Tag Archives: BP

#BlackLivesMatter … How will candidates2016 address the use of #Excessiveforce


Just another rant …

I question anyone who decides one or two people represent the whole, but when a group of people found out that, their family members, neighbors, co-workers and friends have experienced some form of excessive use of force the need and demand for change happens in forms.  There was a time when i was convinced that only Conservative Politicians wanted more control more swat equipment. Wethepeople  Unfortunately, most Governors or Mayors on both sides of the political aisle think cracking down stricter measures is the only way to handle crime seemingly without any consequences. We all seemed to have forgotten Rodney King’s experience.  Then we all saw heard officers lying to hide the truth and wonder what it will take Politicians legislators to see minorities as they see white people. There are good bad and ugly in all races cultures and communities. Why not address Police use of excessive force why not accept that ALL people want the police to protect & serve NOT to act as social controllers of children and or adult minorities …Why not tase, ask questions or shoot to stop FIRST? The use of excessive force by the police seems to be increasing. We used to believe it was only NRA supporters assuming blacks are a threat more likely than being a victim. Then we saw Black People who were in accidents in hours after 10pm killed for being suspicious…why? They were asking for help! Now its politicians on both sides who want the issue to go away and THAT is new.

~ Nativegrl77

How Much Of The $889 Million Will Go To Suppress Voters


We celebrate Black History Month and this year the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – which made disenfranchisement and discriminatory voting qualifications like literacy tests and poll taxes illegal.

But now, 50 years later, the same voting rights that so many fought for – and gave their lives for – are once again under attack by the Koch brothers and their allies.

The Kochs are shamelessly using their millions to support voter ID efforts, going as far as to fund an entire group, True the Vote, to focus on this issue.

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We need you to sign the pledge to out vote the Koch brothers and the $889 million they recently announced they will spend in the 2016 election.

Brave New Films is more committed than ever to spread awareness of these modern-day voter suppression tactics – and the extremists pushing for them.

Help make sure the Koch brothers don’t take away your vote or anyone else’s in 2016!

Thank you for stepping up and being part of our modern-day civil rights fight,

Regina Clemente, Director of Campaigns
Brave New Films

Sign the Pledge Here! 

55% of our nation’s streams& rivers are in poor condition, unfit for swimming, drinking or fishing..repost


Boys fishing. (iStockphoto)

BREAKING ACTION! Clean Water Rule just released—help protect it from imminent attack! Today, President Obama finalized a strong rule making clean water a priority.

Send your thanks and urge him to stand strong against congressional attacks.

Today, after a decade of uncertainty created by the Supreme Court and the previous administration, President Obama and EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy have finalized a strong, commonsense rule to make clean water a priority by protecting the sources of drinking water supplies for more than 117 million Americans.

Thank the Administration for protecting clean water!

More than 800,000 Americans like you have called on the administration to finalize the clean water rule. Now it’s time to stand up once again for strong water protections.

Over the past decade, Earthjustice has been working hard to strengthen national Clean Water Act standards, establish legal precedents that raise the bar for polluters, and close loopholes that let polluters off the hook.

The Clean Water rule will:

  • Reduce confusion over which waters are protected by our environmental laws
  • Restore key environmental protections to many waters across the country that are currently vulnerable to toxic pollution
  • Provide hundreds of millions of dollars in economic benefits
  • Ensure that our rivers, streams and wetlands are protected for future generations to enjoy

Unfortunately, Congress is determined to put the interests of polluters ahead of clean water, including the quality of the water your family drinks. Members of both chambers are doing everything they can to block this rule so their polluter friends can easily dump waste in our waterways. That’s why it’s critical that we all stand up now to protect our clean water!

Join us in thanking the President for standing up to polluters by finalizing the clean water rule, and urge him to stand strong against congressional attacks.

Sincerely,

Chris Espinosa
Legislative Representative

Cinnamon Toast Crunch … Homemade


English: A Bowl Of Cinnamon Toast Crunch
English: A Bowl Of Cinnamon Toast Crunch (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Homemade Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Makes 5 to 6 cups

1¼ c. white whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour
1¼ c. all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon

⅓ c. coconut oil, at room temperature (or room temperature butter)
⅓ c. brown sugar

2 tbsp. granulated sugar
1 tbsp. vanilla extract

2 tbsp. honey
½ c. buttermilk maybe coconut milk

For the cinnamon sugar topping
1 tbsp. coconut oil, melted (or melted butter)

2 tbsp. granulated sugar
¾ tsp. cinnamon

ACTION:Turn On The Water … it’s the right thing -reminder


Thousands of low-income Black Detroit residents have already had their water shut-off risking both public health and personal safety. What’s worse — the city plans to resume shut-offs tomorrow.
Water is a human right.ImageTell the panel: turn the water back on in DetroitTake Action

Thousands of low income Black Detroit residents have already had their water shut off, risking both public health and personal safety. What’s worse — the city plans to resume shut-offs tomorrow.1

Just weeks ago, under pressure from organizers in Detroit and thousands of supporters online, Governor Rick Snyder’s hand-picked Emergency Manager returned control of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) to the duly-elected mayor.2 While a small victory for local control, the move was ultimately a political ploy to provide cover for Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr. Mayor Duggan’s “10 Point Plan” does little more than offer better customer service while continuing the inhumane and unjust practice of shutting off water.3

The solution is the Water Affordability Program (WAP) passed by the city council back in 2005. The WAP would provide relief to thousands and create a safety net that allows low income residents to pay on a sliding scale, based on their income. A 3-judge panel is holding a hearing on August 29th during which they could order the WAP back into effect and end the shutoffs once and for all.

Sign the petition: tell the panel to turn the water back on and implement the Water Affordability Program.

While Detroiters suffer under policies implemented by an unelected emergency manager, corporations are protected and speculators are circling. Individuals with as little as $33 owed have had their water shut off without warning while the Palmer Park Golf Course which owes $437,714 still has water.4 The initial round of shutoffs were a tactic to make the city’s water rights a more attractive target to potential private investors. 5

Even with authority tenuously returned to the Mayor, his plan offers little hope to residents whose rates have risen 119% in the past decade.6 Under this scheme, relief is only available after putting down a large lump sum payment and there is no promise that the emergency manager will not seize back control and change the rules yet again.

The Water Affordability Program would provide relief to all residents living under 175% of the federal poverty line and reign in the out-of-control rates DWSD has charged.7 The WAP is the best way to restore water to thousands of residents in Detroit at reasonable rates.

Turn the water back on: Sign the petition to implement the WAP.

Water is a basic human right and denying access to water poses a dire threat to public health. To make matters worse, earlier this month there were historic floods in Detroit. A state of emergency was declared. The flooding has caused millions of gallons of sewage to back up into waterways and basements. 8 How are you supposed to clean sewage from your basement when the city has shut off your water?

Sign the petition: Turn the water back on in Detroit!

Thanks and Peace,

Aimée, Rashad, Arisha, Matt, Johnny and the entire ColorOfChange.org team.

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU—your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way.

1. “Duggan, DWSD to release updated plan on water shutoffs Thursday; moratorium extended until Aug. 25,” Metro Times, 8/4/14,
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3787?t=8&akid=3599.1174326.1Q65qP

2.”Detroit’s drought of democracy,” New York Times, 7/29/14,
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3789?t=10&akid=3599.1174326.1Q65qP

3.”Orr Dumps ‘Hot Mess’ of Water Shut-offs in Duggan’s Lap,” People’s Water Board, 7/29/14
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3790?t=12&akid=3599.1174326.1Q65qP

4. “Detroit water department now sending shut-off crews to commercial customers,” Detroit Free Press, 7/14/14
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3798?t=14&akid=3599.1174326.1Q65qP

5.”Detroit shuts off water to thousands of broke residents,” Think Progress, 6/20/14,
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3791?t=16&akid=3599.1174326.1Q65qP

6. See reference 3.

7. See reference 3.

8. “Snyder declares flood disaster for southeast Michigan,” Detroit Free Press, 8/20/14,
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3792?t=18&akid=3599.1174326.1Q65qP