~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Repeal renewable energy?


Union of Concerned Scientists

Stop Special Interests from Repealing Renewable Energy in Washington

Currently, Washington is one of 29 states leading the transition to a clean energy economy by requiring utilities to obtain a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable sources, such as the sun and wind. But these highly effective clean energy policies, known as renewable electricity standards, are now threatened by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a Washington, DC-based special interest group funded by big polluters, including ExxonMobil and the Koch brothers.

Take action today to let politicians in your state know that you support renewable energy, not the agenda of out-of-state fossil fuel interests.

More than 20 comprehensive studies over the past decade have found that renewable electricity standards are an effective and affordable way to downsize our reliance on coal-burning power plants, the top source of carbon emissions that are the primary cause of global warming.

For years, ALEC has misled politicians by denying the role carbon emitted by human activities plays in warming our planet. Now, the legislation ALEC is pushing to repeal renewable electricity standards has been exposed as the handy work of the Heartland Institute, the same group behind last year’s offensive billboard campaign comparing those who accept the scientific consensus on global warming to “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski.

The good news is that ALEC’s war on science is backfiring. Dozens of corporations, including Coca-Cola and Wal-Mart, have stopped funding this special interest group in response to the concerns of thousands of informed citizens like you.

As politicians gear up for the 2013 legislative season, do your part to defend renewable energy today.

Together, we can make sure Washington remains a clean energy leader and send ALEC packing.

Sincerely,
David Anderson
David Anderson
Outreach Coordinator
Climate & Energy Program
Union of Concerned Scientists
Twitter: @UCSMidwest

~ FDA/USDA ~~ Alerts & Safety, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Something fishy is going on!


 

WethepeopleThe FDA is close to approving genetically engineered salmon. Yet thorough environmental impact and safety studies haven’t been done. And this salmon won’t be labeled so you won’t know what you’re buying. Tell the FDA what you think of this potentially bad decision before it’s a done deal.

Consumers need to speak up out and possibly against

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

MMA Weekly Update


Media Matters for America
 

From voter suppression efforts to the stranglehold that the right-wing media machine has on Republican politics, we’re looking at what got called out this week. All that and more.

John Whitehouse Twitter: @existentialfish

Colin Powell Explains Voter Suppression To Bill O’Reilly

Colin Powell discussed voter suppression with Bill O’Reilly. Powell shared his concern that voter ID laws suppress the ability of minorities to vote, especially when there is no evidence supporting O’Reilly’s claim that in-person voter fraud is a problem. In response to Powell’s arguments, O’Reilly was left grasping at straws: http://mm4a.org/118wQCe

Limbaugh And Fox Caught Red Handed

President Obama noted that Fox and Limbaugh dictate when Republicans are allowed to work with Democrats. In return, Fox and Limbaugh lashed out at Obama for highlighting their sway. But there’s a long history of Republicans openly saying that their actions are dictated by Fox or Limbaugh – and we list them here. http://mm4a.org/WnyY4a

Can We Talk About Economic Growth Now?

When discussing economic issues, mainstream media outlets have focused recently on debt and budgetary issues. Butthe biggest problem facing America is growth. With the news that GDP was down 0.1% in Q4, will the media talk more about growth? Growth is the best way to solve America’s long term deficit problem, but in the short term that may require more government spending and less fiscal contraction. Can the media kick its deficits obsession? http://mm4a.org/X8g6CJ

Covers Are For Closers

The latest error-riddled Newsweekscreed is from playwright David Mamet, whose article has spawned fact checks in every corner of the internet. Clearly not fit for publishing, Mamet makes basic mistakes like misunderstanding the nature of background checks and claiming that assault weapons have been banned for 78 years. America deserves a debate about gun violence grounded in facts, not misinformation: http://mm4a.org/112Rp2P

FEATURED VIDEO

Sean Hannity isn’t taking Obama’s second term well. He claimed Fox is the “only media organization on this planet that has delivered fair and balanced coverage” of Obama, and added “I’m not saying the President is a dictator, but wouldn’t that be what we had?” http://mm4a.org/Vkqzxl

AU REVOIR

Sarah Palin is no longer a Fox News contributor. We look back at the ten worst things she said on the network. http://mm4a.org/14ktcmD

INEVITABLE EVENT OCCURS

Erick Erickson parted ways with CNN and joined Fox News. Here are 25 reasons he’ll fit in with Fox News’ style of chicanery: http://mm4a.org/115eIZR

LAPIERRE V. REALITY

NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre testified before Congress. From background checks to assault weapons, a number of his statements were inaccurate – and the media has a responsibility to note the truth. http://mm4a.org/127GFiY

IMAGE OF THE WEEK
Black History, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

CONGRESS: Republicans V Democrats – or doing the People’s Business?


demsVrepub

Next Senate Session is February 4, 2013

the Senate Convenes: 9:30amET January 31, 2013

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will begin consideration of H.R.325, the debt limit legislation.
  • The time until 12:15pm will be equally divided and controlled to run concurrently on the items below and on the bill.
  • At 12:15pm, there will be one roll call vote in relation to the Portman amendment (dollar for dollar cuts – the text of S.43). Following the vote, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm to allow for caucus meetings.
  • At 2:15pm, there will be as many as 5 additional roll call votes:
    • Portman amendment (government shutdown prevention – the text of S.29)
    • Toomey amendment (full faith and credit)
    • Paul amendment (F-16s to Egypt)
    • Vitter motion to commit (spending cuts)
    • Passage of H.R.325, as amended, if amended.
  • Senator Reid announced his intention to move to table the amendments and the motion to commit. All amendments and the motion to commit will be subject to 60 affirmative votes for adoption should any items not be tabled.

At 12:15pm today, the Senate will proceed to a roll call votes in relation to the Portman amendment #6 (dollar for dollar cuts – S.43 text) to H.R.325, Debt Limit. We expect this vote to be a motion to table.

At 2:15, there will be a series of 5 roll call votes in relation to the legislative items listed below.

– (motion to table) Portman amendment #7 (government shutdown prevention – S.29 text);

– (motion to table) Toomey amendment # 8 (full faith and credit);

– (motion to table) Paul amendment #9 (prohibition of F-16s to Egypt);

– (motion to table) Vitter motion to commit (spending cuts); and

– Passage of H.R.325, as amended, if amended (Debt Limit).

12:20pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Baucus motion to table the Portman amendment #6 (dollar for dollar cuts – S.43 text) to H.R.325, Debt Limit;

Tabled: 54-44

2:18pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Mikulski motion to table the Portman amendment #7 (shutdown prevention)Tabled: 52-46

2:44pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Baucus motion to table the Toomey amendment #8 (full faith and credit); Tabled: 53-41

3:03pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Leahy motion to table the Paul amendment #9 (prohibition of F-16s to Egypt) Tabled: 79-19

3:21pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Baucus motion to table the Vitter motion to commit (spending cuts); Tabled: 53-45

3:38pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of H.R.325, Debt Limit;Passed: 64-34

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      Motion to Table the Portman Amendment #6 (dollar for dollar); Tabled: 54-44

2)      Motion to Table the Portman Amendment #7 (government shutdown prevention); Tabled: 52-46

3)      Motion to Table the Toomey Amendment #8 (full faith and credit); Tabled: 53-45

4)      Motion to Table the Paul Amendment #9 (prohibition of F-16’s to Egypt); Tabled: 79-19

5)      Motion to Table the Vitter motion to commit (spending cuts); Tabled: 53-45

6)      Passage of H.R.325, to ensure the complete and timely payment of the obligations of the United States Government until May 19, 2013, and for other purposes; Passed: 64-34

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.24, commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia.

Adopted S.Res.25, honoring Gonzaga University on its 125th anniversary.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.201, To prohibit the sale, lease, transfer, retransfer, or delivery of F–16 aircraft, M1 tanks, or certain other defense articles or services to the Government of Egypt. (Paul)

Began the Rule 14 process of S.204, the National Right-to-Work Act. (Paul)

————————————-

The next meeting in the House is February 1, 2013

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