2008-03-03T23:09:07Z opencongress.org tag:opencongress.org,2007:/person/comments/400619 2008-03-03T23:09:07Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-03-03:/comment/2260 teagoddess I need your help to END the use of two poisons that seriously threaten people, pets and our wildlife. In 2006, sodium cyanide and sodium fluoroacetate (commonly called Compound 1080) killed an average of 1.6 animals every hour. These poisons are considered to be some of the deadliest toxins known to humanity. Yet, Wildlife Services, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), uses these two poisons to kill coyotes and other predators. Will you help me end the use (and misuse) of these two poisons by urging the Environmental Protection Agency to eliminate sodium cyanide and sodium fluoroacetate? Take action online at: http://action.defenders.org/wildlifepoison These poisons don't just threaten their intended targets. They often times poison any threatened or endangered species, people or domestic pets that happen to come into contact with them. Sodium cyanide is used in M-44s, which kill more than 10,000 animals each year, including domesticated dogs and a whole host of other "non-target" species, such as rare kit foxes, ringtails [http://en.wikipediaorg/wiki/Ring-tailed_Cat], javelinas [http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/urban_javelina.shtml], and swift foxes. M-44s have also killed California condors and wolves. Compound 1080 can be deployed in poison collars placed on sheep and goats. It is highly toxic to birds and mammals and has been used to illegally kill wolves. Carcasses with Compound 1080 must be handled as hazardous waste. If ingested, they can kill wolves and other animals. Compound 1080 is classified as a chemical weapon in several countries. The continued availability of these poisons, pose a great threat to people, pets and even homeland security. Government reports have concluded that Wildlife Services has been "unable to account for stockpiles of the toxins", which leaves the hazardous materials vulnerable to undetected theft and certainly unauthorized use. There are effective alternatives to these poisons, including a wide range of proactive, nonlethal methods such as fencing, guard animals, fladry lines, non-lethal ammunition and improved animal husbandry. For the safety of our people, our pets and our wildlife, will you take a few moments to help end the use of sodium cyanide and Compound 1080? We only have until noon on Wednesday March 5th to submit our comments to the Environmental Protection Agency, so please take action today at: http://action.defenders.org/wildlifepoison Thanks for taking the time to help! Sincerely, Monica Koziol [Just thought you'd want to know] SOME BACKGROUND and light reading: http://www.epa.gov/IRIS/subst/0469.htm http://yarchive.net/med/fluoroacetate.html http://feww.wordpress.com/2008/02/10/whos-afraid/ http://www.opencongress.org/bill/110-h4775/show 2008-06-13T09:07:44Z tag:opencongress.org,2008-06-13:/comment/24748 americausa I have been out of work since November 2007. My unemployment benefits have run out. My money has run out. I unable to obtain employment and need more time to continue my search for employment. I am at risk of losing my car. Gas prices continue to rise daily. I am highly skilled in my field. My State Rhode Island is one of the hardest hit with unemployment. I am 53 old and have worked hard all my life. I've paid taxes all my life, and this is how my country is treating me. Unbelievable. The Senate, House and President continue to play games as peoples life's are put in jeopardy. Totally disgusting. So all the extra time that I am not spending on looking for employment, I will dedicate to making sure any politician that votes nay on not extending unemployment insurance will be out of a job their next term by informing the public of their decision in every forum available. I will encourage others to do so as well. It is time in this country for the people to take control of their government again and take it out of the hands of the uninformed, out of touch, uncompassionate, ignorant, greedy, self absorbed fools that are the true terrorists ruining this country. Pass a fxxkxxg bill extending unemployment benefits or you will be out of a fxxkxxg job!!!!!!!!!