Vietnam: Lessons Learned and Not Learned

W. D. Ehrhart: No one in power in Washington seems to have learned that no amount of military might can achieve goals that are unrealistic and incompatible with the beliefs, desires, and cultures of those at the other end of the rifle barrels. READ HERE shared from

SUNDAY, 17 MAY 2015 What Does Baltimore Say About America's Racism and Inequality? David Love: Recent events provide lessons on the intractability of poverty and racism in America, should we choose to heed the warnings and change course. READ MORE Vietnam: Lessons Learned and Not Learned W. D. Ehrhart: No one in power in Washington seems to have learned that no amount of military might can achieve goals that are unrealistic and incompatible with the beliefs, desires, and cultures of those at the other end of the rifle barrels. READ HERE Assessing Jeffrey Sterling Norman Solomon: The only fair sentence for Sterling would have been no sentence at all. Or, at most, something like the recent gentle wrist-slap for former CIA director David Petraeus. READ MORE Better Medical Care Needed at Private Prison Sandra Hernandez:GEO’s failure to provide adequate medical care at Adelanto appears to be part of a larger pattern at GEO-run facilities READ MORE US Politics Arrive in UK Denis Campbell: The Tories (like US Republicans) know FEAR of extremism of any kind, in relatively good economic times, can be a powerful motivator. Find the right mantra, ride it to victory. READ MORE

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Guy Figures Out A Brilliant New Way To Make Drawers

The Daily Digg Sunday, May 17, 2015 ONLY FOUR CUTS! Guy Figures Out A Brilliant New Way To Make Drawers digg.com You don't have to understand all the woodworking jargon to realize this is basically plywood origami. BUZZ FLIGHTYEAR Two Lunatics Fly Jetpacks Over Dubai, In 4K digg.com It's 2015 and we thought we'd have jetpacks by now, and it turns out we do — you just need to be crazy to fly them. Luckily Yves Rossy and his protege Vince Reffet are trained professionals. 'IT HAS TO BREATHE, LIKE A HUMAN' How To Make Mozzarella The Old Fashioned Way digg.com Shot in Caseficio Torricelle in Paestum, Italy, the mozzarella capital of the world. Michele goes through the delicate and detailed process of making artisanal mozzarella, starting at 2 in the morning. CATWOMAN FINALLY BEATS BATMAN Nimble Cat Defends The Living Room, Grabs A Bat In Mid Flight digg.com Well the bat's in a box... now what do we do? WE NEVER SAID IT WAS CONVENIENT How To Make A Coffee Machine Out Of Two Light Bulbs digg.com Mmm, tastes like shards of glass, with notes of aluminum! SOUND SURGERY The Last Jukebox Doctor digg.com Filmmakers Alden Nusser and Patrick Donachie profile Perry Rosen, one of America's few remaining jukebox technicians. Rosen, whose Sheepshead Bay home is lined with a half-dozen Wurlitzers and Rock-Olas, says that he can repair any variety of jukebox "from the 1930s right up to the year 2000." Get more stories on Digg.com → BUZZ FLIGHTYEAR It's 2015 and we thought we'd have jetpacks by now, and it turns out we do — you just need to be crazy to fly them. Luckily Yves Rossy and his protege Vince Reffet are trained professionals. Credit: XDubai

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Why in the world would the Obama administration give conditional approval for Shell to drill in the Arctic Ocean?

Dear Friend, Share this image on Facebook to keep the pressure on President Obama. It's hard not to be angry. Time and time again, President Obama has spoken about the importance of tackling climate disruption. So why in the world would the Obama administration give conditional approval for Shell to drill in the Arctic Ocean? Unfortunately, I don't have the answer, but I do know I'm not going to take this sitting down. Neither will the thousands of activists who are gathering in Seattle today to protest the administration's irresponsible actions and Shell's plan to drill in the Arctic. Join them and be a part of Team #ShellNo, too. Even if you can't attend the rally in Seattle today, you can still show your support. Share this image on Facebook and help hold President Obama accountable. You've been a part of the fight for the Arctic for a long time -- signing petitions, sending letters to President Obama and members of his administration, and flooding the White House with phone calls. Every victory that gets us closer to protecting the Arctic is because of you, but the work isn't over. Tell President Obama that he made a bad call, and it's not too late to make this right. Just remember, the White House is paying attention. Every time you, your friends, and your family share this post to say #ShellNo, our message is amplified. Together, let's make President Obama and his administration rethink their conditional approval. Thanks for all that you do to protect the Arctic, Dan Ritzman Alaska Program Director Sierra Club

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Why dogs snore | Banned books you should read | Craziest races in the world

Dear friend of Mother Nature, Many years ago, a girl in Pennsylvania and a boy in Zimbabwe made a life-changing promise: "I will always write back." Their childhood pen-pal relationship altered two lives, inspired a book, and continues to help others around the world.  Other stories we're tracking this week:  Censored books offer important, sometimes difficult, stories. But that's reason to read them, not ban them. We suggest 7 banned books that everyone should read. Escape rooms are a fun new activity that put your puzzle-solving skills to the test. You're locked in a room where everything inside could be a clue. Can you make it out in 60 minutes?   The Obama administration just gave Shell conditional approval to drill for oil in the U.S. Arctic. There's lots of oil up there, but here are 5 dangers of drilling and reasons to leave it under the ocean. Did you celebrate Bike to Work week? Check out this cool story about what a funky bike can teach us about how we learn. It's hard to sleep when there's a freight-train noise coming from Fido's spot in the bedroom. From obesity to allergies, here are10 reasons your dog is snoring. Take a peek inside your refrigerator. Is it packed with veggies or takeout containers? Nutritionists weigh in on what your fridge says about you. Americans generate 251 million tons of trash each year. More than one-third of it is recycled and put to good use. This fascinating graphic shows where it all goes. Presented by Georgia-Pacific. (Sponsored).  Looking forward to your visit, The team at MNN Quick links Anyone can run a normal 5K. From gorging on donuts mid-run to competing in your skivvies, here are 9 of the craziest races in the world. What happens when you break a bowl or a vase? Kintsugi, the ancient Japanese art of mending, lets the repair become a beautiful part of an object's history. No longer relegated to amusement parks, super-sized observation wheels soar year-round. Here are 13 high and mighty Ferris wheels that will take your breath away. Take a closer look at these dinner plates. Calamityware resembles traditional china but slyly celebrates catastrophe with whimsical images of UFOs, sea monsters and pirates. Join us at Google + | Follow us at Twitter | Like us at Facebook

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Campaign to protect the Arctic Ocean and the polar bears

Hey Friend, See Lauren’s note below? Basically, we have a big fight to win and it’s only just beginning. Can we count on you to be in our corner – be in our oceans’ corner? Support our campaign to protect the Arctic Ocean and the polar bears, beluga whales and many other creatures that live there from the threat of dangerous offshore drilling >> This week’s developments bring Shell even closer to being unleashed upon the U.S. Arctic Ocean as early as this summer. And believe me, that’s a scenario we don’t want to see. Together, we can stop Shell – we’ve done it before, now let’s do it again. Help our campaign win this fight against the looming menace of oil spills in the Arctic once more! Pitch in now to help keep Shell out, before it’s too late >> Thanks for showing your dedication to our oceans time and time again. The oceans need more people like you. For the oceans, Alex Gray Digital Campaigner Oceana

BREAKING: On Monday, the federal government granted a conditional approval for Shell’s plan to drill exploration wells in the Chukchi Sea, off Alaska’s northern coast. Donate now to help keep Shell out, before it’s too late >> Antonio, RAPID RESPONSE: For the Arctic Ocean Donate now to support our efforts to keep Shell out of the Arctic Ocean >> This is not a drill – the Arctic Ocean is at risk. Just two days ago, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management took a big step toward making offshore oil and gas exploration in the U.S. Arctic Ocean off Alaska’s northern coast a reality – as early as THIS SUMMER. If it allows Shell to pursue its drilling ambitions, the government will expose the Arctic Ocean to the risk of a BP Deepwater Horizon-like catastrophe. But there’s still time, and our campaign is working on overdrive to block Shell from repeating its failed 2012 Arctic exploration season. Will you support our work? Make a donation now to support Oceana’s work to protect the Arctic Ocean from dangerous offshore drilling >> We can’t let offshore drilling and oil spills become the new normal for the Arctic Ocean. The government can still prevent this grave threat to the U.S. Arctic Ocean and the beluga whales, polar bears, ice seals and many other important marine animals that depend on it. With your support, our Arctic campaign has so far helped protect these waters by seizing opportunities like this one. Oceana is a leading force in protecting the U.S. Arctic Ocean. From producing exclusive reports and filing winning lawsuits to being featured in The New York Times, we’re in this fight no matter the cost. Together, let’s find a way to win, again! Give now to help keep us in the fight >> For the oceans, Lauren Parks Director of Digital Engagement Oceana

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Weekly Reader: House Acquisition "Reforms" Written by Defense Contractors

May 16, 2015            Editor's Choice House Acquisition "Reforms" Written by Defense Contractors Incorporating reporting by POGO, Politico revealed that many of the proposed acquisition reforms passed this week in the House came from the defense industry. In some cases, language was word for word from their lobbyists. Read more on POGO's blog about how one company secured changes to purchasing rules that will stick costs to taxpayers. Congress Still Playing Keep-Away with CRS Reports The House Appropriations Committee has decided to maintain a ban on the Congressional Research Service’s ability to publish its reports, holding tight to symbolic congressional control of this information. The logic behind the ban doesn't sit well with experts or those of us who want a more informed public. Read more on POGO’s blog. Ex-Pentagon Inspector General Official Cashes In With Revolving Door Former Acting Inspector General for the Department of Defense Lynn Halbrooks has secured a job with a major law firm that represents one of the top contractors overseen by her former agency. Halbrooks said her practice “will include advising clients on inspector general and other federal investigations, enforcement defense, and compliance matters.” Read more on POGO's blog. Social Media Campaign Prompts Senate Action Newly released FOIA documents show that the grassroots led social media campaign about FOIA legislation caught the attention of Capitol Hill staffers and helped move the bill through the Senate last Congress. The news outlet MuckRock released the documents that show that social media campaigns are an effective tool to prompt change. Read more on POGO’s blog. From the World of POGO POGO Supports Expansion of Military Whistleblower Protections In National Defense Authorization Act Following troubling Government Accountability Office findings of failures in Defense Department treatment of military whistleblowers, POGO joins other government watchdogs in urging the House to adopt Congresswoman Jackie Speier's (D-CA) amendment to expand protections. Learn more, read POGO’s letter. POGO Opposes GSA Prices Paid Proposal that Would Gut the Price Reduction Clause POGO opposes new plan to scrap pricing protection tool and rely on sales data indicating previous government prices paid. The plan would essentially lock the government into buying commercially available goods at government prices rather genuine market prices. Learn more, read POGO’s letter. Tweets of the Week What you learn in open mark: @SenBlumenthal offers amendment to weaken F117 spare part overcharges we wrote about http://t.co/0c2DBfqOjj — Straus Reform (@StrausReform) May 12, 2015 https://twitter.com/StrausReform/status/598192435198570498 Defense bill protects A-10 - proud to help lead fight to ensure ground troops have the close air support they need http://t.co/INwhPLkEQ3 — Kelly Ayotte (@KellyAyotte) May 14, 2015 https://twitter.com/KellyAyotte/status/598990226468536320 Defense firm that employed drunk, high contractors in Afghanistan may have wasted $135 million in taxpayer dollars http://t.co/n305oMSkkA — Scott Amey (@SAmeyJD) May 14, 2015 https://twitter.com/SAmeyJD/status/598837840466866177 2/3 Defense industry boasts Thornberry's bill used their recs "word-for-word." His top industry? #Defense aerospace: http://t.co/kFPGfe4mQs — Sheila Krumholz (@skrmhlz) May 14, 2015 https://twitter.com/skrmhlz/status/598899001887465472 After 8 years, air marshal #whistleblower @rjmaclean is back on the public payrollhttp://t.co/Xcef4jpcJ6 — Neil Gordon (@NEGordon) May 13, 2015 https://twitter.com/NEGordon/status/598515939588595712

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POGO :: 1100 G Street, NW, Suite 500 :: Washington, DC 20005 :: (202) 347-1122

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Help expose the TPP's pro-fracking language

Friends,

The Trans-Pacific Partnership is so bad, it's hard to believe -- but this stunning part of the deal has been independently confirmed:

The TPP would eliminate environmental reviews of fracked liquid natural gas export facilities, which could be used to move half of the gas drilled in the US overseas. These massive, multibillion dollar fossil fuel projects would make fracking companies a fortune -- and be completely exempt from federal environmental review.

Fracked gas is difficult and expensive to export. The TPP would rubber stamp facilities that make it easier for Big Oil to ship gas to places where they can sell it at higher prices.

People need to know about this. Can you share this image on Facebook to help expose the TPP's pro-fracking language?

Click here to share this on Facebook

If this sounds like something straight from the wildest fantasies of Big Oil, that's because it basically is -- the TPP has been written and championed by fossil fuel lobbyists from the very beginning.

The deal faces an uphill battle in Congress for a simple reason: the more people find out about it, the less they like it.

We're gearing up to deliver this petition opposing the TPP to Congress in the coming weeks. The more we can expose the deal between now and then, the better.

Yours in disbelief,

Linda

Sources:

"What a Secretly-Negotiated Free Trade Agreement Could Mean for Fracking in the U.S." DeSmog Blog, Sept. 25th 2013.

"How an international trade deal will impact Western states" High Country News, April 25, 2015.

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NET NEUTRALITY HAS BEEN SUED

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Free Press Jumps in to Defend the Net Neutrality Rules in Court

Candace ClementMay 15, 2015Net Neutrality

The FCC and Media Policy

As John Oliver might say, Free Press exists to stop “cable company f*ckery.”

It’s been a banner year for doing that and protecting the open Internet. We’ve stopped Comcast’s attempt to take over Time Warner Cable — crushing a mega-merger that would have made Comcast the only truly high-speed broadband provider available to about 4 out of every 10 U.S. homes. And we put Net Neutrality back on solid legal ground when the FCC voted in February to reclassify broadband as a Title II service — and put in place strong rules to prevent blocking, throttling and paid prioritization.

But even then we knew the fight wasn’t over. Before we’d finished toasting the victory, we were plotting the next steps. How will we defend this win in Congress? In the courts?

Since the February ruling, 10 big phone and cable companies or various lobbyists for these companies have filed lawsuits that for the most part are designed to gut the Net Neutrality rules. And this week the ISPs also filed what’s called a joint motion for a stay of the FCC’s reclassification decision, a move that would delay implementation of the rules and undercut their effectiveness.

We’ve been keeping a close eye on all of these proceedings. And this week, Free Press took the next major step to protect this win by filing to intervene in the industry-backed court case and defend the FCC decision against those challenging the agency’s rules.

We filed in court because we want to be sure that you are represented in this debate. The fight for Net Neutrality united millions of people, businesses and organizations behind a simple idea: Internet service providers should not be allowed to interfere with what we say or do online. With the fight moving to the courts, we need to keep the public’s voice front and center.

“Free Press will fight the spurious and unsubstantiated claims of the phone and cable companies and uphold the FCC’s decision to root open Internet protections in established law,” said my colleague Matt Wood, the Free Press policy director. “This fight includes opposing the industry attempt to get the court to delay the implementation of these fundamental safeguards for Internet users."

Free Press will be there every step of the way. And as the legal battle rages on, we welcome your support for our efforts in court, too.

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Bernie Sanders pushes new pay hike for federal contractors

shared fromBy Jordain Carney

Greg Nash

Presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is pressing President Obama to act again to give a pay raise to the lowest earning employees of firms who do business with the federal government.

Sanders, backed by a group of Senate Democrats, wants the president to take executive action directing government agencies to give preference to contractors who pay "a living wage," which would give them an advantage when competing for
government contracts. 

read more

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