Here's your weekly action diary! This is a big one, but I've separated things into categories so you can focus your efforts now and then come back later to finish taking action on the rest:) I've included some action items, but I've also got some holiday gift ideas here as well. You can also consider giving a gift to any of these organizations in someone else's name for the holidays. That way your gifts are actually doing something useful to help make the world a better place!
Please feel free to add your own action items in the comments. Also, please recommend. The more people who see this action diary (and actually take action), the better off we'll be!
Stop the Illegal Spying and the PATRIOT Act:
Smintheus posted this excellent diary last night (it is still on the Recommended list) suggesting that we take immediate action to "Watergate Bush". Read the diary for the details, but if you have a blog you should participate and even if you don't, we need your letter writing skills! Everyone should be sending letters to their Senators, letters to the editor, and letters to the media (in particular your letter to the New York Times telling them that they suck for holding this story for a year when it may have had a direct effect on the election!) Americablog makes it easier for you by providing links to your Senators phone numbers, and the email address for the NYT.
The ACLU has a helpful list of those Senators who voted against cloture. So, click here to thank or reprimand your Senators...however they voted they need to hear from you...especially in light of the illegal spying.
Iraq:
Help Operation Truth by downloading their new flier and passing it around to everyone you know! Iraq Veterans need our help! Let's do our best for them! Also consider making a donation this holiday season. Operation Truth does great work to actually support the troops!
The National Veterans Foundation has opened a toll-free helpline (1-888-777-4443) for Troops, Veterans and their families. All calls are answered live by trained veterans, who listen, provide crisis intervention services, emotional support and information, or immediate referrals to local providers who can help. The NVF Helpline has already served more than 275,000 people in need. NVF aims to get the helpline running 24/7, but it currently operates from 9a.m.-9p.m., M-F. All messages received during off hours are returned the next business day, and requests for assistance can also be submitted via e-mail at vetsupport@nvf.org.
Support the Democratic Party:
The DSCC needs help to take back the Senate in 2006. Click here to make a donation!
Also consider supporting the DNC with a Democracy Bond!
The War On Christmas (Fake and Real):
People for the American Way is asking for people to make a video. They want a "thoughtful variety of American opinions on how America works best in respecting both religious liberty and religious pluralism." Click here for instructions on how to participate by sending in a video of your own! I guess the question here is...to engage, or not to engage? In the War on Christmas, that is...I'll leave it up to you!
Consumer's Union is running their "It's Always Christmas Time for Visa" campaign. Click here to tell your Representatives to support credit card reforms!
Health Issues:
Earthjustice has an action item regarding mercury. Click here to tell the EPA that Americans deserve strong protections against mercury!
Support the "Fair Share For Health Care" Act by signing this petition. This law would require dead-beat corporations (like Wal*Mart) to provide a minimum health care benefit to their employees or be forced to pay into state health care funds so taxpayers aren't forced to subsidize a multi-billion dollar corporation.
United Farm Workers is on the ball with this one: In a Nov. 27 story, "Hot on the Parkinson's Trail," the Los Angeles Times reported that "scientists have amassed evidence that long-term exposure to toxic compounds, especially pesticides, can trigger the neurological disease." According to the Times article, "scientists are 'definitely there, beyond a doubt, in showing that environmental toxicants have to be involved' in some cases of Parkinson's disease, said Freya Kamel an epidemiologist with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences." Click here to send a letter to the EPA's Steven L. Johnson, telling him that "instead of the current practice of evaluating each chemical in isolation, federal scientists should be looking at the real life scenarios of exposures for everyone-- especially farm workers and farmers--which includes exposure to multiple chemicals that can produce cumulative impacts on the body and environment."
Impeachment:
For those of you who are interested, and I'm sure that number is going up this week by the thousands, ImpeachBush.org has been around for a while. You can check out their website and add your voice to the choir by clicking here. They are also soliciting donations so that they can place advertisements in several newspapers and with other media. They also have a page where you can shop for your Impeachment Gear.
Children:
Apparently the Budget Bill includes budget cuts to foster care by 600 million bucks (what, do we spend that in an afternoon in Iraq?). The American Humane Association has a link for you to take action here. Yet another example of that "compassionate conservatism" Bush supposedly demonstrates.
Help Provide a future for orphaned children by signing this petition. We've passed the Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children in Developing Countries Act, but the law needs to be backed up by $340 million in funding.
Protect the Environment:
National Wildlife Federation (among other groups) has sent out an email regarding Ted Stevens' actions to add drilling in ANWR to the defense bill. Now, I seem to have lost track as to whether or not the Cantwell letter, described in this diary did any good, and I can't seem to find any news the tell me whether or not the defense bill passed with drilling still stuck in there. So, until someone tells me otherwise, I'll leave this link for you to send a letter to your Senators asking them to prevent Ted Stevens from destroying our last untouched natural place.
Here's another letter you can send regarding ANWR. This one is from EarthJustice.
If you would like to learn more about "Syriana" or about NRDC's campaign to end America's dangerous dependence on oil, click here. On the right hand side of the page there's a link to tell Congress to pass the Oil Savings Bill.
Save the Environment has a hilarious action item!! They are asking for donations, and in return they are going to send President Bush a lump of coal for Christmas! Click here and donate 25 dollars or more and Bush will get his lump of coal from you! You have to donate by December 21st in order to ensure that the coal will get to the White House in time.
Protect Wildlife:
National Environmental Trust has a cute message...animals singing carols!! Click here to hear them and then click on their site to take action to help protect the Endangered Species Act!
IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) has an animal adoption program. You can make these donations in someone else's name and give them as a gift for the holidays Click here if you are interested! You could also click here to make a non-specific end of the year donation. Those baby seal pics are just SO precious!
The NRDC (National Resources Defense Council) needs your donations to help stop the Navy's needless killing of whales during routine sonar training. If you don't have money to donate, the least you could do is send some letters!! Click here to go to the NRDC's action page and take action on a few of those issues!
The Humane Society Of the United States (HSUS) needs your help! Click here to ask your Congresspeople to support the PETS Act. This Act will require state and local authorities to address the issue of evacuating people with pets from disaster areas. Also urge your Reps to help End Animal Fighting. Their last action item is a Pledge to be Fur Free! Click here to make the pledge yourself!! There's an awfully cute picture of a Fox here too...I just want one SO bad! (Apparently they don't get along with kitties so well though...
Media Issues:
Campaign For America's Future has an action page. They have a few action items there, but their most recent one is interesting. This is what they had to say: "After allowing us to reserve a billboard less than a mile from Wal-Mart's World HQ, Clear Channel has refused to accept our ad, censoring the message that you selected about Wal-Mart. Bob Sadler, Clear Channel's Fort Smith, Ark., division president, unilaterally made the decision." This is exactly what Lamar Advertising was up to with The Wicked Witch of Ohio, Jean Schmidt. Send them an email telling Clear Channel that we won't stand for their censorship. One thing you could suggest that I'm sure will REALLY piss them off is if you say that you're considering Sirius Satellite Radio instead:)
Consider a donation to IWT (Independent World Television) this holiday season. The best way to stop corporate media is to have an alternative:)
Women's Issues and the Supreme Court:
People for the American Way need some help in the fight against (Sc)Alito. You can donate to the cause here.
If you've been hiding under a rock these past few weeks you may not know that Planned Parenthood opposes the (Sc)Alito nomination. Here is their action page. They even have a link for Republicans for choice!! The link to oppose (Sc)Alito is at the top.
NARAL is also opposed to (Sc)Alito. Send another letter using their website here. Check out the other stuff on their site as well. For all the complaining some folks do...NARAL is a good organization. They've also got a short cartoon you can check out!
NARAL's also got quite a funny campaign going to push the FDA to approve Plan B. Click here to help them!
NOW also has a letter opposing (Sc)Alito here
If you've never seen this site, check it out-- U.S. Women Without Borders! There are action items here too!
Campus Progress has a scary vision of Alito's America! Click here to watch a video and take action!
The Democratic Party is asking you to write letters to the editor about (Sc)Alito. Click here for their help in writing a letter of your own!
AND The Human Rights Campaign has come out against Alito. Click here to send a letter to your Senators from their site.
Apparently Dairy owner A.J. Bos said, "I don't want women at the farm--they are only good for the bed," according to sworn declarations from 12 Threemile Canyon farm workers. Bank of the West recently gave a $101 million line of credit to Threemile Canyon Farms in rural eastern Oregon. Click here to ask Bank of the West not to tolerate sex bias.
Help New Orleans, and other Katrina Victims:
Mercy Corps has multiple Mercy kits that you can give as gifts for the holidays. This page will take you to the Katrina Rebuilding Kit. These aren't that expensive, and they seem like a good thing. They have other themed kits as well.
To visit RenaRF's diary about Shopping NOLA click here. There are some great links here!
Voting Issues:
Senator Obama has introduced S. 1975, The Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2005. According to Common Cause "The bill would create a criminal penalty for deceptive practices, with penalties of up to $100,000, one year imprisonment, or both. Here's the letter he sent to his colleagues about the bill. The legislation would also require the attorney general, in conjunction with the federal Election Assistance Commission, to provide accurate election information when allegations of deceptive practices are confirmed." You can find your elected officials here and ask them to cosponsor Senator Obama's bill. Let's get this passed before the 2006 elections!!
Urge Congress to reject HR 3910 and pass HR 550 as written! The Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act (HR 550) will ensure that the voter verified paper record is the official record in the event of a recount, challenge, or discrepancy in a Federal election, and that independent audits of the voter verified paper ballots are routinely performed to check the accuracy of the machines that count the vote. Click here to send your letter!
How are we going to win in 2006? Well, we're going to work our asses off! One thing we can do is get people motivated to register and then actually vote! Rock The Vote is selling official gear...you can even get yourself a thong that will (cough) persuade someone to (cough) vote...
Illinois Residents:
ComEd, a subsidiary of the Exelon Corporation, and the Ameren Corporation are seeking changes that could raise Illinois customers' electric bills by at least 35 percent. Please join the many voices that are asking our representatives in the Illinois Legislature and the State Senate to stop the electricity rate hikes!
The NRA is apparently trying to push the "Shoot First" law in Illinois. This is the law that gives "the people of Florida permission to use deadly force as a first resort, even in a public place. The law grants sweeping criminal and civil immunity to anyone who pulls the trigger when they feel 'threatened' -- and specifically denies legal recourse to innocent bystanders killed or wounded in the crossfire, even if the shooter acted negligently." So, if you want to stop the NRA from making Illinois a MUCH more dangerous place, send a letter here!!
Progressive Holiday Shopping:
One of the groups you could support is CODEPINK! They actually have their own store right here. And don't forget to check out the CODEPINK Say No To War Toys webpage. There are some good gift items and ideas there as well! Plus everything is pink...which automatically makes it better!!
Planned Parenthood does great work! Consider helping them out by making a donation. These are tax-deductible by the way. You can donate yourself, or you can make a gift donation in the name of a friend.
Oceana has a new store online! Click here to start your shopping! I myself can't decide which is the best gift, the chocolate turtles that help to save actual turtles, or the cute bag...you can NEVER have enough bags!! (Although I'm not entirely sure that yellow is good with my coloring).
Amnesty Intl. also has FREE music downloads!! From their email: Celebrate International Human Rights Day by being part of the global launch of Make Some Noise, Amnesty International's new global campaign that is a mix of music and activism. Today sees the release of four new versions of iconic John Lennon songs: the Black Eyed Peas' rousing take on Power to the People, The Cure's interpretation of Love, Snow Patrol's recording of Isolation, and Grow Old With Me, performed by The Postal Service. You can also buy a Make Some Noise t-shirt! And...if that's not enough...they also have a store!
Have a favorite Feminist?! Consider buying them a gift from the Feminist Online Store. They have holiday sets too!
If you need to get a gift for someone who loves their Union, you can always try The Union Shop!
Looking to give gifts and make investments this holiday season?! Check out this diary by Chris Kulczycki and consider a microcredit loan. There are LOTS of links here for you to consider.
Working Assets is a pretty kick-ass group. Their action site is here and there are LOTS of items on it...all important too! But, you can also visit here to read the news...and check out their advertisements and their products page as well!!
Consider joining The Sierra Club! Also, if you're looking for good holiday gifts, check out their store. I highly recommend the calendars, especially the engagement calendar...they have gorgeous pics!
Other Important Stuff:
The Human Rights Campaign is a sponsor of Gay Games VII in Chicago next year!! You can save $50 on your registration if you register by December 31st. Teams and groups will save even more. Click here to read more. The games take place July 15th-22nd and there are competitions in more than 30 sports.
Click here to thank Ford for Reaffirming their commitment to the GLBT community.
Click here to send a letter to your Representatives asking them to help protect Working Families rather than give the rich tax breaks.
So, apparently rich folks who like to kill innocent animals are not only allowed to kill them in "canned hunts" (i.e. drugging an animal and putting them in an enclosure so that morons can "trophy hunt" safely and be ensured that they'll actually hit something), but they are also allowed to get tax breaks to do so! Click here to express your outrage! I don't think there's anything that makes me more angry than people who intentionally hurt innocent animals and children.
Exxon Mobile recently announced a record breaking $9.9 billion in quarterly profits, on top it's $25 billion in 2005 profits. Despite that success, Congress recently gave the oil and gas industry, including ExxonMobil, $10.7 billion in tax breaks. I don't have to tell you that this is ridiculously unfair. While taxes are paid by everyday workers corporations get breaks?! Click here to send a letter asking them to decline their tax breaks!
Mercy Corps and The One Campaign have come together to sponsor this petition asking Bush to make trade fair Click here to add your name.
Okay, I have NO idea why I keep getting these emails as I'm NOT a parent, but ParentsAction.Org has sent me this very interesting email. Now, what THEY want you to do is write a letter asking your senators to co-sponsor the Family Entertainment Protection Act. This legislation will apparently keep "ultra-violent and sexually explicit video games out of the hands of our children." Of course, they have teamed up with such Democrats as Hillary Clinton, Evan Bayh, and of course, Joe (f'ing) Lieberman (I'm a bit angry with him). I'll leave this one up to you. Click here to read their letter and info, but you can make your own choice as to whether or not you want to support this one. I'll be writing to my Senators asking them NOT to support this, but apparently I'm old-fashioned in thinking that parents should actually pay attention to what the hell their kids are doing. (No offense to those of you who disagree...).
American Rights at Work has an action item for you! Tell your Congresspeople to support the Employee Free Choice Act by clicking here!
Sign the No Dirty Gold Pledge and urge jewelry retailers to help clean up the gold industry.