Washington | Be a Seed for Change

Stand against oil companies trying to overturn global warming legislation

With the Senate’s failure to pass an anti global-warming bill, legislation on the state level is currently our most direct answer to saving the planet.

California already passed one of the toughest anti-global warming laws in the world (AB32) back in 2006 — and its regulations will start being phased in next year.

But not if a bunch of oil companies in Texas have their way. Texas oil companies Valero and Tesoro have spent $3.5 million to fund Prop 23 in California; a deceptive initiative that, if approved by voters this November, will effectively reverse AB32.

If these Texas Oil Companies succeed in rewriting California’s global warming laws, it won’t just hurt California’s effort to curb harmful carbon emissions — it will be a giant step back for nationwide efforts to fight global warming.

So we need to tell Valero that their continued support of this proposition is going to cost them, too >

This campaign was started by our partner CREDO Action in California earlier this year with The Courage Campaign, but since then, Valero has upped the ante. With only two months until the election, they just gave another $3 million to fund the attack on AB32. There’s no telling how many more millions Valero will dump into this effort before November — but if we create a groundswell of national pressure, we can force them to reconsider their support. So we’re supporting CREDO Action in taking this boycott national.

The Senate climate fight made clear that dirty energy companies have far too much power in Washington. And now that the Citizens United case has opened the door for more corporate money in our elections, the best way to stop dirty energy from having an even bigger impact on ballots nationwide is with direct, public pressure that will be noticed by corporate executives and shareholders alike.

This type of pressure just made a big difference after Target donated $150,000 to a group backing anti-gay candidates. With Valero leading an attack on the strongest climate pollution reduction act in the country, we need to show them that their support isn’t just bad for the environment — it’s also bad for business.

Valero’s CEO needs to hear the message loud and clear. Sign the pledge and join the boycott of Valero >

Thanks for taking action,

The Change.org team

Washingtonians woke up this morning having to accept the news that Ken Griffey Jr decided to retire. It was a very sad announcement but most of us here in Seattle were glad he came back and finished his unbelievable career here. It’s a day that deserves a peaceful start possibly repeated throughout the day … so reach up slowly breathe in deeply be still be calm and slowly release your breath as you lower your arms head shoulders and waist while bending your knees …repeat as needed.

Lets be clear —the stuff going on now was not started during the Obama Administration the rules and de-regulations started long before President Obama took the reigns; now is the time to fix the problems and he is trying but without the cooperation of Congress we will continue to have fires sprout up only to spray them out temporarily … we need the change that 53% voted for and the man to do it is President but the right keeps stalling blocking and making our lives very difficult… now the Gulf Coast is at risk because of the de-regulation that Republicans like, need and continue to vote for … We need Reform People and the Democratic Party has been trying but the Political Party of NO is on the side of Big Oil Corporations, Big Banks, Big Insurance and Wall Street… the very people that helped drive this country into a financial ditch which effected everything else associated

The President will be meeting with Gov. Jan Brewer… lets hope he does whatever to relax before the meeting begins because her latest comments gave some of us the impression that she was in it to fight; not to examine the constitutionality of the law, negotiate or realize what she and lawmakers of Arizona have done by implementing SB1070, the birther law and maybe other laws that permit the police to legally practice discrimination and as a brown person; where does it end? Just ask people of colour in other places about reasonable suspicion or probable cause as we drive walk and or loiter being black on any given day gets pulled over. This law will give police the right to act as an ICE agent which takes money, training and efforts that will take away from the every day criminal behavior and applying the rule of law; comprehensive immigration cannot happen without a pathway for people to become American citizens.

The latest reports about BP and the procedure that didn’t work … is that they were able to cut the pipe but a jagged edge was left and might prevent them from getting a good seal making them decide to go with another type of dome. There were reports that BP was able to restrict flights going over the Gulf Coast oil spill though the FAA has stated they were not… reports of code words for nasty air def health risk situations are now called “bad air days” which are becoming more often… and more light is being shown on the lack of safety for workers; as Tony Hayward stated that the worker illnesses were due to “food poisoning.” There are people who have firsthand experience with what is going on and are reporting that the President might not have been given all the information about what BP is doing and what they actually have control over.

And if BP has more control than being reported; we need to ask the Obama Administration why and maybe it is time to seize BP as suggested by Progressives on TV Cable and Radio; is the 6 month moratorium enough time to evaluate, make big oil Corporations reinforce changes or provide equipment for emergencies because clearly they have none; should we adopt the same rules as Canada?. There are a lot of folks on the left telling the Administration, NOAA and the EPA that they need to separate themselves from BP insist on more action than is being done currently; and no that does not mean nationalizing this thing because the government is not in the oil cleaning business.. But- the talk from credible people like riki ott continues; is an expert and is speaking up and out about what is going on the Gulf Coast; maybe the Obama Administration should listen.

because…

Riki Ott stated during a Reuter’s interview that “A friend in New Orleans is concerned about the oil fumes now engulfing the southern part of town. He says it “smells pretty strong–stronger than standing in a busy mechanics shop, but not as bad as the bus station in Tijuana.” State health officials are warning people who are sensitive to reduced air quality to stay indoors, but anyone who experiences the classic symptoms of crude oil overexposure–nausea, vomiting, headaches, or cold or flu-like symptoms–should seek medical help.” This is serious: Oil spill cleanups are regulated as hazardous waste cleanups because oil is, in fact, hazardous to health. Breathing oil fumes is extremely harmful.”

last …the info below is from Think Progress and the comment from the Los Angeles Times; though totally on point it just seems like Americans aren’t getting the progress being made or the fact that we are finally moving into the 21st Century … obvious more needs to be done but the step forward is there... Congress is racking up a record of landmark policy changes in health care, financial industry regulation, economic policy and more, reports the Los Angeles Times. Nevertheless, Congress is facing high levels of disapproval because “they have not done a good job communicating the virtues of their policies, even to potentially receptive voters.”

Other News …

The Obama Admin sent a $69million prelim bill to BP and other responsible parties/operations

**Sellig will not give the perfect rec to the pitcher though everyone knows the referee call was bad

**BP has put out new flying restrictions… no cameras over oil spill and do we wonder what that is… reports that the bad air days are up …

**Gov Jan Brewer meets with President Obama today

**Blagojevich has his first day in court

*”At least 11 states have passed laws this year regulating or restricting abortion,” giving anti-choice activists “an unusually high number of victories.” Approximately “370 state bills regulating abortion were introduced in 2010, compared with about 350 in each of the previous five years, and 250 a year in the early 1990s. At least 24 of this year’s bills have passed,” and the final total may hit the 2005 high of 34. TP

**President Obama is arguing that the Gulf oil catastrophe highlights the need to pass clean energy reform in the Senate. A clean energy future depends on “putting a price on carbon pollution,” Obama said. He added that “the votes may not be there right now, but I intend to find them in the coming months.” TP

C-SPAN

Cybersecurity Policy

South Carolina Democratic Gubernatorial Primary Debate

Defense Briefing on Afghanistan

Pres. Obama on Economy Transcript of Pres. Obama’s Remarks GOP Boehner & Allan Meltzer Statement

White House HIV/AIDS Meeting

White House Briefing

Cmdr. Of U.S. Cyber Security Discusses Role of New Agency

The United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) was officially activated in May. The agency is responsible for launching attacks on enemy computer networks as well as defending U.S. military systems. At a discussion at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, Gen. Keith B. Alexander, Director of the National Security Agency, spoke on U.S. cyber security policy and the role of USCYBERCOM.

CSIS: From Earlier
United States Cyber Command

BP Successfully Cuts Oil Pipe , Attempts to cap; Delay Shareholder Dividends Requested

Today, crews managed to cut through the pipe from the leaking well in the Gulf of Mexico. The next step is to proceed with plans to cap the pipe and begin pumping oil to tanker ships.
Also, the White House announced that President Obama will return to the Gulf region tomorrow.
In a letter to the British oil company’s chief executive, Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) asked BP to suspend plans to pay shareholder dividends until the cleanup cost of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is calculated. So far, BP PLC has paid out an estimated $1 billion to clean up the leak and is expected to spend billions more. The dividend is reportedly worth an expected $10 billion.

Adm. Allen: From Earlier WJ on Implications of the Gulf Oil Spill
LIVE Spill Cam

Survey to show many states with budget challenges

The National Governors Association (NGA) and The National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) held a press conference to release the biannual Fiscal Survey of States. The spring edition reflects actual figures from fiscal 2009, estimated fiscal 2010 numbers and recommended fiscal 2011 state budget data. The data examines state spending, state revenue actions and year-end balances.

Press Briefing: Available Later
Nasbo Website NGA Website