Speak Out Against the Proposed Longview Coal Export Terminal

Right now the agencies involved in issuing permits are deciding which impacts to consider in their decision-making process. They need to hear from you about why you are concerned about this proposed coal export facility in Longview.

Fight Dirty Energy for a Better, Cleaner Energy Future

WASHINGTON STATE !!!
Two major coal companies want to build the largest coal export terminal in the United States on the Columbia River in Washington. This proposed coal export facility in Longview, WA, would export 44 million tons of coal annually—that’s more than nine times the amount of coal burned each year at the Centralia coal plant.
Right now the agencies involved in issuing permits are deciding which impacts to consider in their decision-making process. They need to hear from you about why you are concerned about this proposed coal export facility in Longview.
Make your voice heard and send an email today.
Moving all that coal from where it’s mined in Montana and Wyoming to the West Coast would cause significant environmental and public health impacts all along the way, including increased coal dust and air pollution, damage to local waterways, increased train and shipping traffic, and more.
Furthermore, the global warming pollution generated from the transport and burning of 44 million tons of coal is equivalent to the annual emissions of 23 typical coal-fired power plants. We are already experiencing the devastating impacts of climate change and, nationally, we are making progress toward a clean energy future. But like the name says, global warming is a global problem—it makes no sense to encourage more coal burning abroad as we are cutting our coal use at home.
The coal companies proposing this project don’t want the effects on our climate or on those communities stretching across the hundreds of miles of the train route included in the permitting decision. Your voice counts.
Send a message today and tell decision makers that a supersized coal export terminal isn’t the energy future we need in the Northwest.
The proposed Longview coal terminal is a step in the wrong direction, and one that has real consequences for communities across the West. Let’s stand up against these dirty plans and demand a better, cleaner energy future.
Take Action Today!

Sincerely, Jason Barbose Western States Campaign Manager Union of Concerned Scientists

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CBS News needs to fix faulty reporting

11/07/2013 Nativegrl77

On last week’s 60 Minutes, CBS News presented an account from a British security contractor who claimed to be an eyewitness to the attack against U.S. diplomatic facilities in Benghazi, Libya. But the contractor’s own incident report revealed that he was nowhere near the facilities and was instead at a beachside villa. [1]Journalistic malpractice? Tell CBS News to fix this faulty reporting.

The 60 Minutes report largely hinged on revelations from “Morgan Jones,” who CBS News claimed “witnessed the attack.” In an interview with correspondent Lara Logan that sounded like the script for an action movie, “Jones” described scaling the wall at the burning compound, fighting off terrorists inside, and gaining access to the hospital to view the remains of Ambassador Chris Stevens.

The CBS News report quickly fueled the ongoing right-wing politicization of the terror attack and provided renewed vigor to accusations of a “Benghazi cover-up.” [2]

The problem? “Jones,” whose real name is Dylan Davies, previously wrote that he “could not get anywhere near” the diplomatic compound that night. In the incident report submitted to his employer, Davies stated that, due to roadblocks, he spent most of the night of the attack at his Benghazi beachside villa, only learning of the Ambassador’s death from a Libyan colleague’s cellphone picture. Davies later claimed that he lied in the employer report, not the story he gave to the media. Either way, the discrepancy is troubling. [3]

Veteran journalists agree that the new details raise questions about whether 60 Minutes properly reviewed Davies’ story before it aired. “Other sources, even if those were off the record sources, they could have done something to address this discrepancy,” said Kelly McBride, ethics instructor at The Poynter Institute and co- author of the new book the New Ethics of Journalism. Dave Cuillier, Society of Professional Journalists president, agreed: “Accuracy’s number one and we’ve got to get it right and if we don’t, which is going to happen inevitably, then we need to correct it. That applies in every situation, whether it’s an obit in the Green Valley News or 60 Minutes.” [4]

What’s more, CBS Corporation owns Simon & Schuster, which published Davies’ “eyewitness” memoir about the attack. The ties between 60 Minutes and the publisher of Davies’ book were not disclosed when 60 Minutes was promoting Davies’ story. Given the financial relationships involved, it’s especially concerning that CBS News did not properly address the discrepancy between Davies’ stories. [5]

Whether due to negligence or a deliberate lack of disclosure, CBS News failed to properly verify its source in pursuit of a scoop.

Will you join the call for CBS News to explain the discrepancies or retract its report?

In 2004, when questions were raised about 60 Minutes reporting on documents involving President George W. Bush’s service in the Texas Air National Guard, CBS News appointed an independent panel “to help determine what errors occurred in the preparation of the report and what actions need to be taken.” [6] Following the investigation, CBS News fired four producers connected to the story and chose not to renew correspondent Dan Rather’s contract.

To maintain its reputation as a respected news organization, CBS News needs to respond to this instance of questionable journalism with the same professionalism it has displayed in the past. Can you help us remind CBS News that journalism and the facts matter?

Sign the letter to CBS News: http://action.mediamatters.org/cbs_benghazi

We’ll send the letter next week, so sign on by Monday to ask CBS News to take responsibility for the problems in its report. Your participation makes a difference.

Cynthia Padera Campaigns Manager Media Matters for America

—–

[1] 60 Minutes Benghazi Report Takes A Huge Credibility Hit http://mm4a.org/1aZgivt [2] Conservative Media Praise CBS’ 60 Minutes Report On Benghazi http://mm4a.org/16h0mpS [3] CBS “Eyewitness” Admits He Lied About Benghazi Attack While Bashing Critics http://mm4a.org/1aUykCt [4] Veteran Journalists Criticize 60 Minutes For “Serious Problem” With Benghazi “Witness” http://mm4a.org/1h6tur2 [5] 60 Minutes’ Benghazi Eyewitness Asked Fox News For Money http://mm4a.org/17sky9b [6] David Brock Calls On CBS To Retract Faulty Benghazi Story http://mm4a.org/1iAIgBK

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The True Cost of Chevron

11/07/2013 Nativegrl77

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Last week we introduced you to a brave advocate for his community and the Amazon – Servio Curipoma. For Servio and the other 30,000 inhabitants of Chevron’s toxic wasteland, the struggle for basic necessities like clean water is a daily one.You may remember when in 2011 Servio first left his rainforest home to come to the US to share his story with members of Congress and influencers in Washington; the media and human rights groups in New York; and directly with Chevron shareholders, board members, and CEO John Watson right at Chevron’s headquarters in San Ramon, CA. Servio appealed to every person he met – including the cold Chevron CEO himself – to put aside the decades-long legal battle and help those who had suffered for too long. He asked that Chevron finally do the right thing and clean up what it had admitted to – leaving billions of gallons of toxic foundation waters polluting his Amazonian backyard.The truth about the daily reality faced by so many in Ecuador resonated with the American people, with socially-responsible investors and with the media. Support continued to grow and the pressure on Chevron increased. But with no sign of a clean-up coming, Servio returned last May with the help of Amazon Watch to confront Chevron at its Annual General Meeting. This time he brought a different message delivered on a massive pink slip – FIRE CEO John Watson! Watson, who was a key player in the Texaco merger, has led Chevron down a dark and dirty path of corporate crimes and environmental destruction around the globe. Servio and his supporters made it clear in front of Watson’s peers that Chevron’s attacks against victims in Ecuador, sympathetic shareholders, human rights and environmental groups and concerned citizens must end.

And what has Chevron done? Turned the finger on Servio and affected communities in Ecuador in a malicious and cowardly move to call them criminals after all that they have suffered. A week after Servio’s second visit, a perturbed Watson found himself being deposed as a witness due to legal attacks on Servio and his community.

Chevron has made it clear that it will continue to fight dirty. For Servio, for the 30,000 victims of Chevron’s atrocities, for corporate accountability around the globe – we cannot let up. Your support ensures that Amazon Watch can continue to help Servio and other Amazon heroes to confront CEOs like Watson in person and to hold corporations accountable.

For the Amazon,

Paul Paz y Miño
Online & Operations Director

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 11/7 the House

11/07/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Thursday, November 7, 2013. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.815, the Employee Non-Discrimination Act.

During Wednesday’s session of the Senate cloture was filed on S.815. As a result, the first degree amendment filing deadline is 10:30am and the 2^nd degree amendment filing deadline is 11:30am.

At 11:45am, there will be 2 roll call votes in relation to the following:

– Toomey amendment #2013 (broadens the number of groups covered under the religious exemption) (60-vote threshold) and

(the committee-reported substitute amendment will be agreed to by unanimous consent)

– Motion to invoke cloture on S.815, ENDA, as amended If cloture is invoked, there will be a 3^rd roll call vote at 1:45pm on passage of S.815, ENDA, as amended.

11:52am The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the Toomey amendment #2013 (broadens the number of groups covered under the religious exemption);

Not Agreed To: 43-55

Next votes:

Immediately following Toomey vote:

– Cloture on S.815, ENDA, as amended.

1:45pm:

– Passage of S.815, ENDA, as amended

12:21pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.815, ENDA, as amended

Invoked: 64-34

2014 Senate Calendar – 113^th Congress, Second Session

Convene – January 6, 2014

January 20 – 24 State Work Period (Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday January 20)

February 17 – 21 State Work Period (Presidents’ Day February 17)

March 17-21 State Work Period

April 14 – 25 State Work Period (Passover begins April 15; Good Friday April 18; Easter April 20)

May 26 – May 30 State Work Period (Memorial Day May 26)

June 30 – July 4 State Work Period (Independence Day July 4)

August 4 – September 5 State Work Period (Labor Day September1)

Target adjournment – TBD

At 1:50pm, the Senate began a roll call vote on passage of S.815, the Employee Non-Discrimination Act, as amended.

Passed: 64-32

Prior to adjourning today, Senator Reid filed cloture on Executive Calendar #346, the nomination of Cornelia T.L. Pillard, of the District of Columbia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit; and on the motion to proceed to Calendar #236, H.R.3204, a bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to human drug compounding and drug supply chain security.

By consent, the cloture vote on the Pillard nomination will occur at 5:30pm on Tuesday, November 12. If cloture is not invoked, the Senate would proceed immediately to the cloture vote on the motion to proceed to H.R.3204, Drug Quality and Security Act. If cloture is invoked on the nomination, the cloture vote on the motion to proceed to H.R.3204 would occur upon disposition of the nomination.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Toomey amendment #2013 (broadens the number of groups covered under the religious exemption); Not Agreed To: 43-55

2) Motion to invoke cloture on S.815, the Employee Non-Discrimination Act, as amended; Invoked: 64-34

3) Passage of S.815, ENDA, as amended; Passed: 64-32

Additional LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Discharged Foreign Relations and adopted S.Res.280, recognizing the 40^th anniversary of the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from the Vietnam War and expressing renewed support for United States veterans of that conflict.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.1661, to require the Secretary of State to offer rewards of up to $5,000,000 for information regarding the attacks on the United States diplomatic mission at Benghazi, Libya that began September 11, 2012.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

——————————————————————-

Last Floor Action:
5:11:55 P.M. – The House adjourned
pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00
a.m. on November 12, 2013, unless the House receives a message from the Senate
transmitting its adoption of H. Con. Res. 62, in which case the House shall
stand adjourned pursuant to that concurrent resolution.

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 10/6 the House

11/06/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:30am on Wednesday, November 6, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the motion to proceed to S.815, the Employee Non-Discrimination Act will be agreed to and the Senate will begin consideration of the bill.

This morning the Senate adopted the motion to proceed to S.815, ENDA. Senator Reid then offered Portman amendment #2012 (bans state and local governments from retaliating against religious groups that take action only permissible because of the religious exemption clause) and Toomey second degree amendment #2013 (broadens the number of groups covered under the religious exemption) to the Committee-reported substitute amendment to S.815.

He then offered technical amendments to the underlying bill and motion to recommit with instructions (date changes). For procedural reasons, Senator Reid also moved to proceed to Calendar #236, H.R.3204, Drug Quality and Security Act.

Today the Senate will work on an agreement to consider amendments to ENDA. Senators will be notified when any votes are scheduled.

The following amendments are pending to S.815, the Employee Non-Discrimination Act:

Toomey amendment #2013 (broadens the number of groups covered under the religious exemption) to the committee-reported substitute amendment
Reid amendment #2020 (date change) to amendment #2013
Reid amendment #2014 (date change)
Reid amendment #2015 to amendment #2014 (date change)
Motion to recommit the bill with instructions to report back with Reid amendment #2016 (date change)

The following amendment to S.815 have been considered:

Portman amendment #2012 (bans state and local governments from retaliating against religious groups that take action only permissible because of the religious exemption clause) to the committee-reported substitute amendment; Agreed to by voice vote

By unanimous consent, the Senate agreed to the Portman amendment #2012 by voice vote. The Toomey amendment #2013 is pending as a first degree amendment to the Committee-reported substitute amendment. The Reid amendment #2020 (date change) is pending to Toomey #2013.

Senator Reid filed cloture on S.815, Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The Senate then reached an agreement to complete action on the bill. As a result of this agreement, there will be 2 votes at 11:45am and, if cloture is invoked, 1 vote at 1:45pm tomorrow.

11:45am votes:

– Toomey amendment #2013 (broadens the number of groups covered under the religious exemption) (60-vote threshold);

– Cloture on S.815, ENDA, if cloture is invoked, then:

1:45pm vote:

– Passage of S.815, as amended.

The agreement is as follows: At 11:45am, on Thursday, November 7^th, the motion to recommit and the pending amendments to the underlying bill will be withdrawn. The Reid amendment #2020 will be withdrawn. No further amendments, motions to recommit or points of order are in order. The Senate will then proceed to a vote in relation to the pending Toomey amendment #2013. The Toomey amendment is subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold. Upon disposition of the Toomey amendment, the substitute amendment, as amended, will be agreed to. The Senate will then proceed to vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.815, as amended. If cloture is invoked, the time until 1:45pm, will be equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees. At 1:45pm, all post-cloture time will be yielded back, the bill read a third time and the Senate will proceed to vote on passage of the bill, as amended. Finally, if cloture is not invoked, the Majority Leader be recognized.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed S.287, to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the definition of homeless veteran for purposes of benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes with a committee-reported substitute amendment, a Sanders amendment and a committee-reported title amendment.

Adopted S.Res.268, A resolution condemning the September 2013 terrorist attack at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, and reaffirming United States support for the people and Government of Kenya, and for other purposes.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

========================================================

Last Floor Action:
5:11:55 P.M. – The House adjourned
pursuant to a previous special order.