As early voting for the November elections looms on the horizon, the Texas Progressive Alliance says good-bye to September and hello to another weekly blog roundup.
BREAKING NEWS: Natural Gas Development Brings “amazing and very high” Levels of Carcinogens and Neurotoxins to Barnett Shale area! Take a deep breath before you read this study because the findings will take your breath away! TXsharon at Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS broke this story and the study evaluation by MacAuthur (Genius) Award winner, Wilma Subra.
This week Left of College Station, Teddy reports on why the anti-choice movement is not about abortion but about the oppression of women. Also, guest blogger Litia writes about asking non-tradition questions about Texas A&M traditions; Litia writes a weekly guest blog for College Station about a liberal teaching in Aggieland. Left of College Station also coves the week in headlines.
Neil at Texas Liberal writes that Socialist candidate for Mayor of Houston Amanda Ulman should run a serious campaign or not run at all. There once was a solid base of socialist voters in Texas and the U.S. Who says that cannot someday happen again?
McBlogger takes aim at people who think that adjusting to climate change is just something that will unfairly hurt the poor.
Off the Kuff contemplates the possible entry of Farouk Shami into the Governor’s race.
The old Easter Lemming has a useful post on voting for the Constitutional Amendments in his area.
The Texas Cloverleaf looks at the 22 year high TX unemployment rate. What recession? We’re in one?
Agriculture commissioner Todd Staples opened his mouth and out fell a big wad of stupid. Stupid so ignorant that it topped anything Rick Perry or John Cornyn or even Glenn Beck could manage this week. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs has it — if you can stand it.
WhosPlayin followed up on an open records request for internal emails related to Lewisville ISD’s decision to ban President Obama’s speech to children. The emails, including a racially charged email from a board member to the superintendant, do not paint a pretty picture..
WCNews at Eye On Williamson posts on money, energy, and the economy in the Texas governor’s race, Perry’s cap and trade photo op.
CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme notes Rick Perry does his best George Bush cowboy imitation with Ranger Recon.
Over at TexasKaos, boadicea, Warrior Queen, is seeking a pulse, any pulse over at the Tom Schieffer campaign, as she opines that Tom Schieffer Needs Something Original to Offer. It seems that lifting policy ideas from Hank Gilbert is the best he can do right now. Read the rest at TexasKaos.
Posted in Global Warming, Uncategorized | Tagged Barnett shale, carcinogens, climate change, college station, drilling reform, easter lemming, economy, Energy, farouk shami, glenn beck, hank gilbert, john cornyn, lewisville isd, natural gas, neurotoxins, obama, Rick Perry, Texas, texas a&m, texas liberal, tom schieffer |
If you’re interested in the San Antonio South Texas Project nuclear issue and haven’t been reading Greg Harman’s work for the San Antonio Current, you are seriously missing out.
His latest story is a cover feature titled “Nukes Mean Mines” and part of a life cycle analysis of the South Nuclear Texas Project. First things first: where does that fuel (uranium) come from, and what is the impact of uranium mining? That answer can be found right here in Texas, and Harman’s investigative reporting brings the story of those mines to life.
Keep “cued” in to the QueQue blog as well, where you’ll find even more background and reporting on nuclear power in Texas and its toxic legacy.
Posted in Nuclear | Tagged Greg Harman, Mining, Nuclear, nukes, nukes means mines, SA Current, San Antonio, South Texas Project, Texas, Uranium |
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has circulated a draft amendment to the Interior Appropriations bill—the Environmental Protection Agency’s annual spending bill—calling to prevent the Agency from regulating stationary sources of greenhouse gases, despite a mandate from the US Supreme Court two years ago to do just that.
The amendment would ignore worldwide scientific consensus that indicates carbon dioxide emissions from both stationary and mobile sources as a major threat to public health and welfare. Logic, science, and the law agree! Global warming pollution from power plants and oil refineries is just as harmful as that from cars and other passenger vehicles. According to major scientific bodies, such as the U.S. Global Change Research Program and the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, carbon dioxide emissions—no matter what its source may be—are warming the planet, as well as threatening public health and the welfare of our citizens.
Furthermore, the Murkowski amendment would severely undermine the Clean Air Act’s provisions to protect public health and the environment. Oil refineries and coal plants are among the biggest global warming polluters in the nation. The amendment would let these big players off the hook, delaying any momentum our nation has in transitioning to sources of clean energy. If the amendment is rejected, our ongoing shift toward solar and wind energy will drastically benefit our nation, providing a continuous and cleaner supply of energy that will only get cheaper over time, while creating millions of clean energy jobs.
The United States is the single largest producer of harmful gases, with China and India following closely behind. China has even surpassed the US at times in CO2 emissions, although with the current economic recession it’s tough to know who is winning, or should we say losing, the carbon pollution race. Our nation alone contributes nearly 25 percent to global greenhouse gas emissions each year. It is feared that the amendment would make a loud statement heard across the world; one that says the U.S. is not serious about reducing and controlling its global warming pollution, giving developing countries a ‘get out of jail free’ card when it comes to reducing their own carbon emissions. This could be devastating to international negotiations slated to take place in Copenhagen in December to create a framework to follow up to the Kyoto Protocol.
Lastly, the Murkowski amendment could inevitably prevent the EPA from preparing to implement climate legislation. The Agency would be prohibited from collecting information and expertise it may need to effectively implement climate change legislation, such as the carbon-capture-and-sequestration bonus allowance program, free allowances for energy-intensive manufacturers, or early-offset programs.
If Murkowski gets her way, we could see a vote this week. This is the wrong message for our Senators to send, who should not be trying to overturn a Supreme Court ruling and impede international climate negotiations through dirty tricks playing with the budgets of federal agencies.
Click here to see a general action alert by the Sierra Club and more reporting on this by the New York Times.
Posted in Coal, Energy, Global Warming | Tagged carbon dioxide emissions, clean air act, Clean Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Global Warming, Senator Lisa Murkowski, Texas |
Public Citizen Texas and the Sierra Club just closed out their first week on the Texas State-Wide Coal Plant Tour. After a quick break, the tour’s fight against grandfathering will continue next Monday, September 28 in College Station.
So far, the media tour has brought awareness to communities in Waco, Dallas, and Abilene in regards to nearby coal plants that are flying under the legal radar. These districts have been negatively impacted by the failure of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality(TCEQ) to enforce the law and control pollution.
The Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) recently rejected key aspects of the TCEQ’s air permitting plan, and called for proper enforcement of the Clean Air Act in Texas. The goal of Public Citizen Texas and the Sierra Club has been to stop the development of any new coal plants in Texas, as well as those that are currently being constructed. The proposed moratorium would last at least until the TCEQ cracks the whip and strictly enforces Clean Air regulations.
According to a clause under the American Clean Energy and Security Act, plants that are already under construction, near construction or were permitted before January 1, 2009, may escape new regulations. Around 43 new coal plants will be built on American soil within the next five years, with about a dozen of those in Texas alone. These provisions—which have come to be called ‘grandfathering’ clauses—and others like it, could allow all of these plants to escape recently set performance standards.
To put things into perspective, let’s take a minute to reflect on the original grandfather clauses. Birthed during the segregationist Jim Crow period that followed the Civil War, grandfather clauses restricted voting rights in several southern states. It stated that men, or descendents of men, who had voted before 1866 did not have to meet the educational, property, or tax requirements for voting then in existence; however, slaves could not legally vote before or during the Civil War. Therefore, most individuals were deemed ineligible. The Jim Crow laws were inevitably struck down, but the idea of the grandfather clause remained.
What’s the phrase? Oh, yes. It’s merely history repeating itself.
Congress’ initial decision to exempt existing coal plants from the stipulations listed under the Clean Air Act was to avoid causing any economic disruption. They assumed the older plants would be replaced with newer, cleaner ones; but instead, the grandfathering clause has encouraged utilities to just extend the lives of the old, high-polluting plants.
There is no reason why plants being permitted and built today should not be held to the new emission standards. The first step to combat this problem should begin at the state level. If you live in College Station, Corpus Christi, Bay City, or Houston, our clean energy trailer is coming to a venue near you. The remaining dates and times of the Texas State-Wide Coal Plant Tour are listed in a blog below.
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By promoting cleaner energy, cleaner government, cleaner cars, and cleaner air for all Texans, we hope to provide for a healthy place to live and prosper. We are Public Citizen Texas.
Posted in Global Warming | Tagged american clean energy and security act, clean air act, Coal Plants, Environmental Protection Agency, grandfather, public citizen texas, Sierra Club, Texas, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas State-Wide Coal Plant Tour |
Still not sure what to do this weekend, Sept 25 – 27th? Come on out to Fredericksburg and join Public Citizen Texas at the 10th annual Renewable Energy Roundup and Green Living Fair!
Over the past 10 years, this community and family oriented Green Living Fair has grown to be the largest “green show” in the South. You can see the latest in eco-friendly technologies, learn how to save and create your own energy, attend informative talks by the experts, and visit with vendors to see contemporary green living and sustainability practices. It’s fun, environmentally friendly, and a great place tolearn how you can make a difference!
Aside from meeting with your friends at Public Citizen, at the Roundup you’ll be able to learn about:
Solar – Wind – Geothermal – Water Use & Reuse – Energy Conservation – Rainwater Harvesting – Green & Sustainable Building – Organic Growing – Alternative Transportation – Straw Bale Construction – Exhibits – Recycling – Composting – Eco Friendly Products – Natural & Organic Cooking Demonstrations – Educational Family Activities – Veggie, Organic and Natural Food Court
The gate entry fee is $10 Friday, $12 Saturday, and $10 Sunday – or get a three day pass for just $20. Children under 12 can enter free of charge.
Show Hours are: Friday – September 25, noon to 6 pm; Saturday – September 26, 9 am to 6 pm; Sunday -September 27, 9 am to 3 pm
Representatives from Public Citizen and our sister group, the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) Coalition, will also be giving talks and presentations at the round up. Look for our director, deputy director, and the director of SEED at the following times:
Friday, 3:00 – 4:00: Karen Hadden – Why Efficiency & Renewables Are The Answer
Saturday, 3:00 – 4:00: Tom “Smitty” Smith – Creating New Energy Districts For Texas
Sunday, 10:00 – 11:00: David Power – Smart Meters & Net Metering
Hope to see you there!
Posted in Global Warming | Tagged Efficiency, energy districts, fredericksburg, net metering, public citizen texas, renewable energy, renewable roundup, SEED Coalition, smart meters, solar, Texas, wind |
September 21, 2009 by Public Citizen Texas
The fall is upon us, and so the Texas Progressive Alliance closes out another summer with some more hot blogging.
Halliburton was fracking for Cabot and … Oh Oops! We spilled some! TWICE! Deadly Hydraulic Fracture Fluid! Ironically, industry just released part of their $80 million propaganda campaign asking people to submit “Eureka” moments. From TXSharon at Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.
Congressman “Deer in the headlights” Pete Olson (R-TX) gets called out at his own town meeting and the police are called in!
The Texas Cloverleaf wonder when police departments will enter the 21st century. A San Antonio lesbian couple sues in federal court over blatant harrassment in their own home.
This week at McBlogger, Mayor McSleaze took the time out of his life to educate you people on some things going on around the country.
CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme notes Rick Perry won’t admit execution might have been a mistake. To be a Republican is never to say you’re sorry.
At Texas Vox, nuclear energy and economic experts explain just how much is at stake with the South Texas Nuclear Project expansion — the entire San Antonio economy.
Off the Kuff takes note of some hot judge-on-prosecutor action going on at the Court of Criminal Appeals.
Neil at Texas Liberal ran a one-minute video this week, filmed in front of hurricane remembrances in Galveston, Texas, in which he made a plea for folks to be aware of the past.
Kay Bailey has two purse boys, and Ricke Perry is unaware there is a recession. Sometimes the cluelessness and utter hypocrisy of Texas Republicans still amazes the cynical PDiddie at Brains and Eggs.
WhosPlayin had video of parents handing all kinds of hell to Lewisville ISD board and administration over banning the Obama pep talk. Perhaps the bigger story though is that like many other school districts in the state, the financial situation looks bleak for the coming year.
Over at Texas Kaos, Bulldog reminds us that health care, like national defense is NOT about profit, but about the security of the American people. She tells her story and does it well in Health Care Rambling.
Posted in Global Warming | Tagged south texas chisme, south texas nuclear project, Texas, texas cloverleaf, texas progressive alliance, Texas Progressive Alliance Weekly Round |
In 1977 Congress passed amendments to the Clean Air Act that provided exemptions to existing coal plants, allowing them to ignore the new emissions standards any new plants would have to adhere to. It was thought these plants would simply age and be retired quickly, but because these plants suddenly became much cheaper to operate (due to not having to meet stricter standards) the companies who owned them kept them operating for as long as possible. It wasn’t until almost 30 years later, in 2003, that this “grandfathering” loophole was finally closed and all plants had to come into compliance with the Clean Air Act.
Now that global warming legislation is on the horizon, there is a new rush to build an entire new fleet of coal plants throughout the country. The hope is to get similar “grandfathering” provisions into any climate change legislation so that these brand new coal plants (some already being constructed) will not have to adhere to the new CO2 emission standards. Already, language in the American Clean Energy and Securities Act has been added to try and exempt any plants from the new standards if they receive their permit before January 1, 2009. The new standard, as it is now in the pending legislation, would require all qualifying plants to reduce their CO2 emissions by half by 2025. If the current fleet of new plants being built across the country are grandfathered this will result in massive amounts of CO2 added to our atmosphere that would otherwise have been mitigated. The new plants in Texas alone (which has more coal and pet coke plants proposed than any other state), if grandfathered, would end up emitting about 38.5 million tons more CO2 every year that they would if forced to adhere to the new emission standards.
There is no reason why any of these modern plants being permitted and built today should be exempt from modern CO2 emission controls, especially when there are plenty of alternatives such as energy efficiency and renewables that can meet this need. These coal companies are simply trying to slip in under the wire and evade responsibility for their emissions. The people of Texas call upon Senators Kay Bailey Hutchinson and John Cornyn to not vote for or allow any provisions in any CO2 or climate change legislation that would allow such grandfathering of this new fleet of coal plants.
Please go to the following sites to email the senators. You can simply copy and past the following brief statement, put it in your own words, or both:
Dear Senator,
The American Clean Energy and Securities Act is intended to address the grave threat of global warming. To do this it is setting new emissions standards for CO2 releases from industrial power plants. There are currently exemptions, however, that would allow new plants being permitted and built today to escape these new standards, effectively “grandfathering” them similar to the way that existing plants were grandfathered under the Clean Air Act in 1977. There is no reason why plants being permitted and built today should not be held to the new emission standards. Please do not vote for, or allow to be added, any provisions or exemptions that would allow grandfathering of these plants.
To email Senator Cornyn go here.
To email Senator Hutchinson go here.
Posted in Global Warming | Tagged ACES, American Clean Energy and Securities, Coal, coal plant, cornyn, Global Warming, grandfather, hutchinson, john, kay bailey hutchinson, Public Citizen, senator, Texas, tour |
This week Public Citizen Texas and the Sierra Club are launching a statewide media tour of Texas coal plants.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently rejected key aspects of the air permitting plan of Texas’ regulatory agency — the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and called for proper enforcement of the Clean Air Act in Texas.
That’s why we’re launching a TEXAS STATE-WIDE COAL PLANT TOUR to visit communities that have been negatively impacted by the TCEQ’s failure to enforce the law and control pollution. We’ll be collecting postcards from citizens at the tour stops across Texas to deliver the messages to the EPA in support of the EPA’s recent announcement — and will have an action center here on the blog so that you can get involved as well.
If you live in Waco, Dallas, Abilene, College Station, Corpus Christi, Bay City, or Houston, keep an eye out for our clean energy trailer! You’ll find us in the following locations at these times:
Week One Tour Stops
Monday, Sept. 21, WACO, 10:00 am, Heritage Park, 3rd Street & Austin Avenue
Tuesday, Sept. 22 , DALLAS, 10:00 am, The 500 Block of Reunion Blvd East, across the street from the Dallas Morning News (32.774975,-96.807328 on google maps)
Wednesday, Sept. 23, ABILENE, 10:00 am, Lake Fort Phantom Hill, Sweetwater, Texas
Week Two Tour Stops
Monday, Sept. 28, COLLEGE STATION, 10:00 am, Location TBA
Tuesday, Sept. 29, CORPUS CHRISTI, 10:00 am, Location TBA
Tuesday, Sept. 29, BAY CITY, 4:00 pm, Steps of the Court House (1700 7th Street)
Wednesday, Sept. 30, HOUSTON, 10:00 am, Tranquility Park, 515 Rusk, across from the federal courthouse
To learn more about proposed and existing coal plants in Texas and the negative impacts that they bring to our state, check out The Threat from Coal is Far From Over.
Posted in Coal | Tagged clean air act, Coal Plant Permitting Process, coal tour, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, pollution, public citizen texas, Sierra Club, TCEQ, Texas, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality |
Many of you have been clamoring for these videos of the clean tech forum that we attended on Wednesday, so here they are in streaming digital goodness.
[vimeo 6648744]
[vimeo 6649649]
Outside the event we caught up with two of the panelists from the forum, specifically the ones opposed to San Antonio investing in the new nuclear expansion. First, Craig Severance, a CPA by trade, who did a financial “due diligence” type of analysis on the proposed nuclear expansion at STP 3 and 4. Read about it in his blog at energyeconomyonline.com/San_Antonio_Debate
[vimeo 6648340]
We also spoke with Dr. Arjun Makhijani, a noted power expert, on the risks of nuclear expansion.
[vimeo 6648395]
It’s time to be hard-headed about this, folks. Investing in nuclear is an economic risk the City of San Antonio simply can’t afford to take.
Hungry for more? We have full footage of the “Risking San Antonio’s Economic Future, Nuclear Experts Explain Flaws and Risks of Pursuing More Nuclear Reactors” forum that was held later in the day at the UTSA Downtown Campus.
[vimeo 6660448]
[vimeo 6662900]
Here’s some of the press coverage from the event:
Energy leaders to debate nuke issue in S.A.By Tracy Idell Hamilton -Express-News
Nuclear forum highlights contrasting opinions – By Anton Caputo -Express-News
Nuke vote delayed; final hearing is set By Tracy Idell Hamilton -Express-News
Nuclear investment part of a viable energy portfolio By Patrick Moore
(please go here and leave snarky comments about what a corporate stooge sell-out Patrick Moore is)
http://johntedesco.net/blog/2009/09/16/fresh-from-twitter-debating-nuclear-power/
http://blog.barberassociates.com/2009/09/san-antonio-clean-technology-nuclear.html
http://www.ksat.com/news/20966023/detail.html
And last but certainly not least, for our Amigos who can habla espanol, please watch this video from Univision featuring our own Melissa Sanchez and David Power!
Posted in Nuclear | Tagged Arjun Makhijani, CPS Energy, Craig Sererence, economics of nuclear, no to nuclear, Nuclear, Nuclear Power, nuclear reactors, nuclear waste, Patrick Moore, San Antonio, south texas nuclear project, STP, Texas |
September 16, 2009 by Citizen Carol
Now Cast San Antonio, a project of the Alamo Area Community Information System, will post video of the entire Clean Tech forum later on NOWCastSA.org #saenergy.
Missed or couldn’t afford this event, then consider attending the free event hosted by Energía Mía at UTSA Downtown Campus at 7 pm with nuclear experts Craig Severance and Dr. Arjun Makhijani. See the earlier post for more details!
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 AT 7PM
UTSA Downtown Campus
Riklin Auditorium
Frio Street Building, Room 1.406
On S. Frio Street between Buena Vista and Durango
(This is a free talk, open to the public. Parking is available in Cattleman Square Parking Lot)
Posted in Global Warming | Tagged Craig Sererence, Nuclear San Antonio Arjun Mahkijani, Patrick Moore, Texas |
Today the Heinz Foundation announced that it has honored Tom “Smitty” Smith, Public Citizen Texas’ Director of 24 years, with the 15th annual Heinz Award. Smitty was one of ten recipients of this major award, which this year honors individuals that “have helped bring about a cleaner, greener and more sustainable planet.”
Teresa Heinz, chairman of the Heinz Family Foundation, had the following to say about Smitty:
When we hear “Texas,” we don’t think renewable energy. We think oil—refineries and wells. But thanks to Heinz Award recipient Thomas Smith, the Lone Star state is leading the way in both energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy like wind and solar. Mr. Smith looked out at what most people would have seen as a wall of improbability, he saw a way to change the state through hard work, community and inexhaustible determination and the country and the planet will benefit greatly from his efforts.
Smitty himself had the following to say about this achievement:
Award for Efforts to Combat Global Warming Shows That Citizen Organizing Can Pay Off
Global warming is a much more serious problem now than anyone ever thought it could be. Our best science tells us we have very little time to reduce the dangerous greenhouse gasses causing an impending climactic disaster.
I am honored to be among the individuals receiving this award because of their work on global warming and environmental issues. As our efforts in Texas have shown, citizen organizing can result in policies that create green jobs and new industries which make a profound difference in reducing greenhouse gasses, even in states where political leadership is in a state of denial.
Our efforts will continue to focus on addressing global warming by encouraging solar power and energy efficiency, which will even further strengthen the Texas economy, create new jobs and economic opportunities, and reduce electric costs. Our experience has shown that renewable energy deployment and efficiency place a hedge around volatile, rising fossil fuel energy costs, protecting families’ pocketbooks and their quality of life for future generations.
Press hits:
Texas director of Public Citizen receives $100,000 award, Dallas Morning News
Local environmentalist honored with hefty prize money, Austin American Statesman
Texas consumer leader among Heinz Award winners, Associated Press
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged heinz award, heinz family foundation, public citizen texas, smitty, teresa heinz, Texas, Tom "Smitty" Smith |
Nuclear or Not? That’s the question on everyone’s lips in San Antonio these days, but some are still waiting to hear from the experts before they make a decision. What are the consequences and risks? What affordable and safe options exist? We want to know, but we want to hear from folks we can trust.
Lucky for you, the experts are rolling into town. On Wednesday, September 16th, Energía Mía will host an evening talk at UTSA at 7 pm with nuclear experts Craig Severance and Dr. Arjun Makhijani. And just who exactly are these distinguished gentlemen? I thought you might ask…
Dr. Arjun Makhijani is President of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research and holds a Ph.D. In Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, where he specialized in nuclear fusion. He has authored two San Antonio specific studies regarding energy options and nuclear power costs. Most recently, Dr. Makhijani has authored Carbon Free and Nuclear Free: a Roadmap for U.S. Energy Policy. He has been featured on every major U.S. television network and has been consulted by the United Nations. IEER’s website is www.ieer.org.
Mr. Craig Severance is a CPA and businessman, who offers a practical business perspective. He has authored “Business Risks to Utilities as New Nuclear Power Costs Escalate” (Electricity Journal, May ‘09) and “Business Risks and Costs of New Nuclear Power” (Center for American Progress, Jan. ‘09). He co-authored The Economics of Nuclear and Coal Power (Praeger 1976). Mr. Severance writes about energy issues on his website: www.energyeconomyonline.com
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 AT 7PM
UTSA Downtown Campus
Riklin Auditorium
Frio Street Building, Room 1.406
On S. Frio Street between Buena Vista and Durango
(This is a free talk, open to the public. Parking is available in Cattleman Square Parking Lot)
For more information, download the flyer for the event and help pass them out to your friends!
Posted in Nuclear | Tagged Arjun Makhijani, carbon free and nuclear free, center for american progress, craig severance, Energia Mia, Nuclear, San Antonio, solar, South Texas Project, STP, Texas, wind |
With the start of the new football season, the Texas Progressive Alliance invites you to read this week’s roundup of blog highlights in the voice of John Facenda.
Last week, Texas got some much needed help from the Feds when the EPA slapped down Governor Perry’s global warming denier pick for our state’s top environmental official. This week, the EPA will have another opportunity to intervene in Texas when Mayor Calvin Tillman releases an environmental study of air quality in DISH, TX that will contrast dramatically with industry findings. Keep watching Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS as TXsharon brings you that news.
Bay Area Houston has some pics from the Yes we Klan! teabaggers on parade in DC.
CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme notes that editorial boards across the state are taking Rick Perry to task for running Texas like he owned it.
Mean Rachel asks “Since when do conservatives care about anyone dying?” in “Dare Devils: Governor Rick Perry and the Texas Death Panel.”
Off the Kuff takes a look at a local race that found a hole in our state’s Elections Code.
Justin at Asian American Action Fund Blog writes about the right wing’s War on Diwali.
BossKitty at TruthHugger notices headlines this week demonstrate America’s decline in common sense or accountability. Even worse, there is no regard for consequences of thoughtless actions … Sabotage Experts: US Coast Guard Exercise on 9/11, Congressman Baucus and Republicans.
Neil at Texas Liberal ran a video he shot in front a hurricane damged fishing pier in Galveston in which he asked people to be flexible of mind. The video is 48 seconds long.
WCNews at Eye On Williamson on Sen. Steve Ogden (R-Bryan) making if official that he won’t seek reelection, and what that means going forward, Ogden will not run for Senate in 2010.
McBlogger offers another post on wage growth. Not terribly exciting, but it is hella important to the future of Democracy. So, you know, you might want to read it.
A couple of Kinky Katz could wind up at the top of the 2010 Texas Democratic ticket, according to PDiddie at Brains and Eggs.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged asian american action fund, bay area houston, democracy, elections code, EPA, eye on williamson, footbal, Global Warming, governor perry, heat related death, kinky, mcblogger, mean rachel, off the kuff, south texas, steve ogden, supreme court, Texas, texas liberal, texas progress, truthhugger |
It’s raining, its poring, and its Friday… so let’s stay inside and watch Youtube videos about action on climate change!
Clean Energy Works national television ad, “Waste.”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0RtSQFld48]
“Get Past the Old Lies”, Environmental Defense Fund:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB_B5k5ux1Q]
“Cursing Cap”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpniCBk0lao]
“Goldfish”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZy0Rd1M0wo]
Posted in Global Warming | Tagged clean energy works, climate change, cursing cap, environmental defense fund, Global Warming, goldfish, Texas, youtube |
Earlier this week, Public Citizen hosted a rally at the state capitol to raise awareness about the U.S. Supreme Court re-hearing Wednesday of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.
Representatives from Common Cause and Clean Elections Texas joined us, despite the rain and ominous weather. Many thanks to our good government brethren for their support.
The Daily Texan was also on hand, and reported the following:
Public Citizen, a national nonprofit public interest group, organized the rally because officials said they fear a ruling in favor of Citizens United could possibly give corporations more leverage is raising funds for political campaigns.
…The group is concerned this case will allow corporations to spend freely on political advertising that will influence voters.
“The court has signaled that they would like to overturn the precedent of these cases,” Wilson said. “If we allow unlimited corporate ‘free speech,’ then everyone else will be drowned out.”
Well said, Wilson.
But we weren’t the only ones to show up. Andy and David dressed up as corporate fat cats REAL, BONAFIDE corporate boogeymen came to protest our protest! Can you believe the gall? But don’t worry. From the looks of their faces, they didn’t get the turnout they were hoping for either. Poor corporations, it rained on their parade…
Check out this video to prove we ain’t lyin:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUGlj_a214Y]
Our new president, Robert Weissman, also had a few words to say about the Citizen’s United case:
Fate of Democracy Now in Supreme Court’s Hands
Statement of Robert Weissman, President, Public Citizen
Overturning the court’s precedents on corporate election expenditures would be nothing short of a disaster. Corporations already dominate our political process – through political action committees, fundraisers, high-paid lobbyists and personal contributions by corporate insiders, often bundled together to increase their impact, and more.
If the court rules to free corporations to make unlimited campaign expenditures from their treasuries, the election playing field will be tilted massively against candidates advancing the public interest. Candidates and elected officials will be chilled from standing up for what’s right. And officials who take on the narrow interests of particular corporations – over a facility siting decision, or a specific subsidy, for example – will face the risk of retaliation in the next election.
Corporations don’t vote, and they shouldn’t be permitted to spend limitless amounts of money to influence election outcomes.
Posted in Global Warming | Tagged andy wilson, Austin, clean elections texas, common cause, daily texan, don't get rolled, federal election commission, mccain feingold, Public Citizen, Robert Weissman, supreme court, Texas |
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