Tag Archives: United States

Stand up — united — and defeat them


Wisconsin Republicans‘ all-out assault on unions and middle-class families has nothing to do with fixing the budget deficit — for them, it’s just about winning. They pretty much admitted it this weekend. Check out this quote from Sunday’s New York Times:

Scott Walker and I and my brother [Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald] went into this session with the understanding that we had to deliver on campaign promises, that people wanted the Republicans to make change, that the more feathers you ruffle this time, the better you’ll be.”

– Republican State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald

They think “ruffling feathers”, like beating down unions and middle-class families, will make it easier to get reelected. It’s not about what’s best for America or Wisconsin. It’s all about winning the next election for them.

For us, it’s about protecting good-paying jobs. Unions and middle-class families are the backbone of the economy and we need to stand in solidarity with them — that’s why we’re joining our friends at MoveOn, Service Employees International Union, and 29 other organizations in a national day of action. Together, we’ve organized rallies in most major cities and all 50 state capitals across the country this Saturday at noon.

Now it’s time to get the word out and make sure every event is a success. Please sign up to attend the rally closest you right now, then spread the word to everyone you know.

Find a rally near you for this Saturday at noon and sign up to attend now. http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/513?akid=517.1612139.eyNYjc&t=1

This is an all-hands-on-deck moment so don’t stop with just signing up. We also need to get the word out and recruit others to attend.

The bigger each event is, the more press coverage we’ll generate and the greater impact our message will have on the national narrative. So don’t come to the rally alone. Bring a friend. Bring two friends. Heck, drive a car full of friends.

This fight in Wisconsin is bigger than just one state.

It’s Ohio.

It’s Indiana.

It’s New Jersey.

It’s all of us.

And don’t for a second think Republicans in Congress aren’t paying attention.

With a federal budget showdown looming as Republicans threaten to shutdown the Government, these rallies also serve to put them on notice. If Republicans try to cut the vital programs or the workers’ rights people depend on to protect their middle-class families, America will stand up — united — and defeat them.

Join us this weekend at a rally in Washington.

Find a rally in Washington now.

Thank you for everything you do.

-Charles

Charles Chamberlain, Political Director

Democracy for America

Outpouring of Solidarity


When Matthew Wisniewski created an incredible video about what’s been taking place in Wisconsin over the past few days, he said, “Please pass on this video if you like it. It needs more publicity. People need to see why we’re protesting.”

I’m not sure having the AFL-CIO send this video out to our entire e-mail list is quite what Matthew had in mind—but our staff loved this video, and we think you will, too. Matthew’s video shows the unbelievable people-powered energy behind what’s happening in Wisconsin.

Watch the amazing video—it’s a few minutes, but worth every second. http://act.aflcio.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=zzLsGTalIJAHgZIJ0CJGz%2BypG9g0yk3F

Then, sign our statement of solidarity.

Crowds in Wisconsin have swelled to more than 70,000, with more expected today. What the protesters are doing in Wisconsin is working.

Workers who are under attack—and the communities that know and respect them—have created such a powerful show of solidarity that all 14 Democratic members of the Wisconsin state Senate left the Senate chambers in protest, indefinitely delaying a vote on Gov. Scott Walker’s anti-worker bill. And Republicans are starting to waver.

This is the kind of strength it takes to win. We need to make our voices heard whenever and wherever attacks occur, in Wisconsin and in our own states.

Watch the amazing video.

Then, sign our statement of solidarity.

The electricity and energy and solidarity we’re seeing with Wisconsin workers is truly unprecedented. But it is only the beginning. Now, as one supporter said to us on Twitter, “We must keep the momentum going & growing. Now is the time & we cannot give in or up.” That’s true in Wisconsin, and it’s just as true in all our communities.

In Solidarity,

Manny Herrmann

Online Mobilization Coordinator, AFL-CIO

P.S. Here are more things you can do to show your support:

Join our “We Are One” Facebook page to discuss what’s happening and write messages of solidarity.

Join the conversation on Twitter: Start by signing our act.ly petition. Then, use the hashtags #StateSOS for all states facing attacks on workers, and #WIunion #SolidarityWI and #NotMyWI for Wisconsin.   http://act.aflcio.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=DH6N7kW%2FzQWbH67I9zwU0%2BypG9g0yk3F

Visit the AFL-CIONow Blog for constant updates and things you can do.   http://act.aflcio.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=9pXEIUPlY%2FhCl7Q2IsDKJ%2BypG9g0yk3F

Share Matthew’s video with your friends on Facebook.  http://act.aflcio.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=PpSW2%2B%2B0QCKCdPqwImYEwOypG9g0yk3F

Watch Part 2 of Matthew’s video—also amazing. http://act.aflcio.org/salsa/track.jsp?v=2&c=sExlw6nH2jxY%2F5qBK%2BZ1LeypG9g0yk3F  

Sign up for our text messaging program. Pull out your cell phone and text UNITE to AFLCIO (235246). Message and data rates may apply.

Who stands up for science? UCS does. Will you join us?


Right now we’re witnessing an all-out war on science, the environment, and human health.

“I think that the science is inconclusive on this. I personally believe that the solar flares are more responsible for climatic cycles than anything that human beings do.”

—Representative Jim Sensenbrenner (R WI), new vice chair of the House Science Committee

A number of irresponsible corporations are spending millions to deceive the public about climate change science. Media personalities are spreading false information and discrediting scientists. And many elected officials are not only blocking efforts to address America’s energy and climate crises—they’re also threatening to roll back many of the hard-fought human health and environmental protections we’ve won in the last few years!

“I think that the science is inconclusive on this. I personally believe that the solar flares are more responsible for climatic cycles than anything that human beings do.”

—Representative Jim Sensenbrenner (R WI), new vice chair of the House Science Committee

You can help UCS expose and challenge attacks like this on science—become a member today.

Become a member of UCS today and join us in exposing and challenging these attacks on science and effective, life-saving public policies.

Politicians and media pundits who claim “global warming is a hoax”, that it’s just “sunspot activity,” or who accuse climate scientists of being “political hacks and leftists” can’t change the scientific evidence. The climate is changing and if we don’t take action there will be devastating consequences for our health, economy, and environment.

We must act now to stand up to vocal global warming deniers and advance science-based solutions that can rein in climate change. Please become a member of UCS today.

With your membership gift, UCS will work to:

Expose and challenge attacks on climate science and scientists;

Advocate for strong, science-based state and regional climate programs that can reduce heat-trapping emissions at the local level;

Push state utility commissions to shut down the oldest and dirtiest coal power plants; and

Continue to press the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce global warming emissions from cars, trucks, power plants, and other large industrial polluters.

Our opponents are well coordinated, well funded, and have a singular goal of protecting their own interests. If you’ve ever considered taking your support of our critical work to the next level—now is the time to do it. Please become a member of UCS today.

We may not have the deep pockets of the oil and coal industries and electric utilities who oppose progress on global warming and clean energy—but we do have scientific facts and dedicated supporters like you. I hope you’ll join us as a member today to ensure we can continue to challenge attacks on science and work for a healthy environment and a safer world.

Sincerely,

Kevin Knobloch

President

P.S. You can be confident your donations to UCS are spent wisely. We are accredited with the Better Business Bureau, have received four stars from Charity Navigator, and earned an ‘A’ rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy.

Haliburton Watch …Halliburto​n goes after fracking critics; hires tobacco-li​nked PR firm


Halliburton goes after fracking critics; hires tobacco-linked PR firm

24 Feb., 2011

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 (HalliburtonWatch.org) — Last week, Desmogblog outed Halliburton and other oil/gas companies, who together set up “Energy in Depth”, an industry front group that claims to represent “small and independent” operators.

EID’s web site was registered by a PR firm experienced in working for companies engaged in scientific deception (e.g. Big Tobacco). EID was set up to fight back after investigative journalists began to expose problems with hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) — notably ProPublica, as well as the producers of the Oscar-nominated documentary, “Gasland,” Also: read how the industry has blocked federal regulations.

More information: http://www.halliburtonwatch.org/news/eid.html

I Stand with Planned Parenthood


amazing.

Ever since the House of Representatives voted to bar Planned Parenthood from all federal funding, we have seen a massive outpouring of support. I’ve always known how deeply you and other supporters care about Planned Parenthood and the women, men, and teens who rely on us — but I’ve never seen anything like this.

Here are five ways you can help, right now:

(1) If you haven’t already,http://www.ppaction.org/site/R?i=_-jIsGmjVFAOQgdOGM-RpA  sign our open letter to the members of Congress who voted to bar Planned Parenthood from federal funding — and to the senators who still have a chance to stop it. Half a million people have already signed. Add your name. http://www.ppaction.org/site/R?i=ZvFWgOcJKA9zlgIeyDEl0g..

(2)Take a stand for Planned Parenthood and the women, men, and teens who rely on us in your community. Click here to find out about local events near you. http://www.ppaction.org/site/R?i=tciQKH6RcOYijBUBxv8ZZw  

(3)Make a gift to Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The work that lies ahead of us as the bill moves to the Senate for consideration is nothing short of astonishing. We need your help to rise to this incredible challenge.  http://www.ppaction.org/site/R?i=vPhxU9f1EB9cskZ8CKzEcQ..

(4)Find out how your representative voted on the bill to bar Planned Parenthood from federal funding — and then let him or her know how you feel. http://www.ppaction.org/site/R?i=MotwfP65IXhiZEXPeiumIQ..  

(5)Share your story. Extreme anti-choice groups and their allies in Congress are spreading lies and misinformation about who we are and what we do. Help set the record straight by sharing your story about how Planned Parenthood has been there for you, your family, or your friends.  http://www.ppaction.org/site/R?i=mH690EBQ5bvfUFL7oA1PZA ..    

I can’t tell you what an enormous difference your unwavering dedication makes right now for Planned Parenthood and the women, men, and teens who rely on us.

Supporters like you truly are the heart and soul of this organization. Thank you for standing with us.

Sincerely,

Cecile Richards, President

Planned Parenthood Federation of America