” or who accuse climate scientists of being “political hacks and leftists” can’t change the scientific evidence. The climate is changing and if we don’t take action there will be devastating consequences for our health, economy, and environment.

We must act now to stand up to vocal global warming deniers and advance science-based solutions that can rein in climate change. Please become a member of UCS today.

With your membership gift, UCS will work to:

Expose and challenge attacks on climate science and scientists;

Advocate for strong, science-based state and regional climate programs that can reduce heat-trapping emissions at the local level;

Push state utility commissions to shut down the oldest and dirtiest coal power plants; and

Continue to press the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce global warming emissions from cars, trucks, power plants, and other large industrial polluters.

Our opponents are well coordinated, well funded, and have a singular goal of protecting their own interests. If you’ve ever considered taking your support of our critical work to the next level—now is the time to do it. Please become a member of UCS today.

We may not have the deep pockets of the oil and coal industries and electric utilities who oppose progress on global warming and clean energy—but we do have scientific facts and dedicated supporters like you. I hope you’ll join us as a member today to ensure we can continue to challenge attacks on science and work for a healthy environment and a safer world.

Sincerely,

Kevin Knobloch

President

P.S. You can be confident your donations to UCS are spent wisely. We are accredited with the Better Business Bureau, have received four stars from Charity Navigator, and earned an ‘A’ rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy.

Haliburton Watch …Halliburto​n goes after fracking critics; hires tobacco-li​nked PR firm


Halliburton goes after fracking critics; hires tobacco-linked PR firm

24 Feb., 2011

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 (HalliburtonWatch.org) — Last week, Desmogblog outed Halliburton and other oil/gas companies, who together set up “Energy in Depth”, an industry front group that claims to represent “small and independent” operators.

EID’s web site was registered by a PR firm experienced in working for companies engaged in scientific deception (e.g. Big Tobacco). EID was set up to fight back after investigative journalists began to expose problems with hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) — notably ProPublica, as well as the producers of the Oscar-nominated documentary, “Gasland,” Also: read how the industry has blocked federal regulations.

More information: http://www.halliburtonwatch.org/news/eid.html

I Stand with Planned Parenthood


amazing.

Ever since the House of Representatives voted to bar Planned Parenthood from all federal funding, we have seen a massive outpouring of support. I’ve always known how deeply you and other supporters care about Planned Parenthood and the women, men, and teens who rely on us — but I’ve never seen anything like this.

Here are five ways you can help, right now:

(1) If you haven’t already,http://www.ppaction.org/site/R?i=_-jIsGmjVFAOQgdOGM-RpA  sign our open letter to the members of Congress who voted to bar Planned Parenthood from federal funding — and to the senators who still have a chance to stop it. Half a million people have already signed. Add your name. http://www.ppaction.org/site/R?i=ZvFWgOcJKA9zlgIeyDEl0g..

(2)Take a stand for Planned Parenthood and the women, men, and teens who rely on us in your community. Click here to find out about local events near you. http://www.ppaction.org/site/R?i=tciQKH6RcOYijBUBxv8ZZw  

(3)Make a gift to Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The work that lies ahead of us as the bill moves to the Senate for consideration is nothing short of astonishing. We need your help to rise to this incredible challenge.  http://www.ppaction.org/site/R?i=vPhxU9f1EB9cskZ8CKzEcQ..

(4)Find out how your representative voted on the bill to bar Planned Parenthood from federal funding — and then let him or her know how you feel. http://www.ppaction.org/site/R?i=MotwfP65IXhiZEXPeiumIQ..  

(5)Share your story. Extreme anti-choice groups and their allies in Congress are spreading lies and misinformation about who we are and what we do. Help set the record straight by sharing your story about how Planned Parenthood has been there for you, your family, or your friends.  http://www.ppaction.org/site/R?i=mH690EBQ5bvfUFL7oA1PZA ..    

I can’t tell you what an enormous difference your unwavering dedication makes right now for Planned Parenthood and the women, men, and teens who rely on us.

Supporters like you truly are the heart and soul of this organization. Thank you for standing with us.

Sincerely,

Cecile Richards, President

Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Administration Drops Defense of DOMA


Administration Drops Defense of DOMA

Thank the President for standing up for same-sex couples and their families. 202-456-1111

In a rare and extraordinary step, today the Obama Administration announced that it will stop defending the discriminatory federal “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA) in court – specifically, the section that denies federal benefits to married same-sex couples.

DOMA keeps these couples from getting family and medical leave, Social Security survivors’ benefits, joint tax filing, and immigration rights, among many other benefits.

You helped bring about this historic day. HRC supporters like you have written tens of thousands of letters to President Obama, shared thousands of personal stories of how DOMA has hurt their families, and helped HRC engage in years of advocacy on this issue with the administration.

As President Obama himself has said, DOMA unfairly discriminates against Americans. He needs to know how many people applaud his decision to defend the principles of the constitution.

Thank the President for standing up for same-sex couples and their families.  202-456-1111

The Obama Administration has dealt a double blow to DOMA today. Not only has it stopped defending this law (which the president has long called discriminatory), it has affirmed that any law that discriminates based on sexual orientation should have to pass a higher legal test in court.

This is a monumental decision for thousands of same-sex couples and their families.

Unfortunately, anti-LGBT leaders in Congress may have a chance to defend the law themselves, so it’s not the end of the road for DOMA.

But together, we’ll fight any attempt to waste taxpayer dollars defending this patently unconstitutional law. The federal government has no business picking and choosing which legal marriages they want to recognize.

Right now, send a message to the President thanking him for today’s decision.

Thank you for all your hard work on this issue, and for your continued commitment to building a nation where all are equal.

Administration Drops Defense of DOMA

Thank the President for standing up for same-sex couples and their families.

Sincerely,

Joe Solmonese

President

From Wisconsin to Washington D.C.


I don’t know about you, but I am getting sick of this crap. People are really hurting. Jobs are not coming back fast enough, people are still losing their homes, and what are Republicans doing? The GOP is using the budget crisis to wage a war on working people.

Join our DFA Live call on Tues., March 1 at 8PM EST with Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to talk about what Republicans are planning to do and what you can do to stop them.

From Wisconsin to Washington D.C., Republicans are taking advantage of a crisis they created when they gave away tax cuts to the rich.

Seriously, Speaker Boehner is threatening to shut down the government by March 4th if they can’t cut funding of groceries for low-income pregnant women and children, but two months ago he insisted upon tax cuts for people making more than a quarter of a million dollars a year.

That’s not all, Republicans in Congress are insisting on cutting many vital programs to support police, fire fighters, teachers, nurses, and the list goes on and on. Not to mention the fact that even though Social Security does not contribute to the deficit, Republicans are insisting that cuts to Social Security should be on the table.

This DFA Live will also feature Nancy Altman, Co-Director of Social Security Works. She will explain how the budget, Social Security and jobs are linked and what we can do to protect the vital programs that keep our communities strong.

Sign up now for the DFA Live on March 1 at 8PM EST with Sen. Sherrod Brown and Nancy Altman.

Cuts to Social Security and other vital programs are job killers. Speaker Boehner says that if the Republicans kill jobs, then “So be it.”

We believe Americans deserve a budget that creates jobs and protects vital programs with no cuts to Social Security.

Join our DFA Live on Tues., March 1 at 8PM to learn more about the issues and find out what you can do before March 4th to stop the Republicans.

Thanks for everything you do,

-Levana

Levana Layendecker, Communication Director

Democracy for America