Archive | Action Alert

04 November 2011 ~ 1 Comment

Save the internet from the Teabag caucus

Here’s the important part: If this resolution passes, it would not only void the current rule but also prohibit the FCC from engaging in any effort to protect Internet freedom going forward. This is a really serious threat, go call your senator:

A handful of corporate hardliners in the Senate is introducing a “resolution of disapproval” that would give phone and cable companies unrestricted power over the Internet. We need your help to ensure your senators don’t support this free speech-killing resolution.

The resolution would destroy existing Net Neutrality protections and strip the FCC of its authority to protect Internet users from carriers that seek to block our right to speak freely, connect with one another and share information on the Internet.

It’s time for us to mobilize to protect the open Internet. Enter your zip code, pick up the phone and urge your senators to stand up for Net Neutrality and reject this resolution of disapproval.

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01 November 2011 ~ Comments Off

Occupy Philly

In solidarity with Oakland!

Join Occupy Philly to participate in the general strike on Wednesday, November 2, along with occupations across the continent.

Meet at 15th and Market streets at noon for a dialogue pertaining to the general strike and why it’s happening, followed by a solidarity march at 12:30 p.m.

At 1:30 p.m., also at 15th and Market streets, we ask people to participate in a dialogue addressing the fact that because of the economic disparities that exist, many people couldn’t even strike if they wanted to.

People are also calling in sick to show support, or taking part in a 99-minute slowdown.

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29 October 2011 ~ 1 Comment

Cold and wet at Occupy Philly

I spent the morning going through my drawers, looking for warm socks and sweaters to spare for the folks at Occupy Philly, since we do have a winter nor’easter going through. (And snow. Jesus Christ, I still can’t believe it.) I took the stuff down, and the loading crew looked so cold and miserable, I drove to the closest Dunkin’ Donuts, bought some coffee and doughnuts and took them back.

One of the young women on the crew came up to my car window and said, “You don’t know what it means, to get something hot to drink and some food while we’re doing this… Thank you.”

“Yeah, I figured,” I said. “But thank you, for what you’re doing.” And we smiled at each other.

If you want to drop off blankets, tarps, sleeping bags, socks or coffee, pull up into the loading area on the JFK Blvd. side of City Hall.

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29 October 2011 ~ 4 Comments

How to keep Wall Street occupied

This is a great idea:

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28 October 2011 ~ 1 Comment

Occupy Philly

As you know, we have a winter nor’easter with SNOW headed here tomorrow.

The Comfort Working Group has created curbside drop-off times on the JFK Blvd. side of City Hall:
5-7PM weekdays and 1-4PM weekends. Donations of clothing, tents, blankets, scarves, tarps, boots, gloves and wool socks are a priority. Comfort items can be dropped off anytime at the station in the center of the plaza.

Also: WATER, WATER and more WATER please! Individual bottles, jugs, 5gals
Individually wrapped snacks – Granola bars, nuts, dried fruit etc ( We need a lot of these….)
Plus produce, whole grains, fresh fruit

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25 October 2011 ~ 1 Comment

Call now! Vote on PA voucher bill today

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IMMEDIATELY…
Time is tight! Call the following Senators and urge them to oppose Senate Bill 1.
Although they support or have voted in support of vouchers in the past, it is important that they hear strong opposition to the bill.

Senator Jeff Piccola, Chair (717) 787-6801
Senator Mike Folmer, Vice Chair (717) 787-5708
Senator Andrew Dinniman, Minority Chair (717) 787-5709
Senator Jake Corman (717) 787-1377
Senator Patrick Browne (717) 787-1349
Senator Lloyd Smucker (717) 787-6535
Senator Joe Scarnati (717) 787-7084
Senator Anthony Williams (717) 787-5970

Also contact the following Senators who have continued to voice strong opposition to school vouchers and to thank them for their support of public education and their opposition to Senate Bill 1.

Senator Robert Tomlison (717) 787-5072
Senator Jim Ferlo (717) 787-6123
Senator Daylin Leach (717) 787-5544

TALKING POINTS
Vouchers are a budget, education, accountability and constitutional issue.
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24 October 2011 ~ 4 Comments

Time-Warner customers

You might want to call and let them know how you feel about this.

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24 October 2011 ~ 2 Comments

Wikileaks fund drive

The’re running out of money and as you know, American banks have blocked their funds. You can still send checks or donate via Paypal.

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21 October 2011 ~ 2 Comments

Hah

Eric Cantor cancels his talk at Wharton. What a coward!

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21 October 2011 ~ Comments Off

Today

UPDATE: Cantor chickened out when he found out about the protest.

WHO: Keystone Progress, Occupy Philadelphia, Philadelphia AFL-CIO, Fight for Philly, Progress Now, AFSCME, and hundreds of protestors.

WHAT: Protest against Eric Cantor’s outdated belief in the “trickle down” economic theory.

WHERE: Outside Huntsman Hall, UPenn, Locust and 38th Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

WHEN: Friday, October 21st, 4 PM

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19 October 2011 ~ 1 Comment

‘Clean air should not be a partisan issue’

But in New Jersey, of course it is!

Trenton – Today, Environment New Jersey announced a major online clean air accountability campaign, targeting three of New Jersey’s more moderate Republican Congressman, including Rep. Leonard Lance (R-7), Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2) and Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11), for three recent votes that threaten public health by undermining clean air and allowing more air pollution.

“Everyone should be able to breathe clean air, but this bill puts tens of thousands of lives at risk by blocking the clean-up of deadly air pollution,” said Doug O’Malley, field director for Environment New Jersey. “We want to let New Jersey voters know their Congressman supported out-of-state polluters instead of standing up for New Jersey’s health. New Jerseyans deserve better.”

The size of the online media purchase is described as a significant 5-figure buy and is targeting the state’s largest web-sites – including nj.com – with banners targeting hometown voters in all major newspapers, a homepage takeover of PolitickerNJ, sponsorship of the “Wake Up Call” e-mail newsletter and targeted Google ads. Ads will be running for a week.

The House of Representatives approved the “TRAIN” Act, which would indefinitely delay the clean-up of toxic power plant pollution; another bill (H.R. 2681) that prevents clean air standards that lower mercury and other toxic air pollution from cement plants; and a bill (H.R. 2250) that would prevents standards to reduce toxic pollution from industrial incinerators and boilers at power plants.
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18 October 2011 ~ 4 Comments

Occupy Eric Cantor March

Friday, October 21 · 3:00pm – 6:00pm
City Hall Base Camp to Wharton School of Business
Occupy Philadelphia

Eric Cantor, House GOP Minority Leader is giving a seminar about income inequality at the Wharton School of Business from 4:30-6:30. Occupy Philadelphia, it is up to you to make this your largest march yet!

Gee. Why are Republican pinheads talking about the 99% all of a sudden? It’s so cute when they paint themselves as the protectors of the working class, isn’t it?

The Virginia congressman, the most recent and prominent Republican whipping boy for Democrats, is heading to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania to talk about income disparity and how Republicans believe the government could help fix it, an aide said. The speech will zero in on how Washington could help a “a single working mom…a small business owner…and how we make sure the people at the top stay there,” the aide said.

“He’ll talk about the various socioeconomic classes and how Washington should stop pushing different people down the economic ladder and instead can work together to ensure that all people have the ability move up,” the aide said.

It’s a political and substantive contrast with the Obama administration and congressional Democrats, the aide said. President Barack Obama is pushing for increased taxes on the rich, something Republicans have rejected. And the GOP has recently turned to attacking Democratic policies as pitting the nation’s top earners against the less fortunate — class warfare, they say. The frame of Cantor’s speech will be how the government can help all slices of American life.

But but but… government is the problem, isn’t it? I’m so confused!

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17 October 2011 ~ Comments Off

Do you Occupy?

Find one near you.

By the way? Best protest sign ever.

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17 October 2011 ~ Comments Off

Happy anniversary, Occupy!

Today is the one-month anniversary of Occupy Wall Street, and you know how they’re celebrating? By crowd- sourcing the purchase of sheet cakes from a Queens bakery. (I’m sure they’re being swamped, but if you want to join the celebration, you can contribute $10 (plus tax) or more toward several full-size sheet cakes (feeds 100+, costs $190): 718-417-5700, Catania’s Bakery. Santina is ready to take your orders.)

Since I’ve yet to meet a person in real life who disapproves of OWS, this poll doesn’t surprise me. But I’ll bet it infuriates a lot of politicians!

By a 67 – 23 percent margin, New York City voters agree with the views of the Wall Street protesters and say 87 – 10 percent that it is “okay that they are protesting,” according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Agreeing with the protesters views are Democrats 81 – 11 percent and independent voters 58 – 30 percent, while Republicans disagree 58 – 35 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Even Republicans, however, agree 73 – 23 percent with the protesters right to be there.

New York City voters say 72 – 24 percent, including 52 – 41 percent among Republicans, that if the protesters obey the law, they can stay as long as they wish.

A total of 72 percent of voters say they understand the protesters’ views “very well” or “fairly well,” with 17 percent who say “not too well” and 10 percent who say “not well at all.”

Voters split 46 – 45 percent in their approval of the way police are handling the Wall Street protest, but approve 61 – 33 percent of how the police are doing their job overall.

“It’s a free country. Let them keep on protesting as long as they obey the law, New Yorkers say overwhelmingly,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “Critics complain that no one can figure out what the protesters are protesting. But seven out of 10 New Yorkers say they understand and most agree with the anti-Wall Street views of the protesters.

“For a while, the critics focused on the cops’ use of pepper spray at the protests. Voters are divided on how police are handling the protesters, but they say almost 2-to-1 that police are doing a good job overall.”

Asked who is to blame for the current state of the nation’s economy;
37 percent of New York City voters blame the administration of former President George W. Bush;
21 percent blame Wall Street and financial institutions;
18 percent blame Congress;
11 percent blame President Barack Obama.
New York City voters support 61 – 28 percent an extension of the state’s so-called ‘Millionaire’s Tax.’ Even Republicans support the extension 55 – 38 percent.

Voters also support 73 – 19 percent, including 48 – 40 percent among Republicans, tougher government regulation of banks and Wall Street firms.

“New Yorkers, even Republicans, back the Wall Street protesters on at least two things they’re talking about, a get-tough attitude toward banks and Wall Street and continuation of the state’s ‘Millionaire’s Tax,’” Carroll said.

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17 October 2011 ~ 3 Comments

Rootstrikers

New org devoted to getting corporate money out of politics. Check it out!

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