Avaaz.org Presents The New Face Of Power In The Movement For Change

 

 

Avaaz means 'voice' in a number of different languages and what it means in every language is hope. The brilliant organizers of this powerful, relatively new international web have reached a level that few could have hoped for just a year ago. They are now flush with 13 million members and 2.5 million of whom have joined in just the last 30 days. No other activist human rights organization and instrument for change can boost such figures.

Avaaz.org has 194 countries with members. The nations with the biggest participants are Germany, France and Brazil - all having over a million.

Even more reason to celebrate Avaaz.org's existence is that they are having great success in mobilizing people and winning victories for good. In their recent email they present to their participants a "snapshot of the last few weeks."

-five million of us stood up to the ACTA and SOPA Internet censorship bills, helping to put SOPA on ice, and putting ACTA under threat, with the President of the European Parliament and Germany, Poland and many other countries reconsidering their positions.

-smuggled $1.8 million worth of medical supplies into Syria when no one else could, and raised $1.5 million more in donations, while our citizen journalists provided much of the world media's information and images.

-generated thousands of news articles on 20 different campaigns.

-our sex trafficking hotline generated information that will result in a major set of arrests this week (can't say which country yet).

-raised over 4 million dollars/euros/yen online to supercharge our work, and are growing our staff team like mad to keep up with the need.

-ran over 40 campaigns, took over 10 million actions and told 25 million friends about campaigns we care about, on everything from deforestation in Brazil to the Murdoch scandal in the UK -- and made a serious impact on many of these.

That is all in a month's work! They refuse to accept funds from any governments nor corporations and they rely on the people for their resources. They have a dedicated team of extraordinary and passionate people working on our behalf. Their reach, success and abilities are simply amazing.

Click here to join Avaaz.org and become a part of the millions of people from around the world coming together to be create change.

Wildlife: Thousands of Snowy Owls Becoming US Citizens

 

 

Don't let the Republicans know but thousands of undocumented hunters are coming into the United States for the first time over the Canadian borders. This will drive the GOP nuts. They will be eating our food in impoverished regions and drinking our water in drought stricken areas.

They weren't invited and historically have never been seen in these kind of numbers in the United States. These interlopers can be found from Oregon to Maine and even are starting to penetrate the Southern States. In Hawaii, one was shot for fear they would menace our airport security.

American citizens most likely will hear of this illegal immigration in the next debates. What is all the fuss about? The stunningly beautiful Snowy Owl has for the first time appeared in the lover 48 states by the thousands. They stand two feel tall and have massive five foot wingspans.

MSNBC has given serious space to these undocumented birds. They write on their site:

A certain number of the iconic owls fly south from their Arctic breeding grounds each winter but rarely do so many venture so far away even amid large-scale, periodic southern migrations known as irruptions.

"What we're seeing now — it's unbelievable," said Denver Holt, head of the Owl Research Institute in Montana.

"This is the most significant wildlife event in decades," added Holt, who has studied snowy owls in their Arctic tundra ecosystem for two decades.

Holt and other owl experts say the phenomenon is likely linked to lemmings, a rodent that accounts for 90 percent of the diet of snowy owls during breeding months that stretch from May into September. The largely nocturnal birds also prey on a host of other animals, from voles to geese."

Wildlife: Florida Panthers Makes Gains In 2011

 

 

In the 1970's, only about thirty of the majestic Florida Panthers could be found in the entire state. In fact, just a few years ago there was a census count of only 70. Slowly but surely progress is being made in protecting this endangered species. Last year 10 more panthers were born than died making this one of the better years for the panther. It is estimated that the population is somewhere around 130 to 150 cats. Most of the panthers' deaths are caused by loss of habitat and encounters with cars.

At one time panther ranged over eight southern states but now they are confined to South Florida. The beautiful animal is far from out of danger but the good news gives a glimmer of hope.

Impressions.....by David Mixner

 

 

-Thank God, now we can all relax! Todd Palin, Sarah's husband, has let it be known he is supporting good ole Newt. He proclaims it is not an indication of how the former Vice Presidential candidate is going to endorse...if she endorses.

-Political Insider reports that for the fifth day in a row in the Suffolk Tracking Poll Mitt Romney has lost ground. Sunday he was at 33% and falling.

-National Wildlife Foundation has five pictures of adorable baby animals. The one above is a bison with her baby calf who was born that very day. Check the others out!

-Appears the National Stonewall Democrats are really getting their act together in preparation for the upcoming election. They have just appointed as their new Executive Director political wizard Jerame Davis. Congrats, Jerame!

-The entire LGBT community is sending best wishes and life long love to actor Alan Cumming and illustrator Grant Shaffer (photograph) as they got married in New York after registering for civil unions in Great Britain five years ago!

-Praise the Lord and pass the collection plate! Rick Santorum has those old time religion folks opening up their pocketbooks. He took in one million dollars in twenty-four hours after the Iowa caucuses and according to sources is approaching three million dollars by the New Hampshire primary.

-Allow me to give a 'shout out' to Lincoln Business Machine on West 68th Street in New York City. They have been coming to my rescue all week with my series of constant computer problems. Thanks to Boris, Jose and Milton! (212) 769-0606

-In the hotly contested Democratic primary in California's 50th Assembly District, grassroots activist and open lesbian Torie Osborn had a debate with establishment candidate Betsy Butler. Afterwards, the prestigious Malibu Democratic Club voted to endorse Osborn with 41 votes. Betsy Butler received 5 votes.

-China is testing a new high speed train that will travel at 500 km! Soon no one will want to fly in those cattle cars they call planes and enjoy a great system.

-Governor Andrew Cuomo's "State of the State" speech was powerful, articulate and filled with policy. He showed graciousness to the legislature and clearly demonstrated he heard the concerns of New Yorkers. This one should be shared with every Democratic leader as a paper on how it should be done!

-Here is an interesting statistic from the Center for Disease Control (CDC): Forty-Four per cent of straight men and thirty-six percent of straight women say they have had anal sex at least one time in their life.

-The Glass House Tavern had a busy week. Glee cast member Mark Salling and Lauren Bacall (photograph) were dining at different tables with friends.

-London's The Telegraph has picked the top ten ciites to live in the world. Victoria, Canada is on the list. Take a look at the rest!

-The Telegraph is also running a story coming out of France. Soccer's Manchester United player Eric Cantona is seeking a place on the ballot to run for President of France.

-What is Mitt's real first name? Vanity Fair took a poll and very few of their readers could nail it. Some actually thought it was "Mittens!" His first name is Willard!

-The marriage equality debate has come to Washington State with Democratic Governor Chris Gregoire. In a powerful and elegant speech she said she intended to bring it up in the upcoming special session of the Washington legislature. Keep your fingers crossed.

-Think about this statistic: There has been more snow in El Paso, Texas than in Chicago, Detroit or New York. What is wrong with this picture?

-The National Geographic announced the winners of this years photograph contest. Here is the Grand Prize winning photograph taken by Shikhei Goh. You can see more winners by clicking here.

Environment: Congressional Failure To Protect Our Natural Resources

 

 

One of the grave consequences of having the GOP control the House of Representatives is that our environment, wildlife and natural resources are taking a beating. Digging in their heels, even when industry approves of the changes, the fringe in the Republican Party is blocking many actions that would protect our heritage. Even the President had to be pushed on the Tar Sands question and its huge environmental impact.

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has listed the "The Top 10 Dumbest Things Congress Did in 2011". Click on the article to see all ten but here are the top five from that list. Also if you go to the NWF website they will tell you actions you can take to help stop the insanity.

5. Gulf Coast: Still Not Made Whole

We’re just a few months from the 2nd anniversary of start of the Gulf oil disaster, yet Congress still has not acted on legislation to make sure BP’s fines and penalties are reinvested in Mississippi River Delta restoration.

4. War on Next-Generation Light Bulbs

Just a few years ago, President George W. Bush signed bipartisan legislation to encourage energy-efficient light bulbs. Industry gets certainty, consumers save money, America cuts its carbon footprint: Everybody wins! But extremists attacked the standards and when they couldn’t win votes, they snuck the Dim Bulb Act into must-pass budget legislation. “Big companies like General Electric, Philips and Osram Sylvania spent big bucks preparing for the standards, and the industry is fuming over the GOP bid to undercut them,” reported Politico. Everybody loses!

3. Push Pipeline First, Ask Safety Questions Later

Facing concerns from conservationists concerned about protecting critical wildlife habitat, landowners concerned about getting their land seized, and public health advocates worried about water supplies, the Obama administration delayed a decision on the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline from the Canadian border to Texas. But before a revised route could even be drawn up, Big Oil’s Congressional allies tacked a political rider onto the payroll tax cut extension moving through Congress right now that would force a decision on the pipeline within 60 days.

2. Protecting Tax Giveaways for Big Oil

Big Oil has already banked a staggering $101 billion in profits in 2011, and as NWF detailed in Conservation Works, Congress can save more than $100 billion by closing tax loopholes for special interests like the oil and gas industries. But time after time, purported Congressional concern about the deficit came in a distant second to catering to Big Oil donors and lobbyists.

1. Fiddling While Our Climate Burns

Our world has now seen 321 consecutive months with a global temperature above the 20th century average, meaning we haven’t seen a below-average temperature month since before The Goonies came out in 1985. Extreme weather records fell, with NOAA reporting 12 disasters of at least $1 billion in damage here in the U.S. Through November, 2011 has been the 11th-hottest year on record. If the pace keeps up, it will mean each of the last 11 years (2001–2011) will have been one of the 12 hottest on record. The Arctic continues to warm, melting sea ice and pushing several polar bear populations to the brink

Impressions....by David Mixner

 

 

-Sexy actor Daniel Craig has a very low opinion of elected officials. Craig is quoted by "Politico" as say that "politicians are shitheads." Craig was had a few more choice words when he also stated “That’s how they become politicians, even the good ones. We're actors, we're artists, we're very nice to each other. They'll turn around and stab you in the fucking back.

-Republican candidate for President Ron Paul evidently has a problem using rest rooms that homosexuals use. Hmmm, wonder if he uses the one in his own campaign headquarters?

-Broadway's hit musical "Jersey Boys" just passed "Ave Q" to become the 21st longest running show in the history of Broadway. On Monday, December 26th, they will have played 2,535 performances!

-More lists are coming out about the last year. GLBTQ.com has published their compilation of "The Top Ten Stories of 2011". It is an interesting list.

-The New York Times published a moving and long obituary for John Lawrence who was the plaintiff in the famous Supreme Court Case -Lawrence v. Texas who passed away on November 20th. Please read since this our history and our heroes.

-Since it is still holiday time and we can be frivolous, Greg in Hollywood published the result of poll of readers on Soaphunks.net. Winning 'Best Eyes" was Brandon Beemer (photograph above) of "The Bold and Beautiful".

-In the latest rankings, Brazil has overtaken Great Britain and has the world's sixth largest economy. The United States is still number one followed closely by China.

-Given up the cutbacks in budgets around the country, the mentally ill are seeing their services and support vanish. The problem is so severe that emergency rooms are being flooded by those mentally challenged and desperately seeking assistance.

-For the first time in quite awhile, Gallup Poll shows that President Obama has more people approving of his job performance than disapproving. It's about time!

-Not everyone was happy with their Christmas Cards this year. Lulu the Cat was not a happy camper at all with her greetings.

-OutTraveler.com has picked the "Top 20 Gayest Destinations In the USA" for the year 2011. You will be surprised to hear that P-Town is number 20!

-Insideline.com picked the "100 Worst Cars Of All Time". Going through the list and pictures I was shocked at some of their picks. The number one pick of worst car ever was the 2001 Pontiac Aztek.

-A little historical fact from OMG Facts. In 1979, homosexuality was classified as an illness in Sweden. One day thousands of Swedish citizens called in 'sick' to work giving as their reason "homosexuality'. As a result of that action, Sweden became one of the first countries to say homosexuality is not a mental illness.

-Former "Today Show" host Meredith Vieira (photograph above) was dining at the Glass House Tavern with her husband journalist Richard Cohen. At another table was pioneering table show host Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas. Finally the beautiful actress Blythe Danner graced one of the tables at the Tavern.

-There is new site called "Celebrities on the Subway." People send him their pictures of celebrities riding the trains or subways. Love the one of Hugh Jackman!.(via JoeMyGod)

-When we first heard about the reports of the tropical storm hitting the Philippines the death toll was projected to be 600 from the flash floods. Now fisherman are finding bodies sixty miles out to sea that were washed away in the storm. The toll is near 1,300 dead and counting.

-One of my favorite sites for this year has been Boston.com's Big Picture which is the modern day version of the old "LIFE" magazine. They recently published "Best Photos From The Natural World" for 2011. Here are my favorites and you can click to see the rest and received the all important photographer credits

Impressions...by David Mixner

 

 

-The world is about to have its second openly LGBT Prime Minister. Joining Iceland's lesbian Prime Minister Johanna Siguroardottir will be Elio di Rupo of Belgium (above). The Socialist should be sworn in today and form a government at the request of King Albert II. When asked if he was gay he simply said, "Yes, so what?" He has his work cut out for him in the deeply divided and economically troubled nation.

-In a teaser on Twitter, Public Policy Polling says that Newt Gingrich in North Carolina will be the first candidate to get above 50% in a state that is not their home state. This always has been one of Newt's strongest states.

-Big news coming out of Maine! In just twelve weeks, Equality Maine has gathered over 100,000 signatures to put marriage equality on the ballot. The Pine Tree State will vote next year and the polling is looking good.

-A social worker, Carol Mapley, will be the first Transgender person running for public office in Scotland. She will seek a seat on the Castle Douglas and Glenkins Council.

-Scottish sculptor Martin Boyce has won the very prestigious Turner Prize. The award is given to a British artist under 50 who had the best exhibit in the last year.

-Did you know that archaeologists estimate that there are over 20,000 slaves in different burial sites in New York City?

-AllOut.org has collected and presented over 55,000 signatures to the Nigerian consulate in New York to protest anti-LGBT legislation in that nation.  They collected them in just a long weekend.  This is an amazing organization and you can still sign the petition by clicking here.

-In the NBC/ Marist Poll, Gingrich has jumped 20 points in New Hampshire and is in striking distance of Romney .

-Buckingham Palace has had the first reception for the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee. Everyone seem to be able to make it with Kate and William smiling throughout. This kicks off a year of activities.

-Oh God, don't you wish you were an investor? On November 29, the Broadway smash musical Book of Mormon recouped its entire capitalization. It is all profit from now on and last week they played to a 102% house.

-The Los Angeles Times has a terrific story on openly gay philanthropist David Bohnett (below). He is currently the Chair of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and has given nearly $20 million to LGBT causes over the years. Be sure to read this wonderful article.

-Dr. Jeff Masters of WeatherUnderground.com writes that if Hurricane Irene's winds had just been 10 mph higher the subways of New York City would have completely flooded. The entire article is amazing about the consequences of the Hurricane in the New York City area.

-You can find hope in Massachusetts! Elizabeth Warren is leading incumbent Republican Scott Brown by 4% according to UMass Amherst Poll.

-ArtForum.com had director John Waters select his ten favorite movies of 2011.

-Sundance Film Festival will premiere the documentary on Bishop Eugene Robinson - "Live Free or Die." This film reunites the team of Macky Alston and Sandra Itkoff.

-Bil Browing of the "Bilerico Project" has a good article that will make you think twice before putting any money in the Salvation Army's little red buckets this holiday season.

-The second Presidential candidate to endorse marriage equality is a Republican. Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson joins openly gay presidential candidate Fred Karger in supporting same sex marriage.

-Love this youtube.com spot from Canada celebrating the nation's embracing of marriage equality.

VIDEO: Rare and Elusive Marbled Cat Filmed

 

 

While considered not endangered but just  'vulnerable', the stunningly beautiful Marble Cat is a wild feline very few humans have ever seen . Home is Southeast Asia in densely forested areas. The beautiful animal is about the size of a domestic cat but has a tail that equals its body and is used for climbing. Like the Clouded Leopard its paws are outsized.

Estimates are that there are about 10,000 surviving in the wild. However, since they are impossible to spot it is just only an estimate. There is currently only one known pair in captivity at a breeding center at the United Arab Emirates.

This extremely rare video was taken by National Geographic with the 'trip wire.' There is another surprise visitor in the video.

Western Black Rhino Extinct; Rhino Crisis Grows

 

 

Just weeks after the Javan Rhino was declared extinct in mainland Asia the International Union for the Conservation of Nature has stated that the subspecies Western Black Rhinos no longer exist roaming in the wilds of Western Africa. BBC reports that the organization says 25% of all mammals are on the verge of extinction. Soon to join the Javan Rhino and Western Black Rhino is a subspecies of the White Rhino in Central Africa.

The species of Black and White Rhinos are increasing worldwide but we are also seeing subspecies disappear from wide geographic locations around the world. The massive area of Western and Central Africa just made it impossible for conservationists with limited resources to protect these subspecies from poachers.

In South Africa, the BBC reports a record 341 rhinos have been poached so far in 2011. Poachers just barbarically saw off the horn and leave the animals to bleed to death. Up to 2005, an average of only 36 rhinos where killed but that number has skyrocketed since then. This year ten times that amount have already been killed.

Here is a video showing ten most recently declared extinct species - never again to be seen.

Impressions....by David Mixner

 

 

-Doesn't Alan Cumming look just adorable? Ed Kennedy on AfterElton.com printed this wonderful picture of Alan.

-Alan van Capelle and Matt Morningstar had their first child. On October 26, Ethan George van Capelle Morningstar joined the world. Everyone is doing fine.

-In the can't believe they said that department, Lonely Planet, the travel guide owned by BBC Worldwide, has picked - get this - Uganda as a top travel pick. God, I can't wait to take a bunch of LGBT friends and vacation in a country where homophobia is rampant! What are they thinking?

-Former National Football Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and his wife, Chandler, have made a $5 million dollar donation to Georgetown University. What is interesting about this gift is that, according to the Washington Blade, $1 million goes to the creation of a program for LGBT studies. Wow.

-This is the 20th anniversary of "The Perfect Storm" that slammed the East Coast with huge waves, high winds and tons of damage. A front combined with Hurricane Grace and then sat off land for several days. The video is the USS Kitty Hawk in the storm facing 90' waves!

-A Florida Panther was hit by a car and killed this week. The Panther used to roam all over the entire Southern United States. Currently there are only about 150 adult Florida Panthers left.

-Despite current sexual harrassment accusations, the Pizza King Cain continues to be on top. The Quinnipiac Poll has him beating Romney in Ohio! The poll shows Cain at 28% and Romney trailing at 23%. A distant third is Newt with just 7%.

-The Democratic House Majority Pac has released a list of twelve Republican districts that they feel can be transferred to the Dems in the next election. Many of the Republicans were hurt by redistricting.

-Don't think Elizabeth Warren running to be the Democratic nominee for Senate in Massachusetts will have any problem finding volunteers! This photograph from Mother Jones shows a volunteer meeting for Warren taking place in Framingham, Massachusetts! Unbelievable!

-Karen Ocamb of LGBTPOV writes a powerful article on why the Occupy Movement should be important   to the LGBT community.

-Speaking of the Occupy Movement, there is story about photographer David Shankbone who has become the 'unofficial photographer' of the Occupy Wall Street protests. The article features his fifteen favorite photographs.

-In the latest extensive Economist Poll, people across the nation were asked to rank the issues most important to them. The top five were the economy (44%), social security (15%), healthcare (9%), budget deficit (8%) and education (7%). Republicans please take note in that gay rights got a whooping 2% in the poll!

-The Des Moines Register poll got a lot of attention because of the tight race between Cain and Romney. However most interestingly former Senator Rick Santorum who has particularly lived in Iowa by visiting 70 of Iowa's 99 counties received only 5% of the vote.

-OUT Magazine  has started unveiling their "OUT 100" by releasing the first ten names. They posed the individuals selected as figures from the past or art. Dustin Lance Black sure looks hot in the pictures. (If you want to see what I look like as Sir Winston Churchill, you can find me among the ten).

-President Teddy Roosevelt was a huge trust buster and fought the big monopolies. Upon returning to his beloved Harvard to speak at his 30th class reunion as President, many of those in the audience stood and turned their back to him for betraying industry! Guess ole "Rough and Ready" might have been staying down at Occupy Wall Street.

-Now this has to hurt! In the new University of Texas/Tribune poll on the Republican candidates, Herman Cain got 27% and Texas's own Governor Rick Perry received 26%! Romney was fourth at 9%.

-Wisconsin is going to be a tough state for President Obama. He won significantly in 2008 and now in the latest poll leads Romney by only 3%. At the beginning of 2011 he had a 12% lead over Romney. Have to move Wisconsin now into the toss-up column.

-Finally here is a feature piece from "Good Morning America" about mothers2mothers in Africa. As you know it is one of my favorite organizations and this ABC News clip explains why: