AFL-CIO Announces Major New Push to Expose John McCain's Economic Record
By admin - Posted on May 9th, 2008
"McCain Revealed" Grassroots Campaign Kicks Into High Gear with Nationwide Door-to-Door Canvass to 200,000 Union Members and Families Health Care Top Issue
May 08, 2008 -- The AFL-CIO today announced plans for a major new push to expose Sen. John McCain's economic record and disastrous health care proposals, which includes a massive door-to-door canvass to 200,000 union swing voters in 22 battleground states over the next two weekends.
John McCain: Photo by VictoryNH (CC) » read more »
Don’t Be Fooled by Nuclear Industry Shill; Environmentalists Are Not Backing New Reactors
By admin - Posted on May 9th, 2008
Nuclear Power Plant Proposed for Victoria Puts Region at Risk
May 8, 2008 -- AUSTIN, Texas – While an environmental consultant brought to Victoria to tout nuclear energy is quick to claim that a new reactor proposed for the area would be “clean and safe,” he is less likely to discuss today at a private gathering of business and community leaders his ties to the industry, which is sponsoring his speaking tour.
Nuclear plant: Photo by Gabriel (CC) » read more »
Democratic Senators Unveil Consumer-First Energy Act of 2008
By admin - Posted on May 9th, 2008
05/08/2008 -- Washington, DC — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senators Jeff Bingaman, Max Baucus, Charles Schumer, Byron Dorgan, Maria Cantwell and Bernie Sanders held a press conference today to unveil the Consumer-First Energy Act of 2008, a bill that addresses the root causes of high gas prices.
Gas prices: Photo by Todd Lappin (CC)
Seven years of the Bush Administration’s disastrous energy policies have enriched Big Oil and market speculators at the expense of American consumers. Democrats are committed to providing relief to consumers and strengthening our economic, energy and national security. » read more »
Barack Obama Joins Kerry Resolution on Humanitarian Aid for Burma
By admin - Posted on May 9th, 2008
After Devastation of Cyclone, Resolution Asks that Roadblocks to Aid be Lifted, Evaluation of Aid Strategy
May 8, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate has passed a resolution introduced by Senator John Kerry and a bipartisan group of 19 Senators urging humanitarian aid to the Burmese people following the devastation of the cyclone and accompanying tidal wave.
Cyclone Nargis, Burma: Photo by Mohd Nor Azmil Abdul Rahman (CC) » read more »
U.S. Congressman and Superdelegate Brad Miller Endorses Barack Obama
By admin - Posted on May 9th, 2008
May 08, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - Today, United States Congressman Brad Miller (D-NC) endorsed Barack Obama, citing his commitment to fighting for policies that honor America's working families and his leadership taking on the subprime mortgage crisis.
Barack Obama and Obama supporters at a rally in North Carolina: Photo by Kevin Tsui (CC)
Miller is a superdelegate from North Carolina. His endorsement brings the total number of superdelegates to endorse Obama to 263. Senator Barack Obama is 168 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination. » read more »
DNC Calls on John McCain Campaign to Release Cindy McCain's Tax Returns
By admin - Posted on May 9th, 2008
May 8, 2008 -- On the Today Show this morning, Cindy McCain defended the McCain campaign's decision to withhold her tax returns, saying they would never make her tax returns public--not even if she becomes First Lady. [See it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXDV2kZX_MU]
John and Cindy McCain: Photo by Chris Dunn (CC)
Despite the accountability Americans expect from their elected officials and McCain's own calls for openness and transparency in government, John McCain has only released two years of his tax returns. No nominee from either party since Ronald Reagan in 1980 has disclosed that little information. » read more »
John McCain Myth Buster: John McCain and the Republican Party
By admin - Posted on May 9th, 2008
May 8, 2008 -- On the campaign trail John McCain likes to call himself a maverick Republican who bucks the Party line whenever possible. But the fact is, McCain is far from a moderate. In the same week that we found out that McCain has never voted against a Republican judicial nominee during his entire time in the Senate, the Arizona Republic reported that he rarely bucks his party on close votes.
John McCain: Photo by Talk Radio News Service (CC) » read more »
Chrysler Gas Gimmick Keeps Consumers Addicted to Oil, Science Group Says
By admin - Posted on May 9th, 2008
Statement by David Friedman, Union of Concerned Scientists
WASHINGTON (May 7, 2008) - Chrysler announced yesterday that it will cover gasoline costs above $2.99 a gallon for customers who buy or lease a new vehicle from the company. The offer is limited to the first three years customers use their cars and covers up to 12,000 miles per year.
According the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), Chrysler is trying to fool consumers into overlooking its vehicles' poor fuel economy and environmental performance. The savings the Chrysler program offers, the organization says, don't measure up to the savings one would get from purchasing a fuel-efficient vehicle.
Below is a statement by David Friedman, research director for UCS's Clean Vehicles Program: » read more »
This Week in Petroleum - May 7, 2008
By admin - Posted on May 9th, 2008
Spring and the Summer-Grade Gasoline Price Bump
For many, the sight of a bird’s eggs hatching or tulips blooming signifies the arrival of spring. Historically, spring is also the time for rising gasoline prices. Over the last 10 years, the monthly average retail price for regular-grade gasoline has increased by an average 7 cents a gallon from April to May. In EIA’s latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, the average gasoline wholesale price for May is projected to increase by 10 cents per gallon from last month. » read more »
DoD Identifies Four Marine Casualties: Casey L. Casanova, Miguel A. Guzman, James F. Kimple and Glen E. Martinez
By admin - Posted on May 9th, 2008
May 08, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of four Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Casey L. Casanova, 22, of McComb, Mississippi.
Cpl. Miguel A. Guzman, 21, of Norwalk, California.
Lance Cpl. James F. Kimple, 21, of Carroll, Ohio
Sgt. Glen E. Martinez, 31, of Boulder, Colorado.
All four Marines died May 2 in Al Anbar province, Iraq, supporting combat operations.
They were assigned to the Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Source: DOD
DoD Identifies Two Army Casualties: Jeremy R. Gullett, 22, and Kevin C. Roberts, 25
By admin - Posted on May 9th, 2008
May 08, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
They died May 7 in the Sabari District, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
Killed were:
Spc. Jeremy R. Gullett, 22, of Greenup, Kentucky, who was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Staff Sgt. Kevin C. Roberts, 25, of Farmington, New Mexico, who was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. » read more »
Defense Dept. Contracts for May 08, 2008: $50 Million to Northrop Grumman, $20 Million to Lockheed Martin
By admin - Posted on May 9th, 2008
CONTRACTS
AIR FORCE
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems of Clearfield, Utah, is being awarded a modified firm fixed prices contract for $50,130,567. This contract action will provide a procurement of 280 ICBM Security Modernization Program (ISMP) launch facility secondary door or Fast B-plug element. At this time $50,130,567 has been obligated. Hill AFB, Utah, is the contracting activity (F42610-98-C-0001).
NAVY » read more »
Senator Baucus: Congress Reaches Deal On Farm Bill
By admin - Posted on May 9th, 2008
Montana's Senior Senator At Negotiating Table, Says New Bill Win For Producers
May 8, 2008 -- (Washington, D.C.) – At a press conference on Capitol Hill today, Farm Bill negotiators announced a new Farm Bill deal has been reached. Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus, highlighted that there are many good provisions for Montana in the bill including a permanent disaster assistance fund. » read more »
Conyers and Lofgren Introduce Net Neutrality Legislation to Protect the Internet from Anticompetitive Practices
By admin - Posted on May 9th, 2008
May 8, 2008 -- (Washington, DC) - Today House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) introduced H.R. 5994, the "Internet Freedom and Nondiscrimination Act of 2008," to establish an antitrust remedy for anticompetitive and discriminatory practices by broadband service providers.
The legislation requires internet service providers (ISPs) to interconnect with the facilities of other network providers on a reasonable and nondiscriminatory basis. It also requires them to operate their network in a reasonable and nondiscriminatory manner so that all content, applications and services are treated the same and have an equal opportunity to reach consumers. » read more »
Senators Levin and Voinovich Introduce Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2008
By admin - Posted on May 9th, 2008
May 8, 2008 -- WASHINGTON – Senator Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Senator George Voinovich, R-Ohio, co-chairmen of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, today introduced the bipartisan Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2008 to expand on legislation passed six years ago. The bill aims to clean up contaminated expanses in the Great Lakes known as “Areas of Concern” within 10 years.
Lake Michigan breakwater: Photo by Tom (CC) » read more »
Senators Levin and Feinstein Introduce Oil Trading Transparency Act
By admin - Posted on May 9th, 2008
Bill would limit speculation in oil trading and close loophole for trades on foreign exchanges using U.S. terminals
May 8, 2008 -- WASHINGTON – Senators Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today introduced the Oil Trading Transparency Act to ensure that energy commodities traded on foreign exchanges using trading terminals located within the United States are subject to the same speculative trading limits and reporting requirements as energy commodities traded on U.S. exchanges. » read more »
Senate Passes Feingold-Snowe Measure Recognizing Women's Health Week
By admin - Posted on May 9th, 2008
Week of May 11, 2008 Designated to Raise Awareness of Women Health Issues
May 8, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate has passed a bipartisan resolution reintroduced by Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) recognizing May 11-17, 2008 as National Women’s Health Week (NWHW). » read more »
Senators Feinstein and Snowe Urge CFTC to Ensure Market Protections for Trading of US Energy Future Contracts on Int'l Markets
By admin - Posted on May 9th, 2008
May 8, 2008 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) today urged the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to ensure adequate market protections for the trading of U.S. energy future contracts on international markets.
Oil refinery at sunset: Photo by LinBow (CC)
Senators Feinstein and Snowe have been the lead sponsors of legislation to help prevent manipulation, excessive speculation and fraud in electronic energy markets. Since 2000, the trading of electronic commodities, like oil or natural gas, has been exempt from federal regulation under the so-called “Enron Loophole.” » read more »
Pelosi: New Direction Congress Acts to Protect American Dream of Homeownership
By admin - Posted on May 9th, 2008
May 8, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today after the House approved comprehensive bipartisan legislation to address the housing foreclosure crisis:
“The New Direction Congress acted today to protect the American Dream of homeownership with a comprehensive package of housing policy reforms that will help protect families facing foreclosure and stem the continuing drop in home values around the country. » read more »
Statement on Troops from Hillary Clinton Campaign
By admin - Posted on May 9th, 2008
5/8/2008 -- Recently released Pentagon records show that more than 43,000 U.S. troops who are medically unfit for combat have been sent to Iraq or Afghanistan since 2003. Sending soldiers into combat when they are medically unfit is more than a sign of strain on our armed forces – it is a sign of genuine disrespect to our soldiers who risk their lives to protect us.
Hillary Clinton: Photo by Sara Schloss (CC) » read more »
Yes We Can
