Organizing for Action Tennessee

TN: TN-Knoxville/Oak Ridge: ActOnClimate Climate Change Press Call at http://j.mp/17b3ffL

TN-Knoxville/Oak Ridge: ActOnClimate Climate Change Press Call

John Nolt,  UT Professor in the Department of Philosophy, specializing in environmental ethics and philosophical logic.

Summary of Remarks for OFA Event at Congressman John Duncan’s Office January 26, 2015 John Nolt

Climate change is causing large numbers of deaths (in the hundreds of thousands per year). The rate of deaths is increasing, but even at current rates, the cumulative total will be in the tens of millions of deaths by the end of the century. That is on the order of magnitude of the number of deaths in World War II. The cumulative total will continue to increase long beyond that.

To kill an innocent person is simply wrong, whether that person lives next door or on the other side of the world or at the other end of this century. To kill tens of millions is heinous.

Any emission of greenhouse gases contributes to this harm. This is because harm is a continuous function of increasing temperature and temperature increase is a continuous function of total greenhouse gas emissions. Though no individual is responsible for any particular harm of climate change, we all bear some responsibility for our emissions, and collectively we all are responsible for a calculable percentage of them. Since the casualty numbers are large and growing, this moral responsibility is very large.

The American government and people should therefore take rapid and immediate steps to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

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TN: TN-Knoxville/Oak Ridge: ActOnClimate Climate Change Press Call at http://j.mp/17b1Zcr

TN-Knoxville/Oak Ridge: ActOnClimate Climate Change Press Call

Joanne Logan of Knoxville writes:

I am here as a voice for the community of climate scientists. The most recent 2013 study by Cook and colleagues confirm that 97% of climate scientists who publish about climate change agree that increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses are most certainly going to change the climate into the foreseeable future. Dozens of agencies and professional societies have issued strong affirmation statements about climate change, including the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the American Meteorological Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Geological Society of America, the American Physical Society, the American Chemical Society, the American Geophysical Union, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and even the Department of Defense has stated that it must plan for the national security implications of Climate Change. Another recent report from Yale and George Mason Universities asserts that 2/3 of Americans believe that global warming is a real problem, and most of this group believes that humans are at least partially responsible. The Southeast has not suffered the consequences of climate change seen in other parts of our nation and the world, which has led to increased skepticism. However, some of the same models and science that are used to sound the alarm are the very ones that all of you so trustfully check out on your smartphones to plan your daily and weekly activities, and they show some disturbing future patterns for our region, including heavier rainfall events and prolonged heat waves. Climate scientists realize that greenhouse gas pollution is a somewhat more difficult concept to grasp than other environmental issues such as water quality and biodiversity, where the base or steady state is fairly easy to quantify. There is no steady state for the climate, it does vary from year to year, decade to decade, and it has a system of checks and balances that contribute to our planet’s status as the Goldilocks planet – not too hot, not too cold. These same checks and balances likely contribute to the often claimed arguments that global temperatures have “plateaued”, when in fact, it’s just a temporary slowdown of the increasing march toward a warmer planet.

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TN: TN-Knoxville/Oak Ridge: ActOnClimate Climate Change Press Call at http://j.mp/17aTSwq

TN-Knoxville/Oak Ridge: ActOnClimate Climate Change Press Call

J

Joan Nelson of Knoxville/Oak Ridge writes:

OFA volunteers and friends met at the office of U.S. Representative Duncan in downtown Knoxville, TN to deliver the latest IPCC report on climate change. The message from the report, and from us to Rep. Duncan is that the science is solid and the need to act urgent. Two specialists in their fields from UT Knoxville, John Nolt and Joanne Logan address those gathered about the science of climate change and the effect of global warming on all of us, and especially on the most vulnerable populations around the globe.

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Joan Nelson @ridgejoan1 · Jan 25 #ActOnClimate #Knox takes #OFAction Mon-noon Join Us. http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/climatechangeactionevent/gs8bq7 … http://share.ofa.bo/96884174t @newstucker

@wbir @OFA_TN prepares4delivery of IPCC Report to Duncan, Jan. 26, noon. We need leaders who are Climate Smart!

Joan Nelson ‏@ridgejoan1 Jan 25 @WVLT @WVLTHilary @OFA_TN to #ActOnClimate. 2Give IPCC report2Duncan Jan. 26, 12am. Get Smart on Climate. Joan Nelson ‏@ridgejoan1 Jan 25 @OFA_TN @knoxnews Ready to #ActOnClimate deliver #IPCC Report to #RepDuncan “noon” tomorrow. @6News Time to get REAL.

@Adams4USSenate Time2cut carbon pollution. #ActOnClimate #OFAction http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/climatechangeactionevent/gs8bq7 … http://share.ofa.bo/96882728t

@symmetry11 @OFA_TN The science is clear-time2 #ActOnClimate. #Knox http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/climatechangeactionevent/gs8bq7 …

http://share.ofa.bo/96796299t

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TN: TN-Oak Ridge: ActOnClimate Climate Change Action Planning Session at http://j.mp/1HN9jsa

TN-Oak Ridge: ActOnClimate Climate Change Action Planning Session

Joan Nelson of Oak Ridge writes:

The OFA Climate Change Action Team for Tennessee met Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 6, at the Panera Bread on Cedar Bluff in Knoxville to plan the actions for 2015. Four of the attendees, Todd Waterman-state lead for climate, Rajendra Jain, Marlene Taylor, and Joan Nelson attended the Climate Leadership Training in Chicago in December. This is an extremely important year for the planet as we head into the international climate conference in Paris. President Obama has asserted U.S. leadership with the proposed EPA regulation of carbon emissions from power plants and with the historic agreement with China to limit greenhouse gases. This action team is excited to be part of making history! The new Congress will provide many opportunities to get the accurate message about the science and reality of climate change and global warming heard throughout Tennessee. If you would like to join us in responding to the rhetoric and proposed actions of this Congress, please give Todd Waterman a call at 865 457 4001. OFA and our Climate Action Team will be marching with the MLK Day Parade in Knoxville an then participating in a service project. The next day will be State of the Union day. We encourage everyone to get together with some friends and watch the address-and cheer when President Obama speaks about carbon, CO2, EPA, China agreement, Paris Conference, etc. Check out the Knox Climate Action Central Facebook page that Todd administers. He puts lots of great information on it.

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TN: TN-Nashville: OFA-TN Event at http://j.mp/1q80JbA

TN-Nashville: OFA-TN Event

Elizabeth Henderson of Nashville writes:

Over the weekend, volunteers were invited to local music venue 12th & Porter for a Meet & Greet with the phenomenal band Miggs!

Don Miggs, the lead singer, is a fierce supporter of President Obama and the issue campaigns Organizing for Action is fighting for. As the band tours the country, Miggs is taking time to meet and hear from local OFA teams about what folks are organizing for in their cities.

Nearly a dozen volunteers from across Davidson & Middle TN came out to tell Miggs about their OFA experience and what Tennessee is doing to further the progressive movement!

Following the Meet & Greet, volunteers were treated to a concert, where Miggs spoke to their fans about the need for Tennesseans to join OFA’s fight for Medicaid Expansion. Volunteers not only got to see one awesome concert, but meet a group of musicians trying to help folks across the country advance OFA’s cause!

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OFA_TN Volunteers Meet & Greet with music band Miggs to talk about how Tennesseans are taking #OFAction!

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TN: Reducing Gun Violence by David of Franklin at http://j.mp/1l1jPCI

Reducing Gun Violence by David of Franklin

Hello, my name is David Stumpfl, and I am a recent college graduate of UNC-Asheville. In my short 21 years I have experienced a lot, perhaps even more than some of my peers. However, I fear that I have already seen enough violence for a lifetime through the ample amounts of news coverage of school shootings.

It seems as though school shootings have become commonplace in American culture. Just this past month alone, there have been five schools traumatized by violence (not to mention numerous other shootings, including the Las Vegas strip shooting that resulted in two police officers being killed). I still remember how only weeks ago, a mourning father whose son attended the University of California at Santa Barbara said “Not one more!” in the wake of what can only be described as a tragedy. Already we have failed to meet that demand.

We cannot allow this rising trend to continue. We cannot sit idly by and watch as more of our students, friends, and children are placed under threat. We cannot do nothing. We are at the boiling point, where finally so many Americans are united behind the idea of common sense gun control and background checks. Together people like you and I can make the difference that this country needs.

Submitted to: Tennessean, Knoxville News Sentinel, Murfreesboro MTSU Newspaper, Organizing for Action – Tennessee Blog Add your own letter: http://ofatn.com/story

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TN: Reducing Gun Violence by Caroline of Nashville at http://j.mp/1kuaIKB

Reducing Gun Violence by Caroline of Nashville

I am a native of Nashville, recently returned to the city after 25 years. My arrival here launched the Third Chapter of my professional career, which has until now been dichotimized. The first part focused on international development, followed by a second re-invention of myself that embraced writing and project management within the entertainment industry. The third chapter has emerged with a definite theme: political activism.

A lot has changed in Nashville, especially for the better: it’s richer in its ethnic and cultural diversity, enthusiastically supports a world-class arts community, and attracts corporate entities who help grow the economy by providing employment opportunities for the community. What hasn’t changed is how easy it is to obtain a firearm in Tennessee. And that’s alarming, especially in this day and age of Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedies. From concealed or open carry laws to no restrictions on assault weapons or magazine capacities, the state has allowed permissive rules pertaining to our rights to bear arms. Since when do alcohol and firearms mix? That cocktail is an accident looking for a place to happen, especially if the person carrying a weapon in public is one who shouldn’t have had access to a firearm to begin with.

I ask now for Congress and the Tennessee legislature to stand with me on bringing about substantially tougher gun legislation: more thorough background checks, strong “straw purchaser” punitive measures, and bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. When we can shop during the holidays at a mall without worrying about gunned down, that will indeed be a step towards peace on Earth.

By Caroline Hogge of Nashville Submitted to: Tennessean, Organizing for Action – Tennessee Blog, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Knoxville News Sentinel, Murfreesboro Daily News Journal, Murfreesboro MTSU Newspaper, Cleveland Daily Banner Add your own letter: http://ofatn.com/story

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TN: Standing with Women at http://j.mp/1hjHxdK

Standing with Women

All my life, I have observed the contribution of women in my own development, and also in the process of problem solving in their lives or careers.  For example: it is a painful decision for a woman in power to send people to war.  I gave equal opportunities to my girl and my son in their education, and they are successful now in their professions.  I have tried to do the same for the community.  In my volunteer Meet Up Group, we bring together supporters of young men and women and teach youth leadership.  For me this results in a oneness of humanity.  It starts with junior youth character development and is followed by service projects related to their interests, and it is spiritually empowering for both boys and girls.

I have reflected in thoughts and prayers about the potential of our next new generation, and if they will be prepared to take positive actions on matters which affect them as well as the future of the world.  Somebody has to start it somewhere, and this includes girls in their development while they are still young.

I believe people will do the right thing and support women, as long as they think about others and how to help others.  That is all we can ask for. Submitted to: Tennessean, Organizing for Action – Tennessee Blog Add your own letter: http://ofatn.com/story

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TN: TN-Nashville: Expanding Medicaid Action Planning Session at http://j.mp/1re4piP

TN-Nashville: Expanding Medicaid Action Planning Session

Caroline Hogge of Nashville writes:

The Medicaid expansion team representing both middle Tennessee and Davidson county met for an action planning session on Saturday, May 24, 2014, at The Pharmacy in east Nashville. Points regarding team-building, data training, and volunteer recruitment were covered over lunch. A goal of expanding teams for both regions throughout the fall was established, so that the most “persuadable” of Tennessee legislators can be lobbied for support by complete teams starting in January 2015. It was pointed out by middle Tennessee volunteer Linda Sherman that currently only 14 state legislators are slated for expansion approval in their upcoming vote, and that 50 votes are needed to change it altogether. Chapter group meetings will be held in July and early August, to be followed by phone banks. Another team meeting is scheduled for September.

Davidson county and middle Tennessee Medicaid expansion team leads determine the best prescription for action at The Pharmacy in Nashville. (May 24, 2014)

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