Erin Brokavich revisited? Is nine deaths per 1,000 reasonable? Chromium study hidden

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Friday February 24, 2006 · 5:05 AM PST

2006/02/24 · 05:05

The Washington Post today reports on a story regarding Chromium 6, the element covered in the film Erin Brokavich.

A case has been pending with OSHA to reestablish standards for exposure for nine years, and OSHA is planning to set the standard by February 28.

However, according to an article in Environmental Health journal and secret documents obtained by a public advocacy group, evidently scientists working for a chromium industry group withheld or reworked a large scale study they conducted in order to make it appear that chromium 6 does not cause death in cases of low exposure.

OSHA is about to set the standards at a higher level than asked by health advocates, because their finding is that up to 9 deaths per 1,000, is reasonable, since it would be costly for the industry to retool. They are planning to disregard this new study according to their spokesperson. Read More

Education Surprise...the White House again "did nothing wrong!"

Carolyn

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Saturday April 16, 2005 · 6:39 AM PDT

2005/04/16 · 06:39

Today the Washington Post reports
that Education Department Inspector General pinned the debacle over the Department paying Armstrong Williams for promoting the department squarely on the Department of Education and not on the White House.

"The IG report, along with Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, blamed the Education Department -- not the White House -- for the contract. "It was a problem that originated at the department and ultimately is a problem that will continue to be fixed here," she said in response to the report. "The senior appointees who were responsible for the contract no longer work at the department...." Read More

Two abortion bills in Texas....call now!

Carolyn

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Thursday April 14, 2005 · 5:03 AM PDT

2005/04/14 · 05:03

Rep. Frank Corte, San Antonio, Tx, has filed two different bills which were being debated in the Texas House yesterday.

One, HB 16, is the insidious bill we have seen in other states, granting pharmacists the right to refuse to issue "emergency" contraception based on moral beliefs. From reading the bill, I think the definition of emergency leaves it quite open to interpretation to any kind of contraception.
"DEFINITION. In this chapter, "emergency
contraceptive" means a prescription drug containing an elevated
dose of hormones that is used to prevent pregnancy."

But wait, there's more...he's been busy... Read More

New Texas ed. law hijacked by Edison Corp???

Carolyn

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Tuesday March 29, 2005 · 5:08 AM PST

2005/03/29 · 05:08

Texas blogger Education at the Brink picks up this story in the Austin Chronicle...

State Representative Coleman writes in the Chronicle that a former member of Edison(they are the private company that took over several Florida schools and had very very mixed results), helped write the bill that has become the heinous HB 2, allowing schools to be taken over by private companies, among other elements of the legislation.

Here's Coleman's assessment in the Chronicle

. As "the Brink" points out in the post, "Are you Paying Attention?", Coleman is a well respected legislator, not some radical, so his criticisms are even more chilling.

Texas is selling out its schools for corporate profit. The entire education bill has been reviled by every education group in the state, and yet they passed it anyway.

The Texas Senate is now considering their bill.

Time to let them know what you think? Tx Senate http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/senate/senate.htm

George Will on our side?? Filibustering conservatives?

Carolyn

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Sunday March 20, 2005 · 6:41 AM PST

2005/03/20 · 06:41

In today's WashingtonPost, George Will(regist. required) warns conservatives who seek to change the filibuster rules.

He makes some excellent points, and also warns conservatives: " Are conservatives, who once had a healthy wariness of presidential power, sure they want to further expand that power in domestic affairs?" He also wisely elucidates the fact that this may backfire on Republican minorities in the future.

This is an opportunity to share his column with Republican Senators on the Rules committee and voice your dissent over ending filibusters.

Here is a list of Republican members of the rules committee:

Republicans:

Chairman, Trent Lott, MS
Ted Stevens
Mitch McConnell
Thad Cochran
Rick Santorum
Kay Bailey Hutchison
Bill Frist
C. Saxby Chambliss
Robert Bennett
Chuck Hagel Read More

Another close vote? Time for a victory....Update

Carolyn

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Thursday March 17, 2005 · 6:54 AM PST

2005/03/17 · 06:54

Following up on my earlier diary today, the Senate votes today to restore money to Medicaid that the Bush administration wants to cut. Governors have been incensed about this assault on Medicaid since it foists the problem onto the states, which have already been cutting many benefits to the poor, elderly, and to children's health programs.

Republican Sen. Gordon Smith's amendment will likely be voted on today.

It is supported by the AARP, and the American Academy of Family Physicians, among others.

http://www.aafp.org/x26518.xml
http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/030305/medicaid.html Read More

Can we save Medicaid today?

Carolyn

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Thursday March 17, 2005 · 4:56 AM PST

2005/03/17 · 04:56

Today's Senate battle--Medicaid.

According to Netscape, "The Senate seemed likely to vote Thursday on an effort led by Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., to eliminate all $14 billion in five-year savings the chamber's budget proposes in the health care program for the poor and elderly. That would be a 1 percent reduction from the $1.12 trillion Medicaid is projected to spend over that period.

The vote was expected to be close, with Smith and co-sponsor Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., supported by all Senate Democrats and a handful of GOP moderates. A potentially pivotal Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said late Wednesday that she was ``inclined to support'' Smith but was being lobbied hard by Republican leaders. " Read More

We must become the party of conservation today

Carolyn

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Wednesday March 16, 2005 · 12:42 PM PST

2005/03/16 · 12:42

We have a positive message as a party and a refute to the rich oil business thuggery running our country--

The Democrats can and will be the party of conservation.

Not conservation with unhappily dimmed lights of the 70's, but conservation as a shining light to the world that we can be an example of how to reduce our energy needs.

How best to get back at the oil barons carving up our wilderness area?

Conserve.

How best to reframe the discussion about our need for oil and our gobblingly hungry mania for energy?

Make it hip to conserve. Read More

Arctic drilling emergency--you must call today

Carolyn

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Wednesday March 16, 2005 · 5:48 AM PST

2005/03/16 · 05:48

The Senate is likely to vote today on the budget bill that includes the provision allowing drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The vote will be very close--perhaps as close as one vote.

It is CRITICAL to call senators this morning!

Call your own senator!http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Call the possible swing votes below:

Sen. Mel Martinez--FL. who has no business voting FOR oil since his beaches suffer the consequences of oil spills

Sen. Arlen Spector, PA--is evidently undecided

Sen. Mary Landrieu, LA

Sen. Daniel Akaka, HI

Sen. Jim Bunning, KY

Sen. Jim DeMint, SC

possible allies:
Sen. Snowe
Sen. Jeffords
Sen. Chaffee

Also, Let Sen. Pete Domenici of N.M. know how you feel. He has led the push for this bill and he needs to hear that Americans OPPOSE it.

Does anyone know how McCain is voting, by the way?
What about Ken Salazar?

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Read More

Arctic drilling...will we remain silent?

Carolyn

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Saturday March 12, 2005 · 7:15 AM PST

2005/03/12 · 07:15

The Senate Budget committee approved a budget resolution including a provision regarding Arctic Wildlife National Refuge drilling.

http://www.defenders.org/releases/pr2005/pr031105.html

It will appear on the Senate floor as part of the budget debate in the next few weeks.

Are we prepared to speak up about this?

Sen Pete Domenici, N.M., is the leader on this issue.

But there are ways you can make a difference locally. For example, in Florida, Sen. Martinez appears undecided. Palm Beach Post

In New Hampshire, Sen. Judd Gregg's positions are being questioned. Concord Monitor

The point is, call and email your Senators about this issue, no matter where you are. It is critical to begin now before the bill even reaches the Senate floor. Contact your senator

Let's raise the visibility of the issue now!

Save the National Writing Project!

Carolyn

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Saturday February 26, 2005 · 6:33 AM PST

2005/02/26 · 06:33

For those of you who aren't teachers, the National Writing project is a nationwide project to train teachers K-16 to teach writing.

I went through the National Writing Project and it changed my teaching completely, and for the better. Teachers are taught to become writers themselves, as well as studying innovative ways to teach writing.