Happy Saturday

Good morning, BW readers. I haven't given you much to read lately. Let's catch up for a few with your favorite AM beverage.

Frankly, I've been working a lot, still trying to do things around the house, taking care of the pooties. One of them is Benny, whom this site is named after. He's funny and just likes to either sleep, eat, or have fun.

In the news this past week that caught my attention:

More stupid pet tricks/comments by money hungryGrizzly Mom, Sarah Palin. The Young Turks discovered this gem of one of her comments, regarding the WH and what it would do in protecting her against ethical allegations:

That's a good one: the Department of Law as a cabinet. Unfortunately for the Young Turks, they keep forgetting that half of the yahoos in Texas wouldn't know any differently from her comment. I think she actually knows there isn't a Dept of Law in the Executive Branch, but she plays to the lowest common denomination, which means any ill-informed regular viewer of Fixed Noise--or perhaps worse--listeners of Rush Limbaugh. The Young Turks' rant is not going to be helpful when our own Democrats, such as Ben Nelson, won't even help the jobless with a little extra helping hand in an economic crisis. See the NYT article about how the uber wealthy were the ones spending--and now even they are watching their vaults more carefully. Geez, is it possible they may have to pay more taxes than their administrative assistants and clerks?

If Sarah Palin is the new heroine of the Tea Baggers, then the picture of billboard in Mason City, Iowa should be plastered on any ad over and over by the DNC come 2012. For some good analysis about the fallout from this controversial billboard, go to Bleeding Heartland. I have to agree with Desmoinesdem that Tea Baggers do not understand how our current President is far from being Mr. Government takeover.

Financial Reform was allegedly passed this week. My reaction after listening to Dean Baker on Countdown? Meh. Here's Baker's comment:

"While the reform bill does improve regulation in many ways, it does not fundamentally change the way Wall Street works. Goldman Sachs, Citigroup and the rest will be doing business pretty much the same way the day after reform as they did the day before reform."

(this comment was repeated at TPM Cafe, which is where I got it)

But as always, Senator Jeff Merkley did manage to point out the silver linings in this press release:

“I am pleased that the final bill includes the Merkley-Levin amendment that will ban high-risk trading inside the banks and put an end to conflicts of interest, where giants like Goldman Sachs bet against the very securities they were selling to their customers. This provision will encourage banks to return to the days where their main focus was lending. I can’t thank Senator Carl Levin enough for his tireless work to ensure that our banks won’t engage in high-risk trading and put our entire financial system at risk.

“In addition, I’m pleased that the bill includes provisions I championed to end some of the most egregious mortgage practices that led to the housing crisis and cost millions of families their homes. The bill will ban steering payments, liar loans, and prepayment penalties and give Americans the transparency they deserve when purchasing their own home. It will also create a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau dedicated to protecting consumers from financial tricks and traps, such as unfair overdraft fees and exploding interest rates. "

Senator Merkley adds though:

“Now, this bill will not solve every problem in our financial system, and from my perspective, could be stronger in significant ways. Regulators have been given an enormous amount of responsibility to implement the bill as intended. In order to ensure that they hold up their end of the bargain, Congress needs to conduct vigorous oversight of government regulators and our financial markets. "

I agree. So why is Treasury Secretary Geithner wanting to throw Elizabeth Warren under the bus in making her the Chief Oversight of Consumer Credit Protection?

If you want to see what else got left out of the bill, read Chris Bowers' rant at Open Left, as he was one of the New Progressive Fellows who worked on the bill.

And finally, the answer to Senator Inhofe's rhetorical question to Al Gore in at an Environmental hearing in 2007, "where is global warming when you need it?" Answer: when you don't need it. The News-Gazette (my hometown newspaper in Central Illinois) published a report in which U of Illinois scientists have been running models on greenhouse gas emissions and their effects on weather in the Midwest. Chicago could have a month or more of 100+ temp in the near future if we don't cut down on fossil fuel usage.

Time to check the leader board at the Open Championship, which is being played at St. Andrews, Scotland, and to run errands, amongst them, two weeks of recycling!

Happy Saturday, all.

Update: in taking in some recycling this morning, the Recycle Center was gone--or at least I thought it was until I saw a relocation sign on the gate. When I drove around the corner to it, I realized that it became a real drop-off place. The other place was always crowded, with sometimes having to wait to park, and often it took awhile to drive out.

This new facility can be driven in, and it's easier to bring your stuff closer to the bins. And for a change, there was space in each bin. Here's a photo I took with my smartphone:

Progress!

Many thoughts

First, I am totally enthralled by the BP gusher disaster. It is a disaster, no one can dispute this fact.

Second, thanks go to Rachel M. She is the new queen of journalists who really looks into problems that affect us all and the MSM are ignoring the facts.

I have a lot of personal comments, but I want them to be salient here. On this blog, I still want to be good, not just a bomb thrower.

JMW Turner Sky: a South Florida Experience

Dear BW Readers,

Sorry I haven't posted much in the past few days (and my eyeball counts reflect it). I'm visiting Mr. Benny in South Florida where he lives. It's been an interesting experience so far. I have a sunburn from sitting out in the sunburn hours on Friday by the pool. I was engrossed in reading a Molly Ivins biography, so I didn't notice the time nor did I put on a lot of sunscreen either. :-)

Last night I did so some real swimming as the pool temp is perfect--refreshing after a hot day, and it was an opportunity to show Mr. Benny that I really can swim, just out of practice. The evening sky reminds me of JMW Turner painting--clouds which are rose-dusky with flashes of orange and Iowa corn-yellow with a cornfield blue backdrop. It's pretty warm, about 85 but the humidity isn't too awful since there has been little chance for rain. I feel fortunate in that regard for my first trip.

Lots of shopping, even went to a salon to have some work done. I found a specialist for my brows and I have an appointment w/her when I return here in late July. Otherwise, we bought and put together a taller fan so that we don't have to run the AC as much, and try to take advantage of Eastern breezes from the ocean. Also been rearranging things to make the place have more than Mr. Benny's mark on the place. The rug I bought from Red Window is in the kitchen and looks real nice there.

Speaking of, the experts are predicting tar balls within the next week or so to wash up from the bastard princes BP Gulf of Mexico major gush disaster leak. I'm outraged that BP claims it cannot do anything about it until Tuesday. Even Mr. Benny, who is a Republican, thinks this is a total disaster for the environment and doesn't understand why BP, who made record profits in the Billions 1st Q this year, can't do anything about this gusher.

Tomorrow we are going to the beach to enjoy it. I suspect we will be in big company.

Tonight I am cooking semi-wok, tomorrow AM a breakfast on the patio, then off to Dania. Tomorrow night Mr. Benny promises a seafood dinner out. Thus, it's time to get back to the kitchen.

More later...

Teamsters are Going Green

With permission, I am supplying BW readers with a fantastic diary by TomP that appeared today on the Daily Kos. It's great news...our unions are thinking green and now acting on it too.
------------

This is big.

Great news for all of us who seek a Blue/Green Alliance! The Teamsters today left the ANWR coalition, a group in favor of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Jim Hoffa has just announced that the Teamsters are pulling out of the coalition supporting drilling in ANWR and are shifting their support to efforts to build coalitions with green groups to create a sustainable energy economy around sources like solar, wind and geothermal.

"We are not going to drill our way out of the energy problems we are facing—not here and not in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge," Hoffa told labor and environmental activists at an Oakland, Calif., summit on good jobs and clean air. "We must find a long-term approach that breaks our dependence on foreign oil by investing in the development of alternate energy sources like solar, wind and geothermal power."

Hoffa Rejects 'Drilling Our Way Out' of Energy Crisis, Demands Long-Term Policy Solutions

Jim Hoffa announced the union’s withdrawal from the ANWR coalition, citing the need to build a green economy that fosters the development of alternative energy sources and creates good union jobs—instead of lining the pockets of big oil tycoons.

"Our economy is in shambles. Gas is climbing to $5 a gallon. The dollar has collapsed. Inflation is on the rise. Americans are seeing their paychecks shrink. Their family health care is being slashed," Hoffa said. "Finding a long-term solution has a tremendous upside. It will be environmentally friendly and will serve as a much-needed boost to our sagging economy."

Hoffa also thanked labor’s partners in the environmental movement, who are currently working to reduce emissions from port trucks. He urged the strengthening of the alliance, known as the Coalition for Clean & Safe Ports, to achieve a common goal: Good jobs and clean air.

"If we are to prosper as a nation, our future lies in a green economy," he said. "But it’s up to us to help define the rules of that new green economy. A green economy means we must reduce our dependence on foreign oil. And it means creating good union jobs in America’s growing industries."

Hoffa Rejects 'Drilling Our Way Out' of Energy Crisis, Demands Long-Term Policy Solutions

This is the core of the Blue/Greeen alliance that will rebuild and remake a just America:

"A green economy means we must reduce our dependence on foreign oil. And it means creating good union jobs in America’s growing industries."

Both.

The Sierra Club praised the Teamnsters for this move.

"The Sierra Club and the environmental movement applaud your announcement and look forward to building a powerful movement together—a movement that helps workers, protects the environment, prevents global warming and rebuilds our economy with good, green jobs," said Greg Haegele, The Sierra Club’s Director of Conservation. "We are proud to stand here today, as allies and friends of the Teamsters."

Hoffa Rejects 'Drilling Our Way Out' of Energy Crisis, Demands Long-Term Policy Solutions

Hoffa and the Teamsters are joining with Al Gore and Barack Obama in working to build a Green economy and all realize that we cannot drill our way out of this mess. We need alternative energy.

Barack Obama last week:

"For decades, Al Gore has challenged the skeptics in Washington on climate change and awakened the conscience of a nation to the urgency of this threat. I strongly agree with Vice President Gore that we cannot drill our way to energy independence, but must fast-track investments in renewable sources of energy like solar power, wind power and advanced biofuels, and those are the investments I will make as President. It’s a strategy that will create millions of new jobs that pay well and cannot be outsourced, and one that will leave our children a world that is cleaner and safer."

Gore: "end our reliance on carbon-based fuels"

Al Gore laast week:

We're borrowing money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the planet. Every bit of that's got to change.

But if we grab hold of that common thread and pull it hard, all of these complex problems begin to unravel and we will find that we're holding the answer to all of them right in our hand.

The answer is to end our reliance on carbon-based fuels.

In my search for genuinely effective answers to the climate crisis, I have held a series of "solutions summits" with engineers, scientists, and CEOs. In those discussions, one thing has become abundantly clear: when you connect the dots, it turns out that the real solutions to the climate crisis are the very same measures needed to renew our economy and escape the trap of ever-rising energy prices. Moreover, they are also the very same solutions we need to guarantee our national security without having to go to war in the Persian Gulf.

What if we could use fuels that are not expensive, don't cause pollution and are abundantly available right here at home?

Gore: "end our reliance on carbon-based fuels"

Jim Hoffa today:

"We are not going to drill our way out of the energy problems we are facing—not here and not in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge," Hoffa told labor and environmental activists at an Oakland, Calif., summit on good jobs and clean air. "We must find a long-term approach that breaks our dependence on foreign oil by investing in the development of alternate energy sources like solar, wind and geothermal power."

Working together with labor, environmentalists and Democratic candidates, we can change America, solve our energy crisis, rebuild a greeen economy with good union jobs, and address global warming.

Jim Hoffa at Yearly Kos in 2007.

(personal note: TomP and I sat together as we heard Hoffa's talk at YearlyKos 2007; John Edwards had just spoken to him about a union agenda)

We need to work with the Teanmsters and other unions to rebuild a Green America. Thank you Mr. Hoffa and all Teamsters! Solidarity!

Update. From Change to Win in the comments. Grist has a good write up on this:

For years, the Teamsters have supported opening the Arctic Refuge and other protected areas to oil drilling; they ran ads bashing John Kerry on it in 2004. So it is a Very Big Deal that the Teamsters have just come out and rejected drilling as a solution to the energy crisis.

At an event in Oakland, Calif., Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said that drilling won't do anything to help; he announced that the Teamsters are withdrawing from the coalition pushing for Arctic drilling; and he stressed that pushing for "alternate energy sources like solar, wind and geothermal power" will revitalize the economy and create jobs.

It looks like reality is finally starting to bite in American politics.

UPDATE: Kate called up Teamsters spokeswoman Leigh Strope for more on the move.

"Americans are suffering in this difficult economy," said Strope. "[President Hoffa] really realized, like a lot of people have, that there needs to be a long-term energy solution. Like he said, we can't drill our way out of this problem ... We need a comprehensive energy policy to deal with this crisis."

"It's important to our members," Strope continued. "There's an opportunity to really explore the whole issue of green jobs, and that would obviously benefit Teamsters and all Americans."

grist: Blockbuster Teamsters announcement rejects oil drilling as an energy solution

Go Teamsters! Here's a song for them and Change to Win:


Eighteen Wheels and A Dozen Roses by Kathy Mattea

Tidbits from Tennessee

Greetings BW readers,

Sorry I've been offline for a few days and my wireless now is on the blink. Thanks to the Art Circle Public Library in Crossville, I am able to blog for a few minutes.

TomP sent me a link to a Friends of the Earth (FoE) Action website, and I saw the following press release:

Presidential candidates’ parroting of coal industry talking points raise questions about their commitment to clean energy; Clinton even equivocates on mountaintop removal


WASHINGTON—A national environmental group criticized both Democratic presidential candidates today for recent pro-coal comments.

Senator Hillary Clinton expressed enthusiasm for coal and failed to condemn mountaintop removal during an interview yesterday on West Virginia Public Radio. Today, Senator Barack Obama delivered a speech in West Virginia advocating so-called “clean coal” as a solution to global warming.

“These comments raise serious questions about whether the Democratic candidates are as committed to clean energy as they claim to be,” Friends of the Earth Action President Brent Blackwelder said. “Coal is not clean—period. And it is especially dirty and damaging when it is mined through the mountaintop removal process, in which mountains are literally blown to pieces, wiping vast swaths of nature off the map and polluting valleys, streams and rivers.”

Read the rest here.

Another reason why I cannot support either one of these two.

Good news: John Edwards will be on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno this evening. They are probably taping as I blog this message. To quote a Free (name of a group from the late 60's, early 70's) tune: All right now, baby it's ah all right now.




No, I do not think he will endorse anyone today, especially after reading the FoE message. Moreover, neither one has talked about poverty, Katrina, etc, very much.

Looks like JRE will be speaking to the NC Young Democrats next week (h/t NCDem Amy) about a community service project.

http://www.ydnc.org/index.cfm




Weather in Crossville today: a pleasant 55 degrees, and very sunny. Daffadils are out and a few trees have sprouted. DH is golfing today.

More buzz l8tr...

Levees Not War's Endorsement: John Edwards Will 'Kick Republicans In The Balls'

Source: Huffington Post

(pic: JRE when he announced his 2008 bid in NOLA)










By Karen Dalton-Beninato

Gulf Coast voters have an Edwards endorsement today from Levees Not War with the unambiguous headline, "Democrats need a tough candidate who won't hesitate to kick the Republicans in the balls." They say:

"It is not often we wish we lived in New Hampshire (nice place to visit), but we sorely wish we could be there on Tuesday to 'vote early and often' for John Edwards . . . It is not only that John Edwards had the good sense and correct priorities to launch his campaign for the presidency from New Orleans (take note, presidential debate site committee). And it's not just Edwards' plan to remove all U.S. troops from Iraq within 10 months--something his competitors haven't offered. We don't favor Edwards only because he alone has spoken consistently as a populist public defender against the 'iron grip' of corporate special interests on Washington. Nor is he our favorite merely because he has the best health care plan (Paul Krugman's praise sounds right to us).


We vote for John Edwards for all of these reasons, but especially because Democrats need a tough, combative lead candidate to whip the Republicans, who are vicious fighters in a presidential campaign--especially when they're desperate. Barack Obama is marvelous and would also be a good president, but we worry he doesn't have the aggressiveness to kick the Republican operatives in the balls, the way they always do to Democrats. In Nov. 2004 it was Edwards the courtroom attorney who wanted to challenge the Ohio vote counts before conceding, but John Kerry decided otherwise.

John Edwards has the optimism, the intelligence, and the gut-fire and bulldog tenacity to get the job done . . . He's also a realist. He knows the status quo won't give an inch without a struggle. About dealing with corporate interests such as the drug and oil and insurance companies, he says, "Some people argue that we're going to sit at a table with these people and they're going to voluntarily give their power away. I think it is a complete fantasy; it will never happen." We often say 'We Want Roosevelt Again.' We know we're not going to get Franklin Delano, but in John Edwards we see just about the closest thing to FDR we've seen in many years."

Read more here.

FYI: Levees Not War is a New Orleans based organization that focuses on the environment.

John Edwards will be our First Green President

Note BW readers: this is Part 2 of TomP's interview of Brent Blackwelder, again redistributed by the blogger's permission. Crossposted at Blue New Hampshire

President Bush plans to play the part of the hero by visiting California, now ravaged by fire. But on this issue he's the villain -- it's two years after Hurricane Katrina and the only progress he's made is actually acknowledging that global warming exists. If we're going to avoid tragedies like this in the future, we must take the long-term view. On this point, the science is clear: global warming has already led to increased wildfire activity in the U.S., and if we don't dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the near future, the problem is going to get much worse.

Friends of the Earth

More than ever, we need a president committed to making real and deep change in how we treat the planet.

"After 7 years of George Bush – the worst, most destructive environmental president in modern history – it is definitely time for change, and that change starts by electing John Edwards as President."

This week, I interviewed Brent Blackwelder, President of Friends of the Earth and FOE Action, via email about the FoE Action endorsement of John Edwards.

FoE Action provides political muscle on legislative battles in the U.S. for its sister organization, Friends of the Earth, which is part of a network of affiliates in over 70 nations around the world. On October 14, FOE Action became the first major environmental organization to endorse a candidate for president, and they endorsed John Edwards:

"Friends of the Earth Action enthusiastically endorses John Edwards for President," said Brent Blackwelder, president of FOE Action.

Friends of the Earth Action Endorses John Edwards

FoE Action well understands that you cannot sit down at the table with the corporate polluters and their lobbyists, and then expect them to treat the planet right. As John Edwards has said, if you sit down at the table with them, they'll eat your lunch. You've got to beat them:

Q: You have been President of Friends of the Earth and Friends of the Earth Action since 1994. In that time, you have witnessed the buying of the American government by corporate power and their lobbyists. How important is John Edwards' willingness to take on these entrenched interests to you in making your endorsement?

A: This played a big part in our decision. John Edwards has taken a stand against the lobbyists and special interests that have so driven environmental policies in the Bush Administration. Only when candidates refuse to take money from the lobbyists for big oil and big coal can they pursue the kind of environmental polices that protect health and safety of our families. Of all the leading candidates running, we believe John Edwards has the greatest potential to stand up to corporate special interests in the White House.

We also talked about John Edwards' plan to address global warming:

Q: At present, part of the costs of global warming are externalized on all of us. Does Edwards favor measures to auction polluter permits to, at least in part, ensure that part of the cost of global warming goes back to where it belongs – on the actual product?

A: Yes, polluter permits are an important component of Edwards' plan. He would require polluters to pay for their global warming pollution, a portion of which will raise $10 billion a year for a New Energy Economy Fund to jumpstart clean, renewable, and efficient energy technologies and create 1 million jobs.

Q: What is Edwards' position on the annual taxpayer funded subsidies that currently exist for oil companies?

A: Edwards calls for eliminating $3 billion in annual government subsidies to oil companies. He even says he is "very open to the possibility of an excess profits tax" on oil companies. We feel this is a crucial first step in getting our country back on the right track with its energy policy.

I don't know about you, but I agree with Brent Blackwelder and John Edwards about building new nuclear power plants: don't do it! This is a clear distinction between John Edwards and the other two major candidates: Clinton and Obama:

Q. Senators Clinton and Obama have joined one of the top Republicans in the race, Senator McCain of Arizona, to sponsor the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2007. The measure includes more than $3.6 billion in funding and loan guarantees for the planning and construction of nuclear plants using new reactor designs. Does FOE Action oppose the use of taxpayer money to subsidize the nuclear power industry? What is your position on this bill?

A. Friends of the Earth wholeheartedly opposes the construction and development of nuclear power in the United States. Edwards is on the same page, here. He believes nuclear power is too costly, too dangerous, and too vulnerable to attack by our nation's enemies. New Hampshire, where FOE Action announced its endorsement of Edwards, has the unfortunate distinction of being home to the last-constructed nuclear power plant in the country, Seabrook Station nuclear power plant. The plant places great environmental and health risks on the areas around it, and if constructing a nuclear power was a bad idea 30 years ago, it's an even worse idea now, particularly given the new realities we face in terms of national security. Nuclear power simply isn't worth it's risks, when accidents can have environmental implications that last for generations. And John Edwards is the only candidate to unambiguously say no to nuclear power.

And what about Coal to Liquid? I'm with Edwards and FoE Action on this.

Q: What is your position on Coal to Liquid technology? One Democratic presidential candidate cosponsored a bill to provide taxpayer subsidies for this technology. Edwards opposes CtL. What does using, let alone subsidizing, CtL really mean for our environment?

A: Liquid coal is a bad idea for our country and planet. It contributes twice the amount of carbon emissions to our atmosphere that petroleum does, consuming an inordinate amount of water per unit of fuel, and requiring the expansion of ecologically and socially disastrous mining practices. Unlike Clinton and Obama, Edwards is the only leading candidate to oppose coal-to-liquid technology.

That's right: "Liquid coal is a bad idea for our country and planet."

We need a green president now, if we are to survive:

Q: Wouldn't it be nice to have a President that actually enforced the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and other environmental laws?

A: After 7 years of George Bush – the worst, most destructive environmental president in modern history – it is definitely time for change, and that change starts by electing John Edwards as President.

A final word from FoE Action President, Brent Blackwelder regarding what they and we can do to help elect a green president:

We plan to be especially active in New Hampshire, establishing an independent campaign and organization to carry the message about John Edwards' global warming plan and his vision for a healthy environment. There is a powerful, untapped environmental constituency out there that is up for grabs in this country and we are here to lend our voice to push that constituency toward Edwards. We believe he has the right vision and record to tap that constituency.

In New Hampshire, there are a lot of Democratic primary voters who care deeply about the quality of their environment and cite it as a top concern when choosing a nominee for president. In particular, voters in the Granite State are looking for real action to combat global warming. We plan to spend the next 3 months letting these voters know that John Edwards is the candidate best qualified and most committed to help achieve this big and bold goal.

Please visit the FoE Action website to find out how you can get involved in our campaign to elect John Edwards as president: FoE Action (www.foeaction.org)

Help FoE Action to elect our first green president: John Edwards.

Update: Radio Ad in NH by FoE. https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/foe/images/humanity.mp3

An Interview with Brent Blackwelder

Note to BW Readers: this is a diary that was posted on MyDD this morning by Tom P. BW was given permission to redistribute the interview here. BW thanks Tom P for this interview concerning why FOE endorsed John Edwards.


Last week, Friends of the Earth Action ("FOE Action") endorsed John Edwards. This week, I interviewed Brent Blackwelder, President of Friends of the Earth and of Friends of the Earth Action, about FOE Action's endorsement of John Edwards.

Part I of the interview is in this diary.

Here's a little about FOE Action for those unfamiliar with it:

Founded by David Brower in 1967, Friends of the Earth Action has established a 35-year record of not only fighting the tough battles, but winning them too. FoE Action provides extra political muscle on legislative battles here in the U.S. for to our sister organization, Friends of the Earth, which is part of a network of affiliates in over 70 nations around the world.

snip

FoE Action looks beyond the symptoms of environmental degredation, to the systemic causes.

FOE Action

Mr. Blackwalder is a long-time advocate for the planet and the people on it. He has worked in Washington DC for over 30 years fighting for clean air, clean water, and a healthy planet. He has testified before Congress on environmental issues more than 100 times.

Mr. Blackwelder was founder and first chairman of the board of American Rivers, our nation's leading river-saving organization. He also founded the Environmental Policy Institute, which merged with Friends of the Earth in 1989. In 1994 he became president of Friends of the Earth and FOE Action.

More on Mr. Blackwelder here: Friends of the Earth

On October 14, FOE Action became the first major environmental organization to endorse a candidate for president, and they endorsed John Edwards:

WASHINGTON, DC -- Friends of the Earth Action (FOE Action), one of the longest-standing, national environmental organizations in the country, today announced its endorsement of Senator John Edwards for President, citing his leadership on real solutions to combat global warming and his unequivocal position against dangerous and expensive nuclear power.

"Friends of the Earth Action enthusiastically endorses John Edwards for President," said Brent Blackwelder, president of FOE Action.

Friends of the Earth Action Endorses John Edwards

Mr. Blackwelder answered 10 questions that I sent him via email. Here is Part I of the Interview. I will publish the remaining questions and answers in Part II tomorrow.

Q: What most differentiates John Edwards from the other Democratic presidential candidates with respect to environmental issues?

A: Of the leading Democratic candidates for president, John Edwards is most committed, and best prepared, to halt global warming and promote a healthy, livable planet for our families and our future. Friends of the Earth Action feels John Edwards has set the paces among all of the Democratic candidates by putting forth a plan that provides real action to combat global warming.

We encourage people to visit our web site, www.foeaction.org . to learn more about why we endorsed Edwards and facts about his environmental record.

Q: John Edwards has proposed a global warming plan that will reduce greenhouse pollution by 20 percent by 2020, and reduce it by 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050. What in this plan do you feel will be most effective in achieving this reduction?

A: John Edwards plans to share America's clean energy technology with other nations in exchange for binding greenhouse reduction commitments. If necessary, he will insist that strong labor and environmental standards in our trade deals include commitments on climate change. This new deal will require global participation, promote shared responsibility, and let American workers and businesses compete on a level playing field. In addition, Edwards' plan will lead America to a new energy economy by investing in clean, renewable energy and creating a million new jobs.

Q: Polluters often attempt to present a false choice between environmental degradation and jobs. In fact, clean, green technologies can mean more jobs for Americans, and good paying jobs. Edwards proposes creating at least 1 million "green collar jobs" by investing in clean energy and energy efficient technologies. Can you explain the relationship of economic growth, including good paying jobs, and using clean, green technologies?

A: Edwards really gets it: green does not have to mean fewer jobs. If our nation makes serious and smart investments in clean energy technologies, such as wind, solar and geothermal, we can create good-paying jobs, expand markets for the renewable energy industry and secure our country's energy future.

Renewables are secure and viable alternatives to dirty, fossil fuels and costly and dangerous nuclear power. They can be scaled up relatively quickly, which means jobs and economic growth for states and local communities in the U.S., particularly in rural areas that have been hardest hit by economic downturns but have the space for these technologies to be constructed and brought online.

Q: What can FoE Action do to help John Edwards be nominated and then elected? I understand you plan to set up an independent campaign on Edwards' behalf in New Hampshire. How will that work? How can people inside and outside New Hampshire help you ?

A: We plan to be especially active in New Hampshire, establishing an independent campaign and organization to carry the message about John Edwards' global warming plan and his vision for a healthy environment. There is a powerful, untapped environmental constituency out there that is up for grabs in this country and we are here to lend our voice to push that constituency toward Edwards. We believe he has the right vision and record to tap that constituency.

In New Hampshire, there are a lot of Democratic primary voters who care deeply about the quality of their environment and cite it as a top concern when choosing a nominee for president. In particular, voters in the Granite State are looking for real action to combat global warming. We plan to spend the next 3 months letting these voters know that John Edwards is the candidate best qualified and most committed to help achieve this big and bold goal.

I'd like to thank Brent Blackwalder for granting me this interview and Jenna Moran for facilitating it. I will publish Part II of the interview tomorrow.

I also want to thank Mr. Blackwelder for his years of service to people and our planet in fighting corproate polluters and a corrupt government.

Please visit the FoE Action website to find out how you can get involved in our campaign to elect John Edwards as president: www.foeaction.org.

Video of Friends of the Earth endorsement in NH.
Video courtesy of Mbair.

Happy Birthday, Emma Claire Edwards

Emma Claire is 9 years old. And she is the apple of dad's eye, as seen in this photograph from January 27 on Energy Action Day. This is where they helped a family in Pennsylvania "winterize" their home. Jack, the inspiration for "Benny", is on the stairs.

Our future first family will be travelling together this summer and the fall, and they will be seeing New Hampshire. Speaking of NH, Edwards picked up 40 endorsements from Granite State legislators and was the first Democratic (and may be only) from their state senate, as reported yesterday. That rocks!

Edwards Gets A Hybrid: Promotes Action Day

Finally! JRE got a hybrid. I've been nagging about this (not online, but to friends) that he needed to get one.

How do I know? I got an e-mail from him today.

Dear Benny,

People everywhere are responding to our call to change America.

In the three weeks since we launched our campaign, One Corps has grown to more than 800 chapters in all 50 states. Thousands of Americans are signing up to take action now -- people like you and me who are not willing to wait until the next president is elected to begin changing our country.

One Corps allows people to join with friends and neighbors to take action in our local communities. And next Saturday, January 27, we're all coming together for our first National Day of Action -- working together in our communities to conserve energy and fight global warming:

Click here to join us in your community on the National Day of Energy Action next Saturday

Since announcing my candidacy, I've been speaking of our need to break our country's addiction to oil and create a new energy economy. I've also been speaking about the huge moral issue that global warming presents for America and the entire world.

These are tremendous challenges which won't be solved in a day -- but each of us can take responsibility in small ways that make a big difference.

For example, after years of driving a regular SUV, Elizabeth and I just purchased a hybrid SUV.

I'm not asking each of you to buy a new car, however, or fight this problem on your own. We can all work together in our communities -- educating others and changing the way we use energy in our homes and workplaces -- to bring about the change we need today:

Take the first step by pledging to do what you can to conserve energy in your home and life -- then sign up to take action in your community on January 27th

We all know that government or technological innovation alone will not solve global warming or increase energy efficiency. To solve these problems, we need to ask Americans to be patriotic about something other than war.

Today, I'm asking you to join with thousands of One Corps members across the country and be patriotic -- to make a difference in how you and your community use energy, and to get the word out on January 27th.

Thank you for taking action.


Your friend,
John

So in the spirit of the Action Day, what have I been doing?

My spouse bought compact florescent bulbs last week and installed them in several places in the house and in our front yard lamp. We recycle at least once, but some times twice weekly, in which once is by our waste company's pick-up, the other I take to the town's recycling center. I reuse my grocery bags every week when I go shopping (I get funny looks sometimes because the bags are not necessarily from the same grocer) and I keep one in the Prius that I drive if I need one during the week. I buy gas every 3 weeks. I keep the house at about 64 degrees in the winter and 80 during the summer. Most days when it is sunny, I open the drapes to let the sunlight in. The kitties love sunbathing, and it warms up the room during the day.

I still don't do enough, but it's a good start.

So the real question BW readers: what do you pledge to do to help our environment? Little bit goes a long way and we're all in this together.