The Spirit of SL

In 2008 the Bush administration leased 2.7 million acres of prime polar bear habitat in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska to oil companies. The Center and our allies won a huge victory in 2009 that forced the Obama administration to throw out the nationwide drilling plan under which these controversial Chukchi leases were sold. Now, despite intense opposition to Chukchi drilling and the illegality of the underlying plan, Obama has proposed to let exploratory drilling move forward in the Chukchi Sea this summer.

Besides its obvious implications for our worsening addiction to dirty fossil fuels, drilling in the Arctic poses even more direct threats to biodiversity. It has been proven time and again that where there is drilling, there will be spills. There is no technology to clean oil spills in the treacherous, icy waters of the Arctic Ocean. One big spill in the Chukchi Sea could spell disaster for polar bears, walrus, seals, and the entire ecosystem on which they depend. Even in the absence of a large spill, Obama’s drilling plan will lead to a huge increase of industrial traffic, pollution, and noise in the Arctic Ocean this summer. For a tired, hungry polar bear on the brink, a run-in with a noisy drill ship could be the last straw.

Shell Oil’s drill ship and its armada of support vessels are preparing to invade the Chukchi Sea this summer unless we do something to stop them. Please tell President Obama the Arctic is too precious to destroy with drilling.

SIGN PETITION

At least 1 out of every 3 women in the world will be beaten, raped, or abused in a violent manner in her lifetime. In some countries, this statistic is as high as 7 out of 10 women.

We cannot continue to stand by while women are violated because other nations accept violence as a cultural custom or tradition.

Violence against women is a human rights issue.

On February 4, the International Violence Against Women Act was reintroduced by the Senate as a piece of legislation that would make ending violence against women a priority in the United States’ foreign policy objectives. The bill proposes a five-year action plan to enhance prevention, emergency, and humanitarian relief programs.

As of this post:
goal: 10,000*5,544 signatures

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Animal dealing is an inherently flawed and inhumane practice—one that far too many dogs and cats find themselves involved in each year. Licensed through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Class B dealers collect animals from various sources, such as pounds, auctions, and even from off the street, and sell them to research institutions. Sometimes, these animals are domesticated—taken despite the fact they have homes and owners. A 1993 study done by the American Physiological Society reported that about 40% of animals sold by Class B dealers previously belonged to legitimate homes.

On the whole, the treatment animals receive while in the care of a Class B dealer is mediocre at best. Research has revealed that animals in the care of Class B dealers are often malnourished, beaten, and even killed. In some cases, animals don’t even survive long enough to be sold to a prospective laboratory.

Though Class B dealers are licensed under the USDA, the certification itself does not necessarily indicate the dealers are genuine in their intentions or are qualified to care for an animal. The standards for dealers as laid out by the USDA are not lengthy and the process to obtain a license is less than rigorous. In fact, many Class B dealers who continuously violate the Animal Welfare Act do not even receive penalties.

It used to be widely-accepted that Class B dealers were necessary to fulfill the demand for research animals. However, the inhumane and spurious nature of Class B dealing has corroded its credibility. In addition, growing pressure from animal rights groups has made the practice of using animals for research more obsolete than ever before. The fact is the need for Class B dealers is dying out.

However, we still need your help to ensure the buying and selling of animals for research by Class B dealers is eradicated completely.

As of this posting:
Goal: 20,000 • Progress: 18,137

SIGN PETITION

A recently introduced congressional bill would eliminate the phrase MENTALLY RETARDED from federal, an imitative INSPIRED BY 8-YEAR OLD ROSA MARECLLINO. Rosa who lives with her family in Maryland has DOWN SYNDROME was labeled as “mentally retarded by her school according to an ABC News report.

After hearing the family’s story, US Senator Barbara Mikulski introduced ROSA’S LAW, Senate bill 2781 which would change variations of the negative phrase to “intellectual disability” in federal terminology.

The Arc of Indiana is supporting the bill. THE ONLY “R” WORD SHOULD BE USED WITH ANY HUMAN BEING IS “RESPECT”, said Kim Dodson, associate executive director for The Arc of IN. “We need to be doing more to showcase the positive community involvement of people with disabilities and not continue to degrade people with the use of antiquated terminology that is hurtful”.

“My sister might be one of the smartest kids I’ve ever met, and that the truth!” Nick told legislators, according to the ABC News report.

At the time of this printing (March 2010 on target), Rosa’s Law had been read twice in the Senate and had been referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

If an 8 year old girl can inspire changes in federal law why can WE not do it. Just because we are labeled “disabled” does not mean we are not able to do something to change the way the world looks upon us. Lift up your praise and join in to tell Washington that we will not stand by their labels or discrimination any more!!! If you cannot speak find some other means to do it. JUST DO IT!!!

Urge Your Representative and Senators to Co-Sponsor the PAW Act

So far, more than 1,000 wolves have been chased down by gunmen in low-flying aircraft and killed with high-powered rifles. This year alone, more than 250 wolves have been killed — making the 2008/2009 aerial wolf killing season one of the deadliest in years.

Congressman George Miller and Senator Dianne Feinstein have introduced the Protect America’s Wildlife (PAW) Act, federal legislation to end the controversial practice of using aircraft and gunmen to chase and kill wolves in Alaska. Will you urge your representative and senators to help get the PAW Act passed into law?

Are your representative and senators already PAW Act cosponsors? Find out here…

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In The Cove, a team of activists and filmmakers infiltrate a heavily-guarded cove in Taiji, Japan. In this remote village they witness and document activities deliberately being hidden from the public: More than 20,000 dolphins and porpoises are being slaughtered each year and their meat, containing toxic levels of mercury, is being sold as food in Japan, often times labeled as whale meat.

The majority of the world is not aware this is happening. The Taiji cove is blocked off from the public. Cameras are not allowed inside and the media does not cover the story. It’s critical that we get the word out in Japan. Once the Japanese people know we believe they will demand change.

Send a letter to President Obama, Vice President Biden and Japanese Ambassador to the United States Ichiro Fujisaki urging them to address this issue. Everyone who signs the letter will be able to have their name displayed in a widget that will be posted on top social networks, web sites and blogs in Japan. The widget will link to actions people there can take to make a difference.

deadline: Ongoing…
goal: 250,000
Now: 114,432

Sponsored by The Coveand Save the Dolophins

SIGN PETITION

Politicians, Save trees for future generation without helping to destroy trees & rain forests. Please think even your grand children. How can they live without- water, better climate, foods, fresh air.

So please let us all join to stop this global destruction. Help to ban- timber business, deforestation development projects, timber imports , timber exports, logging, financing deforestation development projects.

Politicians, how much have you earned money from supporting this global destruction without thinking your future generation. So save trees for future generation & stop the global destruction.

SPONSORED BY LIVING CLIMATE

SIGN PEETITION

Related Petition
Sponsored by: Teen Strike

Thanks to online registries, we have the knowledge to keep our kids safe from registered sex offenders. But what about our beloved pets? California may have the answer.

State Senate majority leader Dean Florez proposed a bill that would require anyone convicted of a felony involving animal cruelty to register with the police for a public online forum, similar to sex offenders.

This registry would help identify people with a history of animal abuse, as well as serve as an early warning for future crimes, since people guilty of violent crimes often have a history of animal abuse. An online registry would also be useful for tracking these abusers, since many move to another jurisdiction or state after they are caught. People who are involved in puppy mills, animal fighting rings, and hoarders of animals (which leads to neglect) could also be tracked more easily with an online registry.

An online registry of animal abusers would significantly benefit communities and law enforcement. Violence is violence, and abuse is abuse. Tell Governor Schwarzenegger to support the bill for an animal abuse registry.

deadline: Ongoing…
goal: 10,000

2,524
signatures!

PETITION

A measure to give some 57 million elderly people, veterans and persons with disabilities a $250 check was rejected by the Senate on Wednesday, a setback for the powerful seniors’ lobby.

President Barack Obama has called for Congress to approve the payments to make up for their benefits not increasing this year, but the Senate defeated it 50 to 47.

The payments would have added $13 billion to a $108 billion job-creation package pending in the Senate.

Congress approved payments last year as part of the $862 billion stimulus package.

Social Security payments for the elderly and disabled will stay flat this year for the first time since 1975 because they are tied to consumer prices, which decreased amid the worst economic recession in 70 years.

That follows a year in which payments rose by 5.8 percent, largely due to a spike in gasoline prices.

“It is wrong to turn our backs on seniors in this moment of economic difficulty,” said Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, who sponsored the amendment.

But Republican Senator Judd Gregg pointed out that the bill would defeat the purpose of indexing Social Security payments to inflation.

“The law says it shouldn’t be given,” Gregg said.

At least 10 Democrats agreed with Gregg and joined 40 Republicans to defeat the proposal.

(Reporting by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Xavier Briand)

YAHOO NEWS

What in the world are you talking about? Of course the abuser goes to prison. He is the one who did something wrong not the victim.

Unfortunately that is not true. If you ask many victims and the domestic violence advocates they will give you a different story. How do I know? I am a survivor of domestic violence, literally. From what I was told, my abuser threw me out of our car. I was rushed to the hospital where they did not think I would live.

OH NO!!! You said WHAT? Now there is no way you can tell me that your abuser did not go to jail.

Well I am here to say he did not. I did get my divorce so in legal terms I am a former victim. In reality I will live with being a victim for the rest of my life.

The judge did order all kinds of legal orders against him. He has been ordered to pay me $700+ a month. He was to get jail time and other nice sounding legal orders.

I have some nice papers you can hang on the wall or start a fire with. Nothing has been done and nothing will be done. Now do not get me wrong, the law enforcement is taking positive steps but they are far from aiding the victim. Law enforcement has done nothing and that was in 1993.

My abuser for all I know is still out there; maybe even abusing someone else. Nothing was done to him. He did not lose anything. I lost everything. I am now an individual with a disability and I am unable to work.

Before that I was a LPN supervisor who loved her work. I was a productive member of society. I had a real home that I was paying for. I was able to drive and transport myself. I could enjoy just going out with friends and being completely independent.

Now I sit in a room of an assistive living establishment where my movements are being controlled. I have very little choices and very little freedom. I have to use an electric w/c where before I would sprint to different areas of a building like Superman to get to an emergency situation.

I also live with epilepsy directly from the injury or more commonly known as Traumatic Brain Injury. I have to live on meds to control my seizures for the rest of my life. I also have implanted the Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) to help cut down on the amount and intensity of my seizures.

I am the one that lost everything and in a prison of no escape. I lost my dignity, my work, my abilities and my wonderful looking future. Yes it sounds awful doesn’t it?

I feel so sorry for you. Wish there was some way I could help?

You can! EDUCATE YOURSELF ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. Just stand up for the victims and let others know that we will not tolerate the inadequacies of the legal system. If you give out an order follow up and do something THEN. Do not let them slip away only to abuse again.