50-State Blog Network

Moving Planet Virginia a Big Success!

October 7, 2011 by ArticleXI

On Sept. 24th, the Sierra Club joined 350.org, thousands of activists and millions of people around the globe in "Moving Planet" events. Moving Planet was a worldwide rally to demand solutions to the climate crisis - a single day to move away from fossil fuels with clean energy solutions like Virginia's offshore wind power!

Virginians came on bikes, on skates, on boards, and on foot - all anxious to be part of something huge and fun, and helpful in getting our planet moving on the climate crisis.

In Alexandria, the day's festivities celebrated the fact that in September, plans were announced to retire the GenOn coal-fired power plant located in Alexandria by October of next year.

In Fairfax, activists pushed for more transportation choices to move us beyond oil.

Richmond activists rallied in front of Dominion Virginia Power's HQ before marching to Virginia's General Assembly building.

And in Virginia Beach, bicycles rode along the oceanfront boardwalk between symbols of our soon-to-be dirty energy past (a mock oil spill) to our clean energy future (model wind turbines).

On the flip, check out some great photos, media clips and video documenting the successful day.

Herman Cain & Clarence Thomas are not THUR-good!

October 7, 2011 by Left in Alabama

When I was campaigning for Barack Obama (then Senator), I encountered very few opponents. However, I notice that most people did not ask why I was campaigning for Obama. I soon found out the reason. Most people assumed I was campaigning for Obama because he is black and I am black. However, nothing was further from the truth. During 2008 I saw report after report detailing how most African Americans were voting for Obama because he was black. However; if you look back in history, anyone can see how this is false.

It is true that Barack Obama rallied many new Black voters. However, they did not vote for him just because he is black. Barack Obama carried 95% of the Black Vote because he was "Black and Qualified". Anyone that suggest African Americans will just vote for the "black guy" possesses hostile social attitudes. This suggests Black Voters cannot think for themselves. This suggests Black Voters do not watch the news or know what is going on around them. This is racial slap in the face. Now we have proof of this.

Van Hollen's boot-licking response to NRA: 'I'm making it as easy as I can'

October 7, 2011 by Uppity Wisconsin

Wisconsin's attorney general, J.B. Van Hollen, sure knows how to talk tough.  The National Rifle Association criticized his department this week, saying it was drafting rules for concealed carry training that were too strict, required four hours of training and included firing a weapon. (Imagine that!)

Van Hollen's weak-kneed response:

"I'm surprised the NRA isn't grateful," Van Hollen said. "We're making it as easy as possible."

The rules don't require any hands-on practice as [the NRA's Chris] Cox believes, the attorney general said. 

So, not to worry.  You won't actually have to handle or fire a weapon in order to get a permit to carry one.  (You might be a little surprised at how much noise it makes if you ever pull the trigger.)  Presumably, the four hours of training will include information on which way to point it and which end the bullet comes out.

Occupy Birmingham Growing

October 7, 2011 by Left in Alabama

The movement to Occupy Birmingham is growing exponentially. Last night's meeting was attended by 300 people as well as at least five media organizations.

If you have missed the first meetings don't despair - there will be another one this weekend. Please plan to attend. This is what Democracy looks like. We are the 99%. We will not be silent. Every voice is important and every person counts. You CAN make a difference.

Join us on:

 Sunday, 09 October 2011 at Brother Bryan Park/Magnolia Park at 1pm.  This is a pot luck - you are encouraged to bring food.  More specifics to follow.

Second VA Energy Conference: a time to spotlight the desire for renewables

October 7, 2011 by ArticleXI

The Virginia Sierra Club recently announced its intentions to attend the second Virginia Energy Conference, held by our dirty energy-loving governor, Bob McDonnell. The conference will be held on October 17-19 and anyone in favor of clean, renewable sources of energy for VA are encouraged to attend.

For all of his promises to the contrary, Gov. McDonnell has focused his administrations attention on bolstering VA's coal, gas, oil, and nuclear commitments to the exclusion of renewables.

We can of course discuss the political cronyism that's obviously taking place, but the more important issues are the human and environmental ramifications that a continued reliance on nonrenewable sources of energy will have in VA.

First, committing to more "domestic" sources of nonrenewable energy will almost inevitably mean higher rates of diseases and illnesses related to the increased domestic production of nonrenewable energy. That is, more Virginians will become sick or die.

Secondly, Virginia's various and invaluable ecosystems will take unparalleled "shocks" that may lead to their irreversible decline.

Udall Holds Oversight Hearing on Federal Efforts to Clean Up Uranium Contamination

October 7, 2011 by Democracy for N...

U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), chairman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Children’s Health and Environmental Responsibility, held an oversight hearing yesterday on the status of cleanup operations at legacy uranium mining and milling operations in New Mexico and elsewhere in the United States. Officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) testified before the subcommittee about federal cleanup efforts.

Eric Griego: Sign My Petition to Stand With the 99 Percent

October 6, 2011 by Democracy for N...

This is a guest blog by Eric Griego, candidate for Congress in the NM-1 Democratic primary.

A growing movement of ordinary Americans from all walks of life are marching peacefully in communities throughout the nation to send this message to Washington and Wall Street: We’re fed up with Wall Street greed and Washington inaction on jobs. We need jobs, not cuts, and policies that benefit 99% of Americans instead of only the top 1%. This movement has the potential to change the debate in Washington –- but only if we all stand together.

Today, I stand in solidarity with the 99% and ask you to do the same.

Keith Fitzgerald for Congress in the Florida 13th

October 6, 2011 by Kenneth

Keith is running for Congress in Florida’s 13th Congressional District.

He is going up against Vern Buchanan, a guy who is more notorious for his corruption and graft than his Congressional record.

This is going to be one hell of a match.

I can’t wait.

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Red Herring Bill Threatens Public Lands, Public Health & Jobs

October 6, 2011 by Calitics

Today in America, 14 million people are out of work through no fault of their own, dragging our economy ever closer to another recession. The first priority of Congress should be to create jobs. The American Jobs Act, which would add nearly two million jobs to the economy, is being summarily dismissed by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, the GOP leadership asks us to consider absurd bills like H.R. 1505, which this week passed the House Committee on Natural Resources, where I sit as a Member.  This legislation will hand over control of all public lands within 100 miles of the borders - like our national parks, forests, and beaches - to U.S. Customs and Border Protections.  Ironically, it's named the National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act. Under H.R. 1505, without any public notice, U.S. Customs and Border Protection could build roads and gates and install surveillance equipment in places that Americans treasure - from Glacier National Park in Montana to Cleveland National Forest in California and Olympic National Park in Washington.