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Defend Science

12/17/2012 Nativegrl77

Union of Concerned Scientists

Facts matter. Don’t let media pundits subvert science.

Chip in and become a member to defend science.

As Hurricane Sandy was wreaking havoc on the East Coast, commentators on Fox News repeatedly claimed that the storm had “nothing to do with climate change.”¹

Hurricane Sandy’s impact was undeniably worse because of rising sea levels caused by global warming—but because our opponents are desperate to keep science out of our political discourse, they tried to hide this fact from you and me. That’s not just misleading. It’s dangerous.

Fox News is willingly, and with full knowledge of their errors, denying science. We don’t say things like that lightly. We’re scientists, so we ran the numbers and found that 93 percent of Fox News Channel’s coverage of climate science was misleading or outright false.²

We need you to help set the record straight. Your support will allow us to reach out to reporters and editors across the country in 2013, so we can share the scientific facts and advance policies that will help protect and prepare our cities and states for the impacts of climate change.

Don’t stand by while science is under attack by the likes of Rupert Murdoch, Bill O’Reilly, and Sean Hannity. Become a UCS member today, and together we’ll show the media and policy makers that facts matter.

Sea levels could rise up to 3.3 feet in the next 80 years.³ Most Americans are connecting the dots between our changing climate and the extreme weather we’ve seen in recent years—from forest fires to flooding from intense storms—and this is our moment to make sure the conversation continues.⁴ But very powerful and cynical interests are trying to keep the public in the dark.

Many Americans unquestioningly accept what they hear on TV or through the internet as undisputed fact. That’s why we’re out there fighting misrepresentations of global warming in the popular media. We have relationships with reporters from New York City to Toledo to Sacramento, and they look to us as a trusted source of facts to counter the distortions and hysteria whipped up by climate deniers.

It’s also why we’re leading the charge on some of science’s most promising solutions to the challenges of our time: cutting harmful pollution, investing in the rapid expansion of renewable energy, and protecting our cities from sea level rise.

Pitch in to become a UCS member today and stand up for science-based solutions to our planet’s most pressing problems.

Together, we are very publicly taking on the media moguls and pundits who spread misinformation. Our groundbreaking report about Fox News and the rest of News Corporation was picked up by outlets across the country, and we backed it up with tens of thousands of signatures calling them out for their distorted coverage. Members of the UCS community power these kinds of campaigns—and we can’t win without you.

The fact that you’re reading this email means you aren’t afraid to take on powerful interests when objective science is on our side. A healthy planet, a safer world, the wellbeing of our families—that’s what’s at stake here. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Kevin Knobloch President

1. http://mediamatters.org/research/2012/10/31/fox-hurricane-sandy-has-nothing-to-do-with-glob/191018 2. http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/global_warming_contrarians/news-corporation-climate-science-coverage.html 3. http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0625/Sea-levels-rising-on-US-East-Coast-much-faster-than-global-average-video 4. http://www.forbes.com/sites/eco-nomics/2012/04/19/poll-most-americans-now-link-extreme-weather-to-climate-change/

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ConsumersUnion

12/17/2012 Nativegrl77

Policy and Action from Consumer Reports

Help us stop this dangerous game of chicken!

Your support helps us fight in this budget battle for your right to decent health care as you age, financial security, safe food, Wall Street watchdogs. Give your year-end, tax-deductible gift now.

The last thing you need this holiday season is the dangerous game of chicken some in Congress are playing with your financial future.

Only weeks remain before $500 billion in automatic tax hikes and spending cuts kick in. These drastic, across-the-board cuts are in the things that keep your family safe and secure each day, but they do little to dramatically reduce the deficit.

We just sent 200,000 of your messages to the President, your Senators and Representatives so they know your priorities in this tax-and-spend battle. Our only job is to fight for you, and your tax-deductible gift today makes sure we keep fighting.

Give $7 now. And if you can give a bit more for those who can’t, we’ll get everyone heard!

Consumers like you make our economy work. So why should you shoulder an unfair burden in an economic plan designed to fix our nation’s long-term finances?

Unless a fair plan is reached, you may wind up being told your retirement health care benefits could shrink or that you have to pay more for college. And that you can count on fewer food inspectors, toy safety testers, or air traffic controllers. Or that Wall Street and credit card companies don’t need as much oversight.

The reality is, these are your tax dollars. How your money is spent should be your priorities, not corporate lobbyists and faceless conglomerates. Your tax-deductible donation keeps us on top of the latest proposal, supports our email actions to your lawmakers, funds our toll-free hotlines so you can speak directly to your elected official.

Your year-end, tax-deductible donation keeps us working for you, no one else.

Times are tough so if you can’t give, please continue to support our work by forwarding this to friends and family. We are the most trusted voice of consumers because of support from people like you.

Thank you, Chris Meyer Consumers Union, Policy and Action from Consumer Reports

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National Geographic Winners

12/17/2012 Nativegrl77

Nat Geo Photo Contest Winners

From a rain-pelted dragonfly to a double rainbow over Indonesia, see the winning shots of our most recent reader photo competition.

Travel Photo Contest’s Top Shots

Our editors received 12,000 entries from 152 countries, so the winners must be pretty darn good, right? See for yourself.

Best Wildlife Pictures of 2012

It’s tough to compete with pounce-ready cheetah cubs and a beady-eyed croc. But National Geographic’s Paul Nicklen did—and won, with his effervescent image of bubble-jetting penguins.

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CONGRESS: the Republican led House ::::: the Senate led by Democrats

12/17/2012 Nativegrl77

the Senate Convenes: 2:00pmET December 17,2012

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 3:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
Following morning business, the Senate will begin consideration of H.R.1, the legislative vehicle for the emergency supplemental appropriations bill.
At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the following nominations:

Executive Calendar #833 Fernando M. Olguin, of CA, to be US District Judge for the Central District of California and
Executive Calendar #875 Thomas M. Durkin, of IL, to be US District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois.
There will be 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the nominations. It is expected there will be a roll call vote on the confirmation of the Olguin nomination and a voice vote on confirmation of the Durkin nomination.

At 2pm today, there will be a moment of silence to honor the victims and their families of the tragic shooting in Newtown, CT.

At 5:30pm today, the Senate will proceed to a series of 2 votes on confirmation of the nominations listed below. We expect a voice vote on confirmation of the Olguin nomination and a roll call vote on confirmation of the Durkin nomination. – Executive Calendar #833 Fernando M. Olguin, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California; and – Executive Calendar #875 Thomas M. Durkin, of Illinois, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois.

The Senate has begun consideration of H.R.1, Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2011. Senator Leahy, for Senator Inouye, offered a substitute amendment #3338 (the text of the Hurricane Sandy Emergency Supplemental Appropriations). Text and a summary of the amendment can be found on the Senate Appropriations Committee’s website (http://www.appropriations.senate.gov/). Senator Leahy, for Senator Inouye, then offered amendment #3339 (technical).

The Senate confirmed the nominations of Executive Calendar #833, Fernando M. Olguin, of California, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California, and Executive Calendar #875 Thomas M. Durkin, of Illinois, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois, by voice vote.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed S.1792, the Strengthening Investigations of Sex Offenders and Missing Children Act of 2011.

Passed S.1793, to amend title 28, United States Code, to clarify the statutory authority for the longstanding practice of the Department of Justice providing investigatory assistance on request of State and local authorities with respect to certain serious violent crimes, and for other purposes with a Whitehouse substitute amendment.

Passed H.R.2076, to amend title 28, United States Code, to clarify the statutory authority for the longstanding practice of the Department of Justice of providing investigatory assistance on request of State and local authorities with respect to certain serious violent crimes, and for other purposes with a committee-reported substitute amendment and a Whitehouse amendment.

Passed H.R.6223, To amend section 1059(e) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 to clarify that a period of employment abroad by the Chief of Mission or United States Armed Forces as a translator, interpreter, or in a security –related position in an executive or managerial capacity is to be counted as a period of residence and physical presence in the United States for purposes of qualifying for naturalization, and for other purposes.

Passed S.3687, To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program, to designate certain Federal buildings, and for other purposes.

Adopted S.Res.619, a resolution relative to the appointment of President pro tem – Senator Leahy.

Adopted S.Res.620, a resolution authorizing Senator Reid to administer the oath of office of President pro tem to Senator Leahy.

Adopted S.Res.621, a resolution condemning the horrific attacks in Newtown, Connecticut and expressing support and prayers for all those impacted by that tragedy.

Discharged the HELP committee and passed S.3472, a bill to amend the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 to provide improvements to such Act with a Landrieu substitute amendment.

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed Executive Calendar #833, Fernando M. Olguin, of CA, to be U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California by voice vote.

Confirmed Executive Calendar #875, Thomas M. Durkin, of IL, to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois by voice vote.

——————————————————————–

Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on December 17, 2012.

12:00:00 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:05 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Mac Thornberry to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:01:02 P.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
12:01:15 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. today. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.
2:00:35 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 17.
2:01:18 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:02:53 P.M.		SPEAKER’S APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Womack demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Womack objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.
2:03:26 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Altmire to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:03:39 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:12:46 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 13, 2012 at 4:14 p.m., stating that that body had passed S. 3313.
2:13:37 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 14, 2012 at 11:32 a.m., stating that that body had passed S. 2045 and H.R. 6116 without amendment.
2:13:50 P.M.		The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a sealed envelope from the White House on December 14, 2012, at 2:47 p.m., and said to contain a message from the President whereby he transmits the District of Columbia’s FY 2013 Budget and Financial Plan.
2:14:38 P.M.		The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting the District of Columbia Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Budget and Financial Plan – referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-157).
2:14:44 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
4:30:54 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 17.
4:30:59 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.
4:31:16 P.M.	H.R. 4606	Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 4606 — “To authorize the issuance of right-of-way permits for natural gas pipelines in Glacier National Park, and for other purposes.”
4:31:35 P.M.	H.R. 4606	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:31:37 P.M.	H.R. 4606	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4606.
4:36:45 P.M.	H.R. 4606	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
4:37:00 P.M.	S. 3193	Mr. Bishop (UT) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 3193 — “To make technical corrections to the legal description of certain land to be held in trust for the Barona Band of Mission Indians, and for other purposes.”
4:37:12 P.M.	S. 3193	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:37:18 P.M.	S. 3193	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3193.
4:41:33 P.M.	S. 3193	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
4:41:43 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.

6:30:45 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 17.
6:31:44 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:32:06 P.M.	H.R. 4606	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 4606 — “To authorize the issuance of right-of-way permits for natural gas pipelines in Glacier National Park, and for other purposes.”
7:00:52 P.M.	H.R. 4606	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): (Roll no. 627).
7:00:53 P.M.	H.R. 4606	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

7:04:16 P.M.		MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the Newtown, Connecticut shooting.
7:06:00 P.M.	S. 3193	Considered as unfinished business. S. 3193 — “To make technical corrections to the legal description of certain land to be held in trust for the Barona Band of Mission Indians, and for other purposes.”
7:12:33 P.M.	S. 3193	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 306 – 0 (Roll no. 628).
7:12:33 P.M.	S. 3193	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:12:51 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.
7:14:30 P.M.	H. Res. 833	Mr. Kline asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
7:15:21 P.M.	H. Res. 833	Considered by unanimous consent. H. Res. 833 — “Condemning the horrific attacks in Newtown, Connecticut and expressing support and prayers for all those impacted by this tragedy.”
7:15:24 P.M.	H. Res. 833	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 833.
7:30:59 P.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 3687 and S. 3472.
7:31:00 P.M.	H. Res. 833	DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H. Res. 833.
8:37:59 P.M.	H. Res. 833	The previous question was ordered without objection.
8:38:04 P.M.	H. Res. 833	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
8:38:09 P.M.	H. Res. 833	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
8:38:47 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
8:44:36 P.M.		Ms. Pelosi moved that the House do now adjourn.
8:44:46 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
8:44:47 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 18, 2012.

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Diversity in Congress … begins

12/14/2012 Nativegrl77

Last month’s election was a landmark for Democrats and our country. And as the new DSCC chairman, I can’t wait to start working to strengthen and secure the Democratic majority!

Are you as excited as I am to see new Senators like Elizabeth Warren, Heidi Heitkamp and Tammy Baldwin fight for us in the Senate? Then sign their welcome card right away! Let the new Democratic Senators know how excited you are to see them fighting for you.