WOULD YOU GET INVOLVED? . . . The Green Party is now qualified for ballot status this election cycle in all of the four biggest states: New York, California, Florida, and Texas. Nebraska Green Party is considering a full-out signature campaign, so that voters here will also have the choice of voting for the Green Party presidential slate. To do this, we will need the help of volunteers to circulate petitions and gather signatures. The Secretary of State has approved our application for new political party petitions, and we have a supply on hand. If You would like to participate in the ballot access process in any way, by signing a petition, circulating a petition, or becoming involved as a candidate for local elected office, please let us know by e-mailing mjberry [at] inebraska [dot] com.
XL PIPELINE UPDATE . . . Last week’s celebratory TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline Update was somewhat pre-mature. We have effectively stopped the pipeline, for now. But the Special Session of the Nebraska Unicameral has evolved disturbing compromises and questionable dealings between TransCanada’s Vice President and the Natural Resources Committee of the Legislature. Final reading of the proposed siting bill, which exempts TransCanada from the law, is Tuesday. Other relevant issues of serious concern such as spill liability, local emergency response, bond for road repairs, local ordinances, water rights, wetland protection, landowner rights and eminent domain have not been addressed. The pipeline can only truly be stopped at the federal level. Protecting Nebraska’s land, water, wildlife and people now must wait until Nebraska senators return in January. Page down for this week’s abbreviated Pipeline Update.
Lincoln area: Congressional District 1
VIGIL AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY . . . Every Monday, from noon to 1:00pm, Nebraskans for abolition of the death penalty meet in front of the governor’s mansion when weather is good, 1425 H Street, Lincoln. In winter, the vigil is inside the capitol, near the Information Desk. The lunch-hour presence reminds the governor of a constituency that does not want state killings. Weekly vigils have taken place year-round since July, 1991. All abolitionists are welcome to participate for a few minutes, or the hour. For information about Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty, click here.
LES BUDGET HEARING . . . The Lincoln City Council will hold a public hearing on Lincoln Electric System’s proposed 2012 Budget — including funding for its renewable and sustainable energy programs — this Monday, November 21, 2011, 5:30pm, Lincoln City Council Chamber, County-City Building, 555 South 10th Street. Attend the hearing to show support for LES budget recommendations for renewable energy and increased funding for the ‘Sustainable Energy Program.’ Click here for more information.
SPECIAL SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE ON PIPELINE ROUTING REGULATIONS . . . Final reading of the pipeline routing regulation bills will be Tuesday, November 22, 2011. Pipeline opposition groups and individuals will meet in the Capitol Rotunda for a press conference highlighting Coalition victories after the session adjourns Tuesday morning.
LINCOLN PEACE VIGILS . . . Lincoln peace vigils continue at the Federal Building, 15th and O streets, every Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:00pm. Contact Mark at 402.499.6672 or e-mail mark [at] weddleton [dot] com for more information.
OCCUPY LINCOLN . . . The Occupy Lincoln camp site is located on Centennial Mall north of the state capitol. Wednesday, November 23, 2011, the Occupation General Assembly meeting will be at Indigo Bridge Books, 701 P Street, (1st floor of the Creamery Building), 6:00pm. The next Occupy Lincoln march will be Saturday, November 26, 2011, starting at noon on the north side of the state capitol building, 14th & K Streets. A parade permit has been granted for this action and every Saturday at noon until January 1, 2012. The Facebook page is here. The Twitter feed is @OccupyLincoln. For more information, e-mail occupylincoln [at] gmail [dot] com or phone 402.585.5865. The Occupy Lincoln website is here. Corporate Greed is Revolution’s Seed!
Omaha area: Congressional District 2
BOB KERREY BRIDGE RIDE . . . Every Sunday in November, the Bellevue Bicycle Club will ride 15-20 miles from 1:00 to 4:00pm. All riders are invited to meet at Iowa West Foundation Park, on the Iowa side of the bridge.
OMAHA PEACE VIGILS . . . Omaha peacemakers vigil every Wednesday, 4:30-5:30pm, at StratCom/UN-O, 6801 Pine Street, east of the Scott Technology Center on the UN-O campus. Free parking is available at the NE Corner of 67th Street and Pine in a student lot. For more information, phone Jerry Ebner, 402.502.5887. Every Saturday, 1:00-2:00pm, there is a Peace Vigil at 72nd and Dodge Streets. Park next to 72nd Street, in the pet store parking lot. Contact Steve Horn at 402.426.9068 for more information about Saturday vigils.
OMAHA PEOPLE’S FILM FESTIVAL . . . There is a People’s Film Festival every Wednesday evening, 7:00pm, at McFoster’s Natural Kind Cafe, 38th and Harney in Omaha. Wednesday, November 23, 2011, the film will be “Calling All Rebels,” a “profound and inspiring speech” by Pulitzer Prize-winner Chris Hedges who “poignantly argues that American liberalism has failed in the face of the corporate takeover of the US government.” The weekly event is always free and open to the public. A discussion will follow the film. For more information, click here. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.
OCCUPY OMAHA . . . The current Occupy Omaha location is in transition. The official Occupy Omaha website is here. The FaceBook page is here. The Twitter feed is #occupyomaha
ENGAGE OMAHA . . . One of the nation’s first city-wide, virtual town hall websites, EngageOmaha, is now online. Omaha residents may weigh in on issues for the city to consider. Pick a topic, and join the mix here.
Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3
WATER: A BALANCING ACT . . . In late November each year, the Nebraska State Irrigation Association joins with Nebraska Water Resources Association (NWRA) to present fresh ideas, new insights, current legislative issues and best practices relative to Nebraska’s water issues. Click here [pdf] for the two-day schedule of sessions, panels, and meetings at the Kearney Holiday Inn Convention Center, just off I-80 near the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, Monday, November 21th and Tuesday, November 22, 2011.
KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE UPDATE . . . President Obama has announced that he is taking complete ownership of the decision about the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, and that he’ll be looking at the environmental and health impacts of the project. Meanwhile, “Two oil pipeline bills set for approval,” reports on the Major Oil Pipeline Siting Act (LB 1) giving authority for siting future oil pipelines to the Nebraska Public Service Commission, which oversees telecommunications, mass transit and utilities. LB 1 will not apply to TransCanada.
“Looking Back and Looking Ahead: Pipeline Wrap-Up,” by BOLD Nebraska’s Jane Kleeb, includes a list of Citizen Accomplishments during the opposition campaign, a Focus on 2012, as well as an action for saying thank you to the senators.
A November 16th Lincoln Journal Star article, “Pipeline twists create new uncertainties,” looks at the impact of the three year stand against TransCanada’s threats on Nebraska landowners, including Randy Thompson.
On a national level, more emails continue to show an increasingly biased relationship between TransCanada and the US State Department. Obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, one TransCanada e-mail says “We do also want to be able to address the Nebraska/water issues with one voice as well.”
Urge the President to do the right thing and reject the pipeline by filling out the petition here. Send a “Thanks in Advance” message to the President in the Spirit of the Thanksgiving Season.
Add your voice to the “Protect Our Water, Stop the Keystone XL Pipeline!” petition urging the president to deny a construction permit here. Call the White House Switchboard directly at 202.456.1111. And sign The Other 98% petition to Obama, “End Lobbyist Influence, STOP THE PIPELINE,” here.
Comprehensive coverage of international, national and local opposition to the XL pipeline since May 30, 2010 is archived in the Green Notes tab above. At the Index, scroll from the bottom up for links to each week’s Update.
Thanks to EveryOne who has helped make Nebraska the first state to successfully oppose a pipeline project.
STOP FRACKING NOW . . . “Big Win Against Fracking: Vote Canceled for New Fracking Regulations in the Delaware River Basin,” by AlterNet staff, was published November 17, 2011. Read more about the vote in an earlier AlterNet story here. Petition Congress: “We, the undersigned, call on Congress to pass the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act this year. It’s time to hold the oil and gas production industry to the same standards as any other industry to ensure the safe protection of America’s drinking water.” Sign the Petition here.
PETITION THE EPA . . . Tell the Environmental Protection Agency to immediately prohibit the use of clothianidin and conduct a full scientific review to determine its impact on honey bee populations. Learn more about clothianidin and sign the petition here.
TELL PRESIDENT OBAMA NOT TO CAVE TO MONSANTO AND THE BIOTECH INDUSTRY . . . The Obama administration has unbelievably chosen to approve three biotech crops, Roundup Ready genetically modified alfalfa, Roundup Ready genetically modified sugar beets and a new industrial biotech corn for ethanol production. These decisions are a devastating blow to our democracy and the basic rights of farmers to choose how they want to grow food on their land and the rights of consumers who increasingly choose organic and sustainably grown food for its positive health and environmental impacts. Please tell the President it’s time to stand up to Monsanto and reject GMO crops.
BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL . . . . Farmers, gardeners, and craftspeople meet through The Nebraska Food Cooperative, an on-line, year-round farmers’ market and local food distribution service offering the best in local freshness. For ordering and pickup schedules, refer to the calendar here. Click here for products and prices from North Star Neighbors, a Cooperative member that doesn’t therapeutically medicate or unduly confine animals. Click here for Tomato Tomäto, Omaha’s year-round indoor Farmer’s Market at 156th & West Center. Shop for fresh foods grown in or very near your own community at Open Harvest Lincoln’s member-owned natural foods retail cooperative at 1618 South Street. Buying local grows family farming, grows the local economy, and is thousands of miles fresher.
HELP NEBRASKA GREENS WITH GOODSEARCH . . . Each time you search the Internet (or shop online at a participating store), a donation can be made to Nebraska Green Party at no cost to you! To help NGP in this way, enter Nebraska Green Party where it asks you to name your cause here. Bookmark the GoodSearch Homepage, or make it your own Home Page. Enter the url you want in the GoodSearch search box. Each time you do, one penny will be donated to Nebraska Greens. THANK YOU for your support!
Remember, every man-made by-product of the petroleum industry could be replaced by hemp. “Help Save the Earth, Time to Subsitute Hemp for oil.“
WE HAVE STOPPED THE PIPELINE, FOR NOW.