storyofstuff.org Hello Annie! Remember me? Years ago I helped push you and your "story of stuff" all over the net. Times have changed and some bad people have pushed back and blocked many of our efforts to unite. Getting your message out is important but our net access points have been blocked and stuffed full of commercials. Years ago it was known as spam and we would not allow span to interfere with our personal communications. Today, the net is full of beautifully created spam and interpersonal communication has been reduced to twitter size messages. Joining together is exactly what dozens of powerful international companies do not want us to do and they are blocking our efforts to communicate and unite towards better goals. To be fair, many other companies have switched towards creating a better and safer planet but as yet not enough are following your idea of 'BETTER'. This time around I need your help. I need a place to write and I need to regain much of the power that has literally been stolen from me and from sweet people like yourself. Can you provide me with a small writing area on your site? A place I can fill with dozens of links to great pro environment and better life web sites? Signed: Joseph Raglione Executive director: The World Humanitarian Peace and Ecology Movement. human4us@bell.net

Gentle readers of this Blog: The United States government continues to struggle and the following is a message the Democrats are sending to all of you. Friend -- Last month, the federal government shut down for 17 days. The Office of Management and Budget estimates that the shut-down cost American taxpayers $2 billion in worker productivity alone -- millions of people went without work and critical services were cut off. Because OFA supporters like you never stopped putting pressure on Congress, the House leaders responsible for pushing us to the brink backed down. This budget crisis hurt -- and you and I know it didn't have to happen. What's worse is that unless something fundamental changes in Washington, we could be heading toward another series of budget showdowns in the coming months. Congress still has to pass a long-term budget, and address the devastating cuts that have been in place since the sequester took effect last March. Even though it might not be on the front pages every day, we're going to keep you in the loop on where we are, and what's coming down the pike. Check out this budget update on our blog, and pass it along to anyone else you think should read it. Here are the basics of what you need to know on where budget talks are in Congress: Right now, a bipartisan budget conference committee is working to produce a long-term budget solution -- they have until December 13th to hammer out a plan. From there, Congress will have until January 15th to debate, tweak, and pass the budget to avoid another government shutdown. That's also the day that the next round of devastating sequester cuts will go into effect -- these cuts were designed to put pressure on Congress to find a solution. If they fail to pass a budget by that date, the new round of sequestration cuts will be much more severe than the ones we saw in 2013. Many government agencies still had funding available from previous years that they were able to dig into, and take steps to prevent furloughs and deep budgetary cuts -- but now, they're running out of options, and another round of sequester cuts would slow our fragile economic recovery. The bottom line is that there's a lot at stake over the next two months. Congress needs to step up and pass a long-term budget that addresses sequester cuts and grows our economy from the middle out. We'll keep you posted on what happens after the conference committee deadline in December. But for today, make sure to check out this blog post, and pass it along to the folks you know who need to stay in the loop. http://my.barackobama.com/Budget-Update-Blog Thanks -- more soon, Nico Nico Probst Director of Special Projects Organizing for Action ---------------- The other side will spend millions to maintain the status quo. We're fighting for change -- chip in $5 or more to support OFA today.

Gentle readers of this blog. Festering anger is an emotion I intensely dislike. It is an anger I am feeling towards my Canadian government and towards all politicians and business people involved with the production and delivery of fossil fuels. It is what I feel when I see the horrible deaths of thousands of helpless Philippino people created by a destructive Typhoon the size and strength of which has not been recorded in human history. This festering anger burns inside of me every time I see a car commercial on television and every time I am forced to watch a government sponsored commercial depicting how creating oil pipelines will help develop our Canadian economy. I connected the dots years ago. Fossil fuels create warm air and that in turn creates warm Ocean waters and that creates extremely dangerous Hurricanes and Cyclones. Our so called political and economic leaders pretend they do not believe in global warming. I honestly wish they all lived in the Philippines. What feeds my anger is the certain knowledge that these cold blooded commercial human beings are the indirect cause of the most horrific climate disasters ever to curse our lives! My anger burns deep! It is the absolute knowledge that we could have slowed climate change years ago when U.S. Senator Al Gore first provided us with solid science based evidence of man made global warming. For his honest efforts, Al Gore was chastised and dismissed by global warming deniers who today continue to deride and obstruct any efforts to slow climate change. Why? Because it is not in their economic best interests to allow alternative energy systems to exist! The proof of that became evident when the first efficient Electric Cars produced by the General Motors company, were literally forced off the market by Oil rich Republican president Bush and his new pro Oil government. The U.S. Electric cars were completely destroyed but the concept was not killed. Today, the honourable Japanese have brought back the Electric Cars and more than a few international companies have followed suit; but is it too little too late? Has time run out on all of us? Within the last ten years C02 emissions in the atmosphere have jumped up and off the science charts. CO2 emissions are created almost completely by burning fossil fuels into the atmosphere. With warmer air the Arctic ice has melted and our Oceans have become a birthing ground for Hurricanes and Cyclones the size of continents. Today I am pointing the finger directly at every human being who is creating and pumping Carbon pollution into our atmosphere and sadly, that includes myself. I could have made stronger efforts to stop the pollution! Signed: Joseph Raglione Executive Director: The World Humanitarian Peace and Ecology Movement. P.S. Hello President Putin! Please free your Greenpeace political prisoners. Eleven Nobel prize winners believe in Greenpeace and they also believe you should free the Greenpeace crew as an Olympic games goodwill gesture. The Olympic games are a world peace movement and you are creating a negative image for yourself and for Russia by keeping Greenpeace members locked in your prison. Don't allow the Sochi Olympic games to become a laughing stock for the world.

I owe the Canadian Broadcasting Company and all it's members an apology. I once called them cowards for not standing up to Canadian federal prime minister Harper when he threatened to cut their budget. I also worried, with good reason, that the CBC was not providing enough coverage on global warming! The reason I worried pertains to my information from NASA which was not correlating with anything the CBC was providing over the last few years. That of course has changed with the proliferation of deadly hurricanes such as "Super Typhoon Haiyan which has hit Guiuan, on the Philippine island of Samar, at 4:40 a.m. local time Friday. Three hours before landfall, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre assessed Haiyan's sustained winds at 195 mph, gusting to 235 mph, making it the fourth-strongest tropical cyclone in world history" and the C.B.C, along with many international NEWS services, finally provided sufficient if not prolific information after the fact. Ten thousand people are presumed dead because of hurricane Haiyan. How many of these people could have been saved with enough advanced warning? What if global warming deniers were fewer and far between and television commercials sold millions more Electric Cars? Meanwhile, my friend in Washington would like you to read this ....> SUPPORT THE EPA'S NEW CLEAN ENERGY STANDARDS. "Climate change is real, man-made, and dangerous -- and a lot of that is due to carbon pollution from power plants. It threatens the health of our communities, and is already leading to more frequent and damaging storms, wildfires, droughts, and heat waves. I strongly support the EPA's standards to clean up carbon pollution from new and existing power plants because it will protect Americans' health, spur investment in clean energy, and unleash American innovation." BARACK OBAMA.

Gentle readers of this Google Blog: In Canada we have a Medicare system that works fast! On October 2, 2013, a friend of mine broke her leg. I brought her to the Montreal General Hospital and they examined and X rayed her leg. A doctor then adjusted her leg and applied a temporary Plaster cast. She was sent home for a week and we waited for the swelling to reduce. She was prescribed over the counter pain reducing pills. A week later we returned to the hospital for an operation where a small metal plate was screwed into her leg. She was not put to sleep and the surgeons used only a pain blocking local anesthetic. She did not feel pain during the operation and we went home the same night. Today, in lieu of a Plaster cast she is wearing a special hard plastic boot that she can remove when she feels the need to scratch. Her physiotherapy at a local clinic has begun and my friend is on the road to a full recovery. Today is October 30, 2013. It took less than four weeks from break to recovery and that includes the paper work for the insurance and the hospital. Her work insurance plan in combination with our Canadian national medicare plan helped pass her quickly through the system. My friend paid for the plastic boot but she could have opted for the free Plaster cast. If you want the same kind of service then I recommend you help your president Obama create your national medicare system. Pass this message along to friends and family. P.S. Don't be fooled by those who want to destroy Obamacare because they are motivated by economic interests that are not based on your personal health and welfare. Signed: Joseph Raglione Executive director: The World Humanitarian Peace and Ecology Movement. Reply | Menu From: Lindsay Siler, BarackObama.com Subject: Tricking people into not getting health care... Date: Wed 10/30/13 8:58 PM Show details View in plain text Friend -- When the facts aren't on your side, and you don't have good ideas of your own, there's only one thing left to do: Pass out free beer and koozies. That's not really true, but it does happen to be exactly what the Koch brothers' group has been doing at college campuses across the country -- all to try to convince young people not to get health insurance. That's right -- they're setting up booths, right next to the organizations helping students get covered, and handing out free stuff. The bad news is these guys have millions of dollars to spend -- the anti-Obamacare crowd has already spent more than $400 million against us. It's going to take real, on-the-ground organizing to beat them. The good news is that's what OFA does best. The facts aren't that complicated -- no matter how much noise the other side makes, Obamacare is here to stay, and it's helping millions of people get better, more affordable care as I write this. The thing is, there's no Koch brothers-recommended alternative to Obamacare here. They're saying just risk it -- and hope you (or your kids) don't get sick. We won't be able to outspend them, but we can help shut this cynical campaign down with OFA's brand of organizing, which just happens to specialize in actually trying to help people. So if you're tired of the Kochs' cynicism, donate whatever you can to help us figh back today: https://donate.barackobama.com/Protect-Obamacare Thanks, Lindsay Lindsay Siler National Director of Issue Campaigns Organizing for Action ---------------- The other side will spend millions to maintain the status quo. We're fighting for change -- chip in $5 or more to support OFA today. PAID FOR BY ORGANIZING FOR ACTION Contributions or gifts to Organizing for Action are not tax deductible. This email was sent to: human4us@bell.net. If that is not your preferred email address, you can update your information here. We believe that emails are a vital way to stay in direct contact with supporters. Click here if you'd like to unsubscribe from these messages. Organizing for Action, P.O. Box 66732 Washington, D.C. 20035 Sign out | Help (C)2013 Microsoft Privacy | Legal

----- Original Message -----

From: Tom Mauser

To: Joseph Raglione

Ex/Dir: The World Humanitarian Peace and Ecology Movement.

Sent: Monday, August 19, 2013 5:56 PM

Subject: My son Daniel

Joseph -- My son, Daniel, was a smart, quiet kid. He'd just become a straight-A student, and he was overcoming his shyness as a new member of the debate team. On April 20th, 1999, my beautiful and bright 15-year-old son was killed by two teenagers with guns in the library of Columbine High School -- one of 12 innocent kids who lost their lives for no reason at all. It's been 14 years since that horrible day -- 14 years of fighting so no family has to grieve like ours did. These tragedies keep happening, and so far, Congress has failed to take common-sense action to stop them -- even though nine in 10 Americans have agreed that it's time to act by expanding background checks to close the loopholes that put guns in the hands of dangerous people. This Wednesday, OFA and allied organizations are standing up for a national Day of Action to ask members of Congress: What will it take to finally act to prevent gun violence? I hope you'll join in -- say you'll do one thing this week to show Congress you want action to prevent gun violence. The last questions you ever want to hear as a parent are: "What was your child wearing, and do you have any dental records?" That's what the police asked me the evening of the shooting at Columbine High, as they tried to establish who had been killed. It was the most hopeless I'd ever felt. Since Daniel's death, I've found a way to honor him: by trying to prevent other families from feeling this pain. I've advocated locally and nationally for smarter gun laws -- even helping achieve a statewide ballot victory here in Colorado. In December, when I heard about the shooting in Newtown, I sat in my office and broke down. I was watching another community torn apart by guns -- more parents grieving, more kids who would never see graduation, or a wedding, or a family of their own. And in the wake of another tragedy, nine in 10 Americans agreed that it was time to act -- expand background checks to close the loopholes that put guns in the hands of dangerous people. But Congress disappointed us, putting politics above the safety of our kids. That's why this week, we're asking: How many parents will have to go through what I did before we say "enough"? You should be a part of this, too. Tell Congress you're going to keep asking until they act: http://my.barackobama.com/Do-One-Thing-for-Gun-Violence-Prevention Thank you, Tom Tom Mauser Littleton, Colorado   ====================================   Dear Tom Mauser:    There are no words I can write that will help you alleviate the pain of your loss. I can, however, inform you that I've been on the world wide web from it's inception and that I will continue to use my computer to fight for you and for others like yourself who have suffered great personal loss. Your letter will be delivered to the millions of AVAAZ readers who make up Al Gore's powerful organization and to as many readers as I can reach with my old computer.  I've not heard from Michael Moore in a while but he was a champion for your cause.  I am hoping he has not given up.     The second amendment of the United States is all that stands in the way of gun reform. The NRA loves to hide behind the second amendment! They hold it up like a sacred shield from the past  but that ancient law was not meant to protect modern day psychopathic killers of children. It was meant to protect a struggling new nation from invasion by a dangerous foreign government. I suggested to your president Obama that he hold a national referendum asking U.S. citizens if the second amendment should be changed to exclude automatic weapons. When the second amendment was created by the founding fathers of your country, they were talking about one shot rifles and squirrel guns and certainly not about modern day assault rifles or even multi-bullet hand guns for that matter. For that reason alone the second amendment must be changed.    I suggest you contact as many radio and television stations as possible and ask for their help creating a referendum. The politicians will almost certainly jump in on the action once the ball is rolling.   Thank you for your letter and yes, I will help you keep the media ball rolling even if there is not a large Media response at the beginning. Truth always wins in the end. Signed: Joseph Raglione Executive director: The world humanitarian peace and ecology movement.

Joseph,

Thank you so much for the encouraging comments you left for the activists that were detained by the Russian Coast Guard, we really appreciate your support. However, I'm writing now to update you on some disturbing developments.

It’s a tense and dramatic moment on the high seas of the Russian Arctic.

Just hours ago, a helicopter descended suddenly on the Greenpeace International ship Arctic Sunrise, where we were protesting against Gazprom’s plans to drill for oil in these pristine and remote waters. Armed officials of the Russian Coast Guard stormed the ship, holding 25 activists - including two Canadians - on their knees at gunpoint. Seconds later, communications from the ship were cut off. We are seriously concerned for their safety, and are demanding that the Russian authorities free all the activists and withdraw from our ship immediately.

Please send an urgent email to the Russian Embassy in Canada demanding they free our activists!

This illegal seizure of our ship and crew comes after two of our activists were arrested early yesterday morning for taking part in a peaceful protest on the Prirazlomnaya Arctic oil platform to stop Shell’s new partner, Gazprom from becoming the first company to produce oil from the icy waters of the region. They were held overnight against their will by the Russian authorities with no charges or legal representation. 

Right now, all around the world, hundreds of supporters are flooding the streets outside the Russian embassies in their countries, to demand the release of the people who put their bodies on the line to protect the Arctic from oil destruction. They’re there on behalf of our movement of nearly 4 million, and we cannot allow them to be threatened for standing up for their beliefs.

The Russian authorities have called us “terrorists,” but it’s clear the real threat to the fragile Arctic comes from the reckless oil companies that are determined to profit from Arctic oil -- no matter what the cost. Together we must show we are stronger than than those who want to destroy the Arctic, and will not be intimidated into silence.

Click here to email the Russian Embassy in Canada to demand the immediate release of our activists and an end to Arctic drilling for good.

Thank you for your unconditional support,



Christy Ferguson
Greenpeace Canada Arctic Campaigner

Gentle Readers on Google:

  The Russians have attacked the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise and taken prisoners at gun point!
I repeat! The Russians have attacked the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise and taken prisoners at gun point!
Write or telephone a Russian Embassy in  your country and demand that president Putin and his government release the ship and the Greenpeace activists immediately!

This email was intended for all readers on the search engine Google. If you received this email it is because you are subscribed to the Google search engine and to the Greenpeace Canada email list.

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