Via the National Environmental Trust (NET):

Here’s a little holiday weekend fun for you folks — and a chance to help prod Congress into action.

The House Committee on Natural Resources is currently hosting a poll on their website asking about reform of the 1872 Mining Law, a provision that gives mining companies virtually free access to rich mineral deposits on public land with no requirement to pay royalties. And, the law allows claimholders — including companies wholly owned by foreign corporations — to buy public land outright for no more than $5 per acre, with mining given precedence over all other uses for the land. Particularly since modern mining operations can cover hundreds of acres, involve large volumes of toxic materials, and create huge amounts of waste, this is a law in desperate need of change, and we want to let the committee know that people across the country support mining law reform.

The poll currently has only a handful of responses, so let’s see how many voices we can add and make the committee members and staff take notice. Our goal — 99% support in the poll for changing the 1872 Mining Law. Vote today!

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts National Environmental Trust net mining public lands 1872 Mining Law House Committee on Natural Resources pollution wildlife conservation bullshit

Via American Rivers:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that nearly 860 billion gallons of sewage spills into our waterways annually. Yuck.

And fortunately, as you may already know, American Rivers is leading the fight for right-to-know legislation that would notify the public of sewage spills. Phew.

But our work isn’t done.

We need your help today to expose “Flushie’s Summer Vacation!” and his “Sewage Happens” message to a larger audience…a MUCH larger audience — like the 70 million daily YouTube viewers.

Help us send Flushie up the YouTube food chain. Our goal is for Flushie to appear on the front page as a featured video, ensuring massive viewing success.

How do we do that? Well, one way we can better position Flushie to be picked up on YouTube’s front page is to ask you to:

1. Go to Flushie’s home on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bcpq506XCIg

2. Save Flushie’s Summer Vacation! as one of your “Favorite” videos

3. Rate Flushie’s Summer Vacation! now (be sure to give it a five-star rating too!)

Please, take action today to help us make Flushie’s next vacation spot the YouTube front page. Visit Flushie on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bcpq506XCIg and send him on his way!

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Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts american rivers water pollution water pollution sewage epa youtube flushie video

Action Alerts

American Freedom Campaign: Tell your Senators to confirm an attorney general who will defend the Constitution.
Tell Senate: No more Albertos!

American Rivers: RiverAlert: Tell the Army Corps to Close Hurricane Highway
Urge the Corps to properly close the MRGO. Comments are due Tuesday, September 4, so please act today!

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): California: Urge Governor to Sign Pet Protective Order Bill
California Pet Protection Bill Now Before Governator! CA SB 353, a bill that will allow courts to include animals in restraining orders against batterers, has passed both houses of the Legislature.

Audubon: Last Wild Whooping Cranes Threatened
Tell the Army Corps of Engineers to put this development project on hold until proper environmental review can be conducted.

Audubon: Close the ‘Hurricane Highway’ in New Orleans
Let the Army Corps of Engineers know why restoring coastal wetlands is both good environmental policy and good for New Orleans.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Aug 29, 2007 1:19 PM
Subject: When 2 Years Equal A Lifetime, AUGUST 2005-2007

Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Relief
Permission to crosspost as written

Hurricane Katrina, 8/29/05 – 8/29/07
When two years equal a lifetime

www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/

Still Loved
Forever Missed
Never Again
By Our Side, Always

2005 GULF COAST Animal Disaster Aid – In Pictures & Words:

www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/gulfcoast/newsletters/default05.html

PHOTO: Kinship Circle member Tim Gorski on the water in New Orleans with the Winn Dixie rescue effort in 9/05.

9/13/05, Excerpt From Early Kinship Circle Alert: In our search for Spike (the little Yorkie) we’ve learned about volunteers on the water who could save Spike and others — but they desperately need more boats!

The Jefferson Pet Feed & Garden Center is serving as a drop site for boats and has a triage center with a veterinarian. Please, if you can bring down boats — or know someone who can — call: Jefferson Pet Feed & Garden Center: 504-733-8572 (This number, like all in the area, may be hard to reach. Do not give up. They are there!)

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Aug 30, 2007 10:40 AM
Subject: Writing Alert: Trying to Connect the Dinner Plate to Climate Change

The New York Times ran an article about the growing awareness of the effects of a meat-based diet on the environment. Please write a letter to the editor of the Times informing readers that the best thing they can do for their health, animals, and the environment is to go vegan. Send letters to letters [at] nytimes.com.

Read “Trying to Connect the Dinner Plate to Climate Change” online.

Trying to Connect the Dinner Plate to Climate Change

By CLAUDIA H. DEUTSCH
August 29, 2007

EVER since “An Inconvenient Truth,” Al Gore has been the darling of environmentalists, but that movie hardly endeared him to the animal rights folks. According to them, the most inconvenient truth of all is that raising animals for meat contributes more to global warming than all the sport utility vehicles combined.

The biggest animal rights groups do not always overlap in their missions, but now they have coalesced around a message that eating meat is worse for the environment than driving. They and smaller groups have started advertising campaigns that try to equate vegetarianism with curbing greenhouse gases.

Some backlash against this position is inevitable, the groups acknowledge, but they do have scientific ammunition. In late November, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization issued a report stating that the livestock business generates more greenhouse gas emissions than all forms of transportation combined.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Farm Sanctuary – info [at] farmsanctuary.org
Date: Aug 30, 2007 4:56 PM
Subject: Farm Sanctuary’s E-News & Action Alert 08/30/07

Please Take Action to Pass the Philly Foie Gras Prohibition

On the heels of the successful passage of Chicago’s foie gras ban, Philadelphia City Councilman Jack Kelly has introduced similar legislation to ban foie gras. Predictably, Councilman Kelly’s bill is drawing fire from some restaurants in Philadelphia. But as these restaurants turn up the heat on the City Council to maintain the cruel status quo, we need to turn up our voices to change it. Please take action to let the President of the City Council know that Philadelphia can’t afford to not ban foie gras cruelty. We need every animal protection advocate in the U.S. to speak up in support of Philadelphia’s proposed foie gras ban. To find out how you can help, visit: www.farmsanctuary.org/campaign/state_Phili.htm.

New Rescue in Need of Sponsorship

Cuddled and made over by children, Linus grew accustomed to human attention at the petting zoo he called home for his first months of life. However, once the end of the summer came and the kids left the camp where the zoo was located, Linus was headed back to where he came from: a pig farm—where he’d eventually be shipped off to slaughter. But fate and a dedicated volunteer intervened. Now Linus is living at our California Shelter—and looking for loving sponsors. Read more.

Save a Life By Sponsoring a Farm Animal in Need!

By participating in the Adopt-A-Farm Animal Project, you provide the necessary support to care for a rescued cow, pig, chicken or other farm animal who we may not be able to help without you. Your adoption commitment directly saves suffering animals and gives them a life they once only dreamed about! Adopt a needy farm animal today, or sponsor an animal for friends or family as a gift. To learn more, call 607-583-2225 ext. 225 or visit: www.farmsanctuary.org/adopt/sponsor.htm.

Introducing September’s Star Activist, Carol Marcus, a Friend of Felines and Farm Animals Alike!

Farm animal advocate Carol Marcus was just 8 years old when she rescued her first non-human companion. Since then, she’s marched for the whales, protested for primates, fought for the protection of fur-bearers, and befriended farm animals. If you want to be inspired to make a stand for the animals, check out Carol’s uplifting story here: farmsanctuary.org/actionalerts/activist_monthlymarcus.htm.

FARM SANCTUARY FARM ANIMAL PLACEMENT ALERT

www.farmsanctuary.org/adopt/index_faan_weekly.htm

Shelley Morrison of Will and Grace wants you to attend the Gala for Farm Animals!

farmsanctuary.org/gala/2007/

Hear Shelly invite you to the Gala:

www.farmsanctuary.org/actionalerts/LIVE365SHELFARM.mp3

IN THE NEWS

Who’s Doing Good – Emily Deschanel
GoodSearch.com

SHOP AT FARM SANCTUARY

Foie Gras: Culinary Cruelty DVD

About Farm Sanctuary

Photo via Me and them

Farm Sanctuary is the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, we have worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the “food animal” industry through research and investigations, legal and legislative actions, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Our shelters in Watkins Glen, NY and Orland, CA provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. For more information about Farm Sanctuary or our programs, please visit www.farmsanctuary.org or call 607-583-2225. To become a Farm Sanctuary member or to make a donation today using our secure online form, please visit: secure.vegsource.com/farmsanc/join/donate_alert.htm. For updates on previous action alerts, please visit: www.farmsanctuary.org/actionalerts/update.htm

To subscribe: www.farmsanctuary.org/signup.htm

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Even though Shane wrote this poem to our “second-born” (adopted, really…he’s only the third-oldest, after Ralphie and Kaylee) months ago, today seems a fitting day to crosspost it here. Our little baby turns five (!) today! Seems like only yesterday, he was a wee little pup, peeing on my doormat at 2 in the morning, while I struggled frantically to get my shoes on and let him and his untrained bladder outside. Sigh. Them were the days.

Happy birthday, Mr. Peedee.
 

See also: NOW: Bring Katrina Survivors Home.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Jamiah Adams – info [at] bravenewfoundation.org
Date: Aug 28, 2007 11:46 AM
Subject: New Greenwald video: 2 years after Katrina and thousands are still without homes

Dear Friends,

Tomorrow marks the two year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and still there are tens of thousands of families without homes. 30,000 families are scattered across the country in FEMA apartments, 13,000 are in trailers, and hardly any of the 77,000 rental units destroyed in New Orleans have been rebuilt. To share some of these people’s stories, we have put together a short film, “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

During the making of this video, we heard the heartbreaking stories of good people unable to return home. We have heard the story of the Aguilar family who lost their home to the storm and only received $4,000 in payments from their insurance company. We have met Mr. Washington, an 87-year-old man and former carpenter, who owned three homes prior to the storm. He is still living in a FEMA trailer today. And we’ve met Julie, who could have returned to her job and normal life, if the government had opened up the public housing units that she had lived in prior to the storm.

You can watch their stories here:

There is something very specific you can do to help. Sign the petition urging the Senate to pass the Gulf Coast Recovery Bill of 2007 (S1668). The bill is expected to come to a vote after Labor Day. Its passage will be an important step toward rebuilding the infrastructure in the Gulf Coast region.

Sign the petition: whenthesaints.org/?utm_source=foundemail

Please pass the video on and encourage people to sign the petition. It’s important we all support the Gulf Coast region’s right to return home and put the needed resources toward rebuilding these families’ lives.

Warmest regards,
Jamiah Adams and Paris Marron
Brave New Foundation

—-

Brave New Foundation is located at 10510 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232 and info [at] bravenewfoundation.org.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts Katrina hurricane hurricane katrina recovery natural disaster nola new orleans lousiana gulf coast pet companion animal dog canine cat feline human-animal bond anthrozoology public housing low-income housing Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act of 2007 Chris Dodd Mary Landrieu fema trailers fema trailers public health youtube video video blogging Brave New Foundation

Via the National Organization of Women (NOW):

Bring Katrina Survivors Home

On the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s death march across the Gulf Coast, each of us must call on Congress to end the human tragedy of displacement and long term homelessness faced by women and their families across the region.

Join NOW in demanding that Congress help these low-income, struggling families return home to safe public housing in their communities.

Thousands of people who lived in areas wiped out by the storm have become nomads or forced to survive in substandard, unhealthy temporary housing. They were devastated by the storm and ensuing flooding, and then forced to bear the ineptitude and callous disregard of the Bush administration.

Ask your Senators to sponsor S. 1668, the Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act of 2007, sponsored by Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La.). The bill will “authorize funds to repair, rehabilitate, and replace lost or damaged affordable housing; continue temporary housing assistance to evacuees; and provide rental assistance so that families living in unhealthy FEMA trailers can move into safe and decent housing.”

The House has already passed its own version of the bill, H.R. 1227, led by Hon. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.). We need support in the Senate to pass S. 1668 so that we can help Katrina families return, rebuild and become whole again.

Please edit NOW’s letter to reflect your concern for Hurricane Katrina’s human and non-human animals. Funds for public housing are sorely needed – and must include pet-friendly provisions!

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts now National Organization of Women Katrina hurricane hurricane katrina recovery natural disaster nola new orleans lousiana gulf coast pet companion animal dog canine cat feline human-animal bond anthrozoology public housing low-income housing Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act of 2007 Chris Dodd Mary Landrieu fema trailers fema trailers public health

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Aug 28, 2007 8:55 PM
Subject: LETTER/ Salvation For Vick’s Dogs?

Kinship Circle Primary – PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST AS WRITTEN
(Please do not delete identity/disclaimer information)

8/28/07: Salvation For Vick’s Dogs?
KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGN

www.KinshipCircle.org

SOURCE OF INFORMATION:

Wayne Johnson, seiku [at] tmail.com

Statement of United States Attorney Chuck Rosenberg on the plea agreements in United States v. Peace, Phillips, Taylor and Vick

www.usdoj.gov/usao/vae

Statement of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Regarding the Civil Forfeiture
Action Involving Approximately 50 Pit Bull Dogs

www.usdoj.gov/usao/vae

U.S. attorney’s office to file plans for dogs taken in Vick case

content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=130986&ran=75833

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SAMPLE LETTER & CONTACT INFO
Sample letters are prepared to give you ample background on an issue.
Try to change some words, pare down letters, and make them your own.
**DELETE ALL REFERENCES TO KINSHIP CIRCLE BEFORE SENDING**

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FYI: “We anticipate the evaluations [of the dogs] will be completed within about three weeks, and the government will thereafter make a recommendation to the court for the dog’s disposition.”

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