Tag Archives: election

Rights Versus Resources in the Amazon

Tar sands, hydraulic fracking, deep water drilling. All are examples that we are living in the age of extreme oil. With most major reserves of traditional crude found or tapped, the industry is encroaching into some of the most geologically-complicated, environmentally-risky and socially-conflictive terrain than ever before. As the price of crude hovers at $100, companies are eager to get at what was once impossible crude, much to the peril of people and the planet.

In some cases, this means pursuing non-conventional sources of oil, once technologically or financially out of reach, but now lucrative, despite being more energy intensive to extract than the final crude produced. In other cases, this means attempting to access “shut in” reserves – oil fields trapped by local resistance or above-ground ecological importance.

There is no greater example of this clash than what is playing out in the forests of Ecuador’s Amazon. There is a new oil boom underway, fuelled by the country’s rising debt, China’s energy demands, Ecuador’s leftist government’s plans to finance its “citizen’s revolution”, and the massive increase in public spending with expanded drilling.

Read the rest on Eye on the Amazon »

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Lonnie G. Bunch at The NMAAHC

09/20/2013 Nativegrl77

Thank you for signing the pledge on Care2 to support the preservation of African American history and culture through the National Museum of African American History and Culture. As the founding director, I want to be the first to welcome you to our online community.

When the Museum opens its doors in 2015, it will be far more than a collection of objects. It will be a place to remind us of where we’ve been, the challenges we still face and point us toward what we can become — a museum for all Americans!

In 2005, we began the journey to create the 19th museum of the Smithsonian family. And in February 2012, we broke ground, which was a major milestone in our development.

Take a moment to watch this short video about the kind of place the National Museum of African American History and Culture will be thanks to the support of friends like you.

As we approach our grand opening in 2015, we’ll be sure to keep you updated on our progress and provide ways for you to get involved in bringing the National Museum of African American History and Culture to the nation and the world.

Thank you for joining us in this truly historic endeavor!

All the best,

Lonnie G. Bunch
Founding Director

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Planned Parenthood ~~ the Other Washington

09/20/2013 Nativegrl77

As a supporter of Planned Parenthood and generally awesome person, we thought you might be interested in these very awesome upcoming events.
We hope that you’ll check out one (or, y’know, ALL) of the events below. While these events aren’t produced by Planned Parenthood, they speak to the work we do and offer new perspectives on the past, present, and future of our movement. Follow the links below for details!

September 26, 2013 – 7:30PM – Town Hall Seattle
Peter Bagge with Cienna Madrid Woman Rebel: The Margaret Sanger Story You might know the story of Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger-but chances are you’ve never heard (or seen!) anyone tell it like Peter Bagge. The Harvey Award-winning author launches Woman Rebel, his graphic-novel biography of Sanger, in a slideshow focusing on her activism and how the book came together. Then, in conversation with Cienna Madrid of The Stranger, Bagge expands on the life of the birth-control activist, educator, nurse, mother, and protofeminist, making Sanger whole and human and showing how her flaws fueled her fiery activism just as much as her compassionate nature did. Tickets are on sale now!
October 10, 2013 – 7:00PM – Town Hall Seattle
Women’s Funding Alliance presents Modern Girlhood Redefined Girls today are constantly faced with newly complex challenges, pressures and opportunities. This quickly evolving, modern era leaves little room for existing feminine archetypes to hold much appeal. Join speakers Robin Held, Executive Director, Reel Grrls; Erin Jones, Director of Equity and Achievement, Federal Way School District; Nan Stoops, Executive Director, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence; and Jessica Willis, Faculty, Women’s and Gender Studies, Eastern Washington University, as they chart important trends for girls in Washington State. The event will feature a series of independent talks, each addressing a timely topic related to healthy girlhood and how investing in girls is key to changing the future for us all. Tickets are on sale now!
October 18-24 – Various Showtimes – SIFF Film Center
Seattle International Film Festival presents After Tiller After Tiller intimately explores the controversial subject of third-trimester abortions in the wake of the 2009 assassination of practitioner Dr. George Tiller. The procedure is now performed by only four doctors in the United States, all former colleagues of Dr. Tiller, who risk their lives every day in the name of their unwavering commitment toward their patients. This film helps illustrate the heart-wrenching decisions that define abortion late in pregnancy for families facing tragic circumstances. The providers featured in the film do not work for Planned Parenthood, nor does Planned Parenthood endorse the views expressed in the film. Planned Parenthood does not provide third-trimester abortions. But, Planned Parenthood does beleive taht abortion is a deeply personal and often complex decision, and that decisions about whether to choose adoption, end a pregnancy, or raise a child must be left to a woman, her family, and her faith, with the counsel of her health care provider. Tickets will go on sale in October – watch the SIFF website for details.