SALMON AND ORCAS
Weigh in on lower Snake River Dams
If you care about salmon, orca or honoring the treaties, July 11 is the deadline for action.
The Southern Resident Orcas are critically endangered and the four lower Snake River dams play the biggest part in why salmon runs — orcas’ prime food — are depleted and struggling.
Sen. Murray and Gov. Inslee recently released their initiative to develop a plan to recover Northwest salmon and steelhead populations. Their draft report examines the means for replacing the services currently provided by the lower Snake River dams and demonstrates that these services can be replaced. View the report at tinyurl.com/mr4ccjx7, and email your comments about it by July 11 to info@lsrdoptions@org.
Both NCAI (National Congress of American Indians) and ATNI (Affiliated Tribes of NW Indians) passed resolutions calling for the breaching of the Snake dams, in order to meet US treaty obligations for tribes’ access to salmon.
An overwhelming majority of scientists have concluded that the only way to restore Columbia-Snake River Basin salmon is to breach the four dams on the Snake River.
The four Snake dams provide little in the way of energy and are lethal salmon-killing machines due to the hot stagnant water they produce.
We have a historic opportunity to achieve the largest salmon recovery in the lower 48 states, develop and invest in a comprehensive solution that protects and restores salmon, upholds our nation’s promises to Northwest Tribes, creates economic opportunity, and invests in our communities and infrastructure.
Go to tinyurl.com/3y729x7t and and support breaching the dams in order to save salmon, uphold promises and get justice for Northwest Tribes, and invest in green alternatives that keep communities whole. Dams are replaceable; salmon are not. See also tinyurl.com/3bs9x5nb and Wildsalmon.com. To get involved locally, contact Backbonecampaign.org.
– Mary G.L. Shackelford
JOE BIDEN
President no friend to progressives
Shelley Simmons, thank you for your direct and right-on letter about Joe Biden.
Islanders need to hear who Biden is and what he’s up to, because many believe that if it’s a Democrat, there’s no need to worry. For folks who don’t know or choose not to remember who Biden is, here are just a few facts:
In presiding over the Judiciary Committee hearing of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, he failed to call additional witnesses to support Anita Hill’s claims again Thomas.
He voted for the invasion of Iraq and has always been a hawk.
He’s against single-payer, Medicare for All, and is pushing to further privatize traditional Medicare.
He’s a supporter of the neo-liberal order of globalization, free trade, and an ally of Wall Street.
Delaware is home to the credit card industry thanks to Biden’s influence at many levels. For example, he voted against a bill requiring credit card companies to provide clear warning to consumers about the consequences of paying minimum payments, given the high-interest rates racked up over time. And he voted numerous times against amendments to protect people threatened with medical bankruptcy.
For an in-depth history of the destruction caused by Joe Biden read “Yesterday’s Man: The Case Against Joe Biden,” by Branko Marcetic.
– Bett Capehart
