Your 5 Minute Activist Links for April 4, 2008

** Center for Biological Diversity **

One-third of America's national forests are protected from road-building and other industrial development by the Roadless Area Conservation Rule -- but now the administration is working state-by-state to open these treasured places to logging, mining and other development. As it gets ready to head out the door, the Bush government seems intent on handing the keys to our national forests over to the timber and mining industries. Without your help, their future is at risk. The Forest Service needs to hear from you by Monday, April 7th.


** Labour Start **
It has been nearly a month since the murder of Leonidas Gomez Rozo, a leader of the National Union of Bank Workers of Colombia.
His murder in early March was one of several violent attacks against trade unionists in that country.
Today we've been asked by UNI Global Union -- a global union federation to which Rozo's union was affiliated -- to flood Colombian embassies around the world with messages of protest next week.

** Credo Action **
This week the Chinese government called the Dalai Lama a "wolf in monk's robes" and his followers the "scum of Buddhism." It's just the latest outrage as China continues its brutal crackdown on courageous Tibetans who are demonstrating for greater political autonomy.
Let's all tell the Chinese government to end its violent crackdown in Tibet. Sign our petition here.

** Defenders of Wildlife **
Bison once numbered in the tens of millions across the Great Plains until a wholesale slaughter nearly wiped them out.
Now some of America's last free-roaming wild bison are being slaughtered on a scale not seen since the 1800s. And hundreds more could to be killed.
Take action now! Write the Montana Promotion Division -- the state's tourism officials -- and speak out for sensible wildlife management of these American icons!

** The Real McCain **
Old and Senile McCain still has not shown the backbone to be President and has turned his back on veterans. Why won't old and senile McCain sign on to the the New GI Bill?

Your 5 Minute Activist Links for April 1, 2008

** Amnesty International **
Demand the release of 15 Tibetan monks who were detained on March 10 for staging a peaceful demonstration in Barkhor, Lhasa, the capital of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. There is no information on their current whereabouts or of any charges brought against them. They are at high risk of torture and other ill treatment.

** American Jewish World Service **
The genocide in Darfur has entered its sixth year. The Sudanese government has reinvigorated its campaign to frighten, displace and kill civilians, raising fears of an increasingly deadly cycle in the ongoing conflict.
Congress will soon determine funding levels of U.S. international assistance—money that can be used immediately to help meet the needs of the Darfuri people. AJWS needs your help to ensure that Congress provides adequate funding for both humanitarian aid and peacekeeping.
Click here to take action now.

** Working America **
We are approaching a critical moment in the campaign to stop the foreclosure crisis. The U.S. Senate is considering a bill (S. 2636) with a key provision that would fix bankruptcy policies to allow borrowers to restructure their mortgages in bankruptcy court.
Right now, more than 600,000 families may lose their homes. We can stop this from happening, but we need our senators to do the right thing.
Can you urge your senators to vote to let families restructure their mortgages in bankruptcy?

** League of Conservation Voters **
2007 was the earth's second warmest year on record - only 2005 was warmer. And last week scientists discovered a piece of Antarctica the size of Connecticut is breaking off.
Please join me in telling the House: Global warming is the greatest environmental crisis we face, and we need solutions now!


** Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA!) **
Now more than ever America needs relief from the housing and mortgage crisis. As many as 3 million families face foreclosure. In 2007 alone, 232,000 construction workers lost their jobs. And the crisis threatens retirement security.
But under a little-known provision of the Foreclosure Prevention Act pending in Congress, corporate homebuilders would get as much as $33 billion in tax breaks—even though they made billions in profits through subprime lending and speculative investors that helped create the current crisis.
Much of the Foreclosure Prevention Act provides needed help for families in distress, but it should not reward corporations that put them in distress. Tell your Senators now!

Your 5 Minute Activist Links for March 27, 2008

** Credo Action **

For five decades, the Tibetan people have suffered greatly under China's brutal rule. The Chinese government has swamped Tibet with Chinese settlers, poured money into mega-infrastructure projects like the railway that solidify its control, and ruthlessly attacked Tibetan culture and religion. As the Olympics approach and the world's eyes turn to Beijing, the current outpouring of frustration in Tibet is the natural consequence of China's ongoing repression.
Please take immediate action by sending an e-mail to your congressional representative urging him/her to speak out in support of Tibetans inside Tibet.

** Earth Justice **
Idaho contains more unspoiled wild forest than any state outside Alaska, providing the last intact forest habitat for countless fish, wildlife, and plant species. These areas are enjoyed by hunters, anglers, hikers, and all who treasure the backcountry. Yet the Bush administration is making a play in its last days to hand this natural gem over to its friends in the oil, natural gas, timber, and mining industries by weakening the Roadless Area Conservation Rule protections that currently guard it.
Let the Bush administration know that you are against removing Roadless Rule protections for the forests of Idaho.

** League of Conservation Voters **
The Clean Water Act of 1972 implemented broad federal protections for all our nation's waters. But misguided Supreme Court rulings in 2001 and 2006 opened the door for polluters to contaminate various waters that had previously been protected – putting the drinking water for millions at risk!.
Contact your Members of Congress TODAY to insist that they support the Clean Water Restoration Act.

** Conserve Our Ocean Legacy **
Bluefin tuna are having a hard time surviving. Once abundant and thriving, the bluefin tuna population declined by 99 percent between 1963 and 2007, bringing this overfished species to the brink of extinction.
In the next few weeks, NMFS will present new annual catch limits and environmental review rules. We need your voice to remind the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) that it’s not just a good idea to set rules that will help fish like bluefin tuna survive, it’s the law.

** The Wilderness Society **
The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is Montana's largest. Within it are nearly 2 million roadless acres - more unprotected roadless lands than any other forest in the state and an irreplaceable part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Without lasting Wilderness protection these landscapes will be overrun by the explosive growth of off-road vehicles that spread noxious weeds, stress wildlife, and wound the landscape with illegal motorized routes. Year after year new illegal routes are carved through the forest. But you can stop this abuse.

Your 5 Minute Activist Links for March 24, 2008

** StandUpCongress.org **
Five Years is Five Years Too Many. Win Without War wants Rep. John Murtha, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, to provide funding only for the safe and timely redeployment of U.S. troops out of Iraq. Please sign their letter.

** True Majority **
President Hu Jintao of China is under mounting pressure right now to decide between a path of violence, and one that respects international human rights and will lead to peace.
We urgently need to call on the Chinese government to live up to its obligations by resolving the situation peacefully and open up a direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama.
Sign our petition to the Chinese President and make sure he renounces force in resolving the crisis.

** Public Citizen **
The Bush administration believes it can simply ignore Congress and the will of the people when it comes to safety on our highways.
Despite overwhelming opposition to a dangerous plan to give selected Mexico-based trucking companies full access to U.S. roads -- and legislation he signed into law that cuts off its funding -- Bush is barreling ahead.
At Public Citizen we are relentlessly pursuing proper safeguards for this program. Recently we had our day in court to demand the administration adhere to the law and permit the implementation of crucial safety standards.
The Bush administration is rushing ahead with this pilot project without any safety measures. We have outlined many of these problems in our latest YouTube video.
Check it out and be sure to tell your Representatives that Monkey King Bush must abide the law... especially those he signs!

** Credo Action **
The federal government has stepped in recently with huge bailouts for the big Wall Street firms like Bear Stearns...so where's the help for regular Americans?
Tell your Senators: Support the Foreclosure Prevention Act.

Your 5 Minute Activist Links for March 23, 2008

** The Petition Site **
The violence against protesters, monks and civilians in Tibet is quickly escalating as the deadly crackdown continues. This week, overwhelmed by the violence affecting innocent civilians, the Dalai Lama said he would resign as leader of the Tibetan government-in-exile "if things become out of control." We can't remain silent while these abuses are taking place. Take action to stand with the people of Tibet.

** Defenders of Wildlife **
The Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge -- a pristine conservation area adjacent to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska -- is one of the greatest waterfowl breeding areas in North America.
Take action now to protect these birds and other species from new oil and gas operations that could wreck important habitat..

** Humane Society **
Disgusting perverts in Canada are preparing for the 2008 seal hunt. They are going to murder over 275,000 BABY seals. It's appalling that civilized society continue this barbaric practice for seal skin. Contact the Canadian Minister of International Trade and tell the bastard to end the seal hunt.