9.8.10

did you know about this?

My jaw dropped when I read this shocking report. More details can be found here (warning: the photos are graphic.) Please share this with others. Twitter it. Blog it. Facebook it. Awareness is the one and only power that we have.

7.18.10

please sign and pass along

As of this past week, 1.72 million gallons of toxic oil dispersant has been poured into the Gulf setting a world record. This oil dispersant is four times more toxic than crude oil. Gulf fisherman who have been hired by BP to clean up this mess are getting sick because they are NOT ALLOWED to wear protective gear, including respirators to protect themselves from breathing in the toxic oil dispersant fumes. Currently, if fishermen show up wearing their own protective gear they are fired. Why? Because it creates a libel issue.

Please take a moment to go HERE and tell President Obama to demand that BP stop blocking clean-up workers from using life-saving respirators?

Also, if you can spare a few bucks to help the Progressive Change Campaign Committee make BP accountability ads to run in Gulf states and DC, go here.

Please pass both of these links along to anybody you know who might be willing to sign or donate.

5.21.10

20 seconds of your time

I just sent the below email to my Senators urging them to get GMO’s out of the Global Food Security Act. Will you send an email to your Senator too? Let’s all of us help to put an end to genetically modified crops. Especially, since organic agriculture is far more environmentally and ECONOMICALLY sound in the grand scheme. All of your voices are precious! Click here to send the below email.

The UN recently released a report saying that Africa’s best hope for the future is organic agriculture. Yet the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has passed S.384, the Global Food Security Act, that would require “research on biotechnological advances appropriate to local ecological conditions, including genetically modified technology” as a condition of US aid.

Instead of cynically cloaking corporate welfare for chemical companies like Monsanto in agriculture aid packages, why not support the United Nations Environment Program’s Green Economy Initiative?

A new survey by the UN Conference on Trade and the Environment and UNEP in East Africa found that over 90 per cent of studies show that organic or near organic agriculture had benefits for soil fertility; water control; improved water tables, carbon sequestration and biodiversity.

This allows farmers to extend the growing season in marginal areas. The research in East Africa was among 1.6 million organic or near organic farmers from seven countries working on 1.4 million hectares.

Other findings include an increase in crop yields of 128 per cent since switching.

Higher incomes too are a result of not having to buy fertilizers and pesticides; as is more food availability; higher prices are paid through certification schemes for both export and domestic markets – which addresses poverty in environmentally friendly way.

Close to 90 percent of cases showed an increase in farm and household incomes and because organic agriculture is more knowledge intensive it has led to improvements in education, community bonds and cooperation on market access.

The report concludes: “Organic and near-organic agricultural methods and technologies are ideally suited for many poor, marginalized smallholder farmers in Africa, as they require minimal or no external inputs, use locally and naturally available materials to produce high-quality products, and encourage a whole systemic approach to farming that is more diverse and resistant to stress.”

1.15.10

heart in haiti

Incredibly poignant photo series and essay. How much more will Haitians have to bear? Wishing them strength, courage and grace a billion fold.

Click here to send some love and support.

4.26.09

kelaya

I came across Kelaya’s story (thanks to Yoli) and my heart broke for her. Kelaya is a mother of three who is jobless and living in a hotel. It sounds like she’s doing everything right. She has a social worker. Her kids are in school full-time. But she can’t find a job or get the assistance she needs because of this crappy economy and her social worker’s high volume of cases. On top of all of this, she’s breast-feeding an infant. (She was a victim of domestic violence and that’s why she’s out on her own.) Read her story and if you feel inclined do a something to help her (she needs to buy a mini-fridge so she can store her breast milk), please do. It swells my heart to see how Julie over at Tangobaby has made it her personal mission to help Kelaya and her children! (Julie has set up a Paypal account on her blog where people can donate directly to Kelaya. Even 5 bucks will help.) As Yoli so aptly puts it, Kelaya could be any of us.

10.15.08

FLOW

Thanks to Pia, I was just reminded that today was Blog Action Day when thousands of bloggers unite to discuss a single issue – poverty. The goal is to make some noise in the blogosphere and raise awareness. Of course, I couldn’t seem to get my act together in time to join up with the effort officially, but over here in California the day is not over yet…

So, I’ll grab this opportunity to talk about FLOW, a film that investigates the world water crisis. You’ve may have heard the statistic that 1.1 billion people on the planet don’t have access to fresh, clean drinking water. Think about that. (That’s one in six people!) Arguably, this is THE most fundamental threat to impoverished people around the world. FLOW looks at the growing privatization of the world’s dwindling fresh water supply and the emergence of a world water cartel. This is scary shit of sci-fi proportions, a growing emergency we all need to understand. And fast. If you have an opportunity to see this film, see it!

The goal of Blog Action Day is to initiate action. So what can we do??? We can start by helping to fund water projects! I recently discovered a fantastic non-profit called Charity: Water on native kee. It’s an organization (founded by a NYC nightclub promoter who had a major come-to-Jesus) that funds and builds water projects like deep wells, water purification systems and water storage all over the world. Check it out, add it to your list of charities, and pass it along!

3.26.08

voice for the voiceless

The Tibetan struggle embodies the most peaceful cry for liberation of almost any other political struggle I’ve come to (partly) understand. Right now there’s an opportunity for Tibet. The Olympics are being hosted in China and it’s the perfect opportunity for the world to send a powerful message to China to FREE TIBET. If you’re at all sympathetic to, or interested in learning more about the Tibetan situation, I recently found Tenpa Dugdak’s blog, Voice of Tibet, via my blog-friend Pia’s beautiful and heartfelt post here. (She is also posting updated information and links in the comments section of this post.)

Tenpa writes this about his choice to chronicle the Tibetan struggle on his new blog, Voice of Tibet:

Reading and writing is not a passion for me. So, this blog is a big deal for me and it is fair to say i am doing it for my country, Tibet. I also want this blog to present the issue of Tibet from an individual prespective. The pain and agony of living in exile of all Tibetans outside Tibet. [...]

I think the Tibetan struggle for non-violence, peace, compassion and love needs to be recognised – just like many parents in the West encourage their children by reinforcing their positive behaviour. By supporting Tibet, we send a message to our children that non-violence, dialogue, and peace are the most responsible methods to solve international issues. When you discuss war, killing, murder and so forth at the dinner table, think about the message you are sending to your children.

I will not keep quiet whilst ever the Chinese communist government represses Tibetans in their homeland, and denies the most basic of human rights – that is ‘Freedom’.

Bookmark his site if you’re feeling compelled to stay in touch with Tibet’s struggle during this potentially pivotal time. Tenpa will offer a unique and more truthful perspective than main stream media.

Also, my aunt recently forwarded this AVAAZ petition to Chinese President Hu Jintao. Take a quick second to sign the petition and forward the link. I know that petitions seem so trivial in the face of massive struggles, but even the tiniest burst of energy exerted to sign a petition like this contributes toward resolution – not only for Tibet, but all oppressed people everywhere.

2.4.08

SUPER TUESDAY

This reader’s comment from The Daily Dish pretty much sums up my experience/thoughts over the past few weeks…

Yesterday afternoon, a friend called me to catch up. He told me he was planning to vote for Clinton, but didn’t really have a good reason other than the old “experience” excuse. He then told me he was persuadable, so I went into all the reasons why I was voting for Obama, then explained why I would not vote for Clinton. By the time I was done with him, I had him converted. Just an hour later, my dog walker came by and saw me watching MSNBC. He and I had virtually the same talk, except he told me that he was worried that Obama doesn’t offer any specifics. I referred him to Obama’s website. He returned today and told me he had read through much of the information on the site, and was just about ready to switch his vote. By Tuesday, I’ll have him on the right path, too.

I wonder if this is one of the reasons for Obama’s rising poll numbers.

His supporters are passionate and able to make a compelling case for his candidacy. Clinton’s supporters are more resigned, or selecting her as a kind of default/pseudo-incumbent: they say they like her “experience” and then they’re out of arguments. And once you run down all the problems with Hillary, they’re left defenseless, speechless. I have a feeling the two conversations that played out in my living room yesterday are going on all over the country – and the Obama people are closing the sale for our candidate.

This conversation is playing out in my living room too. Most people I know who are voting for Hillary, are doing so by default. And, while I thrill to the idea of a Madame President, I can’t shake that Hillary embodies more of the status quo, woman or no. I’m also deeply disturbed by the fact that if Hillary becomes President, the end of her term will mark 30 YEARS of either a Bush or Clinton serving as President. Two dynasties trading the presidency back and forth over three decades is all kinds of wrong. It’s downright creepy.

People hesitating to vote for Barack because they feel Hillary has more relevant experience may want to take 3 minutes to read these short editorials:

Hillary, Barrack, Experience (New York Times)
“Does Hillary really have “35 years of experience”?

Also, consider this… Barrack has 12 years of elective government experience to Hillary’s 8 years. Yes, her extra 8 years of experience as the first lady may give her intimate knowledge of the wiley ways of Washington, but this ‘experience’ also translates into entrenchment. The Clintons are deeply entrenched in Washington politics. Unfortunately, whether you like the Clintons or not, they’re no strangers to multiple scandals, criminal investigations, law suits, and then some. They’re a polarizing power couple who engender bitter division across the aisle. Day one, Hillary will have her ‘experience’ and all the baggage that comes with it.

Obama will start with a clean slate. He won’t owe favors, and he’s already shown that his strength lies in unifying the parties, as is testament to the many disenfranchised Republicans he’s winning over.

There’s risk in supporting Obama, but equal risk supporting Hillary.

Another meme going around is that Barack’s policies lack specificity. This is easily dispelled with a visit to his website where his policies are described in mind-numbing detail. As both candidates will admit, the differences between their respective policies are minimal. Meaning, this is a contest of leadership, character and the ability to bridge the gap between Republicans and Democrats and actually LEGISLATE some change.

Barack’s campaign has gained furious momentum because he inspires passion in his supporters, not because people are settling for him by default. His supporters are taking a leap of faith, moving beyond their cynicism and fear, and believing in something radical. This Tuesday, if you’re on the cusp, don’t vote by default. Unite the clan!

[poster by kamiart. Hat tip: Praxidike]

7.18.07

sick-making

My friend Andi just sent me the below:

“2 weeks ago I went to the island of Vieques. Until 2003 the navy occupied the island and bombed the heck out of it. They also carried out sonar studies that killed thousands of whales and dolphins. a horror story. they would wash up on shore with bleeding brains and auditory centers. Anyways with protesting for years on end, the navy finally left. the whale populations are very slowly on the rise and the island is pristine, beautiful, virtually unpopulated and had some of the best beaches i have ever seen!!!! Luckily the govt. pulled out.”

More justification to send a quick email opposing LFA sonar, and to forward that link to everybody you know.

7.18.07

Help them. Only 6 days left.

“LFA sonar can deafen, maim and kill whales. But scientists are even more alarmed at its potential impacts on whale migration, feeding, mating and communication — in other words, the biological keys to the survival of whale species. “

ONCE AGAIN….the US Navy wants to deploy a Low-Frequency Active (LFA) sonar system, this time across 70 percent of the world’s oceans.

The Bush Administration has given the public ONLY 15 days to register opposition and there are only six days left.

Every other time the Navy has tried to do this, the public has completely shut them down. Obviously, this time around, they’re trying to shove it through quickly during the busiest vacation month of the year.

There is some confusing info about this sonar rule that tries to make it appear harmless. The sonar rule claims it will “seek” to protect animals from sound levels above 180 decibels. However, whales and orcas have super-sensitive hearing, and 140 decibels is equivalent to a jet engine 100 feet away. Also, the decibel scale is logarithmic, so it’s not precise.

Please, please CLICK HERE and send a quick citizen comment to P. Michael Payne, Chief of Permits, NMFS. It’ll take you less than 20 seconds.

And, please forward to anyone you know who might care!

*photo from Ashes and Snow