I have spent the last week (my Spring Break) on hiatus from Dkos, all news (with a few exceptions of listening to NPR where I didn't learn or hear much I didn't already know), and reading fabulously escapist chick-lit which makes me happy for about an hour and then I'm back to being bummed. I needed a break. Badly. Actually, as I write this I still feel like I need a break. I'm not quite ready to come back even though I've been meaning to write three other diaries (one about my local State Rep., one about a lobby day event I went to in Springfield, IL 2 weeks ago, and another about my response to
Crashing the Gate's section on abortion). I'm too tired (mentally) to write those at the moment. Every time I think about the things I have to say I just feel like vomiting.
So, why am I here? Because I'm disgustingly dedicated to taking action...even in my moments of gaping despair. So, please take action below and let's all feel better together because at least we're doing something to try and hold our Country up while it comes crashing down around us.
Human Rights Issues:
Amnesty International has this update on Darfur:
"Without further funding to ensure operations past March 31, 2006, the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) peacekeeping force is in jeopardy. Urge your Representative to approve all funding requested to support AMIS and an international mission in Darfur."
Click here to send your letters!!
The ACLU has a new internet video out about the NSA's illegal spying. Click here to watch and then to take action!
Republicans want to give a free pass to the Bush Administration on illegal spying. Click here to take action and tell them we want an investigation!
Click here to send a letter to the editor demanding oversight of the NSA spying issue.
NOW has a letter for you to send about equal rights in the workplace. Here's the info from them:
On January 20, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) in the Department of Labor published a proposed rule in the Federal Register that will abolish the Equal Opportunity Survey (EO Survey).
We must not let the Bush administration eliminate this important and hard-won civil rights enforcement tool. Comments on the proposal are due by March 21 and everyone who opposes workplace discrimination should add their names in opposition to the removal of this survey data.
Click here to send your letter and protect equality in the workplace.
Protect Pets and Wildlife:
I've been posting for the past few weeks about the Seal Hunt that takes place in Canada each year. Click here to donate to the Humane Society and help them help the seals!
Here are my previous posts regarding the seals:
Each year, the Canadian government and fisheries "hunt" baby seals. Here's the info from the Humane Society of the United States: "By the end of the hunt, more than 300,000 seals are expected to be clubbed or shot to death by fishermen who hunt seals off-season to pick up extra cash by selling their skins. Almost all of their victims will be babies -- some as young as 12 days old.
During a recent hunt, veterinarians who examined dead seals concluded that 42% of the seals examined had most likely been skinned while they were alive and still conscious. Polls consistently show that most Canadians oppose the hunt, but still the Canadian government and fishing industry refuse to end it."
Sign this petition to the new Prime Minister NOW!! Save these adorable baby seals.
Alaska has been promoting aerial hunting of wolves for the past few years. Donate to Defenders of Wildlife now and help them stop this senseless slaughter of beautiful animals.
Protect the Environment:
Union of Concerned Scientists has found a new way to help prevent Global Warming! Please sign this petition urging these mutual funds (Vanguard, Fidelity, and American Fund) to protect the health and economic well being of current and future generations by supporting meaningful action on global warming today.
Help Environmental Action rally to save our forests! Click here to send in your pics and to tell your friends to do so as well!
Once again the Repugs have put drilling in ANWR in the budget. Do your best to protect this little Arctic Fox by clicking here and telling your Senators to reject any bill that would allow drilling in ANWR!
Click here to save the Cumberland Plateau! I also highly recommend you become a Biogems Defender! When you take action you get points and the points get you pretty wallpaper and screensavers and stuff.
The NRDC also has a fabulous page full of action items for you! Click here to take some action!!
Sign The Sierra Club's petition to protect our coasts from off-shore drilling!
Click here to donate now to the Carbonfund and Working Assets will match 5 tons for free!! Do your part to stop Global Warming!!
From The Wilderness Society:
The Grand Canyon-Parashant and the Vermilion Cliffs in northern Arizona were added to America's treasured roster of National Monuments so their exceptional values could be protected forever. The challenge for us is to ensure that the promise is fulfilled.
How hard that might be is now evident in a draft management plan for the areas that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released for public comment. It's a plan long on roads and motors, pitifully short on protection for priceless resources.
Click here to send a letter asking the BLM to protect the Arizona Strip Monuments!
Health Care Issues:
Immigration reform has been moving through Committees this past week. I've been a bit out of touch, so you'll have to forgive me or flame me for not knowing the specific status of things at the moment. I haven't had time to catch up on all the news I've missed...actually, I'm not even sure I'm ready to catch up yet. Anyway, another Dkos reader, Carolyn, sent me a few action items so I thought I'd add them here since they are both related to Health Care.
Legislative action on immigration reform has now turned to the U.S. Senate. Over the next few days, the Senate Judiciary Committee will be "marking up" legislative proposals. The Judiciary Committee Chairman, Arlen Specter (R-PA), introduced his "Chairman's Mark" (The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006) on February 24. It is critically important to contact your Senators now, and let them know that only comprehensive legislation will fix the ills of the current system and that an enforcement-only approach is ineffective and unacceptable.
Click here to send letters to your Senators!
Medicare is still on the chopping block, so we still need letters to Congress regarding the very harmful budget that the President has proposed for 2007. One of the things that is really tricky is that for some programs, there have been slight increases for 2007, but the following years will see significant cuts. Overall discretionary spending is up 13% over 5 years. This is a large amount after many programs have already been cut. Click here to read more and to send letters to your Senators!
Women's Issues:
It pains me to even think about South Dakota at the moment. I'm just so mad and heartbroken that I can't even really be coherent about it right now. But, I can post an action item...so, click here to sign a petition and tell your Governor to protect Choice!
Click here to send a letter (through NARAL) to your Governor to protect Choice!
Other Issues:
Well, everyone who reads this site knows that the leaders of the Religious Right are hypocrites. Turns out they like money and they don't seem to care how they get it... fitting that they are called the "American Taliban". Anyway, click here to send a letter and tell leaders of the Religious Right that they should stop the hypocrisy.
Once again the Department of Homeland Security is promoting insecurity! How? Well, this time,
"Security officer whistleblowers at the Department of Homeland Security headquarters allege contract security provided by Wackenhut Services, Inc. is leaving the site insecure, reporting lightly guarded entrances, understaffed posts and a force that is untrained to respond to attacks by weapons of mass destruction, biological attacks, or bombs, as reported by the Associated Press."
So, we have an unsecure Department of Homeland Security! Oh, the irony!!
Click here to send a letter tell Chertoff to investigate these allegations and to get real on security!
It has been 9 years since the Federal Minimum Wage has been increased from $5.15 per hour. In the same number of years, Congress has voted 8 pay raises for themselves! Click here to support Senator Kennedy's Fair Minimum Wage Act!!
And finally, for all you Pootie-lovers out there, check out this article from The Onion! I almost peed my pants laughing at this one...