Local

Costco has a credit card partnership with one of the dirtiest banks in the world, Citibank.  Citi makes a lot of money from its relationship with Costco – and banks care about money.  That's why Costco has the power to either persuade Citi to stop financing fossil fuel expansion or switch to a better credit card company that isn't wrecking the planet.  If Costco threatens to move to a fossil-free credit card provider, Citi can be motivated to clean up its act.

Costco has already made important commitments to having climate-friendly operations, and Costco cares about what its members and potential new shoppers think.  If we come together, we can hold Costco accountable, put pressure on them to drop Citi, and push Citi to stop financing fossil fuels.

Friday, November 17, 12noon
Ohio State University campus Bricker Hall, 190 N. Oval Mall
Demanding a ceasefire an end to the siege on Gaza, and an end to U.S. aid to Israel.

Why are they trying to start up old reactors that are already shut down and build SMRs on the sites that are already down? I know it's the weapons. It's the revamping of our nuclear weapons system. – Linda Seeley

[Editors’ Note: The San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace was organized in 1969 and has been steadfastly advocating for local and national nuclear safety ever since.]

The Current State of Play – A Slim Window of Opportunity

Heddle: So give us the current state of play. How does the situation shake out now? What should informed and vigilant citizens be aware of here?

Starbucks workers in Columbus, Ohio went on strike this morning (November 16), joining the coast-to-coast “Red Cup Rebellion,” demanding the coffee giant stop illegally refusing to bargain with baristas over staffing, scheduling and other issues. The strike comes on Red Cup Day, when the company hands out tens-of-thousands of free reusable cups, one of its busiest customer traffic days of the year. 

As part of the strike, workers will demand Starbucks turn off mobile ordering on future promotion days, which company executives are scheduling with increasing frequency. 

Quinn Nutter, a shift supervisor at the Westerville Starbucks, had this to say about the strike:

Thursday, November 16, 2023, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Discover the joy of eco-conscious gift-giving this holiday season!
Our curated market features a delightful selection of sustainable and upcycled treasures from diverse, minority, and women-owned businesses. Shop with a purpose and explore unique, planet-friendly gifts that bring joy to your loved ones while caring for our environment. Make this holiday season special with gifts that make a difference. Be a part of the eco-friendly celebration and give the gift of sustainability!  
Location:  CoHatch in Upper Arlington, 1733 W Lane Ave, Columbus, OH 43221, USA map 

The following statements can be attributed all or in part to the Save Ohio Parks Steering Committee:

Save Ohio Parks is deeply saddened, but not surprised that the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission decided to allow fracking under our pristine and beloved state parks, wildlife areas, and public lands when four other states have already banned fracking and we are all living in the midst of an unprecedented climate catastrophe just beginning to unfold.

That this law could even be passed in Ohio speaks to the corruption in the Ohio Statehouse today and our federal government’s failing policies and laws that continue to enable an energy policy centered on corporate greed, not the needs of the people and the planet.

The reason these five individuals were appointed to this commission by Gov. Mike DeWine was for their support of the fossil fuel industry donations and dark money, despite extensive scientific evidence for the dangers of fracking to our environment and health.

The following statements can be attributed all or in part to the Save Ohio Parks Steering Committee:

Save Ohio Parks is deeply saddened, but not surprised that the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission decided to allow fracking under our pristine and beloved state parks, wildlife areas, and public lands when four other states have already banned fracking and we are all living in the midst of an unprecedented climate catastrophe just beginning to unfold.

That this law could even be passed in Ohio speaks to the corruption in the Ohio Statehouse today and our federal government’s failing policies and laws that continue to enable an energy policy centered on corporate greed, not the needs of the people and the planet.

The reason these five individuals were appointed to this commission by Gov. Mike DeWine was for their support of the fossil fuel industry donations and dark money, despite extensive scientific evidence for the dangers of fracking to our environment and health.

The Ohio Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is issuing a strong statement opposing any proposed changes to the allocation of funds from Issue 2, particularly those suggesting the redirection of funds towards county jail construction and tax relief.

Tom Roberts, President of the Ohio NAACP, asserts, “Ohio voters spoke in a firm and unmistakable voice to support Issue 2 in its current legislative language form. The Ohio NAACP is aware of comments made by Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens suggesting one of the priorities for Issue 2 revenue should be ‘investing in county jail construction.’ Additionally, Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted said that the revenue should be used for ‘tax relief.’”

Part 1 Post November 7 Election Coverage:
OHIO GOP ATTACKS CHOICE/POT REFERENDA; CENSORSHIP ON THE MIDDLE EAST; GRASSROOTS WIN IN VA

We open our greep zoom #157 with TATANKA BRICCA’s brief journey into the world of Unidentified Flying Objects (now become Unidentified Airborne Phenomena) and a new federal agency confirming what officials have denied for decades.

STEVE CARUSO then updates us on the monumental popular victories in Ohio approving referenda on a woman’s right to choose and legalizing pot.But as Steve tells us, the gerrymandered right-wing Ohio legislature wants to overturn both popular votes. 

This truly astounding attack on democracy itself comes prior to a widely expected new assault on fair redistricting, which the public has repeatedly endorsed, but which the state’s GOP simply does not want to accept.

DENNIS BERNSTEIN then joins LYNNE FEINERMAN, MYLA RESON and others to take us through the horrifying deathscape of the Middle East war and the press censorship surrounding it.

Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 9:30 AM
Press conference prior to 10am hearing at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources building, 2045 Morse Road in Columbus.

Fracking operations drain tens of millions of gallons of water from lakes, rivers and streams, mixing it with unregulated toxic chemicals and sand to free methane gas trapped deep below the ground. Fracking also entails clearcutting forests, destroying plant, animal and insect habitats, and requires thousands of truck trips to bring in chemicals and transport wastewater from well pads.