Commondreams.org Newswire

Dirty Coal Czar Confirmed by Senate

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:08:14 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009

Center for Biological Diversity

The Senate today confirmed controversial nominee Joseph Pizarchik to be director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, the federal agency charged with protecting communities and natural systems from the impacts of coal mining. The Center for Biological Diversity and numerous organizations and communities affected by coal mining had opposed the nomination.

Healthcare and Unemployment

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:33:42 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009

Institute for Public Accuracy (IPA)

BRUCE DIXON
Dixon is managing editor of Black Agenda Report, which is one of the groups organizing the "Black is Back" gathering Saturday in D.C.

REDD Forest Agreement Hits New Low, Missing Basic Elements

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:32:00 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009

Rainforest Action Network (RAN)

Prospects for a robust agreement to reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation in developing countries (REDD) are on a knife-edge as the United Nations climate change negotiations in Barcelona draw to a close today, according to forest and climate experts from the Ecosystems Climate Alliance.

Task Force Honors California Statewide Leaders for Their Contributions to LGBT Equality

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:30:06 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force will honor three California statewide leaders today for their contributions to the struggle for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality. They include California State Controller John Chiang, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California Kathy Kneer and Assemblymember John A. Perez of the 46th district.

Turkey: Bar Entry or Arrest Sudan President

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:28:26 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009

Human Rights Watch (HRW)

Turkey should not allow President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan, an accused war criminal, to attend a conference in Istanbul, and should arrest him if he sets foot in Turkey, Human Rights Watch said today.

Recent news reports indicate that al-Bashir has been invited to a meeting of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, which starts in Istanbul on November 9, 2009, and that he plans to attend. Turkish officials have indicated that they do not intend to arrest al-Bashir should he visit Turkey.

Statement on Fort Hood Tragedy

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:25:09 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009

Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, issued the following statement about the tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas:

"Our deepest sympathies go to the families who lost loved ones or are today visiting them in the hospital. Along with the rest of the country, we wish the Fort Hood community a return to a secure and safe environment.

Fort Hood Shooting

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:19:57 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009

Institute for Public Accuracy (IPA)

DAHR JAMAIL
Jamail is the author of "The Will to Resist: Soldiers Who Refuse to Fight in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He just wrote "Mass Shooting Indicates Breakdown of Military."

AARON GLANTZ

Center for Biological Diversity Statement on Senate Climate Bill

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:01:21 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009

Center for Biological Diversity

Capping a week in which the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee overwhelmingly passed a weak global warming bill with no Republican support, Center for Biological Diversity Executive Director Kierán Suckling issued the following statement:

Obama Issues Endangered Species Performance Review: Has Only Listed One Species in 10 Months

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:15:02 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009

Center for Biological Diversity

The Obama administration today issued its first review of species that are candidates for protection as endangered species, identifying a total of 249 species in need of protection. The review also describes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's progress in listing these species, showing that the administration has, to date, only listed one species - a Hawaiian plant reduced to a handful of individuals.

Africa Action Applauds US Decision to Lift HIV Travel Ban, Calls for Sustained US leadership on Global Health Ahead of Global Fund Board Meeting

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:13:01 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009

Africa Action

Africa Action congratulates President Obama and the administration's leadership in lifting the 22-year-old HIV travel and immigration ban in the U.S. Reducing stigma and discrimination associated with HIV is an integral part in the fight against HIV/AIDS and the promotion of human rights internationally.

Ahead of this weekend's 20th Board Meeting of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, it is vital that the U.S. fulfill its commitment to fight HIV/AIDS and fully fund The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Fort Hood Mass Shooting, Leaving 13 Dead and 28 Injured, Latest Example of Price Paid for Deadly Firepower Available to Americans

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:11:08 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009

Gun Control Groups

Following yesterday's shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, leaving 13 dead and 28 injured, two of America's leading national gun violence prevention organizations Freedom States Alliance and the Violence Policy Center--issued the following joint statement:

"Our sympathies go to all those affected by this terrible tragedy.

National Press Club Newsmakers: Award-Winning Women’s Rights Leaders to Discuss Instability, Injustice in Zimbabwe

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:08:07 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009

RFK Center

Magodonga Mahlangu and Jenni Williams, leaders of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and recipients of the 2009 RFK Human Rights Award, will discuss Zimbabwe's growing instability and social problems at a National Press Club Newsmakers press conference at 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 9, in the Zenger Room, 13th floor, National Press Building, 529 14th St., N.W.

Sanders Bill Would Break Up Banks ‘Too Big to Fail’

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:56:02 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009

US Senator Bernie Sanders

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced legislation that would make the Treasury Department identify and break up financial institutions that are "too big to fail."

Kucinich: Why Is It We Have Finite Resources for Health Care but Unlimited Money for War?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:41:04 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009

Congressman Dennis Kucinich

Following a statement on the Floor of the House of Representative, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today made the following statement:

"Why is it we have finite resources for health care but unlimited money for war?

"The inequities in our economy are piling up: trillions for war, trillions for Wall Street and tens of billions for the insurance companies. Banks and other corporations are sitting on piles of cash of taxpayer's money while firing workers, cutting pay and denying small businesses money to survive.

DR Congo: MSF Vaccination Used as Bait in Unacceptable Attack on Civilians

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:39:55 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009

Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

Last month, seven vaccination sites operated by the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) came under fire during attacks by the Congolese army against the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR) in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Thousands of civilians had gathered at the sites. MSF denounces this clearly unacceptable abuse of humanitarian aid for military purposes.

Uganda: Bill Threatens Progress on HIV/AIDS

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:37:49 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009

Human Rights Watch (HRW)

A proposed Ugandan law on HIV/AIDS promotes dangerous and discredited approaches to the AIDS epidemic and would violate human rights, a group of more than 50 Ugandan and international organizations and individuals said in a report released today. The HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Bill could be taken up by Uganda's parliament shortly.

The report, a 10-page analysis of the bill, was released in Kampala, Uganda, and Geneva, Switzerland at a meeting on HIV treatment sponsored by the World Health Organization.

New Report by UN Expert Panel Details Violations of Arms Embargo and Widespread Human Rights Abuses in Darfur

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:36:09 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009

Human Rights First

Human Rights First urges the Obama Administration to take immediate and firm action in response to a new investigative report issued by experts monitoring the United Nations arms embargo on Sudan. The report, released late yesterday, reveals ongoing and systematic abuses against civilians in Darfur and provides detailed evidence of violations of the embargo and related Security Council resolutions by the Government of Sudan and other belligerents.

Rich Countries Must Step out From US Shadow and Do the Right Thing for World's Poor

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:33:03 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2009

Oxfam International

Oxfam today warned that EU countries must cut themselves loose from the US or risk losing a groundbreaking climate deal that has been two years in the making. The aid agency says a fair and safe deal can be struck in Copenhagen this year, but world leaders cannot wait whilst the US plays catch-up.

100,000 Letters Support Protecting Grand Canyon From Uranium Mining

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:06:43 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2009

Center for Biological Diversity

In a resounding display of public support, tallies released today show that the public sent nearly 100,000 letters and emails to the Bureau of Land Management favoring new uranium-mining protections in the watersheds surrounding Grand Canyon National Park. More than 21,000 of those comments were sent by Center for Biological Diversity members.

Report Exposes Campaign of Racial Attacks From Far Right

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:36:48 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2009

People For the American Way (PFAW)

People For the American Way today released its latest report, "Right Plays the Race Card." The report covers the Right's continued use of racially charged rhetoric to excite its base and attack its opponents. It also explores the calculation that politicians from both parties have made that it is advantageous not to confront racist rhetoric from the far right.

Italian Court Convicts Operatives: What About the Higher-Ups?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:32:45 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2009

Institute for Public Accuracy (IPA)

SCOTT HORTON
Horton is an attorney specializing in international law and human rights. He is also a legal affairs contributor to Harper's Magazine, where he writes the blog No Comment.

CREW Asks for Investigation Into Why Wall Street Is Getting H1N1 Vaccine Ahead of Those Who Most Need It

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:17:11 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2009

CREW

Today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) asked Health and Human Service (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to investigate why the Center for Disease Control (CDC) approved the distribution of the H1NI vaccine to Wall Street firms at a time when the vaccine is unavailable to most Americans.

Recent news reports indicate 13 companies, including Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase and Time Warner, have been cleared to receive the vaccine.

Gulf Coast Communities Praise EPA Plan to Limit PVC Plant Pollution

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:15:19 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2009

Earthjustice

Edgar Mouton, 74, has lived in Mossville, Louisiana for all his life and for most of those years he's lived near a PVC plant. In his community Mr. Mouton said there are unnatural rates of cancer, lung disease and asthma -- which he believes is directly linked to the PVC plant nearby. There's also the stink that smells like rotten eggs, he said.

But thankfully, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to begin regulating the host of toxins released from PVC plants by July 29, 2011.

Proposed Carlsbad Desalination Project to Cost Up to Three Times More Than Claimed

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:13:36 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2009

Food & Water Watch

Water produced at Poseidon Resources proposed desalination facility in Carlsbad, Calif. could cost up to three times more than previously claimed by the company, according to an independent expert analysis released today by Food & Water Watch, a consumer advocacy group. This finding comes as the Metropolitan Water District is poised to decide whether to grant Poseidon $350 million in subsidies for their proposed $534 million, 50 MGD desalination facility in Carlsbad.

EU Says Hopes Are Fading for a Legally Binding Climate Deal in Copenhagen

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:11:42 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2009

Oxfam International

Responding to the announcement by the EU that hopes are fading for a legally binding climate deal in Copenhagen, Antonio Hill, climate advisor for Oxfam International said:

"Today is ground-hog day. We have been here before. Two years ago, rich nations promised to deliver a legally binding climate deal in Copenhagen. Now rich countries have admitted to back pedaling in order to accommodate the US.

Ohio Elections Commission Pursues Frivolous Case Against Consumer Group

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:08:45 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2009

Food & Water Watch

Today, the Ohio Elections Commission acted to deny Food & Water Watch's constitutional right of free speech to discuss the connection between confined animal feeding operations (CAFO) and swine flu. The Commission's panel decided to allow the Ohioans for Livestock Care (OLC) PAC, a front group for the industrialized livestock industry, to pursue it's claim that radio ads about Issue 2 may have contained a false statement.

Forest Protection Still Missing in REDD Negotiations

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:07:31 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2009

Rainforest Action Network (RAN)

The potential of REDD to deliver real reductions in emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and to protect the rights of indigenous peoples in their forest homes hangs in the balance as language protecting forests remains missing from negotiating text for a climate change agreement. In reaction, 20 additional countries, including the Maldives, Ghana, Ethiopia and Sri Lanka have come forward to sign up to the Forest Pledge to protect forest and indigenous rights over the past three days, making a total of 31 nations thus far prepared to make a stand in the REDD negotiations.

Media Advisory: Fannie Mae Adopts Limited Right to Rent Policy

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:39:08 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2009

Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR)

Center for Economic and Policy Research Co - Director Dean Baker issued the following statement on Fannie Mae's Deed to Lease Program:

Statement on Climate Bill Action in Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:28:56 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2009

Friends of the Earth

Friends of the Earth President Erich Pica responded to today's vote to report an energy and climate change bill out of the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee:

"It is extremely disconcerting to hear scientists speak about the level of action needed to prevent radical and dangerous climate destabilization, and then to see how far short even one of the most environmentally friendly committees in Congress has fallen.

Media Availability: Prominent Legal, National Security Experts Say Graham Amendment Delays Justice for Victims of Terrorism

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:26:15 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2009

Constitution Project

A group of prominent legal and national security experts is urging members of the Senate to defeat an effort to block Justice Department funding for the prosecution of suspected 9-11 terrorist within the U.S and is available for interview. Today, Senator Lindsey Graham is expected to propose such an amendment as the Senate considers the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill. The measure could derail any Obama Administration plan to try some Guantanamo detainees - including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed - in U.S. federal courts.