Tag Archives: United States

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Urge Congress to protect the world’s forests from illegal logging


Rainforest Action Network
Urge your House rep to vote against the RELIEF Act, a Tea Party attempt to gut the Lacey Act
rainforest unzipped

Did you know that almost half of all rainforest destruction is done illegally?
Government corruption, lax laws and poor enforcement result in widespread illegal deforestation across the globe. This unofficial forest clearing makes it extremely challenging to truly protect critically endangered species like the orangutan or Sumatran tiger from extinction, and it contributes enormous amounts of carbon to our atmosphere.
And now the best law on the books to prevent illegal logging worldwide—the Lacey Act—is under attack.
Please send a letter today asking your congressional representative to vote against the RELIEF Act.
The Lacey Act prohibits illegally sourced wood and wood products from being imported into the U.S. and penalizes companies that trade or sell such products. It is a powerful tool for reducing global deforestation rates and protecting jobs in the American forest products industry. It has been so successful that other countries are looking to create their own versions of it.
But the Lacey Act is now under attack by those wishing to end environmental protections and regulations. Their proposals, such as the RELIEF Act, would effectively gut the Lacey Act, reversing years of hard-fought efforts to stop international deforestation.
The RELIEF Act would directly benefit notorious forest destroyers like Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) and would allow illegal loggers around the world to operate with impunity. The result would be a flood of illegal wood into the U.S. market.
Send a message today urging your representative to vote no on the RELIEF Act and any other bill that would weaken the Lacey Act.

Robin

For the forests,
Robin Averbeck             Rainforest Free Paper Campaigner             Twitter: @therightpaper
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Bush-era tax cuts for the richest two percent

1 Comment

National Women's Law Center - Don't Discount Women: Demand Fair Change Not Spare Change
                Stand Up for Tax Fairness
                Call your Members of Congress at 1-888-744-9958 and tell them that it’s time for the richest Americans to pay their fair share.
Call 1-888-744-9958 today!

It’s go time!
In less than 24 hours Congress will start to vote on whether to end — or extend — the Bush-era tax cuts for the richest two percent.
Ending the Bush-era tax cuts on income above $250,000 per couple, as President Obama and Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) have proposed, would help restore fairness to the tax code and protect programs vital to women and their families. It would give 98 percent of Americans their full tax cuts next year. And the wealthiest two percent would still receive tax breaks on their first $250,000! We simply can’t afford to give even more tax breaks to those who need them least when so many women and families are struggling just to make ends meet.
Calling is easy. And only takes a couple of minutes. Dial 1-888-744-9958 and listen to easy instructions and a sample script.
Ending the Bush-era tax cuts on income above $250,000 would save about $1 trillion over the next ten years — funding that’s urgently needed to protect programs like child care, Pell Grants, Head Start, Medicaid, and Title X family planning services. It’s time to stop trying to balance the budget on the backs of women and families. The richest Americans need to start paying their fair share of taxes.
There’s no time to waste: Call your Members of Congress at 1-888-744-9958 and tell them that it’s time for the richest Americans to pay their fair share: we need to end the Bush tax cuts on income over $250,000.
Your Senators and Representative are getting ready to vote and they need to hear from you right NOW! Tell them that you expect them to stand up for women and families — and end the Bush tax cuts for the richest two percent!
Sincerely,
Joan Entmacher Joan Entmacher Vice President, Family Economic Security National Women’s Law Center   

P.S. When we are this close to a vote, calls are one of the most effective ways for us to make an impact. Please take just a few minutes to call your Members of Congress at 1-888-744-9958.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Aurora, CO


The White House
Remembering the Victims of the Aurora, Colorado ShootingPresident Obama honors the victims of the tragedy in Colorado, those who knew and loved them, and those who are struggling to recover.Watch President Obama’s weekly address:Watch the President's weekly addressStay Connected
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must see Whitehouse vids


President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology Spectrum Report Release

The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology releases a report on realizing the potential of government-held spectrum to spur economic growth. July 20, 2012.More
In 1981, the Centers for Disease Control issued its first warning about a new disease. We had trouble naming this disease, understanding and caring for the people who were infected, and facing down our own fears. But people would not be silent. Communities mobilized to fight HIV/AIDS. We gained the knowledge to create stronger medications, and found new tools to prevent HIV transmission. Instead of helping people die, we turned to helping people live. Now, together, we are saving lives and scaling up. We can see an AIDS-Free Generation. We can turn the tide on this epidemic.More
The White House honors ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things across the country to ensure safety, dignity, and equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, as demonstrated by their inspiring video entries in the LGBT Pride Month Video Challenge. July 19, 2012.More
The Obama Administration brings together sports league and team leaders, stadium operators and supply chain companies to celebrate success stories in making our sports facilities more energy efficient and raising the profile of the importance of going green. July 19, 2012.More
The Obama Administration brings together sports league and team leaders, stadium operators and supply chain companies to celebrate success stories in making our sports facilities more energy efficient and raising the profile of the importance of going green. July 19, 2012.More
The Obama Administration brings together sports league and team leaders, stadium operators and supply chain companies to celebrate success stories in making our sports facilities more energy efficient and raising the profile of the importance of going green. July 19, 2012.More
Vice President Biden speaks to community leaders representing seniors organizations from across the country. July 16, 2012.More
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

This Week’s Top 3 On ThinkProgr​ess


It’s been a busy week. Here are three big stories from ThinkProgress you might have missed:

1. Alyssa’s take on The Shootings at ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ in Colorado

2. A Guide To Consumer Brands Helping Bankroll Right-Wing Attack Ads

3. 20 Prominent Republicans Who Want Romney To Release More Tax Returns Right Now

Best,

Igor Volsky Deputy Editor, ThinkProgress