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<channel>
	<title>the Clean Air blog: politics</title>
	<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/</link>
	<description>the Clean Air blog</description>
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	<pubDate>Fri, 09 Nov 2007 11:01:56 PST</pubDate>
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		<title>the Clean Air blog</title>
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		<description>the Clean Air blog</description>
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	<item>
		<title>Gore Gets Solar Panels</title>
		<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=529</link>
		<description><![CDATA[The Gore family residence won an appeal with their local zoning board that will allow them to install solar panels on their Tennessee home.   Don't expect an apology from the right-wing smear machine, but this furhter debunks one of their latest propaganda campaigns.Conservative operatives had ignited a media storm just after Al Gore won an academy award for his film An Inconvenient Truth by fabricating a story about his electricity usage at his Tennessee home.   They claimed he was a hypocrite because his electric consumption was high.Even though their story was factually incorrect and philosophically unsupportable, it spread through the media.The Gores have been supporting renewable energy through free-market based strategies of purchasing power through green programs.  After winning the appeal with their local zoning board, the Gores will be allowed to install an array of solar panels which will produce clean energy for decades.Sources:MSNBCBill Hobbs]]></description>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<author>blog@iwantcleanair.com (IwantcleanAir)</author>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 Apr 2007 08:45:00 PST</pubDate>
		<comments>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=529&#35;comments</comments>
		
		
		
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		<title>Ralph Nader.  Really?!?!</title>
		<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=462</link>
		<description><![CDATA[As an environmentalist and prime Green Party constituent, I have to say that I wish Ralph Nader would take a hike.  The longer the hike and shorter the pier, the better.It is unbelievable that six years later, Nader can not admit to his mistakes in the 2000 presidential race.  Mr. Nader has a book and movie out, so he is making the rounds in the media and he is unapologetic. The biggest issues facing the environment then and today are related to Oil.  Global Warming threatens catastrophic climate change that will disrupt human access to food and shelter while causing massive health issues.  And, we are running out of oil.  As this resource is depleted we can either let the oil multinational corporations maximize their profits to the bitter end with the support of our tax dollars and military might, or we can reduce the amount of energy we consume in preparation for a post-oil society.Can a Green Party candidate be credible when he says that he sees no difference between Al Gore and George Bush on this, the most pressing environmental issue of the era?  Still?  Even after Inconvenient Truth?  Even after a war that only an Oil-man would persue?Can Ralph Nader really not see a difference between Barbara Boxer, the current chair of the Senate Environment committee, and James Inhofe the former chair?  Besides the obvious... Boxer is a woman and James is not... there is the question of where they stand on Global Warming.  Well, Boxer has understood the issue for decades and fought to make it part of the mainstream.  Inhofe quotes fiction writers to support his argument that the whole thing is a hoax perpetrated by the likes of the Green Party.Can he really not see the difference between Nancy Pelosi and Denis Hassert?  Besides the obvious... Hassert weighs considerably more than Pelosi... their difference in leading the house in discussion and action on Global Warming is huge.To me, Ralph Nader looks like a fraud.  The Green Party can do better.]]></description>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<author>blog@iwantcleanair.com (IwantcleanAir)</author>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Feb 2007 13:27:00 PST</pubDate>
		<comments>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=462&#35;comments</comments>
		
		
		
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	<item>
		<title>Man Bites Dog...</title>
		<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=428</link>
		<description><![CDATA[...And DuPont is in a coalition with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to stop Global Warming.  Who would ever have imagined that?  All it took was the complete ignorance of the Bush Administration on the issue of Global Warming, and now even large industrial companies are standing up and calling for some leadership from Washington.It is now absolutely clear that President Bush and his Republican party supporters are out-of-touch with the mainstream.Recently, the CEOs of 10 of America's largest companies joined forces with NRDC, Environmental Defense and other environmental groups to put pressure on the president to activate the federal government on the issue of global warming.President Bush has kept the US out of the global effort to reduce the  human pollution that is driving planetary climate change.  The US Climate Action Partnership was formed to urge the federal government to enact legislation requiring significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.   The list of companies involved is startling in that it contains the 2nd largest company in America (General Electric), several utilities (Duke, FPL, PNM and PG&amp;amp;E), an oil company (BP America), industrials (DuPont, Caterpiller and Alcoa) and a financial services company (Lehman Brothers).This is not Ben and Jerry's together with Birkenstock.   We are talking about major capital turning to Washington and saying that the government needs to step in and regulate global warming emissions.Our friends at Ecological Hope have a good summary of this story and links. ]]></description>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<author>blog@iwantcleanair.com (IwantcleanAir)</author>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Jan 2007 21:22:00 PST</pubDate>
		<comments>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=428&#35;comments</comments>
		
		
		
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		<title>Fresh Approach in Washington DC</title>
		<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=385</link>
		<description><![CDATA[After too long, the standar operating procedures in Washington DC are about to change.  Senator Barbara Boxer (CA) will take over as Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.  Here is her statement on how the EPA has recently bypassed scientific review to issue standards for clean air.&amp;ldquo;Since the Clean Air Act became law in 1970, EPA has set standards to protect public health from air pollution based on the best available science, not politics.  This has occurred under both Democratic and Republican Presidents.  For decades, the cornerstone of this process was that EPA got expert advice from the leading independent scientists, and then EPA scientists proposed standards to EPA managers based on the science and health evidence. &amp;ldquo;Now, based largely on the recommendations of the American Petroleum Institute, EPA has taken a dangerous turn.  Instead of basing health standards on the best science, they will now inject politics into the entire decision. &amp;ldquo;This change in the process of determining standards for safe air for our families is deeply troubling to me, as well as health experts and former Republican EPA officials.  Dr. Bernard Goldstein, a former EPA Assistant Administrator appointed by President Reagan, said that during his time at EPA, they had &amp;lsquo;always taken the advice of their scientists.&amp;rsquo;&amp;ldquo;This rollback comes on the heels of EPA&amp;rsquo;s recent announcement that they are considering revoking the air standard for the toxic chemical lead.  New data shows that lead poisons children&amp;rsquo;s brains and nervous systems at lower levels than previously thought, and probably causes cancer.  These air pollutants hurt us all, but hurt children and the elderly the most.  What does it say about this Administration&amp;rsquo;s values when it endangers the most vulnerable Americans?&amp;ldquo;Under EPA&amp;rsquo;s plan, independent scientists will no longer work directly with top government officials to set health standards. EPA is turning its back on science.  Once again the oil industry is working with the Bush-Cheney Administration to make science and health take a back seat to politics and profit.&amp;ldquo;With this change, the American public should have little confidence in any EPA rule on air quality, and that is unacceptable.     &amp;ldquo;This is exactly the kind of EPA rollback that requires close oversight by Congress. I have spoken with senior members of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and we plan to make this ill-advised change a top priority for oversight in the 110th Congress.&amp;rdquo;]]></description>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<author>blog@iwantcleanair.com (IwantcleanAir)</author>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Dec 2006 00:36:00 PST</pubDate>
		<comments>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=385&#35;comments</comments>
		
		
		
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		<title>Supreme Court to Hear Greenhouse Gas Case </title>
		<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=366</link>
		<description><![CDATA[The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments in a case brought by a coalition of US states, counties, cities and citizen's groups against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the agency's lack of action on greenhouse gas pollution.  The Clean Air Act clearly requires the government to regulate emissions that &amp;quot;may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare.''  The law includes climate and weather in its definition of welfare.  The law does not require certainty (although certainty on this issue is easy to come by).If the Supreme Court finds that the EPA is acting illegally, the US would be required to begin regulating and minimizing emissions of global warming gasses.  A ruling is not expected until next summer.A recent C-Span broadcast, summarized over at BlueClimate.com, gives a glimpse into the arguments that may be made in the case.   The plaintiffs point out that the plain language of the law requires the EPA to act.  The defendants do not try to address the law, but present technical arguments.]]></description>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<author>blog@iwantcleanair.com (IwantcleanAir)</author>
		<pubDate>Mon, 27 Nov 2006 09:37:00 PST</pubDate>
		<comments>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=366&#35;comments</comments>
		
		
		
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		<title>Eco Victory in American Government</title>
		<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=349</link>
		<description><![CDATA[We did it!!!  Americans sent a strong message to their government on a range of issues.  One issue that stands out is the environment. The election of Jerry McNerney (D-CA)  over one of the dirtiest politicians in America (Richard Pombo) in Northern California is a great example of where the environment was front and center.  Congressman-elect McNerney is an alternative energy engineer who promised to help make his district the Silicon Valley of alternative energy. Even Arnold's return to the Governorship in California was fueled in part by his leadership on global warming and alternative energy.Amanda Griscom Little covered the impact of environmental issues on the election very well in her Muckracker column on Grist.org.  Check it out.Still, we all need to do what we can to be part of the solution.  We will not be able to find energy sources that will allow us to continue our over-consumptive lifestyles.  Energy efficiency must be part of the answer.]]></description>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<author>blog@iwantcleanair.com (IwantcleanAir)</author>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Nov 2006 09:53:00 PST</pubDate>
		<comments>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=349&#35;comments</comments>
		
		
		
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		<title>Bush Administration Issues Weak Energy Standards</title>
		<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=313</link>
		<description><![CDATA[The Bush Administration has turned its back on implementing home heating standards that were agreed to by groups representing the environment, consumers and furnace manufacturers.  Typically these groups are bitter adversaries.  Manufacturers and efficiency advocates each wanted good strong standards and are now in agreement that the standards proposed by the Department of Energy (DOE) are weak.It is rare to see both the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association complain about a federal regulatory decision.  But the Bush DOE has been completely unwilling to provide leadership in a time where energy is a major national security issue.There is  united and bipartisan criticism of the Administration's handling of energy efficiency issues.   &amp;quot;At a time when improvements in energy efficiency are critical to our energy security, we believe it does not make sense to ignore these cost-effective energy savings,&amp;quot; wrote New Mexico Sens. Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman, the chairman and senior Democrat on the Senate Energy CommitteeEven the electric utilities have been disillusioned with the way that the DOE has handled standards in their industry.  Referring to both the long history of strong DOE rule making and the recent backslide, several of the countries largest utility companies recently said, &amp;quot;given the energy challenges which face the nation, now is not the time to back away from energy savings shown by DOE to be cost effective.&amp;quot; We are truly on our own.  We must, as citizens and consumers, demand changes in the status quo.  We also must take steps on our own to ensure that we are helping America kick its addiction to oil.Source:  MarketWatchSource:]]></description>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<author>blog@iwantcleanair.com (IwantcleanAir)</author>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Oct 2006 20:23:00 PST</pubDate>
		<comments>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=313&#35;comments</comments>
		
		
		
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		<title>California Global Warming Solutions Act Becomes Law</title>
		<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=295</link>
		<description><![CDATA[The San Francisco Chronicle, the Oakland Tribune, and LA Times  all have positive articles covering the California Global Warming Solutions Act which was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Wednesday. This law symbolizes a great turning point for our country, our culture, our species and our planet.  On the surface, it is a great victory in the battle to protect the life-sustaining systems on the planet.  It is the start of a process that brings a large portion of America into cooperation with the world in seeking solutions to the threat of global warming.A parallel story is that we may have just witnessed a dramatic turing point in American politics.  As we have mentioned earlier, the California leaders of the two parties worked together to implement a viable solution to a problem that a vast majority of the population wants to see solved.   This is true democracy and our nation's founders would be proud.Joining Gov. Schwarzenegger on San Francisco's Treasure Island for the signing ceremony were Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome (Democrats),  New York Governor George Pataki (Republican), and (via satellite) British Prime Minister  Tony Blair (Labour).Last week the Schwarzenegger hosted New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (Republican) on a tour of alternative energy facilities in California.  As Schwarzenegger had previously said, &amp;quot;it&amp;rsquo;s amazing the work that can be done for the people of California when Democrats and Republicans work together.&amp;quot;And are California businesses upset?  Not Pacific, Gas &amp;amp; Electric (PG&amp;amp;E), the state's largest electric utility.  Tom King, President and CEO of PG&amp;amp;E said that this is  &amp;quot;the right thing to do for California and the right thing to do for our nation... Climate change is the defining environmental challenge of our generation.&amp;quot;As we move closer to the November elections, lets all do what we can to remove those in power who have been dividing our nation by placing party above country, politics above truth, and profit above humanity.]]></description>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<author>blog@iwantcleanair.com (IwantcleanAir)</author>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Sep 2006 23:52:00 PST</pubDate>
		<comments>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=295&#35;comments</comments>
		
		
		
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		<title>Bush to America re Clean Air:  You are on your own</title>
		<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=288</link>
		<description><![CDATA[The Bush Administration has left the American people vulnerable to death and disease by allowing dangerously high levels of soot pollution in the air.Every five years the EPA must review and update regulations on various pollutants.  This year, the EPA's own scientific panel identified soot pollution as a serious threat to American lives and well-being.  Lethal soot particles are released from power-plants, trucks and ships.  These particles have been identified as a source for  thousands of premature deaths, asthma attacks, heart attacks and other health problems.The new EPA rules have done nothing to further protect Americans from the steady flow of harmful pollution spewed into the air that we breath every day. &amp;quot;This was a decision based on political science rather than real science,'' said Frank O'Donnell, president of Clean Air Watch. &amp;quot;We're terribly disappointed that EPA has chosen to disregard its own science advisers. The results will leave millions of Americans unprotected from the dangers of particle soot.''Dozens of health groups -- including the American Medical Association, American Lung Association, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and American Academy of Pediatrics -- had urged the agency to set tougher standards for short-term and long-term exposure to particle pollution.While many hope that political pressure and a change in Congressional leadership will produce better Federal protections in the future, it is clear that we are on our own for now.We must limit our driving, our use of electricity and the use of petroleum diesel engines.We must use energy efficient appliances and light bulbs.We must do our best to keep the air in our homes, schools and businesses clean by using air purifiers.]]></description>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<author>blog@iwantcleanair.com (IwantcleanAir)</author>
		<pubDate>Sun, 24 Sep 2006 08:28:00 PST</pubDate>
		<comments>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=288&#35;comments</comments>
		
		
		
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		<title>Gore Predicts Bush Reversal on Global Warming</title>
		<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=265</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Former Vice-President Gore is in Europe, on tour with his film "An Inconvenient Truth."  On a stop in Oslo, he had an encouraging message for the Prime Minister of Norway, and for the whole planet.  

"I think there is a better than 50-50 chance that President Bush will change his policy in the next two years," Gore told an audience in Oslo after showing his documentary.  "Many of his strongest supporters are changing their positions and are becoming vocal in asking him to change."

The United States is one of two industrial nations that have not signed the Kyoto Treaty which limits emissions of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels.  As of today, Bush Republicans maintain their dubious position that there is still some scientific debate on the issue.

The truth is that there is a vast scientific consensus, built over decades of study, that says human activity is contributing to the warming of the planet.  The consequences of inaction are dire.

"Unless we stop dumping 70 million tons of global warming pollution into the atmosphere every 24 hours, which we are doing right now ... the continued acceleration of this pollution would destroy the future of human civilization," Gore had said in an an earlier  news conference in Finland's capital Helsinki.

Source: AlertNet]]></description>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<author>blog@iwantcleanair.com (IwantcleanAir)</author>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 Sep 2006 09:55:00 PST</pubDate>
		<comments>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=265&#35;comments</comments>
		
		
		
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		<title>Next on California&apos;s Agenda</title>
		<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=257</link>
		<description><![CDATA[This week California leaders of both parties produced the California Global Warming Solutions bill, which will become law as Governor Schwarzenegger has said he will sign it. (Previous post - updated 9/1/2006)  This type of leadership on the most pressing issues facing our economy, our planet and our political environment signals a new era in America.   The next step for California is to defeat incumbent Congressman Richard Pombo in November's election.  Richard Pombo is a key ally of the disgraced former Speaker of the House, Tom Delay, who &amp;quot;cut and ran&amp;quot; from Congress after being indicted on corruption charges.    Richard Pombo was the trigger man for many of convicted-felon Jack Abramoff's criminal activities.    Richard Pombo wants to destroy California's vibrant tourism economy by drilling for oil on the coastline (against the wishes of Republican Governor Schwarzenegger).    Richard Pombo is devilishly working to gut the endangered species act.  In the emerging ethical-centrist political atmosphere, politicians like Richard Pombo are an endagered species, and this type of species (like the Plague or the Polio virus) should be extinct.  These troubling times require a new type of political animal,  who inspires Americans to bravely reach for greatness instead of fearfully sink to violence.  California will not be sending Pombo back to Washington.  No more corruption.  No more selling of our national wildnerness heritage.  No more support for Bush's Iraq debacle.  Jerry McNerney is the grass-roots candidate who will defeat the slick political machine.  Read more. Find out what you can do:  Jerry McNerney for Congress  Say No to Pombo  Progressive 11TH (C.D.-CA) Blog  Pombo's In Their Pocket]]></description>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<author>blog@iwantcleanair.com (IwantcleanAir)</author>
		<pubDate>Fri, 01 Sep 2006 10:14:00 PST</pubDate>
		<comments>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=257&#35;comments</comments>
		
		
		
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		<title>California&apos;s Global Warming Solutions Act Will Be Law</title>
		<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=254</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Republcan Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Democratic leaders of the legislature have announced agreement on final language for the California Global Warming Solutions Act.This could be the biggest historical turning point in our lifetimes.  Partly because of the subject matter, but mostly because it signals the return to a functioning democracy.&amp;ldquo;I am happy to announce we have reached a historic agreement on legislation to combat global warming,&amp;quot; Gov Scwarzenegger said,    &amp;ldquo;it&amp;rsquo;s amazing the work that can be done for the people of California when Democrats and Republicans work together.The California leaders of the two parties worked together to implement a viable solution to a problem that a vast majority of the population wants to see solved.The previous trend, where elitist conservative forces turn closely contested electoral victories into broad mandates to pursue unpopular policies, has brought us toward fascism.  ABC News put it this way,  &amp;quot;A president who doesn't acknowledge the virtually universal consensus among  scientists that mankind is dangerously overheating its home planet stands to be  upstaged by a governor &amp;mdash; a fellow Republican &amp;mdash; who does.&amp;quot;  California's Global Warming Solutions Act will not only help slow global warming, it will boost the economy and improve local air quality.  All this, and it starts the country on a trend toward a more effective democratic political environment.  Many goups were involved in getting this legislation passed.  First of all, it could not have been done without leadership from co-author of the bill Fran Pavley.  NPR has a nice story about Assemblywoman Pavley.  Environmental Defense was another co-author.  Listen to Fred Krupp, director of Environmental Defense, talk about the Act on NPR.  The Union of Concerned Scientists helped pass the legislation.  Read their summary of the law (pdf) as passed by the legislature.]]></description>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<author>blog@iwantcleanair.com (IwantcleanAir)</author>
		<pubDate>Thu, 31 Aug 2006 06:19:00 PST</pubDate>
		<comments>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=254&#35;comments</comments>
		
		
		
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		<title>Say NO to Offshore Oil Drilling</title>
		<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=253</link>
		<description><![CDATA[From the Sierra Club:Sacrificing America's shoreline is not what will bring down - and keep down - energy prices. Offshore drilling won't help American families struggling with prices at the pump, but it will be a billion dollar giveaway to Big Oil. Instead of drilling off our coasts, Congress could be raising the fuel economy of our cars, encouraging the use of renewable energy like wind and solar power, and adopting other, existing energy-saving technologies that cut pollution, curb global warming and create good jobs.Tell the Senate to protect our coasts and to fight for energy solutions that will save American families money and cure our oil addiction!]]></description>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<author>blog@iwantcleanair.com (IwantcleanAir)</author>
		<pubDate>Wed, 30 Aug 2006 07:02:00 PST</pubDate>
		<comments>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=253&#35;comments</comments>
		
		
		
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		<title>California to Lead America.</title>
		<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=251</link>
		<description><![CDATA[This week just may be one for the history books.  

In California, the Democratic legislative leaders and the Republican Governor are working out the final details of two bills that would place California back in the national spotlight as an economic, social and environmental leader.  The two bills will essentially create a system that will bring the state into compliance with the rest of the planet's initiative on Global Warming, known as the Kyoto Treaty.  

The Bush Administration has made their oil business corporate donors happy by keeping the entire country out of the Kyoto Treaty.  This has created an opportunity for moderate Republican Governor Schwarzenegger to step away from the destructive partisan politics of his national party bosses.   

Action on Global Warming is "not happening on the federal level," said Dan Kalb of the Union of Concerned Scientists. "So states are forced to take action."

Where else but California could this type of grass-roots effort get started.   Two-thirds of the state's voters supported the Global Warming reduction legislation in a recent survey.  The Governor is clearly aware of the need for action.  Speaking on Global Warming at the UN last year, Schwarzenegger said, "I say the debate is over.  We know the science. We see the threat. And we know the time for action is now."

Historically, California has played a leadership role in many economic and environmental actions.  As the California bill passes, environmental activists like Dan Kalb "hope to see citizens throughout the country take similar action."

The bipartisan nature of the legislation could signal a turning point in American politics.  We have been a nation divided by an imperialistic war-time President who has rallied Americans against Americans to deflect any and all criticism of his policies.  California's political, business and environmental leaders are showing that we can all come together to tackle serious threats to our economy, welfare and quality of life. 

Years from now, we may look back to this very week with pride, and say, "it all started then." 

If you are in California, please find out how to make a phone call to the governor TODAY reminding him of his historic opportunity to lead the nation in the fight against global warming and asking him to support passage of this important legislation as it currently is written.
]]></description>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<author>blog@iwantcleanair.com (IwantcleanAir)</author>
		<pubDate>Tue, 29 Aug 2006 13:17:00 PST</pubDate>
		<comments>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=251&#35;comments</comments>
		
		
		
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		<title>California Climate Choices</title>
		<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=235</link>
		<description><![CDATA[The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) have a multi-media website -- called Climate Choices supporting the passage of a precident setting bill that would place California at the forefront of the opportunities flowing from taking action on Global Warming.

AB 32â¬possibly THE most important environmental bill of 2006â¬is headed for a showdown in the state legislature in August. AB 32 is the first-ever economy-wide cap on global warming emissions in the nation. It requires California to reduce its emissions 25 percent by 2020 and puts the state on the path toward reducing its emissions 80 percent by mid-century.

Everyone benefits if this law is passed.  

The Climate Choices website is full of excellent video, text and photos which explain the many ways that Global Warming will impact human populations.

If you are in California, write a letter supporting this important legislation.

]]></description>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<author>blog@iwantcleanair.com (IwantcleanAir)</author>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Aug 2006 11:31:00 PST</pubDate>
		<comments>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=235&#35;comments</comments>
		
		
		
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		<title>Kerry on Global Warming</title>
		<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=230</link>
		<description><![CDATA[In yesterday's San Francisco Chronicle, Sen. John Kerry proposes that we &amp;quot;put global warming on the national agenda.&amp;quot;  This is great news and we welcome Sen. Kerry's call to action.  Time is running out and if we want to protect the values that Americans hold dear, we must act now.  As the most recent Democratic Party nominee for President of the United States, it is safe to assume that Kerry has significant influence within the party.  We urge him to exercise that influence.  Warning of the calamitous consequences of inaction, Sen. Kerry said, &amp;quot;Within the next decade, if we don't take meaningful action to address global warming, our children and grandchildren will deal with global catastrophe.&amp;quot;  The party should support candidates (like Jerry McNerney) willing to fight for US government action on Global Warming.  The party should support legislation that will expand alternative energy sources like solar, wind and biomass.  The party should get out of the way when businesses seek to use private capital to fund solutions to Global Warming, such as the Cape Wind project.  Source:  San Francisco Chronicle]]></description>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<author>blog@iwantcleanair.com (IwantcleanAir)</author>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Aug 2006 10:01:00 PST</pubDate>
		<comments>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=230&#35;comments</comments>
		
		
		
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		<title>Take action for clean air</title>
		<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=227</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Today, we present a few letter writing campaigns that can use your support.  They come to us via the Natural Resources Defense Council, one of America's effective environmental nonprofit organizations. 


Tell Congress to get serious about ending America's addiction to oil
Besides causing gas prices to soar, America's oil addiction is sapping our nation's economic strength, threatening our national security and exacerbating global warming. Urge Congress to help pass oil savings legislation and put us on a clean path to oil independence.


Speak out to support clean, affordable wind energy.
The Long Island Offshore Wind Project would produce pollution-free energy and reduce the area's dependence on oil and natural gas. Urge officials to conduct a thorough environmental review of the project and make offshore wind energy a reality on Long Island.


California: Urge your state legislators to put a lid on global warming pollution in California
California residents only.  The California legislature has until August 31st to pass AB 32, which would help the state curb its global warming pollution and spur economic growth. Urge your state assemblymember and senator to support this important bill.
]]></description>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<author>blog@iwantcleanair.com (IwantcleanAir)</author>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Aug 2006 09:31:00 PST</pubDate>
		<comments>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=227&#35;comments</comments>
		
		
		
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		<title>Blair and Schwarzenegger bypass Bush on Energy</title>
		<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=215</link>
		<description><![CDATA[California and the United Kingdom have entered into a rare pact to fill the void left by President Bush's lack of action on Global Warming.British Prime Minister Tony Blair, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and several high-powered CEOs joined forces to bypass the Bush Administration in promising action to reduce greenhouse gases and promote clean technology without harming business growthThe Schwarzenegger administration took the opportunity to highlight their support for solar power and other alternative energy sources.Sacramento BeeBBC]]></description>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<author>blog@iwantcleanair.com (IwantCleanAir)</author>
		<pubDate>Mon, 31 Jul 2006 11:00:00 PST</pubDate>
		<comments>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=215&#35;comments</comments>
		
		
		
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		<title>Wake up, Washington!</title>
		<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=208</link>
		<description><![CDATA[Global warming is the most serious environmental problem facing us today. But, you wouldn't know it if you lived in Washington.

Our elected officials are sleep-walking through the problem and it's time to shake things up.

Send a Global Warming Wake-Up Call to your elected officials today.
Source:  Environmental Defense]]></description>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<author>blog@iwantcleanair.com (IwantcleanAir)</author>
		<pubDate>Fri, 28 Jul 2006 08:50:00 PST</pubDate>
		<comments>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=208&#35;comments</comments>
		
		
		
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		<title>Scientists Criticize Bush on Air Pollution</title>
		<link>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=198</link>
		<description><![CDATA[The Associated Press is reporting on the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) assesment of Bush Administration attempts to increase poisonous pollution breathed by many Americans.

"Bush administration plans to ease clean air rules for thousands of aging industrial plants might increase air pollution, the National Academy of Sciences said Friday."

The NAS was created by Abraham Lincoln to serve the nation as scientific advisors.   As the Bush administration disregards the scientific consensus, he undermines the work of generations of Republican administrations.  

The NAS report also rebuked the Environmental Protection Agency for shoddy research and science.

The Supreme Court is currently reviewing the Bush assault on clean air.  If they side with the Administration, we will pay with increased health care costs, lowered economic productivity and death of our fellow Americans.

Read the story in the Washington Post.



]]></description>
		<category><![CDATA[politics]]></category>
		<author>blog@iwantcleanair.com (IwantcleanAir)</author>
		<pubDate>Fri, 21 Jul 2006 11:34:00 PST</pubDate>
		<comments>http://www.iwantcleanair.com/index.cfm?CommentID=198&#35;comments</comments>
		
		
		
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