Scared Monkeys Discussion Forum

Audubon
ACTION CENTER
Nov 14, 2017

Urgent Threat to the Arctic Refuge

Send an urgent letter to your members of Congress asking them to oppose efforts to open the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most prolific bird nurseries on the planet. Every year, birds migrate through all fifty states and six continents to raise their chicks in its pristine habitat. The Arctic Refuge is a vital nesting ground for Tundra Swans, Northern Pintails, more...

 :smt023
https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/pGzo4F9KBUa0SN7zZH9AHA2?ms=policy-adv-web-website_nas-engagementcard-20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert&utm_source=website_nas&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert


ME: If interested just fill out the form on the above link. I did. :)

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/NationalAudubonSociety/?fref=ts

Audubon
2017

Lawmakers care about your views and opinions. As a constituent, you have the ability to convey your concerns about issues affecting birds, wildlife, and their habitats—and be heard like no lobbyist here in Washington, D.C. The only way we'll be successful in our conservation efforts is with your help.

 :smt051
- Stop the Bird-Killer Amendment

- The Bird-Killer Amendment would give oil and gas companies and other industries a free pass to kill birds with impunity.

- Urge your members of Congress to vote against the tax bill, which will open the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling.

- Endangered Species Act in Trouble

- Ask your members of Congress to oppose efforts to weaken the Endangered Species Act.

- Sign up for Audubon's Action Network here. Or take action immediately with one of our current campaigns below:


http://www.audubon.org/takeaction

http://www.audubon.org/

 :smt100
Audubon Action Alert - Don't Let Congress Dismantle the Endangered Species Act
December 5, 2017

Dear Friend,

Efforts are underway in Congress to gut the Endangered Species Act, America’s strongest and most important law for protecting wildlife. I just emailed my members of Congress, urging them to oppose attempts to weaken the Endangered Species Act. Will you join me? You can find out more and send an email directly to your own members of Congress at the Audubon Action Center:

http://action.audubon.org/onlineactions/hnXMGmJ_JkG3ND-3V83VZQ2?ms=emshare

ME: I am a friend to the wonderful wildlife. Thank-you for your time.  :)

The Senate tax bill would allow oil drilling in Alaskan wildlife refuge
by Jackie Wattles   @jackiewattles December 4, 2017: 3:48 PM ET

Tucked in the Senate tax bill's hundreds of pages is a proposal to open up 1.5 million acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil drilling -- and Senator Lisa Murkowski is very happy.

Read More::study:
http://money.cnn.com/2017/12/03/news/economy/murkowski-senate-tax-bill-alaska-wildlife-oil-drilling/index.html

ME: There will be a second vote on the Bill.
http://action.audubon.org/onlineactions/hnXMGmJ_JkG3ND-3V83VZQ2?ms=emshare

Conservation
In Their Words: Scientists On Why the Arctic Refuge Must Remain Wild

By Hannah Waters
November 13, 2017

 ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask::
We asked seven of the scientists who recently spoke out against drilling in the refuge what it would mean for this special place. Here's what they said.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is remote and roadless, and few people have the opportunity to visit. Even so, for decades Americans have stood up to block oil development in the refuge and its coastal plain, the pond-riddled tundra along Alaska’s northeastern coast that is critical for caribou, nesting shorebirds and geese, polar bears, and countless other species.

Read more: :study:
http://www.audubon.org/news/in-their-words-scientists-why-arctic-refuge-must-remain-wild
http://www.audubon.org/

See the Alaska Wildlife Refuge Targeted for Drilling by Tax Plan

National Geographic-Dec 2, 2017

“Opening the Arctic to drilling as part of this tax plan is simply shameful," said David Yarnold, the president and CEO of the National Audubon Society, in a statement. "The Arctic refuge isn't a bank—drilling there won't pay for the tax cuts the Senate just passed. The American people don't support drilling in ...

Read More: :study:
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/12/anwr-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-drilling-gop-tax-plan-spd/

ME: There are longer any lightening bugs flying around in Summer. Why? Lawn mowers and pesticides. It breaks my heart. One by one we are losing the beauty of our world.

Drilling in the 1002 Area of ANWR moves closer but not everyone is happy
www.ktuu.com › Politics

By Sean Maguire |
Posted: Sat 3:39 PM, Dec 02, 2017  |
Updated: Sat 7:26 PM, Dec 02, 2017

WASHINGTON D.C. (KTUU) - President Jimmy Carter signed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act on Dec. 2, 1980. The bill preserved millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness and set aside a coastal plain in one national wildlife refuge for resource development, per Congressional approval.

Now, 37-years later to the day, Alaska woke up to the possibility that drilling would begin in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), decades after it was first promised.
The Republican tax reform bill that passed the Senate contained a provision written by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) “that opens a small portion of the non-wilderness 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for responsible energy development.”

Read More:
http://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Drilling-in-the-1002-Area-of-ANWR-moves-closer-but-not-everyone-is-happy-461551933.html

 

:smt100
Alert: Our last, best hope to save the Arctic Refuge

Sarah Greenberger, Audubon
Today, 3:11 PM December 5, 2017

National Audubon Society
ACTION ALERT
Make a Call Now to Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Make Your Call
Urge your U.S. Representative to oppose drilling in the Arctic Refuge.


Dear (Snipped),

Early Saturday morning, the Senate voted to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as they rushed to pass a tax bill last week. Congress has never been closer to opening the Arctic Refuge to drilling. But we have one more chance to stop them. The House still needs to vote on a final bill, and that vote could be as soon as this week.

Please call your U.S. Representative right now and demand that they oppose a final tax bill that opens the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling. It only takes two minutes to make your call through our Action Center.

The Senate vote was a shameful act to sell out this vital bird nursery, one of America’s last wild places. Millions of birds depend on the Arctic Refuge. They undertake miraculous journeys year after year, migrating through every state in the nation to nest on its coastal plain. But some short-sighted members of Congress want to turn their nesting ground into an oilfield.

Audubon and our members like you have fought to protect the Arctic Refuge habitat for more than 50 years. We are now at the most critical moment in this battle. Right now, Audubon is fighting in the halls of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, and across the country, but we need your voice to speak for the birds, caribou, polar bears, and people that depend on this Refuge for survival.

Please call your U.S. Representative right now and tell them keep the Arctic Refuge out of the final tax bill, so that it remains a sanctuary for birds forever.

Sincerely,
Sarah Greenberger
Vice President, Conservation Policy
National Audubon Society

ME: Email I recieved today from Ms. Greenberger.  I contacted all my representatives.  
________________________________________________________________________________________

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/pGzo4F9KBUa0SN7zZH9AHA2?ms=policy-adv-web-website_nas-engagementcard-20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert&utm_source=website_nas&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert

Audubon
 :smt100
Action Center

December 7, 2017

Send an urgent letter to your members of Congress asking them to vote against the tax bill that will open the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most prolific bird nurseries on the planet.
Every year, birds migrate through all fifty states and six continents to raise their chicks in its pristine habitat.
The Arctic Refuge is a vital nesting ground for Tundra Swans, Northern Pintails, American Golden-Plovers, and more.

Now, Congress is close to passing a tax bill that will lead to drilling in the Arctic Refuge.

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/PbDmrDD3j0iWrTeYfu-PkA2?ms=digital-adv-social-twitter-x-20171202_post_tax_bill&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=20171202_post_tax_bill

ME: Thank-you for your time

Tax bill moves oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic refuge one step closer
By Andrew O'Reilly | Fox News
1 day ago (12/7/2017)
(snipped)

At the heart of the battle over ANWR – a 19-million-acre tract of land flanked by the Brooks Range to the south, the Beaufort Sea to the north and Canada’s Yukon province to the east – is a section of the refuge called the coastal plain, or section 1002.

Along with Alaska’s Republican lawmakers, the fossil fuel industry sees the estimated 11.8 billion barrels of oil under the coastal plain as a boon to the state’s flagging economy that has suffered from low oil prices on the global market and a decline in crude flowing through the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.

On the other side are environmental groups and the indigenous Gwich'in people, who consider the coastal plain sacred land and say oil drilling would ruin a fragile habitat for gray wolves, polar bears, porcupine caribou and more than 200 species of migratory birds.

“It’s outrageous that the oil lobby and their allies in Congress are trying to destroy the crown jewel of America’s wildlife refuge system after nearly four decades of bipartisan support for protecting it,” Nicole Whittington-Evans, the Wilderness Society’s Alaska regional director, told Fox News in an email. “The coastal plain is vital habitat for millions of migratory birds, wolves, musk oxen, threatened polar bears, and the Porcupine Caribou Herd. It has value far beyond whatever oil might lie beneath it.”

Read More
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/12/06/tax-bill-moves-oil-drilling-in-alaskas-arctic-refuge-one-step-closer.html

ME: Please Contact Congress. Thank-you ::MonkeyTears::

 :smt100
Send an urgent letter to your members of Congress asking them to oppose efforts to open the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling.
https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/pGzo4F9KBUa0SN7zZH9AHA2?ms=policy-adv-web-website_nas-engagementcard-20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert&utm_source=website_nas&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert

Anchorage Daily Times
Energy
 ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask::
Small bidders snatch up land near ANWR in state oil lease sale
Alex DeMarban  Published 1 day ago (12/7/2017)

Major oil companies did not bid Wednesday on state leases near the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as Congress moves to open the refuge's coastal plain to drilling, but small bidding groups did.

Read More: https://www.adn.com/business-economy/energy/2017/12/06/small-bidders-snatch-up-land-near-anwr-in-state-lease-sale/

ME: :smt100
Please contact your congress.  The House has not voted on this Bill (as of right now).  Thank-you.

Send an urgent letter to your members of Congress asking them to oppose efforts to open the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling.
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most prolific bird nurseries on the planet. Every year, birds migrate through all fifty states and six continents to raise their chicks in its pristine habitat. The Arctic Refuge is a vital nesting ground for Tundra Swans, Northern Pintails,

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/pGzo4F9KBUa0SN7zZH9AHA2?ms=policy-adv-web-website_nas-engagementcard-20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert&utm_source=website_nas&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert

EcoWatch
By Oil Change International
Dec. 05, 2017 08:57AM EST


Majority of U.S. Public Against Drilling ANWR; Oil Experts Think Economics Are 'Suspect'

By Andy Rowell

Republicans may be celebrating their great tax rip off they sneaked through last Friday night, which included the hugely disputed proposal of drilling of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), but opening up America's last true wilderness to oil exploitation is still far from certain.

Firstly, drilling in ANWR is deeply unpopular with the American public; secondly, it still has to get past the House, where some Republicans are opposed to opening up ANWR; thirdly, even oil industry consultants think drilling now is not economically sensible and fourthly any development will be fought tooth and nail in the courts.

All this means that any drilling is not going to happen any time soon. It is worth remembering that pro-drilling Republicans have tried more than 50 times to drill in ANWR already and they have failed.

Read More:
https://www.ecowatch.com/public-against-anwr-oil-drilling-2515045067.html

ME: Please contact your congress.  The House has not voted on this Bill (as of right now).  The great American's need to let Congress know we are paying attention.
Ask yourselves: What the heck will be next? If Congress pulls the wool over our eyes on ANWR. This will be like 1940's, in Germany. IMO. Think about it.

Send an urgent letter to your members of Congress asking them to oppose efforts to open the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling.
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most prolific bird nurseries on the planet. Every year, birds migrate through all fifty states and six continents to raise their chicks in its pristine habitat. The Arctic Refuge is a vital nesting ground for Tundra Swans, Northern Pintails,

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/pGzo4F9KBUa0SN7zZH9AHA2?ms=policy-adv-web-website_nas-engagementcard-20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert&utm_source=website_nas&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert

 ::MonkeyTongue:: ANWR is Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

By Oil Change International
Dec. 05, 2017 08:57AM EST

Majority of U.S. Public Against Drilling ANWR; Oil Experts Think Economics Are 'Suspect'

By Andy Rowell

(Snipped)

 ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask::  ::monkeymask::
If all the Republican members of the House who are members of the Caucus vote against the ANWR provision, then the bill is dead.

As the Miami Herald noted: "The caucus includes 31 House Republicans, enough members to vote down a tax bill, since the GOP can only afford 22 No votes if all Democrats vote against the bill."

Curbelo may already be feeling the pressure. Monday, the Herald reported that "a group of protesters from the Sunrise Movement, a climate change advocacy group, staged a protest in Curbelo's office urging him to vote against a tax bill that 'sells out the Arctic.'"

Sunrise Co-Founder Evan Web told the paper: "If Representative Curbelo, the founder of the Climate Solutions Caucus, is serious about stopping climate change, protecting the vulnerable people of his district in South Florida, and protecting the Arctic from drilling, he'll vote 'no' on this Big Oil bailout of a tax bill."

Read More:
https://www.ecowatch.com/public-against-anwr-oil-drilling-2515045067.html


ME: :smt100 Please contact your congress.  The House has not voted on this Bill (as of right now).  The great American's need to let Congress know we are paying attention.
Ask yourselves: What the heck will be next? If Congress pulls the wool over our eyes on ANWR. This will be like 1940's, in Germany. IMO. Think about it.

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/pGzo4F9KBUa0SN7zZH9AHA2?ms=policy-adv-web-website_nas-engagementcard-20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert&utm_source=website_nas&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert

Politics

Miami Republican opposes allowing Arctic oil drilling in tax bill

By Alex Daugherty  adaugherty@mcclatchydc.com
UPDATED December 05, 2017 10:58 AM WASHINGTON
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article188037329.html#storylink=cpy


ME: Please contact congress.  Great American's need to let Congress know we are paying attention.
Ask yourselves: What the heck will be next? If Congress pulls the wool over our eyes on ANWR.
This will be like 1940's in Germany. IMO. Think about it.

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/pGzo4F9KBUa0SN7zZH9AHA2?ms=policy-adv-web-website_nas-engagementcard-20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert&utm_source=website_nas&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert

ANWR stands for Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a wilderness area in Alaska.

Helpful Links

12/8/2017

https://www.c-span.org/

https://www.congress.gov/browse

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes

 ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask::  ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask::::monkeymask::
The Metropolitan Council generously supports MinnPost's Earth Journal coverage; learn why

Arctic Refuge drilling permission tucked into tax bill: :study: What's at stake

By Mark Porubcansky | 12/06/17

Tucked into the Senate version of the mammoth tax bill is a longstanding Republican priority that has been unable to win approval on its own: authorization for oil and gas exploration in part of Alaska’s 19-million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

In 1995, President Clinton vetoed a budget that would have permitted drilling. In 2005, a filibuster by Democrats stopped it. This year, if Republicans in Congress can agree on a final version of the tax bill and ram it through both Houses, it probably will be included. There is little doubt President Trump would sign it into law.

That doesn’t mean, though, that drilling is likely to start anytime soon. The immediate future is more likely to be dominated by lawsuits and the economics of the global petroleum market. Longer term, if Democrats can retake Congress or the presidency, the action may well be limited or reversed.

Here’s the background, and what’s at stake:

Read More: https://www.minnpost.com/earth-journal/2017/12/arctic-refuge-drilling-permission-tucked-tax-bill-whats-stake

https://www.c-span.org/    https://www.congress.gov/browse     https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/      https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes

 ::monkeymask::
Next step for ANWR
Petroleum News-2 hours ago  12/8/2017

The royalty rate for oil production from Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, ANWR would be 16.67 percent, with 50 percent of the royalties going to Alaska and the remainder to the federal government. Total surface development on refuge land is limited to 2,000 acres. The legislation also requires the secretary of the interior to issue any ..

Read More:
http://www.petroleumnews.com/pntruncate/677698849.shtml

ME: Will you please send an urgent letter to your members of Congress asking them to oppose efforts to open the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling?  T.Y.

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/pGzo4F9KBUa0SN7zZH9AHA2?ms=policy-adv-web-website_nas-engagementcard-20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert&utm_source=website_nas&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert

Politics  Energy

 ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask::
Republicans Want to Allow Drilling in an Alaskan Wildlife Refuge. But Oil Companies Might Not be Interested

Time Magazine By Justin Worland November 6, 2017

Republicans in Congress have added a proposal to allow oil drilling in a long-disputed Alaskan wildlife refuge to their tax reform bill, but experts say that oil and gas companies might not even be interested.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act includes a provision to allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, also referred to as ANWR, in part because it allows them to claim revenue that can be used to offset tax cuts elsewhere in the bill, but experts say both the drilling and any revenue are strictly hypothetical at this point.

Read More:
http://time.com/5011486/anwr-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-oil-drilling/


::monkeymask::
ME: It’s Not to late…
Stop Congress from Opening the Arctic Refuge to Oil Drilling

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/PbDmrDD3j0iWrTeYfu-PkA2?ms=digital-adv-social-twitter-x-20171202_post_tax_bill&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=20171202_post_tax_bill

 :study:

Final tax bill vote in House won't come next week, GOP leader says

By Brian Faler and Colin Wilhelm

12/08/2017 11:49 AM EST

Updated 12/08/2017 04:21 PM EST

https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/08/final-tax-vote-schedule-timeline-287243


 ::rhino::  We still have time...

Send an urgent letter to your members of Congress asking them to oppose efforts to open the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most prolific bird nurseries on the planet. Every year, birds migrate through all fifty states and six continents to raise their chicks in its pristine habitat. The Arctic Refuge is a vital nesting ground for Tundra Swans, Northern Pintails, American Golden-Plovers, and more. In October, both the House and Senate passed budget bills that open the door to drilling in the Arctic Refuge, and it is now being snuck into the tax reform process

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/pGzo4F9KBUa0SN7zZH9AHA2?ms=policy-adv-web-website_nas-engagementcard-20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert&utm_source=website_nas&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert



Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World (Spoken Intro Version) ABC Records 1970
6,022,326 views  Video 03:37
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nGKqH26xlg


ME: Please help to keep this a wonderful world.  Thank-you.

https://www.c-span.org/    https://www.congress.gov/browse     https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/      https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes

Monday, December 11, 2017

Fairbanks
Daily News-Miner
The Voice of interior Alaska

Opening ANWR isn’t a given: Alaska congressional delegation is working hard, but hurdles remain

Dec 10, 2017 Updated 17 hrs ago

Fairbanks Daily News-Miner editorial:
::MonkeyTongue::
(snipped)

For some Alaskans, drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is viewed as a grave mistake. Environmentalists tout the coastal plain’s biodiversity as reason enough to leave the place untouched.

The Gwich’in people honor the coastal plain as a sacred place where life begins, because the coastal plain is where the Porcupine Caribou Herd gives birth to its offspring.
Some Gwich’in leaders believe drilling in ANWR is a human rights violation.

Whether by protest, or lawsuit, or some other means it is certain oil and gas development will be challenged.

http://www.newsminer.com/opinion/editorials/opening-anwr-isn-t-a-given-alaska-congressional-delegation-is/article_67ef31a6-dd50-11e7-a0d4-27690e7156d5.html


ME: ::dogwag::
Send an urgent letter to your members of Congress asking them to oppose efforts to open the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most prolific bird nurseries on the planet. Every year, birds migrate through all fifty states and six continents to raise their chicks in its pristine habitat. The Arctic Refuge is a vital nesting ground for Tundra Swans, Northern Pintails, American Golden-Plovers, and more. In October, both the House and Senate passed budget bills that open the door to drilling in the Arctic Refuge, and it is now being snuck into the tax reform process

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/pGzo4F9KBUa0SN7zZH9AHA2?ms=policy-adv-web-website_nas-engagementcard-20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert&utm_source=website_nas&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert


https://www.c-span.org/    https://www.congress.gov/browse     https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/      https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes

The Anchorage Press
 ::CowWave::
YIELD: Trading the farm for ANWR

By John Aronno Dec 8, 2017

Barely anyone likes the tax reform package the U.S. Senate passed in the middle of the night last weekend. Even fewer know what the massive bill does – and that includes the lawmakers who voted it through. Senators received a 500-page revision of the legislation minutes before taking to the floor to give it an up or down. Late edits were scrawled in the margins, prompting Sen. Jon Tester (D-Montana) to angrily take to Twitter objecting to haphazardly handwritten late additions. “Can you tell me what that word is?” he said, visibly frustrated. “If you can you've got better eyes than me.”

I admit, I wear glasses. But I sure couldn't read it either. Because it was illegible. And yet, by the slimmest of margins and zero Democratic support, 51 senators gave it the go ahead anyway. Many the same politicians who lamented Obamacare's passage for the better part of a decade, objecting to comments from then-House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California): “We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of the controversy.”

Read More:
http://www.anchoragepress.com/columnists/yield-trading-the-farm-for-anwr/article_475fe676-dc95-11e7-9e32-fbd63d75ec09.html

ME: ::dogwag::
Send an urgent letter to your members of Congress asking them to oppose efforts to open the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling.

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/pGzo4F9KBUa0SN7zZH9AHA2?ms=policy-adv-web-website_nas-engagementcard-20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert&utm_source=website_nas&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert

https://www.c-span.org/    https://www.congress.gov/browse     https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/      https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes

 
::justice2nj2::

Donald Trump first tried to take a widows land from her in 1998, (IMO) and she won in court.  

Next, he could will be trying to evict the wildlife (ANWR) through the Tax Bill (IMO).
See how history repeats itself.  I voted for him.  Why should I be surprised? When he could try to take a poor widow's property.  
Now it seems that he wants to take the animals property from them through The Tax Bill, (ANWR) for drilling. How could anyone trust the President?
I filled out the form at Audubon. I hope with the support of all who care, we will be successful through the correct steps to stop congress from opening up the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling.


 :study:
Send an urgent letter to your members of Congress asking them to oppose efforts to open the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most prolific bird nurseries on the planet. Every year, birds migrate through all fifty states and six continents to raise their chicks in its pristine habitat. The Arctic Refuge is a vital nesting ground for Tundra Swans, Northern Pintails, American Golden-Plovers, and more. In October, both the House and Senate passed budget bills that open the door to drilling in the Arctic Refuge, and it is now being snuck into the tax reform process

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/pGzo4F9KBUa0SN7zZH9AHA2?ms=policy-adv-web-website_nas-engagementcard-20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert&utm_source=website_nas&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert


 ::CowboySmiley::
N.Y. / Region
Widowed Homeowner Foils Trump in Atlantic City
By David M. Herszenhorn Juy 21, 1998

It was a case that pitted a widowed homeowner and the owners of two small businesses in Atlantic City against the state and Donald J. Trump, one of the brashest personalities in the casino business. And today, the little guys won. (snipped)

Ms. Berliner helped represent Vera Coking, the elderly widow whose house on Columbia Place was one of the properties that the authority sought to seize. Mrs. Coking's house is wedged between the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino and Caesar's Palace, so close to Trump Plaza that visitors knocking on her front door can feel the spray from sprinklers used to water the hotel's grass.

Read More:
http://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/21/nyregion/widowed-homeowner-foils-trump-in-atlantic-city.html


 ::lookie::
Helpful Links to watch Congress like a Hawk.

https://www.c-span.org/    https://www.congress.gov/browse     https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/      https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes

RIGZONE

While Senate Pushes ANWR Drilling, Industry Looks Elsewhere

By Reuters   Yereth Rosen   Tuesday, December 05, 2017


Dec 5 (Reuters) - Even as the U.S. Senate moves to allow oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), the real action is 150 miles (241 km) west, where industry proponents hope a coming sale of 10 million acres of land will revitalize the state's sagging crude production.

(Snipped)

Alaska's Congress members have pushed to allow drilling in ANWR, and a provision to do that was included in the Republican tax bill that recently passed the Senate.

Yet industry supporters say development in the NPR-A, already established for the oil and gas industry, could yield barrels much more quickly than drilling in more remote Alaska frontiers.

“NPR-A has the potential to fulfill short-term oil and gas needs for the state," said Kara Moriarty, executive director of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association.

“It’s right next to currently producing fields," she said, rather than in the Arctic Ocean or the wilderness.
She said that even if ANWR is opened to drilling, it would be 10 to 15 years before any oil could be produced there. Read more…

http://www.rigzone.com/news/wire/while_senate_pushes_anwr_drilling_industry_looks_elsewhere-05-dec-2017-152686-article/?all=HG2

 NPR-A   National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Petroleum_Reserve%E2%80%93Alaska

ANWR Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_National_Wildlife_Refuge


 https://www.congress.gov/browse   https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/   https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes

Home Energy Article

Rep. Don Young named to tax reform, ANWR committee and Dean of House

By Mike Ross 
Posted: Mon 7:45 PM, Dec 04, 2017   
Updated: Tue 12:37 PM, Dec 05, 2017


During a phone news conference Friday night, after the Senate vote on the tax bill, Murkowski said, "I've been working on this now for 15 years, my father (former governor and senator Frank Murkowski) worked on this for 22 years, and there are many people who are saying 'it's about darn time' that we're able to advance this."

After the vote, the president of the Wilderness Society vowed to fight the move to open up the ANWR Coastal Plain to exploration.

In a press release Friday night, Jamie Williams wrote, "This fight is not over. The oil industry and its allies in Congress may think they can sneak this past the American people, but communities across the country are speaking out every day. They are calling on principled leaders in Congress to reject this poison pill and oppose a tax bill that would drill the refuge."

Rep. Young expressed optimism Monday, but conceded that the battle is not over.

"Although we have faced many challenges and crossed many roadblocks, we as Alaskans have never been deterred. Our resilience and determination to win the day has never been stronger and I look forward to bringing Alaska the victory on ANWR they have long deserved," stated Young.

http://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Rep-Don-Young-named-to-committee-on-tax-reform-ANWR-461979103.html


ME: :smt100

Send an urgent letter to your members of Congress asking them to oppose efforts to open the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most prolific bird nurseries on the planet. Every year, birds migrate through all fifty states and six continents to raise their chicks in its pristine habitat. The Arctic Refuge is a vital nesting ground for Tundra Swans, Northern Pintails, American Golden-Plovers, and more. In October, both the House and Senate passed budget bills that open the door to drilling in the Arctic Refuge, and it is now being snuck into the tax reform process

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/pGzo4F9KBUa0SN7zZH9AHA2?ms=policy-adv-web-website_nas-engagementcard-20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert&utm_source=website_nas&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert

https://www.c-span.org/    https://www.congress.gov/browse     https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/      https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes

Posted December 10, 2017 06:09 am - Updated December 10, 2017 06:43 am
By Debbie S. Miller
For the Juneau Empire

Let’s not ruin Alaska’s Arctic Refuge

(Snipped)

In and near the Arctic Refuge, the Gwich’in Athabaskan Natives of Alaska and Canada still hunt caribou, as they have for thousands of years. Some 9,000 residents, in a dozen villages, continue to feed their families with caribou, tan the hides, make clothing, sing caribou songs and perform caribou dances. They refer to the coastal plain as Iizhik Gwats’an Gwandaii Goodlit, “The Sacred Place Where Life Begins.” The Gwich’in Athabaskan are united in their opposition to oil drilling on the coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge, the birthplace of the caribou that define their lives.

But politicians in Alaska and elsewhere want access to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the name of oil, money and jobs. To this end, they are trying to circumvent the democratic process by slipping an Arctic Refuge drilling provision into tax reform legislation. A poll released earlier this year showed that two-thirds of Americans oppose efforts to allow gas and oil drilling in the refuge.

http://juneauempire.com/opinion/2017-12-08/let-s-not-ruin-alaska-s-arctic-refuge
http://juneauempire.com/


 :smt100
Send an urgent letter to your members of Congress asking them to oppose efforts to open the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most prolific bird nurseries on the planet. Every year, birds migrate through all fifty states and six continents to raise their chicks in its pristine habitat. The Arctic Refuge is a vital nesting ground for Tundra Swans, Northern Pintails, American Golden-Plovers, and more. In October, both the House and Senate passed budget bills that open the door to drilling in the Arctic Refuge, and it is now being snuck into the tax reform process

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/pGzo4F9KBUa0SN7zZH9AHA2?ms=policy-adv-web-website_nas-engagementcard-20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert&utm_source=website_nas&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert


Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World (Spoken Intro Version) ABC Records 1970
6,022,326 views  Video 03:37
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nGKqH26xlg


ME: Please help to keep this a wonderful world.  Thank-you.

https://www.c-span.org/    https://www.congress.gov/browse     https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/      https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes

The tax bill is bringing drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge closer than ever
After nearly 40 years, a simple majority vote stands between drillers and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Updated at Nov 28, 2017, 9:27am EST

Snipped...

But there are several catches: Low oil and gas prices mean that drillers aren’t hurting for new wells. And not all Alaskans are on board with opening up ANWR, while environmental groups are gearing up to fight it every step of the way.

The League of Conservation Voters on Wednesday announced a $550,000 ad campaign to oppose drilling.
Thirty-seven scientists co-signed a letter to the energy committee calling to preserve the refuge.

Even Jane Goodall has weighed in.

Meanwhile, lawmakers who oppose drilling have rallied and attempted to introduce riders to restrict drilling.


Read More:

https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/10/6/16411648/republicans-tax-reform-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-drilling-oil

http://time.com/5011486/anwr-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-oil-drilling/

GOP on verge of opening Arctic refuge to drilling
By Timothy Cama - 12/03/17 08:30 AM EST

snipped

While the House’s version of the tax bill does not include ANWR drilling, the provision is likely to survive in the final legislation and become law if it reaches President Trump’s desk.

But even after the policy is approved, ANWR drilling is far from certain. Companies are unlikely to jump at the opportunity to drill there, analysts say, and any exploration is likely years away.

And even if companies are interested in drilling there, environmental groups are nearly certain to challenge them every step of the way in the courts.

Plus, if Democrats elect a president or take a majority in the House or Senate, they could put up significant roadblocks, or even stop ANWR drilling altogether.

Read More...

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/362881-gop-on-verge-of-opening-arctic-refuge-to-drilling

 ::monkeyflag3::
ME: Let Congress know that you are aware.

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/pGzo4F9KBUa0SN7zZH9AHA2?ms=policy-adv-web-website_nas-engagementcard-20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert&utm_source=website_nas&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert


https://www.c-span.org/    https://www.congress.gov/browse     https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/      https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes

 
ME: ::MonkeyTongue::
Two-thirds of Americans are against drilling. The GOP are stuffing it down our throats. This is not the American way.  If this goes through, I am voting Democrat.  IMO

Wednesday, December 13, 2017 - Fairbanks - Daily News-Minor - The Voice of Inner Alaska

 ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask::
House, Senate work on tax overhaul: Murkowski, Young aiming to keep ANWR oil provisions

Dec 12, 2017  Comment (1)

News-Miner opinion: House and Senate Republican leaders are hoping Congress will vote on and approve a reconciled Senate tax bill before Dec. 22.
In the meantime, the Reconciliation Conference Committee, which consists of House and Senate members, is working toward an agreement.

- http://www.newsminer.com/opinion/editorials/house-senate-work-on-tax-overhaul-murkowski-young-aiming-to/article_c9ddb77e-df22-11e7-a614-8f9bdc602e3c.html

- http://juneauempire.com/state/news/nation-and-world/2017-12-12/young-says-arctic-drilling-priority-tax-bill-murkowski-wants

- https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/11/19/congress-moves-drill-baby-drill-alaska-anwr-refuge-heres-what-you-should-know/874187001/


ME:  ::lookie::

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/pGzo4F9KBUa0SN7zZH9AHA2?ms=policy-adv-web-website_nas-engagementcard-20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert&utm_source=website_nas&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=20171020_arcticrefuge_budget_alert

https://www.c-span.org/    https://www.congress.gov/browse     https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/      https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes

 
ME: ::MonkeyTongue::

Two-thirds of Americans are against drilling. GOP are stuffing it down our throats. This is not the American way.  If this bill, passes, I will vote Democratic in the future.  IMO

 ::MonkeyHeart::
Robert Redford slams GOP tax bill over Arctic drilling
By Max Greenwood - 12/12/17 12:18 PM EST

(http://thehill.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumb_small_article/public/redfordrobert12122017getty_1.jpg?itok=IiJtz9fr)
© Getty Images

Actor Robert Redford is savaging President Trump and congressional Republicans' tax-reform push, saying the effort would gut protections for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) by opening it up to oil exploration and drilling.

In an op-ed published in Time magazine on Monday, Redford, 81, blasted the tax overhaul as a "dirty deal" with a little-noticed provision that would allow oil drilling in 1.5 million acres of the refuge in Alaska.

"They are claiming to pay for proposed tax cuts by charging oil companies $100 million a year to mine the Refuge but we all know what’s really going on," he wrote. "$100 million dollars sounds great, but don’t be fooled. It won’t even pay the interest on our new debt for even a single day."

Read More:
http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/364456-robert-redford-slams-gop-tax-bill-for-allowing-drilling-in

 ::rhino::
    Ideas   climate change

Robert Redford: The GOP 'Tax Scam' Is a 'Dirty Deal' for America

(https://imagesvc.timeincapp.com/v3/mm/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftimedotcom.files.wordpress.com%2F2017%2F11%2Fanwr-oil-drilling.jpg&w=800&q=85)
By Robert Redford December 11, 2017

IDEAS Redford founded the Sundance Institute and co-founded The Redford Center with his son, Jamie Redford


I’ve always believed our country’s wide open landscapes reflects our unique American spirit. It’s that sense of boundless opportunity,
personal freedom and the pursuit of equality that’s defined us as a people, and inspired us, from our start as a nation.

Those values created what is often called America’s best idea, the promise to protect and preserve the natural splendor of this country, not just for some,
but for all of us. And not just for today, but for all time.

President Donald Trump is trying to break that promise and sacrifice spectacular lands for the sake of oil and gas profits.
His target is the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, one of the last truly wild places left on this Earth.

Read More:

http://time.com/5058932/robert-redford-arctic-trump-taxes/#d70876f5-3b56-4489-8eba-49cadc10bd3

 ::MonkeyHeart::
A Message from Robert Redford

Robert Redford: Help NRDC Protect the Arctic Refuge

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)
on Monday · 12/12/2017Video 2:01

As part of a dangerous and destructive tax bill, the Republican-led Congress plans to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to the dirty fossil fuel industry. This would impact coastal communities, imperil wildlife like polar bears and whales, and accelerate the devastating impacts of climate change—all to boost oil industry profits and help pay for tax cuts for the richest Americans. Help us fight back. Take action:

 http://on.nrdc.org/2A2ZJUa

https://www.facebook.com/nrdc.org/videos/10155866276384454/

 

::dogwag::

Roar Wildlife News added a new video: message from Robert Redford.
Yesterday at 6:20am ·  December 12, 2017

As part of a dangerous tax bill, the Republican-led Congress plans to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to the dirty fossil fuel industry, all to boos...
https://www.facebook.com/roarwildlifenews/videos/1292141030890694/

 :smt100
Mr. Redford, "Please join me in this urgent battle. Call your member of Congress and tell them to oppose the opening of the Arctic Refuge and oppose this harmful tax give away. Urge them To vote NO on H.R.1." (tax bill).

I believe the Senate may have already voted on this bill?  
The House of Representatives will need to vote on this (screwy) tax bill, by Dec.22, 2017, or by the end of the year. IMO

 :study: H.R.1 - Tax Cuts and Jobs Act 115th Congress (2017-2018) | Get alerts
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1

https://www.congress.gov/browse     https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/      https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GOP on verge of opening Arctic refuge to drilling
By Timothy Cama - 12/03/17 08:30 AM EST

snipped

While the House’s version of the tax bill does not include ANWR drilling[/b], the provision is likely to survive in the final legislation and become law if it reaches President Trump’s desk. http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/362881-gop-on-verge-of-opening-arctic-refuge-to-drilling

 

::dogwag::
A message from Robert Redford

Roar Wildlife News

Yesterday at 9:20am December12, 2017

As part of a dangerous tax bill, the Republican-led Congress plans to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to the dirty fossil fuel industry, all to boost oil industry profits and help pay for tax cuts for the richest Americans. Help us fight back: http://on.nrdc.org/2nMBB6h
NRDC, via twitter 🌎‏Geverifieerd account NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)

https://www.facebook.com/roarwildlifenews/videos/1292141030890694/

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


 ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask::
 :smt023 NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) link is for Senators: http://on.nrdc.org/2nMBB6h

 ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask::
 :smt023 Audubon (Society) Action Center link for Congress.  

 https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/PbDmrDD3j0iWrTeYfu-PkA2?ms=digital-adv-social-twitter-x-20171202_post_tax_bill&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=20171202_post_tax_bill

Audubon
December 13, 2017
ACTION CENTER

Keep Drilling in the Arctic Refuge Out of the Tax Bill

(https://nvlupin.blob.core.windows.net/images/van/TSM/TSMAU/1/56490/images/Pacifc_Loons_MickThompson_Flickr_800x800.jpg)

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/6LYXPoqr3Eaf0_dl2YM1nQ2?ms=digital-adv-social-facebook-x-20171213_arctic_call&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=20171213_arctic_call

Audubon
ACTION CENTER
 ::MonkeyShovel::
Keep Drilling in the Arctic Refuge Out of the Tax Bill

December 13, 2017

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/6LYXPoqr3Eaf0_dl2YM1nQ2?ms=digital-adv-social-facebook-x-20171213_arctic_call&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=20171213_arctic_call

 
::dogwag::
Environmentalists Drag Out Robert Redford To Protest Arctic Drilling
The Daily Caller Michael Bastasch 17 hrs ago 12/13/2017

 ::lookie::

WATCH:

Alaska GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski introduced a reconciliation bill to raise $1 billion over 10 years from opening ANWR’s 1.5 million acre coastal area to oil and gas exploration. Congress specifically set aside ANWR’s coastal area for potential drilling.

Congress is in the middle of hammering out the final details of the tax bill, and even though about one dozen House Republicans opposed the ANWR provision, it’s unclear if they would vote “no” on tax reform over drilling.

“I’m feeling pretty good about where we are with ANWR right now,” Murkowski told Politico on Wednesday.

“We just need to make sure that we’re able to come together as conferees and get a package that both bodies can support,” Murkowski said.
      
http://dailycaller.com/2017/12/13/environmentalists-drag-out-robert-redford-to-protest-arctic-drilling/



_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  :smt023  https://www.congress.gov/browse      :smt023 https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/      :smt023 https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes

 

::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask::
12 House Republicans object to Alaska refuge oil drilling proposal ...

Dec 1, 2017  The Hill  By Timothy Cama - 12/01/17 10:28 AM EST

- A dozen House Republicans say they oppose the Senate GOP's proposal to allow oil and natural gas drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge ... “One of the most pristine areas left in America today, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is home to musk oxen, wolves imperiled polar bears, and nearly ...

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/362757-12-house-republicans-object-to-alaska-refuge-oil-drilling-proposal



It's not to late...
Audubon ACTION CENTER
Audubon (Society) Action Center link for Congress.

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/PbDmrDD3j0iWrTeYfu-PkA2?ms=digital-adv-social-twitter-x-20171202_post_tax_bill&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=20171202_post_tax_bill


Audubon Action Alert: Make a Call to Protect the Arctic Refuge
act.audubon.org

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/6LYXPoqr3Eaf0_dl2YM1nQ2?ms=digital-adv-social-facebook-x-20171213_arctic_call&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=20171213_arctic_call
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    https://www.congress.gov/browse       https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/       https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes

Politics
12 House Republicans Sign Letter Opposing Arctic Drilling
The proposal, not included in the House-passed tax bill, remains in the Senate version on floor

Posted Nov 30, 2017 6:18 PM
Lindsey McPherson
@lindsemcpherson

(Snipped)
The House tax bill did not include an ANWR component. The members who signed the letter include six who voted for the House tax bill: Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Ryan A. Costello and Patrick Meehan of Pennsylvania, Dave Reichert of Washington, Mark Sanford of South Carolina and Carlos Curbelo of Florida.

It was not clear from the letter whether their concerns would be enough to prevent them from voting for a final tax bill if it included the ANWR drilling proposal. Reichert, Meehan and Curbelo are all members of the Ways and Means Committee. Most of the House conferees on the tax bill will likely be tax writers.

The letter was also signed by six members who voted against the tax bill: Reps. Frank A. LoBiondo, Christopher H. Smith and Leonard Lance of New Jersey and Dan Donovan, Elise Stefanik and John J. Faso of New York. They opposed the tax measure because of concerns about the partial elimination of the state and local tax deduction.

All of the signers except for Sanford and Smith are members of the moderate GOP Tuesday Group.

Sanford is a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. Smith is not affiliated of either of the three major GOP caucuses.

https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/105764-2
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 ::rhino::
This is the list of the 12 who say they are opposed to drilling in the letter (IMO)

Brian Fitzpatrick, Ryan A. Costello and Patrick Meehan of Pennsylvania

Dave Reichert of Washington,

Mark Sanford of South Carolina

Carlos Curbelo of Florida.

Reps. Frank A. LoBiondo, Christopher H. Smith and Leonard Lance of New Jersey

Dan Donovan, Elise Stefanik and John J. Faso of New York

https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/105764-2

 :smt100
It's not to late...
Audubon ACTION CENTER
Audubon (Society) Action Center link for Congress.

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/PbDmrDD3j0iWrTeYfu-PkA2?ms=digital-adv-social-twitter-x-20171202_post_tax_bill&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=20171202_post_tax_bill

 :smt100
Audubon Action Alert: Make a Call to Protect the Arctic Refuge
act.audubon.org

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/6LYXPoqr3Eaf0_dl2YM1nQ2?ms=digital-adv-social-facebook-x-20171213_arctic_call&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=20171213_arctic_call
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________


    https://www.congress.gov/browse       https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/       https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes

Politics
 ::FlyingFrog::
Tax Bill Set to Move at Warp Speed to Trump’s Desk

Posted Dec 14, 2017 5:03 AM
Joe Williams

Some hurdles still remain, but Republicans feel confident they have the votes

Don’t blink, because you might miss Congress passing a historic overhaul of the U.S. tax code.

House and Senate Republicans say they are nearing completion on a sweeping bill that would dramatically reduce the corporate tax rate, lower the top individual tax rate, nearly double the standard deduction, bolster the child tax credit and remove some breaks enjoyed by many Americans.

Members on Wednesday said a broad agreement has been reached between the two chambers that would address differences between their respective bills. Some issues, like small pay-fors, still need to be worked out, aides said.

Once final legislative text is available, expect it to move quickly.

Read more:

http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/tax-bill-set-move-warp-speed-trumps-desk

ME: :(

 ::MonkeyEek::
Time running out for opponents of Arctic drilling
Energy & Environment
By Devin Henry - 12/15/17 05:32 AM EST
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/365022-time-running-out-for-opponents-of-arctic-drilling

 :smt100
Audubon
ACTION CENTER
Audubon (Society) Action Center link for Congress.
https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/PbDmrDD3j0iWrTeYfu-PkA2?ms=digital-adv-social-twitter-x-20171202_post_tax_bill&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=20171202_post_tax_bill

 :smt100
Audubon Action Alert: Make a Call to Protect the Arctic Refuge
act.audubon.org
https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/6LYXPoqr3Eaf0_dl2YM1nQ2?ms=digital-adv-social-facebook-x-20171213_arctic_call&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=20171213_arctic_call
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


    https://www.congress.gov/browse   https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/   https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes  
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ME:  ::MonkeyTongue::

Let's do our best and remember the 2018 elections.
Let's be patient, take notes on the legislator's and their votes.
My motto is "Don't get mad - Get Smart".  
The 2018 elections will be here before you know it. IMO.


ANWR is Arctic National National Refuge

 ::rhino::
Opening ANWR isn’t a given: Alaska congressional delegation is working hard, but hurdles remain

Dec 10, 2017  Updated Dec 10, 2017 (…)

 
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner editorial: ::MonkeyTongue::

Just because oil and gas development is authorized, does not mean the fight over ANWR is over.

For some Alaskans, drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is viewed as a grave mistake. Environmentalists tout the coastal plain’s biodiversity as reason enough to leave the place untouched.

The Gwich’in people honor the coastal plain as a sacred place where life begins, because the coastal plain is where the Porcupine Caribou Herd gives birth to its offspring. Some Gwich’in leaders believe drilling in ANWR is a human rights violation.

Whether by protest, or lawsuit, or some other means it is certain oil and gas development will be challenged.

http://www.newsminer.com/opinion/editorials/opening-anwr-isn-t-a-given-alaska-congressional-delegation-is/article_67ef31a6-dd50-11e7-a0d4-27690e7156d5.html

ME: Take notes on Congress so we can vote them out!  The 2018 elections will be here before we know it.  American's have the patience. IMO

 ::lookie::

Opinions

We’re about to open ANWR, and that means more years of patience

    pencil Author: Tim Bradner | Opinion
    clock Updated: 11 hours ago calendar Published 1 day ago December 14, 2017


(Snipped)

We do know there is oil. There are surface rock outcrops that drip with the stuff, and you can even light these on fire. There are also apparent large geologic formations underground that might be oil traps. We know this from a limited seismic program allowed by the Department of the Interior in the 1980s. (Seismic exploration involves bouncing sound waves off underground rocks to show their contours.)

There's no certainty that oil is there in quantities we expect.  It may be water that's discovered, too.

We should remember two famous oil Alaska exploration flops. One, most recent, was Shell's "Burger" well in the Chukchi Sea, which after several billion dollars of expenditures hit water instead of oil. Another was Sohio's "Mukluk" test in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea in 1981, which also hit water. Until Burger was drilled, Mukluk was the most expensive dry hole drilled in the U.S.

Read more:

https://www.adn.com/opinions/2017/12/13/were-about-to-open-anwr-and-that-means-more-years-of-patience/#_

 :smt054
Robert Redford:Help NRDC Protect the Arctic Refuge

NRDCflix Published on Dec 11, 2017  Video Duration: 2:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLQ1PRjtBJU&feature=youtu.be

 :study: Congress Bills H.R. 1 (115th)

H.R. 1: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Dec 2, 2017   Passed Senate with Changes (back to House)

The Senate passed the bill with changes not in the House version and sent it back to the House to approve the changes.

 View Vote »

 ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask::
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/115-2017/s303
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr1

ME: Please note is is the Senate vote from Dec 2, 2017

ME: ::MonkeyTongue:: These may be the past exploration flops, author, Tim Bradner, is referring to.

Popular Mechanics

Shell Is Abandoning Its Arctic Oil Well
After seven years, $7 billion, and lots of controversy,
Shell didn't find enough oil and gas to continue.

By Jennifer A. Dlouhy  September 28, 2015

The episode recalls the long-abandoned Mukluk well in the Beaufort Sea, just a few hundred miles from Shell's Burger prospect. A consortium of companies spent nearly $1 billion on the well in the 1980s because they were convinced it was loaded with crude. But their only discovery, in December 1983, was salt water and ..

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/amp17524/shell-is-abandoning-its-arctic-oil-well/
 :smt023 http://fuelfix.com/blog/2015/09/28/shells-arctic-oil-well-comes-up-dry/#34370101=0

 :smt024
Press Room

Audubon to Congress: “This Is The Wake-Up Call You’ve Been Waiting For”

The New York Times reveals 1986 well drilled in Refuge: Damage continues.

(http://cdn.audubon.org/cdn/farfuture/IcXSLOMLzoBAiOlcyj754GKVV1-0BMkFonE9_b9t8xM/mtime:1513355422/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_inline/public/web_screen-shot-2017-12-15-at-10.26.15-am.jpg?itok=Db3ujDxX)

Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services through the New York Times


By National Audubon Society
December 15, 2017

WASHINGTON — “The mind-blowing images running all over the news should serve as a wake-up call to members of Congress who know drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is wrong,” said David Yarnold (@david_yarnold), president and CEO of the National Audubon Society, as news outlets report that a congressional committee is preparing to announce an agreement today on the tax package which includes a provision opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling to offset tax cuts. More..

http://www.audubon.org/news/audubon-congress-wake-call-youve-been-waiting

 :smt102
How did this Alaska wildlife refuge migrate into the GOP tax bill?

PBS NewsHour  Published on Dec 7, 2017   Video Duration: 5:17  5,015 views

Part of the GOP tax overhaul tax bill that has not gotten a lot of attention is the possibility of opening up a pristine and long-protected part of Alaska to oil extraction. The Alaska National Wildlife Refuge is 19 millions acres of rich ecosystem. Why are lawmakers talking about drilling now? William Brangham joins Miles O’Brien to take a closer look.

 :smt023 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsPSAd_4Oas
 :smt023 https://www.facebook.com/newshour/videos/10156031118878675/?hc_ref=ARTJfAo5c5r7QLUXM4vX_DQ7f0OCz2iIWm27YEhNzk8JwTRHCtJG0SekH7AACflocrY

SIERRA
The national magazine of the Sierra Club

The Arctic Refuge Is Too Valuable to Drill
A veteran of the Afghan War finds a measure of solace in wild places

By Genevieve Chase | Dec 15 2017
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/arctic-refuge-too-valuable-drill

Dec 6, 2017 - Tucked into the Senate version of the mammoth tax bill is a longstanding Republican priority that has been unable to win approval on its own: authorization for oil and gas exploration in part of Alaska's 19-million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

(snipped)

The Hill quotes Pavel Molchanov, a researcher at Raymond James, as expressing doubt they’ll be keen on drilling in the Arctic reserve. Some might bid on leases in case prices go up in the future.

'Virtually no interest in the industry to drill'

“As a practical matter, there is virtually no interest in the industry to drill in ANWR,” he said. “There is little interest in the industry in investing in Alaska generally, but particularly ANWR.”

Joel K. Bourne, Jr., writing in National Geographic in 2015, raised questions about the amount of oil available in the refuge. Other estimates in Alaska have been revised downward, he said, and he quoted sources as saying the only test well drilled in the refuge came up dry.

In any case, he added, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is relatively small potatoes. The far bigger reserves are off shore.

Read More
https://www.minnpost.com/earth-journal/2017/12/arctic-refuge-drilling-permission-tucked-tax-bill-whats-stake

Earth Journal

Arctic Refuge drilling permission tucked into tax bill: What's at stake

By Mark Porubcansky | 12/06/17

(snipped)
 ::lookie::
- That doesn’t mean, though, that drilling is likely to start anytime soon.
- The immediate future is more likely to be dominated by lawsuits and the economics of the global petroleum market.
- Longer term, if Democrats can retake Congress or the presidency, the action may well be limited or reversed.


Read More:
https://www.minnpost.com/earth-journal/2017/12/arctic-refuge-drilling-permission-tucked-tax-bill-whats-stake

 :smt084   :smt084   :smt084   :smt084   :smt084   :smt084   :smt084   :smt084   :smt084

GOP on verge of opening Arctic refuge to drilling

By Timothy Cama - 12/03/17 08:30 AM EST 228 Comments


(Snipped)

One thing that makes drilling in ANWR unattractive is the prospect of facing lawsuits from environmentalists.

Greens have long argued that drilling would harm the delicate environment and wildlife in the refuge, and that the oil and gas produced would be catastrophic for climate change.

While the opening of ANWR to drilling would be a major loss for greens, they don’t plan on giving up.

“There will be lawsuits.  The [National Environmental Policy Act] process, even in the most ideal circumstances, will take time,”
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said, referring to the law that requires environmental reviews of federal government actions.

“So we have the ability to slow it down and then we have [to] win some elections,” he said.

Read More...

 :smt023 http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/362881-gop-on-verge-of-opening-arctic-refuge-to-drilling
 :smt023 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Environmental_Policy_Act

 ::MonkeyShovel::
GOP on verge of opening Arctic refuge to drilling
By Timothy Cama - 12/03/17 08:30 AM EST

snipped

The drilling provisions, written by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), are estimated to bring in $2.2 billion in fees during the first 10 years, with the money coming entirely from bids, as oil production is not expected to start within that time frame. Half of the income would go to Alaska’s government and half to the federal government.  More...

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/362881-gop-on-verge-of-opening-arctic-refuge-to-drilling

ME: ::MonkeyEek::  I am no genius, but it sounds to me that Sen. L.M., is making suckers out of everyone.  IMO

 


::monkeyflag3::

Senator Menendez Reads Constituent Letter After ANWR Drilling Snuck into GOP Tax Bill

Senator Menendez  New Jersey  Published December 15, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-juD8QEUsQ

ME: Senator Menendez recieved 40,000 emails opposed to ANWR.

Minipost
Earth Journal
The Metropolitan Council generously supports MinnPost's Earth Journal coverage; learn why

Arctic Refuge drilling permission tucked into tax bill:What's at stake
By Mark Porubcansky 12/06/2017

(snipped)

Most congressional Democrats oppose the move, on both policy grounds and the method Republicans are using to achieve it. The move has gotten little attention because of the other huge issues involved in the tax bill. Democrats are powerless to stop it, since the legislation is structured in such a way that can be approved by the Republican majorities in both Houses.

https://www.minnpost.com/earth-journal/2017/12/arctic-refuge-drilling-permission-tucked-tax-bill-whats-stake
 
ME: The G.O.P. has successfully, bamboozled, all of us.  I hope that these dirt balls, who voted for ANWR, will be voted out of office. IMO
I am registered an Independent, I will change my party affiliation to Democrat. Drilling in ANWR hopefully will be reversed with a Democrat majority. IMO

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is reportedly returning to Arizona and will miss the final vote on his party’s tax bill this week.
By Jacqueline Thomsen - 12/17/17 03:15 PM EST

McCain, who has been hospitalized at Walter Reed Medical Center suffering from the side effects of his treatment for brain cancer, left Washington, D.C., on Sunday to return home for the holidays, CBS News reported Sunday.

This means he will not be in D.C. for the GOP tax bill vote, which is expected to take place early in the week. Republicans have won over two key votes for the measure, meaning they should still have the razor-thin majority needed to pass the bill.

President Trump confirmed the report Sunday evening upon his return to the White House from Camp David, suggesting that McCain is willing to return to the Hill if his vote becomes key for passing the bill.  (snipped)

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/365349-mccain-returns-to-arizona-wont-vote-on-gop-tax-bill

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 ::rhino::  Let's keep trying. It's not over until it's over.

 :smt100
Audubon
ACTION CENTER
Audubon (Society) Action Center link for Congress.

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/PbDmrDD3j0iWrTeYfu-PkA2?ms=digital-adv-social-twitter-x-20171202_post_tax_bill&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=20171202_post_tax_bill

  :smt100
Audubon Action Alert: Make a Call to Protect the Arctic Refuge

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/6LYXPoqr3Eaf0_dl2YM1nQ2?ms=digital-adv-social-facebook-x-20171213_arctic_call&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=20171213_arctic_call


 ::lookie::
Watch Em Like A Hawk........

December 12, 2017

  https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/
  https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes
  https://www.congress.gov/browse




 

Energy
December 17, 2017

Before the Arctic refuge is drilled: Lawsuits, studies and a decade of waiting

•    Author: Alex DeMarban
•    Updated: 10 hours ago    
•    Published 13 hours ago
  
  Comment (5)
 
 ::MonkeyReindeer::
 (Snipped)

- Environmental reviews will take into account the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act,...

- With legal challenges and other unknowns...

- it could take years to unlock ANWR to drilling...

- setting up the prospect of long-term political risks, said Larry Persily, a former federal pipeline official in the Obama administration.

- A new administration and Congress in 2021 could take steps to stop development, he said. "Alaskans shouldn't start counting the barrels yet," Persily said.

https://www.adn.com/business-economy/energy/2017/12/17/before-the-arctic-refuge-is-drilled-lawsuits-studies-and-a-decade-of-waiting/


ME: :shock: My quite protest is to change my party affliction from Independent to Democrat.  I voted straight GOP in last election and look what I got, bamboozled.
I gave the GOP a chance in faith and they gave a big disappointment.  My Uncle would say, "Crooks, Crooks, Crooks" "They are all Crooks."  IMO

 ::MonkeyShovel::

Monday, December 18, 2017

Donkel and Cade Bidding Group Traces Giant Alaska Oil Discovery into ANWR

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (PRWEB)  December 08, 2017  Video:10:18

Independent Alaska oil and gas lease investors Daniel K. Donkel and Samuel H. Cade won the rights to key leases of an oil discovery that may extend far into the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Donkel and Cade – owners of Donkel Oil and Gas LLC – won seven of the 16 leases that received bids in the Alaska Beaufort Sea Areawide competitive oil and gas lease sale held Dec. 6 in Anchorage.

The leases bolster Donkel's position in the Stinson oil and gas prospect located in the Beaufort Sea contiguous to the 1002 area of ANWR and Exxon's Point Thomson development.

Oil was discovered with the Stinson #1 well in 1990 by ARCO. Donkel and Cade have assembled an attractive block of leases surrounding the discovery well. A February 23, 2010 PetroTechnical Resources Alaska report by petroleum engineer Michael D. Dunn of, suggested reserves of between 80 and 420 million barrels, with a base case reserve of 150 million barrels.

These potential reserves, according to David Gross (former Chevron and consulting geologist) could be part of the 10.3 billion barrels that the United States
Geologic Survey estimates lie below and around ANWR in the 1002 Area.


 :shock: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/12/prweb14992471.htm

 :shock: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=368&v=x2yxN1G6ph4

Open Secrets
Center for Responsible Politics
LAST REPORT: 09/30/2017

Sen. Lisa Murkowski - Campaign Finance Summary • OpenSecrets
https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00026050...

 :smt102
NOTE: All the numbers on this page are for the 2013 - 2018 election cycle and based on Federal Election Commission data released electronically on 12/18/17 for Fundraising totals, Source of Funds and Total Raised vs Average, and on 11/27/17 for Top Contributors and Industries.  ("Help! The numbers don't add up...")

The organizations themselves did not donate, rather the money came from the organizations' PACs, their individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals' immediate families. Organization totals include subsidiaries and affiliates.

Why (and How) We Use Donors' Employer/Occupation Information

METHODOLOGY

Feel free to distribute or cite this material, but please credit the Center for Responsive Politics. For permission to reprint for commercial uses, such as textbooks, contact the Center: info@crp.org

 Additions Links:

      :smt023      http://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/com_rcvd/C00384529/
      :smt023      https://www.opensecrets.org/

The Washington Post
Democracy Dies in Darkness

Business
GOP faces 5-day scramble to pass tax bill, avoid government shutdown
December 17, 2017  Comments (1.5K)
By Jeff Stein, Mike DeBonis and Patrick Reis December 17 at 6:35 PM


https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/gop-faces-5-day-scramble-to-pass-tax-bill-avoid-government-shutdown/2017/12/17/e3292264-e363-11e7-833f-155031558ff4_story.html?utm_term=.97c46199770f

         

 :smt051
Audubon
December 19, 2017

Keep Arctic Refuge Drilling Out of the Tax Bill

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most prolific bird nurseries on the planet, but it’s in jeopardy.
It's not too late to take action to protect this pristine habitat.

 :gaah:
The vote is TODAY— call your U.S. Representative through our action center today.   Call Now
 

 :smt100
Audubon
Audubon Action Alert:
 Make a Call to Protect the Arctic Refuge

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/6LYXPoqr3Eaf0_dl2YM1nQ2?ms=digital-adv-social-facebook-x-20171213_arctic_call&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=20171213_arctic_call



 https://www.congress.gov/browse     https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/     https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes

 ::lookie::
Must read comment and links

Comment by Daniel Donkel follows:

"Sen. Lisa Murkowski should know the Stinson oil discovery prospect by Donkel and Cade could have oil revenues in the government's hands in less than two years if we drill our prospect offshore from state waters and drain the onshore 1002 area of ANWR, see link, http://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/12/prweb14992471.htm"

___________________________

Mr. Donkel's Comment was gleaned from article from the link below. The bottom of the article there are 8 comments, his is indeed the most interesting. IMO

Before the Arctic refuge is drilled: Lawsuits, studies and a decade of waiting  December 18, 2017

https://www.adn.com/business-economy/energy/2017/12/17/before-the-arctic-refuge-is-drilled-lawsuits-studies-and-a-decade-of-waiting/

The Washington Post

Democracy Dies in Darkness

The Post's View Opinion

Bob Corker's suspicious yes on the tax bill


____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


(https://img.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_1484w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2017/12/01/Others/Images/2017-11-30/corker_4.JPG?uuid=EAG3rtYUEeea2coGGe36BQ)


By Editorial Board   December 18 at 7:23 PM   Comments 12

IT IS HARD to say what is most damning about the process Republicans used to produce their $1.5 trillion overhaul of the tax code. Is it the suggestion by critics that a key senator dropped his opposition because of a last-minute change that would benefit him personally? Or is it his defense that the provision didn’t influence his support for the legislation because he never actually read the entire bill before changing his position?

The kerfuffle that followed the announcement by Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) that he would vote for the tax bill when it comes up for a vote this week underscores the unseemly way legislation of such consequence has been cobbled together behind closed doors and with Democrats completely shut out. And the fact that real estate businesses would get a hefty tax break from the provision in question is further evidence of just how much the GOP bill tilts toward the wealthy.

Read more  :study:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/bob-corkers-suspicious-yes-on-the-tax-bill/2017/12/18/3cd0e402-e42f-11e7-a65d-1ac0fd7f097e_story.html?utm_term=.02ca3f4554d5

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


ME: Oh, isn't Senator Corker, suppose to protect the American people?  or his real estate?  Just a question.

We can't vote Corker out of office because he is not running in 2018.

Sen. Bob Corker will not run for re-election in 2018
Michael Collins, USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee Published 3:45 p.m. ET Sept. 26, 2017 | Updated 10:17 a.m. ET Sept. 27, 2017
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/09/26/sen-bob-corker-not-run-re-election-2018/705451001/

ME: Uncle Guy, would say, "Crooks, Crooks, Crooks"  "They are all Crooks."  IMO

Rubio now a 'yes' on the GOP tax bill

By Scott Wong and Naomi Jagoda - 12/15/17 02:41 PM EST  5,657 Shares  Comments 440

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


(http://thehill.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumb_small_article/public/rubiomarco_071917gn_lead.jpg?itok=Ybs1XOFa)


Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) will support the GOP's tax bill now that the child tax credit has been expanded.

Rubio is telling colleagues he is a "yes" on the bill after having threatened to vote against it on Thursday, a source told The Hill.

Read More:

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/365147-rubio-now-a-yes-on-the-gop-tax-bill


ME: ::dogwag:: Senator Rubio will likely run for Presidency in 2020. Remember not to vote for him, this is my suggestion. IMO

ME:  Mr. Donkel saying that he is going to drain the onshore 1002 of ANWR?

December /19/2017

GOP Tax Plan: Live Coverage - Wall Street Journal

https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/tax-bill-2017

ME: WSJ is reporting live updates.

McConnell: Senate Will Vote on Tax Bill This Evening

- The House likely to vote by 2 p.m. today, the Senate’s action will clear the last hurdle on the bill and send it to President Donald Trump’s desk.

- The Senate will vote on the tax bill “later this evening,” Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said as the chamber opened this morning.

https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/tax-bill-2017


Dec 19, 2017 at 10:11 am ET  Richard Rubin

Opinion | Op-Ed Columnist
 
The Corker Handout (not Kickback)
 
David Leonhardt  DEC. 19, 2017

(https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/19/opinion/19leonhardt-newsletter/19leonhardt-newsletter-master768.jpg)

(snipped)
The less innocent explanation is that Corker changed his vote from no to yes last week because his colleagues inserted a real-estate provision that will personally benefit him. This notion led to the talk of a #CorkerKickback on social media.

(snipped)
Corker is retiring from the Senate after this term, in part, it seems, because he is disturbed by Trump’s behavior as president. His retirement from politics could have freed him to vote his conscience. Instead, he’s violating his own principles, or at least what he calls his principles. It’s sad, and it’s damaging to the country.

But, hey, at least he will be even more financially comfortable in retirement.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/19/opinion/bob-corker-tax-bill.html

ME:  Mr. Donkel saying that he is going to drain the onshore 1002 of ANWR?


[/quote]


 ::dogwag::
National Geographic

Arctic Refuge Has Lots of Wildlife—Oil, Maybe Not So Much

After four decades of debate, Congress looks set to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil drilling.

By Joel K. Bourne, Jr.  Published December 19, 2017

There are few places left on the planet that remain unscathed by the heavy footprint of humanity. The 19.6-million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, in the northeast corner of Alaska, is one of them—a vast primordial wilderness that stretches from spruce forests in the south, over the jagged Brooks Range, onto gently sloping wetlands that flow into the ice-curdled Beaufort Sea. ANWR is the summer breeding ground of nearly 200,000 caribou, the winter den of dozens of polar bears, and the gathering place of millions of migratory birds that descend upon it each spring from every flyway in North America.

Now it may soon be home to oil wells, gravel roads, air strips, oil camps, and all the infrastructure they entail.

snipped

"The numbers don't add up whatsoever," says Jamie Williams, president of The Wilderness Society, whose predecessor, the legendary field biologist Olaus Murie, helped draw the boundaries of ANWR’s predecessor, the Alaska Wildlife Range, in the 1950s. "The whole notion that you are going to trim a trillion-dollar deficit with phony oil revenue is just a cynical political ploy. This is a backdoor gimmick done in the dark of the night to achieve a political goal at the expense of a place this country has protected for half a century. The majority of Americans don't want to see ANWR industrialized."

Read More:

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/12/arctic-wildlife-refuge-tax-bill-oil-drilling-environment/

 ::MonkeyConfused::

I am baffled by the two articles. Donkle and Cade sound overconfident (first article) that there is oil in ANWR.  I pray that Donkle and Cade find water and not oil.  IMO

 ::dogwag::

I know the reality of The Tax vote.  I hope to find out about lawsuits and the next steps to challenge the oil digging.  The dirty politicians will not get me down -
but I they will make me smarter.  Thank-you to everyone who tried to make a difference, I'm sure that we did. It just was not the outcome that we hoped for.
Perhaps in the long run, something positive will come from this defeat.  For now I need a prayer. St. Francis is the patron saint of animals, so I hope he will help.

Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.

 
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


::MonkeyAngel::

Peace, Saint Francis Prayer

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life. Amen

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What is Saint Francis the patron saint of? 

St. Francis cared for the poor and sick, he preached sermons to animals, and praised all creatures as brothers and sisters under God. St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology, was born in Italy around 1181 or 1182.

St. Francis of Assisi : The Humane Society of the United States
www.humanesociety.org/about/departments/faith/francis.../st_francis_of_assisi.html?...

Drilling in Arctic Refuge Gets a Green Light. What’s Next?

By HENRY FOUNTAIN and LISA FRIEDMANDEC. 20, 2017

 ::dogwag::
(snipped)

Will exploration begin immediately?

No. Both supporters and opponents say it could be years before the first lease sale, a precursor to any drilling. The new legislation requires that the Department of Interior conduct one sale within four years and a second within seven. But there are many steps that must be taken before those sales can be held, and the process is not completely clear. Lawsuits and other actions by opponents of drilling could slow things, both before and after any lease sales. More...

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/climate/drilling-arctic-anwr.html

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NRDC

 ::monkeyflag3::

Stop The Trump :smt119 Administration’s Offshore Drilling Assault


Your message will be sent to:
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke

Subject line:
Protect our coastal waters

 ::monkeymask::
Dear Secretary Zinke:

The American people do not want our fragile coastal waters exposed to dangerous oil and gas drilling. Yet your administration is pushing a new five-year offshore plan that would allow drill rigs to put virtually every inch of our nation’s coastline at risk of devastating oil spills. It’s unconscionable, and it must be stopped.


 :study:
Read More:

https://act.nrdc.org/letter/ocs-5-yr-zinke?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=socialmedia

 ::rhino::
Audubon Action Center Defend America's Most Important Bird Law on Its 100th Birthday

This year, as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), our most important bird protection law is under attack. A new interpretation of the MBTA by the administration ends the ability to hold industries accountable for bird deaths, and legislation in Congress (HR 4239) would make this change permanent...


 :smt051  
https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/bGeXHwMO6ku9Dgbc-nsHpQ2

:smt051
 https://bvaudubon.org/2018/06/03/a-message-from-national-audubon-society-audubon-vs-dept-of-the-interior/


 :smt051
 https://www.bing.com/search?q=defend+the+important+law+in+100+years%2C+audubon+society&form=EDGSPH&mkt=en-us&httpsmsn=1&refig=46bc51e8eea04be4bdc99ecdd0624350&sp=-1&pq=undefined&sc=0-25&qs=n&sk=&cvid=46bc51e8eea04be4bdc99ecdd0624350



ME: Thank-you for your time.

  :smt051
Audubon Great Lakes
July 6 at 7:01 AM ·
Audubon
Facebook

On Wednesday, July 11, Congress will be voting on a bill that would devastate fish populations and starve the seabirds and other marine wildlife that depend on them, including birds that not only depend on marine coastal waters but also spend time in the Great Lakes such as Caspian Terns, American White Pelicans, Bald Eagles and Common Loons. The so-called "Modern Fish Act" (HR 200) will make overfishing a threat once again for seabirds and coastal economies. We must stop HR 200.

Keep oceans fishy, tell your U.S. Representative to vote “no” on HR 200: http://ow.ly/eFCs30kLvCH

https://www.facebook.com/AudubonGreatLakes/photos/a.10151963281433295.1073741828.113011528294/10155712952798295/?type=3&theater

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/CsHsKgcW1EuePxFv_eoh5w2?ms=fbshare&snw=1&ref=9b010b89-54eb-4a90-be2e-cf3c05ad8ee0

 ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask:: ::monkeymask::

H.Res. 965: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 200) to amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide flexibility for fishery managers and stability for fishermen, and for other purposes.

Date: Jul 11, 2018

Question: On the Resolution in the House

Required: Simple Majority

Result: Passed :(

Source: house.gov

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/115-2018/h317

https://www.govtrack.us/

 :smt100

Audubon

ACTION CENTER

Protect America's Land and Water Conservation Legacy

Please ask your Members of Congress to support robust funding and permanent reauthorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Since 1964, LWCF has helped conserve seven million acres of land across the United States, with projects in all 50 states and nearly every county. The program is funded through the sale of preexisting offshore oil and gas leases, which means that it comes at no additional cost to the taxpayer. This exchange is based on the idea that when these extractive activities occur, they should help fund land and water conservation elsewhere. Over the years, the funds have been used to protect national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and battlefields while simultaneously providing grants for state and local parks and recreation areas.

It has helped safeguard numerous Important Bird Areas, such as California’s Point Reyes National Sea Shore, has protected Cerulean Warbler habitat in Arkansas and wintering areas for Bald Eagles in Washington, and is helping to restore the Everglades. Thanks to LWCF, every year we see the expansion of our network of protected land, improvement in our access to outdoor recreation, and more essential places for birds protected from development.

Please urge your members of Congress to cosponsor legislation in the House and Senate (HR 502 & S 569) that would save the program from expiring on September 30th and permanently reauthorize it to ensure it will never lapse again.

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/ZpWFMvgMAUGNt8LyEQeuBQ2?ms=fbshare

ME:  Thank-you for your time.


Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World (Spoken Intro Version)

ABC Records 1970
6,804,487 views
RoundMidnightTV
Published on Sep 13, 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nGKqH26xlg

:smt051
Audubon Advisory

July 14, 2018

As MBTA Turns 100, Audubon Defends the Law in Court and in Congress

July 3rd marked the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. On that day in 1918, America’s most important bird protection law went into effect. Throughout 2018, we are celebrating this milestone as the Year of the Bird, yet at the same time, we are defending the law in the face of unprecedented attacks. Read more.

https://www.audubon.org/news/congress-considers-major-bills-month-impacting-key-audubon-priorities?ms=policy-adv-email-ea-x-20180714_advisory


_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ME:  Wonderful bird photographs.

Facebook Birders
 :smt051
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2204629517/?multi_permalinks=10156485467614518&comment_id=10156487132654518&notif_id=1531531989220076&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic

 :smt100
Please tell the BLM Not to Weaken Protections for Sage-Grouse

The Department of the Interior is considering weakening protections for sage-grouse on federal lands across the West, breaking a deal that was made with Western stakeholders in 2015. Please take part in the public comment process. Send public comments in support of letting the plans do their job.

The deadline to comment is August 2. If you want to be included in a multi-organization delivery of comments, please submit your comments by July 30.  Read more...

https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/Tba75KrIsUCU-pEYGZtzpA2?ms=fbshare&snw=1&ref=7e52079c-8f42-4ec5-86f7-bd0ab9734f7d

ME: BLM is The Bureau of Land Management.  Thank-you for your time.

Travel
 ::lookie::
The Trump administration wants to roll back the Endangered Species Act. These 10 animals might not be here today without it.

Drew Kann  Updated 12:04 PM ET, Wed July 25, 2018,  The Hill -Just In

Since it was passed 45 years ago, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has protected thousands of plants and animals that humans have pushed from their habitats and driven close to extinction...Read More

https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/25/politics/endangered-species-act-animals-saved-from-extinction-trnd/index.html

________________________________________________________________________________________

 ::rhino::

The Hill News

Proposed changes will help recover endangered species

By Jonathan Wood, opinion contributor — 09/24/18 01:00 PM EDT

 :smt023 https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/407847-proposed-changes-will-help-recover-endangered-species

 :smt023 https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/408216-judge-restores-protections-for-yellowstone-grizzly-bears

 ::MonkeyGavel::

CORRECTED-UPDATE 3-

U.S. judge orders federal protection restored to Yellowstone grizzlies

Reuters By Laura Zuckerman September 24, 2018 / 8:04 PM / Updated 12 hours ago - 9/25/2018

PINEDALE, Wyo., Sept 24 (Reuters) - A federal judge on Monday ordered Endangered Species Act protections restored to grizzlies in and around Yellowstone National Park, halting plans for the first licensed trophy hunts of the bears in the region in more than 40 years.

:smt023 https://uk.reuters.com/article/usa-grizzlies-yellowstone/corrected-update-3-u-s-judge-orders-federal-protection-restored-to-yellowstone-grizzlies-idUKL2N1WA1TX?feedType=RSS&feedName=consumerproducts-SP

 :smt023 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/yellowstone-grizzlies-protection-restored-hunts-resumption-blocked/

Update

 ::MonkeyGavel::

Federal Judge Blocks Trumps off shore drilling order

UPI
By Sommer Brokaw 
March 30, 2019 at 5:30 PM

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.upi.com/amp/Top_News/US/2019/03/30/Federal-judge-blocks-Trumps-offshore-drilling-order/5141553972731/

 


 ::MonkeyGavel::


Climate and Environment

Federal judge declares Trump’s push to open up Arctic and Atlantic oceans to oil and gas drilling illegal

The ruling, one of three administration setbacks this week, restores Obama-era protections to 128 million acres of federal waters

Washington Post  By Juliet Eilperin  March 30, 2019  5:06 PM


Snipped

Industry officials, however, said the administration could forge ahead with its offshore drilling process as litigation continued. They also noted that the withdrawals did not cover the entire Eastern Seaboard.

“While we disagree with the decision, our nation still has a significant opportunity before us in the development of the next offshore leasing plan to truly embrace our nation’s energy potential and ensure American consumers and businesses continue to benefit from U.S. energy leadership,” said Erik Milito, vice president of upstream and industry operations for the American Petroleum Institute.

But Grafe noted that the five-year plan the administration plans to issue this year sets a schedule for lease sales, which is now
barred in the areas designated by Obama.


More...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2019/03/30/federal-judge-declares-trumps-push-open-up-arctic-atlantic-ocean-oil-gas-drilling-illegal/?utm_term=.bbb9af05cd11


https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/30/climate/trump-oil-drilling-arctic.html


ME: Thank-you Lord!  The animals will be able to sleep a little better in Alaska.







 
 

 ::monkeyflag3::

Trump administration planned a road cutting through a wildlife refuge. A Federal judge said that violates the law.

By Christina Maxouris
Updated 4:44, AM ET, Sat March 30, 2019


https://www-m.cnn.com/2019/03/30/us/trump-alaska-road-violates-federal-law/index.html?r=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F

 ::monkeyflag3::
Judge declares Trump's order to open Arctic and Atlantic waters to drilling was unlawful

By Aris Folley - 03/30/19 04:58 PM EDT

snipped

A federal judge on Friday ruled President Trump’s executive order seeking to revoke an Obama-era ban on oil and gas drilling in the Arctic and Atlantic oceans was unlawful.

U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason said in a ruling that the Obama administration’s leasing withdrawals of about 120 million acres of the waters "will remain in full force and effect unless and until revoked by Congress."

Gleason wrote that Trump’s 2017 order revoking the drilling ban "is unlawful, as it exceeded the president’s authority."

Former President Obama issued the drilling ban in his second term by way of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which allows presidents to instate leasing withdrawals but does not allow presidents to revoke such withdrawals without approval from Congress, according to The Washington Post.

Erik Grafe, the lead attorney from Earthjustice, which argued for the previous administration’s leasing withdrawals to be reinstated in the case, said the ruling shows that "President Trump’s lawlessness is catching up with him."

"The judge’s ruling today re-affirms that we are a nation of laws and shows that the president cannot just trample on the constitution at the expense of our oceans, wildlife, and climate," he added in a statement.

More...

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/436590-judge-declares-trumps-order-to-open-arctic-and-atlantic-waters-to

Other opinions.

Which Native voices? On Arctic Refuge, lawmakers practice selective listening
https://www.alaskapublic.org/2019/03/26/which-native-voices-on-arctic-refuge-lawmakers-practice-selective-listening/ (https://www.alaskapublic.org/2019/03/26/which-native-voices-on-arctic-refuge-lawmakers-practice-selective-listening/)

Foreigners and outsiders making decisions for the people who live in the areas affected areas?  Why aren't the locals coming first?

Alaska lawmakers support Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil, gas development

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/18438-alaska-lawmakers-support-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-oil-gas-development/ (https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/18438-alaska-lawmakers-support-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-oil-gas-development/)

Why are 'foreigners' stopping development and prosperity for local people?  Why aren't the locals making the big decisions?

 ::rhino::
Biden immediately slams the brakes on oil drilling in Arctic refuge.

By Tegan Gabion
Alaska's energy desk-anchor

January 20, 2020
 :study:
https://www.alaskapublic.org/2021/01/20/biden-to-immediately-slam-the-brakes-on-oil-leasing-in-arctic-refuge/

:study:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-protecting-public-health-and-environment-and-restoring-science-to-tackle-climate-crisis/