http://www.commondreams.org/
Pickens Dumps Chesapeake, Showing that Natural Gas “Boom” is a Bust?
Washington, D.C.—“T. Boone Pickens’s recent divestment from Chesapeake Energy shows that natural gas is a house of cards, and that even one of its biggest cheerleaders has grown wise to this fact.
“Pickens dropped his holdings in Chesapeake citing low prices, also stating that ‘natural gas has been a disaster.’ These are the same low prices that are making it preferable to sell our domestic energy to China and India, rather than provide us with the energy security that the oil and gas industry promised with expanded gas development.
Kucinich: “NATO Talks a Sham: War in Afghanistan is Not Ending”
Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today released the following statement as world leaders meet in Chicago for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit.
“The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is not a benevolent organization. NATO is not about the North Atlantic and it’s not about our collective defense.
Don't Put Monsanto in Charge of Ending Hunger in Africa
This past weekend, President Obama hid out from protesters at Camp David. He was hosting the leaders of the world's eight wealthiest economies, known as the G8. As they readied to meet, on Friday, Obama put forward his New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition.
U.S. Supreme Court Should Not Review Montana Case Upholding Corporate Spending Limits
The U.S. Supreme Court should not review the Montana Supreme Court case that upheld the state’s limits on corporate spending, Public Citizen attorneys and a team of other lawyers said in a friend-of-the-court brief filed on behalf of a group of former federal and state officials. If the U.S. Supreme Court does decide to hear the case, it should fundamentally reconsider its decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the brief said.
Revised EPA Storm Water Permit Will Ensure District Will Meet Clean Water Goals
Clean water advocates reached an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over a clean water permit for Washington, D.C. that will require the city to develop a plan for reducing its discharges of polluted stormwater to clean up local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay.Discarded debris floats on the Anacosita River. Adopting these changes will mean cleaner waterways throughout the District. (Earthjustice)
60,000 People Ask President Obama for Apology to Torture Victim Maher Arar
Today, Amnesty International USA, the Center for Constitutional Rights, and the National Religious Campaign Against Torture delivered to the White House a petition of more than 60,000 signatures asking President Obama to extend a formal apology to Maher Arar. Arar is a Canadian citizen who was detained in 2002 by the United States and sent to Syria where he was tortured and imprisoned without charge for a year. Arar was ultimately released and allowed to return to Canada. He was never charged with a crime.
Supreme Court to Hear ACLU Case Challenging Warrantless Wiretapping Law
The U.S. Supreme Court today agreed to consider whether plaintiffs represented by the American Civil Liberties Union have the right to challenge the constitutionality of a controversial law that authorizes the National Security Agency to conduct dragnet surveillance of Americans’ international emails and phone calls.
At issue is an appeals court ruling that allowed the ACLU’s challenge to the law – called the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 – to move forward.
ACLU Launches “Teach Kids, Not Stereotypes” Campaign Against Single-Sex Classes Rooted in Stereotypes
The American Civil Liberties Union launched the “Teach Kids, Not Stereotypes” initiative today to end the practice of separating boys and girls in public schools based on discredited science that is rooted in outdated gender stereotypes.
Seventy Thousand People Ask Oil Giant Shell to Clean up its Mess in Nigeria
On the eve of the annual general meeting of oil giant Shell, Friends of the Earth International announced that it will deliver to Shell CEO Peter Voser some 70,000 signatures of people who want Shell to start cleaning up its mess in the oil-rich and highly polluted Niger delta in Nigeria.
The signatories believe that Shell must take responsibility for its pollution and provide a US$1 billion emergency fund needed to start cleaning up the Niger Delta.
G8 Food Security Alliance Answers Question Hungry People Have Not Asked
International agency Oxfam warned that today’s announcement of the "New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition" focuses too heavily on the role of the private sector to tackle the complex challenges of food insecurity in the developing world. The organization called instead for G8 leaders to keep the promises they have already made to help developing countries invest in sustainable solutions to hunger and poverty.
G8 Food Security Alliance Answers Question Hungry People Have Not Asked
International agency Oxfam warned that today’s announcement of the "New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition" focuses too heavily on the role of the private sector to tackle the complex challenges of food insecurity in the developing world. The organization called instead for G8 leaders to keep the promises they have already made to help developing countries invest in sustainable solutions to hunger and poverty.
House Passes Back-Door Attempt to Force Tar Sands Pipeline Approval
The House of Representatives today passed a back-door attempt that would force lawmakers to approve the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline as part of an unrelated transportation bill - once again holding the legislation for improving our roads, bridges and public transit hostage to partisan ideology.
The following is a statement from Natural Resources Defense Council Legislative Director Scott Slesinger after the House passed a motion to instruct transportation bill conferees to include a tar sands pipeline provision in final legislation:
House Passes Back-Door Attempt to Force Tar Sands Pipeline Approval
The House of Representatives today passed a back-door attempt that would force lawmakers to approve the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline as part of an unrelated transportation bill - once again holding the legislation for improving our roads, bridges and public transit hostage to partisan ideology.
The following is a statement from Natural Resources Defense Council Legislative Director Scott Slesinger after the House passed a motion to instruct transportation bill conferees to include a tar sands pipeline provision in final legislation:
Friends of the Earth Releases New Ad: San Onofre 'a Disaster Waiting to Happen'
Friends of the Earth released a new video ad warning that restarting the crippled San Onofre nuclear power plant is "a disaster waiting to happen."
Friends of the Earth Releases New Ad: San Onofre 'a Disaster Waiting to Happen'
Friends of the Earth released a new video ad warning that restarting the crippled San Onofre nuclear power plant is "a disaster waiting to happen."
“If you Want Peace, Prepare for Peace. If you Want War, Prepare for War. The NDAA Prepares for War with Iran,” Kucinich.
Today the House is expected to vote on H.R. 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2013. Kucinich took to the House Floor to warn Members of the Congress that the bill prepares the United States for war with Iran. It specifically calls for aggressive deployment of our armed services to begin “credible, visible preparations for a military option.”
See video here. Kucinich’s remarks follow:
“If you want peace, you prepare for peace. If you want war, you prepare for war. The NDAA prepares for war against Iran.
“If you Want Peace, Prepare for Peace. If you Want War, Prepare for War. The NDAA Prepares for War with Iran,” Kucinich.
Today the House is expected to vote on H.R. 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2013. Kucinich took to the House Floor to warn Members of the Congress that the bill prepares the United States for war with Iran. It specifically calls for aggressive deployment of our armed services to begin “credible, visible preparations for a military option.”
See video here. Kucinich’s remarks follow:
“If you want peace, you prepare for peace. If you want war, you prepare for war. The NDAA prepares for war against Iran.
Lawsuit Launched to Protect Endangered California Condors in Arizona From Lead Bullets
Conservation groups officially notified the U.S. Forest Service of their intent to file a lawsuit against the agency for its failure to protect endangered California condors in Arizona’s Kaibab National Forest from toxic lead ammunition left behind from hunting activities.
Lawsuit Launched to Protect Endangered California Condors in Arizona From Lead Bullets
Conservation groups officially notified the U.S. Forest Service of their intent to file a lawsuit against the agency for its failure to protect endangered California condors in Arizona’s Kaibab National Forest from toxic lead ammunition left behind from hunting activities.
Virulent’ Homophobic Attacks Put South Caucasus Activists at Risk
Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan must do more to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people, Amnesty International said after a spate of attacks on activists.
Instead of condemning a firebomb attack on a gay-friendly bar in downtown Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, last week, some public officials went on the record making homophobic remarks and condoning violence against LGBTI people.
