Category Archives: ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

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The 2012 Drought in America, Worst in Fifty Years

The United States is experiencing its worst drought in half a century, with serious and far-reaching implications for everything from food supplies to electricity production, biofuels to property values. To raise awareness of the drought’s impacts, the Union of Concerned Scientists is featuring a series of blog posts that explores the science and potential consequences of this historic event.

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Support Chris Coons


I know it may seem like politicians only roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty when they are throwing mud at each other.

Well, I want you to meet someone different, someone who shares my commitment to put people before politics: my friend, Jon Tester, U.S. Senator from Montana.

There are few people in Washington like Jon — a truly authentic individual without a shred of pretense in him. He’s a third generation dirt farmer and, to this day, harvests the crops on his family farm each season. He has an indelible presence and a boisterous laugh that can — often — be heard echoing through the halls of the Capitol.

Jon Tester is a good friend and a great senator, and right now he needs our help as he fights for his re-election.

We saw last month how passionate he is about trying to overturn Citizens United, a decision that Jon once described as a “kick in the teeth to our democracy.”

Watch a recent interview with Jon on “The Rachel Maddow Show” talking about his campaign and Citizens United then sign up to stay involved:

Meet Jon Tester

Since Jon arrived in the Senate, he’s done a tremendous job working to lift the curtain of special interest influence in Washington.

It’s no wonder the same special interest groups are pouring millions of dollars into the race to stop him. Jon will need the help of people like you to combat the attacks from these extreme groups.

Take one easy step and add your name to Jon Tester’s email list to stay up to date on his campaign.

Jon is someone who will continue to roll up his sleeves, eager to help move our country forward.

We can’t let the obstructionism in Washington prevail. The other side has gone to war against women and stood in the way of our efforts to get America back to work.

With Jon on our side, we can continue our work to put people over politics.

Best —

Chris

Safety and Fairness for Children with Diabetes


 

American Diabetes Association
Safe at School
Promoting Safety and Fairness for Children with Diabetes
Dear Carmen:It could be a matter of life or death.When a student with diabetes has an emergency in school, and no one is there to help when they need insulin, time is of the essence to get them the urgent carethey need.Many of the more than 200,000 children with diabetes in this country have no support system in school when they need insulin or face a diabetes emergency. Without good daily care for their diabetes, these children face serious long-term health issues including blindness, heart disease, amputation and even death.

Keep Them Safe at School - Sign the PledgeHowever, some states and school systems claim that only a school nurse can help a child with their diabetes care at school. What happens when a nurse isn’t available to help that child in a severe blood glucose emergency?

Help ensure all children with diabetes are protected at school by signing our pledge to keep them safe.

Not only do some schools fail to provide a medically safe environment in which kids with diabetes can learn … they also reject these same children by telling them that they are not welcome to attend their local school.

That’s why the American Diabetes Association’s Safe at School campaign is dedicated to making sure all students with diabetes have the care they need to learn and be healthy. We are working with parents, health care professionals and school personnel across the country to make sure children with diabetes have the fundamental care they need so they aren’t placed in life threatening situations. And we’re fighting to make sure that these children are being treated fairly and have the same educational opportunities as their classmates.

In fact, we’ve already won victories for children with diabetes in many states. But we’re still fighting in places like California and Pennsylvania where kids are placed at risk each and every day.

Please speak up on behalf of these children by signing the pledge to help make sure children with diabetes have the care they need to keep them safe.

Thanks for all you do,
Larry Hausner
Larry Hausner
Chief Executive Officer
American Diabetes Association

P.S. Children with diabetes sometimes need help with the insulin they take daily. Your donation today to the American Diabetes Association could help us fight for the diabetes care that these children deserve, as well as fund leading-edge research, education and awareness programs that will improve the lives of millions of people living with diabetes. Help us STOP DIABETES®. Donate today.

 

Breaking: NRA in Court to Stop Protections to Condors, Eagles


 


Bald eagle
The NRA just attacked protections for bald eagles and other wildlife. Help us fight back.

 July 31, 2012

Just moments ago the National Rifle Association took legal action to block the EPA from protecting wildlife and people from being poisoned by lead hunting ammunition left in the wild.

Today’s legal action challenges the Center for Biological Diversity‘s suit, filed last month with allies, to get the EPA to finally regulate toxic lead in hunting ammunition.

These outrageous attacks need to stop. Please make an emergency gift today and help us stand up to the NRA’s assault on wildlife.

As I’ve written to you over the past two weeks, millions of birds are needlessly poisoned every year by toxic lead ammo left in the wild, including bald eagles, swans and endangered California condors.

Under the federal Toxic Substances Control Act, the EPA has the authority to stop this lead-poisoning epidemic with common-sense solutions — but the NRA is using its muscle to throw up roadblocks to any new safeguards.

The NRA is bound and determined to keep the EPA from doing its job in protecting the millions of birds who die every year after being painfully poisoned by lead bullet fragments.

That’s why we need your urgent support now with a gift to our Condor Defense Fund. Help defend the EPA’s ability to regulate this deadly toxin and ensure not one more condor, swan or bald eagle is poisoned by lead bullets.

The Center has been working since 2004 to end the preventable lead poisoning of birds and reduce health risks for people eating lead-shot game.

Lead poisoning is the leading cause of death for America‘s ancient, critically endangered condors. Please make your gift today to stand up to the NRA and protect these extraordinary birds, along with other wildlife, threatened by lead poisoning.

We’ve faced this challenge before and know the NRA will stop at nothing to keep us from protecting endangered wildlife — so we’re in for a bare-knuckle fight.

Thank you for standing with us,

Kieran Suckling
Kierán Suckling
Executive Director
Center for Biological Diversity

P.S. The best way to protect millions of birds and animals from lead poisoning is to stop the NRA’s attack in the courts and continue our work to end the needless deaths of condors and other wildlife once and for all by getting lead out of our environment. I hope you’ll consider a generous gift today.

 

Celebrate Free Preventive Services!


 

AAUW Action Network
As of August 1, 2012, all new health plans must cover eight women’s preventive services, including birth control, without cost sharing. To celebrate, we’re hosting a virtual party on Facebook – and we want you to sign the guestbook!
Preventive services are critical to a woman’s health, and cost has remained a burden for far too long. With the Department of Health and Human Services regulations going into effect on August 1, the following services will now be available without copays:
  1. Breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling;
  2. Screening and counseling for interpersonal and domestic violence;
  3. Screening for gestational diabetes;
  4. DNA testing for high-risk strains of HPV;
  5. Counseling regarding sexually transmitted infections, including HIV;
  6. Screening for HIV;
  7. Contraceptive methods and counseling; and
  8. Well woman visits.
Take Action!
Tell us why you are celebrating these new requirements! You can share a personal story about the importance of preventive services, talk about why you are passionate about women’s health care, or write notes of congratulations to your fellow activists for getting the job done and passing health care reform legislation that includes these necessary services!
Each week of the party will have a different theme, so you can sign the guestbook as many times as you want. August starts on a Wednesday, so our themed weeks will also start on Wednesdays:
  • August 1-7: Contraception
  • August 8-14: Screening and counseling for interpersonal and domestic violence
  • August 15-21: Maternal care (breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling)
  • August 22-28: Health education (screening for gestational diabetes; DNA testing for high-risk strains of HPV; counseling regarding sexually transmitted infections, including HIV; and screening for HIV)
  • August 29-31: Well woman visits
The celebration continues all month, but you don’t want to show up late to the party! Sign the guestbook today and share with your friends and family.
Learn more about what preventive services will be covered at Healthcare.gov, as well as the other benefits for women such as the end of higher premiums for pre-existing conditions.

Follow AAUW on Twitter, and read our award-winning AAUW Dialog Blog for discussion, information, and advocacy for women and girls!