I can’t believe the weather right now — the Midwest and East Coast are suffocating from the heat, while those in the Pacific Northwest are complaining about chilly temperatures and unseasonable rain (yes, there are some times of the year it doesn’t usually rain there). The Southwest is in the grips of a horrible drought, made worse by wildfires and dust storms, while parts of the Midwest and South are battling destructive floods.

As we’re increasingly seeing, extreme weather is the new normal and that’s one of the reasons AlterNet‘s newest book, Water Matters: Why We Need to Act Now to Save Our Most Critical Resource is so important. Our book assembles some of the best minds out there to break down what we are facing with a growing water crisis, and to connect the dots between climate change and our water woes. (You can buy the book here)

Beautiful photography and infographics, combined with essays from some of my favorite writers like Barbara Kingsolver, Bill McKibben, Maude Barlow, Tina Rosenberg, Sandra Postel, Elizabeth Royte and Wenonah Hauter, illustrate the dangers we’re facing, but also tell us what we need to be doing right now to get this planet back on track. This is a crisis affecting the U.S. and the rest of the world — from the California Delta to the Niger Delta and from Midwest to the Middle East.

This issue is literally life or death for millions of people and for the planet we call home. I hope you’ll choose to fight to save our most critical resource by buying a copy of Water Matters for yourself or a friend. Leading commentator Jim Hightower put it in perspective: “About two-thirds of our bodies are H2O, so water doesn’t just matter to us — it literally is us. So why are we letting our corporate and governmental leaders treat this essential life-sustaining resource so carelessly? That’s the core question posed by this beautifully written and beautifully designed book. Water Matters will engage, enrage and inspire you. Read it — and take action.”

You can buy your copy of Water Matters here — enjoy it while you’re trying to beat the heat (or cold, or rain, or drought or …).

Tara Lohan

Senior Editor
Environment, Food, and Water

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau -Thank President Obama & Elizabeth Warren

07/22/2011 Nativegrl77

This morning, a group of public servants showed up to work at a brand-new agency created to protect everyday Americans from the abuses of Wall Street.

They’re the folks of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and they’ll be the cops on the beat protecting consumers from predatory credit card and mortgage lenders, bait-and-switch creditors, and anyone trying to make a quick buck by deceiving or manipulating Americans who are just trying to secure their financial future.

Many Americans don’t know it, but this bureau is just one part of a sweeping Wall Street reform law — the most pro-consumer and pro-taxpayer reform of our financial system since the Great Depression — that President Obama signed a year ago today.

Watch this video to get a quick overview of the law, and a briefing on the special interests trying to undermine it:

http://youtu.be/STAm_6csuxc
Whether you watch the video or not, please share this email with someone.

It’s important that everyone knows what this law means for all of us. Simpler mortgages. Clearer credit card rates, fees, and rules. Fairer loan terms. It’s based on the simple idea that if you make sure that people get clear information, they’ll make the financial decisions that work best for them.

And we can all rest a little easier knowing that our common financial future is more protected from the irresponsibility of a few. This law made structural reforms to ensure that the financial crisis we experienced in 2008 never happens again and that taxpayers aren’t on the hook to pay for Wall Street’s risky bets.

It’s up to you to make sure more people know about this. Most Americans don’t have all the details on how this law is working for them, and it’s our job to change that.

Take a look, and be sure to pass this one on:

Amazingly, each and every Presidential candidate on the other side opposes this law.

And the same opposition that tried to block it more than a year ago is still alive and well.

Right now, lobbyists are at work trying to weaken the tough regulations this law imposes.

That’s no accident — its provisions are designed to rein in the Wall Street, credit card, and mortgage banking interests these people represent.

As we know, there aren’t a whole lot of high-powered lobbyists in Washington looking out for the common good of everyday families.

That’s exactly why this law is necessary, and why our growing organization in all 50 states is so important. It’s up to us to make sure our friends and neighbors know about it.!!!

Thanks,

Messina

Jim Messina

Campaign Manager

Obama for America

~ my 2cents ...

TGIF &some News

07/22/2011 Nativegrl77

just another rant

This morning, if you haven’t already been swayed against President Obama had a great town hall and though folks in my own Political Party seem to be bashing him and or questioning what side of the aisle he really is on. I gotta say how much it made me proud to have voted for him, understand that he has been visiting state after state even before the Midterms telling folks do not give the gives to Republicans and push the need for jobs and while people made choices that hurt us. At the end of the day, we all know that people did not listen or trust President Obama enough to get out the vote for the Midterm elections. It is my contention that Democratic members of Congress needed to do their jobs first then focus on their on re-elections. I guess we all should remind them that their action directly impacts our votes. I want Congress to create and pass a Jobs Bill as only they can.

Yet, as Major changes are happening and though progressives do not seem too excited about today … I am very excited over what has been the sum total of accomplishments by President Obama.

However, if you listen to the Right … they are fraught with fear

McConnell, Cantor, Boehner, Limbaugh other Conservatives , Conservadems and some Progressives continue to attack Obama for any move toward collaboration with other countries, compromising and seem to be twisting his words and their meaning, practicing fear mongering, discrimination and otherwise being obstacles of change. What we need is a way forward to 21st Century living and an implementation of the changes “We the People” (53%) put President Obama into office for but have been stalled, blocked and scaled down by Republicans. Now, our Democracy is being cut slashed and burn now that we have a group of Tea Party Freshman who not only seem heartless but inept and too childish too be considered public servants … come on, do they even remember the oath they took? or did they skip out too like the other Republican Senators.

I feel like what was the past has to be accepted, exorcised and released for room to provide change we can believe in and given the group that calls themselves Republicans, they are not the patriotic souls who disagree but know when the good of the many definitely outweighs the good of only one or a select few. This group of unruly, undisciplined and politically uneducated have been the villains of all who want compromise, fair share and an America that is looked at with greatness again. In a year of much progress even without Republicans and some conservadems the fact is the Democratic Congress needs to do more to get legislation passed for the people. It is important people know, understand, and believe that President Obama cannot produce jobs alone. It is the job of Congress to create, and pass legislation … JOBs JOBs Jobs but that ain’t happening. I gotta say given what we have all seen over the last 24months our President has no chance to please progressives but maybe people who might be less likely to engage in preemptive strikes will hold President Obama’s feet to the fire but remain calm and support him.

I have this saying …” It is the Republicans Stupid” and those who are not aware of what the Republican Tea Party is doing to our Democracy will only make all our lives even worse. It is a moment in time when we must unite as Americans to fight back the crap that is being thrown at us by Republicans in Congress and Governors with a clear mission of taking us back to the Jim Crow days.

“Never Doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed Citizens can change the World. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead

Other News …

Oslo explosion kills at least 2

Obama vows “hard choices” on debt as Democrats fume

State blames NY coaster operator for vet’s death

West Point cadet dies during training exercise

New Numbers in Republican Race

General Electric turns $3.7B quarterly profit

Gale Crater next landing site for Mars rover

CSPAN

Panetta Formally Sworn-In at Pentagon

Meets with President Obama today on “Don’t ask, don’t tell”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Senate Rejects “Cut, Cap and Balance” Act

Path forward to raise the debt ceiling uncertain

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Middle East

Aftermath of Political Uprising in Egypt

Discussions held on threats to religious minorities

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Public opinion favors compromise on deficit deal | Reuters

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Raw Politics: ‘This is no time to compromise,’ Republican says (via Anderson Cooper 360)

07/22/2011 Nativegrl77

Editor’s note: CNN’s John King speaks with Rep. Tom Graves, R-GA, about the debt ceiling, deficits, taxes, and spending. Related: Possible deficit reduction deal emerging, sources say Related on CNNMoney.com: What happens if Congress doesn’t raise the debt ceiling? … Read More

via Anderson Cooper 360

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Ten Minutes…Until Evacuation

07/22/2011 Nativegrl77

Community and neighborhood evacuations are more common than you might think. A wildfire, hurricane, tornado, mudslide, toxic industrial accident or other imminent disaster could force you to leave your home—in some cases, within minutes of the evacuation order.Knowing what to do and what to take with you should the order come can help you preserve your most important possessions.

Plan it out.
Discuss an evacuation plan with members of your household well in advance of an emergency. Ask everyone to make a list of items they consider essential to bring and then prioritize.

Prepare a box with essential documents such as birth certificates, insurance records, passports, tax returns, wills and cherished photographs. Be sure to place this box in a secure location, such as a fireproof safe.

Create or update a home inventory list to accurately record your possessions and add the list to your essential document box.

Plan your escape routes. Choose more than one route, going in different directions, as some streets may be blocked off.
Choose a meet-up place for family members should an evacuation order come when you’re not together.
If you have some advance warning, fill your car’s gas tank and keep it topped off. Keep some cash on hand too—ATMs may not be operable in a disaster.

Pack it up.
For efficiency and speed, divide packing duties among household members. The Insurance Information Institute and the Department of Homeland Security offer suggestions for items to bring if you have only minutes to pack:

Your prepared document box
Prescriptions, first aid supplies, basic toiletries
Computers or laptops
Clothing for three days
Comfort items, such as a child’s blanket or stuffed animal
Pet supplies, including food, medicine, toys, vaccination records and a leash or carrier
Bottled water
Flashlight, battery-powered radio, extra batteries
Cash

Go to statefarm.com to learn how to be prepared in the event of a natural disaster, and visit the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) for a detailed preparedness plan.

Source: StateFarm

5 Easy Ways to Improve Fuel Mileage

As prices at the pump continue to tick higher, everyone is looking to stretch each gallon of gas. Being smarter about the way you drive could help you go a lot farther on each tank. Here are five ways to improve your fuel mileage.

Ease your speed – Your right foot is the key to better gas mileage. According the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph on the highway is like paying an additional 24 cents per gallon. Stick to the speed limits and you’ll save big.
Be smooth – Imagine you’ve always got an open cup of hot java in the beverage holder. That could help you avoid pedal-to-the metal acceleration and last-second braking. According to the DOE, driving less aggressively could deliver up to 33 percent better fuel economy.
Don’t idle away – Sitting with your engine idling while waiting to pick up the kids is just a waste of gas. Cutting the engine if you know you’ll be stopped for more than 30 seconds can provide 10 percent better fuel economy. You don’t want to do this at a stop light, of course.
Plan your drive – Run all of your errands in one trip. According to the DOE, several stop-start drives can use twice as much fuel as one trip to the mall. And if you see a parking spot, take it, even if it means a longer walk to the store. Circling the lot wastes fuel.
Lighten your load – That set of golf clubs in your trunk adds weight to your car. That means your engine has to work harder. Also ease the load on your engine by switching off the AC and heated rear screen when you don’t need them.