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RepoWer America …

01/13/2011 Nativegrl77

No doubt about it: Information and truth are powerful tools. Armed with them, there’s almost nothing we can’t do.

But for a lot of reasons, information can be hidden, or distorted. That can make it hard to see the truth, even though it’s always still right there in front of us. This can be especially true when it comes to the climate crisis.

This is where Repower America comes in. I’m Josh Nelson, and I’m the Repower America New Media Director. I believe in the powerful role that online tools like blogs can play in exposing the truth about the climate crisis and what it’s doing to our planet, and I’d like to introduce you to the Repower Blog.

Meant to be a resource for people who want to know the facts about the climate crisis, over the past few months, we’ve really kicked our Repower Blog into high gear. As we begin to make decisions about what content we will post in 2011, I’d like to get your thoughts. Check out the Repower America Blog and share your thoughts by leaving a note in the comments.

http://acp.repoweramerica.org/repowerblog

On the Repower Blog you can find stats on clean energy solutions and talking points on the latest climate science. You can share posts with other climate voices across the Repower America community — and help us tell a story about positive action to address the climate crisis that’s already happening across the United States, even if it’s not happening in Washington yet.

But more than anything, our blog is about you — and we want your input. What would you like to see us blog more about in the future? We’ve just posted an open thread on the blog to gather your ideas — please visit it now and share your thoughts:

http://acp.repoweramerica.org/repowerblog

After you comment, take a look through some of our recent posts. To make it easier to find what you’re looking for, our posts are divided into the following categories:

Click on any of the categories above to explore our previous posts.

The Repower Blog is a chance for all of us to shine a light on the truth about the climate crisis. The more you contribute to it, the more powerful it can be. The truth is a powerful thing.

Thanks for all that you do.

Josh Nelson
Director of Online Communications and New Media
Repower America

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The next Prop. 8

01/13/2011 Nativegrl77

Calling all straight allies: Marriage equality is at stake in states across America.

Plus, watch our video to learn how we’re working together for equality.

As a thank you, we’ll send you this handy USB car charger for your mobile phone or iPod.

Prop. 8 ended marriage equality in California and shocked a nation. I’m writing because New Hampshire could be next.

Right-wing lawmakers have taken over the New Hampshire legislature – and they’re already working on four distinct bills to take the right to marry away from loving, same-sex couples.

And that’s not all. Hateful groups are trying to ban same-sex marriage in Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Iowa, and West Virginia.

Equality is under attack: along with the anti-LGBT wave in the U.S. Congress, 20 state governments are now under the control of conservative legislatures and governors – twice as many as are under more pro-equality leadership.

We have staff on the ground around the country and plans to deploy even more. We’re bolstering state groups, even as we fight against hostile federal bills and amendments. But to make it work, we need 2,011 new members like you – that works out to just 17 more from Washington – to join HRC in the next week. Once you do, we’ll stop sending reminders and get back to the work of securing equality.

You already know what we’re defending against in our nation’s capital. A U.S. House led by right-wingers. A whopping 53 more anti-equality representatives and five more anti-equality senators in Congress.

But the front line in the battle for marriage equality is in the states. Conservatives now hold more state legislative seats than they have since 1928. Hateful groups like the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) are pushing their agenda in more states than ever before. But there are also some important new opportunities. Your support, right now, could tip the balance.

In Maryland and New York, we stand a strong chance of winning real marriage equality and gender identity protections. We’re counting on the support of each and every HRC member to aid our local partners and to help pay for several experienced organizers in each state.
In Florida, right-wing hate groups are plotting to overturn a landmark court ruling that allows gays and lesbians to adopt children. We can’t let it happen – and we’re working with coalition partners to make sure those extremists don’t come anywhere close.
In New Hampshire, where your support was key to winning marriage equality in 2009, we’re fighting back against those who want to repeal that right and deny loving couples the freedom to marry. We’ve already committed money and staff, and we’re working with the New Hampshire Freedom to Marry Coalition to build a rock-solid campaign.
In Hawaii and Delaware, passing civil union legislation is a very real possibility. We’ll be investing in both states to bolster local groups’ efforts and tip the balance in favor of equality.
In Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, West Virginia or any state where NOM tries to pass a constitutional ban on equal marriage, we’ll be there, exposing their lies with the help of our local “NOM Watchers.”

Just as we did with the successful campaign to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” we’re always working with leaders in both parties to achieve progress on equal rights. But we won’t ever shy away from taking on new legislators who are beholden to the most conservative wing of the Republican Party – and straight, pro-equality Americans like you are a critical part of that effort.

LGBT and straight, young and old, of all backgrounds and beliefs, HRC members aren’t satisfied with just sitting back and watching what happens. They’re willing to step up and fuel this fight for equality.

In 2011, as state battles heat up and a hostile House of Representatives plays politics with our rights, we’re going to need more members, more strength, and more resolve. State legislatures are already in session; we need you now.

Congress. State capitols. Schools. Churches. Corporate headquarters. Wherever equality and acceptance are at stake, HRC is at work – and HRC members are leading the charge.

Thank you for everything,

Joe Solmonese
President

P.S. I’m so grateful if you’ve already put a check in the mail or given to HRC through some other method. If you’ve yet to contribute, though, Your gift is critical to maintaining our fight against hate and bigotry in all its forms.

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Stop TransAlta’s coal pollution in Washington State

01/12/2011 Nativegrl77

CREDO Action | more than a network. a movement.

Tell the EPA: Don’t let the TransAlta power plant off the hook.

Haze pollution from coal harms our air and our health.

Send a message to the Pacific Northwest office of the EPA:

The proposed haze pollution plan from the Washington Department of Ecology is insufficient to create significant reductions in NOx pollution.

The EPA must submit stronger regulations to hold the TransAlta plant accountable, and reduce harmful haze pollution in Washington.

The TransAlta coal power plant near Mr. Rainier is Washington’s single largest air polluter. Every year it’s responsible for 10,000 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution which causes haze damage to twelve protected public lands — and poses threats to public health.

The Clean Air Act mandates that Washington submits a plan to control haze pollution from coal fired power plants like TransAlta by January 15th.

However, the current plan proposed by the Washington State Department of Ecology fails to create meaningful pollution controls for TransAlta, and has been criticized by the National Park Service and the EPA as being unacceptably weak.

The EPA has the authority to reject the plan and enforce stronger measures by the January 15th deadline. That’s what they must do.

Send a message to the EPA: Issue a strong plan to meaningfully reduce haze pollution at TransAlta.

Haze is isn’t the only problem with NOx pollution. It can cause respiratory problems such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, aggravates existing heart disease, and can contribute to premature death.

The TransAlta coal plant shouldn’t be allowed to continue pumping these levels of NOx pollution into our air.

But that’s essentially what will happen under the current plan, unless the EPA steps in and proposes a stronger regulations to reduce haze pollution.

Tell the EPA: TransAlta cannot be let off the hook. Submit a strong plan to reduce haze pollution before the January 15th deadline.

Thanks for fighting for clean air.

Elijah Zarlin, Campaign Manager
CREDO Action

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How to save the whales once and for all

01/12/2011 Nativegrl77

Tell President Obama to end commercial whaling once and for all by reforming the IWC. Click the button below to take action.

As you read this, the Japanese whaling fleet is busy killing whales in the Southern Ocean. Just like they did last year and just like they will again this time next year if nothing changes at the International Whaling Commission (IWC). But there’s hope.

Not only does President Obama have the power to make those changes; he’s already promised he would. Here’s what he told Greenpeace back in 2008:

“As president, I will ensure that the U.S. provides leadership in enforcing international wildlife protection agreements, including strengthening the international moratorium on commercial whaling. Allowing Japan to continue commercial whaling is unacceptable.”

It’s time for President Obama to keep his word and save the whales. Tell him to end commercial whaling once and for all by reforming the IWC.

Yesterday, I personally paid a visit to the White House to drop off a letter from Greenpeace that outlined the results of a recent poll we conducted. The results speak for themselves. An overwhelming amount of Americans — 83%! — want the President to stand by his campaign pledge to strengthen the international ban on commercial whaling.

I thought it was important for the President and his administration to know just how strongly the American public feels about this issue. This isn’t something that can be ignored or that is going to go away.

You have an important role to play in this. The President has to hear your voice and the voices of everyone who wants to save the whales. Help make yesterday’s delivery even more powerful by sending the President a message today.

We have to break this cycle. To save the whales once and for all we need to end whaling once and for all. That means no Japanese whaling fleet heading to the Southern Ocean next year and that means reforming the IWC. President Obama has the power to make that happen. And, together, we have the power to hold him to his word.

It’s time to make the IWC work for whales and not whalers.

For the whales,

John Hocevar
Ocean Campaigns Director

P.S. Last spring, we got the President’s attention. We can do it again but it is going to take the same type of effort. Please forward this on to everyone you know who loves whales after you take action.

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Thoughts & Prayers in Arizona

01/12/2011 Nativegrl77

Share This Message:

A senseless tragedy
Our thoughts & prayers are with them.

Where were you when you heard the news on Saturday?

In an act of unspeakable violence, Jared Lee Loughner shot Representative Gabrielle Giffords at point-blank range, and turned his gun on the crowd gathered to meet the local lawmaker at a Tuscon supermarket.

The event left 6 people dead – including a Federal Judge and a nine year old girl – and 14 injured. It also left an entire country stunned.

While we work to move forward, take a minute to send the victims and their families our prayers, our encouragement and our words of support in this difficult time. We will be sure that they receive your messages directly.

Send prayers and condolences to the victims & families in Arizona

Violence has no place in our democracy. We pray for the return of civility to our nation’s public discourse.

Thank you,
Marissa Graciosa