Clean Up Our Oceans!

OVER 5 TRILLION PIECES OF PLASTIC CURRENTLY LITTER THE OCEAN

Trash accumulates in 5 ocean garbage patches, the largest one being the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located between Hawaii and California. If left to circulate, the plastic will impact our ecosystems, health, and economies. Solving it requires a combination of closing the source and cleaning up what has already accumulated in the ocean.

Find out more about this project:
The Ocean Cleanup

The Ocean Cleanup develops technology to rid the world's oceans
of plastic. A full-scale deployment of our systems is estimated to
clean up 50% of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in 5 years.

Source: theoceancleanup.com

Beware the Pitchforks!

"Beware, fellow Plutocrats, the Pitchforks are Coming!"

Many concerns have been raised over the unprecedented and monstrous inequality that now exists in America. The middle class is shrinking like never before, while wealth at the top is beyond all comprehension. This gap is an ever-increasing chasm that weakens our society, degrades our democratic ideals, and breeds resentment among those who are losing the battle to live the "American Dream." How much longer are we to tolerate this dangerous condition? Nick Hanauer is a voice of reason.

Here is another talk by Mr Hanauer given at TED and subsequently banned from its site. As Business Insider reported: As the war over income inequality wages on, super-rich Seattle entrepreneur Nick Hanauer has been raising the hackles of his fellow 1-percenters, espousing the contrarian argument that rich people don't actually create jobs. The position is controversial — so much so that TED is refusing to post a talk that Hanauer gave on the subject. National Journal reports today that TED officials decided not to put Hanauer's March 1 speech up online after deeming his remarks "too politically controversial" for the site...".

"Rich People Don't Create Jobs"

2017 is certain to bring much unrest and upheaval. Let us work to bring about the changes needed to return America to a political and economic field of equality, a country where respect, opportunity, and prosperity coexist. It is at our peril and impoverishment as a people that we ignore our personal responsibility to one another as citizens.

Verité Eligere

Cleaning Up Our Mess

We all need to become aware of our casual indifference toward the products we buy and use, then toss away—out of sight, out of mind. All products containing plastics are very worrisome. Only about 25% of plastics produced in the US is recycled. What happens to the rest? What happens to plastics produced elsewhere?

Plastics are forever. Watch this video to get a peek into what one organization is dealing with on just one island in Alaska. This is the tip of the proverbial iceberg...



Realize that plastics have become ubiquitous. From CBC News:

Perhaps best known are the ocean gyres — areas where large amounts of floating plastic have accumulated in easily visible "garbage patches." Of perhaps even more concern is research that has revealed less visible, but pervasive contamination by "microplastic" — tiny particles perhaps a millimetre in size or smaller. These are fragmented pieces of many different forms of plastic that have been found in beach sand in the most remote parts of the world, in sediments in the deep ocean and frozen into arctic ice. 

 Listen to "A New Silent Spring," a podcast interview with marine biologist Boris Worm on CBC's Quirks and Quarks. It may change the way you think about plastic, what happens to it, where it is, what damage it is doing.

Be aware.

The Countdown is On!

“On Feb 26 the FCC will vote to save net neutrality or let Comcast and other ISPs create Internet slow lanes. Some members of Congress, on behalf of their Cable donors, are trying to stop the FCC from protecting the Internet we love. There isn't much time to stop them, contact them now.”

Join the Battle!

Burn trash to cook & generate power!

This morning, we ran across a very worthwhile endeavor on IndieGoGo. a site where folks with good ideas may campaign for funds to support the development of a project. Over in Berkeley, CA, a unique stove is being developed for use in developing countries where the local people now cook over open fires. This low-cost stove burns trash and biomass while generating electricity for charging small devices, heating a small space, and producing efficient heat for cooking. According to the enthusiastic students and engineers working on this project, smoke-induced illness accounts for more deaths than HIV & malaria combined. The K2 Cooking Stove burns off 95% of harmful smoke. The use of the K2 provides a safe method of burning trash for cooking. Trash burns well and it is everywhere. As these entrepreneurs say, "We are approaching the global waste problem by letting users know that, hey, trash isn't the best, but we have something that can burn it cleanly for you."

Energant K2 Cooking Stove

The team won many awards for their first generation stove, KleenCook. It was received with "huge appreciation and acceptance" in the Philippines. The K2 is being developed specifically for China. We encourage you to check out this project now and support the team with a donation. The campaign runs through December 20, 2014.

K2 goes beyond its pure function and direct benefit. Besides bringing electricity, cleaner air, and a cleaner environment, your contribution has long-standing and far-reaching impact.

Working for the Few

Oxfam International - Political Capture and Economic Inequality

Working for the Few

Political capture and economic inequality

Published: 20 January 2014

Author: Ricardo Fuentes-Nieva, Head of Research, Oxfam GB; Nicholas Galasso, Research and Policy Advisor, Oxfam America

"Almost half of the world’s wealth is now owned by just one percent of the population, and seven out of ten people live in countries where economic inequality has increased in the last 30 years. The World Economic Forum has identified economic inequality as a major risk to human progress, impacting social stability within countries and threatening security on a global scale.

"This massive concentration of economic resources in the hands of fewer people presents a real threat to inclusive political and economic systems, and compounds other inequalities – such as those between women and men. Left unchecked, political institutions are undermined and governments overwhelmingly serve the interests of economic elites – to the detriment of ordinary people.

"In this paper, Oxfam shows how extreme inequality is not inevitable, with examples of policies from around the world which have reduced inequality and developed more representative politics, benefiting all, both rich and poor. Oxfam calls on leaders at the 2014 World Economic Forum at Davos to make the commitments needed to counter the growing tide of inequality."

Please download a PDF of this brief at Oxfam International. You may also read it online at Issuu.com or below.

Only 85 people.

Now that you know, what will you do about it?

Wealth Inequality In America

Nearly everyone is completely mistaken about this. This excellent graphic video will reveal the truth. You will be shocked. Guaranteed.

http://youtu.be/QPKKQnijnsM

Source: Politizane

Bill Moyers

The Huffington Post writes about Bill Moyers, "A broadcast journalist for more than four decades, Bill Moyers has been recognized as one of the unique voices of our times, one that resonates with multiple generations. In 2012, at the age of 77, Moyers began his latest media venture with the launch of Moyers & Company on air and online at BillMoyers.com – providing "conversations on democracy" and explorations of contemporary culture, making sense of what matters to us all." We encourage you to watch, listen and learn from the cogent interviews and commentary he presents on the most pressing issues of our time.

Inspiring Presence

That’s been one of my mantras – focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains. - Steve Jobs

Welcome to the Plutocracy

"The first Howard Zinn Memorial Lecture is delivered by veteran journalist, Bill Moyers. Citing Zinn as his inspiration, Moyers focuses on the challenges facing our democracy. He decried what he says has been a 30-year trend toward plutocracy, where the rich get richer at the expense of the average citizen."

Corporations are People?

Why do corporations have so much power? What does this do to our democracy? What can we do about it? Sign Move to Amend. Overrule the Court.

Wendell Potter's book is a Must Read!

A Must-Read!

"Wendell Potter is a straight-shooter– and he hits the bull's-eye here with an exposé of corporate power that reveals why real health care reform didn't happen, can't happen, and won't happen until that power is contained." Bill Moyers

Deadly Spin: An Insurance Company Insider Speaks Out on How Corporate PR is Killing Health Care and Deceiving Americans, by Wendell Potter


Bill Moyers interviewed Mr. Potter on July 10, 2009, and again on March 5, 2010. This is the place to start. Learn why and how health insurers/corporations are skewing our beliefs and perceptions about health care through ruthless PR campaigns funded with their (our) member's premium dollars, all while protecting their Wall Street investor profits and mind-bogglingly high executive compensation packages. Watch Michael Moore's Sicko, if you haven't yet done so. Get Deadly Spin. The truth is out there. We Citizens need to dig to find it!


The Center for Media and Democracy at prwatch.org is a great source. The insurers are cutting spending on care and dropping unprofitable members while racking up third-quarter profits of $3.4 BILLION. All this while Republicans are aiming to kill consumer protections by repealing the new law.

"The insurance companies are jacking up rates and selling lousy coverage without regard to the devastating impact on real people's financial security and their health," said HCAN (Health Care for America Now) Executive Director Ethan Rome. "Their behavior is offensive, and it's outrageous that the Republicans in Congress want to give control of our health care back to the insurance companies by repealing the Affordable Care Act. We need the law and the protections it provides."

Wendell Potter states on his website, "Since I walked away as head of communications at a top health insurance company in May of 2008, I've worked tirelessly as an outspoken critic of corporate PR and the distortion and fear manufactured by America’s health insurance industry. It is a PR juggernaut that is bankrolled by millions of dollars, rivaling lobbying budgets and underwriting many "non-partisan" and "grassroots" organizations."

"The twentieth century has been characterized by three developments of great political importance: the growth of democracy, the growth of corporate power, and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of protecting corporate power against democracy." Alex Carey

We must be vigilant. We must inform ourselves of the truth, however difficult it is to unearth.

A War is Being Waged

"The FDA is now taking aim at raw cheese producers and has created a climate of fear among those who make farmstead cheese for a living. The agency's longterm goal is to eliminate access to raw dairy products. Read "FDA's Ace in the Hole" at farmtoconsumer.org/ace." Weston A Price Foundation

Farmageddon Trailer from Kristin Canty on Vimeo.


Our access to local, sustainably produced food is threatened. We need to take action before it is too late.

"Organic" factory farmed eggs?

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

We are trashing the planet and its creatures in a very big way. The biggest "landfill" is midway between San Francisco and Hawaii, floating at the surface of the ocean, concentrated by the currents of the Pacific Gyre. Known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, it's roughly the size of Texas and contains about 3.5 millions tons of plastic trash. According to the Sea Studies Foundation, "every bit of plastic that has ever been created still exists, except for a small amount that has been incinerated, releasing toxic chemicals." The Earth cannot digest petroleum-based plastics. "Fish are ingesting toxins at such a rate that soon they will no longer be safe to eat." Plastic water bottles by the millions, their polypropylene caps, toothbrushes, plastic bags, toys, shoes, wrappers, are only part of the massive accumulation.



For more information on the problem, watch Captain Charles Moore's presentation at TED. The first part of cleaning up our act is to stop using so much plastic. Stop buying anything packaged in plastic, as much as possible. Do not use plastic shopping bags-- bring your own cloth bags to the store. This is a gigantic problem. Please do your part to minimize your own contribution to the garbage. Encourage your friends and family to learn about this and take action. Thank you.

The Story of Bottled Water

Today is World Water Day and in the spirit of raising awareness, here is a great little video about the impact our obsession with bottled water has upon our planet. Take a few minutes to watch, then vow never to buy bottled water again!

Right from its introduction, I have referred to bottled water as the biggest American rip-off ever and refused to buy it! I'd rather be thirsty. I continue to be incredulous that so many millions of bottles of water are sold every day. We fell hard for the corporate advertising tactics. Surely, we have some sense left to come back to. Carry a stainless or aluminum bottle with you and fill from the tap. There is clean water available for free everywhere. I thank you– the planet will benefit.

The Story of Bottled Water

If you want to learn more, visit this site for the documentary film TAPPED.

61 Lobbyists for each Elected Representative

Frances Moore Lappé, author of Diet for a Small Planet, tells us that there are sixty-one lobbyists for each elected representative in Congress. Visit her YouTube channel to hear more about how our democracy is being (or has been!) taken from us. Her newest book, Getting a Grip: Clarity, Creativity and Courage in a World Gone Mad, is an eloquent and passionate plea for us to embrace a new alternative to the trend of billion-dollar politics. She supports the Fair Elections Now Act- S.752, H.R.1826. We can back the work of Change.org, YouStreet.org, and PublicCampaign.org. We do have the power. We just have to exercise that power.

"In 2009, health care-related companies and special interest groups spent more than $544 million on federal lobbying efforts -- obliterating their previous high from the year before. And a number of companies and entities that have lobbied heavily on health care reform -- the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, AARP, Pfizer, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, the American Medical Association -- all rank within the United States' top 10 federal lobbying clients of 2009."

Capital Eye Blog, Dave Levinthal

LOBBYING

Top Spenders

  All years (1998-2009)  2009  2008  2007  2006  2005  2004  2003  2002  2001  2000  1999  1998 

Lobbying Client	Total
US Chamber of Commerce	$144,496,000
Exxon Mobil	$27,430,000
Pharmaceutical Rsrch & Mfrs of America	$26,150,520
General Electric	$25,520,000
Pfizer Inc	$24,619,268
Blue Cross/Blue Shield	$22,715,439
AARP	$21,010,000
American Medical Assn	$20,830,000
Chevron Corp	$20,815,000
National Assn of Realtors	$19,477,000
American Beverage Assn	$18,850,000
American Hospital Assn	$18,347,176
ConocoPhillips	$18,069,858
Verizon Communications	$17,820,000
FedEx Corp	$17,050,000
Boeing Co	$16,850,000
BP	$15,990,000
National Cable & Telecommunications Assn	$15,980,000
Northrop Grumman	$15,180,000
AT&T Inc	$14,729,673

NOTE: All lobbying expenditures on this page come from the Senate Office of Public Records. Data for the most recent year was downloaded on February 01, 2010. Source of this table: Center for Responsive Politics.

Be Part of the World's Greatest Bank Job

Fix Congress to Restore Trust in Our Democracy

"Democracy is not what we have, it is what we do."
Frances Moore Lappé and Anna Blythe Lappé

Go With Grass, Not Grain

Against The Grain

At Mother Earth News, Richard Manning, author of Against the Grain, tells how to heal the damage to the American landscape that has been caused by industrial agriculture, how properly managed grazing builds soil and restores fertility. Manning says, "It would give us a more humane livestock system, a healthier human diet, less deadly E.coli, elimination of feedlots, a bonanza of wildlife habitat nationwide, enormous savings in energy, virtual elimination of pesticides and chemical fertilizers on those lands, elimination of catastrophic flooding that periodically plagues the Mississippi Basin, and most intriguingly, a dramatic reduction in global warming gases." Read his article here:

The Amazing Benefits of Grass-fed Meat
Converting cropland to perennial pastures produces healthier meat, builds better soil and combats climate change.
by Richard Manning