U.S. Energy Policy is Reversing 50 Years of Peace Corps Progress
The U.S. Peace Corps marked its 50th anniversary in late September with festivities all across the nation’s capital. Former employees like Bill Moyers and Chris Matthews hosted elegant parties as the storied agency took a celebratory bow.
And with good reason. Founded by John F. Kennedy in the idealistic sixties, the Peace Corps has lived on to send more than 200,000 Americans overseas to help feed, clothe, and better educate the poorest of the poor in 139 countries.
But as a former Peace Corps volunteer myself, having lived in a mud-hut village for two years in the Congo, I find it hard to celebrate right now. That’s because our current charismatic and youthful president – Barack Obama – is threatening to undo much of the good work achieved by the Peace Corps over the past half century.
It’s not widely appreciated, but here’s the undeniable fact: Energy policies embraced by the Obama White House are bringing direct harm to every poor village on the face of the planet, from the highlands of Papua New Guinea to the rainforests of South America to the arid plains of Obama’s own ancestral Kenya. And the biggest threat of all is yet to come. It’s an international “tar sands oil pipeline” from Canada to America which, if approved by the Obama Administration, will affect all nations, but especially the impoverished of the world.
Tar Sands Action: My arrest story
It’s taken me a little bit to process the Tar Sands Action. Ok I’ve been busy. But I wanted to share my arrest story with fellow Power Shifters, especially leading up to the big October 7th action. We are still fighting.
I never thought I’d get arrested. I’m committed 100% to this cause and plan to work on these issues for the rest of my life. But I wasn’t convinced this was my role until the action began and I realized that this one felt different.
Donate
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The Chesapeake Climate Action Network is a 501(c)3 organization. All contributions are tax deductible. Find more information below about how to give.
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From honeymoons to invitations to wedding gifts to charitable wedding favors, the I Do Foundation allows couples and their guests to make wedding-related purchases that generate donations for charity. The I Do Foundation’s Charity Registry service also makes it easy for guests to make donations in lieu of gifts. All of these services are available free of cost at www.IDoFoundation.org. Please choose CCAN as your charity of choice.
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You can double or triple the value of your donation to the Chesapeake Climate Action Network if you are employed by one of the area companies (or their divisions, subsidiaries or affiliates) listed below. Many employers will match contributions of spouses, directors or retirees as well as those of employees. Contact your Human Resources Department for more information and the necessary forms.
How:
1. Find your employer’s name in the following list. If your company isn’t listed, please check with your HR department regarding matching gifts.
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About
Writings
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{module Books}
{tab=Essays}
{module Essays}
{tab=Letters from the Director}
{module Letters from the Director}
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Connect
{module Connect}
Friends of CCAN
It’s CCAN’s 10th Birthday and all of our supporters are wishing a good tenth. We look forward to growing our network of supporters, friends and fans in the coming decade.
Stuart Clarke, Executive Director, Town Creek Foundation
Stuart Clarke and his friends at Town Creek Foundation went above and beyond in wishing CCAN a happy birthday! Watch the video to see their special gift.
Bill McKibben, Author, 350.org founder
Bill McKibben, prolific author and founder of international climate change advocacy group 350.org, has called CCAN “the world’s best regional climate change group.” See what he has to say on the occasion of CCAN’s 10th birthday.
Greenpeace Executive Director Phil Radford
Phil Radford sends CCAN his best wishes in our 10th year.
Congresswoman Donna Edwards
Congresswoman Donna Edwards from Maryland wishes CCAN happy 10 years. Hope to see you at next year’s Polar Bear Plunge, Congresswoman!
Reverend Lennox Yearwood of Hip Hop Caucus
The founder, President and CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus encourages CCAN to keep fighting the good fight!
Father Jacek Orzechowski, St. Camillus
Father Jacek wishes CCAN even more success in the next 10 years!
Maryland State Senator Paul Pinsky
Environmental champion Sen. Paul Pinsky congratulates CCAN on 10 years.
Lori Hill, Volunteer & owner of lori hill event productions
Superstar CCAN volunteer and event planner Lori Hill wishes CCAN happy 10 years.
MOM’s Organic Market owner, Scott Nash
Local green business owner and CCAN supporter, Scott Nash, wishes CCAN a happy birthday.
Upcoming Coal Event at Towson University
Event information was sent from Baltimore student Thalia Patrinos
Towson is having a activism panel and screening event all about the issues surrounding coal!
On Thursday, September 15th, 6:00 – 7:30 We will have panel discussions featuring Climate Ground Zero’s Mike Rosell and Antrim Caskey, two key figures in the social movement against Massey Energy. Then from 7:30 – 9 we will have a Community Resource Fair, featuring several organizations committed to working with labor movements.
On Friday, September 16th starting at 4 will be a large teach-in on Freedom Square.
There will also be a film shot, edited and produced by Towson University student David Resiche as well as a photo exhibition by Antonio Hernandez, both exploring the struggles of local communities against Massey.
If you have any questions, please contact Antonio Hernandez:
aherna4@students.towson.edu
Saying "NO" to the tar sands
Commentary by Mike Tidwell
I went to the White House and got arrested last week because I don’t like hurricanes — and I really didn’t like Irene. The storm knocked out power to my Takoma Park home from Sunday to Monday and it took off the top of my chimney.