News & Analysis of Current Events, March 20, 2011

There's an awful lot to think about these days... 

Lobbyists return to Congress in droves
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/18/former-lobbyists-return-t_n_837586.html

80% of antibiotics go to farm animals in US - FDA reveals
http://www.grist.org/article/2011-03-18-think-chinese-pork-is-scary-check-out-the-nearest-supermarket-me

US Media ignores brutal crackdowns in Bahrain and Yemen

http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/19/no-coverage-yemen-bahrain/

Even in worst case scenario Fukushima radiation threat said to have limited reach - survey of experts from Propublica

http://www.propublica.org/article/even-in-worst-case-japans-nuclear-disaster-will-have-limited-reach

Some good news from Costco on seafood sustainability 

http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/media-center/news-releases/Costco-marches-forward-on-seafood-sustainability-Greenpeace-suspends-campaign-celebrates-retail-giants-progress/

Greenpeace airship protest, Koch Brothers: Dirty Money
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/media-center/news-releases/Greenpeace-airship-sends-message-to-secretive-oil-billionaires-strategy-meeting-Koch-Brothers-Dirty-Money/

Eleven states have laws making it illegal to criticize factory farming - Pig Business http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/news-and-blogs/campaign-blog/pig-business/blog/33825

WSJ badly misrepresents EPA efforts to curb greenhouse gases
http://mediamatters.org/research/201103160030?utm

Fox News' Union-busting Crusade
http://mediamatters.org/research/201103150008?utm

NPR is fair - conservatives and media critics defend NPR's reporting
http://mediamatters.org/research/201103110037?utm

Six sadistic proposals from state governments
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/six_sadistic_proposals_from_state_government_20110318/?utm

Beyond Austerity - The Myth of Self-Regulating Markets and Neo-Liberalism 
http://www.thenation.com/article/159288/beyond-austerity

News and Analysis II, March 19, 2011

The EPA has mandated a huge cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay that involves nearly 88,000 farms and six states. Industry and the GOP are trying to kill it off...

GOP cuts funds for cleanup plan of Chesapeake Bay, EPA and Farmers at odds 
http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2011/0307/Farmers-EPA-clash-over-Chesapeake-Bay-regulations

Japan's horror reveals how thin is the edge we live on
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/18/japan-horror-thin-edge-climate-change

US Chamber of Commerce spends the most to lobby against climate change regulations
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rp-siegel/us-chamber-of-commerce-sh_b_837660.html

Outrageous Florida bill to make photographing a private factory farm illegal with a 30-year jail sentence! This makes me want to go out and shoot some of these factory farm CAFOs...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-edwards/florida-could-photo-of-pi_b_835703.html

Now this is a progressive solution to a vexing problem. California is introducing a bill to make it legal for a corporation to take environmental or social measures that negatively affect short-term profits
http://civileats.com/2011/03/09/california’s-bold-move-to-legitimize-sustainable-business/

US Chamber of Commerce paid firms to hack political opponents
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/18/chamber-request-documents/

Pay Teachers More
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/13/opinion/13kristof.html?src=twrhp

Koch brothers and Americans For Progress heavily influencing GOP primaries
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/17/koch-tim-pawlenty/

Michigan's Anti-union power grab is Unconstitutional
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/16/snyder-power-grab/

Michigan's Constitution allows for recall of Governor Snyder in July
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/17/michigan-amend-and-recall/

Roberts' US Supreme Court rules for corporate interests 61% of the time
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/14/scotu-hearts-the-chamber/

Radiation found in Japanese food
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/world/asia/20japan.html?hp

News and Analysis I, March 19, 2011

The EPA has mandated a huge cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay that involves nearly 88,000 farms and six states. Industry and the GOP are trying to kill it off...

GOP cuts funds for cleanup plan of Chesapeake Bay, EPA and Farmers at odds 
http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2011/0307/Farmers-EPA-clash-over-Chesapeake-Bay-regulations

Japan's horror reveals how thin is the edge we live on
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/18/japan-horror-thin-edge-climate-change

US Chamber of Commerce spends the most to lobby against climate change regulations
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rp-siegel/us-chamber-of-commerce-sh_b_837660.html

Outrageous Florida bill to make photographing a private factory farm illegal with a 30-year jail sentence! This makes me want to go out and shoot some of these factory farm CAFOs...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-edwards/florida-could-photo-of-pi_b_835703.html

Now this is a progressive solution to a vexing problem. California is introducing a bill to make it legal for a corporation to take environmental or social measures that negatively affect short-term profits
http://civileats.com/2011/03/09/california’s-bold-move-to-legitimize-sustainable-business/

US Chamber of Commerce paid firms to hack political opponents
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/18/chamber-request-documents/

Pay Teachers More
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/13/opinion/13kristof.html?src=twrhp

Koch brothers and Americans For Progress heavily influencing GOP primaries
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/17/koch-tim-pawlenty/

Michigan's Anti-union power grab is Unconstitutional
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/16/snyder-power-grab/

Michigan's Constitution allows for recall of Governor Snyder in July
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/17/michigan-amend-and-recall/

Roberts' US Supreme Court rules for corporate interests 61% of the time
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/14/scotu-hearts-the-chamber/

Radiation found in Japanese food
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/world/asia/20japan.html?hp

News & Analysis II, March 18, 2011

Judge halts Wisconsin labor law
http://www.salon.com/news/wisconsin/index.html?story=/news/feature/2011/03/18/wisconsin_union_bill_halted_judge_hearing

Wind farms survive earthquake and tsunami in Japan - still functioning
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kelly-rigg/battleproof-wind-farms-su_b_837172.html

Polluters have technology to reduce deadly Mercury from emissions
http://www.grist.org/article/2011-03-17-polluters-have-the-tech-they-need-to-reduce-toxic-mercury

GOP and banking industry smear Consumer Protection head Warren
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/17/ex-goldman-banker-smear-elizabeth-warren_n_837185.html

Wikileaks docs disclose prior warnings on Japanese nuclear safety
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/16/japan-earthquake-nuclear-warning-wikileaks_n_836529.html

Fairness in taxation - Schakowsky (D-Ill) post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-jan-schakowsky/fairness-in-taxation_b_837139.html

Despite what you've been hearing TARP bailout still in the red
http://www.propublica.org/article/behind-administration-spin-bailout-still-123-billion-in-the-red

Five myths about nuclear energy
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/5-myths-about-nuclear-energy/2011/03/15/AB9P3Oe_story.html

The Climate Post 
http://www.grist.org/article/2011-03-17-climate-post-aftermath-japan

Environmental and human costs of Soy boom
http://www.alternet.org/food/150277/feedlot_meat_has_spurred_a_soy_boom_that_has_a_devastating_environmental_and_human_cost

News & Analysis I, March 18, 2011

Times Editorial on treatment of Private Manning (I missed this earlier in the week)
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/15/opinion/15tue3.html?scp=1&sq=manning&st=cse

Wisconsin Protestors storm Washington DC
http://www.salon.com/news/wisconsin/index.html?story=/tech/htww/2011/03/16/wisconsin_workers_storm_washington

Wisconsin GOP visit DC Lobbyists
http://www.thenation.com/blog/159289/wisconsin-senators-sell-out-corporate-interests-dc-crowds-pick-chant-recall

Thank you to the Wisconsin 14
http://www.defendwisconsin.org/2011/03/07/thank-you-to-the-wisconsin-14/

Nearly half of signatures for GOP recalls gathered already in Wisconsin
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/nearly-half-of-signatures-collected-to-recall-wisconsin-gop-state-senators-dems-say/2011/03/03/ABhVvQV_blog.html

Who's afraid of Elizabeth Warren
http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/17/whos-afraid-of-elizabeth-warren/?src=busln

People who watch Fox News will surprise you
http://www.alternet.org/media/150251/scary%3A_people_who_watch_and_trust_fox_news_will_surprise_you/

Combatting hopelessness and defeatism - Get Up, Stand Up author Bruce Levine
http://www.alternet.org/rights/150260/%22get_up%2C_stand_up%22%3A_do_americans_have_what_it_takes_to_stand_up_to_corporate_power_and_does_wisconsin_offer_hope/?page=1

Anthony Weiner (D-NY) Mocks GOP Special Vote To Cut NPR
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/anthony-weiner-sarcastically-mocks-gop-npr-defunding-bill-video.php?ref=fpb

All 31 members of House Energy Committee Deny Climate Change Exists
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/every-single-goper-on-house-energy-cmte-wont-say-climate-change-is-real.php

Recent issues with US nuclear energy and refining plants
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/18/japan-prompts-us-nuclear-safety_n_837416.html

News & Analysis, March 17, 2011

Reactor in CA, one mile from off-shore fault line, has no earthquake response plan

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/16/california-nuclear-emergency-response_n_836751.html

The Nuclear Credibility Gap

http://www.salon.com/news/japan_earthquake/index.html?story=/opinion/walsh/politics/2011/03/16/nuclear_credibility_gap

House Republicans Attack Elizabeth Warren, Consumer Protection Head - want to cut powers and budget

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/16/elizabeth-warren-cfpb-republicans-house_n_836682.html

Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill) Introduces Fairness In Taxation Act

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/16/jan-schakowsky-income-tax_n_836624.html

Organizing in Wisconsin

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/16/pro-labor-group-20000-new-members-wisconsin_n_836164.html

Lack of accurate information in Japan

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/17/world/asia/17tokyo.html?hp

In Japan, no time yet for grief

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/opinion/16saeki.html?ref=opinion

Conservatives behind in Wisconsin recall battle

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/16/conservatives-we-are-bein_n_836794.html

Internet privacy battle

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/16/senate-hearing-online-privacy_n_836736.html

Anthony Weiner (D-NY) on Obama's style of government

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/16/anthony-weiner-obama-not-a-values-guy_n_836664.html

PA Gov Corbett sued for axing health care in violation of a statute

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/15/tom-corbett-sued-for-axin_n_836341.html

Glenn Greenwald on Afghanistan

http://www.salon.com/news/afghanistan/index.html?story=/opinion/greenwald/2011/03/16/various_matters

Support for Afghanistan, Libya, and Backlash on treatment of Pvt Manning

http://www.salon.com/news/afghanistan/index.html?story=/opinion/greenwald/2011/03/16/various_matters

Obama cartoon

http://www.salon.com/entertainment/comics/this_modern_world/2011/03/15/this_modern_world

News & Analysis II, March 16, 2011

One friend commented that my recent spate of emails with multiple links could appear manic to some and potentially turn them off. If I appear manic to some than it is in response to what I consider the crisis state that confronts us in this country today. It is my contention that our mass media outlets do not provide adequate sources of information and analysis. My emails are intended to disseminate analysis and investigative journalistic work that most people do not know about. Information and transparency, without distortions and hyperbole, are a key to altering the political landscape and represent, I believe, the last great hope for reclaiming what's left of progressive society. If we continue to lose the information war, and people do not come together in opposition of the forces that threaten our democracy, then all will be lost and we will leave a shameful legacy to those that follow.

I think this piece provides a compelling commentary on many of the issues we are facing today:

First they declared corporations were "people," and I didn't complain because I'm already a person.

Then they made unlimited money "speech," and I didn't complain because the American Dream says I'll be rich someday, too.

Then they commandeered the means of production by shipping our greatest strength - manufacturing - overseas, because they don't have bothersome unions over there, and I didn't complain because WalMart has cheap stuff.

Then they bought Congress so they could write the laws, and I didn't complain because I can’t be bothered to vote.

Then they bought the Supreme Court so they could cement their rule, and I didn't complain because I don't have time to pay attention.

Then they bought the news so they could convince everyone it's always been this way, and I didn't complain because it's always been this way.

Then they manhandled an election and I didn't complain because I'm not from Florida.

Then they lied us into wars and I didn't complain because I'm not a soldier, or an Iraqi, or an Afghani.

Then millions died for profit and I didn't complain because the graphics on the news were totally awesome.

Then they started locking people up because they said they could and I didn't complain because nobody locked me up.

Then they started spying on everyone because they said they could and I didn't complain because I'm a real American.

Then they came for the worker, but thanks to supply-side trickle-down economics, I don't have a job.

From Truth-out.org

Here are some news and research links to consider:

Koch and Big Oil front anti-cap and trade group, ALEC, that provides bill writing templates for legislators

http://www.grist.org/article/2011-03-16-koch-group-alec-cut-paste-attack-regional-climate-initiatives

Koch Brothers - Dirty Money, 2010 Greenpeace report

http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/global-warming-and-energy/polluterwatch/koch-industries/

Is it possible to build truly safe nuclear reactor? Industry takes profit but not the costs

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/if-the-japanese-cant-build-a-safe-reactor-who-can/2011/03/14/ABCJvuV_story.html?hpid=z7

Poultry Industry and anti-biotic health issues

http://www.grist.org/article/2011-03-15-poultry-industry-smothers-immigrant-farmers-abuses-antibiotics

NYC Spends $75 Million A Year on Marijuana Possession Arrests

http://www.alternet.org/news/150263/new_york_city_spending_%2475_million_a_year_on_marijuana_arrests

Wisconsin updates and political maneuvering

http://www.alternet.org/news/150256/wisconsin%3A_gop_blocks_democrats_from_voting%3B_republican_senator_tries_to_outlaw_picketing%2C_as_recall_efforts_pick_up_steam

From Hiroshima to Fukushima - The Nation

http://www.thenation.com/article/159238/hiroshima-fukushima

No Nukes Is Good Nukes

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/no_nukes_is_good_nukes_20110315/

Burying Our Heads In Radioactive Sand

http://www.thenation.com/blog/159253/burying-our-heads-radioactive-sand

Detailed report on 12 States currently slashing corporate taxes while increasing burden on working families

http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/16/gop-state-corporate-tax-cuts/

GOP Mocks Concerns About Nuclear Safety Prior to Meltdown - video clips

http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/15/video-gop-nuclear-safety/

News & Analysis I, March 16, 2011

Harrowing piece on remaining workers at stricken nuclear plant

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/world/asia/16workers.html?hp

Stanley Fish on political argument and focus

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/14/sos-your-old-man/?ref=opinion

FOIA exemptions undermine open government

http://www.propublica.org/article/foia-exemptions-sunshine-law

Big polluters freed from environmental oversight by stimulus

http://www.publicintegrity.org/articles/entry/2565/

Polluters avoid Superfund cleanup in bankruptcy -  taxpayers pick up the tab

http://www.publicintegrity.org/blog/entry/1221/?utm_source=publicintegrity&utm_medium=related_heds&utm_campaign=related_bottom

On Earthquakes

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/seth-shostak/the-end-of-earthquakes_b_835985.html

Two Companies Stop Gas Fracking in Arkansas because of earthquakes there

http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2011/03/what-would-happen-if-89-quake-hit-us

GOP Avoiding The President

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/03/avoiding-president

Sugar Vs. Corn Syrup Mother Jones Report

http://motherjones.com/environment/2011/03/fructose-sugar-hfcs

Chris Hayes Breakdown on Obama and labor -audio

http://www.thenation.com/audio/159187/breakdown-how-can-obama-help-organized-labor

Dennis Kucinich (Rep-D Ohio) on the labor battle - video

http://kucinich.us/

News & Analysis III, March 14, 2011

Chris Hedges
http://www.truth-out.org/power-concedes-nothing-without-a-demand68454

Krugman on Inside Job and ongoing frauds
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/14/opinion/14krugman.html?ref=opinion

Anonymous releases damaging Bank of America emails detailing insurance fraud in loans
http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/anonymous-releases-damning-bank-of-america-emails/

How Anonymous retaliated against security firm threats by penetrating their network and releasing documents 
http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/anonymous-releases-71800-hbgary-e-mails-through-new-site/

US Public Opinion Shift Toward Israel?
http://www.alternet.org/world/150210/how_us_public_opinion_has_shifted_on_israel%2C_five_years_after_the_publishing_of_%27the_israel_lobby%27_

Al Franken on Net Neutrality
http://techcrunch.com/2011/03/14/techcrunch-interview-senator-al-franken-talks-net-neutrality-and-his-morning-workout-routine/

Michigan legislation to impose marshall law in municipalities
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/14/michigan-set-to-enact-sweeping-financial-martial-law_n_835526.html

Deceptive Editing Found in NPR Sting Tape
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/14/npr-sting-tape-analysis-editing_n_835384.html

NYT criticism
http://gawker.com/#!5781806/the-new-york-times-columnist-problem

Greg Pallast details Tokyo Electric Company (TEP) involvement in planned US nuclear projects
http://www.truth-out.org/tokyo-electric-build-us-nuclear-plants-the-no-bs-info-japans-disastrous-nuclear-operators68457

American Lung Assoc Study on toxic effects and costs of US coal-burning power plants
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/14/power-plant-air-pollution-coal-kills_n_833385.html

Obama, torture and WikiLeaks
http://www.salon.com/news/wikileaks/index.html?story=/opinion/greenwald/2011/03/14/manning

Circumstances of initial charges against Julian Assange in Sweden
http://open.salon.com/blog/lost_in_berlin/2010/08/21/swedes_question_rape_accusations_against_wikileaks_founder

News & Analysis II, March 14, 2011

Obama DOJ prosecutes the whistleblower Thomas Drake 
http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/04/15/prosecutions

A dispassionate and insightful analysis of likely GOP strategies in 2012
http://www.salon.com/news/2012_elections/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2011/03/13/schaller_2012_gop

Perspective on the firing of Dept of State spokesman Crowley
http://www.salon.com/news/wikileaks/index.html?story=/opinion/greenwald/2011/03/13/crowley

This is unbelievable footage of the tsunami arriving in Japan
http://gawker.com/#!5781528/street+level-footage-of-a-japanese-town-washing-away

Stripping Collective Bargaining in Wisconsin was illegal
http://www.truth-out.org/assault-collective-bargaining-illegal-says-international-labor-rights-group68423

Main, New Hampshire and Missouri jump on the anti-labor kick, Koch brothers hands seen
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/12/identical-rightwing-antiworker-bills/

Food processing idiocy in peanut butter
http://www.grist.org/article/2011-03-08-real-scandal-of-reduced-fat-skippy-peanut-butter-isnt-salmonella

Obama's Ag Hypocrisy - Wendell Berry
http://www.grist.org/article/2011-03-07-usda-chief-flatters-industrial-agriculture-obama-wendell-berry

Eduardo Porter Interview on problems with extreme income disparities
http://www.alternet.org/economy/150072/the_cost_of_overpaying%3A_how_high_ceo_salaries_and_income_disparity_affect_our_wealth%2C_health_and_happiness/?page=1

News & Analysis I, March 14, 2011

Rachel Maddow comprehensive explanation of nuclear power plants
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2011/03/12/rachel_maddow_japan_nuclear_emergency/index.html

Broad-based demonstrations in Wisconsin
http://www.thenation.com/blog/159209/tractors-roll-madison-wisconsin-readies-biggest-protest-yet

Koch Industries 
http://www.grist.org/article/2011-03-12-why-doesnt-congress-give-a-damn-about-climate-hint-not-messaging


It's The Suburbs, Stupidhttp://www.grist.org/article/2011-03-11-its-the-suburbs-stupid-on-the-ezra-klein-tom-vilsack-dustup

Ed Schultz on Wisconsin
http://www.bigeddieradio.com/

Julian Assange and extradition risks
http://www.truth-out.org/how-so-called-guardians-free-speech-are-silencing-messenger68353

Bill Moyer and NPR's value as an institution
http://www.truth-out.org/in-defense-npr68389

Working class Republican support in Wisconsin, ramifications for GOP
http://www.truth-out.org/ej-dionne-jr-what-wisconsin-can-teach-washington68374

Then They Came For The Trade Unionists
http://www.truth-out.org/then-they-came-trade-unionists68363

O'Donnell parodies Gingrich apology
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/11/lawrence-odonnell-newt-gingrich-parody-affairs_n_834417.html

Contamination from abandoned Mercury mines in the west
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2011/03/mercury-california-fish-san-francisco-bay.html?utm_

News & Analysis, March 13, 2011

It's hard to even comprehend what's happening in Japan and I hope their misery can somehow be mitigated. Nonetheless, I'm still fixated on the problems we have at home...

Naomi Klein on GOP Shock Doctrine with Rachel Maddow 
http://www.thenation.com/video/159107/naomi-klein-wisconsins-shock-doctrine

What's Next in the labor rights battle
http://www.alternet.org/news/150219/pro-worker_movement_gains_power_in_wisconsin%2C_but_what%27s_next_

Repeal Scenario In Wisconsin
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/10/scott-walker-repeal-amendment/

Rep. King (R-NY) Witch-hunting Muslims
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/03/10/peter-king-helping-extremism/

Bring Back The Original Wealth Tax - Economic Analysis - Excellent!
http://www.dollarsandsense.org/archives/2011/0311cleveland.html

Public Sector Workers Do Not Make More Than Private Sector Workers - Economic Analysis
http://www.dollarsandsense.org/archives/2011/0311pollack.html

Still Banking On Fraud
http://www.dollarsandsense.org/archives/2011/0111black.html

Naomi Klein on Democracy Now! March 12, 2011

Democracy Now, Naomi Klein, author of Shock Doctrine - The Rise of Disaster Capitalism (Full hour video, longish intro of world events prior to interview - scary and on the money)

http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/naomi_klein_on_climate_change_union_busting_20110311/

News & Analysis, March 12, 2011

Political attacks on EPA and Clean Air Act...
http://www.grist.org/article/2011-03-10-fred-upton-pursues-epa-down-the-rabbit-hole

The problem with Dems and policy concessions...
http://www.grist.org/article/2010-03-30-post-truth-politics

How the Wisconsin events might backfire on Republicans
http://www.alternet.org/news/150149/has_walker%27s_giant_overreach_screwed_republicans_3_major_mistakes_that_might_sink_the_gop_in_november?page=1

A primer on the Koch Brothers from The New Yorker
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/08/30/100830fa_fact_mayer?currentPage=1

Lee Fang on Koch's and Americans for Prosperity efforts to support Walker's union bashing in Wisconsin
http://thinkprogress.org/author/Lee%20Fang

Black Market in Bluefin Tuna (See the documentary, "The End Of The Line")
http://www.publicintegrity.org/treesaver/tuna/01-the-black-market-in-bluefin.html

News & Analysis II, March 10, 2011

I feel compelled these days to do something and so I have been sending more links through my political email list. I hope this is not a burden for those on the list and if you can't deal with this stuff now then you obviously don't have to read it. And if anyone is getting fed up - with my attempts at advocacy and activism - then you can always opt out. Thanks...

Wisconsin dairy factory farms pollute groundwater. 
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/us/18dairy.html

Background on non-GMO movement leaders...
http://www.responsibletechnology.org/blog/1267

GE Salmon petition
http://action.responsibletechnology.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5638

GMO Labeling petition
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6236/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4158

Wisconsin and Obama...
http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/03/10/obama_wisconsin_unions/index.html

Guardian on Walker's Agenda...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/mar/10/wisconsin-usa

News & Analysis I, March 10, 2011

The New York Times' Wisconsin coverage has been inadequate, at best. Here are a few stories that shed more light on the rightwing attempt to strip organized labor and working families of their collective bargaining rights and political power. It's a bald-faced play to further weaken the middle class in this country and it has major implications for the next election and the future of the country.

http://blogs.forbes.com/erikkain/2011/03/09/wisconsin-republicans-sneak-through-union-busting-bill-without-democrats/

http://www.salon.com/news/wisconsin/index.html?story=/tech/htww/2011/03/09/wisconsin_goes_nuclear

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_260247e0-4ac4-11e0-bfa9-001cc4c03286.html

Propublica has been doing an excellent job investigating the environmental hazards of natural gas drilling, particularly in Pennsylvania. Now, the governor there has appointed an energy industry advocate there as the environmental czar in the state...

http://www.propublica.org/article/corbett-pa-energy-exec-authority-environment

Here's a revealing, cautionary piece on New Jersey's rising GOP star, Governor Christie. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/10/nyregion/10christie.html?hp

This Time We're Taking The Whole Planet With Us - Easter Island Analogy

A little light reading from Chris Hedges at Truthdig...
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/this_time_were_taking_the_whole_planet_with_us_20110307/

More on Monsanto

We need to fight for our democracy too...
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2011/0223/Control-over-your-food-Why-Monsanto-s-GM-seeds-are-undemocratic

Clean Air Act - Economic Benefits

This is a startling report and provides a compelling answer to the current budget-cutting craze and deregulation of industries...

http://www.grist.org/article/2011-03-02-gains-from-clean-air-act

Food Policy We Can't Believe In

This is a terrific piece that encapsulates many of the issues that threaten our food today, and there's a petition to sign if you agree that action is warranted...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wenonah-hauter/food-policy-we-cant-belie_b_821666.html?ir=Food

"The Liberal Media Strikes Again"

It is truly remarkable how manipulative our national media has become. 

http://www.truth-out.org/the-liberal-media-strikes-again68115

Even Hillary Clinton recently called out mainstream media in America and declared that Al Jazeera English is gaining popularity because they report "real news."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/03/hillary-clinton-calls-al-_n_830890.html