by Juliet Blalack
Raph Nader-
Members of the U.S. Army who refuse to fight in the Iraq War should be protected from punishment, reads a Green Party of California resolution.
The resolution says that, since the war is unjust, army members who risk their safety and reputations by not fighting should be granted immunity from legal repercussions and dishonorable discharge.
To read the full press release, visit: http://gpuspeace.wordpress.com/category/iraq/.
In other green news, the four candidates who plan to run for president under the Green Party’s ballot are scheduled to debate at Herbst Theater on Jan. 13.
One of the candidates is Ralph Nader, who ran as the Green Party presidential candidate in the 2000 elections after years of environmental and consumer rights activism. Also speaking is Cynthia McKinney, a Democratic representative who has served six terms, according to party press release.
The Herbst Theater is located at 401 Van Ness Avenue, and the suggested donation is $10-25. For more information, visit: www.acgreens.org/debate.
Senator requests open investigation of EPA waiver denial
California Senator Diane Feinstein sent a letter to the Inspector General’s Office of the Environmental Protection Agency asking him to investigate the EPA’s denial of California’s Clean Air Act waiver.
The waiver, which the EPA first denied in 2001, would allow the state of California to regulate greenhouse gas emissions by total emissions instead of the federal regulation by carbon impact.
Feinstein’s letter requests information about EPA’s previous denial of waivers and research that the agency used in the lawsuit. To view her letter visit: http://yubanet.com/california/Feinstein_calls_on_EPA_
Inspector_General_to_open_investigation_into_denial_of_California_s_
-Clean_Air_Act_waiver.php.
Latin American restaurant chain to appear in Wal-Mart stores
Next year, Wal-Mart plans to lease space to Pollo Campero in its stores across the U.S., according to a press release.
Pollo Campero, a restaurant that serves dishes of Latin American and U.S. origin, has stamped its name on 226 restaurants across the world. Currently, there are 36 Pollo Camperos in the U.S., reads the press release.
Senate approves legislation for increased gas effiency
Dianne Feinstein
The senate passed the first standard for car and small truck fuel efficiency in over 25 years last month.
If properly implemented, the bill can change the average fuel economy of cars by 10 miles per gallon over 10 years. The press release said this would change the average from 25 miles per gallon to 35 miles per gallon.
Students march to support tribal college
UC Davis students marched from seven miles from Davis to Degan Widah Quetzacoatl University to support DQU, the nation’s only tribal college, according to organizer Christal West.
West, a UC Davis student and MEChA member, said that 60 people walked for over two hours to show their support for DQU on Dec. 15. UC Davis students are hoping to develop courses where students work on projects to help DQU, and supporting DQU’s The Longest Walk, which ends in Washington D.C. For more information, see: http://www.myspace.com/DQUniversity or-http://www.longestwalk.com.-
