Health Care Issues:

--From CARE:

"Female genital cutting, also called female circumcision, has affected more than 135 million women and girls worldwide. Complications from FGC can include severe bleeding, infection, long-term difficulties with intercourse and childbirth, and even death.

Working with community leaders, CARE has already made progress in ending female genital cutting. Now we need the help of people like you. By signing this petition today, you'll be raising awareness and taking a stand to stop the painful practice of female genital cutting. Fill out the form to send your petition today! Let's put a stop to Female Genital Mutilation!"

--From Health Freedom Foundation:

"S.3546 the Dietary Supplement and Non-Prescription Drug Consumer Protection Act (the AER bill) has been added to the Senate calendar, and staff expect it to be considered this week.  What is unknown is whether it will be a roll call vote (recorded) or under unanimous consent*. Recorded is preferable and is expected.

There is still time to halt this bill if you make your voice heard today and encourage others to contact Congress as well.

If S. 3564 becomes law, it will amend the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to require the reporting of "serious" adverse events for both over the counter (OTC) drugs and dietary supplements to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

While S.3546 was created and introduced by supporters of dietary supplements (Senators Hatch and Harkin), this is not a bill that should become law.

First, we believe that this bill is a step towards treating dietary supplements more like pharmaceuticals and not like food.  Second, we believe that this bill will ultimately have a negative impact on the dietary supplement industry and the consumer.  Third and most importantly, a person experiencing an adverse event (especially one that is serious) from a drug (prescription or OTC), food, or supplement, should work with their healthcare professional to determine the cause."

To read more, click here.

Human Rights & War Issues:

--From human rights first:

"This week the White House is asking Congress to approve legislation that would essentially permit abusive interrogations - as well as use of evidence obtained through cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of prisoners.

This is legally and morally unacceptable by any standards. Tell Congress to reject the White House's proposal!"

--Make a Call: Don't Let the White House Bully Congress With "Big Brother" Bills!

--From American Jewish World Service:

"For over two years AJWS supporters have been calling for such a resolution - but the resolution alone won't bring peace to war ravaged Darfur. The resolution requires the consent of the Sudanese government prior to the deployment of peacekeepers or the "re-hatting" of the under-equipped and under-funded African Union Mission in Sudan, the only peacekeepers currently in Darfur whose mandate expires on September 30, 2006.

Please send a letter to President Bush, imploring him to utilize diplomacy to pressure the Sudanese government to immediately consent to a U.N. peacekeeping mission in Darfur. Tell the President to act now - we cannot let the perpetrators of genocide veto the international community's responsibility to protect."

Path to 9/11 and Actual 9/11 Activism:

--From PFAW:

"All phone lines into Disney CEO Robert Iger's office are tied up and Disney has turned off his voicemail. Consequently, we have redirected our tool to former Senator George J. Mitchell, Chairman of Disney Company (corporate owner of ABC)."

Click here to make your calls. *This is a SUPER cool technology imo...you enter your info and PFAW connects your phone to Mitchell's number. How cool is that?

--Visit Pontificator for more "Path to 9/11" Action Items! Look for Lasthorseman's comment about contacting the FCC and do that too!

--This one is from True Majority: Tell ABC: Don't Distort 9/11! You can add to the letter yourself to tell them what the consequences of airing it will be...since, at this point, it looks 100% clear that they'll air the mockudrama.

--From DCCC:

"On Monday, we will mark the five year anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks that changed our nation. It has been more than two years since the independent 9/11 Commission issued its findings and the Republican Congress has still not passed or fully implemented them. Congress must pass legislation to implement all of the 9/11 Commission recommendations."

Click here to Demand Passage of the 9/11 Commission Reforms for Real Security.

--Visit some of these 9/11 related action sites:

--September 11th Families Association

--World Trade Center United Family Group

--Families of September 11

--National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators has a list of scholarship funds created for families of victims of 9/11

Protect Pets & Wildlife:

--Travel abroad a lot? Click here to pledge not to buy wildlife souvenirs!

--The House has voted to protect horses from slaughter in the United States. Click here and ask your Senators to vote to protect horses as well!

--Click here to learn the 5 ways you can help stop Canada's Baby Seal Hunt.

--Support Pesticide Injunction to Protect CA Red-Legged Frogs

Helping Democratic Candidates Win:

--Want to know John Kerry's plan for National Security? Click here to get the plan emailed to you!

--Check out the Secretary of State Project and contribute what you can to help Democratic candidates for SOS win in swing states!!

--What? You haven't seen Partybuilder yet?? Get over there and get to work!!!

Environment & Energy Issues:

--Help the League of Conservation Voters decide which anti-environment candidate to take on next! The deadline to vote is Sept. 13th!

--Take Action to help prevent over-fishing!! We are literally fishing our oceans to death.

--From Friends of the Earth:

"Serious water pollution is affecting the entire Potomac river basin because of the Bush administration's failure to enforce the Clean Water Act. Have your say - write to your local newspapers."

--From The Wilderness Society:

"Over the strong objections of Native people, wildlife biologists, sportsmen's groups, and the general public, the Bureau of Land Management remains intent on leasing one of the most remarkable wetlands complexes on the planet. The place is the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A), the largest single block of wild public land left in the United States.

We need your help in urging the new Interior Secretary to postpone the oil and gas lease sale for this fragile area that is now set for late September."

--Ask your Reps to protect all of America's waters by cosponsoring the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act (S. 912)."

Labor Issues:

--Support the Employee Free Choice Act!

A few days late (since this was a Labor Day action), but better late than never!! Tell your members of Congress to Restore the American Dream for workers!!

--From United Farm Workers:

Giumarra farm workers have been exposed for the second time this summer to pesticide drift. UFW is attempting to help unionize these workers so they can negotiate safety regulations in a contract. Click here to help!

Voting Issues:

--Concerned about the validity of the November election? People for the American Way has a plan to help ALL Americans have equal access to the ballot box.

"In the coming months, our Election Protection project will educate voters about their rights, monitor the polls for illegal and intimidating practices and challenge discriminatory or disenfranchising laws. And we won't stop there. We will register African American, Latino, and younger voters - and make sure they get onto the rolls."

Click here to contribute to their cause!

Other Items:

--From Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood:

"Until now, books have been a refuge from the advertising that is ubiquitous in children's lives.  But that's about to change.   In an unprecedented commercial intrusion, a soon-to-be-published young adult book will include product placement.  Cathy's Book: If Found Call (650) 266-8233 (Running Press) will incorporate Cover Girl makeup into its plot for promotional purposes.  
Please help keep books for children commercial-free by telling Running Press to remove the product placement for Cathy's Book. A child's love of reading should not be exploited to sell makeup or other products."

This is Crossposted at Street Prophets, Daily Kos, and at Action Alerts!