Greenpeace

Today's shout out goes to Greenpeace's Deputy Communications Director, Ms. Carol Gregory.  Carol gets today's shout out (well, she should really get every day's shout out) for having Greenpeace's back today in the face of clear and present danger.  Carol quote of the day: "You know what they need to be doing, oh, let me tell you."

From the Associated Press:

 "Vice President Dick Cheney's former top aide told prosecutors President Bush authorized the leak of sensitive intelligence information about Iraq, according to court papers filed by prosecutors in the CIA leak case. Before his indictment, I. Lewis Libby testified to the grand jury investigating the CIA leak that Cheney told him to pass on information and that it was Bush who authorized the disclosure, the court papers say. According to the documents, the authorization led to the July 8, 2003, conversation between Libby and New York Times reporter Judith Miller."

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God, these guys are the embodiment of family values and courage.  Thank God they're leading us all (wait?  where are they leading us anyway?  and why are we in this handbasket?) 

 

 

 

Some people think that Sting saved the rainforests of Brazil sometime in the early 1990s, through appearances on PrimeTime Live or a Police reunion concert.  Well, that's a big fat no.  Police hasn't reunited.

No, actually, it's the rainforest that hasn't been saved either.  The trees are still being cut down, the indigenous people down there are still being pushed off their land, and logger-barons are reaping the benefits as people all over the world fawn over shiny dark woods from South America or others demand cheap plywood.  Sure, plywood sheets and mahogany armoires have a pretty big price difference, but either way, the Amazon is the loser here. 

Our hard-working folks in the Amazon have been monitoring everything going on down in Brazil, and they've followed the latest Amazon crime- soy production.  ADM, Bunge, and Cargill are all linked to slavery, deforestation and other no-nos down south.  Don't worry, campers, we exposed those jerks and we're going to keep on pressuring them until they stop ruining everything.  Soy that these radical extremists are cultivating down in Brazil has been traced from Brazil to an illegal port in Santarem, where it then flows over to Europe, where believe it or not, it ends up on fast food menus over there.  Aren't you glad you're in the good ol' US of A, and don't have to worry about all this?  Well, think again, because these Brazilian freedom-hating corporations are based right here, no doubt getting tax breaks and kickbacks, and laughing all the way to their bank.

We've been furiously trying to get this into the news cycle today-- apparently Katie Couric's new job is much more important than the Amazon.  FYI.

Today's shout-out goes to Maureen, Greenpeace's Web Guru, who nearly moved mountains to launch this blog.  She's also to be credited with the title of this blog, "Hottie off the Presses."  But, she's engaged.  Here's what Maureen looks like.  She's an angel.

Today was another exciting day in the Greenpeace media shop.  In addition to getting ready for some great upcoming activities, today was our Student Day of Action against Kimberly-Clark.  If you’re not familiar with the name Kimberly-Clark, don’t be worried—they’re one of those giant behemoth corporations that own more companies than you can shake a stick at.  Let me break it down for you: they own Kleenex.  And Scott.  And Cottonelle.  And Viva.  Yup, that’s a lot of paper.  And you know what a lot of paper means: a whole lot of trees.  

So, 130 campuses today erupted in protest—where the 17 to twenty-something set urged their campuses (and well, just about anyone walking by) to stop using Kimberly-Clark products, because they have decided not to use recycled paper products.  Yes, hard to believe that a PAPER company refuses to use recycled products, and even harder to believe that the people behind Kleenex refuse.  So, hopefully our campus wave of protest will get the message to Kimberly-Clark: don’t blow it.  Go recycled and stop cutting down trees.

I occasionally talk with the well-seasoned journalist worth their salt who wants to know where the nexus point is between environmental activists and groups like Greenpeace really lies, and if we actually have sound data behind our work.  Well, today was their lucky day!  We’ve commissioned a new poll (with our ‘not as crazy as us’ colleagues at the National Resources Defense Council) showing many things.

DID YOU KNOW???

that a whopping 75 percent of U.S. consumers are interested in buying products that are “environmentally friendly.”

• 73% of Americans are opposed to the cutting down of ancient forests to manufacture tissue products
• 77% of Americans, and 86% of Canadians say that they would switch to tissue products made with recycled paper.
• Two-thirds of Americans are willing to pay at least 5% more for recycled tissue. 

The numbers for the Canadian public are higher.  Our neighbors to the north are more eco-conscious, most likely because their society does not glorify over-consumption and greed.  And, well, their elected leaders’ advice after national tragedy is not to go shopping.  First the legalization of marijuana.  Then marriage equality for same-sex couples.  Now a demand for recycled paper products.  What next?  Universal healthcare?  Oh, wait.  

Others find it curious that groups like Greenpeace run campaigns against large companies.  Apparently, some people think that we reap huge fundraising fortunes from going after the corporate giants like ExxonMobil and Kimberly-Clark.  Well, let me be the first to tell you folks out there: it’s not the case.  These companies are hard to fight.  Their bottom-line is well, the bottom-line, and ours is to save the planet (while coming up with witty blogs, of course).

So, boys and girls, the phrase of the day is “THE RIGHT THING.”  It’s what Kimberly-Clark should do.  Call them for yourself and remind them: 1-800-544-1847.  Do it.  Make a stink, because this company’s policy on recycled paper blows.

April 3, 2006

Today’s Washington, D.C. forecast:  High of 68, mostly sunny.  Chance of late afternoon thunderstorms.  Tomorrow’s Washington, D.C. forecast: Chance of apathy, incompetence, and hot air: 100%

Spring has sprung in our nation’s capital.  The sun is shining, the breeze is warm, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and the metro escalators are congested with tourists standing on the left hand side (when are the signs going up?).  Spring is one of the most wonderful times of year here on the banks of the Potomac— a brief rest before the swampy, miserable summers.  

Our members of Congress have many luxuries during their tenure here in the District.  I’m of the opinion that they don’t have to be here at all during the month of August is one of the best perks ever. They have what I’m told is semi-decent and reasonably priced cafeteria food, large staffs, and can reap the benefits of lobbying.  But, it seems that one of the other luxuries they have is being able to completely ignore the realities of global warming, and refuse to take action.  Yes, we all heard our fearless leader George W. Bush rail against the dangers of our dependence on foreign oil during his (Mis)State of the Union address, but apparently Congress wasn’t listening.  Yes, almost three months after the most important speech of the year in this town, the Senate has finally decided to address global warming.  

What’s their plan, you ask?  Are they going to force car-makers to reduce emissions?  Are they going to force the energy industry to invest in renewable energy sources?  Are they going to start pumping federal funds into research into new energy technologies?  Are they going to start encouraging fuel recycling, conservation, emissions reductions, or cleaner vehicles?  Actually, none of the above.  The Senate, bright and early tomorrow, will discuss “cap and trade” emissions rules.  As thousands die every year thanks to asthma caused by dirty and polluted air, as our fossil and foolish fuel needs fuel global wars against sensible policies, our munificent leaders have gone and thrown a good chance at actually making change out the biggest and widest window of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, and instead trying to find a way to keep their corporate donors happy while keeping the environmental groups at bay.

So, yes, spring has arrived here in the District of Columbia, but it looks like the energy industry’s answer to global warming is going to be a nuclear winter.  Even though there’s no safe dose of radiation, even though it’s an energy source that terrorists would just LOVE to use against us, major nuclear power providers are expected to testify tomorrow.  Of course, it’s a pretty good deal for them, as nuclear power is very low on emissions.  Of course, who needs emissions if you’ve got plutonium with a hazardous life that measures in the ballpark of 240,000 years?  The good news is that the Senate won’t be holding them accountable tomorrow morning either.

A “Republicans catering to their special interests” kind of affair?  Perhaps.  
A “democrats proving once and for all that they are spineless wimps” showcase?  Definitely.

I’ve been working in the environmental and progressive movement for just about five years now here in Washington, and well, I’ll be honest: the Democrats haven’t stopped the assault on our environment or the laws that protect it.  They say they’re pro-environment, but they’re not demanding action.  They say they want renewable energy, but not bad enough to pass a law demanding it.  They say they love the forests, but they can’t keep roads from being built in our national forests.  They want a decent energy plan almost as badly as they want a seat on the Appropriations Committee.

So, remember folks, the next time you think of really, really bad people who don’t care about anyone but themselves, don’t just think about oil executives.  Or Republicans.  Remember those slimy Democrats too.  Go ahead, get in touch with your member of Congress, because I live in our nation’s capital, and am still forced to live in a system of taxation without representation, and have no member in Congress who cares about me.  Guess that’s one thing I have in common with our planet’s climate.