Digital Dharma

The Middle Path, One Day At A Time

Tag Archives: Activists/Activism


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Nice Folks, Those Insurance People – BOOOOO CIGNA!

On Thursday, the family rallied supporters online and staged a protest at Cigna’s Glendale office with about 150 people, including many members of the local Armenian community and the California Nurses Assn., which had released statements supporting the family’s cause.

Later in the day, Cigna released a statement approving the transplant payment.

“Although it is outside the scope of the plan’s coverage, and despite the lack of medical evidence regarding the effectiveness of such treatment,” spokesman Wendell Potter wrote, “Cigna HealthCare has decided to make an exception in this rare and unusual case, and we will provide coverage should she proceed with the requested liver transplant. Our thoughts and payers are with Nataline and her family at this time.”

Nataline died about 6 p.m.

Family blames HMO for teen’s death – Los Angeles Times


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From The Environment News Service


FIRST U.S. CLIMATE EMISSIONS CONTROL BILL HEADS TO SENATE FLOOR

By J.R. Pegg
WASHINGTON, DC, December 6, 2007 (ENS)A Senate
committee approved a landmark global warming bill Wednesday night,
calling on the nation to cut greenhouse gas emissions some 70 percent
by 2050. Although the measure faces an uphill battle in the full
Senate, proponents say the vote signals a growing consensus within
Congress and among the American public that the United States needs to
take more aggressive action to tackle global warming.


http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2007/2007-12-06-10.asp


SHOSHONE USE FILM, COURTS TO FIGHT GOLD MINE ON SACRED LAND

By Lisa J. Wolf
CRESCENT VALLEY, Nevada, December 6, 2007 (ENS)The
32nd Annual American Indian Film Festival presented Western Shoshone
grandmother Carrie Dann with the Eagle Spirit award for best overall
contribution in American Indian cinema at an awards ceremony November
27. “Our Land, Our Life,” the film that shows the Western Shoshones’
determined struggle to maintain their way of life, won the festival’s
Best Documentary award.


http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2007/2007-12-06-01.asp


VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE

NUSA DUA, Bali, Indonesia, December 5, 2007 (ENS)Adaptations to
climate change that are working for farmers in the Sudan and China,
flood-prone cities in Argentina and Uruguay, and Caribbean islands at
risk of dengue fever, among others, were presented in a new report at
the United Nations climate conference now underway in Bali. Hosted by
the government of Indonesia, the conference brings together
representatives of more than 180 governments.


http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2007/2007-12-05-01.asp


OIL DEVELOPERS PERMITTED TO PENETRATE PRISTINE UPPER AMAZON

WASHINGTON, DC, December 4, 2007 (ENS)One of the most intact and
biodiverse rainforest regions on Earth, located in the Upper Amazon
Basin on the Ecuadorian-Peruvian border, is now threatened by imminent
oil development, warns a conservation organization based in Washington
with close ties to its counterpart groups in South America. Known as
the Napo Moist Forest ecosystem, this remote region is home to
uncontacted indigenous groups living in voluntary isolation.


http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2007/2007-12-04-02.asp


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A Feast of Ideas

When different-minded people gather at Marnita’s Table, meaningful conversation is always the main dish

The dining room windows are foggy with conversation. Every seat, nearly every piece of floor space in Marnita Schroedl’s modest three-bedroom house in Minneapolis is occupied. Patio furniture has been pressed into February service. Guests perch on radiators and test the limits of the pet-weary sofa, juggling paper plates, plastic wine glasses, and animated discussions.

Although space is tight, the more than 50 people who have crunched through fresh snow to get here tonight don’t seem to care. They’ve come to meet six international doctors who specialize in HIV/AIDS and to meet each other. All of them have some connection to the disease. Over the next four hours, they swap stories about how it has changed their lives and their communities and grope for new strategies and answers.

A Feast of Ideas

Please remember that Saturday, December 1st is World AIDS Day.  Do something.


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Stop the epidemic of rape in Congo

Every single day, women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo
are being brutally raped, beaten and killed in epidemic proportions.
Congress has a chance to positively impact this catastrophic situation
by passing the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA). Before
another day of violence goes unanswered, please sign CARE’s appeal now, telling Congress to pass this legislation immediately.


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Environment News Service

MEXICAN PRESIDENT VOWS TO PROTECT SACRED BUTTERFLY TREES

ANGANGUEO, Michoacan, Mexico, November 26, 2007 (ENS) – President Felipe Calderon visited the Sierra Chincua monarch butterfly reserve in the mountains of central Mexico on Sunday to announce his plan to enhance and publicize the reserve. Under the new program, the Calderon government will spend $4.6 million for the reserve, which is protected by Mexico and also internationally under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program


FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT LAW TAKES EFFECT IN EUROPE

BRUSSELS, Belgium, November 26, 2007 (ENS) – Reducing the risks and adverse consequences of floods in the European Union is the aim of the new directive, or law, on flood risk management that came into force today. In the past 10 years, Europe has suffered more than 100 major floods, lending urgency to implementation of the new law.


New York State Doubles Hunger Prevention Funding

Vibrant Wind Industry Seeks Tax Credit Extension

Water Clears in Southeast’s Largest Lake

Indiana’s New Science Prize Honors Drink Box Creator

Arizona Starts to Cut Greenhouse Gases From Vehicles

California Diverts Fluorescents From Landfills