National Parks seriously compromised by cuts
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Visiting a national park this summer? If so, you should expect reduced law enforcement protection, longer emergency response times, fewer lifeguards, scaled back water and trail safety patrols, dirtier campgrounds and other visibly deteriorating facilities and resources, according to a major new report based on a 37-park review by the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees (CNPSR).
Attacks on reproductive rights spread to 14 states
On June 13 in Columbus, Ohio, pro-choice advocates made their case to Ohio lawmakers who are considering a ban on all abortions in that state. Addressing the absence of exceptions allowing for victims of rape to terminate their pregnancies, Corinna Lohse of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center reported that in the U.S about 32,000 women a year become pregnant as a result of sexual assault.
A resource in the fight for single-payer health care
Just what is The United States National Health Insurance Act, HR 676, introduced into Congress by Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.)?
Forest Service auctions timber from national forest
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — To the dismay of environmentalists, the U.S. Forest Service auctioned off timber from a remote, burned-over section of a national forest June 9 in the first such sale since the Bush administration eased logging restrictions.
Conservatives favor purity over cancer vaccine
On June 8 the Food and Drug Administration approved a vaccine for the human papillomavirus (HPV). The vaccine appears to be 100 percent effective at protecting against the most prevalent viruses that cause cervical cancer.
Autoworkers want traction on jobs, health care
LAS VEGAS — The fight for jobs and national health care were uppermost on the minds of 2,000 autoworkers and retirees who gathered here for the United Auto Workers convention June 12.
Progressives set sights to Take back America
WASHINGTON — Ask Steve Robinson, a local Democratic committeeman from Lawrence, Kan., if his state is posed to help reverse right-wing rule in Congress, and he looks you straight in the eye and answers a firm “yes.”
EPA proposes no regulation of polluted water transfers
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency said June 1 it will not regulate transfers of water from one place to another — no matter how polluted the water is at the start.
Inconvenient for whom?
Former presidential candidate Al Gore’s new documentary makes him look really good and global warming look really bad. Both concepts seem really credible, thanks to the director’s skill and Gore’s years of dedication to explaining this vital issue.
Torturing national parks
Whenever an administration comes to power that possesses a philosophy totally at odds with an agency’s purpose, mission and traditions, you can expect fireworks. Since January 2001, the Interior Department has been transformed from a department of professionals concerned about the long-term preservation and sustained use of our nation’s resources to a cadre of politically-driven corporate puppets whose mission is to turn over America’s resources to the private business interests and the “wreckreation” movement.
