Republicans have endangered species in their sights

Five House bills would weaken protections for threatened animals

By Sarah Okeson

Republican two-fer: kill initiatives on climate
change and endangered species. Plus, they could
send the Trump brothers out to shoot them.

Radical Republicans are ramping up their attacks on the Endangered Species Act, the landmark legislation that helped save the bald eagle, our nation’s national bird, and protects more than 1,600 species.

The Committee on Natural Resources, led by Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah) who wants to repeal the act, has advanced five bills that would damage the Endangered Species Act and could lead to the extinction of wolverines, monarch butterflies and hundreds of other endangered and threatened animals, according to the Center for Biological Diversity. 

The full House can now consider the bills.

“This legislative onslaught is a brutal, blatant effort to cripple the Endangered Species Act,” said Brett Hartl, government affairs director of the Center for Biological Diversity.

H.R. 717, sponsored by Rep. Pete Olson (R-Texas) would remove deadlines for listing an animal or plant as threatened or endangered and require looking at the economic impact.

H.R. 1274, sponsored by Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) requires that the “best scientific and commercial data available”include information from state and local governments that may want to keep an animal or plant from being protected by the Endangered Species Act. Newhouse is also the lawmaker who is working to help dairies pollute our drinking water with cow manure.

La guillotine, la guillotine!

The Corporate Death Penalty for Wells Fargo?

By Phil Mattera for the Dirt Diggers Digest

Wells Fargo’s seemingly endless transgressions have reached the point that there is growing discussion of a possibility rarely considered even in some of the most egregious corporate scandals: putting it out of business.

Rep. Maxine Waters, the top ranking Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, recently issued a report that recounted the banks sins (including a reference to the $11 billion Violation Tracker tally of its penalties), saying that Wells has “demonstrated a pattern of egregiously harming its customers.”

Such statements have been heard frequently since the Wells bogus account scandal came to light last year. But Waters goes on to argue: “When a megabank has engaged in a pattern of extensive violations of law that harms millions of consumers, like Wells Fargo has, it should not be allowed to continue to operate within our nation’s banking system, and avail itself of all of the associated privileges afforded to it.”

They know he’s nuts – and dangerous. What are they going to do about it?

Is Trump Unraveling?

By Robert Reich

Last week, Senator Bob Corker, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, charged in an interview with the New York Times that Trump was treating his office like “a reality show,” with reckless threats toward other countries that could set the nation “on the path to World War III.”

Corker said he was concerned about Trump. “He would have to concern anyone who cares about our nation,” Corker said, adding that “the vast majority of our caucus understands what we’re dealing with here … the volatility that we’re dealing with and the tremendous amount of work that it takes by people around him to keep him in the middle of the road.”

Corker’s interview was followed by a report from Gabriel Sherman of Vanity Fair, who wrote that the situation has gotten so out of control that Trump’s chief of staff, John Kelly, and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis have discussed ways to stop Trump should he order a nuclear attack. 

Kelly has tried to keep Trump focused by intercepting outside phone calls to the White House and restricting access to the Oval Office. 

Many of Trump’s advisors believe he is “unstable” and “unraveling” quickly. 

Is Trump really unraveling? Are Republican leaders ready to pull the plug? 

I phoned an old friend, a Republican former member of Congress who keeps up with what’s going on. 

I scribbled notes as he talked:

VIDEO: "Nobody's better...."

To watch this video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPqMJX4z0Gk

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It’s a start

Craven will seek ban on device that turns assault rifles into full-auto killing machines

Rep. Robert E. Craven (D-Dist. 32, North Kingstown) will be introducing legislation banning “bump stocks” on semi-automatic firearms once the House of Representatives reconvenes in January. 

“Bump stocks” are attachments to semi-automatic weapons that allow the shooter to fire at a much more increased rate of fire, effectively modifying a semi-automatic gun into an automatic weapon.

Beat the odds

Learning and staying in shape key to longer lifespan, study finds

University of Edinburgh

People who are overweight cut their life expectancy by two months for every extra kilogramme of weight they carry, research suggests.

A major study of the genes that underpin longevity has also found that education leads to a longer life, with almost a year added for each year spent studying beyond school.

Other key findings are that people who give up smoking, study for longer and are open to new experiences might expect to live longer.

No gold carriage. No royal golfing. No queen

The British Just Gave Trump Awful News About His Visit With The Queen

BY BRETT BOSE

One of the benefits of being President is you will enjoy some of the best hospitality the world has to offer. 

State visits are full of pomp and circumstance, especially when those state visits are to Britain.

During state visits the British put their Royal family to good use, entertaining world leaders and their families in the splendour of Buckingham Palace with lavish banquets. 

Some leaders have even been treated to a more personal visit with the Queen at her private residence in Balmoral, Scotland.

President Donald Trump wanted this, and more. 

The President wanted to ride in the Queen’s famous golden carriage, with thousands of British subjects flying Union Jacks and Stars and Stripes in his honor. 

The President wanted to play golf at the Queen’s residence. He wanted to feel like a king.

And, much to our collective delight, none of this will happen.

The case for impeachment on “obstruction of justice”

What we know so far

By Jake Johnson, staff writer for Common Dreams

In a new study aimed at collecting and analyzing all of the relevant facts surrounding President Donald Trump's legally questionable conduct in office—particularly his firing of former FBI director James Comey—three lawyers conclude it is "likely" that Trump has obstructed justice, and that whether he is held accountable for his actions "will have significant consequences for the functioning of our democracy."

"We do not yet know all the relevant facts, and any final determination must await further investigation, including by Special Counsel Robert Mueller," the analysis—authored by Norm Eisen and Noah Bookbinder of Citizens for Ethics and Responsibility in Washington (CREW) and Barry Berke of the law firm Kramer Levin—concludes.

Nonetheless, the lawyers argue that the facts currently in the public record amount to "substantial evidence that President Trump attempted to obstruct the investigations into Michael Flynn and Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election through various actions, including the termination of James Comey."

Picnic carefully

From Fake Science

Be good to our birds

Former Department of Interior official to speak at URI about protecting coastal birds, Oct. 18

Todd McLeish

Karen Hyun, director of water and coastal policy at the National Audubon Society, will discuss “Audubon’s Coast Strategy: Saving Marine and Coastal Birds and the Places They Need” in a lecture at the University of Rhode Island on Oct. 18.

The program, free and open to the public, will take place at the URI Coastal Institute, room 100, in Kingston beginning at 1:30 p.m.

A former deputy assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks at the U.S. Department of the Interior, Hyun leads Audubon’s efforts to advance policies at the state and federal level in support of the organization’s water and coasts conservation strategies.

Tribal members march against Narragansett water deal with power plant company

Narragansett Tribe members and Burrillvillians march against Invenergy water deal

By Steve Ahlquist 

EDITOR’S NOTE: For many more photos and videos of this protest, please go to Steve’s original posting in Rhode Island’s Future. – Will Collette

Narragansett Indian Tribe (NIT) members and power plant opponents from Burrillville marched together from the Rhode Island Indian Council offices on Broad Street in Providence to the Rhode Island State House in opposition to Invenergy‘s proposed $1 billion fracked gas and diesel oil burning power plant and against the water deal the company secured with NIT leadership, without the consent of tribe members.

In order to cool its turbines, Invenergy must secure a source of potable water.

After failing to secure water in the vicinity of the plant, Invenergy negotiated a deal with the Town of Johnston to truck water to Burrillville.

That deal is being challenged in Rhode Island Superior Court.

Invenergy recently revealed that they had secured alternative water supplies from two sources: the Narragansett Indian Tribe in Charlestown and one other source, which has been redacted in Energy Facility Siting Board filings.

Narragansett Tribe members were as surprised as the rest of Rhode Island by Invenergy’s announcement, and now members are speaking out, saying that without ratification from the tribal body by means of a vote, there can be no deal.

Get your flu shot! FRIDAY at Town Hall...and other news

Charlestown Town Hall 4540 South County Trail Charlestown, RI 02813

Welcome to Charlestown's 2017 Pipeline "Natural Disasters" newsletter.  Please click below to view the latest Pipeline issue.  Paper editions are sent via U.S. mail and are available at Town Hall and at Cross Mills Library. Click Here to View Entire Pipeline  and, in OTHER NEWS AROUND TOWN.....  October Flu Clinics - Spread the Word, Not the Flu! Friday, Oct. 20th from 9:00 am to 12:00 Noon CharlestownTown Hall.  4540 South County Trail Wednesday, Oct. 25th from 9:00 am to 12:00 Noon  Charlestown Sr./Community Center. 100 Park Lane, Ninigret Park, Charlestown   October events from Parks and Recreation Carved Pumpkin Donations needed for Pumpkin Walk the next nite: October 27th Drop off from 5 - 8 pm at Ninigret Park (near Kimball Pavilion) Please donate a carved pumpkin on Oct. 27 for the Pumpkin Walk on Sat., Oct 28th. Fall Fun Fest (includes Trunk or Treat, Carved Pumpkin Walk & Movies) October 28th 6:00pm -8:00pm at Ninigret Park Dress in costume, decorate your car (or truck) and join the fun on "Trunk or Treat Street"!  Many more volunteer trunks are needed for the countless hungry little goblins attending this event. Trunk or Treat provides a safe and fun way for families to enjoy Halloween. Children trick or treat for candy as festively decorated car trunks and truck beds.  All cars and trucks are welcome. Rules of the Road Cars must register their vehicles will be allowed to participate at this event. Visit our office to register - must bring copy of car registration, copy of license and copy of car insurance.   Cars must remain at the site from 5:30pm-8:00pm Participants are asked to donate at least two bags of candy - they will be distributed to the "trunks" the day of the event Little ones will be at the event so pleased don't make your cars gruesome or scary. Town Hall Trick or Treat October 31st from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm at Town Hall Dress up and come down to the Charlestown Town Hall and trick or treat from department to department. Make sure to stop by the Parks and Recreation Department !!

RI’s members of Congress oppose Trump’s attacks on the Affordable Care Act

RI delegation chides Trump for administrative dismantling of Obamacare

By Bob Plain in Rhode Island’s Future

Rather than dismantling Obamacare through executive orders, Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation urged President Donald Trump and Republicans to work with Democrats to fix the Affordable Care Act.

The four Democrats oppose Trump’s executive orders that would allow for cheaper plans with fewer benefits and stop subsidies for some poor people’s health care.

Senator Jack Reed called it a “reckless, desperate act” and implored Republicans to work with Democrats to fix Obamacare.

Congressman David Cicilline said “Trump continues to fail” the American people and implored him to work with Democrats.

Congressman Jim Langevin “strongly condemn[s] the President’s reckless actions” and urged everyone to work together to fix health care.

And Senator Sheldon Whitehouse likened Trump’s tactics to “a reality TV show” and said the President “needs to put aside the politics and support the effort in Congress to make responsible, bipartisan changes to our health care system.”

Below are the full statements from each member of the delegation:

VIDEO: EcoRI reports controversial Narragansett water deal was “made by a single tribal leader”

Charlestown resistance to Burrillville Power Plant Grows

Video and text by TIM FAULKNER/ecoRI News staff

To view this must-see video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=158&v=A_Gs2sAUgyQ

There is little downtime between the recent public meeting and the final phase of hearings on Oct. 31, as procedural hearings scheduled for Oct. 17 will address a growing list of contentious developments.

Water is once again a controversial issue. Members of the Narragansett Indian Tribe are challenging an agreement made by a single tribal leader to sell water to the proposed Clear River Energy Center, from tribal land in Charlestown. 

Two tribal members testified at the Oct. 10 public hearing at the high school that a majority of the Narragansett Indian Tribe opposes the water deal and is determined to challenge it.

“Our water is not for sale, and we will fight this agreement and we will win,” said Silvermoon LaRose. “Do not count on water from the Narragansett Tribe to support this power plant.”