Everybody Knows with Dr. Bob and Dan-o
The Bush administration is continuing to work with polluters on one of the broadest efforts to weaken our clean air protections in the history of the Clean Air Act. We expect that Congress will be making a number of crucial decisions on clean air in September and October.
One such decision is on the nation's 130 million "non-road" engines, which emit smog-forming nitrogen oxides and dangerous fine particulate soot, contributing to thousands of premature deaths each year.
At the request of engine manufacturer Briggs and Stratton, Sen. Kit Bond (MO) added an amendment to the EPA funding bill to prevent states from cleaning up "non-road" equipment. Briggs and Stratton told the Senate and press that the debate is about jobs, but the company told the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) in a Sept. 2003 report that it "does not believe" new clean air rules "will have a material effect on its financial condition or results of operations."
One such decision is on the nation's 130 million "non-road" engines, which emit smog-forming nitrogen oxides and dangerous fine particulate soot, contributing to thousands of premature deaths each year.
At the request of engine manufacturer Briggs and Stratton, Sen. Kit Bond (MO) added an amendment to the EPA funding bill to prevent states from cleaning up "non-road" equipment. Briggs and Stratton told the Senate and press that the debate is about jobs, but the company told the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) in a Sept. 2003 report that it "does not believe" new clean air rules "will have a material effect on its financial condition or results of operations."
A beautiful ravine is endangered that is currently protected by zoning laws. A local builder wants to build on the land, but the zoning board has the final say. Let them know what you think and find out more information at: www.savewalhalla.org.
Senate debate on the 2004 foreign aid bill could take
place within the next week. Included in the bill is $500 million in
aid - largely military and police aid - to Colombia. However, the
Senate appears set to approve the Colombia aid portion of the bill
with no debate. More than $2.5 billion in taxpayer dollars has gone
to Colombia in the last three years, and there is no indication that
the broad and vague goals of Plan Colombia have been met. Drugs are
just as available on U.S. streets. Nineteen civilians are killed
each day in the crossfire of violence between the paramilitaries,
guerilla groups and the Colombian armed forces, up from 12 per day
three years ago. The fumigation policy aimed at destroying the coca
fields has displaced farmers and left them with no economic
alternative, while simply moving coca production to other countries
in the region.
Action: Contact your senators and ask them why they are not talking about Colombia policy. Express your concerns about the policy of continued military funding for Colombia.
Action: Contact your senators and ask them why they are not talking about Colombia policy. Express your concerns about the policy of continued military funding for Colombia.
Just a week ago, Americans enjoyed a long weekend, in honor of Labor
Day. Now, as the busy season ramps up for most of us, President Bush
is threatening the very concept of the weekend.
That's right -- he's gutting the rules requiring overtime pay for people who work more than 40 hours per week.
Your Senators can stop him, but they need to hear from from you right away. They're both swing votes, and the Senate is expected to vote tomorrow, Tuesday, September 9th.
Please call them now. [If you're in Ohio,] we've arranged for a special toll-free number:
Senator Mike DeWine Toll Free: 877-331-1224 Direct: 202-224-2315
Senator George V. Voinovich Toll Free: 877-331-1224 Direct: 202-224-3353
Make sure their staffers know you're a constituent, then urge them to:
"Please SUPPORT the Harkin amendment to protect our overtime pay."
Please let us know you're calling, at:
http://www.moveon.org/
That's right -- he's gutting the rules requiring overtime pay for people who work more than 40 hours per week.
Your Senators can stop him, but they need to hear from from you right away. They're both swing votes, and the Senate is expected to vote tomorrow, Tuesday, September 9th.
Please call them now. [If you're in Ohio,] we've arranged for a special toll-free number:
Senator Mike DeWine Toll Free: 877-331-1224 Direct: 202-224-2315
Senator George V. Voinovich Toll Free: 877-331-1224 Direct: 202-224-3353
Make sure their staffers know you're a constituent, then urge them to:
"Please SUPPORT the Harkin amendment to protect our overtime pay."
Please let us know you're calling, at:
http://www.moveon.org/
"Dear Colleague" letters-- when one member of Congress asks other members of Congress to sign a letter on a specific issue-- help keep the profile of an issue high even if there's no legislation on that topic being debated in Congress. On September 4, Rep. Tom Lantos of California, ranking Democrat on the House International Relations Committee, sent the message below to other members of Congress. It asks them to sign a letter to Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, urging Mr. Uribe to address the links between sectors of the Colombian military and paramilitary groups. It also highlights the need for accountability for human rights abuses as an element of the current peace talks with paramilitary forces. A copy of Rep. Lantos' message to Congress and the letter to President Uribe are below.
Members of Congress will have until September 12 to sign on to the letter, at which time it will be sent to President Uribe. In order to send a strong message that this issue is of concern to Congress, we need a good number of representatives listed as signers-- that's where you can help!
Members of Congress will have until September 12 to sign on to the letter, at which time it will be sent to President Uribe. In order to send a strong message that this issue is of concern to Congress, we need a good number of representatives listed as signers-- that's where you can help!
A coalition of power companies has launched a multi-million dollar campaign to convince members of Congress to support the
Bush administration's misnamed "Clear Skies" air pollution bill. Through the Edison Electric Institute, hundreds of
companies are pushing their employees, retirees and shareholders to send faxes to Congress, meet with members of Congress,
and write to local newspapers. Even worse, these faxes falsely claim that the dirty air bill is good for the environment
and public health!
The truth is that the Bush administration's "Clear Skies" air pollution plan will weaken public health protections, leading to more smog, soot and mercury pollution from old electric power plants than under current law.
Please take a moment to e-mail your members of Congress today and tell them that we need real solutions to the over 30,000 premature deaths and 160,000 asthma attacks that power plant pollution causes. Then, ask your family and friends to help by forwarding this e-mail to them.
The truth is that the Bush administration's "Clear Skies" air pollution plan will weaken public health protections, leading to more smog, soot and mercury pollution from old electric power plants than under current law.
Please take a moment to e-mail your members of Congress today and tell them that we need real solutions to the over 30,000 premature deaths and 160,000 asthma attacks that power plant pollution causes. Then, ask your family and friends to help by forwarding this e-mail to them.
Call Senators Mike DeWine (614-469-5186) and George Voinovich
(614-469-6697) to demand that the US government:
* Bring the Troops Home Now, End the Occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, and Pay Reparations to Iraqis and Afghans
* Stop US Military and Financial Support for Israel Until Israel Dismantles All the Settlements, Ends the Occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, and Abides by All Relevant International Laws, Including United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194
* Appoint an Independent Commission, and Hold Open and Public Hearings, to Investigate the Bush Administration's Lies That Misled Americans into the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq (Support H.R. 2625 and H. Res. 307)
Mike DeWine: 614-469-5186 (Columbus); 202-224-2315 (DC)
George Voinovich: 614-469-6697 (Columbus); 202-224-3353 (DC)
[Call the Columbus phone numbers while Congress is in recess.]
* Bring the Troops Home Now, End the Occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, and Pay Reparations to Iraqis and Afghans
* Stop US Military and Financial Support for Israel Until Israel Dismantles All the Settlements, Ends the Occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, and Abides by All Relevant International Laws, Including United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194
* Appoint an Independent Commission, and Hold Open and Public Hearings, to Investigate the Bush Administration's Lies That Misled Americans into the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq (Support H.R. 2625 and H. Res. 307)
Mike DeWine: 614-469-5186 (Columbus); 202-224-2315 (DC)
George Voinovich: 614-469-6697 (Columbus); 202-224-3353 (DC)
[Call the Columbus phone numbers while Congress is in recess.]
Icelandic whalers have begun the take of 38 minke whales announced by the Government of Iceland on 6 August as the start of a so called 'scientific' whaling program. The program will expand to take 250 whales, including sei and fin whales as well as minkes, in 2004. Three small fishing boats have been fitted with explosive harpoons and will hunt in August and September. All the meat from these whales will be sold. Please send a protest now to Iceland's largest embassies at the address below: act.greenpeace.org/ams/e?a=915&s=whl
It is with great concern that we report to you that Mumia
has developed a potentially serious health condition
affecting his feet, which have swollen painfully, making
him unable to walk. Mumia suspects it may be due to blood
clotting, a situation which can be very dangerous.
Health conditions are serious matters for prisoners, and blood clotting can be fatal. Please flood the prison's phone lines and demand that Mumia be allowed to be examined by an outside doctor of his choice.
SCI Greene prison: (724) 852-2902 During the Day from 8:00am to 5:00pm, ask for Superintendent Folino
During the Night, 5:00pm to 8:00am ask for Captain Hall. If gone during late night, ask for current Shift Director.
In light of Mumia's health condition, please also contact these elected officials who are supportive of Mumia and ask that they put pressure on SCI Greene Prison and demand that Mumia be allowed to be examined by an outside doctor of his choice.
Health conditions are serious matters for prisoners, and blood clotting can be fatal. Please flood the prison's phone lines and demand that Mumia be allowed to be examined by an outside doctor of his choice.
SCI Greene prison: (724) 852-2902 During the Day from 8:00am to 5:00pm, ask for Superintendent Folino
During the Night, 5:00pm to 8:00am ask for Captain Hall. If gone during late night, ask for current Shift Director.
In light of Mumia's health condition, please also contact these elected officials who are supportive of Mumia and ask that they put pressure on SCI Greene Prison and demand that Mumia be allowed to be examined by an outside doctor of his choice.
BACKGROUND
On August 15th a public comment period began on Bayer's (formerly Aventis)
petition to the EPA for final tolerances of their herbicide Glufosinate (aka
Liberty) for use on rice and cotton. This is the final step in the
regulatory process. If their request is approved, GE rice could be planted
as soon as 2004. You can read the petition at
www.epa.gov/EPA-PEST/2003/August/Day-15/p20897.htm.
PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO THE EPA TODAY!
* All comments must be received by September 15th, 2003.
* Comments may be sent by e-mail to opp-docket@epa.gov or by
mail to:
Public Information and Records Integrity
Branch (PIRIB) (7502C),
Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP),
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW 20460
* In the subject line put: Docket ID Number OPP-2003-0274.
***SAMPLE TALKING POINTS***