Dear Al Jazeera English supporter,

Thanks for watching our channel, demanding our channel, and staying in touch.

We’re excited to tell you about some new developments here at Al Jazeera English-we’re redoubling our efforts to really tell the stories of Americans across the country as we head into the election year.

New bureaus, new correspondents in the U.S.

We are proud to announce the addition of three new U.S. based correspondents to our team in the Americas: Alan Fisher in Washington, DC, Andy Gallacher in Miami, and John Hendren in Chicago. The newly opened Miami and Chicago bureaus add to the already established Al Jazeera English bureaus in Washington, DC, New York, and Los Angeles. Alan, Andy, and John join the over 150 Al Jazeera English staff based in the U.S., and will be part of Al Jazeera’s expanded coverage from the U.S. heading into the election year.

“Inside Story” in Washington DC

Our daily discussion show “Inside Story” will begin airing five days a week out of Washington, DC, on December 12^th. The show will air every weekday at 6:30am and 7:30pm ET and will be focusing on tackling the major issues facing Americans today-everything from the presidential elections to joblessness to immigration.

Your input

As always, please send us your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions on how we can tell stories that most accurately reflect your experiences and the issues you care most about.

We always strive to bring you the best coverage of both the United States and the world that we can, and your continued support means a lot to us.

Sincerely,

Al Jazeera Communications Team

Demand Al Jazeera English from your cable provider today: www.iwantaje.com

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Unicorns …Charles Chamberlain, Democracy for America

12/15/2011 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Oh those crazy Republicans.

They love to talk about tax cut this and tax cut that. They love to pretend that only they pass them. And they love to frame any attempt to increase revenue as a job killer.

But last week, when Democrats tried to extend the payroll tax cuts Obama passed last year — you know, the tax cuts that actually benefited poor and middle class workers — Republicans blocked it. They said paying for the cuts by raising taxes on millionaires stops job creation. Senator Harry Reid had a great response:

“Millionaire job creators are like unicorns. They are impossible to find and don’t exist.”

Frankly, Republicans are hypocrites that only care about lining the pockets of their big-money friends and it’s time we called them out for it.

We’re demanding answers. Click here to ask Republicans in Congress — Why do you hate tax cuts for working families?

Republicans are playing games with your money.

The payroll tax cuts are set to expire this month, but rather then pass tax cuts that mean real money in the pockets of working people, Republicans would rather grandstand and let them expire.

Just yesterday, the Republican House passed an extension they know Obama would veto if it made it to his desk. They loaded the bill up with a wish list of Republican goodies that have nothing to do with tax cuts: the Keystone oil pipeline, roll backs to healthcare, you name it — they probably included it.

Republicans have been getting a free pass on this for too long. It’s time that we stand up and called them out for propping up the super rich while pushing working families down.

Join us now and demand answers.
Thank you for everything you do.
-Charles
Charles Chamberlain, Political Director Democracy for America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Stories of the lives you’ve changed … Mercy Corps

12/15/2011 Nativegrl77

This year, your incredible compassion and generosity improved the lives of so many people who faced unimaginable hardship.

You provided medicine and food to children in Ethiopia weakened by drought.

You restored jobs to fishermen in Japan who lost everything to the massive tsunami.

You gave hope to parents in the world’s toughest places who struggle against all odds to build a better life for their children.

Meet just a few of those whose lives you have changed:

Nimo, a 25-year-old mother in Kenya, didn’t have enough drinking water for her family during the region’s worst drought in 60 years. But our teams trucked in tankloads of water to Nimo’s village, part of our lifesaving assistance to more than 1 million people throughout the region.

Thirteen-year-old Herma lived through the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti that killed 150,000 people nearly two years ago. Every week she participates in our Moving Forward program, which uses sports to teach kids the team-building and communication skills they need to feel empowered and secure in their lives. Our youth programs in Haiti have reached more than 90,000 children.

Japan’s massive tsunami in March killed 22,000 people and decimated the fishing industry along the northeast coast. In the coastal town of Minamisanriku, we reequipped salmon fish hatcheries and seaweed-processing facilities as part of our region-wide efforts to save the jobs of fisherman like Isami Hoshi.

These are just three of the lives you’ve changed this year with your generosity. On behalf of the millions of people we serve, thank you for helping restore hope and opportunity.

Sincerely,

Dan O’Neill

~ Culture & History

Heading into 2012:A Groundbreaking Year! By Lonnie Bunch at The NMAAHC

12/14/2011 Nativegrl77

Thanks to the support of friends like you throughout the country, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture is making terrific progress!

In fact, we are already planning our groundbreaking to happen in 2012. This is exciting as it brings the Museum one important step closer to reality. It’s a testimony to the support we’ve received from men and women like you who share a vision and a commitment to see this museum built.

Of course, there are many good reasons to support the Museum, but perhaps the most important is the opportunity to be part of something that will inspire and educate all generations of Americans far into the future.

Imagine for a moment the Museum standing proudly on the National Mall, the three-tiered copper-colored corona shining in the sun, with visitors from across the nation and around the world lining up to see and experience the African American story as it has never been presented before.

Once they enter, they will be immersed in fascinating exhibitions on each floor showcasing treasures from the collection with activities that will convey the African American experience and its role in our nation’s history. It is a uniquely American story, and it is a part of us all.

I know you are as eager as I am to see the Museum’s doors open in 2015.

That is why I am asking for your financial support today. We cannot build this museum without your additional help.

We must raise $250 million from individuals and other private resources to complete the museum on schedule. We greatly appreciate your past support and, on behalf of the Museum staff, I thank you for your commitment.

Today, as news spreads of this important Smithsonian project, our momentum is growing and we are preparing to break ground in 2012. However, the bottom line is that we need your continued support now.

So, please, take a moment right now to make a contribution to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Again, thank you very much.

Lonnie Bunch, Director

All the best,

Lonnie Bunch

Director

P.S. I just want to remind you of the tax benefit your contribution to the Museum represents. Whatever amount you are able to generously contribute today is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. $250 million is a tremendous goal and with your support, we will meet it head on!

P.P.S. If you are not already a Charter Member, I hope you will consider joining today!