Senator Tom Harkin will retire.  Why?  Because he's tired of the fundraising, which new senators are told should get more time than any other activity.  We think there's a solution to this problem - The AACA:  The American Anti-Corruption Act.  For details go to www.represent.us.  Our goal: to get the money out of Congress.  How to do that? A million signature sponsor drive by November, 2013.  How are we doing?  More than 330,000 already.  Click the link to read what Tom Harkin has to say in this Mother Jones article.

http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2013/01/tom-harkin-retire-senator-fundraise-money

Projecting Power In The Philippines?

Here's a US Navy ship (a minesweeper!) stuck on a coral reef where it doesn't belong en route to a nation, Indonesia, that almost certainly doesn't want it.  This is called "projecting power".  Stopping this sort of thing could save us a good deal of money.

How Much Military Is Enough?

This article from the January 28, 2013 New Yorker, is one of the very best on the subject of military spending.  It tells the story of the War Department since 1789, the long period of isolationism that lasted until World War II, and newly growing calls for limits to spending and military power projection.  Well worth the read.

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/atlarge/2013/01/28/130128crat_atlarge_lepore

Come to Washington February 17

350.org and many other organizations are assembling what may be the largest environmental rally in America's history.  Sunday, February 17.  For details go to www.forwardonclimate.org .  For busses, go to equateam.com or megabus.com.  The latter has service from 30th Street Station Philly to Union Station, Washington, for about $25 round trip.