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Taking the Navy to court to protect whales


           NRDC -- Save Whales from Navy Sonar

We’re taking on the Navy’s legal guns for the sake of whale survival.Help us wage and win this courtroom battle — and save thousands of marine mammals from needless suffering and death.

                                DONATE

We’ve just launched a historic courtroom battle against the Navy to stop its heartless and deadly assault on whales.The Navy estimates it could kill nearly 1,000 marine mammals over the next five years during routine training and testing with dangerous sonar and explosives. There will be more than 13,000 serious injuries, such as permanent hearing loss or lung damage.

NRDC has moved swiftly to file suit against the Navy in federal court.

We need your immediate financial support in order to wage and win this legal fight on behalf of our planet’s whales.

The Navy’s ships will be blasting ocean waters with nearly 300,000 hours of deafening mid-frequency sonar — the kind of lethal noise that has been shown to cause whales’ internal organs to hemorrhage.

They’ll also be conducting torpedo tests, bombing exercises and underwater explosions — some 1.1 million of these events overall. That’s an average of about one detonation every two minutes for the next five years … many of them in and around sensitive whale habitat.

Here’s the kicker: the Navy has adamantly refused to take precautions that would help save whales — such as avoiding vital areas where whales are known to migrate and raise their young. Mind you, putting these simple safeguards in place would not compromise military readiness one iota.

Please make an emergency donation to help NRDC challenge the Navy’s plan and win the kind of protections that whales so urgently need and deserve.

Our legal challenge takes direct aim at the Navy’s plans to test and train off the coasts of Southern California and Hawaii — some of our country’s most biologically rich and diverse waters, home to at least 39 species of marine mammals, including endangered blue whales and fin whales, as well as vulnerable populations of beaked whales.

Make no mistake: the Navy’s wholesale assault on whales is almost certainly illegal. Our environmental laws obligate the Navy to take steps to prevent whales from stranding, suffering and dying.

But unless compassionate citizens like you and me take the whales’ plight to heart and hold the Navy accountable, the killing of whales will continue unabated — for five long years.

Your contribution will help ensure that we can stay in court for as long as it takes to protect whales from this tragic and senseless attack. With your help, we will defend our environment in the most effective way possible.

I’m sure you agree: not a single whale should have to die for military practice, much less hundreds of them. The courts are their best and last line of defense. I hope you will stand alongside NRDC as we wage this legal fight for the sake of whale survival.

Sincerely,Frances Beinecke
President
Natural Resources Defense CouncilP.S. It makes me heartsick to think of the pain the Navy is needlessly inflicting on some of our planet’s most majestic creatures — and I know you must feel the same way. Please donate now to help us fight and win on their behalf. Thank you.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Black teen arrested for buying a belt at Barneys


Change.org

Shawn Carter aka Jay Z: End all partnerships with Barneys New York By Derick Bowers Brooklyn, New York Sign Derick’s Petition Right as Jay Z prepares to roll out a new partnership with Barneys New York for the holiday shopping season, I’ve been disappointed to hear new allegations about how the retailer treats young black consumers.

Recently, we have learned the shocking news that a young college student Trayon Christian (a black male) was arrested in NYC after making a $350 purchase at Barneys New York.

According to The Post, following his purchase, he was stopped by police officers, allegedly called by a Barneys sales clerk, who believed the transaction was fraudulent. After being held in a precinct cell, Trayon was released with no charges.

Just days later, Kayla Phillips, a 21-year-old black woman, came forward with her similar story of discrimination. Kayla says that she was surrounded by police and questioned after she purchased a handbag from the store. She was also incorrectly accused of using a fraudulent card.

We can no longer tolerate blatant prejudice and discrimination. It is clear that the minority buying power is devalued by some. We must withdraw support to those who will not support us. I’ve been a lifelong Jay Z fan.

Jay Z is currently in partnership with Barneys New York for the release of his holiday collection — called “A New York Holiday” (or BNY SCC). Barneys lacks any connection with the black and hip-hop community. And without his vast wealth and brand power, they would see him the same as they see Trayon Christian. Jay Z should be appalled by Barneys actions, and withdraw all support from them. If he does this, he will send a clear message to all corporations that are likeminded, that this behavior cannot be tolerated any longer.

Please join me in calling on Jay Z to withdraw his support from Barneys New York because of this discrimination.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Sally Quinn’s column is a setback for women everywhere


if Congress is on recess at least they won’t be trying to appeal Obamacare again…. Here’s what’s topping the charts on Daily Kos:

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Hope you have a great weekend! Sarah Burris, Daily Kos