Commondreams.org Newswire

New Resolution Calls on Congress to Lead by Example in Handling Its E-Waste

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:17:56 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2009

Electronics TakeBack Coalition

Representative Mike Thompson yesterday introduced a resolution that calls on Congress to craft a plan to deal with its own e-waste, only using recyclers certified to the new e-Stewards Standard - the highest in the industry.

Statement from NLIHC President Sheila Crowley on HUD’S Rejection of Texas’s Disaster Plan

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:48:01 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2009

NLIHC

The National Low Income Housing Coalition joins housing advocates from Texas in applauding the decision by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to reject the plan submitted by the state of Texas on how the state would use Hurricane Ike disaster recovery funds.

Peace Groups Call Nationwide Phone-In to White House Against Afghanistan Escalation

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:45:35 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2009

National Peace Groups

An ad-hoc coalition of national peace advocacy organizations is calling on people from every corner of the country to inundate the White House on Monday (November 23rd) with phone calls against military escalation in Afghanistan.

Activists Ask President Obama & Secretary Salazar to Stop the Assault on America’s Wild Horses and Burros

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:05:19 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2009

The Cloud Foundation

Sheryl Crow speaks out for the wild horses and burros on America’s public lands in the west. The multi-GRAMMY®-winning singer-songwriter and mustang owner joins The Cloud Foundation, over 130 organizations, scientists, authors and celebrity supporters calling on President Obama, Members of Congress and the Department of Interior to place an immediate moratorium on all wild horse and burro roundups until a long-term and humane policy to manage the animals is developed.

CREW Files Compliant Over "Donation" to US Treasury by Sen. Landrieu's Campaign Committee

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:41:50 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2009

CREW

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint today with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against Sen. Mary Landrieu’s (D-LA) campaign committee, Friends of Mary Landrieu, Inc. The complaint concerns a mysterious $25,300 “donation” to the U.S. Treasury made last year by Sen. Landrieu’s campaign.

Center for Biological Diversity Warns of Lawsuit Over Delay in Mexican Wolf Protection

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:33:21 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2009

Center for Biological Diversity

The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal 60-day notice of intent to sue the U.S.

Alabama School Reverses Decision To Bar Lesbian Student From Attending Prom With Her Girlfriend

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:31:37 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2009

ACLU

The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded Franklin County School System officials for reversing their decision barring a lesbian student from attending the school prom with her girlfriend.

The School System's about-face, permitting 17-year-old Tharptown High School junior Cynthia Stewart to bring her girlfriend to the upcoming March 25 prom, came after the ACLU sent a letter to the school on November 10 demanding that their initial decision be reversed.

Projections of Savings from Health IT are Baseless, Harvard Researchers Say

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:59:10 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2009

Physicians For National Health Program (PNHP)

The increased computerization in U.S. hospitals hasn't made them cheaper or more efficient, Harvard researchers say, although it may have modestly improved the quality of care for heart attacks.

The findings, published in today's [Friday's] online edition of The American Journal of Medicine, contradict claims by President Obama and many lawmakers that health information technology (health IT), including electronic medical records, will save billions and help make reform affordable.

Free Press Urges New York City Council to Support Open Internet

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:12:32 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2009

Free Press

Testifying before the New York City Council today, Free Press delivered signatures from more than 4,000 New Yorkers calling for strong open Internet rules. The City Council is considering a resolution (712A-2007) urging the federal government to protect Net Neutrality.

POGO's Request for Transparency to Revolving Door Database Denied

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:50:46 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2009

POGO

Earlier this year, POGO urged the Obama administration to make a legislatively-mandated DoD revolving door database public. We also submitted a public comment urging government officials to do the same. Yesterday, DoD finalized that rule, but denied POGO’s request for public access.
In their explanation, DoD seemed to pass the buck over to over to Congress:

US PIRG Applauds Passage of Amendment to Audit the Federal Reserve

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:47:47 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2009

US PIRG

The House Financial Services Committee voted on Thursday to pass, by a vote of 43 – 26, historic legislation that would open up the books of the Federal Reserve, an institution known for its secrecy. The Paul-Grayson amendment to the Financial Stability Improvement Act of 2009 (H.R. 3996) calls for an in-depth audit of the Federal Reserve.

Mass Mobilization to Shut Down the School of the Americas

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:56:23 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2009

School of the Americas Watch

The military coup led by SOA graduates in Honduras has once again exposed the destabilizing and deadly effects that the School of the Americas (SOA/ WHINSEC) has on Latin America. Torture survivors and human rights activists from across the Americas, including Bertha Oliva, the founder of the Committee of the Family Members of the Disappeared (COFADEH) from Honduras and human rights defenders from Colombia will travel to Fort Benning, Georgia to participate in the mobilization.

Witness Against Torture Responds to Obama’s Statement that Guantanamo Will Not Close by January 2010

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:33:32 -0500