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“They robbed me of that experience with my child”
Dear Activist, About four years ago, an antibiotic-resistant infection changed the life of Nicole, a mom from Kensington, Maryland. This situation could happen to anyone and is becoming increasingly common. But we can fix it. And you can help. Tell your lawmakers to pass legislation to save antibiotics for medicine, not factory farms. Nicole leads what she jokingly calls a “pretty crunchy” lifestyle. She grows her own organic vegetable garden, sticks to local and organic meat and limits the amount of processed foods in her pantry. After three-and-a-half weeks of breastfeeding her newborn baby, Thomas, she developed mastitis. “Sometimes the milk duct can get infected and it’s very painful,” Nicole said. “You’re supposed to work through it… but it got worse and worse. On a scale of 1 to 10, the pain became a 30.” Nicole received antibiotics from her OB/GYN, but it quickly became apparent that they weren’t working. A team of doctors from different hospitals and offices soon discovered that she had antibiotic-resistant MRSA in her breast. The infection was spreading rapidly, and everyone was concerned that Nicole’s C-section incision would soon become septic as well. Nicole was stunned by the whole situation. By far the scariest part of Nicole’s infection was learning that it had spread to her breast milk, putting her newborn at risk. “It was devastating to me. The worst part of this whole thing for me was being told I couldn’t breastfeed anymore. It was worse than the pain. They robbed me of that experience with my child.” It took over four months and a lengthy stay in the hospital for Nicole to finally beat her antibiotic-resistant infection. The unfortunate reality is that she is not alone — 2 million Americans experience antibiotic-resistant infections every year, resulting in at least 23,000 deaths. And these infections can affect anyone, no matter who you are or how you live. This public health crisis is preventable. We can solve this problem. Factory farms are a breeding ground for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Every single day, factory farms are feeding their animals regular, low doses of antibiotics to make them grow faster and to prevent disease in filthy, crowded living conditions, creating superbugs that are resistant to antibiotics. In fact, the factory farming industry uses a whopping 80% of the antibiotics sold in the U.S. They’re allowed to play by their own rules when it comes to antibiotics, while we suffer the consequences. That’s why Food & Water Watch has launched this campaign to stop factory farms from abusing antibiotics. Our members of Congress won’t act unless we spread the word and build public pressure to convince our lawmakers to pass federal legislation to save antibiotics and save lives. People like Nicole shouldn’t have to go through that kind of ordeal and miss out on some of the most valuable and rewarding experiences of their lives just so factory farms can cut corners and turn a bigger profit. Thanks for all you do, Miranda Carter |
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Tag Archives: vote
Reduce Jacob’s charges to misdemeanor possession instead of life
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Jacob Lavoro is a teenager facing life in prison for baking marijuana brownies in Round Rock, Texas. He’s a young man who has never been in trouble with the law before, and has always been a great kid who we love very much. I started the petition because I live in the same city as Jacob Lavoro and I felt a responsibility to help stand up for him. Our county has a history of excessively punishing minor crimes or even innocent people to “send a message” that has little do with justice or the best interests of the community. In this case, the sentencing rules are being abused and stretched to increase a punishment that does not fit the allegations. The police apparently included the full weight of the brownies: flour, sugar, water, etc and the plastic containers that held them to determine the weight of the illegal hash oil used to bake the brownies. If our petition can convince Jana Duty, the District Attorney in Williamson County, to follow through on her campaign promises to clean up Williamson County’s justice system and offer alternative sentencing options then we hope that there will be justice for Jacob Lavoro and that county residents can breathe easier under a less oppressive atmosphere. If Jacob Lavoro receives a harsh sentence, it will destroy this young man’s life and leave a permanent mark of injustice in Williamson County, Texas. Please join us today to stand up against unfair sentencing and ruining a young man’s life. Sign and share the petition today! |
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Rape … in India
 Two young girls were hanged from a tree after being gang raped in the fields outside their home in India and a high ranking government official just responded by saying that rape “is a social crime … sometimes it’s right, sometimes it’s wrong.” Let’s make sure India’s leader knows that this is unacceptable and demand he acts now to stop the rape epidemic. Sign now:
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Two young girls were hanged from a tree after being gang raped in the fields outside their home in India and a high ranking government official just responded by saying that rape “is a social crime … sometimes it’s right, sometimes it’s wrong.”
That is the government’s response! It’s disgusting and we can change it.
India’s new leader was just elected on a pro-business platform with increased tourism as one of his top economic growth goals. If two million of us, right now, pledge not go to India until something is done about the rape epidemic across the country, we could get his attention and force him to prioritise urgent action.
Sign now and at two million signers, Avaaz will bring our call to the major Indian tourist companies that have Prime Minister Modi’s ear and lobby for travel advisories until something is done to protect this generation of girls and women:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/womanifesto_modi_21/?biEWLbb&v=40655
When the 14 and 15 year old girls went missing, one girl’s dad went to the police and fell in front of them on his hands and knees pleading for them to do something. They laughed at him and told him to go home. This appalling inaction happens to countless families across India that face this horror. The police, the judiciary, and even ministers are failing them! It’s a culture of acceptance of rape!
Before the elections there was a massive movement building to get urgent action to stop violence against women. Experts drafted a Womanifesto — a common sense plan for urgently needed reforms to stop the rape epidemic. It covers law, policing, medical and psychological support, and crucially — public education. Other major parties signed up to it, but Modi ignored it focusing on economics, and it is still languishing on his desk.
Even Modi’s staff agree with the plan. Now we just need Modi to put it into action.
If millions pledge to not visit India now until action is taken, and that call is bolstered by targeted calls to the mega travel businesses that support Modi and calls to our own governments to issue travel warnings, we could force Modi to act to save his political future. Click below to sign now:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/womanifesto_modi_21/?biEWLbb&v=40655
The shock and horror of opening the newspaper and reading this story can sit with us, or it can spur us into action. This is our chance to come together as a global community and use our power and our hope to help and entire nation set out on the journey towards equality and safety for all.
With hope,
Alice, Alaphia, Dalia, Laura, Shreya, Ricken and the rest of the Avaaz team
More Information:
India State Minister on rape: ‘Sometimes it’s right, sometimes it’s wrong’
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/05/india-state-minister-rape-crimes-comment
Another girl found hanging in Uttar Pradesh. Rape attempt on judge
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-another-girl-found-hanging-in-uttar-pradesh-rape-attempt-on-judge-1993315
Modi unveils ‘Five Ts’: BJP’s PM candidate says Talent, Tourism, Tech, Trade and Tradition are the watchwords for India’s future
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2542285/Modi-unveils-Five-Ts-BJPs-PM-candidate-says-Talent-Tourism-Tech-Trade-Tradition-watchwords-Indias-future.html
Horrified at reports of violence against women in India: US on Badaun Rape case
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/horrified-at-reports-of-violence-against-women-in-india-us-on-badaun-rape-case-535671
UN condemns gang rape and murder of teenage girls in Uttar Pradesh and calls for justice
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_73685.html
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Keystone XL: Where Things Stand
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These bottom-of-the-barrel tactics signal that fossil fuel corporations will do anything to avoid facing up to the view that one prominent analyst voiced last week: “We have been of the opinion for nearly a year now that Keystone XL is dead.”3 This delay means another year that tar sands oil stays in the ground, instead of flowing through the pipeline. This delay is another nail in the coffin of this disastrous project. And you—the incredible grassroots tide of resolve and determination—are the ones who made this happen. Keystone would have been just another routine dirty energy infrastructure project if not for public pressure—like the unprecedented 2.5 million public comments submitted into the approvals process. People all along the pipeline route, from Alberta to the Gulf Coast—especially Indigenous communities and farming communities—mobilized against the project. Another key factor has been the threat of massive civil disobedience if President Obama approves the pipeline—one veteran environmental campaigner called it the “sharpest arrow in the quiver” of the Keystone opposition movement. Almost 100,000 people signed Keystone XL Pledge of Resistance, committing to take direct action if the administration lights the fuse of the continent’s biggest carbon bomb. So while we’re proud that the movement won a major delay, the struggle is far from over. Here at Rainforest Action Network, we’re staying vigilant on Keystone. We’re continuing to hone the cutting edge of the climate movement by training committed activists. And we’re taking fast, strategic action to block dirty energy deals. Thank you for all you’ve done.
P.S. Alongside our work on Keystone, RAN is engaged in a range of dirty energy fights. We’ve successfully pressured banks like JPMorgan Chase to move away from mountaintop removal (MTR) coal mining, and we’re approaching a tipping point with Barclays, the world’s biggest financier of MTR. Add your voice! Sources: 1. “Obama Blocks Keystone To Start Energy Takeover,” Investor’s Business Daily, May 13, 2014 (http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials-perspective/051314-700702-obama-wants-energy-markets-fossil-fuels-under-government-heel.htm) |
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It’s been four weeks since the climate movement won a significant delay on the Keystone XL pipeline. Since then, the oil industry and their political and media backers have gotten increasingly desperate:
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Meet Brad Hutto …
running against Lindsay Graham … who we all know but need some reminders …
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) introduced a bill in November of 2013, that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy in the United States unless the woman is a victim of rape or incest or her life is in danger. He also stated, “Nothing bad is going to happen,” Graham said. “Good things will happen. Babies will be born that wouldn’t have made it otherwise, and only God knows who they will grow up to be.”
I don’t know about you but women should be treated just like men … as individuals ! Instead the GOP continues to put us all in one basket claim we are too emotional and then tell us what is good for us … #Midterm2014Matters it is time for a change … Nativegrl77
Brad Hutto is running for the United States Senate because Washington DC is broken.
Congress doesn’t listen to the voters anymore. Big money, powerful special interest groups, and extremist agendas are blocking progress. Brad will reject the culture that makes Washington DC dysfunctional and will take South Carolina values to Capitol Hill.
Brad is a problem solver who will work with both sides to get Congress working for us again. Rather than appearing on the Sunday talk shows and manufacturing stunts to make the national news, Brad believes the people back home should be the highest priority for a Senator representing South Carolina.
It’s time for our allies abroad to take more responsibility for their own security. He disagrees with our current Senator, Lindsey Graham, who believes the United States should be the policeman for the world. Instead Brad realizes that we should do more to improve our own infrastructure and create jobs here. Brad would make improving education a national priority so our country doesn’t slip further behind the rest of the world. He thinks South Carolinians deserve a US Senator who cares about their concerns and about where they live. Brad understands what it’s like to live, work and raise a family right here in South Carolina.
Jobs – Brad has a long history of fighting for jobs and small businesses. He received a perfect score of 100% from the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce for his hard work and leadership for creating jobs. As our Senator, he will roll up his sleeves on day one to help bring good paying jobs with benefits here in South Carolina. Instead of obsessing over international politics, Brad will work to ensure that South Carolina workers are properly trained and that the business environment is attractive for job creators. He will work to restore and improve the state’s crumbling infrastructure and to rebuild failing schools in the state’s rural areas.
Valuing Work – All able-bodied Americans should work, and their hard work should be rewarded. Too many people who work full time to support their family have to rely on food stamps to put food on their tables. Brad supports raising the minimum wage to $10.10, getting people off of food stamps and once again honoring hard work in this country. Brad will stand up for working families.
Education – Brad understands how important education is to improving the lives of South Carolinians. He will fight to ensure South Carolina gets its fair share of national funding and help keep state leaders focused like a laser beam on our schools. He knows that without a properly educated and trained work force, businesses looking to relocate will simply go someplace else.
Fiscal Discipline – Just like families all over America are doing, Brad believes it’s time for Congress to tighten their belts, spend less and cut waste. He believes we should better prioritize spending to reflect the real needs our country faces within its own borders. Brad will fight any attempt to balance the budget on the backs of senior citizens who have already made huge sacrifices for our country. He will oppose any attempt to harm Medicare and Social Security.
Health Care – Brad wants to fix the Affordable Care Act and allow everyone to keep or obtain a plan that best suits their families’ needs. He will not support legislation that will put the insurance companies back in charge or return us to a time when insurance could be denied for pre-existing conditions and families could go bankrupt because of lifetime caps.
Environment – As an avid outdoorsman and sportsman, Brad knows that we must do more to protect our natural resources. From the mountains to the lakes, to the coast, South Carolina is blessed with a unique beauty that generates tourism and creates jobs. Brad will fight against those who would do harm for their own short term goals.
Energy – Brad will continue to lead efforts to invest in alternative forms of energy like solar, wind and gas. We can’t continue to rely on foreign countries to supply our energy.
Women’s Health – Government should not dictate health decisions for women in this country. He believes women should be empowered to consult with their families, healthcare providers, and religious advisors to make reproductive health decisions. Women do not need Washington politicians like Lindsey Graham telling them what to do.
Liberty and Justice for All – Everyone should have an equal chance to obtain happiness and fulfill the American Dream. Brad opposes efforts to restrict basic freedoms. Liberty to share love and life is an inherent right, and this includes the right to marry the person that you choose. He believes that America is strongest when everyone is free, respected and valued.
Resources: Huffington Post … state-election site …
Be a Seed for Change 
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