Everyone talks about Science; Very few celebrate and examine the exacting work of Scientists.
Neil deGrasse Tyson is one of the few folks in Media giving Science its due ...
Cosmos' Recap: What Lead Poisoning and Earth's Age Have in Common
by Miriam Kramer, Staff Writer, space.com -- April 21, 2014
The scientist who discovered the age of the Earth also helped end the use of lead in gasoline and other products in the United States.
Sunday night's episode (April 20) of "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey" explored the life of Clair Patterson, a geochemist who pinpointed Earth's age for the first time and also uncovered a secret: Lead contamination is a major and potentially deadly problem. The newest episode of "Cosmos," called "The Clean Room" [hulu video], takes viewers on a tour of Patterson's work and the industry that fought him as he tried to learn more about lead and its harmful effects.
[...]
Great episode, great animation, great explanations -- well-worth watching, for science-fans (and science-agnostics too).
But then there are well-funded conservative forces in our country, working very actively to reverse the hard-fought gains of those Scientists (like Clair Patterson) to protect our Environment -- for those of us who actually live in it.
Voluntary Childhood Lead Exposure Control Act
from www.alec.org/model-legislation
Summary
This Act provides protection from liability against claims of injuries allegedly arising from lead exposure for any residential property owner who voluntarily meets certain lead abatement and maintenance standards for his residential properties. Attaining such a maintenance standard is in no way compulsory. The Act is designed to give property owners certainty that if they meet the standard, the will not be found legally liable. Conversely, not meeting the standard in no way constitutes admission of liability for any property owner.
Because in the American Legislative Exchange Council's world-view [ALEC's], corporations are always right. And we should just let their wild-west "marketing strategies" ... just take their "natural" market-clearing course.
Right? Damn those "pesky" societal consequences ... "Let the buyer beware"
(... is ALEC's unstated 'working motto'.)
Of course those corporately-funded "legislative interests," go way beyond the holding lead-paint "property owners" legally harmless -- those ALEC interests would disable and disband the EPA too, if only given the chance ... by the "apathetic and disinterested voters of America" [ADVA™].
[ALEC's] RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO EPA’S PLAN TO REGULATE GREENHOUSE GASES UNDER THE CLEAN AIR ACT
from alecexposed.org
WHEREAS, EPA has released an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which describes a nationwide scheme to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act; and
WHEREAS, ALEC has previously stated its opposition to EPA regulating greenhouse gases[1]; and
[...]
WHEREAS, climate change is a global issue, not a local or regional pollution issue as the Clean Air Act was designed to address; and
WHEREAS, EPA’s plan would impose a massive economic burden on America without appreciably reducing worldwide concentrations of greenhouse gases; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that EPA should not make an endangerment finding for greenhouse gases and should not pursue regulation of greenhouse gases.
[Pollution Facts -- Image Source: www.keepbanderabeautiful.org]
As backwards looking as that ALEC EPA-blocking resolution is (for anyone convinced that Climate Chaos is a very serious problem), the ALEC anti-environmental agenda extends much, MUCH further than that.
[ALEC's] Bills Affecting our Water, Air, & Land
from alecexposed.org
Environment:
New ALEC Bills
Disposal and Taxation of Public Lands Act
3B0 ALEC Resolution in Opposition to EPA Regulation of Greenhouse Gases from Mobile Sources Exposed
3B1 Conditioning Regulation of Non-Pollutant Emissions on Science Exposed
3B2 In Opposition to EPA Plan to Regulate Greenhouse Gases Under the Clean Air Act Exposed
3B3 Ozone Attainment State Implementation Plan Act Exposed
3B4 Resolution on Federal Multi-Emission Reduction Legislation Exposed
3B5 Resolution on Reform of New Source Review Regulations Exposed
3B6 Resolution to Support the Current National Ambient Air Quality Standard - NAAQS - for Particulate Matter - PM Exposed
3B7 State Implementation Plan Requirements for Ozone and Particulate Matter Attainment Exposed
3B8 State Protection of Air Quality Related Values Act Exposed
3B9 State Sovereignty for Air Quality and Visibility Act Exposed
3C0 ALEC State Withdrawal from Regional Climate Initiatives Exposed
3C1 Climate Accountability Act Exposed
3C2 Conditioning Regulation of Non-Pollutant Emissions on Science Act Exposed
3C3 Resolution in Opposition of Carbon Dioxide Emission Standards Exposed
3C4 State Responses to Kyoto Climate Change Protocol Exposed
3D0 Environmental Corrupt Organizations -Preventative Legislation and Neutralization (ECO-PLAN) Exposed
3D1 The Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act (AETA) Exposed
3F0 Asbestos in Educational Facilities and - or Public Buildings Act Exposed
3F1 Environmental Literacy Improvement Act Exposed
3F2 Pollution Control or Abatement Flexibility Act Exposed
3F3 Resolution Calling for Increased Use of Healthy Oils Exposed
3F4 Resolution on Environmental Justice Exposed
3F5 State Science Advisory Board Act Exposed
3F6 Voluntary Childhood Lead Exposure Control Act Exposed
3G0 Eminent Domain Authority for Federal Lands Act Exposed
3G1 Ombudsman Act Exposed
3G2 Property Investment Protection Act Exposed
3G3 Property Owners Disclosure Act Exposed
3G4 Protecting Property Rights to Facilitate Exposed
3G5 Regulatory Costs Fairness Act Exposed
3G6 Resolution Supporting the Private Ownership of Property Exposed
3G7 The Environmental Buffer Disclosure Act Exposed
3G8 The Environmental Good Samaritan Act Exposed
3G9 The Private Property Protection Act Exposed
3H0 Economic Impact Statement Act Exposed
3H1 Environmental Audit Privilege and Qualified Disclosure Act Exposed
3H2 Environmental Priorities Act Exposed
3H3 Environmental Services Public-Private Partnership Act Exposed
3H4 Granting the Authority of Rural Counties to Transition to Decentralized Land Use Regulation Exposed
3H5 Opportunity to Correct Exposed
3H6 Performance Based Permitting Act Exposed
3H7 Regulatory Costs Fairness Act Exposed
3H8 Resolution in Opposition to S1602 Exposed
3H9 Resolution on Environmental Laboratory Privatization Exposed
3H10 Resolution on Local Jursidiction Consent of National Monument Designation Exposed
3H11 Resolution to Oppose the Conservation and Reinvestment Act - CARA Exposed
3H13 State Data Quality Act Exposed
3H14 State Regulatory Responsibility Act Exposed
3H15 State Sovereignty through Local Coordination Act Exposed
3H16 The Common Sense Scientific and Technical Evidence Act Exposed
3H17 The Reliability in Expert Testimony Standards Act Exposed
3H18 Uniform State Environmental Audit Privilege Act Exposed
3H19 Verifiable Science Act Exposed
3H20 Wildlife Information Disclosure Act Exposed
3I0 Brownfields Redevelopment Act Exposed
3J0 Resolution on Packaging and the Municipal Solid Waste Stream Exposed
3J1 Resolution to Retain State Authority over Coal Ash as Non-Hazardous Waste Exposed
3J2 Waste Tire Abatement Act Exposed
3K0 Groundwater Protection Act Exposed
3K1 State Implementation of Clean Water Act --TMDL-- Requirements Exposed
3K2 The Non-Potable Groundwater Use Act Exposed
6D0 Against US Participation in International Agreement in Copenhagen Exposed
Endangered Species Resolution
Environmental Justice Principles
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Resolution
Interstate Ozone Transport Oversight Act
Interstate Research Commission on Climatic Change Act
Limited Immunity for Persons Responding to Oil Spills Act
Local Jurisdiction Consent for National Monument Designation
Model State Resolution: Environmental Justice
Pollution Prevention Act
Resolution on Ozone and Particulate Matter NAAQS Revisions
Resolution Opposing CAFÉ Standards Increase
Resolution to Freeze CAFÉ Standards
Resolution to Oppose Unfunded Mandates on the States Etc.
Sagebrush Rebellion Act
Used Oil Collection Act
Wetlands Mapping and Protection Act
[Mammals of North America Graphic T-shirts -- Image Source: whatdidyoubringme.homestead.com]
Who could be against the protecting of scientifically-rated "endangered" species?
The American Legislative Exchange Council (also known as ALEC) -- that's who:
[ALEC's] ENDANGERED SPECIES RESOLUTION
from PolicyFax -- a service of The Heartland Institute
WHEREAS, Congress enacted the Endangered Species Act in 1973 to conserve threatened and endangered plant and animal species,
WHEREAS, the United States and the states have some of the world’s strictest laws which protect our environment, yet seek to strike a balance between environmental protection and resource production,
WHEREAS, the Endangered Species Act may be re-authorized by Congress;
WHEREAS, the current Endangered Species Act does not allow consideration of social or economic consequences in the listing of threatened or endangered species;
WHEREAS, the current Endangered Species Act does not adequately consider a role for the states, nor the social and economic implications of critical habitat designation or recovery plan development and implementation;
WHEREAS, the Endangered Species Act thereby presents significant potential negative social and economic consequences for every state of the union; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, the American Legislative Exchange Council supports policies which balance the social and economic needs of people and communities in federal decision-making processes with the needs of environmental protection; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the American Legislative Exchange Council urges Congress to amend the Endangered Species Act upon its re-authorization to require a stronger role for the states and a stronger consideration of the social and economic consequences, including takings, in whole or in part, in the designation of critical habitat and in the development and implementation of recovery programs for threatened or endangered species, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be transmitted to all ALEC members, all state Governors, and Members of appropriate Congressional Committees.
PolicyFax is a service of The Heartland Institute, a source of research and commentary on public policy issues. Heartland is not affiliated with any political party, business, or foundation. Its activities are tax-exempt under Section 501 (c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. PolicyFax is made possible by the contributions of nearly 1,000 Heartland donors and members nationwide.
PolicyFax offers 24-hour access by fax to hundreds of documents from nearly eighty different think tanks.
Please take a moment to complete the Instant Survey form that appears below.
[Smart ALEC University – Are Your State Legislators Being Indoctrinated? -- Image Source: www.winningprogressive.org]
ALEC works on a state-by-state basis. They hand your conservative state legislators their pre-written bills (also known as "model legislative") -- that they, ALEC and their Corporate sponsors, greedily (and silently) want to them pass. {See the current post for such 'ghost-writing' examples, of their far-ranging 'xeroxing' work.}
Here's just one such state that ALEC has targeted -- with society-devastating AND corporately-empowering effects:
ALEC in Florida
from Progress Florida, Florida Watch, People For the American Way, Center For Media and Democracy, Common Cause
KEY FINDINGS
The key findings of this report include:
• ALEC model bills introduced across the country have devastating impacts upon public education, consumer protections, environmental protections, workers’ rights, equitable healthcare systems, just tax policy, and voting rights.
• ALEC has a strong and growing presence in Florida. ALEC’s public‐sector state chair in Florida is Representative Jimmy Patronis Jr. (R‐6).
[...]
• ALEC provides Florida members with “issue alerts,” “talking points,” and “press release templates” expressing support or opposition to state legislation, despite its claims that “ALEC does not lobby in any state.” The organization also tracks the status of its model bills in legislatures and bills it does not like, and sends its employees to testify in support of its bills in state houses across the country.
• ALEC model legislation has been introduced in Florida’s legislature, at times word for word, with devastating results.
Find out how ALEC is "
not lobbying in your state" too -- right
HERE.
ALEC is protecting their interests -- but not so much
our THEIR Environment.
They use a well-funded series of conservative organizations and a myriad of "xeroxing techniques" to make the selling-off and trashing of OUR natural resources -- one very-profitable "cottage industry" ... for themselves and their constituents:
larger image
[KBOO Receives Grant to Investigate ALEC Ties to Oregon Legislation --
-- Image Source: kboo.fm]
... just another "mediation" service brought to you by ...
The Heartland Institute
from desmogblog.com [details-packed post]
[...] Heartland's role as a lobbying organization.
PolicyFax, Heartland's free fax-on-demand information service for journalists and elected officials, received approximately 700 calls a month from state legislators and members of their staffs during 1998
Over 110 elected state officials now serve on the PolicyFax Advisory Board, meaning they have volunteered to help choose documents and topics to feature on the service. Among pro-market groups, only ALEC has more state legislators involved in their programs.
Every state and national elected official in the U.S. receives a steady stream of publications from Heartland -- four periodicals and less regular mailings of policy studies and other documents -- that have been designed to fill their information needs.
[...]
Heartland works with ALEC and the State Policy Network to support conservative and freemarket think tanks around the country. Heartland does as much as either of these organizations to support the state-based think tank movement. For example:
PolicyFax features 6,000 documents from some 300 think tanks and advocacy groups, including all of the members of State Policy Network. PolicyFax is free for both the users and the groups that provide documents, and Heartland reports back to the publisher each month with information about how often its documents were ordered.
... and also brought to you by ...
State Policy Network
from sourcewatch.org
The State Policy Network (SPN) has franchised, funded, and fostered a growing number of “mini Heritage Foundations” at the state level since the early 1990s.[1] SPN is a web of right-wing “think tanks” in every state across the country. It is an $83 million right-wing empire as of the 2011 funding documents from SPN itself and each of its state "think tank" members. Although SPN's member organizations claim to be nonpartisan and independent, the Center for Media and Democracy's in-depth investigation, "EXPOSED: The State Policy Network -- The Powerful Right-Wing Network Helping to Hijack State Politics and Government," reveals that SPN and its member think tanks are major drivers of the right-wing, American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)-backed corporate agenda in state houses nationwide, with deep ties to the Koch brothers and the national right-wing network of funders.[2]
[...]
As with spiders and roaches, so it is with corporately-sponsored legislators --
Sunlight is the best disinfectant.
Otherwise ALEC and their sponsors will simply continue to rollback, the hard-fought gains of Scientists to protect our Environment, as if our natural resources were THEIR private piggy bank.
Because without the constant spotlight shining on them and their anti-environment, anti-science agenda -- they will exploit every last legal loophole, as if our natural resources were THEIR private, unhindered profit-generating machine.
Despite what the vast majority of Scientists have already, SO overwhelming proven ...
Things like "putting Lead in our Environment -- is actually bad for everyone's health."
Who knew!? ... apparently NOT the American Legislative Exchange Council (... also not well-enough known as ALEC.)