Daily Archives: 04/04/2014

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BREAKING: Amazing news for whales


Greenpeace

Jump for joy — no whaling in the Southern Ocean this year!

I have amazing news that I’ve waited my whole life to be able to share with you. Japan has officially cancelled all plans to hunt whales in the Southern Ocean in 2014.

This will be the first year since 1904 that no whales will be hunted in Antarctic waters. 

This is huge. Today marks a phenomenal victory for whales — and for Greenpeace supporters like you who have joined together to call for an end to commercial whaling. I can only imagine that if we could communicate this news to whales — they’d also be jumping for joy.

Since 1989, Greenpeace has sent nine anti-whaling expeditions to the Antarctic. More recently, supporters like you have fought tirelessly to end the subsidies that keep commercial whaling alive and stop the unjust and unprofitable market for whale meat.

This day wouldn’t have been possible without your support. Thank you!

I hope you will take the time to celebrate this great news for whales with me today. This is proof that, together, we can make real change to protect the world’s whales and the oceans that they live in.


For the whales,

Phil Kline
Senior Oceans Campaigner

P.S. Today is a huge victory for whales, but we know we still have a long road ahead. Greenpeace is fully committed to ending ALL commercial whaling — but we need your help. Please keep this momentum going with your donation today. Your support will help us in the fights ahead in 2014 — protecting endangered whales, our oceans, and our planet.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

a roller coaster for the past few weeks…


mayorsagainstgunsIt’s been a bit of a roller coaster here these past few weeks…

The good: Thanks to the hard work of our supporters and staff, the historic H.B. 1840 was signed into law by Governor Inslee on F‌rid‌ay. The bill will ensure that people who are under restraining or protective orders will not have access to firearms if the court deems them a threat.

The bad: The gun lobby has successfully blocked us — again — from getting a bill passed that would apply existing background checks to all firearm purchases in Washington, so we’ll have to go to the ballot in November.

The ugly: Now that we know we’re going to have to take I-594 to the ballot in November, we need to really staff up, and prepare a sophisticated, aggressive campaign to defeat the gun lobby.

Contribute $3 before our midnight reporting deadline to help us defeat the gun lobby this fall!

We couldn’t be happier that we were able to pass a landmark gun responsibility bill in Olympia — but now it’s time to gear up for the real fight this fall.

Thanks for helping us start strong,

Zach Silk
Campaign Manager
Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

DEA blocking groundbrea​king medical marijuana research?


I’m a veteran with PTSD, and medical marijuana changed my life. Tell the DEA to stop blocking groundbreaking research that could bring medical marijuana to other vets like me.

 

Since my time on active duty in Iraq, I’ve suffered badly from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I’m haunted by nightmares and flashbacks, remembering the improvised explosive device that nearly took my arm.

My PTSD got so bad that I became prone to outbursts of anger and violence. I tried therapy, different kinds of medication, but it just kept getting worse — until I began using medical marijuana. 

After I registered as a patient in in my home state of Maine, where medical marijuana is legal, I finally felt like myself again. I stopped having so many nightmares when I was asleep, so many outbursts when I was awake.

For years researchers have been trying to study if marijuana can help veterans and others with PTSD. But the DEA has been blocking the research. The DEA would rather force veterans like me to go untreated than allow research to prove whether medical marijuana can help.

I started a petition on Change.org asking the Drug Enforcement Administration to allow a study on the medical benefits of marijuana for PTSD.

The Food and Drug Administration has already approved protocols for the proposed study on marijuana and PTSD. And just last week, the National Institute on Drug Abuse gave the study their approval as well. The DEA is now the one and only agency blocking this potentially revolutionary study.

PTSD is the second-most common illness facing today’s veterans. Tens of thousands of service members suffer from stress rooted in their time overseas. And while many are able to find some relief from traditional medical treatments, others are left seeking something that will work for them — and scientists think that medical marijuana may be the answer.

Please click here to sign my petition to allow a study on the medical benefits of marijuana for those suffering from PTSD.

I know firsthand how devastating PTSD can be and I would be dead or in prison without medical marijuana. Thank you for helping me and other veterans like me to find some relief.

Thank you,

Sergeant Ryan Begin,
United States Marine Corps (Ret).
Belfast, Maine
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

NMAAHC


NMAAHC

The Smithsonian’s Board of Regents has elected Dr. David J. Skorton, president of Cornell University and a board-certified cardiologist, as the 13th Secretary of the Smithsonian, effective July 2015. “David Skorton has demonstrated keen vision and skilled leadership as the president of two great American universities,” said John G. Roberts, Jr., Smithsonian Chancellor and Chief Justice of the United States. “His character, experience, and talents are an ideal match for the Smithsonian’s broad and dynamic range of interests, endeavors, and aspirations.”Dr. Daivd Skorton

To see videos of Dr. Skorton speaking and to learn more click here.