Ransacked Nation

Monday, March 21, 2011

NRDC Video

NRDC put together this amusing satirical jingle, set to Bill Joel's "Uptown Girl" that focuses on Fred Upton's (R-MI) bill to eviscerate the EPA's mandate to reduce global warming and toxic air pollution.

New & Analysis of Current Events, March 21, 2011

Some very good news on clean air from Obama's EPA...
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/21/opinion/21mon2.html?ref=opinion

Hundreds protest military's treatment of WikiLeaks whistleblower...
http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/03/21/wikileaks.protest/

Opposition to treatment of Manning, led by Ellsberg, Amnesty Int'l, Ctr for Constitutional Rights and others...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/19/human-rights-activists-protest-abuse-bradley-manning_n_838006.html

Background on the historical cosiness of US Regulators and the Nuclear Industry...
http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/03/19/nrc_history_captive_agency/index.html

Tribune-Democrat Editorial Declares PA Citizens have a Constitutional right to clean air and pure water...
http://tribune-democrat.com/editorials/x449496875/Pa-citizens-have-constitutional-right-to-clean-air-pure-water

Corporations evade statutory regulations much to consternation of communities - Regulatory agencies protecting industry interests...
http://www.truth-out.org/tackling-corporate-power-one-town-a-time68619

NJ Gov. Christie, privatization and fuzzy math...
http://www.truth-out.org/fuzzy-privatization-math68612

US Uncut targets corporate tax dodgers - add Verizon and FedEx to list...
http://www.thenation.com/blog/159307/us-uncut-adds-verizon-and-fedex-its-target-list

Meet US Uncut - this is a fantastic movement to may corporations pay their taxes - terrific video on the street in NYC and crashing a BOA investor's conference in Boston.
http://www.thenation.com/blog/159270/meet-us-uncut

Wisconsin Wakes A Sleeping Giant...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-van-gelder/wisconsin_awakens_giant_b_836307.html

Rockefeller bill would gut the EPA...
http://www.thenation.com/blog/159267/rockefeller-bill-would-gut-epa

Will Durst - Pitchforks and Rainbows
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/will-durst/pitchforks-and-rainbows_b_838129.html

The War On Warren - Krugman

Republican lawmakers are going all out to marginalize the head of Obama's new Consumer Financial Protection Agency...
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/21/opinion/21krugman.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

Sunday, March 20, 2011

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

Saturday, March 19, 2011

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

Friday, March 18, 2011

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

Thursday, March 17, 2011

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

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

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/

Monday, March 14, 2011

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