“Corporations are people, my friend.”

Take a guess. Is this:

A. a line from eerie new sci-fi flick starring Christopher Walken
B. a statement by Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney
C. a typical morning self-affirmation by oil & gas industry CEOs

The answer is B. Mitt Romney made this statement with a straight face in front of both public and press at the Iowa State Fair last year. And if you’ve heard about the infamous Citizens United ruling, then you know that the U.S. Supreme Court agrees.

Do you think that “corporate personhood” is best kept in the world of science fiction? Ready to fight back? Good. So are we! Join us this week on the anniversary of Citizen’s United in letting corporations and their political allies know that democracy is for the people. Real people. We The People.

Understanding Citizen’s United

Trying to understand the many frustrating complexities of “corporate personhood” and its role in the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling could drive some people to want to just crack a beer and watch Simpsons reruns all night long. Do not fear. We’ve got a cartoon here (from the brilliant people who brought you The Story of Stuff) that makes understanding Citizens United a snap.

Take Action on the Anniversary of Citizen’s United

This Friday and Saturday, you will have a historic opportunity to challenge corporate power on the anniversary of Citizen’s United. Join us in the streets at events in San Francisco and Minneapolis or find an action in your town!

January 20 Join RAN at Occupy Wall Street West in San Francisco
January 21 Join RAN in the Twin Cities
Find an Action in Your Town

President Obama Rejects Keystone XL Pipeline

Great news! President Obama has just rejected the Keystone XL pipeline. Thanks to all of you who were part of the grassroots opposition to this massive pipeline. Against huge threats from Big Oil, President Obama stepped up to defend the health of the American people and our climate. Join us in thanking the president and encouraging him to continue the fight for our green energy future.

Levi’s Takes a Stand for Rainforests

RAN is pleased to announce that denim giant Levi Strauss & Co. has implemented a new paper policy in its operations around the globe. This makes Levi’s the latest company in an ever-growing list of major corporate customers to exclude supplier Asia Pulp & Paper for its human rights abuses and blatant rainforest destruction. Kudos to Levi’s for taking a strong stand to protect forests in Indonesia and around the world.

Bankrupting America on Tumblr

From fees to foreclosures to coal financing, Bank of America has got zero love these days. In fact, we thought BoA deserved its own shiny new website to track the vast amounts of ire it’s garnering from people across the country, so RAN and The New Bottom Line are bringing you Bankrupting America on Tumblr. This blog features BoA’s foibles, follies, and clever pushback from people who’ve had enough (like the activists who modified every BoA ATM screen in San Francisco in a single night). If you’ve got a juicy video, photo, news story or personal account about Bank of America, we want to hear about it. Submit your story today!

Great Moments in Stupid Chevron PR

Now that Chevron has been found guilty—again —for intentionally dumping a massive amount of toxic oil waste in the Ecuadorean Amazon, the company has become particularly desperate to explain why it refuses to take responsibility. We’ve remixed some of the most ridiculous excuses Chevron spokespeople have made over the years into a magnum opus of Great Moments in Stupid Chevron PR. Check out the video, then submit your own brilliant ideas for Chevron’s next stupid excuse!

Field Report: The High Stakes of Palm Oil

To understand how palm oil—an ingredient in more than 50% of household products in the U.S.—really affects the people, ecosystems, and animals on the ground in Indonesia, read this latest field report from RAN forest campaigners Lafcadio Cortesi and Ashley Schaeffer. These two traveled deep into the jungles of Borneo to document the tragic impacts of palm oil plantation expansion on some of the most beautiful primary rainforests in the world.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Update on Keystone XL … James Kvaal – Policy Director, BarackObama.com

01/19/2012 Nativegrl77

I wanted to make sure you heard the news: Earlier today, the State Department denied the permit to build the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

President Obama had made clear that a project of this magnitude — with high stakes for public health, the environment, and our country’s energy supply — needed a thorough review. But Republicans in Congress demanded an up-or-down decision in just 60 days, cutting short a process that was already under way with an unreasonable deadline.

Our opponents have some powerful friends in the oil industry, and they’re fighting back hard.

Say you stand with the Obama administration’s effort to protect the environment, develop our natural resources responsibly, and create jobs:

http://my.barackobama.com/Keystone-XL

Get the full story here.

Thanks,

James

James Kvaal
National Policy Director
Obama for America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

On Sat., Jan. 21, the NFLPA (NFL Players Association) will host the AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Carson, Calif. — Please help if you can

01/19/2012 Nativegrl77

Everyone’s struggling in this economy—some of us more than others. Can you afford even a small donation to make 2012 a little bit brighter for someone less fortunate than yourself?

Not all of us can afford to give this year. So if you can afford to help, your contribution is more important than ever. Here are two things you can do:

1. Since Aug. 1, 1,300 BCTGM (Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers) members in Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa have been locked out of their factories by American Crystal Sugar. The company has hired replacement workers and continues to refuse to return to the bargaining table.

Click here to pitch in and help 1,300 union brothers and sisters who have been locked out by their employer since Aug. 1.

2. On Sat., Jan. 21, the NFLPA (NFL Players Association) will host the AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Carson, Calif.

What’s special about this game is that the AFL-CIO is working with the players to fill the stadium with people—particularly union members—who have lost their jobs, plus local youths and members of the military. It costs $12.50 to donate a ticket.

Can you help? Click here to donate one or more tickets. (If you live near Carson, Calif., or can make it to the game, you can also purchase tickets for the game here, using discount code UNION to save 20 percent.)

Whichever of these campaigns you choose, your donation will have an immediate, tangible impact on people’s lives in the New Year.

Thanks for all the work you do.

In Solidarity,

Manny Herrmann
Online Mobilization Coordinator, AFL-CIO

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Sign our petition. It says: “I like leaders who hire people.” … AFL – CIO

01/18/2012 Nativegrl77

Former corporate raider and presidential hopeful Mitt Romneyrecently said “I like being able to fire people”—and his record as a corporate raider backs that up.He supports laws that attack workers’ rights and make it easier to fire people.Sign our petition. It says: “I like leaders who hire people.”

Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney—who killed thousands of jobs as a corporate raider—recently said he “likes being able to fire people.”

Romney’s record as a corporate raider backs up his words: He supports laws that attack workers’ rights and make it easier to fire people. Laws like the so-called “right to work” bill being considered in Indiana that targets collective bargaining, robbing workers of union protection.

If Indiana’s so-called “right to work” bill passes, the state’s unions no longer will stand between corporate raiders like Mitt Romney and many of the workers they like to fire to boost short-term profits. And it will become much harder for everyday workers to improve their wages, benefits and retirement security.

If you agree with the AFL-CIO that our leaders need to work together on an agenda that actually creates jobs—and stop following the lead of corporate raiders like Mitt Romney—add your name to our “I like leaders who hire people” petition.

In 2011, we saw the beginnings of a new democratic movement for economic justice. We had the most solidarity I’ve seen at any time during my career in the labor movement. We shifted the debate. And we’ll keep doing it.

But to translate this movement into lasting change, politics matter. Not just who we elect for president, but our choices at the state and local levels, too.

America wants to work—and it is politics as usual, not economic obstacles, standing in the way of putting people back to work. That’s why we’re promoting a job-creating agenda in statehouses around the country this year, focusing on priorities like:

Making sure state tax dollars are used to keep jobs in that state and in America.
Buying state-made and American-made goods—so we create jobs in our communities and in America.
Stopping corporate tax loopholes and tax breaks for millionaires—so our states no longer are starved of the revenue they need for critical services.

Please make sure your lawmakers—from the statehouse to the White House—know where you stand. Add your name to our “I like leaders who hire people” petition.

Even though ruthless, corporate-backed attacks on workers continue, make no mistake: Our message—the message of the 99%—is taking root. Many politicians haven’t caught up yet. But they will. They’ll have to. Because people all across the country are saying our economy and our democracy are out of balance. They’re saying it’s time to create jobs for every person who wants to work—jobs that can support our families and that can support our dreams.

Sign the “I like leaders who hire people” petition. Make sure our leaders know you expect them to build a better America—and drop the attacks on working families.

Thank you for all the work you do.

In Solidarity,

Richard L. Trumka
President, AFL-CIO

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House casts a Political Vote today while Americans suffer – the Senate on pro forma

01/18/2012 Nativegrl77

Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 11:00am

Friday, December 23, 2011 at 9:30am

Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 12:00pm

Friday, December 30, 2011 at 11:00am

Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 12:00pm, during which the 2^nd Session of the 112^th Congress will convene

Friday, January 6, 2012 at 11:00am

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 11:00am

Friday, January 13, 2012 at 12:00pm

Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 10:15am

Friday, January 20, 2012 at 2:00pm

When the Senate adjourns on Friday, January 20^th, it will adjourn until Monday, January 23^rd at 2:00pm. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 4:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Calendar #438, John M. Gerrard, of Nebraska, to be United States District Judge for the District of Nebraska with up to 90 minutes of debate, 60 minutes equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley, or their designees and 30 minutes under the control of Senator Sessions or his designee.

Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of the Gerrard nomination.

As a reminder to all Senators, cloture was filed on the Reid motion to proceed to Calendar #70, S.968, a bill to prevent online threats to economic creativity and theft of intellectual property and for other purposes on Saturday, December 17^th. By unanimous consent, this roll call vote will be at 2:15pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012.

————————————————————————————-

Republicans will take a vote of disapproval on the President’s action on the debt ceiling … wasting Americans time money & don’t they know People are still in crisis

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JANUARY 18, 2012

112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

-SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.4:28:29 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.4:27:37 P.M. -Mr. Terry asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Thursday, January 19, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, January 23, 2012, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.4:26:41 P.M. -Mr. Terry asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2012. Agreed to without objection.4:25:18 P.M. -H.J. Res. 98Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:25:16 P.M. -H.J. Res. 98On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 239 – 176, 2 Present (Roll no. 4).4:01:13 P.M. -H.J. Res. 98The previous question was ordered pursuant to the statute.2:10:30 P.M. -H.J. Res. 98Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 515 and section 3101A(c)(4) of title 31, United States Code, the House proceeded with 2 hours of debate on H.J. Res. 98.2:09:42 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 96Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:09:37 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 96On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.2:08:48 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 96Considered as privileged matter. H. Con. Res. 96 — “Providing for a joint session of Congress to receive a message from the President.”2:05:58 P.M. -On approving the Journal Agreed to by recorded vote: 292 – 120, 1 Present (Roll no. 3).1:59:05 P.M. -H. Res. 515Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.1:58:16 P.M. -H. Res. 515On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.1:58:15 P.M. -H. Res. 515On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 238 – 176, 1 Present (Roll no. 2).12:36:57 P.M. -H. Res. 515DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 515.12:36:05 P.M. -H. Res. 515Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 515 — “Addressing a motion to proceed under section 3101A of title 31, United States Code.”12:03:12 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.12:02:50 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Hahn to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.12:02:21 P.M. -POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Tonko demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Tonko objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.12:01:15 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.12:00:55 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 18.11:30:33 A.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.10:00:51 A.M. -MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.10:00:41 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.10:00:25 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.