Tag Archives: Washington

The Climate Reality Project


The Climate Reality Project

Deniers claim there’s no scientific consensus on climate change. They claim man-made global warming is a hoax. They blame volcanoes and sunspots. Deniers are the roadblocks to real progress — and we need to do something about it.

So today, we’re asking for your help.

Congress is back in session this month. And some of these very decision makers heading back to Washington this month are still in denial.

If it’s anything like we’ve been seeing lately, it’s likely that any legislative progress will continue to be stalled … especially progress towards a solution that puts a price on carbon pollution.

Look, you and I know the scientific consensus on climate change is abundantly clear — in fact — 97 percent of all climate scientists will tell you human activities are causing our atmosphere to heat up. And this fundamental change in our climate is having devastating effects across the globe.

That’s why we’re asking you to help set the record straight with a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. Last month, you helped us put the heat on climate change deniers by debunking myths through Reality Drop and social media. Today, we hope you’ll take your dedication to a different media — your local paper.

Writing a letter to the editor is quick, easy, and best of all, extremely effective. We’ve even got you started with some base language. Feel free to use as much or as little as you want. Click here for step-by-step instructions and a bank of denier quotes to help drive your point home.

Climate change is happening. You know it. We know it. Get your message into your local newspaper, and even more people will know the truth about climate change.

Thanks for your continued activism,

Scott Walker coming to Seattle – Let him know his agenda’s not welcome!


Join Us - flyer (please enable images)

 by Scott Foval, People For the American Way

Wisconsin’s radical right-wing Governor  Scott Walker will be hosting a fundraiser for a local far-right organization at  the Seattle Sheraton this Thursday!

Local progressives are joining together for  a counter rally to make sure Gov. Walker gets the message that his regressive  and extreme agenda is not one that’s welcome in Washington.

More from The  Stand:

Join with union members, environmental and  community activists, local businesses and others who plan to send a message to  Scott Walker and his right-wing supporters that his divisive anti-labor,  job-killing, environment-damaging policies aren’t welcome in Washington state.  The event will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5 outside the Seattle  Sheraton Hotel, 1400 6th Ave. Download the event flier, spread the word and make plans to  attend, and bring your signs and banners!
The Sept. 5 event is sponsored by the M.L. King  County Labor Council PAC Committee. For more information, contact email Dianne Gross or call  her at 206-441-7102 or the MLKCLC at 206-441-8510.

We hope you can make it!

— Scott Foval, Political Coordinator

High School Athlete of the Week …


Do You Know A High School Athelete of the Week?
During the 2013 High School Fall Sports Season, CenturyLink, Q13 FOX/JOEtv and the Seattle Seahawks will honor Washington State high school student-athletes that display exemplary performance on and off the field.
The CenturyLink H.S. Athlete of the Week program will honor one deserving student-athlete each week starting in September and culminating in November.
Winners will be selected from a candidate pool, identified by the Seattle Seahawks, CenturyLink, community leaders, high school coaches, teachers, peers, and parents!
NOMINATE AN ATHLETE NOW!
  • Winners will receive:
  • * $1,000 to their school ASB Fund
  • * In-School presentation hosted by Sponsors
  • * Two game tickets + sideline passes to a Seahawks game
  • * Recognition in Seahawks Game Day Broadcast
  • * Weekly Q13 Fox / JOEtv segment announcements
  • * CentruyLink H.S. Athlete of the Week Letterman patch
  • (See complete details on form page)
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Colleges Gone Wild


Wasteful Spending by Colleges Helps Jack up Tuition

The president has been on a two-day bus tour focusing on his new plan to make college more affordable in order to help grow the economy from the middle class out.

Our friends at Generation Progress found some egregious examples of colleges wasting money, something which only contributes to the skyrocketing cost of tuition.

Check out their infographic:

GenProgressCollegeWaste-555x832

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Board of Health … the Other Washington


See this video from King 5 News on how we could make eating out safer in King County.

pots&pans

By Sarah Schacht
                                                Seattle, Washington

King County Board of Health: Create clear restaurant inspection ratings & improve access to ratings.

Each year, 1 in 5 Americans gets food poisoning. This completely preventable illness results from poor food handling. Restaurants are a major source of food poisoning, yet King County’s antiquated restaurant inspection ratings website makes it difficult for county residents to easily search and understand if a restaurant has had good or bad inspection ratings. Essentially, these ratings show the progress of a restaurant to maintain high levels of cleanliness and well trained (for food safety) staff.

King County could reduce reported food poisoning hospitalization rates by at least 14% (which is a lot, since most food poisoning cases go unreported or don’t make it to the hospital) by creating a “A, B, C…” ratings system, with “A” being highest, and “F” being grounds for closure. These ratings should be posted publicly near the entrance of all restaurants, bars, cafes, and eateries. In addition, these ratings should be made available through open data, allowing websites like Yelp to post restaurant inspection ratings in their websites and apps. So, when you quickly look for a restaurant in your area, you can see how safe it is along with their menu and customer reviews.

Currently, King County Public Health (the agency that manages restaurant inspection ratings) has a website that hasn’t been upgraded since the early 2000’s, and a convoluted inspection ratings system that confuses consumers. None of these ratings are posted at restaurants. As a result, restaurants that don’t adhere to safety standards keep serving food to unknowing customers, and restaurants who are safe and clean don’t get rewarded for their work with an “A” rating. Consumers should be able to use transparent, readily available restaurant ratings to drive their purchases, rewarding safer restaurants with more business.

King County Public Health has refused to improve their current website or ratings system, creating small patches that don’t meet citizen’s needs. In the meantime, more people unknowingly eat at unsafe restaurants and fall ill.

We can prevent food poisoning in King County and set a higher standard for food safety. Sign the petition and tell King County Board of Health to make King County Public Health update its ratings systems and create more transparency in ratings.

(Photo above by woodleywonderworks on Flickr.)