It would be hard to make this stuff up. Australia’s legendarily irresponsible mining industry has a new plan: while the planet faces catastrophic climate change, build the world’s largest coal mining complex, and then build a shipping lane to that port straight through the greatest ecological treasure we have – the Great Barrier Reef!

This is a terrible idea with devastating consequences, and the investor group Aurizon that’s backing it know it. They’re getting cold feet, and we might be able to push them over the edge, and kill the project. One of the main potential funders has even donated to climate activism!

If one million of us express our head-shaking disbelief at this crazy project in the next few days, we can help get Aurizon to pull funding and maybe even persuade the Australian PM to step in. This is what Avaaz is for, let’s raise a voice for common sense:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/australian_coal_disaster_global/?biEWLbb&v=27496

The Great Barrier Reef — the largest living organism on Earth and home to a quarter of all the species that live in the world’s oceans — has slowly been dying for years. It’s lost half its coral in the past three decades and that rate is only accelerating. Climate change is one cause, but so is Australia’s booming mining industry. The German magazine Der Spiegel reported that “if current trends continue, the unthinkable could happen: the Great Barrier Reef could die.”

And yet, the mining industry plans to build massive new ports at a complex called Abbot Point in Northeast Australia (right by the reef) to make it easier to get the coal it’s mining out to the world. Not only would that mean doubling the number of ships that pass by the reef each year and ripping up to 3 million cubic meters of material from the fragile seabed, but if all the coal from the proposed mines this would enable is burned, it would be three times Australia’s current climate pollution — hurtling us faster towards the point of no return.

The investors are meeting now to decide what to do and the Australian Environment Minister will choose whether to approve the project in the next two weeks. Our voices can signal to all of them to block this disaster, especially to Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd if he hopes to maintain his global reputation in the lead-up to his re-election bid.

They’re all deciding what to do now. Sign this urgent petition and share it with everyone you know to stop the Great Barrier train wreck:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/australian_coal_disaster_global/?biEWLbb&v=27496

The Avaaz community has been fighting to save the unparalleled beauty of the reef for years. Last year, Avaaz members threatened a public US Bank when they were set to invest in reef destruction. And hundreds of thousands of Avaaz members sent messages to the Australian Environment Minister to help win the largest marine reserve in the world. Let’s do it again and put the reef out of reach of these profiteering plunderers.

With hope and determination,

David, Alex, Emily, Lisa, Oli, Marie, Ricken, Alice and the whole Avaaz team

PS – Many Avaaz campaigns are started by members of our community. It’s easy to get started – click to start yours now and win on any issue – local, national or global: http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/start_a_petition/?bgMYedb&v=23917

MORE INFORMATION:

Great Barrier Reef Under Threat (TIME)
http://www.avaaz.org/time_great_barrier_reef_article

‘Death By a Thousand Cuts’: Coal Boom Could Destroy Great Barrier Reef (Spiegel)
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/australia-debates-how-to-protect-the-great-barrier-reef-a-900911.html

GVK‘s Australia coal project ‘a quagmire, not an investment’ says report (The Times of India)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/GVKs-Australia-coal-project-a-quagmire-not-an-investment-says-report/articleshow/20651363.cms

Report- Stranded: Alpha Coal Project in Australia’s Galilee Basin (IEEFA)
http://www.ieefa.org/report-stranded-alpha-coal-project-in-australias-galilee-basin/

GVK rejects claim Alpha is ‘stranded’ (The Age)
http://www.theage.com.au/business/carbon-economy/gvk-rejects-claim-alpha-is-stranded-20130619-2oj96.html

Abbott Point Coal Mine Map (Greenpeace)
http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/en/what-we-do/climate/resources/reports/Cooking-the-climate-Wrecking-the-reef/

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

a message from Al Franken & Rachel Maddow

07/30/2013 Nativegrl77

Al Franken - U.S. Senator, Minnesota

Carmen —
Got a minute? Then click here.
Al was on Rachel Maddow’s show the other night, talking about his provision in health care reform that’s already saving Americans billions of dollars.
Oh, and Will Ferrell’s in the video, too — you’ll see when you watch it.
It’s an important video because it highlights one of the many benefits of Obamacare that a lot of people don’t know about.
But it’s also important because it highlights the reason why my job rocks — it’s Al at his best.
Click here to watch the video — and then take action to help Al keep making progress (we’re almost at our $100,000 July goal with just 2 days to go!).

If we work hard to elect leaders like Al, we really can make a difference. We can bring down the cost of health care. We can hold insurance companies accountable. We can keep racking up more great accomplishments like the one Al talks about in the video.
So watch this clip, share it with your friends, and make sure to take action to help Al keep fighting for us!
Thanks,
Matt
Matt Burgess Campaign Manager TeamFranken
P.S.: We only have 2 days left until we hit our July fundraising deadline — and we could really use YOUR help to hit our $100,000 goal. Please click here to take action today!

Black History

the Senate & the NLRB CONGRESS the House

07/30/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am on Tuesday, July 30, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #223, the nomination of Kent Yoshiho Hirozawa, of New York, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board.

At approximately 10:15am, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Hirozawa nomination.

10:15am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #223, the nomination of Kent Yoshiho Hirozawa, of New York, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;

Invoked: 64-34

There will now be up to 8 hours for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination. Senators will be notified when that vote is scheduled. We expect to recess from 12:30 until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

The Senate stands in recess until 2:15pm for the weekly caucus meetings, with the time charged equally against the post-cloture time on the Hirozawa nomination.

Invoked: 64-34

The Senate stands in recess until 2:15pm for the weekly caucus meetings, with the time charged equally against the post-cloture time on the Hirozawa nomination.

The Senate has reached an agreement to consider the remaining NLRB nominations today. As a result of this agreement, following Senator Coburn’s remarks (he has consent to speak for up to 15 minutes), there will be a series of up to 7 roll call votes. The first vote will be a 15 minute vote and the remaining will be 10 minutes in duration.

Approx. 4:35pm series of up to 7 roll call votes (last 2 votes could be voice votes):

Confirmation of Executive Calendar #223, the nomination of Kent Yoshiho Hirozawa, of New York, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board.

2 minutes for debate

Cloture on Executive Calendar #224, the nomination of Nancy Jean Schiffer, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board; if cloture is invoked, then-
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #224, the nomination of Nancy Jean Schiffer, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;

2 minutes for debate

Cloture on Executive Calendar #104, the nomination of Mark Gaston Pearce, of New York, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board; if cloture is invoked, then-
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #104, the nomination of Mark Gaston Pearce, of New York, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board;
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #102, the nomination of Harry I. Johnson, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board (expect voice vote); and
Confirmation of Executive Calendar #103, the nomination of Philip Andrew Miscimarra, of Illinois, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board (expect voice vote).

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July 2013
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
	1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30	31

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Last Floor Action:
10:02:55 A.M. – The Speaker announced
that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on July 30, 2013.

12:00:10 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:17 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable John Abney Culberson to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:01:08 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.
12:28:21 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess.The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

2:00:36 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 30.
2:00:49 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:01:59 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:02:02 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Takano to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:31 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.
2:21:25 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 3:00 P.M. today.
3:04:45 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 30.
3:05:13 P.M.	H.R. 2610	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 312. H.R. 2610 — “Making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes.”
3:05:18 P.M.	H.R. 2610	The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2397, under a structured rule, and consideration of H.R. 2610, under an open rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on both bills. Additionally, the resolution provides for one motion to recommit with or without instructions for both bills.
3:05:46 P.M.	H.R. 2610	House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 312 and Rule XVIII.
3:05:46 P.M.	H.R. 2610	The Speaker designated the Honorable Luke Messer to act as Chairman of the Committee.
3:06:13 P.M.	H.R. 2610	GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2610.
3:43:27 P.M.	H.R. 2610	COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE- AMENDMENT DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole will proceed with debate on offered amendments under the five minute rule.
4:09:33 P.M.	H.R. 2610	An amendment, offered by Mr. Griffin (AR), to reduce funds for Salaries and Expenses of the Secretary of Transportation by $500,000 and to increase funds for operational expenses of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration by $500,000.
4:09:38 P.M.	H.R. 2610	DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Griffin (AR) amendment.
4:13:42 P.M.	H.R. 2610	On agreeing to the Griffin (AR) amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.