California Environmental Responsibility
About the Author
Joining this group shows a desire for California to be the leader in energy independence, alternative energy research, and most importantly environmental responsibility.
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/19/08) - A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today condemned threatening rhetoric and racial slurs contained in a new video by Ayman al-Zawahri and said Al-Qaida's second-in-command does not speak for Muslims in this country or worldwide.
SEE: Al-Qaida No. 2 Insults Obama with Racial Epithet (AP)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hPtm1yvXGJVcqVpQdQfpQLY8L-cwD94I51J02 Read More »
SEE: Al-Qaida No. 2 Insults Obama with Racial Epithet (AP)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hPtm1yvXGJVcqVpQdQfpQLY8L-cwD94I51J02 Read More »
Since the last weekend just am participating in the fiercest battle against those groups who are trying to organize a big Rally on day ONE against Barack Obama in the issue about immigration.
The list serve of many Hispanic groups in the Barack Obama web site is flooding profusely in message about this MARCH!
The organizer has nothing to say about it.
Suspicious:
I just am wondering why suddenly too many born American citizen are behind this March and are pushing our community to do so.
The answer for many Hispanic people in this group is prudence and organization before doing something like that. 85 percent or more of the participants in this discussion are Hispanic people talking and pressing for measure and organization, the others (few) are in favor of the MARCH and these unknowns born American citizens are vehemently pushing for the MARCH against BARACK OBAMA.
My questions are:
Why this MARCH on day ONE?
Why this fellow Americans are very interesting in this action against Obama?
Why they are pushing our community to do something like that on day ONE?
Who they are?
Why this March against a government who don’t address the immigration issue at this time and the Hispanic community don’t know exactly wish one is the real position of the new administration?
Why the RUSH of this organizer for this so called “LA MARCHA”
Who’s behind scene?
It’s something planned by the groups anti immigrants like the MINUTEMAN group?
Or it’s something planned by THE REPUBLICANS?
After all the only beneficiary of the negative consequences of this extemporary pressure against the new administration in our community could be the Republican Party and the anti immigrants groups, like the MINUTEMAN!
Percy H Florez
The list serve of many Hispanic groups in the Barack Obama web site is flooding profusely in message about this MARCH!
The organizer has nothing to say about it.
Suspicious:
I just am wondering why suddenly too many born American citizen are behind this March and are pushing our community to do so.
The answer for many Hispanic people in this group is prudence and organization before doing something like that. 85 percent or more of the participants in this discussion are Hispanic people talking and pressing for measure and organization, the others (few) are in favor of the MARCH and these unknowns born American citizens are vehemently pushing for the MARCH against BARACK OBAMA.
My questions are:
Why this MARCH on day ONE?
Why this fellow Americans are very interesting in this action against Obama?
Why they are pushing our community to do something like that on day ONE?
Who they are?
Why this March against a government who don’t address the immigration issue at this time and the Hispanic community don’t know exactly wish one is the real position of the new administration?
Why the RUSH of this organizer for this so called “LA MARCHA”
Who’s behind scene?
It’s something planned by the groups anti immigrants like the MINUTEMAN group?
Or it’s something planned by THE REPUBLICANS?
After all the only beneficiary of the negative consequences of this extemporary pressure against the new administration in our community could be the Republican Party and the anti immigrants groups, like the MINUTEMAN!
Percy H Florez
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/wireStory?id=6261962
From taunts to a beating, Obama election spurs "hundreds" of racist threats, crimes nationwide
By JESSE WASHINGTON
The Associated Press
Cross burnings. Schoolchildren chanting "Assassinate Obama." Black figures hung from nooses. Racial epithets scrawled on homes and cars.
Incidents around the country referring to President-elect Barack Obama are dampening the postelection glow of racial progress and harmony, highlighting the stubborn racism that remains in America.
From California to Maine, police have documented a range of alleged crimes, from vandalism and vague threats to at least one physical attack. Insults and taunts have been delivered by adults, college students and second-graders. Read More »
From taunts to a beating, Obama election spurs "hundreds" of racist threats, crimes nationwide
By JESSE WASHINGTON
The Associated Press
Cross burnings. Schoolchildren chanting "Assassinate Obama." Black figures hung from nooses. Racial epithets scrawled on homes and cars.
Incidents around the country referring to President-elect Barack Obama are dampening the postelection glow of racial progress and harmony, highlighting the stubborn racism that remains in America.
From California to Maine, police have documented a range of alleged crimes, from vandalism and vague threats to at least one physical attack. Insults and taunts have been delivered by adults, college students and second-graders. Read More »
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081114/ap_on_el_pr/obama_threats
By EILEEN SULLIVAN, Associated Press Writer Eileen Sullivan, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON " Threats against a new president historically spike right after an election, but from Maine to Idaho law enforcement officials are seeing more against Barack Obama than ever before. The Secret Service would not comment or provide the number of cases they are investigating. But since the Nov. 4 election, law enforcement officials have seen more potentially threatening writings, Internet postings and other activity directed at Obama than has been seen with any past president-elect, said officials aware of the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity because the issue of a president's security is so sensitive.
Earlier this week, the Secret Service looked into the case of a sign posted on a tree in Vay, Idaho, with Obama's name and the offer of a "free public hanging." In North Carolina, civil rights officials complained of threatening racist graffiti targeting Obama found in a tunnel near the North Carolina State University campus.
And in a Maine convenience store, an Associated Press reporter saw a sign inviting customers to join a betting pool on when Obama might fall victim to an assassin. The sign solicited $1 entries into "The Osama Obama Shotgun Pool," saying the money would go to the person picking the date closest to when Obama was attacked. "Let's hope we have a winner," said the sign, since taken down. Read More »
By EILEEN SULLIVAN, Associated Press Writer Eileen Sullivan, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON " Threats against a new president historically spike right after an election, but from Maine to Idaho law enforcement officials are seeing more against Barack Obama than ever before. The Secret Service would not comment or provide the number of cases they are investigating. But since the Nov. 4 election, law enforcement officials have seen more potentially threatening writings, Internet postings and other activity directed at Obama than has been seen with any past president-elect, said officials aware of the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity because the issue of a president's security is so sensitive.
Earlier this week, the Secret Service looked into the case of a sign posted on a tree in Vay, Idaho, with Obama's name and the offer of a "free public hanging." In North Carolina, civil rights officials complained of threatening racist graffiti targeting Obama found in a tunnel near the North Carolina State University campus.
And in a Maine convenience store, an Associated Press reporter saw a sign inviting customers to join a betting pool on when Obama might fall victim to an assassin. The sign solicited $1 entries into "The Osama Obama Shotgun Pool," saying the money would go to the person picking the date closest to when Obama was attacked. "Let's hope we have a winner," said the sign, since taken down. Read More »
On Wednesday I receive one of the most heartbreak emails ever. A Heart Break E-mail and I posted the entirely email as it, as a proof of what is happen in the VETERNAS ADMINISTRATION (VA).
VA literally is broken in his finances and the bureaucracy in this department follow a steady course, those facts are the principals cause of dissatisfaction for many VETERANS who are rightfully entitle to receive the assistance they deserve from the VA.
This soldiers practically are begging to the VA for solutions, THE ONLY THINK THEY WANT is receive a respectfully treatment, They want his payments on time and the necessary medical assistance they need, They want to be loved by his country as they much loved it.
Not enough was the discovering of the disastrous mistreatment they suffer in the Walter Reid Hospital, they receive promises and some improvement, just the necessary actions to calm down the media, but the really true is nobody is talking about the continue injustice this proudly HEROS receiving every single day from the VA.
If there is some institution in this country need a BAILOUT is the VA, they has the great responsibility of taking care of all VETERANS?
Of course at this point there are not EXTRAORDINARY session of the CONGRESSMAN favoring any solution in this mess of the VA, NOT special declarations of the Speaker of the House, or the Majority Leader calling for immediate and expedite solutions of the SOLDIERS problems dealing with the VA, as they did easily in FAVOR of the corrupted institutions in wall street.........NO, there are NOT prefabricated NEWS CONFERENCE voicing for a quickly and smart solutions for the VETERANS ADMINISTRATION , there are NOT RUSH to solve his problems, NO pressure to the people and fancy explanations to secure VOTES.
At the end of the day nothing is going to happen, may be they think …….. THEY ARE TOO LITTLE AND TOO POOR.
It’s incredible and hard to believe, these two young soldiers practically begin for money because the VA unwariness’.
I can't visualize how this kind of differences could happen in this country?
Lawmakers know what happen in the VETERAN ADMINISTRATION, this is nothing new, this problem coming from years before. But always they couldn't find out the right solution, only promises and long time lapses and debates, until something special come out trough the media like this issue of the Walter Reid. I just wondering if someone of these busy lawmakers of Washington are going to read this: A Heart Break E-mail.
Why does the Congress ISSUE a rush and fair “BAILOUT” to the VETERANS ADMINISTRATION (VA) solving definitively and permanently all the PROEBLEMS THEY SURELLY HAS, as a real signal of gratitude for all what this soldiers did, after all is his responsibility's to do so.
Just am calling for some justice and sensibility to the attention of the President-Elected Barack Obama, I do not expect nothing being solve by the Bush Administration.
Just am calling to the leaders of the Congress for an EQUAL TREATMENT for these citizens, who with his WATCHS and exposures in dangerous way are granting the LIBERTY AND SECURITY of his countryman and them as congressmen’s they fully enjoyed.
This proudly man’s and women’s of the United States Armed Forces, HERO’S of the past and present wars, deserved nothing less than EQUAL TREATMENT, quickly and expedites solutions for the VETRANS ADMINISTRATION (VA), as others entitlements or institutions recently receive from the United State Congress.
Percy H Florez
VA literally is broken in his finances and the bureaucracy in this department follow a steady course, those facts are the principals cause of dissatisfaction for many VETERANS who are rightfully entitle to receive the assistance they deserve from the VA.
This soldiers practically are begging to the VA for solutions, THE ONLY THINK THEY WANT is receive a respectfully treatment, They want his payments on time and the necessary medical assistance they need, They want to be loved by his country as they much loved it.
Not enough was the discovering of the disastrous mistreatment they suffer in the Walter Reid Hospital, they receive promises and some improvement, just the necessary actions to calm down the media, but the really true is nobody is talking about the continue injustice this proudly HEROS receiving every single day from the VA.
If there is some institution in this country need a BAILOUT is the VA, they has the great responsibility of taking care of all VETERANS?
Of course at this point there are not EXTRAORDINARY session of the CONGRESSMAN favoring any solution in this mess of the VA, NOT special declarations of the Speaker of the House, or the Majority Leader calling for immediate and expedite solutions of the SOLDIERS problems dealing with the VA, as they did easily in FAVOR of the corrupted institutions in wall street.........NO, there are NOT prefabricated NEWS CONFERENCE voicing for a quickly and smart solutions for the VETERANS ADMINISTRATION , there are NOT RUSH to solve his problems, NO pressure to the people and fancy explanations to secure VOTES.
At the end of the day nothing is going to happen, may be they think …….. THEY ARE TOO LITTLE AND TOO POOR.
It’s incredible and hard to believe, these two young soldiers practically begin for money because the VA unwariness’.
I can't visualize how this kind of differences could happen in this country?
Lawmakers know what happen in the VETERAN ADMINISTRATION, this is nothing new, this problem coming from years before. But always they couldn't find out the right solution, only promises and long time lapses and debates, until something special come out trough the media like this issue of the Walter Reid. I just wondering if someone of these busy lawmakers of Washington are going to read this: A Heart Break E-mail.
Why does the Congress ISSUE a rush and fair “BAILOUT” to the VETERANS ADMINISTRATION (VA) solving definitively and permanently all the PROEBLEMS THEY SURELLY HAS, as a real signal of gratitude for all what this soldiers did, after all is his responsibility's to do so.
Just am calling for some justice and sensibility to the attention of the President-Elected Barack Obama, I do not expect nothing being solve by the Bush Administration.
Just am calling to the leaders of the Congress for an EQUAL TREATMENT for these citizens, who with his WATCHS and exposures in dangerous way are granting the LIBERTY AND SECURITY of his countryman and them as congressmen’s they fully enjoyed.
This proudly man’s and women’s of the United States Armed Forces, HERO’S of the past and present wars, deserved nothing less than EQUAL TREATMENT, quickly and expedites solutions for the VETRANS ADMINISTRATION (VA), as others entitlements or institutions recently receive from the United State Congress.
Percy H Florez
Succumb to the immense pressure of the lobbyist companies in favor of the automakers he probably loose the great opportunity he has now to reshape the country and all this mess in to successfully and productive economy.
When I see Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and all this lawmakers make pressure in favor of this incense policy instead have measure due to the big failure of the previous bailout they craft in the most irresponsible act of congress since the great depression. I have not doubt how much power this industries have.
In conclusion is time for real change instead throwing the money to the trash using this money for companies who already are dead because they fail to be competitive and productive.
I am not against these companies, I like the GMC Subaru, but in terms of competitiveness they are out of the market; they can’t compete in any way with his close competitors like Toyota or Honda. These two foreign automakers as an example invest a lot of money in this country, building lines of production that send to the market products made by Americans hard workers full of competitiveness among of quality and price.
By the way I just heard today this automaker from Detroit who are begin for government bailout using the taxpayer money, have a huge investment in the markets; they are bankers too, and they profited for a lot in this business, then now this is one of the reasons they are in troubles. They want easy money and they playing hard in the game of taking risk instead of made real changes in his line of production and adequate his products according to the new reality.
I just wondered if the new administration can resist such behavior and temptation instead made structural correction to the economy.
I hope Barack Obama don't loose the great opportunity he receive clearly form the people of this country and don't defraud the next generation of Americans who are watching very close what his going to do.
It's about time, let's see what happens
Percy H Florez
When I see Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and all this lawmakers make pressure in favor of this incense policy instead have measure due to the big failure of the previous bailout they craft in the most irresponsible act of congress since the great depression. I have not doubt how much power this industries have.
In conclusion is time for real change instead throwing the money to the trash using this money for companies who already are dead because they fail to be competitive and productive.
I am not against these companies, I like the GMC Subaru, but in terms of competitiveness they are out of the market; they can’t compete in any way with his close competitors like Toyota or Honda. These two foreign automakers as an example invest a lot of money in this country, building lines of production that send to the market products made by Americans hard workers full of competitiveness among of quality and price.
By the way I just heard today this automaker from Detroit who are begin for government bailout using the taxpayer money, have a huge investment in the markets; they are bankers too, and they profited for a lot in this business, then now this is one of the reasons they are in troubles. They want easy money and they playing hard in the game of taking risk instead of made real changes in his line of production and adequate his products according to the new reality.
I just wondered if the new administration can resist such behavior and temptation instead made structural correction to the economy.
I hope Barack Obama don't loose the great opportunity he receive clearly form the people of this country and don't defraud the next generation of Americans who are watching very close what his going to do.
It's about time, let's see what happens
Percy H Florez
The Name's of The Fallen / Part 18 / Total Count as a today @ 6:03 PM 11/6/2008 4192 Soldiers are Dead / Names In Reverse order from: 4177 to 4192
4192 29-Oct-08 Private 1st Class Bradley S. Coleman 24 Martinsville VA
4191 29-Oct-08 Sergeant Scott J Metcalf 36 Framingham MA
4190 24-Oct-08 Private 1st Class Cody J Eggleston 21 Eugene OR
4189 23-Oct-08 Staff Sergeant Brian P Hause 29 Stoystown PA
4188 19-Oct-08 Lance Corporal Stacy A Dryden 22 North Canton OH
4187 16-Oct-08 Specialist Heath K Pickard 21 Palestine TX
4186 15-Oct-08 Specialist Justin A Saint 22 Albertville AL
4185 14-Oct-08 Specialist Christopher A McCraw 23 Columbia MS
4184 07-Oct-08 Sergeant Michael K Clark 24 Sacramento CA
4183 12-Oct-08 Specialist Geoffrey G Johnson 28 Lubbock TX
4182 11-Oct-08 Sergeant Reuben M Fernandez III 22 Abeline TX
4181 05-Oct-08 Colonel Michael R Stahlman 45 Chevy Chase MD
4180 05-Oct-08 Sergeant William P Rudd 27 Madisonville KY
4179 02-Oct-08 Private 1st Class Tavarus D Setzler 23 Jacksinville FL
4178 30-Sep-08 Private 1st Class Christopher A Bartkiewicz 25 Dunfermline IL
Total Count as a today @ 6:03 PM 11/6/2008 : : 4192 soldiers are dead
More Information please visit our data base: : The Name's of the Fallen
Or you can visit the DoD web site: : US DoD News Release
S T O P T H E W A R
Stop the War & Bring Troops Home
Percy H Florez
Congratulation to everybody
God Bless America
Percy H Florez
LATEST POLLING DATA:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/latestpolls/index.html
Early vote. Organize and mobilize friends and family to early vote. Organize your your precincts to early vote. Educate. Organize. Mobilize.
Obama/Biden 08'
Yes We Can!
Yes We Will!
Keep Hope Alive!
Today, ExxonMobil posted the highest quarterly profits report in American history.
Our economy today told a different story. The American GDP -- a measure of how much we're producing and selling -- fell for the first time this year.
So why does John McCain's economic plan give Big Oil another $4 billion in tax breaks? After eight years of backwards policies like these, we can't risk four more years of the same.
You can help turn the page on these failed economics. Sign up to get out the vote in these last crucial days of the race.
As our stalled economy continues to shrink, American companies are selling and producing less -- and families across the country are feeling it.
This winter, ExxonMobil fat cats will have money to burn. But millions of Americans will struggle to pay for basic needs like home heating costs.
That may be fine by John McCain, but Barack Obama has a different vision for middle-class families. And now is the time to make sure we get the change we need.
Sign up to get out the vote, and help change this country from the bottom up:
http://my.barackobama.com/november
Keep up the good work,
DNC Rapid Response Team
Our economy today told a different story. The American GDP -- a measure of how much we're producing and selling -- fell for the first time this year.
So why does John McCain's economic plan give Big Oil another $4 billion in tax breaks? After eight years of backwards policies like these, we can't risk four more years of the same.
You can help turn the page on these failed economics. Sign up to get out the vote in these last crucial days of the race.
As our stalled economy continues to shrink, American companies are selling and producing less -- and families across the country are feeling it.
This winter, ExxonMobil fat cats will have money to burn. But millions of Americans will struggle to pay for basic needs like home heating costs.
That may be fine by John McCain, but Barack Obama has a different vision for middle-class families. And now is the time to make sure we get the change we need.
Sign up to get out the vote, and help change this country from the bottom up:
http://my.barackobama.com/november
Keep up the good work,
DNC Rapid Response Team
A few months ago I posted a blog in consideration of a forecast of 12 Battleground states and remember some of the reactions to that post. As I come back today Obama is ahead in six of those states and only about 6 more remain in which Obama is ahead in each one including Ohio and Florida. It things hold true this pattern will reveal one of the most stunning election results in American history way beyond my own expectations. I find it necessary to say THANK YOU to the FRIENDS who have stuck with me through this campaign. We went through alot here but held firm to our convictions. I am blessed to be back home in California at a time where family are even getting out and voting early for the first time in their lives.
Yes We Can!
Yes We Will!
Obama/Biden 08!
Yes We Can!
Yes We Will!
Obama/Biden 08!
Video: White House Mum Following US Raid Into Syria
What? why is this not being talk about by obama
Obama Votes Present on US Attack on al Qaeda in Syria
Do I really have to vote for this guy. Can I just have Biden.
What if the candidate with the best issues WON the election.
Fair TaxThe complexity and distortions of the federal tax code produces distributions of tax incidence and payroll tax burdens that are skewed in favor of the wealthy and the corporations further garnished by tax shelters, insufficient enforcement and other avoidances. Continue reading ...
Federal BudgetThe United States needs a redirected federal budget that adequately funds crucial priorities like infrastructure, transit and other public works, schools, clinics, libraries, forests, parks, sustainable energy and pollution controls. Continue reading ...
Jail Time Not Bail Time - Stop the BailoutIn late September, Senator Obama said to the Democrats – vote for the bailout. Senator McCain said to the Republicans – vote for the bailout. President Bush said to the Congress – vote for the bailout. But the American people were fed up. They told their members of Congress – if you vote for the bailout, we will vote against you. Continue reading ...
JobsSince January 2001, 2.7 million jobs have been lost and more than 75% of those jobs have been high wage, high productivity, manufacturing jobs. Overall 5.6% of Americans are unemployed while 10.5% of African Americans are unemployed. Unemployment among Latinos is nearly 30 per cent higher than January 20, 2001. Continue reading ...
PovertyAs the wealthiest country in the world, with high productivity per capita, a country that produces an abundance of capital, credit, technology and food, we can end poverty. Yet, according to the Bureau of the Census, poverty and hunger for children and adults is increasing rather than decreasing -- 34.6 million Americans lived in deep poverty, 12.1% of the U.S. population. Continue reading ... 
Worker's RightsThe rights of workers have been on the decline. It is time to reverse that trend and begin to give workers, the backbone of the US economy, the rights they deserve. Workers need a living wage not a minimum wage; access to health care and no unilateral reductions in medical benefits and pensions for current employees and retirees. Employers should not be able to avoid these benefits by hiring temporary workers or independent contractors. Continue reading ... 
Electoral ReformOur democracy is in a descending crisis. Voter turnout is among the lowest in the western world, and America ranks in the bottom three of countries that hold free elections. The reasons for this democracy crisis are many: Redistricting ensures very few incumbents are at risk in one-party districts, and paperless voting machines call into question whether every vote is being counted. Barriers to full participation of candidates proliferate, making it very obstructive for third party and Independent candidates to run. These problems silence alternative viewpoints and decrease voter confidence. Continue reading ...
Media BiasThe mass media in the United States is extremely concentrated, and the messages that they send are too broadly uniform. Six global corporations control more than half of all mass media in our country: newspapers, magazines, books, radio and television. Our democracy is being swamped by the confluence of money, politics and concentrated media. Continue reading ...
Shift the PowerThe three documents below provide the "tools of democracy" that shift the power so people can regain control of their government, empower themselves as consumers, and strengthen themselves as workers. Without the facilities making it easy for Americans to band together to develop organizations with staff and budget to protect their interests, workers, consumers, and voters have few ways to challenge those organized for other purposes - for example, corporations organized with contrary policies and demands. Continue reading ... Read More »
Fair TaxThe complexity and distortions of the federal tax code produces distributions of tax incidence and payroll tax burdens that are skewed in favor of the wealthy and the corporations further garnished by tax shelters, insufficient enforcement and other avoidances. Continue reading ... Federal BudgetThe United States needs a redirected federal budget that adequately funds crucial priorities like infrastructure, transit and other public works, schools, clinics, libraries, forests, parks, sustainable energy and pollution controls. Continue reading ... Jail Time Not Bail Time - Stop the BailoutIn late September, Senator Obama said to the Democrats – vote for the bailout. Senator McCain said to the Republicans – vote for the bailout. President Bush said to the Congress – vote for the bailout. But the American people were fed up. They told their members of Congress – if you vote for the bailout, we will vote against you. Continue reading ... JobsSince January 2001, 2.7 million jobs have been lost and more than 75% of those jobs have been high wage, high productivity, manufacturing jobs. Overall 5.6% of Americans are unemployed while 10.5% of African Americans are unemployed. Unemployment among Latinos is nearly 30 per cent higher than January 20, 2001. Continue reading ... PovertyAs the wealthiest country in the world, with high productivity per capita, a country that produces an abundance of capital, credit, technology and food, we can end poverty. Yet, according to the Bureau of the Census, poverty and hunger for children and adults is increasing rather than decreasing -- 34.6 million Americans lived in deep poverty, 12.1% of the U.S. population. Continue reading ... Worker's RightsThe rights of workers have been on the decline. It is time to reverse that trend and begin to give workers, the backbone of the US economy, the rights they deserve. Workers need a living wage not a minimum wage; access to health care and no unilateral reductions in medical benefits and pensions for current employees and retirees. Employers should not be able to avoid these benefits by hiring temporary workers or independent contractors. Continue reading ... Electoral ReformOur democracy is in a descending crisis. Voter turnout is among the lowest in the western world, and America ranks in the bottom three of countries that hold free elections. The reasons for this democracy crisis are many: Redistricting ensures very few incumbents are at risk in one-party districts, and paperless voting machines call into question whether every vote is being counted. Barriers to full participation of candidates proliferate, making it very obstructive for third party and Independent candidates to run. These problems silence alternative viewpoints and decrease voter confidence. Continue reading ... Media BiasThe mass media in the United States is extremely concentrated, and the messages that they send are too broadly uniform. Six global corporations control more than half of all mass media in our country: newspapers, magazines, books, radio and television. Our democracy is being swamped by the confluence of money, politics and concentrated media. Continue reading ... Shift the PowerThe three documents below provide the "tools of democracy" that shift the power so people can regain control of their government, empower themselves as consumers, and strengthen themselves as workers. Without the facilities making it easy for Americans to band together to develop organizations with staff and budget to protect their interests, workers, consumers, and voters have few ways to challenge those organized for other purposes - for example, corporations organized with contrary policies and demands. Continue reading ... Read More »Listing the Cook Inlet belugas as endangered - federal biologists estimate there are only 375 of the animals left -
Declaring Cook Inlet beluga whales an endangered species - as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration did Friday was only the first step toward protecting them. Now federal biologists are trying to figure out exactly what's endangering them.
The newly released "Conservation Plan for the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale" - a 128-page report compiled by the National Marine Fisheries Service - takes a preliminary stab at the question, listing 18 possible threats to the local whale population.
Five of those threats would pose a "high" risk of jeopardizing the belugas were they to occur, the study says. Among them are two natural dangers: disease and stranding of whales on mud flats.
Three are man-made dangers: whale poaching, food reduction (by damaging salmon habitat or over-fishing) and unnatural noise in the water (such as off-shore drilling, pile-driving in the construction of a Knik Arm bridge or expansion of the Port of Anchorage).
The report also lists as "unknown" the impact on belugas that might result from three man-made dangers: Oil and gas spills, systematic water pollution (including the partially treated sewage Anchorage discharges into Cook Inlet) and environmental change (such as ocean warming).
"Certainly oil and gas development and all in-water activities that might introduce pollutants are a concern," says Fisheries Service biologist Brad Smith, one of the conservation plan authors.
Read the rest of the story and check out the pix of the 18 stranded whales (they're the white whales in the filthy mud flat water):
http://www.adn.com/3246/story/563481.html
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/wildlife/story/559040.html
2 pix next pg
Read More »