~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Can you beat their score?

07/30/2013 Nativegrl77

Greenpeace word mark Русский: Текстовый символ «Гринпис» (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

by Casson Trenor, Greenpeace … this is a repost from 2013, but still valid

Casson Trenor, scored 26,840 points on our new 8-bit online video game Shark Vs. Mermaid Death Squad.

Though that’s not the only milestone I’m celebrating.

Last week, the game was shared with its 2 millionth viewer. When it first launched, we got the attention of a whole new audience. People like Jared Leto and Mark Bittman tweeted about it. Gaming sites like Gawker and Vice were writing about. I’m not gonna lie, the game is pretty cool. Check it out for yourself.

But this game isn’t about attracting celebrities. It’s about something much bigger.

If we don’t change how the tuna industry operates, it will be Game Over for our oceans. Overfishing runs rampant in all oceans from the Pacific to the Indian, and countless animals such as sharks, sea turtles, rays and other marine life are killed every year due to the destructive fishing practices of the global tuna industry.

We designed the game to highlight the unsustainable fishing practices of the three major U.S. tuna brands, Chicken of the Sea, Starkist, and Bumble Bee. The industry has used a lot of fancy PR tactics to stop Greenpeace from exposing the truth about how it runs its business. So we came up with a new tactic of our own to get the message out.

Play Shark vs Mermaid Death Squad now and see if you can beat my high score.

Don’t worry about running out of lives either. When you share the game with your friends on Facebook and Twitter you’ll earn a new life. Email the company, and earn two more. Trust me, it ain’t easy being a sea turtle or shark these days. Until things start change, you’re going to need those extra lives.

Have fun outrunning the tuna industry death squad and know that you are helping to bring attention to a critical issue at the same time.

For the oceans,

Casson Trenor Greenpeace Senior Markets Campaigner

P.S. Play our new online video game and help bring attention to the destructive fishing practices of the tuna industry.

Then tweet us at @greenpeaceusa and let us know what you think by using the #mermaiddeathsquad

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Honoring Our Veterans …

07/30/2013 Nativegrl77

Honoring Our Veterans

This weekend, President Obama took time to honor those who fought in the Korean War — 60 years to the day after the war concluded. “Perhaps the highest tribute we can offer our veterans of Korea is to do what should have been done the day you came home,” the President said at the Korean War Veterans Memorial, “In our hurried lives, let us pause. Let us listen. Let these veterans carry us back to the days of their youth, and let us be awed by their shining deeds.”

Click here to watch the President’s remarks.

President Barack Obama arrives for a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended the Korean War, at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., Saturday, July 27, 2013. Walking with the President are, from left: Gen. Jung Seung-jo, chairman of the Republic of Korea’s joint chiefs of staff; and Special Envoy from the Republic of Korea Kim Jung Hun. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Weekly Address: A Better Bargain for the Middle Class

President Obama tells the American people about his speech at Knox College, where he discussed the cornerstones of what it means to be middle class, including having a good job, a home that is your own, quality education, a secure retirement, and affordable health care.

Last week, the President hosted the NCAA Champion Louisville Cardinals, the President of Vietnam, pressed for the passage of comprehensive immigration reform, and laid out his vision of growing the economy from the middle class out, while traveling to Illinois, Missouri, and Florida.

In September 2009, the President announced that—for the first time in history—White House visitor records would be made available to the public on an ongoing basis. On Friday, the White House releases visitor records that were generated in April 2013.

Big News !

07/30/2013 Nativegrl77

Hello friendly Progress Report readers,

We’re taking a break from the regular Progress Report today to bring you some big news from our colleagues at ThinkProgress.

First of all, ThinkProgress has been completely resigned and updated with a great new look. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Second, ThinkProgress announced a major expansion of its coverage of climate change through Climate Progress, its hub for all things climate, energy, and environment-related. The number of reporters on the Climate Progress team has recently quadrupled — with even more additions yet to come.

Climate Progress’s expanded coverage will focus on three key areas: illustrating the impact climate change is having now across the country; investigating the opposition forces that fuel climate denial and obstruct action; and elevating climate change to an issue that influences voters and elections. The expanded site will also be able to cover a broader spectrum of climate and energy issues, including environmental justice and green technology.

Climate-fueled disasters like Hurricane Sandy, floods, droughts, and other devastation wrought by extreme weather aren’t going anywhere, but unfortunately major media outlets like the New York Times and Reuters are backing off their commitment to covering these issues at this crucial time. ThinkProgress is stepping up to fill this gap in order to make sure climate change is getting the coverage it deserves while creating sustained accountability for politicians and special interests opposed to action to combat it.

Please check out the new look over at ThinkProgress and be on the lookout for more and more innovative coverage from Climate Progress.

And like we said, please feel free to get back to us with any feedback you have.

-The Progress Report Team

P.S. ThinkProgress also recently unveiled ThinkProgress Sports, a new section that will bring original reporting and comprehensive analysis to the sports news cycle, and the stories behind the sports headlines. Be sure and check that out too!

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Social Security

07/30/2013 Nativegrl77

On Saturday Senators Tom Harkin and Mark Begich were on The Ed Show to
introduce their plan to strengthen and expand Social Security to MSNBC’s
audience across the country.

They certainly have the right
idea. They’ve proposed bills that would strengthen and enhance Social
Security for generations to come. That’s the kind of renewed commitment
to community and security we need. Already 94,672 DFA members have taken
action to support their plan. Will you join them?

Click here to watch the Senators’ appearance on The Ed Show and then
add your name to our petition to help us reach 100,000 signatures by
Tuesday.

This
isn’t going to be an easy fight. The very same Wall Street bankers and
Tea Party interests that have plotted to derail Social Security time and
again will no doubt put up the fight of their lives. We need your help. Will you join us in the fight to expand and strengthen Social Security?

Thanks for all you do,

Neil

Neil Sroka, Communications Director
Democracy for America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

the Other Washington

07/30/2013 Nativegrl77

It’s clear from the Republican-controlled State Senate budget proposals they expected my grassroots supporters, like you, to just stop working as soon as the campaign was over.

But together, we proved they were wrong — by standing up, speaking out, and holding the line when they tried to drag our state backward.

Now we’re facing another challenge. July 31 at midnight is our first fundraising deadline since the legislative session ended. We need to reach our $10,000 July fundraising goal to make sure we can keep fighting to close unnecessary tax loopholes, create jobs, and fully fund public education.

Will you contribute $5, $10, or more before the deadline to keep our grassroots movement strong?

Our opponents are watching to see if you and I have what it takes to keep standing up and fighting on the critical issues facing our state.

And make no mistake about it: We have work to do.

This year, Senate Republicans failed to close unnecessary tax loopholes and create a long-term funding solution for our public schools. They stopped efforts to bring forth bipartisan legislation like the Dream Act and the Reproductive Parity Act.

And they failed to bring to a vote and pass a transportation package to keep people and goods flowing across our state.

That just means we have to keep fighting — harder than ever — to deliver on the promise I made to wake up every morning laser-focused on creating jobs and strengthening the economy.

Together we can keep up the fight, and together we can win it, but I need you to stand with me now.

Will you contribute $5, $10, or more before the midnight deadline July 31 and keep our grassroots movement strong?

Thank you so much for your continued support. Together we can do hard things.

Very truly yours,

Jay Inslee