It’s always enjoyable (and all too rare!) to share good news, and I’m pleased that there’s some to share on this, the last Friday in April: The Ontario government under newly elected premier Kathleen Wynne announced on Wednesday that it will be partnering with the government of Manitoba and the
Continue readingTag: President Obama
Cowichan Conversations: President Hugo Chávez Dies-The Vultures are Circling
Richard Hughes-Political Blogger Democratic Socialist Hugo Chavez delivered democracy, human rights and reduced poverty for his citizens. He dared to stand up to the Americans and allied with Cuba. US President Jimmy Carter monitored Venezuelan elections and described them as the most fair in South America and yet US and
Continue readingAlex's Blog: The Trouble With Austerity: Economics as Ideology
A somewhat abridged version of this post first appeared in The Toronto Star here Governments here and elsewhere are increasingly preoccupied with cutting even as evidence piles up of its harmful consequences on people and the economy. Austerity is not even delivering the balanced budgets its advocates promise. Even the
Continue readingAlex's Blog: The Trouble With Austerity: Economics as Ideology
A somewhat abridged version of this post first appeared in The Toronto Star here Governments here and elsewhere are increasingly preoccupied with cutting even as evidence piles up of its harmful consequences on people and the economy. Austerity is not even delivering the balanced budgets its advocates promise. Even the
Continue reading350 or bust: Take Time To Renew Your Spirit
We act not because it’s easy, but because it’s right. Thousands of people are gathering in Washington DC today to send a message to President Obama that clean air, clean water, and a stable climate are not negotiable – the Keystone XL Pipeline must not be approved. *
Continue reading350 or bust: President Obama’s SOTU Sends Message To Canada: Act On Climate Change Or Get Left Behind
The times, they are a-changin’! Not only did President Obama speak clearly about the need to act on climate change in his State of the Union address earlier this week, yesterday on CBC Radio’s flagship supper-hour news show, As It Happens, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Jacobsen was interviewed
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Keystone XL pipeline: Leaders in historical act of civil disobedience in front of White House
48 environmental, civil rights, and community leaders engage in historic act of civil disobedience to stop Keystone XL pipeline. Julian Bond, Bill McKibben, Michael Brune, and others arrested in front of White House in call for action on climate. By Sierra Club | Feb. 13, 2013: WASHINGTON, D.C. – This morning, 48 environmental,
Continue reading350 or bust: How Republicans (& Canadian Conservatives) Can Answer Obama’s Challenge To ‘Reduce The Threat Of Climate Change’
Today’s blog post is courtesy of Citizens Climate Lobby: In his State of the Union address, the President said, ‘If Congress won’t act soon to protect future generations [from climate change], I will.’ Republicans who wish to avoid more regulations should embrace the free-market approach of a revenue-neutral tax on
Continue reading350 or bust: Mr. President, Please Don’t Overlook Climate Change
A message from an Oklahoma farmer for President Barack Obama, as he prepares to deliver his State of the Union address tonight:
Continue reading350 or bust: Dramatic Increase In Arctic Methane Release Requires Dramatic Increase In Political Will To Address Climate Crisis
* All eyes in the climate change community are going to be on President Obama tonight as he delivers his State of the Union address, which outlines his administration’s vision for the next four years. The clip below, from AP, discusses the urgent need for Obama to address climate change
Continue readingbastard.logic: Unpacking the Ramifications of Obama’s Targeted Killing Memo
Rosa Brooks unpacks the Obama JD’s targeted killing memo: “Like many legal documents, this one does fine on its own terms, but looks a lot less satisfying when taken out of its hermetically sealed legal universe.” Related: John Fugelsang talks with Harper’s Scott Horton and Medea Benjamin of CODEPINK about
Continue readingbastard.logic: White House Press Secretary Jay Carney On Targeted Killing: Lethal Strikes On U.S. Citizens ‘Legal,’ ‘Ethical,’ And ‘Wise’
Words fail (h/t): A friendly reminder from TAFKAdnA: The Obama administration claims that the secret judgment of a single ”well-informed high level administration official” meets the demands of due process and is sufficient justification to kill an American citizen suspected of working with terrorists. That procedure is entirely secret. Thus it’s impossible to know which rules the administration
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Deal Made On Fiscal Cliff, Maybe!
Richard Hughes-Political Blogger After months of entrenched Republican intransigence and unwillingness to actually, ahem tax the rich, a deal is in the works that could avert millions being denied unemployment benefits and tax increases for the middle class especially. Tentative Deal Is Reached to
Continue reading350 or bust: Obama Belatedly Calls For A National Conversation on Climate Action
In a rather lukewarm* way, at his post-election press conference today, President Obama responds to reporters questions about Hurricane Sandy and the need to take action on climate change. His lack of passion and commitment on this issue is disappointi…
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Mitt Romney Looked Like A Liar In Presidential Debate
Richard Hughes Political Blogger They say that pictures don’t lie. Well Mitt Romney you looked liked a liar in the debates. That is of course because he is a liar. Flip flopping around on environmental, social and economic issues Romney looked ill at ease. Lying does that. When Romney was pontificating about his
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: President Obama Battered and Bruised From Last Nights Debate
Richard Hughes-Political Blogger The question that dominated from last nights Presidential Debate was what happened to Obama? He was flat, lacked focus, energy and hunger. As far as the bumbling foot in mouth prone challenger Governor Mitt Romney his metamorpheus was surprising. He was focused, forceful and won the debate
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Do What I Say, Not What I Do
For a country that seems to have a messianic zeal for exporting its freedom and democracy to other countries, the United States doesn’t seem to care too much for those values domestically. Recommend this Post
Continue reading350 or bust: President Obama Says The “C” Word
* Every climate activist I know is disappointed in Barrack Obama’s lack of action on climate change during his nearly 4 years in office, but – after being mocked by Mitt Romney for his big promises to act on this issue – President Obama did finally mention climate change on
Continue readingThe Equivocator: President Obama Evolves on Marriage-Equality. Thankfully, Nobody Pressed “B.”
Mitt Romney reacts–if you wonder why he doesn’t try and slam President Obama for changing his position, it’s probably because he doesn’t believe in evolution and he would lose any “flip flopping” debate. Someone needs to re-mix President Obama’s statement on marriage-equality like Will.I.Am did in 2008. Maybe Stephen Sondheim
Continue readingDeSmogBlog: The Guardian Exposes Fossil Funded Groups Coordinating Renewable Energy Attacks
shutterstock_90778001.jpg Ever wonder why a blooming green energy industry has faced such harsh opposition? Now, as the old adage goes, "the cat's out of the bag." The Guardian today revealed the network of fossil-funded groups coordinating the ongoing onslaught of attacks on renewable energy, particularly wind power. A memorandum passed to The Guardian from
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