CT-NOW and International Women's Day

Admittedly, this is a little difficult to read.

It is "Park" Street, not Punk Street.

RSVP is to President@now-ct.org

Quote du Jour

I offer my opponents a bargain: if they will stop telling lies about us, I will stop telling the truth about them.
~Adlai Stevenson, campaign speech, 1952 

US Senate Forums - Democratic Candidates

No Cost to Attend!

As a reminder, the Democratic frontrunners are Chris Murphy, Susan Bysiewicz, and William Tong. There are other people purporting to run and there are Republicans, although there will not be any cross-party debates until after the Primary in August.

For now, I have no information on the Republican candidates. The most up-to-date- info I found today is here

Join the Quiet Corner Democrats and the Mansfield Democratic Town Committee 
Thursday, February 23, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Mansfield Middle School, 205 Spring Hill Road in Mansfield.

If you would like to submit a question, please email the Quiet Corner Democrats. There will be a post-forum dessert reception.
~ QuietCornerDems@gmail.com

and/or

The Democratic Town Committees of Bethlehem, Middlebury, Roxbury, Southbury, Thomaston, Washington, Watertown and Woodbury 

Sunday, February 26, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Pomperaug High School, 234 Judd Road in Southbury

The forum will be moderated by John Dankosky, news director at WNPR and host of Where We Live. For more information, please contact Sharon Botelle-Sherman at 203-768-6295.

Information Courtesy of the Democratic State Central Committee.

Silent Protest Speaks Volumes

Women protest anti-abortion bills in Va. by locking arms, standing mute outside state Capitol

By Associated Press, Updated: Monday, February 20, 4:46 PM

RICHMOND, Va. — Hundreds of women have locked arms and stood mute outside the Virginia State Capitol to protest a wave of anti-abortion legislation coursing through the 2012 General Assembly.

Capitol and state police officers, there to ensure order, estimated the crowd to be more than 1,000 people — mostly women. The crowd formed a human cordon through which legislators walked before Monday’s floor sessions of the Republican-controlled legislature.

The group was protesting bills that would cut off state aid to poor women seeking abortions, define embryos as humans and criminalize their destruction, and require “transvaginal” ultrasounds of women seeking abortions. In the procedure, a wand-like device is inserted and used to send out sound waves.

None of the protesters carried posters. Few spoke, even when spoken to. Richmond resident Molly Vick wore a shirt that read, “Say no to state mandated rape.”

 The AP doesn't want this re-posted but I just gotta.

In Case the "Newspapers" don't "Report" this

STATEMENT BY UNDERSECRETARY FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE MIKE LAWLOR

Mike Lawlor, Under Secretary for Criminal Justice Policy and Planning, today released the following statement on the Federal Department of Homeland Security’s decision to activate their “Secure Communities” program statewide in Connecticut:

“While we are very mindful of the need to enhance public safety, there are legitimate concerns when it comes to the implementation of the Secure Communities program.  Six months ago, when the Department of Homeland Security announced that Secure Communities was scheduled to go “live” statewide in Connecticut, Governor Malloy asked for and received a delay in the activation because of these concerns.

“What this program does is it essentially converts local law enforcement officers into defacto agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE).  The Governor shares the opinion of many police chiefs that this policy could lead to a situation where victims and witnesses in the immigrant community would be reluctant to cooperate with local and state law enforcement, something that would completely undermine the goals of this program.

“The Governor has asked Department of Corrections Commissioner Leo Arnone to create an ongoing review of how this program is implemented and what the ramifications are, and see what if any corrective action is needed going forward.  Decisions on how to respond to each request will be made on a case-by-case basis.

“As the report itself says: ‘DHS must ensure its immigration enforcement resources are focused on the removal of those who constitute our highest priorities, specifically individuals who pose a threat to public safety such as criminal aliens and national security threats, as well as repeat immigration law violators and recent border entrants. In fact, the expenditure of resources on cases that fall outside our enforcement priorities hinders our public safety mission by clogging immigration court dockets and diverting resources . . . .’”

For more information on the Task Force’s report, click here. DHS’s program will begin on Wednesday, February 22^nd. 

###

ps: Sorry for the gap in blogging - I have been in away and on a different set of issues.

Carbon Nation: Free Movie on Saturday 2/11/12

The Blurb: 

carbon nation is a documentary movie about climate change SOLUTIONS. Even if you doubt the severity of the impact of climate change or just don't buy it at all, this is still a compelling and relevant film that illustrates how SOLUTIONS to climate change also address other social, economic and national security issues. 

Where & When to See Carbon Nation:

Milford Library 57 New Haven Avenue
Milford CT 06460

 Feb. 11
2:00pm 

Q&A Follows, led by Mike Ludwig

Mike Ludwig is...

[...] retired from NOAA/NMFS and joined Ocean and Coastal Consultants as their Manager of Regulatory Affairs in 2006. In both careers, Mike’s principal responsibilities have been related to evaluating and designing environmentally compatible development of coastal and Exclusive Economic Zone locations in Waters of the United States. He continues to be involved in the development of alternative energy and aquaculture systems along with Port and Harbor improvements. His education includes degrees in Zoology and Marine Geology, Marine Science focusing on predator- prey relationships and Physical Oceanography.

Mike provides national and international resource management guidance on issues such as global climate change, subaqueous utility installations, water quality and habitat enhancement as well as dredging. Specific activities include the impact of global climate change, dredged material management, use of explosives in aquatic settings, habitat enhancement, shellfish stock restoration, the evaluation and identification of managed fishery species essential habitat needs, endangered species management and the assessment of Navigation improvement projects for liquid and bulk cargoes.

Mr. Ludwig has written extensively on climate change and aquatic impacts. His work has appeared in both national and international publications. His most recent paper in the US is an assessment of port development, habitat creation, and impact management options protective of aquatic resources. He writes a column on international environmental issues for the Sherkin Comment, published by the Sherkin Island Marine Station in County Cork, Ireland.

A Generous Invitation - Even if you aren't Jewish

The Asian Pacific American Coalition of Connecticut and the
Connecticut Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission
invites you to its
Annual Lunar New Year Celebration

"Year of the Dragon" 

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Atrium of the Connecticut Legislative Office Building

(300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106) 

Join us for performances by local groups, meet community leaders and network with the larger Asian American community.

Light food and refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP to umeshvig@gmail.com by February 13

As if Fracking Weren't Bad Enough

US House Republicans Move To Expand Oil Drilling

by  Dow Jones Newswires

Tennille Tracy   

[Editorial Emphasis Added to Express Outrage]

WASHINGTON - House Republicans are pushing a plan to allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and several other areas currently considered off-limits to energy production, stapling the measures to a massive transportation bill expected to move through the House.

The House Natural Resources Committee Wednesday passed a trio of bills directing the government to allow drilling in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans--where leases aren't currently offered--and open up a chunk of the Arctic refuge to drilling. The bills also pave the way for oil-shale development in western states.

The bills will be attached to a measure endorsed by House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio) that authorizes $260 billion over five years to fund federal highway and transit programs. Republicans say the revenue from expanded oil production will help pay for the transportation projects.

The House is likely to approve the package in the near future, marking a win for the oil-and-gas industry that urges greater access to U.S. lands and waters. The fate of the legislation in the Senate is less clear, however, given the Democrats' control of that chamber.

[...]

Among the most-controversial bills approved by the committee Wednesday is a measure that allows drilling on a 3% chunk of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The measure passed by a vote of 29-13.

Rep. Don Young (R), the sole representative from Alaska, long has pushed for oil production in the refuge and said it would be a "foolish mistake" to ignore the oil resources under the refuge.[...]

The committee also passed a bill by a vote of 25-19 compelling the Obama administration to allow drilling in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. A formal moratorium on drilling in the areas was lifted in 2008, however, many state governments continue to oppose oil production off their coasts. The Obama administration maintained a years-long ban on the Atlantic and Pacific when it proposed a five-year plan for offshore-oil drilling late last year.

Republicans have passed multiple pieces of legislation to expedite or expand U.S. oil production, asserting the energy industry is a source of jobs in a weak economy. But the legislation fizzles once it hits the Senate.

Copyright (c) 2011 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

Groundhog Day Call to Action

Received in the email inbox:

TAKE A

STAND AGAINST

CORPORATE GREED!

SUPPORT DISPLACED

CLEANERS AT THE

HARTFORD COURANT.

WHEN: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2012 -- “GROUNDHOG DAY”

BEGINNING AT 3:30PM

WHERE: 285 BROAD STREET, HARTFORD

If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow on Groundhog Day will there be justice for workers in Hartford?

Local 32BJ, SEIU Connecticut District

196 Trumbull St. 4th Flr., Hartford CT 06103

(860) 560-8674 - www.StandWithBuildingWorkers.org

This is not a request for anyone to cease performing services or halt deliveries.