All posts by Shane Pekny

Hearing is set on Nebraska oil, natural gas regulation

August 20, 2015Action AlertsEcological Wisdom, Grassroots DemocracyShane Pekny

A legislative committee undertaking a study that could determine the fate of the agency that regulates and promotes the oil and natural gas industry in Nebraska has scheduled a fact-finding hearing in Sidney next month. The Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee plans a hearing at Sidney High School at 9 a.m. Sept. 22.

Read the full story from the World-Herald.

Greens should note that both the Sierra Club Nebraska Chapter and BOLD Nebraska have raised concerns about the time and location of this hearing, located far from many of the people affected on a Tuesday morning. Consider showing your support for the cause by getting to this hearing.

Nebraskans for Peace reflect on atomic bombings anniversary

August 11, 2015NewsNon-Violence, Personal and Global ResponsibilityShane Pekny

From the Lincoln Journal Star:

For the sixth and final time, Noboko Tsukui joined in the lighting of the Lincoln lantern float.

“This has become something to live for,” she said as a crowd of 70 people gathered on the northeast shore of Holmes Lake Saturday evening.

It was the 32nd annual lantern float Nebraskans for Peace has held since a group of American peace workers, including one from Nebraskans for Peace, traveled to Japan in 1981 to discuss with the Japanese the dangers of the nuclear arms race.

From that assembly, the idea of the lantern float ceremony was carried across the globe to remember those who died in the U.S. atomic bombings of Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. In traditional Japanese culture, lanterns are lit to guide the souls of the dead to rest.

Read the full story.

Jane Kleeb on Hillary and KXL

July 28, 2015NewsEcological Wisdom, Future FocusShane Pekny

Pipeline Fighter Jane Kleeb discusses Hillary Clinton’s climate proposals and the Keystone XL on MSNBC’s The Ed Show:

“On the one hand, we have Sec. Clinton saying she wants to be a climate champion and rolling out this renewable energy plan, and on the other hand, she says she’s ‘inclined to support Keystone XL’ — a pipeline that’s not only going to risk our land and water here in Nebraska, but is going to contribute to climate change 20 times worse than traditional oil. While I appreciate that she’s thinking about tomorrow, with solar panels, I need her thinking about today — about the risk on climate that tarsands brings to our country.”

Watch the full interview via BOLD Nebraska and YouTube.

Pipeline Fighter Neil Young to play in Lincoln July 11

June 29, 2015EventsEcological Wisdom, Grassroots DemocracyShane Pekny

From BOLD Nebraska:

Our hero and fellow Pipeline Fighter Neil Young is coming to Lincoln on Saturday, July 11, to perform a concert at Pinnacle Arena with the band Promise of the Real — which includes Lukas and Micah Nelson. For anyone who attended the “Harvest the Hope” concert last fall, Promise of the Real stood out as a force. Rock legend Neil Young teaming up with the Nelson boys is a show that cannot be missed!

Neil’s new album is called “The Monsanto Years” and his current tour is focused on the risks that corporation brings to farms and our food system. There is a unique “Eco-Village” taking place as part of the concert, where you can visit booths and nonprofits inside the concert venue who are all working on local food, clean energy and climate change issues. (Be sure to visit the Bold Nebraska booth!)

Neil has generously donated a batch of tickets to his July 11th concert to Bold Nebraska, which we will put on sale as a part of a fundraiser that also includes admission to our pre-concert “Politics + Pints” event with speakers, local musicians, and Special Guests.

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, June 30, at 9 a.m. on the Bold Nebraska website.

Video: Jill Stein officially launches 2016 campaign

June 23, 2015NewsGrassroots DemocracyShane Pekny

From Democracy Now!:

In a Democracy Now! exclusive, Dr. Jill Stein officially launches her campaign as a Green Party candidate for the 2016 presidential race.

“I have a people-powered campaign,” Stein notes. “I am running with the only national party that does not take corporate funding.”

Stein, a physician and activist who first ran in 2012, outlines her platform. She joins the fray as the race for the Democratic Party nomination heats up. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, has emerged as Hillary Clinton’s main rival for the party’s nomination, as his poll ratings have surged in recent weeks.

“Hillary is the Wal-Mart candidate. She has been a member of the Wal-Mart board. On jobs, on trade, on healthcare, on banks, on foreign policy, it is hard to find where we are similar.”

Watch the video.

Decline to Sign! Nebraskans for Public Safety gaining support

June 19, 2015Action Alerts, NewsGrassroots Democracy, Non-Violence, Social JusticeShane Pekny

From Nebraskans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty:

Last week, we announced our membership in a new coalition to fight the referendum campaign called Nebraskans for Public Safety. Support for this new group continues to grow! Today, the ACLU of Nebraska announced that they secured $400,000 grantto fight the death penalty referendum. And in case you missed it, be sure to check out the ad that ran in the Omaha World Herald from murder victims family members disgusted with attempts to bring the death penalty back:

The coalition includes victims family members, fiscal conservatives, and faith leaders who all know that the death penalty is broken beyond repair. The coalition launched their website this week. Check it out here to learn more and get signed up to volunteer with Nebraskans for Public Safety. Additionally, be sure to “like” their Facebook page and follow them on Twitter. We need to keep their numbers growing!

Many have asked what they can do about petition circulators. According to Amy Miller, NADP board member and Legal Director of ACLU Nebraska, if you spot a death penalty circulator doing something that concerns you, use the Nebraskans for Public Safety website to report fraud. THREE particularly important things to report if you see them: (1) Circulator not reading the object statement to each signer, (2) Circulator offering something of value to gain a signature, or (3) Unattended signatures left for people to sign with no circulator in charge. Remember: you have the right to film people in public. Film any circulator you find concerning, look for their identifying information and report fraud online at NE4PS website.

Thanks for your ongoing support. We can fight this referendum campaign together and show Nebraskans that repeal of the death penalty was the right step into history.

Save the date: Bill McKibben to speak in Lincoln Oct. 6

June 18, 2015EventsEcological Wisdom, Future FocusShane Pekny

From the E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues website:

What: Bill McKibben will speak on “The Climate Fight at its Peak”
When: October 6, 2015, 7:00 pm.
Where: Lied Center for Performing Arts, 301 N. 12th Street, Lincoln

In the weeks before the world gathers in Paris for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, Bill McKibben will provide an update on how the movement to slow global warming is progressing, both in the United States and around the world. He will share inspiring examples of grassroots climate-focused actions that have been launched by 350.org members in more than 188 countries; then, he will turn his focus to his host state and highlight ways in which Nebraskans can become involved in advocating and campaigning on global environmental issues.