The Pope Slams "Tyranny" of Capitalism

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The Pope Slams "Tyranny" of Capitalism and "Idolatry of Money," But Opposes Shift on Women, Abortion Pope Francis has used his first major written work to attack capitalism as a "new tyranny," while urging global leaders to fight poverty and inequality. In a document published Tuesday, Pope ... Read More →

Plea to End Deportations Heard Nationwide as Activist Interrupts Obama Speech on Immigration Two days after he interrupted a speech by President Obama, Ju Hong, an immigrant rights activist from South Korea, joins us to talk about how Obama’s immigration policies have impacted him. ... Read More →

Religious Rights for Corporations? Supreme Court Takes Up Challenge to Contraception Coverage The Supreme Court has agreed to take on cases that could decide if corporations can ignore parts of federal law based on the religious beliefs of their owners. The cases center around the ... Read More →

Three More NYC Contractors Found Guilty in Massive CityTime Scandal to Modernize Payroll System Three computer consultants were found guilty on Friday of multiple charges for defrauding New York City of millions of dollars in the largest corruption case in city history. Private consultants were ... Read More →   Corporate Lobbyists Flood Warsaw Climate Talks     Pt 2: U.S. Corporations Enlist Ex-Intelligence Agents to Spy on Nonprofit Groups       Supreme Court Takes Up Challenge to Contraception Mandate U.S. Flies B-52s in Zone Claimed by China U.S. Warns Karzai over Delay of Security Pact Egypt Charges 2 Activists for Demonstrating Against Protest Law Honduran Students Protest Election Results Report: NSA Collected Data on Muslim Targets’ Online Sexual Activity Microsoft Develops New Encryption over NSA Fears U.N. Panel Advances Anti-Surveillance Measure CIA Used Secret Guantánamo Site to Recruit Double Agents 30 Haitian Migrants Die in Boat Wreck CARICOM Urges Dominican Republic to Repeal Denial of Citizenship to Haitians Cuba Halts Consular Services in the U.S. Study: U.S. Underestimating Methane Emissions CBS News Correspondent, Producer Forced to Take Leave over Benghazi Report

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Spooky Business: Spying on Nonprofits

Must read, must watch about corporate spying....

Spooky Business: U.S. Corporations Enlist Ex-Intelligence Agents to Spy on Nonprofit Groups A new report details how corporations are increasingly spying on nonprofit groups they regard as potential threats. The corporate watchdog organization Essential Information found a diverse ... Read More → A new report details how corporations are increasingly spying on nonprofit groups they regard as potential threats. The corporate watchdog organization Essential Information found a diverse groups of nonprofits have been targeted with espionage, including environmental, antiwar, public interest, consumer safety, pesticide reform, gun control, social justice, animal rights and arms control groups. The corporations carrying out the spying include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Wal-Mart, Monsanto, Bank of America, Dow Chemical, Kraft, Coca-Cola, Chevron, Burger King, McDonald’s, Shell, BP, and others. According to the report, these corporations employ former CIA, National Security Agency and FBI agents to engage in private surveillance work, which is often illegal in nature but rarely — if ever — prosecuted. We’re joined by Gary Ruskin, author of the report, "Spooky Business: Corporate Espionage Against Nonprofit Organizations," and director of the Center for Corporate Policy, a project of Essential Information. Click here to watch part 2 of this interview. Transcript This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form. AMY GOODMAN: As we turn to a new report detailing how corporations are increasingly spying on nonprofit groups that they regard as potential threats. The report’s called, "Spooky Business: Corporate Espionage Against Nonprofit Organizations." It was released by the corporate watch group Essential Information. The report found a diverse group of nonprofits have been targeted with espionage, including environmental, antiwar, public interest, consumer safety, pesticide reform, gun control, social justice, animal rights, and arms control groups. The corporations carrying out the spying include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Wal-Mart, Monsanto, Bank of America, Dow Chemical, Kraft, Coca-Cola, Chevron, Burger King, McDonald’s, Shell, BP, and others. According to the report, these corporations employ former CIA, NSA and FBI agents to engage in private surveillance work which is often illegal in nature but rarely, if ever, prosecuted. For more we go to California where we’re joined by the report’s author, Gary Ruskin. He is the director of the Center for Corporate Policy, a project of Essential Information. Gary, Welcome back to Democracy Now! Explain what you found. GARY RUSKIN: Thanks for having me on the show again, Amy. Yeah, we found a tremendous diversity of corporate espionage being conducted against a wide variety of civic groups across the country and the U.K., the case in Ecuador and in France as well. So what we found was a tremendous variety of use of different types of espionage tactics from dumpster diving to hiring investigators to pose as journalists or volunteers, to electronic espionage, information warfare, information operations hacking, electronic surveillance. And so this appears to be a growing phenomenon both here in the United States and maybe in other parts of the world as well. But our report is an effort to document something that’s very hard to know very much about. We aggregated 30 different cases of corporate espionage to try to talk about them, but really, each of the cases we have very fragmentary information. And so it’s hard to say — we have a, we have a part of an iceberg whether it’s the tip of the iceberg or the tippy tip of the iceberg, we don’t really know. AMY GOODMAN: Gary, let’s got to — I want to go to 2010; Greenpeace files a federal lawsuit against Dow Chemical and Sasol North America for engaging in corporate espionage. The lawsuit alleged corporate spies stole thousands of confidential documents from Greenpeace, including campaign plans, employee records; phone records, donor and media lists. Democracy Now! spoke to Charlie Cray, the senior researcher with Greenpeace USA at the time. He explained what happened. CHARLIE CRAY: BBI, the defunct private investigation firm hired subcontractors including off-duty police officers who went through Greenpeace’s trash to find useful documents on a regular basis. Over two years they did this almost twice a week on average. They also used subcontractors who had colleagues who attempted to infiltrate Greenpeace as volunteers. They cased the Greenpeace office looking for we don’t know what, but probably doing advanced scouting for people who would then intrude upon the property. We found a list of door codes, we found a folder that said "wiretap info," which was empty. We know this company has sub-contracted with a company called Net Safe, which is a company that was made of former NSA officials skilled in computer hacking and things like that. So we really don’t know the full extent of this, but what we’ve seen is incredibly shocking. And our goal is to bring this out into the light of day and to stop it if it’s still going on.”

Historic Deal Curbs Iran’s Nuclear Program While Easing U.S.-Led Devastating Economic Sanctions Iran and six world powers have clinched a deal to temporarily limit and roll back the Iranian nuclear program in exchange for the easing of international sanctions. The United States and Iran ... Read More →

Honduras Presidential Elections in Dispute as Activists Defy Violence to Back Ousted Leader’s Wife Both candidates are claiming victory in Honduras’ disputed presidential election. The race has pitted Xiomara Castro, wife of ousted President Manuel Zelaya, against right-wing candidate , ... Read More →

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#WeStandWithYou

Friends,

For the past few weeks in the Philippines, we’ve gotten a devastating glimpse into what a climate changed future looks like.

In the past two days, we've gotten to see the other side of the storm — the networks of people, coming together to support each other in new and ever-stronger ways.

All across the world, people converged in their communities for vigils to reflect on the impacts of Typhoon Haiyan, and called on world leaders to take action for climate justice to honor the many lives lost to the storm.

Here are just a few pictures from these events:

photos from (top left to bottom right) Bellingham WA, Fiji, Burundi, Serbia, Sweden, Philippines, Leesberg VA, London, Huddersfield UK, and Bolivia

And here in Warsaw, Poland, hundreds of people walked out of the UN climate talks that had been taken over by corporate polluters and backsliding governments. Many of them were carrying red dots that said “We Stand With You” — a simple phrase that emerged as a global symbol of solidarity with the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan.



To join this global outpouring of solidarity, take a couple minutes to make and share your own photo with a red dot here: westandwithyou.tumblr.com/submit

I know this show of support is making an impact, because here’s the note I got from Zeph, 350’s fearless coordinator in the Philippines:

"Rebuilding my country will take a long time, but the stories and pictures of people standing in solidarity around the world shows me that the world has not forgotten the climate victims, and that a movement is uniting to rise to this global challenge."

Sharing a solidarity photo is one way to show we’re standing together. Another is to support the very immediate needs of grassroots relief efforts. Our friends at 350 Pilipinas are helping to get food and supplies to people in need -- please donate to support this work here: brigadakalikasan.serverthepeople.com/

Until we rein in the use of fossil fuels, this is what will keep happening, at an ever faster rate. So we hold vigils to mourn, we share photos to show our solidarity, and we rise in the morning awake and ready to build a movement strong enough to create a new world.

That movement is growing everywhere -- including the Philippines, where activists continue their efforts to block the construction of new coal-fired power plants and build resiliency in their communities to adapt to the reality of climate change.

In the US, the movement to divest from fossil fuels is growing in size and courage. We're also preparing to step up our work to stop Keystone XL as the President nears his final decision, and finding new ways to fight fracking across the US.

The fossil fuel industry is everywhere, but so are we. And every time we get a glimpse of a our world being ravaged by climate change, it makes us sadder but also stronger -- because it reminds us at the most gut level just what the stakes really are.

Heavy as that may be, we will carry it in our hearts in the fights to come.

Onwards,

Jamie

A Pathetic Joke!

Disgraceful!

As Environmentalists Walk Out of UN Talks, Top US Envoy Says No to Reparations for Climate Damage Negotiations at the U.N. climate summit in Warsaw, Poland, have entered their final scheduled day, but deep divisions remain between rich and poor nations. Negotiators from nearly 200 ... Read More →

"You've Made a Wager of Our Future": Somali Youth Activist Pleads to U.N. Summit for Climate Action Just before we went to air today, Somali youth climate activist Marian Osman addressed the main plenary at the U.N. climate talks in Warsaw, Poland. "There's a Somali proverb that goes: 'A ... Read More →

Climate Activists: Carbon Trading a "False Solution" Pushed by Bankers and Bureaucrats One of the core solutions to reducing climate change proposed in the Kyoto Protocol has resurfaced at the latest U.N. climate talks in Warsaw, Poland — the creation of a carbon market. However, ... Read More →

"We Can't Take Crumbs from the High Table": Global Activists Hold Their Own Climate Justice Summit Activists from around the world have been meeting in a convergence center in downtown Warsaw, holding their own meetings to strategize about how to address climate change. ... Read More →

"Africa Is Being Pushed Closer to the Fire": Africans Say Continent Can't Wait for Climate Action As we wrap our week of coverage at the U.N. climate summit in Warsaw, Poland, we discuss Africa's climate crisis with two guests from the continent: Tosi Mpanu-Mpanu, former chair of ... Read More →       Senate Dems Approve Historic Curbs on Filibustering Nominees Pakistanis Claims Civilian Deaths in U.S. Drone Strike Karzai Seeks Delay of U.S.-Afghan Security Pact as Tribal Elders Weigh Approval "Major Differences" Remain in Iran Nuclear Talks Typhoon Haiyan Death Toll Surpasses 5,200 Study: 90 Companies Responsible for Bulk of Greenhouse Gas Emissions 15 of Greenpeace "Arctic 30" Freed on Bail in Russia Navy Suspends Top Officers in Alleged Bribery Case Senate Panel Advances Yellen Nomination Alabama Pardons Last 3 of "Scottsboro Boys"     http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=7c55dbbfa32e541749065a92a&id=71fb9b1bdb&e=67c0dcb3fd

Stand with the Philippines!

350.org

More than 600,000 standing with the Philippines. And we just let UN climate leaders know about it.

This afternoon, civil society groups joined 350.org, Avaaz and Filipino climate negotiator Yeb Saño at the UN Climate Talks to deliver the message that Typhoon Haiyan is a climate wake-up call.

A climate justice call has been delivered. Time for ‪#‎climatejustice‬ to be served....

LIKE and SHARE if you stand with the Philippines and want our leaders to take decisive action in Warsaw.

http://350.org/about/blogs/avaaz-350org-join-yeb-sano-deliver-westandwithyou-petition-un-climate-talks-0See More

"U.S. to Oppose Mechanism to Fund Climate Change Adaptation in Poor Nations."

One of the Planet's greatest energy guzzlers, the U.S. will ignore the devastation short-sighted energy policies have created?

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Leaked Memo Reveals U.S. Plan to Oppose Helping Poor Nations Adapt to Climate Change Newly leaked documents have revealed how U.S. negotiators at the U.N. climate summit in Warsaw are opposing efforts to help developing countries adapt to climate change. According to an ... Read More →

On Day 9 of Fast, Filipino Climate Chief Yeb Saño Demands Rich Nations Pay Up for Global Pollution At the U.N. climate summit in Warsaw, Poland, the lead negotiator for the Philippines, Naderev "Yeb" Saño, joins us minutes after he and climate activists delivered a petition signed ... Read More →

"Civil Society Isn't Welcome & Corporations Are": Youth Activist on Being Banned from Climate Talks After the Philippines lead climate negotiator, Naderev "Yeb" Saño, delivered an emotional speech to delegates at the U.N. climate summit, he was greeted by youth activists who held up a ... Read More →     Bombing of Iranian Embassy Kills 23 in Beirut Afghans Protest U.S. Security Pact Iran Nuclear Talks to Resume in Geneva 4 Greenpeace Activists Granted Bail in Russia State of Disaster Declared in Illinois Following Storm Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to NSA Spying NLRB: Wal-Mart Violated Rights of Striking Workers Wal-Mart Store Launches Food Drive for Employees Cheney Sisters Spar over Same-Sex Marriage Toronto City Council Limits Mayor’s Powers Occupy Group Relieves $14 Million in Medical Debt GREAT PROGRAM!

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Climate Justice

Stories

Partnering With Polluters? U.N. Climate Summit Criticized for Sponsorships by Fossil Fuel Companies Organizers of the U.N. climate talks in Warsaw, Poland, are facing criticism for accepting corporate sponsorships from major car manufacturers, oil companies, steel manufacturers and coal ... Read More →

Global Voices from Africa to the Philippines Demand Climate Justice at U.N. Summit in Warsaw We are broadcasting from Warsaw, Poland, where the U.N. climate summit, known as COP 19, has just entered its second week. On Saturday, thousands of protesters marched in Warsaw ... Read More →

2 Months After Russia's Jailing of Arctic 30, Greenpeace Urges Their Release at Warsaw Summit The "Arctic 30" are back in court today in Russia where they have been held for two months after being detained in a direct action against Russia's first Arctic offshore oil rig. State prosecutors ... Read More →

After Typhoon Haiyan's Devastation, Filipino Calls for Climate Action Take On New Urgency Ten days after Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines, the United Nations says some four million people have been displaced, up from 900,000 last week. The toll of the dead or missing stands at ... Read More →

Polish Gov't Draws Heat for Embracing Dirty Coal as it Hosts U.N. Climate Summit As it plays host to the U.N. climate summit in Warsaw, the Polish government has released a report saying coal will remain the country's best energy option up to 2060. The nation is also ... Read More →       http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=7c55dbbfa32e541749065a92a&id=2339d21214&e=67c0dcb3fd

Thousands March Outside the UN Climate Talks in Warsaw, Poland

350.org

Yesterday, thousands of activists braved cold winds and marched outside the UN climate talks to demand climate justice. Their message was clear: the UN delegates must increase ambition and take real action to reduce carbon emissions and provide financing for climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.

Our leader's inaction is wrecking the world and fueling extreme weather events such as Typhoon Haiyan. And this has to change. NOW.

Join their call and send a message to the UN that Typhoon Haiyan is a wake-up call: http://350.org/haiyan

And click LIKE to thank our activists in Warsaw for stepping into action.

 

 

 

Thousands March Outside the UN Climate Talks in Warsaw, Poland

Posted by Jamie Henn - 11/16/13

 

Thousands of people from around the world marched outside the UN Climate Talks in Warsaw, Poland today to demand climate justice. Our 350.org crew was there at the march, along with many of our amazing partner organizations, and thousands of our friends who are fighting fracking, stopping coal plants, building clean energy solutions, and pushing their institutions to divest from fossil fuels.

Marches like this always remind me of the creativity, excitement, and power of this emerging global climate movement. It's great fun to march with people from all across the planet -- and so essential that we're coming together to stand up to the fossil fuel industry and push for real climate action. On we go!









Click here to see more photos from today's march.