@GovAbbott: We won’t need a special session for #Harvey aid.

Phone: 512-475-2615 Ask Gov. Greg Abbott why he feels there is no need for a #SpecialSession for #HarveyAid and does that mean he will NOT use the reported $10milRainydayFund? Thing is, the rain that came left more than a puddle! Research: Harvey is a 1000-year flood event unprecedented in scale and each state must make a full disclosure on what funds they have and at least debate vote on how much will be used NOW … Hurricane Season and the responses should be preplanned event -better

Why not use the RainyDayFund for infrastructure! the nation watched and is still watching a well meant effort in Texas but lost a lot of strength to #MotherNature … Some of us watched General Honore try to hint,tell chide folks about the possibilities,the better safe than sorry moves and while he was on camera his words became foreboding in my opinion …when i heard the grids may not have been shutdown the first thought is who knows maybe there would have been less opportunities of explosions? If not school me, but we all saw the levees breached, shelters flooded, reevaluation of what locations to evacuate first is needed ,designated staging locations organized,boats,air support and military use of real equipment like amphibians etc. in place …

Houston Rescue Crews, on every level, should all be recognized for their work …hours spent in nasty water,fires,accidents while putting their own lives at risk and needs on the back burner is beyond expectations … the local community and national helpers,Mexico, neighbors helping neighbors, folks flying in to help, restaurants, reporters, the weather folks and many others that we will never hear about all pitched in … It’s time for a serious investment in infrastructure for all of Texas

Expect the best, plan for the worst, and prepare to be surprised

~ Nativegrl77

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

DACA ALERT – Rally to Defend DREAMers

09/04/2017 Nativegrl77

Yesterday the news broke that Donald Trump will likely end DACA–the program that has allowed 800,000 young immigrants to live their lives with dignity and respect. While the article is not an official White House statement, it gives us an idea of where the administration is going.

We must urge Congress to act now and pass a DREAM Act that provides a permanent solution for immigrant youth and doesn’t add money to Trump’s deportation force.

On Tuesday, hundreds of events are being planned across the country in the fight to #defendDACA. We encourage you to find an event near you and join the fight and demand that Trump protect the 800,000 young immigrants who have benefitted from DACA.

You can find an event near you at www.defenddaca.com.

In solidarity,

Donna De La Cruz
Reform Immigration FOR America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Lonnie G. Bunch III, Founding Director of the NMAAHC ~ Help celebrate!

09/04/2017 Nativegrl77

On September 24th, the National Museum of African American History and Culture will have been open to the public for its first full year.

In just one year’s time the Museum has already touched the lives of more than 2 million visitors from across the country and around the world!

We think that’s something to celebrate and I hope you do, too.

That’s why we’re challenging 1,000 friends like you to join the Museum as a Charter Member before its first anniversary!

The clock is ticking—this is one of your last chances to support the Museum and receive Charter Member status, so now is the time to join!

We’re proud of our Museum, inside and out. Visitors tell me that they have been moved and inspired by our building’s presence on the National Mall. It is quite a site! The exterior of the building is unique to any other structure around—it literally shimmers!

But we didn’t just build a building. We built a collection of more than 36,000 historical and cultural artifacts that reflect the diversity of the African American story. 4,000 of these objects have been on view in the Museum’s inaugural exhibitions. From a South Carolina slave cabin, to Muhammad Ali’s robe, to a button from Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration, these amazing pieces of African American history have left visitors with a better understanding of the strength and resilience of the African American people.

But there is so much more to do!

When the nation joins together to celebrate the Museum’s first anniversary on September 24th, we will launch our Museum into an exciting new phase—one in which we will test new ideas, create new exhibitions, and further explore the evolving dynamics of African American history and culture. There are more artifacts to uncover and more conversations to start!

But our future success depends on reaching our goal of inspiring 1,000 individuals to join as Charter Members before September 24th.

Our Museum is a testament to the fact that the African American story is one of constant change and perseverance. As the Museum looks toward its second year, we have the chance to dig deeper, speak out louder, and engage more people in this proud and eye-opening American story.

But we cannot do it without your help. Be one of 1,000 Charter Members to join in celebration of our first year!

All the best,
DD YE year end 1 signature

Lonnie G. Bunch III
Founding Director

P.S. Please hurry! September 24th marks not only the Museum’s first year, but it is also one of your last opportunities to join the Museum and enjoy Charter Member status. Don’t miss this chance to demonstrate that you have been with the Museum since the very beginning. Join Today!

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TELL THE FDA: Protect Consumers! Nneka Leiba, EWG

09/03/2017 Nativegrl77

Tell the FDA: Protect Consumers and Ban 1,4-Dioxane! | Act Now

Most of us know to be careful when picking personal care products. Checking labels for common hazardous ingredients like parabens, phthalates and triclosan is a good start. But what about the nasty chemicals that aren’t listed on labels?

That’s right, not all hazardous chemicals make it onto the ingredient panel. Sometimes contaminants or impurities are introduced into personal care products during the production process. Since they are not technically “ingredients,” companies are not required to make their presence known. Case in point? 1,4-Dioxane, which the Environmental Protection Agency has classified as a likely human carcinogen, linked to tumors in the liver and kidney damage.

There is absolutely no reason why companies can’t remove 1,4-dioxane from personal care products, but right now the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t require them to do so – even though the chemical is linked to cancer and serves no purpose in cosmetics.

Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are petitioning the FDA to prohibit the presence of 1,4-dioxane from personal care products, and EWG is proud to join them in this fight. But in order for the FDA to hear us loud and clear, we need YOU with us too, Friend.

TAKE ACTION: Tell the FDA to protect consumers from 1,4-dioxane – a carcinogenic chemical contaminant in many cosmetic products!

1,4-Dioxane can be found in shampoos, foaming soaps, lotions and laundry detergents, but without regulations it’s hard to determine how many products contain 1,4-dioxane and how to avoid it. An analysis by EWG has revealed that the vast majority of personal care products may contain chemical contaminants like 1,4-dioxane. A recent survey of our Skin Deep® cosmetics database found more than 8,000 products with ingredients produced through ethoxylation, the manufacturing process that forms 1,4-dioxane. The bottom line? 1,4-Dioxane contamination may be harmful and is way too common.

Cosmetics companies have known about the dangers of 1,4-dioxane contamination for years. Way back in 1982, the industry-backed Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel noted that companies were aware of the problem and were making an effort to lower or remove 1,4-dioxane from their products. Thirty-five years later and we still have no way of knowing whether or not our favorite products contain this hazardous contaminant. It’s time for the FDA to step up and take action to protect consumers!

Join EWG today. Tell the FDA it’s time to hold cosmetics companies accountable and BAN 1,4-dioxane contamination from personal care products.

Thanks for standing with us, Friend.

Nneka Leiba
Director of Healthy Living Science, EWG

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a message from Patty Murray& Betsy DeVos’ first report card: Support pattymurray.com

09/02/2017 Nativegrl77

Believe it or not, it’s almost September — back to school time once again.

And while students, teachers, and parents probably aren’t worried about report cards just yet, we thought someone deserved a report card on her performance so far: Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

It’s been seven months since she was confirmed (after the closest vote in history for a cabinet secretary), and we know she had big plans for America’s schools — so before we head into the new school year, let’s look at where we stand. Share this graphic on Facebook with your friends and family today and show them how Betsy DeVos is failing parents, students, and teachers across the country.

So we can see that even though Secretary DeVos took on a full course load in her first semester as Education Secretary, it seems she might not be up for the task. But because a change in major isn’t really something she’s looking for right now, we think she’s owed an explanation of her failing grades.

- Education Budgeting 101: Secretary DeVos’ proposed education budget confirms her extreme ideological commitment to public school privatization — and it would come at the expense of millions of students around the country, from preschool to college and beyond. Her proposed budget would weaken communities by eliminating funding for afterschool programs, grant aid for struggling college students and teacher and principal training programs, and so much more. First Semester Grade: F.

- Education Policy 101: Confusion is the name of the game with Secretary DeVos and has been since her confirmation hearing — where she suggested that guns should be allowed in schools to protect students from things like, grizzly bears. It seems like she’s not entirely sure how to implement the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and she’s sending mixed signals to local superintendents and state education leaders. First Semester Grade: F.

- Civil Rights 101: Secretary DeVos has made it clear through her actions that she isn’t committed to do everything she can to protect all students’ safety and civil rights. From her proposed cuts to the Office for Civil Rights, to rolling back Title IX protections intended to protect students from sexual assault, to overturning the rule protecting transgender students, and so much more — Secretary DeVos has moved the Department of Education away from the critical goal of promoting civil rights and student safety. First Semester Grade: F.

- Writing 101: Given how little she answered in her hearing, many of us have been sending her letters asking some tough questions about what she is doing and how she is doing it. But the vast majority of our letters go unanswered! Either Secretary DeVos doesn’t have the answers, or she just doesn’t want to tell us about them in writing. First Semester Grade: Incomplete.

Principles of Business Management: You would think that even though Secretary DeVos has no specific education experience of her own, she might bring some business best practices to the table — like hiring the right folks and staffing up quickly. Wrong: She’s still the only Department of Education top-level employee confirmed by the Senate, and she only has two other nominees waiting for confirmation. First Semester Grade: F.

So many of us are teachers, parents, and students ourselves, and we know how difficult it can be to make up for a bad first semester. Only time will tell what’s next for Secretary DeVos, but for the sake of our students — I hope she turns it around.

Share this graphic today with your friends and family on Facebook, and let them know that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is failing students, teachers, and families.

Thanks,

Team Patty