Wana bankrupt warmaking???? ACT TODAY (Tues): Congress votes on global warming budget this week!

	Dear Start,	March 30, 2009
	Thanks to your efforts this week, both the House and Senate Budget Committees managed to fight back a serious lobbying push to strip global warming from the President's budget. This was a major hurdle, but the fight is far from over! The budget will head to the floor for a vote this week, and we have to act now. This is such a critical vote, because without budget funding, we won't likely see global warming legislation pass this year. We can't procrastinate about global warming any longer. We MUST take bold action THIS YEAR. We don't have much time - Congress will be voting any day now on the President's budget, including action on global warming - we have to act NOW. Call Congress right now and tell your Representative to pass a budget that includes limits on global warming pollution. Making a call is easy, fast, and extremely effective. Simply follow the steps below: 1) Call (202) 224-3121 . 2) Ask the operator to put you through to your Representative's office. If you don't know who your Representative is, then give the operator your zip code and they will let you know and put you through. 3) Someone will either answer the phone or you will be able to leave a message. Here's what you can say: "I urge the Representative to support the President's budget, including action to cap global warming pollution." 4) Let us know that you made the call by clicking the button below. Greenpeace activists just like you have already sent more than 34,500 letters to Congress urging them to keep action on global warming pollution in the budget. With the vote coming up any day now, we need you to go a step further and call now. Please make your voice heard today. For our future, Samantha Rodgers Greenpeace Field Organizing Director 702 H Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20001 (800) 326-0959 You received this mailing because Start_Loving@yahoo.com is subscribed to our mailing list. If you prefer not to receive these mailings in the future click here. We value your privacy. If you have any questions about how we use your information please read our privacy policy.

Obama praised for climate change policy

Czech Environment Minister Martin Bursik, whose country holds the European Union's rotating presidency, said Europe "has gained a strong partner" in fighting global warming.  http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/03/28/Obama_praised_for_climate_change_policy/UPI-71621238261438/

****Winds of Change Evident in U.S. Environmental Policy

After years of chafing under political appointees who viewed stricter environmental regulation with skepticism, long-serving federal officials are seeing work that had been gathering dust for years translate quickly into action.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/29/AR2009032902280.html

*** Leaders to meet in summer for special climate change talks

The new summit – which is being called on the initiative of President Barack Obama as part of a US drive to get a new international agreement on tackling global warming – is to take place alongside the annual G8 gathering of world leaders on the island of La Maddalena off Sardinia.  http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/leaders-to-meet-in-summer-for-special-climate-change-talks-1656630.html

Obama Says U.S. 'Must Respond' to Flood Potential in Midwest

For the president, the surging Red River presents an early test of a promise that he made during his campaign for the White House: to make sure the federal government treats disasters with the seriousness they deserve.  http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/03/28/obama_says_us_must_respond_to.html?wprss=44

***Obama Sets International Climate Forum

But Obama officials believe the talks could help forge a basis for a broader U.N. climate agreement in December, when negotiators will meet in Copenhagen to develop a pact aimed at cutting global greenhouse gas emissions. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/03/28/obama_sets_international_clima.html?wprss=44

US and Iran open Afghanistan peace talks

As Obama unveiled his new strategy on Afghanistan, his officials attended a historic meeting with an old enemy - Iran.  http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5993094.ece

FEMA, Homeland Security, FARGO

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said the department has enough food and water to support 30,000 people for seven days and could bring in more if needed. Fargo expects no more than 100,000 to evacuate in the worst-case scenario.  http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/Weather/story?id=7187050&page=1

Geithner Plans Get Generally Positive Response

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner's call for expanded financial regulations is receiving extensive media coverage. ABC World News reported, "The Obama Administration today called for the creation of a new government agency to oversee financial institutions that are not regulated now.   http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_090327.htm

****G.E.’s Green Chief: Bullish on Clean-Tech Future

Steve Fludder, the vice-president of General Electric's "Ecomagination" unit, which concentrates on developing green technologies, expressed optimism Wednesday that deals would start flowing again in the wake of the stimulus bill — but said that his business was still feeling the force of the financial crisis.  http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/ges-green-chief-bullish-on-clean-tech-future/

Harvard defense expert aims to fight Pentagon cost overruns

President Barack Obama's nominee to fix Pentagon purchasing problems vowed Thursday to root out cost overruns in major arms programs, fearing the $150 billion arms-procurement budget may be on its way to becoming unaffordable.  http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSN2649458720090326

"Job One" - weapons and services programs that are failing troops because they are too costly or unnecessary.

Ashton Carter, President Obama's pick to be the official in charge of the Pentagon's $400 billion acquisition process, said at a confirmation hearing today that "Job One" would be to "get under control" the department's many weapons and services programs that are failing troops because they are too costly or unnecessary. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/26/AR2009032603252.html

Climate Talks Look to U.S. Role

When the Obama administration makes its debut in the international climate-change debate at talks next week, expectations will be high: Europe hopes the U.S. can help end a standoff between rich and poor countries over how to share the burden of cutting carbon emissions.  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123810453832651911.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Obama administration to take aim at trouble-plagued US Navy surface ship programs?

The Obama administration, looking for potential budget cuts, may take aim at the trouble-plagued US Navy surface ship programs.  http://blog.marport.com/2009/03/26/617/

U.S. Raises Auto Fuel-Economy to 27.3 MPG for 2011

Cars and light trucks will be required to meet a U.S. fuel-economy average of 27.3 miles per gallon for 2011 models, a 2 mpg increase from the previous year's level, the Transportation Department said. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=awfOOZTKuuX4&refer=home

Obama Afghan strategy not just about bullets, bombs

The new Afghan war strategy unveiled Friday by US President Barack Obama goes beyond "bullets and bombs" to a plan to overhaul international aid to Afghanistan and Pakistan.  http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gin0xXv_8ynP2n3Q3aQeamSyqYQw

Obama, Bankers Sit Face to Face

Lend more. Spend less.That was President Obama's message yesterday during a meeting at the White House with the chief executives of the nation's largest banks.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/27/AR2009032703315.html

An All-Electric Sedan, Awaiting Federal Aid

Tesla Motors on Thursday unveiled its Model S, an all-electric sedan it hails as the beginning of a generation of fossil-fuel-free cars and a profitable company.  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/technology/start-ups/27tesla.html?th&emc=th

How Obama Took Over the Peace Movement

John Podesta's liberal think tank the Center for American Progress strongly supports Barack Obama's escalation of the US wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan.  http://www.prwatch.org/node/8297