February 10, 2016

Op-Ed: It’s Not Too Late to Right TPP’s Wrongs

By: Reps. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Louise Slaughter (NY-25), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Brad Sherman (CA-30), Dan Kildee (MI-05), and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) --Feb 2, 2016

For the last few decades our country has felt firsthand the negative impacts of major trade agreements. Repeated patterns of domestic job loss, environmental destruction, and crumbling labor protections paint a clear picture of the results we can expect from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal as it exists today. We must learn from the past, and not repeat those same errors in judgment as we work towards a stronger future. If we are going to develop a map for global trade, and “write the rules of the road,” we must ensure it supports people and the planet.

There are many flaws that lie within the more than 5,600 pages sitting on the table, waiting to be signed this week.

First, a trade agreement of this magnitude demands transparency and justice for everyone. The Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) process gives enormous power to foreign corporations and negates our domestic rule of law and democracy. Foreign corporations should not have rights in any country that supersede the rights of local citizens and the law of the land. A tribunal of three trade lawyers who have the power to make judgments about the legitimacy of sovereign environmental, public health, or national security law and decisions goes against the foundation of our democracy.

In the last few months alone, we have seen evidence of the danger of ISDS: Last year the Administration chose to reject the Keystone Pipeline XL on environmental grounds. Now, using ISDS, TransCanada is suing the U.S. Government for more than $15 billion to compensate them not only for expenses, but also projected profits. Best case scenario: The U.S. wins this suit after spending tens of millions of taxpayer dollars defending ourselves, making it much harder for future administrations to make courageous environmental decisions. Worst case scenario: We lose the case, taxpayers fork over $15 billion, and our sovereignty and domestic rule of law is completely undermined. Future leaders will be forced to think twice about rejecting a corporate project on environmental grounds.

Second, it does not include a strong and enforceable plan for environmentally-friendly green trade. We have yet to see ANY meaningful environmental standards enforced from previous trade agreements. Indeed, the degradation of the environment has only increased because of these trade agreements. 792 million people live in the TPP zone. They deserve more than a few unenforceable environmental recommendations. Incentivizing trade without strong environmental protections creates a race to the bottom that rewards competitive advantage over public health and wellbeing.

Third, it promises free trade while compromising fair trade...snip

The American people deserve better. Free trade doesn’t cut it. We deserve transparent trade, green trade, and trade that empowers our middle class and domestic economy. The American people deserve fair trade.
https://medium.com/@TulsiPress/op-ed-it-s-not-too-late-to-right-tpp-s-wrongs-fc4b87814fdf

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard @TulsiPress · Feb 3

#TPP doesn't cut it. American ppl deserve transparent trade, green trade & trade that empowers the middle class -TG

https://twitter.com/TulsiPress/status/694966885172043779



Published on Jul 28, 2015: Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) restates the need for transparency in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on the House floor.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Reaffirms Opposition to Harmful Trans-Pacific Trade Deal
October 05, 2015

Honolulu, HI—Today, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, issued a statement following the announcement of a finalized agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

“Until now, the American people have been shut out from the details of this trade agreement that looks to be like NAFTA on steroids. This deal, which will affect 40 percent of our global economy, will be even more unenforceable and more disastrous for American jobs and our economy than NAFTA has already proven to be,” said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard.
http://gabbard.house.gov/index.php/press-releases/508-rep-tulsi-gabbard-reaffirms-opposition-to-harmful-trans-pacific-trade-deal

Official House Page: http://gabbard.house.gov/

February 6, 2016

Apparently Ed Shultz doesn't share your hatred for RT

“This is the problem with news culture today. Big money and corporate interest drown out a lot of voices,” he (Ed) said, noting that “RT completes the picture of the events in the US and around the globe, giving viewers access to a range of stories, voices and opinions, and a real opportunity to speak their minds.” https://www.rt.com/usa/328933-ed-schultz-news-show/

If I had to choose between Shultz and someone that flip flops on a politician like Hillary, I'm going with Shultz

February 5, 2016

Food industry pressuring Congress to act before Vermont requires GMO labeling

Food industry looks to Congress as GMO labeling law nears

Associated Press MARY CLARE JALONICK February 4, 2016

WASHINGTON (AP) — The food industry is pressuring Congress to act before the state of Vermont requires food labels for genetically modified ingredients.

At issue is how food companies will deal with Vermont's law. They could make separate food packages just for the state, label all their items with genetically modified ingredients or withdraw from the small Vermont market. The law kicks in by July, but the companies have to start making those decisions now.



The food industry wants Congress to pre-empt Vermont's law and bar mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods before it goes into effect. They argue that GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, are safe and a patchwork of state laws isn't practical. Labeling advocates have been fighting state-by-state to enact the labeling, with the eventual goal of a national standard.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack brought the parties together twice this month to see if they could work out a compromise. But agreement won't be easy, as the industry staunchly opposes the mandatory labels. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are divided, too, but agree that a compromise needs to be worked out before this summer...snip
Read More: http://news.yahoo.com/food-industry-looks-congress-gmo-081424942.html

When Obama wanted votes, he cared about GMO labels. Now, not so much, like many of his other promises like a public insurance option.



Vilsack isn't the best person to get involved because of his bias..

Vilsack has repeatedly demonstrated a preference for large industrial farms and genetically modified crops;[21] as Iowa state governor, he originated the seed pre-emption bill in 2005, effectively blocking local communities from regulating where genetically engineered crops would be grown; additionally, Vilsack was the founder and former chair of the Governor's Biotechnology Partnership, and was named Governor of the Year by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, an industry lobbying group https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Vilsack

February 4, 2016

TPP Is ‘Fundamentally Flawed’ and Should Be Resisted, Says U.N. Human Rights Expert

Truthdig/RT Feb 3, 2016

The leading United Nations expert on human rights is calling upon the 12 nations considering the Trans-Pacific Partnership to reject the trade agreement, out of concern that it “is out of step with today’s international human rights regime.”

Alfred de Zayas, the U.N.’s independent expert on the promotion of democratic and equitable international order, said the TPP “is fundamentally flawed and should not be signed or ratified unless provision is made to guarantee the regulatory space of states.”



“I am concerned that notwithstanding enormous opposition by civil society worldwide, twelve countries are about to sign an agreement, which is the product of secret negotiations without multi-stakeholder democratic consultation,” de Zayas said in a statement ahead of Thursday’s meeting in New Zealand of trade representatives for the 12 Pacific Rim nations involved in the secretive talks over the TPP.

“Trade agreements are not ‘stand-alone’ legal regimes, but must conform with fundamental principles of international law, including transparency and accountability,” de Zayas said. “[Trade agreements] must not delay, circumvent, undermine or make impossible the fulfillment of human rights treaty obligations.”...
Read More: http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/tpp_is_fundamentally_flawed_and_should_be_resisted_says_un_human_rights_e

https://www.rt.com/usa/331051-tpp-un-human-rights/

From Truthdig Comments:

Alice X • 3 hours ago

The TPP along with the upcoming TTiP and TiSA are designed to work around national sovereignty and regulation.

The TPP is correctly described as a Corporate Coup d'Etat. The others will be additional chapters.

The ultimate Neoliberal program. On that basis it is not flawed.

February 4, 2016

EasyJet unveils plan for 'hybrid' planes using hydrogen fuel cells

Daisy Carrington, for CNN February 2, 2016

(CNN)—On Tuesday easyJet announced plans to trial the use of hydrogen fuel cells on their planes.

The concept, which could convert their entire fleet of ordinary planes into hybrids without having to purchase new aircraft, could save a potential 50,000 tons of fuel and corresponding CO2 emissions each year.

The concept relies on hydrogen fuel cells which would be stored in the aircraft hold, and would allow a plane to taxi to and from the runway without using any fuel.



Considerable savings

The cells would capture energy from the aircraft braking on landing, and would charge lightweight batteries when the plane is on the ground, negating the aircraft's need to use jet fuel when taxiing. As 4% of the airline's fuel is consumed during taxiing, that comes out as a considerable saving...snip

The only waste is clean water

...Hydrogen technology has come a long way in the last five years, both in terms of how it's stored and how it's generated, notes Davies, which is what's enabling easyJet and other companies in the aviation industry to employ it in the push to bring down CO2 emissions...snip
Read More: http://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/02/aviation/easyjet-hybrid-plane-hydrogen-fuel-cell/index.html

The H2 Revolution has just begun

EasyJet knows- H2 is #1

February 3, 2016

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) Urges U.S. Leaders To Learn from Mistakes in Libya

Published on Feb 1, 2016: Interviewed by Neil Cavuto on Fox News (1/29/16), Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard explains why it’s important that we learn from the mistakes made in Libya, so we don’t repeat them in Syria. She talks about "why it's important for those who are seeking to be our commander-in-chief to exercise foresight, to have a military mindset, where they are making decisions that will impact our country, our men and women in uniform, how we expand our resources.

They better be looking ahead to see what are the consequences to this decision. How will this country or that country react to the action that we take? What will our response to that be? And take down the line so that we don't end up being in a position today where we’re repeating the same mistakes of the past, just like we’re seeing in Libya: 2011, the President, Secretary Clinton, Sen. McCain, Sen. Graham, championed the overthrow of Gaddafi. The result today is a failed Libyan state with ISIS, Al- Qaeda and Islamic extremist groups poised to take over.”

Reminder- Debbie Wasserman-Shultz dis-invited Tulsi (a Vice Chair of the DNC) to the first Las Vegas debate last year. Here is what Tulsi had to say about that:



This Congresswoman is a rising star. And a surfer!

Extreme Recess: Surfing with Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard Sep 24, 2015


Official House Page: http://gabbard.house.gov/
Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/tulsipress
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tulsigabbard
#TeamTulsi

February 2, 2016

Bill Moyers Flashback: Elizabeth Warren Tells a Story About Hillary Clinton, Wall Street & Lobbying

Bill Moyers.com Nov 18, 2015

At Saturday night’s Democratic debate, Face the Nation anchor John Dickerson asked Hillary Clinton whether she would be unduly influenced by the large campaign donations she receives from Wall Street. She responded that their support was due to her commitment to rebuilding after the 9/11 attacks. “I represented New York, and I represented New York on 9/11 when we were attacked,” Clinton said. “Where were we attacked? We were attacked in downtown Manhattan where Wall Street is. I did spend a whole lot of time and effort helping them rebuild. That was good for New York.”

The next day, International Business Times’ David Sirota and Andrew Perez reported that Hillary Clinton already was a top recipient of Wall Street cash before 9/11:

In her 2000 U.S. Senate race, Clinton vacuumed in more than $1.1 million from the securities and investment industry, according to data compiled by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. That made her the third-largest recipient of Wall Street money of any member of Congress or congressional candidate running in that entire election cycle, which concluded 10 months before 9/11.

Yesterday, Senator Bernie Sanders told CNN that Clinton’s answer was absurd. “The truth is Hillary Clinton and all of us in the Congress did everything that we could to try to rebuild New York City after that devastating attack,” he said. “But that has nothing to do with the question of the impact of Wall Street campaign contributions on her views on Wall Street.”

The exchange reminded us of a 2004 NOW interview with Elizabeth Warren. Before becoming the senior senator from Massachusetts, then-Harvard Law professor Warren joined Bill to discuss the problems facing middle-class Americans, and how “beholden” legislators may not always have their best interests in mind...snip
http://billmoyers.com/2015/11/18/flashback-elizabeth-warren-tells-a-story-about-hillary-clinton-wall-street-and-lobbying/

http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/video_elizabeth_warren_has_known_for_years_hillary_clintons_20160131

Elizabeth Warren vs. Hillary Clinton (2004)



Published on Sep 26, 2014: The Bill Moyers show released a vintage clip of Senator Elizabeth Warren from 2004. In the video, Professor Warren talks about a meeting she had with then-first lady Hillary Clinton