Below is a roundup of news, politics science, and humor. I plan on doing this about once a week as long as people seem interested. I hope you enjoy.
A PERSONAL SUCCESS:
What can one person do? Sometimes, a lot...though sometimes it can take years.
Back in 2003 I got a chance to see the town in Latvia where my great-grandfather was born, where he married my great-grandmother, and where my grandmother was born. This was the town of Rezekne, Latvia. My great-grandfather's brother also lived there...and that brother was the great-grandfather of Henry Rollins. Small world.
About halfway between where my ancestors lived and the ancestors of Henry Rollins lived was a synagogue. This was a 19th century wooden synagogue, painted green from when it was built and always called "The Green Synagogue" Very likely it was the synagogue where my great-grandparents were married...maybe.
When I saw it in 2003 it was a rotting, condemned building. It had only survived WW II because the Nazis used it as a holding pen for Jews on their way to the camps. I stood inside the dust-filled, rotting synagogue and wanted to save it. Save it in the memory of my great-grandparents...and save it as a personal "fuck you" to Hitler, the Nazis and all those who had tried to erase the Jews from Europe completely.
I was able to get a small grant from the World Monuments Fund to hire architects to do a site survey and draw up a restoration plan. This was successfully accomplished and the momentum from that action inspired the local government to do some necessary roof repairs to limit further damage.
That was as far as I could take it. I wrote about that story some time back, one version of which can be found here: http://lubankunkel.blogspot.com/...
Well...almost 10 years after I played my small role, a joint Norwegian/Latvian team is using the restoration plan I was able to fund to actually start restoration of the synagogue. This started April 2014 and here is a video of that moment:
I cannot tell you how much it means to me to see this work actually begin! Just goes to show...it never hurts to try!
And anyone who wants to help my latest project, helping a Ugandan Jewish Community by providing solar cookstoves for their schools and clinics, please click here. This is another project I have taken on with little idea how to succeed, but I know with help from folks like you, it will eventually succeed.
More below
HEALTH, SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS:
Healthcare reform is WORKING! This will greatly help the economic health of our hospitals: Hospitals see steep drop in uninsured admissions in states with Medicaid expansion
As many predicted, overuse of insecticides may be behind Colony Collapse Disorder, the die off of bees that threatens one third of our food supply: Nicitinoid Insecticide Impairs Winterization Leading to Bee Colony Collapse. I would add that there are almost certainly other factors involved, but this may be key.
Millions die every year due to pollution: Air pollution 'too high' in most of world's cities
US economy ALREADY being severely impacted by Climate Change. Why do Republicans hate the American economy so much? Warming 'increasingly disruptive' across US - report
For example: The Californian ski resort praying for snow.
And speaking of climate change, this from the National Center for Science Education: NCSE and the National Climate Assessment
INVESTOR ACTION ALERT: from Green America
We can make a US clean-energy economy a reality by refusing to invest in companies that are destroying our planet. Instead, we can shift our investment dollars into clean energy, and support public policies that move us away from fossil fuels.
Green America is proud to partner with 350.org on the national Go Fossil Free divestment campaign. The financial services companies below, certified members of our Green Business Network®, can help you divest from fossil fuel companies and invest in fossil-free options...
MUTUAL FUNDS
Broad-Based Mutual Funds That Exclude Fossil-Fuel Companies by Policy
Green Century Balanced Fund -- This fund excludes fossil-fuel companies, and in 2009 became the first fund to release a carbon-footprint report of its holdings: 66 percent smaller than the S&P 500.
Green Century Equity Fund -- As of April 1, 2014, the Equity Fund is fossil-fuel-company-free. The fund already excluded coal and oil companies; Green Century has now screened out natural gas.
Parnassus Endeavor Fund -- Formerly known as the Parnassus Workplace Fund, effective May 1, 2014, the fund will no longer invest in companies engaged in the extraction, exploration, production, manufacturing or refining of fossil fuels.
Pax World Growth Fund -- As of May 1, 2014 the fund divested its fossil fuel holdings and will pursue a fossil fuel-free investment strategy. Fossil fuel company investments will be replaced by investments addressing global sustainability challenges.
Portfolio 21 -- Portfolio 21 pursues a company-wide strategy of screening out investments in fossil fuel companies. A searchable list of its holdings appears on its Web site.
Shelton Green Alpha Fund -- Green Alpha Advisors believes that fossil fuels disrupt the economy and its underlying ecosystems, do not represent solutions, and have no place in Green Alpha portfolios.
Clean-Energy-Focused Fossil-Free Mutual Funds
Pax World Global Environmental Markets Fund -- While excluding fossil fuels, this fund also invests in clean energy and energy efficiency, pollution control, waste management, and water infrastructure.
Community-Development Mutual Funds (Also Fossil-Free)
Access Capital Community Investment Fund -- Because of this fund's focus on community investing, it is not invested in fossil fuel companies.
CRA Qualified Investment Fund -- The CRA Fund focuses on community development, including affordable housing, job creation, and neighborhood revitalization.
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS
First Trust ISE Global Wind Energy
Index Fund PowerShares Global Clean Energy ETF
Guggenheim Solar ETF Van Eck Global Alternative Energy ETF
Van Eck Solar Power ETF
RETIREMENT INVESTMENT OPTIONS
Social(k) offers over 500 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) screened funds and ETFs (exchange traded funds) alongside thousands of traditional investment options. Included in the list are funds that are free of fossil fuel companies, either by policy or practice: Portfolio 21, Green Century Balanced, Shelton Green Alpha Fund, Pax World Global Environmental Markets Fund and the CRA Qualified Investment Fund. We work in association with many of the advisory firms across the country. If you are interested contact your financial advisor or Socialk.com. More info at www.blog.socialk.com and www.facebook.com/Socialkretirementplans
More here (PDF):
http://www.greenamerica.org/...
HISTORY:
Right wing Christian lies: The Religious Right Is Still Trying To Hijack George Washington’s Legacy
War can be strange under many circumstances. But sometimes it is just bizarre: The Strangest Wars in History
Too often we hear about the dark side of people. Good to also focus on the good: Gino Bartali: The cyclist who saved Jews in wartime Italy
Indians 101: President Benjamin Harrison and Indian Education
IMPORTANT POLITICAL RESOURCE:
Wellstone Action's Native American Leadership Program
I was saddened by the demise of Kalyn Free's INDN List, a resource that helped Native Americans get elected within the Democratic Party. Something of a substitute, perhaps, is Wellstone Action's Native American Leadership Program.
Continuing Paul and Sheila Wellstone’s commitment to Indian Country, Wellstone Action developed the Native American Leadership Program (NALP) in 2007. The program was created by, for, and with American Indian leaders to strengthen leadership capacity and civic engagement in Indian Country. NALP recognizes and honors that Native American people are natural organizers, messengers, and storytellers, with a community power that is rooted in relationships. Our program builds on these inherent assets and provides for culturally-specific training on organizing to address the economic, social, political, and cultural issues facing tribal communities.
In partnership with tribes throughout the country, our all-Native training team empowers Native people and effects positive change through community-based organizing, advocacy, public policy, and nonpartisan electoral work. And our ultimate goal is to create a pipeline of American Indian leaders who will seek – and win – key leadership positions in our communities.
Click here to find out more.
POLITICAL NEWS:
The real effect of Republican "Drown America" policies: Russia and Poland now have better educational systems than the US!
The big contrast in the NC Senate race:
And to highlight one of the MOST important issues, here is Kay Hagen advocating for a minimum wage increase:
You can donate to win NC (and elsewhere) through my Act Blue Site.
Raising my kid right: My son’s comments to Nintendo about gays
Marriage Equality IS here to stay, whatever Nintendo thinks: Arkansas Judge Strikes Down State Ban On Same-Sex Marriage
I am not a fan of the NY Times, but this one is pretty good: Center Ring at the Republican Circus
Putin's power play to the south echoes in Latvia to the north: EU-Russia jitters reach Latvia election. Keep in mind, Latvia could be another target of Russian aggression.