Define America - Get Out the Vote w/ Progressive Jewish Alliance

by: pjalliance

Tue Oct 19, 2010 at 18:19:09 PM EDT

On November 2, millions of Americans will go to the polls.  They will elect 435 members of the House of Representatives, 47 United States Senators, 37 governors, and thousands of state representatives.  State and local policy will be decided.  A lot is on the line.

But voting alone is not enough.  This year, we must do more.  To maximize participation in this election, we must register new voters and get people to the polls.

We need you to participate!  Volunteer with PJA to register voters and get out the vote.  By volunteering a few hours in the next month, you can help ensure that as many people as possible make their voices heard and vote.

Email our L.A. Voter Engagement Coordinator, Aaron Phillips, to volunteer

Should the US Navy just blow up the Macondo oil well?

by: BrennanX

Wed Jun 30, 2010 at 02:01:23 AM EDT

Article Source: Should the U.S. Navy blow up the Macondo oil well by Personal Money Store

Brownfield suggests 'Blow up the well'

Brownfield suggests we don't hesitate and just blow up the well. Thousands of barrels of oil are leaking into the Gulf of Mexico each day, and BP and the Coast Guard lack the resources and expertise to deal with high-powered demolitions of the sort needed to deal with the Macondo oil well effectively. Billions of dollars have been thrown at the problem with little effect.

Brownfield reports that BP and the Coast Guard would still have an important role to play, namely cleanup on the surface. But the U.S. Navy has a whole lot of resources like special submarines that could have obtained real-time info on the well - well in advance of the schedule BP chose to follow. Engineers from Naval Reactors - "the secretive program that is responsible for designing nuclear reactors for nuclear submarines," says Brownfield - could have already dealt with how to blow up the well, if they'd been given leave to do so by President Obama.

Navy demolitions could commence then

The oil well won't just be blasted off by a torpedo. First there would need to be a hole drilled parallel to the Macondo well. Explosive charges (non-nuclear) could be lowered down into the new hole and detonated from a distance. Tons of explosives creating a "pressure wave hundreds of thousands of pounds per square inch" strong would implode BP's big problem easily, sending so much rock into the well that the flow would be stopped like a giant foot stepping on a garden hose. Brownfield says that the "expansion and collapse of explosive gases inside the hole would act like a hydraulic jackhammer, further pulverizing the rock." Nuclear devices wouldn't seem to be necessary; they'd be overkill, in Brownfield's view, though Soviet Russia has used them successfully for this purpose before.

Best and worst case scenario

At best, if the Navy were to blow up the well, the flow would be stopped and long-term cleanup could progress toward an endgame. The explosion might make a larger hole and increase the flow. But as former Naval nuclear sub officer Brownfield believes, "It's virtually inconceivable that an explosive could blast a bigger hole than already exists and release even more oil," when the geological features of the ocean bed around the Macondo well are taken into consideration. Considering how much money could be saved by abandoning ineffective capping techniques, it seems the course is clear for politicians with the foresight and courage to give the green light.

More information on this topic

New York Times

nytimes.com/2010/06/22/opinion/22Brownfield.html?ref=opinionhttp://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/22/opinion/22Brownfield.html?ref=opinion

Usury And Paydayloans - An Unreasonable Comparison

by: BrennanX

Sat May 29, 2010 at 01:15:31 AM EDT

Criticisms from a variety of sources are regularly thrown at the payday lending industry, but unavoidably these criticisms tend to point back toward a single source: usury. Lending and also the charging of interest - such as the idea of "exorbitant or unlawful interest rate," as a Google find describes usury - probably predate the creation of the Judeo-Christian Bible and similar monotheistic world religious books. And it is within such books that the most loyal enemies of payday lending uncover their reason for equating payday loans with usury. But you will find that connecting payday lending and usury is both unreasonable and exorbitant in and of itself, as you carefully examine both the secular (dictionary) definition of usury and also the religious interpretation it will show.

Knowing your history: Payday lending and usury

Although some Judeo-Christian scriptures, like that of Exodus 22:25, Ezekiel 22:16-31, Ezekiel 18:8-17, articulate toward a ban on usury and charging interest, there are many other scriptures that make the distinction that "Hebrews were permitted to make interest-bearing payday loans to non-Jews, but not to fellow Jews." One commonly misinterpreted Judeo-Christian scripture that relates to interest and usury is Nehemiah 5:9-10. What is being discussed there is undue taxation, instead of interest-bearing loans, and so it refers to an entirely different animal.

Historically, when it came to the business of charging interest, the Renaissance and Protestant Reformation brought about a sensible re-awakening. Religious leaders such as John Calvin, Martin Luther and numerous other luminaries proposed the only thing that needed regulation was "excessive interest." By 1461, Pope Paul II gave his blessing to the business of pawnshops. Therefore, interest bearing loans (from where payday lending directly descends from) attained popular approval.

The words 'excessive' and 'unlawful' keeps getting brought up

So possibly to show that payday lending and usury are two very different things, a secular examination is necessary. The Breitbart blog Big Journalism suggests that because various states in the U.S. set a maximum chargeable fee for payroll loans quite specifically, the law is established. So long as payday lenders operate within said laws, they do not fulfill the claim that payday lending is "unlawful" in the usurious sense. In terms of payday lending being "exorbitant" and "excessive," here is an additional Google search certainly of the word "exorbitant":

"Greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation"

Large Journalism asks what defines "reasonable" when it comes to payday lending and usury. It's all essentially relative. A potential borrower will more than likely keep away from taking out paycheck loans if he/she concludes that the rate charged on such loans is unreasonable. If a potential borrower wants to borrow money at what they feel is a reasonable rate, but a lender determines the requested rate unreasonable for their business, then the lender will not assent to the payday loan. An rate of interest that is mutually reasonable cuts to the very essence of how a free market economy works. A vast number of payday lending transactions occur, so that indicates that both the borrower and lender have been in agreement in terms of reasonable interest rates. Therefore, payday lending is neither unlawful nor unreasonable, as Big Journalism puts it, and there it is not an instance of usury.

Revisiting Nehemiah 5:9-10

payday lending - where rates are both lawful and reasonable as per the above example - is not condemned within the scriptures. It does forbid usury, as do numerous secular laws worldwide. They are distinctly separate concepts. The danger in payday lending is the fact borrowers can use such loans in any manner they please, including irresponsible spending (for impulse buys, or taking a lot more than what they can realistically afford to pay back). The responsibility falls on the borrower to make the decision on what best suits their financial situation. The vast majority of payday lenders have income requirements in place to protect not just their business, but consumers against a ruinous financial situation. A good number of studies have shown that 94 percent of payday loans are paid back on-time, so the safeguards in place appear to be both legit and reasonable. It doesn't take someone with the qualifications of Big Journalism to reason that such is the case.

168,000 green jobs: the perfect Earth Day gift

by: Josh Tulkin

Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 00:00:00 AM EDT

This Earth Day, we are asking you to help continue this work by calling on Congress to pass HOME STAR, a national program that will create green jobs, save working families money, and reduce our impact on the environment. Please join us!

Ask Congress to pass the HOME STAR program today.

You've Gotta Fight for Your Right To Healthcare

by: Josh Tulkin

Mon Feb 01, 2010 at 14:39:58 PM EST

The President made it clear in the State of the Union.  He won't back down from the fight for Healthcare Reform. And neither should we.  

The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is charging ahead to bring this issue to the public, and bring the pressure for change back to Washington.  Last week they organized 56 faith leaders to sign in in support of Healthcare Reform.  This week, they are asking you to take action. 

As Congress continues to drag its feet, its more important than ever for our representatives to hear our voices.   Follow these links to read more about the fight for Healthcare Reform or call your Congressperson today.  

FROM THE RELIGIOUS ACTION CENTER

TAKE ACTION:

Urge Congressional leaders to support health reform that protects our nation’s most vulnerable populations. Tell your family, friends, neighbors, and fellow congregants to make the call. Call toll-free at 1-888-210-3678. You can also send an e-mail by entering your zip code below. For more information, please contact Legislative Assistant Rebecca Katz at 202.387.2800 or visit www.jewsforhealthcarereform.org where you can sign our health care petition to Congress.

Follow JSpot or our partners like the RAC to keep up on these important issues.

Israel Adapting New Environmental & Green Technology Policies

by: BarbRider

Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 14:03:10 PM EDT

This call to Take Action is no longer active.

The American Jewish Committee has praised the Israeli Cabinet’s efforts toward new energy sustainability, independence and the adaption of green technology policies.

Equal for Equal? Ever wonder what your cubby buddy makes?

by: Sheila Webb-Halpern

Tue Jan 27, 2009 at 02:11:40 AM EST

This call to Take Action is no longer active.

RAC, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, just sent out their weekly legislative update with 3 quick action opportunities. First below, second and third to follow.

Help End Pay Discrimination!

What would you do if your co-workers were being paid more than you for doing the same job -- only because of gender, race, or age?? Would you sue for discrimination?

In May, the Supreme Court ruled that wage discrimination complaints can only be filed within 180 days of the initial salary decision. Even if you are unaware of the discrimination until much later.

To restore workers' rights, Congress must pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. The Senate passed the bill and the House will vote this week on the final version.

What you can do...
Call, write, email, or fax your U.S. Representative before they vote this week.

Urge her/him to support the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Tell them to hold discriminatory employers accountable. 

The Capitol Switchboard can be reached at 202.224.3121. To find your U.S. Representative, visit Congress.org and put in your zip code and/or address. It will also show you how your Senator voted on the Act.

Tax Time Service Opportunity!

by: Jesse C. Biringer

Fri Jan 16, 2009 at 15:27:39 PM EST

This call to Take Action is no longer active.

I am starting an exciting and timely volunteer opportunity that I would like to share and recommend—

On Monday, as part of the Martin Luther King Day of Service, I will be training as a tax volunteer for the Campaign for Families—a partnership that provides free high-quality tax preparation and financial services for Philadelphia’s low wage earning families and households.  In the last 6 tax seasons the Campaign has trained thousands of volunteers who have prepared 68,500 tax returns, providing low wage families with $106 million in federal and state refunds and saving them $17 million in tax preparation and other fees.
 
The Campaign focuses on ensuring that eligible consumers receive the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)—a refundable tax credit available to low wage working families.  In the 2009 tax season, the refundable credit will be worth up to $4,824 and available to families making less than $42,000 per year.  EITC is one of our nations’ most effective anti-poverty initiatives and gives families the opportunity to pay off debt and save toward their financial and personal goals.

And the Campaign for Working Families is not alone—it is part of IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or VITA Program.

Thanksgiving Giving

by: Lisa C. Halton

Fri Nov 21, 2008 at 14:28:21 PM EST

This call to Take Action is no longer active.

I happened upon a sign yesterday in my neighborhood in the lovely Hell's Kitchen that a local bar/restaurant is collecting hats, scarves and gloves for the homeless for Thanksgiving.  Normally, they would spring for these things themselves, along with providing them a Thanksgiving meal, but this year, they're a bit strapped for cash (aren't we all).  So they've called upon the community to chip in.  What does this say about the act of charity?  Personally, I don't like the word "charity,"

Police Violence in Twin Cities

by: Kerr

Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 14:50:47 PM EDT

The sound of wind and thunder in the south and the yammering about Governor Sarah Palin have all but covered up the sounds of police kicking in doors in Minneapolis and St. Paul this weekend. Police have been arresting activists, protesters, and anyone who looked like they might be an activist or a protester, on the thinnest of excuses, in the process holding groups of people including four and five year old children at gunpoint. Some people gathered to watch a film in their home were burst in on, thrown to the ground and held at gunpoint while police searched the home for "bomb-making materials". Finding nothing remotely suspicious, they had to release everyone, but not before a five year old boy learned what it's like to spend three hours at the wrong end of a peace officer's weapon. A family of environmental activists traveling the country in a permaculture van, demonstrating composting and recycling techniques for schoolkids, had their van—their home—impounded by police "just in case we want to search it later." Among the organizations affected have been such peaceful groups as Food Not Bombs and the Poor People's Campaign, and a group of pagans gathering to protest the Iraq War on the grounds of their religious consciences. If you haven't heard about it, it's because they've been arresting journalists for committing journalism too. Democracy Now's Amy Goodman was detained, and Nicole Salazar was thrown to the ground and dragged and marched off in handcuffs, and members of I-Witness Video, who videotaped arrests at the GOP convention in 2004, were held and intimidated for several hours. And I heard an account from some bystanders caught in a teargassing on a city street.

It's not entirely clear to me who has and has not been released at this point, but it is becoming clear that the Federal Government has been using classic union-breaking tactics in planning these raids, over months, targeting such dangerous terrorist groups as vegans and peace activists for infiltration and information about their activities—and even with full knowledge that they were not committing any acts of violence or terrorism, the police determined to stop them from exercising their rights to free speech and assembly. 

I spent my Labor Day calling the mayors' offices and registering my shock and anger. I'll call again today, and I hope you will too.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman
651-266-8510

Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak
(612) 673-2100

RNC info line
(612) 673-3000 outside Minneapolis