 Green New Deal Discussion on Thursday, March 21, 2019 What Can We Do to Support Climate Recovery? Learn More About the Green New Deal Last Thursday, American Resistance Sevilla and ClimateRecovery.org hosted a roundtable discussion on the Green New Deal Resolution, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s bold alternative to Nancy Pelosi’s proposal to revamp the historically ineffective committee on global warming. Kathy Sherretts, who writes the Stop Look Listen section of this newsletter, gave us an overview of the plan, which calls for a ten-year mobilization to deal with climate change and create the economic equity and millions of jobs needed to sustain that effort. Steve McCann evaluated the ambitious goal of net zero carbon emissions by the year 2050; the timeline may not be feasible, he concluded, but the overall goal is not impossible. Lynnette McCurdy talked to the group about private transportation, and the many projects in place for improving vehicle efficiency and public transit options. Natalie Purinton addressed the youth movement, including the Sunrise Movement and activist Greta Thunberg, noting that millennials are the generation with strongest support for the Green New Deal. James Mangan presented on labor, which is less united and influential than in the past; to win them over will require demonstrating solid, practical benefits. Richard McCann talked about various proposals for achieving healthcare for all which would expand coverage while cutting costs in areas such as administration. Donald Reid discussed social planning and policy, suggesting that enormous changes will take place, with or without this plan, as the US seems to be moving towards a post-democracy, post-capitalist future. Want to know more?  Robert Mueller has released his report, but that hasn’t magically solved everything for us. STOP, LOOK, LISTEN! by Kathy Sherretts The end of the beginning The Mueller report was released on Friday; by the time you read this, Attorney General Barr may have released a summary of the report to Congress. Or maybe not. It doesn’t appear to be the bombshell that some of us were hoping for; rather, just an extension of the waiting and analyzing that we have been doing since Mueller started his investigation. Whatever is in it, it seems that no more indictments will directly result… Mueller’s report hasn’t magically solved everything for us. We still have to do the heavy lifting: pressure our representatives to make the report public, oppose Trump’s judicial nominees, overturn the national emergency declaration. We still have to resist. --Kathy Sherretts Article: History Channel: New Deal by Editors of History.com The Green New Deal was inspired by FDR’s comprehensive Depression-era programs. What do you know about the original New Deal? Article: Politico: Appeals court rules Ohio can defund Planned Parenthood by Alice Miranda Ollstein Ohio cuts about $1.5 million of annual support from the network of clinics treating sexually transmitted diseases, breast cancer and cervical cancer, teen pregnancy, infant mortality, and sexual violence. Video: National Popular Vote (7 min) This video, from 2016, outlines an ongoing push to circumvent the electoral college, guaranteeing the Presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Read about it at FairVote.org. Video: Precious Plastic: Learn about Plastic (6 min) To understand recycling, it helps to learn about plastics. (Part of a series on DIY recycling projects) Report: Influence Map: Big Oil’s Real Agenda on Climate Change In the three years following the Paris Agreement, the five largest oil and gas companies (ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron, BP and Total) have invested over $1Bn of shareholder funds on misleading climate-related branding and lobbying, all while seeking to expand fossil fuel operations.  About to go up in flames ... at Fallas in Valencia this year. (Getty images) Ready to do more? Read the Indivisible Guide 2.0, a new strategy for a new congress. Check out the weekly action plan from Progressive Action, Global Exchange (PAGE) which mobilizes progressive Americans living overseas. Sign up for the Americans of Conscience Checklist, a weekly action list that also provides encouragement and good news. Learn more at ClimateRecovery.org, a new group organized by members of American Resistance Sevilla and other community activists. Have questions or want to volunteer? Contact [email protected]. 
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What Can We Do to Support Climate Recovery? Come to the Roundtable Discussion on the Green New Deal Thursday, March 21, 8:30 pm at Merchant Pub Find out more about this bold, exciting, controversial resolution designed to halt climate change, create jobs, and build a better future. Topics and Speakers Event Details Watch the inspiring Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things on Netflix. This Week’s Environmental Tip: Use All Six Magic Words We all know Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: the three R’s, magic words that guide everyday sustainability. But not everyone knows that there are actually six R’s to help us live more intentionally. 1. Refuse: Do I really need it? It’s a simple question that makes a big difference. We consume a lot, so think carefully before buying anything new. Every item in your life cost energy and resources to create and transport, and its impact will continue after you dispose of it. 2. Reduce: Cut down on purchases, especially those whose production has greatest environmental impact, such as beef, dairy, and (we really hate to say this!) chocolate. 3. Reuse: Find new ways to use what you already have before buying new. 4. Repurpose: Get creative and fill a need by repurposing items you would have otherwise throw away. Here are 30 weird and wacky ways to repurpose stuff you already own. 5. Recycle: Recycle only when you have used the item as much as you can. Learn about proper recycling in your city. Andalucía’s recycling system accepts paper/carboard, glass, metals, those tetra bricks that milk and juice are sold in, and plastics. Some areas recycle used cooking oil as well. 6. Rot: If you have a garden, consider composting organic material. The 6 R’s help us avoid excessive consumption and find creative, cost-saving ways to conserve our planet’s resources. And we accumulate less clutter, which studies show leads to lower stress and anxiety. By integrating the 6 R’s into your daily routine, you take better care of yourself and the environment. Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things (Netflix) By Natalie Snow Purinton  Kids protested climate change in Minnesota, and all over the world. (Gallery: Mother Jones) (Photo by Eric Holthaus on Twitter, @EricHolthaus) STOP, LOOK, LISTEN! by Kathy Sherretts Immediately vs. Eventually Young people everywhere marched against climate change on Friday—as Rebecca Lehrer writes in Mother Jones, they are the generation that bears least responsibility for the carbon in the atmosphere, but will face most of the consequences from it. Their sense of urgency is running head-on not into opposition, but into caution, moderation and restraint. --Kathy Sherretts Article: The Atlantic: White Nationalism’s Deep American Roots by Adam Serwer Since the publication of this piece on the origins of Hitler’s white nationalist philosophy, its points were underlined by another terror attack on Muslim worshipers in New Zealand. Podcast: Slate/Trumpcast: To Understand Trump World, Find the Women (32 min) Author Nina Burleigh on Melania and Ivanka Trump, spa owner Cindy Yang, and the role of various women in the Trump orbit. Article: BBC: How Trump uses Reagan’s playbook on the White House lawn by Tara McKelvey Here's a look at communications strategy on the south lawn: over the helicopter's roar, the president appeared to say something. Several people said they realized later he didn't actually speak - he just mouthed words. Article: Regeneration International: A Climate Change Solution No One’s Talking About: Better Land Use by Daniel Ross The carbon sequestering capacity of the soil under our feet has the potential to help tackle and reverse, perhaps significantly, human-caused global warming.  "Soil carbon sequestration also has the potential to tackle one of the single greatest threats to humanity: anthropogenic climate change." Ready to do more? Read the Indivisible Guide 2.0, a new strategy for a new congress. Check out the weekly action plan from Progressive Action, Global Exchange (PAGE) which mobilizes progressive Americans living overseas. Sign up for the Americans of Conscience Checklist, a weekly action list that also provides encouragement and good news. Learn more at ClimateRecovery.org, a new group organized by members of American Resistance Sevilla and other community activists. Have questions or want to volunteer? Contact [email protected]. Celebrating International Women’s Day in Seville On Friday, March 8, members of American Resistance Sevilla and ClimateRecovery.org joined huge crowds marching for gender equality in the streets of Seville. Just how big were those crowds? According to El Diario de Sevilla, el Ayuntamiento says 130,000; the National Police estimates 50,000. Split the difference and say 90,000? The exact number is anybody’s guess, but our little group of Americans — easily identified by the iconic pink pussyhats and our banners — seemed to surprise and delight local activists. An astonishing number of people took our photos. We were proud to be part of this lively and passionate march (known locally as 8M) again this year. (Click here for more photos of the march.) Mark your calendar for another exiting event this month: American Resistance Sevilla and ClimateRecovery.org Invite You to a Roundtable Discussion What exactly is the Green New Deal? Thursday, March 21, 8:30 pm at Merchant Pub Find Out More About the Green New Deal & Our Roundtable Speakers & Topics STOP, LOOK, LISTEN! by Kathy Sherretts Take the challenge On The Gist, a podcast that I listen to regularly, Mike Pesca points out (at 23:40) that while everybody talks about what Trump says, very few people—supporters or resisters—actually hear his speeches in their entirety. The speech at CPAC last week was a recent example. We get analysis, sound bytes, fact-checks; 5 highlights, 8 worst insults, 20 lies, 15 most bizzare moments, 6 takeaways. The reporting process gives a logic and structure to Trump’s communications that his original speeches entirely lack. Republicans hear the best moments, and the Democrats hear the most outrageous ones. But who has actually heard the whole speech? Here’s your chance. Rather than rely on your favorite news outlet to distill it for you, watch the video of Trump’s CPAC speech, two hours and four minutes of your life that you will never get back. Or, if you tried to watch and failed, you can read the transcript. Write us back and tell us how far you got. --Kathy Sherretts Articles: The Atlantic: Trump Aides Keep Writing Memos to Protect Themselves by David A. Graham The president’s lieutenants keep being asked to do things and witness things that they feel are wrong, unwise, or even illegal, and they are keeping records. Slate: The Cowardice of the Cover-Your-Ass Memo by Dahlia Lithwick The 'memo to file' is just another way of shirking responsibility and hiding it under the veil of lawyerly professionalism. Article: The Root: Georgia Is One Vote Away From Stealing Elections for the Next 20 Years by Jason Johnson Voter suppression wasn’t a Russian plot. It came from lazy state attorneys, racist elected officials, and complicit secretaries of state. Article: Vox: Mitch McConnell wants a Green New Deal vote. Democrats should take him up on it by David Roberts McConnell is making a cynical calculation when it comes to the Green New Deal—forcing a vote to highlight divisions in the Democratic Party. But Democratic leadership has not backed down, calling on McConnell to hold a full day of floor debate on the subject. Article: Arkansas Democrat Gazette: Arkansas Senator walks out during debate over amending state self-defense laws; panel rejects bill by John Moritz "What are you going to do, shoot me?"  Can you watch the whole two-hour Trump CPAC speech...? We couldn't, either. Ready to do more? Read the Indivisible Guide 2.0, a new strategy for a new congress. Check out the weekly action plan from Progressive Action, Global Exchange (PAGE) which mobilizes progressive Americans living overseas. Sign up for the Americans of Conscience Checklist, a weekly action list that also provides encouragement and good news. Learn more at ClimateRecovery.org, a new group organized by members of American Resistance Sevilla and other community activists. Have questions or want to volunteer? Contact [email protected].  |
resist the madness!American Resistance Sevilla is a non-partisan community mobilizing Americans living abroad to take peaceful action defending our lawful rights and freedoms. Learn more Archives
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