Forget Plastic. Buy a Stylish, Reusable Shopping Bag.

Society's plastic bag usage is estimated at well over 500 billion plastic bags annually, or almost 1 million per minute. Plastics do not biodegrade. They'll accumulate and persist on our planet for up to 1,000 years. Plastic bags cause over 100,000 sea turtle and other marine animal deaths every year when animals mistake them for food. Read the facts and figures regarding the true cost of plastic bags.
Each high quality reusable bag you use has the potential to eliminate an average of 1,000 plastic bags over its lifetime.

Stop using plastic bags and get yourself some reusable bags. Here's some eye-catching, cute bags you can purchase.

1. ACME Bags™ - Plastic Bags Blow™ Dual-Handled Tote

Made with Fair Labor / Fair Wages
Size: 14.5" H x 11.5" W x 6.5" D
Long handles: 25" loop
Short handles: 8.5" loop
Price: $9.95
Buy 4-9: $7.95 each
Buy 10 or more: $5.95 each
Buy here: reusablebags.com


2. Envirosax - Set of 5 Flora Pouch, Reusable Shopping Bags

Includes 5 bags and a storage pouch
Pouch size: 9" x 6"
Individual bag size: 19.5" x 16.5"
Individual rolled up bag size: 4" x 1.5" diameter
Handles: 18" loop
Set of 5: $37.95
Buy here: reusablebags.com


3. Organic Hemp Tote

Made of 100% organic hemp mesh fabric processed without the use of any chemicals. Made in Romania by a workforce that is treated fairly, paid above-average wages and provided with health and pension benefits.
Size: 15.75" x 17.5 x 3"
12" loop handles
Price: $8.95
Buy here: reusablebags.com


4. Eco-Chick Organic Cotton Shopping Bags- Set of four


Organic Cotton
17'' tall X 16'' wide X 4'' bottom gusset
Double enforced 2'' wide straps
5'' X 5'' pocket inside of the bag
Set of 4: $140.00
Buy here: greenhome.com


5. Gecko Traders - Recycled Market Bag

100% recycled from rice & feed bags originally used for transporting various goods in Asia. One of a kinds. Handcrafted in small batches by disadvantaged workers in Cambodia. Each bag sold helps provide sustainable living to Cambodian weavers & producers, many of whom are disabled/economically disadvantaged single mothers supporting households.
12" H x 18" W x 6" D
10" loop handle
Price: $22.95
Buy here: reusablebags.com


6. Reisenthel - Market Basket, Baroque Sand

Winner prestigious Design Plus award Durable, lightweight aluminum frame Tough, tear-proof polyester cover Collapsible, with removable supports on sides Sturdy bottom with rubber feet Soft rubber-grip handle Zip pocket inside Fair Wage / Fair Labor

19" x 12" x 11"
25 liter volume
Price: $39.95
Buy here: reusablebags.com


7. Get Hip Get Green Reusable Shopping Bag

Each sale will mean a donation to the children's environmental group "The Green Ambassadors" - Youth empowering youth.
Dimensions 13.5" H x 12.5"W x 8.5"D
1 for $6.00 or 5 for $25.00
Buy it here: thegreenloop.com


8. Love This Planet Reusable Shopping Bag

Each year over 1 million birds and sea mammals die from plastic ingestion or entanglement.
Dimensions 13.5" H x 12.5"W x 8.5"D
$6.00
Buy here: thegreenloop.com


10. Fair Trade Jute Recycle Shopping Bag

The bag features a 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' logo on the front and a 'shared earth' logo on the back. Every bag is handmade and printed by women and self-help groups at a fair trade project in Kolkata. The supplier is a member of BAFTS & IFAT.
Size H39 x W36cm.
Price: £3.87
Buy here: naturalcollection.com


11. Freedom Tree Shopping Tote

The Breast Cancer Site will fund 1.0 % of a mammogram for each Freedom Tree Shopping Tote purchased. Handmade by women rescued from a life of sex trafficking by a unique social enterprise called Freeset Bags in Calcutta, India. 100% natural, eco-friendly, and renewable jute fibers are used to make the bags.
14" T x 12" W x 4" D (35.5 x 30.5 x 10.2 cm)
Price: $12.00
Buy here: shop.thebreastcancersite.com


12.Waste Not, Want Not
100% RECYCLED COTTON SHOPPER TOTE

This 100% recycled tote is made with 80% post-industrial recycled cotton and 20% post-consumer recycled plastic.
Size: 18" W x 17" H
Price: $12.00
Buy here: uncommongoods.com


14. Envirosax Mikado Bag 3

Designed in Australia, founders Belinda and Mark David-Tooze ensure fair labor practices and wages in their Chinese factories, making these bags all the more desirable
(w) 16.5" x (h) 19.5"
Price: $10.00
Buy here: tobi.com


15. Envirosax Mikado Bag 5

Designed in Australia, founders Belinda and Mark David-Tooze ensure fair labor practices and wages in their Chinese factories, making these bags all the more desirable
(w) 16.5" x (h) 19.5"
Price: $10.00
Buy here: tobi.com

-More Envirosax bag designs


16. Canvas Recycle Tote

With a sturdy canvas construction, and the very recognizable recycle graphic in vibrant greens, the Canvas Recycle Tote features 22" handles, and an adorable olive green polka dot lined interior.
Measures 17" x 13"
Price: $36.00
Buy here: patinastores.com


17. Beau Soleil Beau Bag

Buy here: shopbop.com


18. Peas Recycle Tote

This reusable bag is both figuratively and literally green. Once you've carried your groceries home inside, simply fold it into the special green pea on the front.
Price: $12.74
Buy here: modcloth.com


19. Heavyweight Hemp and Organic Cotton Grocery Bag

Available colors: Black, Olive, and Purple.
Combining durable hemp and soft organic cotton, the Heavyweight Hemp / Organic Cotton Grocery Bag makes an excellent reusable tote bag stylish enough for everyday use around town.
14" H x 12" W x 7" D
17" handle length
5.5" x 5.5" exterior pocket
Price: $17.95
Buy here: reusablebags.com


20. Heavy Duty XL Hemp Tote

Colors available: Natural, Black, Sage, and Brown
Made of super strong 18 oz. hemp fabric. During the seller's trips to the grocery store they've noticed that using this one bag can cut down on 4-6 plastic shopping bags at a time.
Manufactured in a small town in the highlands of Guatemala by a small family business that pays special attention to quality. Fair Labor and Fair Wage.
Dimensions:
17" W x 15.5" H x 7" D
11" loop handles
Price: $32.95
Buy here: reusablebags.com


21. Gecko Traders - Recycled Wave Tote

100% recycled from rice & feed bags originally used for transporting various goods in Asia. Handcrafted in small batches by disadvantaged workers in Cambodia. Fully-certified Fair Trade Federation (FTF) member. Colorful, well designed & no two are exactly alike.
Dimensions:
14" H x 22.5" W x 8" D
Handles: 12" loop
Colors available: Blue/Green, Dark Pink/Orange, Green, and Blue.
Price: $35.95
Buy here: recyclebags.com


22. Envirosax - Organic Series, Hemp Bag Natural Green Script

Envirosax Organic Series bags are printed with vegetable-based inks and are all packaged in a recycled cardboard box that has been printed with organic soy-based waterless inks. Made from 100% fine grade hemp. Hip and stylish way to promote environmental sustainability and awareness.
Dimensions
Pouch size: 7.5" x 6"
Individual bag size: 19.5" x 16.5"
Max weight capacity: 22 lb
Handles: 17" loop
Price: $24.95
Buy here: reusablebags.com


23. Standard Reusable Shopping Bag

Dimensions: 13.5x12.5x8.5 "
Buy one at a Target Store (not available for purchase online)


24. Cotton Shopping Bag with Print (Heavy Canvas)

Two choices: "Take Action" (as shown in photo on left) and Grassroots Logo (as shown in photo on right)
Price: $6.95
Buy here: grassrootsstore.com


25. Organic Cotton Bold Bag (one of my favorites)






















BE BOLD! This bag says AND does it all. Get the message across to those still coveting the plastic bag.
Dimensions:
7'' tall X 16'' wide X 4'' with a bottom gusset for added strength
Price: $10.00
Buy here: bringyourownbag.ca























26. Natural Cotton / Tweet Tote

An original BYOB classic brought back by popular demand. The 'Tweet' bag will have you dreaming of Spring through those long winter nights.
Dimensions:
17'' tall X 16'' wide X 4'' with a bottom gusset for added strength.
Ethically made in Vancouver, BC CANADA.
Price: $10.00
Buy here: bringyourownbag.ca


27. Paper or Plastic? Just say 'Mi-Bag'

With four designs (Zebra, Cat, Birds (photo above), and Elephant), you're sure to find your Mi-Bag.
Mi-Bag holds a lot more than a regular plastic bag, but it can also fold into a small built-in pocket, so you can take it anywhere. body: W 18" x H 23" x D 7" pocket: W 6" x H 7". See how it works.
Price: $24.00
Buy here: id-adesigns.com

28. Flip & Tumbles' 24-7 Bag and Loopt Bag

24/7 Bag ($12.00):


Loopt Bag ($6.00):

Read about the two different styles: here
Buy here: flipandtumble.com

29. Baggu
Choose your size and choose from a variety of colors

- Baggu: A reusable shopping bag. Carry in your hand or over the shoulder. Holds the contents of 2-3 plastic grocery bags. 14" wide / 23" high / 5" deep. Folds into a flat 5" by 5" pouch. Holds 25 lbs. $8.00
- Baby Baggu: A small reusable shopping bag. Perfect for your lunch, a six pack, extra shoes, a trip to the corner market. 10" wide / 18" high / 4" deep. Folds into a flat 4" by 4" pouch. Holds 25 lbs. $6.00
- Big Baggu: A big reusable shopping bag. Carry in your hand or over the shoulder. 18" wide / 32" high / 7" deep. Folds into a zippered 7" by 7" pouch. Holds 25 lbs. $14.00
Buy here: baggubag.com


30. Skeeda Reusable Totes

Comes in 11 different styles, including polka dot and other fashionable designs.
Holds 2-3 times as much as normal plastic bags, so you’ll carry fewer bags.
Dimensions:
17" wide x 14 1/2" high with a 3" gusset
11 1/2" handles (fits over your shoulder)
Price: $15.00
Buy here: skeeda.com


31. This Bag is Garbage Tote



Crafted from the colorful plastic bags that litter the streets of New Delhi, these totes are made using a unique non-toxic process that melts the bags together to create a durable material. Fair trade. 3 designs to choose from.
15 x 12 x 5.5 (in.)
Price $44.95
Buy here: originalgood.com


32. Rootote Medium- Stripe

Size: 42(L) x 32(H) x 14(W)cm
Price: A$20.00
Buy here: rootote.com

Buy a reusable bag, and help make plastic bags history.


Please share/social-bookmark (digg, stumble, reddit, myspace, facebook, etc) below:

Have Unused and Expired Medications? Give To Take-Back Programs.

Most people have a cabinet or area in their home used to store medication. I bet if you took a look in there you would find old, unused medications. Unfortunately, the US Office of National Drug Control Policy still advises people to flush medicine down the sink or toliet or throw them in the garbage.

The truth is, flushing medications only leads the medication to end up back in our tap water and cause defects in animals. Increasing amounts of prescription drugs and personal care products are being detected in U.S. rivers, waterways, and groundwater. Wastewater treatment facilities are not equipped to “filter out” these chemicals, so drugs like antidepressants, cholesterol reducers and antibiotics are being detected in drinking water supplies. The risk to humans and animals of long-term exposure to these contaminants in drinking water is unknown.

So what can we do with our unused and old medication? Luckily, "drug take back" programs are rising. There are facilities that can and will take your unused and outdated medicines and properly dispose of them. A lot of pharmacies are taking part in this. I found that the majority of locations follow these rules: Pill bottles, blister packs, ointment tubes, and leak-proof liquid containers are all acceptable. Remove or black out any personal information on the label to protect your privacy, but make sure the drug name is still visible. They do not accept scheduled drugs.
If you do not see a location near you, please do not flush your medications. Instead:

Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their original containers

Mix the prescription drugs with an undesirable substance, such as coffee grounds or cat litter

Put the mixture in an empty can or sealable bags and throw in the trash

When possible, return prescription drugs to pharmaceutical take-back locations

Locations by State (I will update as much as possible)

California:
- San Francisco
- Recycled AIDS Medicine Program- Help Save Lives
- Los Angeles
- Pacific Palisades
- Alameda County
- Contra Costa County
- Marin County
- Marin County Pharmacies
- Napa County
- San Mateo County
- Santa Clara County

Connecticut
- Information

Illinois
- Northern Cook County
- Henry County
- Grundy County
- Iroquois County
- Kankakee County
- Livingston County
- Marshall County
- McLean County
- Will County
- Woodford County

Maine
- The Safe Medicine Disposal for ME program

Massachusetts
- Arlington
- Braintree
- Fall River

Michigan
- Washtenaw County

Minnesota
- Chisago County

Missouri
- St. Louis

New York
- Westchester County

Oregon
- Information


Utah
- Handled by Law Enforcement with locked, mounted steel collection bins in the lobbies of their stations

Vermont
- St. Albans

Washington
- Clark County
- King County
- Kitsap County
- Pierce County
- Snohomish County
- Spokane County
- Thurston County

If you know of locations that have take-back programs, please contact me so I can add them to this list. As you can see, there are many states missing. Please send any information to WorldEvolved@gmail.com

Please share/social-bookmark (reddit, digg, stumble, facebook, myspace, etc) below:

New DFOW Video of Sarah Palin’s Wolf Killing

Defenders of Wildlife have put out a new video (released on Youtube October 10th) regarding Sarah Palin's gruesome support of wolf killing.

In June, after gunning down 14 adult wolves from a helicopter, officials from Governor Palin’s Department of Fish and Game rounded up 14 orphaned wolf pups and methodically shot each one in the head in clear violation of a state law.

Watch their video (not for the faint of heart)



What you can do to help wolves:

1. Take Action to Save Rare Southwest Wolves here
2. Urge President Obama to End the War on Wolves here
3. Urge Cabela's and Sportman's Warehouse to Withdraw Their Support for Wolf-killing Derbies here
4. *Click* to Protect Threatened Wolves daily. How it works: Your free click generates donations from our sponsors. You may click once a day, every day. 100% of the donations raised go directly to Defenders of Wildlife to help stop aerial hunting of wolves, continue efforts to expand wolf recovery in the Northern Rockies, and more. Click here daily.
5. Boycott Alaska Until The State Stops Targeting Wolves. Sign here.

6. Save the Wolves petition. Sign here.

If you like this post, please social bookmark (digg, reddit, stumble, etc) it below:

ABC Refuses to Run Ad by ' We Can Solve It '

Did you happen to notice the ads after the second Presidential debate? CBS had Exxon. ABC had Chevron. CNN had the coal lobby.

The great people at the "We Can Solve It" campaign are one of the biggest supporters that clean energy has. They promote legislation that will help America overcome its energy crisis.

The question is why would ABC refuse to air one of their ads? They refused to air the latest ad from Al Gore’s WE Campaign promoting the use of renewable energy in America. They didn't run the Repower America ad during the debate; even though the funds were available. To put it simply, ABC is protecting its big-oil advertising revenue.

To make matters worse, the network has not given, WE CEO Cathy Zoi, an answer for the refusal. In response, the organization is asking that people sign a petition on their website, send a letter, and ask that ABC reconsider their position so that the ad can air.

Do you think this absurd? Go to We Can Solve It's website and send your message to ABC letting them know how you feel. Sign the petition here.

Watch the ad below:


If you like this post, please social bookmark (digg, reddit, stumble, etc) it below:

IFAW Animal Action Week - October 4th-10th

For more than 15 years, IFAW's Animal Action Week has been giving young people around the world the knowledge and tools they need to take positive action on behalf ofanimals and our shared environment.

The Week, which takes place annually during the first week of October, marks the launch of an international educational program with a different animal welfare and conservation theme each year. This year’s theme: Beneath the Waves, Protecting Marine Wildlife.

Whaling ships armed with harpoons hunt whales in defiance of international treaties. Plastic pollution chokes sea turtles and other marine animals and sea birds. And as the icecaps continue to melt, polar bear habitats shrink and they are left to starve or drown

To help protect the ocean, you can start by taking three easy actions:

1. Visit www.AnimalActionWeek.org to learn more about Animal Action Week, the largest animal-focused educational event in the world;
2. Take the Plastic Bag Pledge to help combat one of the main threats to marine wildlife;
3. And spread the word by telling your family and friends about IFAW Animal Action Week 2008.
4. During the week of IFAW Animal Action week (October 4th-10th), you can adopt a whale: here. Please wait until that week, because the program won't be launched until then.

If you like this post, please social bookmark (digg, reddit, stumble, etc) it below:

Help Put Sarah Palin’s Wolf Killing Record on TV

By now, most of the world knows of Sarah Palin's support of brutal aeriel hunting of wolves. (Please read my other posts regarding Sarah Palin.)
1. Petition to Sarah Palin about the wolf killing: Here

Let's get the word out further.

The organization Defenders of Wildlife (one of my favorites) released the video I am sure you all have seen.

• More than 68,000 potential voters have viewed their video on YouTube, with many more spreading the word by re-posting the video on their websites and blogs and forwarding it to friends.
• CNN and other news outlets have picked up the story, running clips from Defenders of Wildlife Action fund and their sister organization Defenders of Wildlife.

In an effort to reach hundreds of thousands of "swing voters" who help decide this election, The Defenders of Wildlife created a new, powerful television ad that details Sarah Palin's efforts to kill wolves.

They can only run it with our financial help. Running a television ad during an election year is expensive. We need to help them raise $100,000 to run the ad and support their work to provide a voice for endangered wildlife. Make your donation here.

Donation overview:

• $20.00 Part of one 60-second spot
• $40.00 Two parts of one 60-second spot
• $60.00 Three parts of a sixty-second
• $100.00 Half of one 60-second spot
• $200.00 One 60-second spot
• $1,000.00 Five 60-second spots
• Other: If you cannot afford any of the above, even giving $5.00 will help so much.

Please donate now

The ad:



With the election less than 50 days away, we don’t have much time to help voters learn about the real Sarah Palin.

Please donate to this cause, as much as you can afford. Please forward it along to your friends, too.

Please read my other posts regarding Sarah Palin.

If you like this post, please social bookmark (digg, reddit, stumble, etc) it below:

Protect the Red Desert in Wyoming

This is a call for all Americans, especially the citizens of Wyoming to protect the Red Desert.

Adobe Town and what the Bureau of Land Management has called the “Jack Morrow Hills Area” are of particular importance to Wyoming’s Red Desert. The Bureau of Land Management has identified seven Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) within the 620,000-acre Jack Morrow Hills Area of the Red Desert. Wyoming conservation groups and the Wilderness Society have recommended that these areas, as well as several other areas within the Red Desert, be designated as wilderness.

Jack Morrow Hills/Northern Red Desert

(Ferruginous Hawks) (Wild Horses)

Concerning the Jack Morrow Hills Area, the "Record of Decision" called for an initial development of 255 natural gas and coalbed methane wells. This number is not a cap, but merely an estimate. The public asked for no new oil and gas development in the Jack Morrow Hills. More than 80,000 people who commented to protect this area were ignored by the Bureau of Land Management. These lands are public and the BLM did not respond to the public’s desires. Mountain lions, coyotes, golden eagles, ferruginous hawks, and wild horses inhabit this area.

Friends of the Red Desert is a coalition of citizens, businesses and conservation organizations united to protect Wyoming's magnificent Red Desert. Please help them protect the Jack Morrow Hill area by writing to the following and let them know you want the Jack Morrow Hills protected as a NCA:

U.S. Senator Mike Enzi
Gillette Office, 400 S. Kendrick Avenue, Suite 303, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or email at his website.

U.S. House Representative Barbara Cubin
Casper Office, 100 East B Street, Suite 4003, Federal Building, Casper, Wyoming 82601 or email her website.

Fremont County Commissioners
Office 307.332.1130; address 450 N. 2nd Street, Lander, 82520; email commission@wyoming.com

Another way the Friends of the Red Desert suggest to help is to write to their local newspapers. A listing:

(Cheyenne) Wyoming Tribune-Eagle LTE
Contact: Letters to the Editor, Scott Smith e-mail: reede@wyomingnews.com
address: 702 W. Lincoln Way, Cheyenne, WY 82001

(Gillette) The News-Record LTE
Contact: Ann Franscell, publisher, editor
email: news@gillettenewsrecord.com
address: P.O. Box 3006, Gillette, WY 82717
Note: under 300 word limit, no personal attacks; signature, and phone number required

The Green River STAR LTE
Contact: Kathy Gilbert
email: grstar@sweetwaterhsa.com
address: P.O. Box 580, Green River, WY 82935
Note: signature and phone number required.

The (Riverton) Ranger LTE
Contact: Letters to the Editor
e-mail: ranger@wyoming.com
address: P.O. Box 993, Riverton, WY 82501

Rawlins Daily Times LTE
Contact: Dave Perry
email: dtimes@trib.com
address: P.O. Box 370, Rawlins, WY 82301

We need to protect this beautiful land and its wildlife:

If you like this post, please social bookmark (digg, reddit, stumble, etc) it below:

Drill Drill Drill

I previously wrote about stopping the drilling of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Unfortunately, there are more places we need to protect. The Bush Administration’s “lease and drill everything” policy is aimed at opening some of our most fragile places to oil and gas development. Here is a list of places that are too fragile to drill, and we need to take action to prevent it:

1. Beartooth Front, Wyoming

2. Bridger-Teton Nation Forest's Wyoming Range, Wyoming

3. Carrizo Plain National Monument, California

4. Clear Fork Divide, Colorado

5. Grand Mesa Slopes, Colorado

6. HD Mountains Roadless Area, Colorado

7. Little Missouri National Grassland, North Dakota

8. Otero Mesa, New Mexico

9. Red Desert, Wyoming

10. Roan Plateau, Colorado

11. Rocky Mountain Front, Montana

12. Teshekpuk Lake, Alaska

13. Upper Green River Valley, Wyoming

14. Utah's Redrock Wilderness

15. Valle Vidal, New Mexico

16. Vermillion Basin, Colorado

The number of oil and gas wells is increasing at a scary rate. There are now more than 63,000 producing oil and gas wells on the public lands and nearly double that amount, at least 118,000 new wells, are planned for Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and New Mexico.

Drilling is bad for the environment. Full-field oil and gas development means production facilities, staging areas, airstrips, drill pads, and hundreds of miles of pipelines and roads which cause noise, water, air, and light pollution. For wildlife, the development destroys their habitat into smaller and less usable areas. Eventually, animals can no longer survive in these areas at all.

The government is supposed to guard our public lands. The Bureau of Land Management's increased oil and gas permitting activity "has lessened BLM's ability to meet its environmental protection responsibilities," according to a 2005 report from the Government Accountability Office

Citizens want to preserve the West's last great places. Voices is speaking out on behalf of protecting areas from drilling, but are often ignored.

Don't let your voice be ignored. Research what you can do to stop this from happening.

I plan on profiling each of these threatened lands in future posts. Please watch these videos.

Nearly 300,000 natural gas and oil wells have already been drilled in the Rockies, and hundreds of thousands more are planned. Watch this video:




Save Colorado's Majestic Roan Plateau



How could you not want to save them?




If you like this post, please social bookmark (digg, reddit, stumble, etc) it below:

The Real Sarah Palin (Part 2 of 2)

(Sarah's lovely office. I am disgusted that someone can have a dead bear draped on their couch and not feel bad about it)


As promised, here is Part 2 of my analysis of Sarah Palin. I suggest reading Part 1 first before reading this post: here. As I said, I hope that you read what I have found and do your own research.

Again, I want to mention if you find that Palin has written the opposite of what I researched, please be aware that she wrote a campaign booklet for her 2006 gubernatorial bid. Her co-author, Sean Parnell, is now Alaska's Lieutenant Governor. As we all know, politicians have a tendency to say and write whatever is necessary to get elected. What she wrote in the booklet does not reflect what she really ended up doing.

4. Health Care

• Palin introduced a Health Care Transparency Act. Palin’s Alaska Health Care Transparency Act established “an Alaska health care information office” to help consumers “make better-informed decisions about health care in the state.” The act also called for the repeal of Certificate of Need Laws, programs “aimed at restraining health care facility costs and allowing coordinated planning of new services and construction.” [Gov Tech, 1/28/2008; National Conference of State Legislatures, 8/21/2008]
• Palin Failed To Support A Bill To Cover All Alaskans. While governor, Palin “did not get behind the most significant piece of health legislation offered — a proposal to ensure that all residents have health insurance, without disrupting the coverage that many Alaskans already have.” [Anchorage Daily News, 5/17/2008]
• Sarah did not take a position on expanding State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Funding. SCHIP is a United States federal government program that gives funds to states in order to provide health insurance to families with children in families with incomes that are modest but too high to qualify for Medicaid. The program was designed to cover uninsured children. Palin did not advocate for greater federal funding of SCHIP. [Blagojevich Press Release, 2/23/07] States are given flexibility in designing their SCHIP requirements and policies within federal guidelines. Some states received authority through waivers of statutory provisions to use SCHIP funds to cover the parents of children receiving benefits from both SCHIP and Medicaid, pregnant women, and other adults. You would think that Sarah would be interested in helping pregnant women considering she is a mother and pro-life.
• Eventually Palin signed a "watered-down" SCHIP bill. She signed legislation updating eligibility for Alaska’s SCHIP program, Denali KidCare. Alaska’s eligibility criteria are still among the lowest in the nation. Palin did not support legislation to expand eligibility to higher levels. [National Conference of State Legislatures, 6/2008; Kaiser Network, 5/22/2007; Anchorage Daily News, 4/15/2008]
• While governor, Palin “did not get behind the most significant piece of health legislation offered — a proposal to ensure that all residents have health insurance, without disrupting the coverage that many Alaskans already have.” [Anchorage Daily News, 5/17/2008]

5. Civil Rights

• In 2006, Palin vetoed legislation denying benefits to same-sex couples, “based on a legal opinion from her new attorney general that the legislation was unconstitutional.” However, she said that she would support a constitutional amendment to deny same-sex couples the benefits. [Gay Republic Daily, 9/20/2006; Anchorage Daily News, 12/21/2006]
• A 2006 Eagle Forum Alaska questionnaire asked, “Will you support an effort to expand hate crime laws?” Palin replied, “No, as I believe all heinous crime is based on hate.” [Washington Blade,9/2/2008]
• Palin's church is promoting a conference that promises to convert gays into heterosexuals through the power of prayer.
• Palin opposes same-sex marriage. In 1998, Alaska was one of the first U.S. states to pass a constitutional ban on gay marriage. Palin supported the amendment.

6. Big Oil

• Palin’s First Statewide Campaign Was Fueled By Veco. “While mayor of Wasilla, Palin ran for lieutenant governor in 2002. She gathered $5,000 — or about 10 percent of her campaign fund — from Veco officials or their wives along the way.” [Anchorage Daily News, 9/6/2006] VECO Corporation was an Alaska-based oil pipeline service and construction company until its purchase in September 2007 by CH2M HILL.
  
• Palin’s Inauguration Was Sponsored By BP. BP is listed by the Alaska Inaugural Committee as a sponsor of Palin’s 2007 Governor’s Balls. [Alaska Inaugurl Committee] BP was named by Mother Jones Magazine as one of the "ten worst corporations" in both 2001 and 2005 based on its environmental and human rights records. In 1991, BP was cited as the most polluting company in the US based on EPA toxic release data. Since branding itself an environmentally sound corporation in 1997, BP has been charged with burning polluted gases at its Ohio refinery. They were fined $1.7 million for this. In July 2000, BP paid a $10 million fine to the EPA for its management of its US refineries. According to PIRG research, between January 1997 and March 1998, BP was responsible for 104 oil spills. Why would you want to be sponsered by such a horrible company?

7. Environment

• Governor Palin actively campaigned against a state ballot measure this summer aimed at protecting Alaska's Bristol Bay. The mining industry seeks to develop a gold and copper mine in the area that would pollute the Bay's waters and threaten the largest remaining wild salmon run. The initiative would have prevented large-scale mining operations from dumping waste materials into salmon watersheds.
• Palin is on record doubting that human action is the main driver behind climate change. In a recent interview with Newsmax.com, Palin noted that warming would affect Alaska "more than any other state, because of our location." But she added, "I'm not one though who would attribute it to being man-made." In her head, she probably attributes it to being animal-made. That would explain her desire to kill them off. (Couldn't help myself there.)

8. Endangered Species

• Polar Bears: Palin has actively opposed the listing of the polar bear despite the fact that Alaska's top marine mammal biologists agreed with the federal scientists who believed the bear should be listed. She wrote the Secretary of Interior urging him not to list the bear on the ground it might hurt the state's oil- and gas-dependent economy. Protect the polar bears here.
  
• Beluga Whales: Palin opposes the listing of the Cook Inlet beluga whales, citing the listing as a threat to oil and gas development, despite their genetic uniqueness and the fact that their numbers have decreased from 1,300 in the 1980s to about 350 today.

Again, please go here, to support the PAW Act that will end Alaska's Aerial Hunting program.


9. Her Religion Dictates Her Decisions

I have no issue with religion. However, I don't believe that your faith and religion should decide your politics when you are governor and possibly the next Vice President of the United States.

• Palin believes that the Iraq War is a task ‘From God.’ Speaking at the Wasilla Assembly of God church in June, Palin said that “our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God.” [Huffington Post, 9/2/08]
• Palin believes it is ‘God’s Will’ to build a natural gas pipeline. Speaking to the Wasilla Assembly of God church in June, Palin said, “I think God’s will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gas line built, so pray for that,” referring to a $30 billion national gas pipeline project. [Huffington Post, 9/2/08]
• Palin supports teaching creationism in public schools. In a 2006 gubernatorial debate, Palin “said she thinks creationism should be taught alongside evolution in the state’s public classrooms.” [Anchorage Daily News, 10/24/06]
• For more than two decades, Palin was a practicing Pentecostal. She belonged to the Wasilla Assembly of God church in her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska. But though she attended the church from her teenage years through to 2002, she hasn't talked much about her religion since joining the Republican ticket.
• Palin's former pastor says he has no doubt her religious beliefs will influence her decision making when it comes to government policy.
• Tim McGraw, who was her pastor until 1998 and while she was mayor of Wasilla, says Palin attended discipleship classes to strengthen her Pentecostal faith and that he counseled her on how to become a better leader.

Great video of Keith Olbermann talking about how Sarah's religious beliefs affect her choices, thoughts and actions. Including her view that God is leading us in Iraq, that God helped her get elected, and her church's view on gay people:


Sarah saying that our leaders are sending our troops on a "task that is from God":



10. Lack of Knowledge Concerning the United States

• Palin hasn’t given the war in Iraq much thought. Palin told the Alaska Business Monthly, “I’ve been so focused on state government, I haven’t really focused much on the war in Iraq. [Alaska Business Monthly, 3/1/2007
• Speaking before voters in Colorado Springs Saturday September 6th, Palin claimed that lending giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac had “gotten too big and too expensive to the taxpayers.”..... what?? These lending institutions “aren’t taxpayer funded but operate as private companies." She is obvilous to the workings of our economy. Dean Baker says it all. “You would like to think that someone who is going to be vice president and conceivable president would know what Fannie and Freddie do,” said Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research. “These are huge institutions and they are absolutely central to our country’s mortgage debt. To not have a clue what they do doesn’t speak well for her, I’d say.” Ouch.

Video of her false statement regarding Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. I don't know what's more sad: her not knowing what she is talking about or the crowd cheering her on after she said it (is everyone clueless?):


11. Abuse of Power
Sarah seems to enjoy abusing her power. How will she abuse her power if she were to become Vice President of the United States? The thought is scary.

• Palin billed taxpayers for nights spent at home. She billed the state for “312 nights spent in her own home during her first 19 months in office, charging a “per diem” allowance intended to cover meals and incidental expenses while traveling on state business.” She also charged for travel expenses to take her children and husband on “official out-of-town missions.” [Washington Post, 9/9/2008] And her husband, Todd, has billed the state for expenses and a daily allowance for trips he makes on official business for his wife. The governor's daughters and husband charged the state $43,490 to travel, and many of the trips were between their house in Wasilla and Juneau, the capital city 600 miles away, the documents show.
• Palin fired Police Chief for "not fully supporting her." After becoming Mayor of Wasilla, she fired the city’s police chief, Irl Stambaugh, writing, “I do not feel I have your full support in my efforts to govern the city of Wasilla. Therefore I intend to terminate your employment.” Stambaugh charged that Palin fired him “because he stepped on the toes of Palin’s campaign contributors, including bar owners and the National Rifle Association.” [Anchorage Daily News, 2/1/1997; ABC News, 9/3/2008]
• As Mayor of Wasilla in 1998, Palin “asked all of the city’s top managers to resign in order to test their loyalty to her administration.”[Daily Sitka Sentenial, 10/28,2006]
• A state employee filed an ethics complaint alleging Palin tried to secure a job for one of her supporters. The complaint accused Palin and her top staffers of “breaking executive ethics branch and hiring rules. It centers on the hiring of surveyor Tom Lamal, who once co-hosted a Palin fundraiser, for a state right-of-way agent job in Fairbanks.” [Anchorage Daily News, 9/7/2008]
• Palin allegedly “tried to get a state trooper fired and she then fired the trooper’s boss because he wouldn’t act on her request.” Palin’s sister was involved in a “bitter child custody battle” with the trooper. [Anchorage Daily News, 7/18/2008] Palin “previously said her administration didn’t exert pressure to get rid of trooper Mike Wooten,” but “an audio recording that shows an aide pressuring the Public Safety Department to fire a state trooper embroiled in a custody battle with her sister.” [Anchorage Daily News, 8/14/2008, 9/2/2008]

"Trooper-Gate" video. Abuse of power:




Video for animal lovers who are against Sarah Palin:


To be continued...


If you like this post, please social bookmark (digg, reddit, stumble, etc) it below:

The Real Sarah Palin (Part 1 of 2)

Before really knowing who Sarah Palin was, I was quite happy that John McCain decided to choose her as Vice President. However, my views have changed. Sarah stands for many things I advocate against. This post is not an attack on John McCain, nor is it to support Barack Obama. It is simply to show who Sarah Palin really is, and my dislike for her. I can only hope that you read what I have found and do your own research. This analysis of Sarah Palin will be done in two parts. This is post number 1.

I want to mention if you find that Palin has written the opposite of what I researched, please be aware that she wrote a campaign booklet for her 2006 gubernatorial bid. Her co-author, Sean Parnell, is now Alaska's Lieutenant Governor. As we all know, politicians have a tendency to say and write whatever is necessary to get elected. What she wrote in the booklet does not reflect what she really ended up doing.

1. Aerial Hunting of Wolves
This is one of the most disturbing acts that Palin supports. Being an animal lover, supporter, and advocate I am sickened that she supports aerial hunting of wolves.

• After a multi-year court battle, the Bush administration recognized in 2008 that polar bears are threatened with extinction by global warming. Announcing Alaska’s suit to block the listing, Palin said, “We believe that the listing was unwarranted and that it’s unprecedented to list a currently healthy population based on uncertain climate models.” [Reuters, 5/22/08]
• In 2007, Palin illegally established “a $150 bounty to the state sanctioned airborne wolf hunters as an added incentive to increase their kills,” soon overturned by the Alaska State Court. [Alaska Wildlife Alliance; Anchorage Daily News, 3/31/07]

Some information on Aerial Hunting:

• Aerial hunting occurs when hunters use airplanes to track an animal in the snow, chase them to exhaustion and shoot them from the air, or when hunters in airplanes track animals in the snow, herd or chase them to exhaustion, land the aircraft and shoot them from the ground.
• The use of aircraft to shoot or harass animals from the air is illegal under the Airborne Hunting Act, enacted in 1972. The act was passed after a nationwide outcry against the aerial hunting of wolves in Alaska.
• The circumstances surrounding Alaska’s program make it clear that the state is allowing aerial hunting, which is banned by federal law. The state exploits a loophole in the AHA to allow private hunters and private pilots.

• As recently as July, a known wolf den site was staked out -- a practice that is illegal under Alaska law -- and, using helicopters, gunned down 14 adult wolves from the air. When they landed, they found the 14 helpless pups in the nearby dens -- just weeks old -- and methodically shot each one in the head. 28 wolves gunned down in all.

Watch this video on Aerial Hunting (Warning: not for the faint at heart):



Rep. George Miller (CA) has introduced the Protect America's Wildlife (PAW) Act, legislation to close a federal loophole and curb Alaska's brutal aerial hunting program -- and prevent programs like it from spreading to places like the Greater Yellowstone region. Support the PAW Act here.


2. Women's Rights

• Sarah is pro-life. I do not have a problem with that, except for one thing. She opposes abortion even in cases of rape or incest. In 2006, Palin said that even if her daughter were raped, “I would choose life." In my opinion, I think that is a horrible way to think. I am generally against abortion, but I think if a woman is the victim of rape or incest, she should be able to decide to have an abortion. I do not believe anyone, especially the government, has the right to tell you what you can and can't do with your own body. I think what is most disturbing is the comment she made regarding her daughter.
• Earlier this year, Palin used a veto to cut funding for a state program that benefits teen mothers in need of a place to live. Funding for Covenant House Alaska, which provides transitional housing for teen mothers, was cut by 20 percent — from $5 million to $3.9 million. [Washington Post, 9/3/08]
• Sarah Supports Abstinence-Only Policies. In 2006, the Eagle Forum Alaska asked Palin whether she would “support funding for abstinence-until-marriage education.” Palin replied, “Yes, the explicit sex-ed programs will not find my support.” [Politico,9/1/08]. An abstinence-only policy will not teach young adults the importance of protection, the risk of STD's, and the risk of pregnancy. Many teens choose to have sex. If the policy she supports became the primary teaching, teens would not learn important issues regarding safe sex. She is said to be against birth control and sex-education. Did she not teach her daughter about the importance of birth control?

Watch these videos about Palin's views on birth control, sex education, and abortion.






I cannot ignore one rumor. I don't know the truth, nor am I going to speculate. However, I decided to include a video questioning who is the real mother of Trig. Is Sarah or Bristol the mother? There is even speculation that Bristol is pregnant now with her 2nd child.



3. Energy
One major event I am protesting right now is the possibility of drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge (which can be seen in my previous post.)

• Palin Is A Top Arctic Wildlife Refuge Drilling Advocate. Palin said she thinks McCain is “going to evolve into, eventually, supporting ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) opening also” and “I’d like the opportunity to get to change his mind about ANWR.” [Kudlow & Co.,6/25/08]-- As I have said before, development in this habitat would threaten numerous animals, including polar and grizzly bears, wolves, caribou, migratory whales and many species of birds.
• Palin Opposes Lieberman’s Bill To Prevent Arctic Refuge Drilling. In a letter to Congress opposing the Arctic Wilderness Act (S. 2316), Palin wrote that “as a citizen of the United States” she believes “development [of the Refuge] should be authorized.” [Letter to Sen. Akaka, 11/0/07]
• Palin Dismisses Alternative Energy. Palin said that “Congress needs to lift the ban on drilling” because “alternative-energy solutions are far from imminent and would require more than 10 years to develop.” [Charleston Post and Courier, 8/16/08]-- Last night I listened to John McCain make his speech at the Republican National Convention. In his speech he mentioned his desire to seek out alternative energy. I hope Sarah doesn't change his mind.

As you may know, the polar bear is the most threatended species in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge. It is the most important onshore denning habitat for America's vanishing polar bears. Sarah's response to this issue:
Palin Is Suing To Lift Protected Status For Polar Bears. After a multi-year court battle, the Bush administration recognized in 2008 that polar bears are threatened with extinction by global warming. Announcing Alaska’s suit to block the listing, Palin said, “We believe that the listing was unwarranted and that it’s unprecedented to list a currently healthy population based on uncertain climate models.” [Reuters, 5/22/08] Sarah believes we "need the oil."
Watch the video of Palin being interviewed regarding her polar bear law suit so oil can be drilled. "We need that oil!" No, what we need is to stop depending on oil:



A video condemning oil drilling





Stay tuned for "The Real Sarah Palin" Part 2. I will be writing this over the weekend and hope to publish it Saturday night.

*** Update: Read Part 2 here.



If you like this post, please social bookmark (digg, reddit, stumble, etc) it below: