To: Subject: Giddings Tomorrow Rage against the Alcoa Corporate Machine in Giddings, Lee County Texas November 2-3 WE THE PEOPLE CAN STOP ANOTHER 40 plus years of the WORST lignite burning grandfathered polluter in Texas. ALCOA has requested a permit to lignite strip mine 15,000 acres of farms, ranches, homes and wildlife habitat in Bastrop and Lee Counties, less than one hour's drive from the state capitol. Alcoa needs lignite to fuel the utility plants that in turn power its Rockdale, Texas, aluminum smelter, the largest in the U.S. Alcoa's operation is "grandfathered," meaning the plant has never been required to comply with the 1971 Clean Air Act. Area citizens are waging a David-vs.-Goliath fight against the strip mine, and are calling on Alcoa -- which made a record $1 billion in profits last year -- to switch to a cleaner-burning fuel. A grassroots citizens group, Neighbors for Neighbors, has filled an unsuitability petition with the Railroad Commission of Texas asking for portions of the 15,000 acres of rolling ranch and farm land to be declared unsuitable for lignite strip mining. A hearing has been scheduled for November 2 and 3, in Giddings, Texas, at the county courthouse. Alcoa is expected to make a big showing in opposition to the petition. A number of individuals and groups, working independently of Neighbors, are organizing protests in support of the unsuitability petition. Come rage against the ALCOA corporate machine and demand that the Railroad Commission of Texas find the Pittsburgh plan of corporate greed and resource exploitation UNSUITABLE for our next generation of Texans, demand Alcoa leave behind 50's technology and put people ahead of profits. Every man, woman and child can join this effort and fight for the right to have the Democratic process work for WE the People, not WE the Corporation. Help our elected officials understand that they are responsible to the voter not the corporate campaign contributor. Texans have waited since 1971, we cannot afford to continue to sacrifice our clean air for high profit margins. This is the opportunity to demand an end to corporate loopholes at the taxpayer expense and our children's health, insist on compliance with laws already on the books that will protect our air quality. Texas and Texans do not need or want its ranking as the worst polluting state in the nation. Is it any wonder that more children in Texas visit the emergency room for asthma than for any other complaint? Come to Giddings and stop the machine, make and be a part of history. Pass this forward to anyone interested in regulatory agencies demonstrating protection of and responsibility to the people against those that deprive citizens of clean air while exploiting natural resources. The above is in no way produced by or a product of the NFN 501c(3) organization. This is in support of their efforts by those at Ground Zero. For event information [contact mustangwarhorse@juno.com Leave message ; 512-285-3845] or [bcgreens@io.com 512-303-4716] For NFN information visit http://www.neighborsforneighbors.com. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Carl Manz & Christine Johnson Rt 3, Box 369 Bastrop, TX 78602-9505 e-mail: cbmanz@io.com telephone: 512-303-4716 "The real object of all despotism is revenue." -Thomas Paine "The selfish spirit of commerce knows no country, and feels no passion or principle but that of gain." - Thomas Jefferson "Nothing can stop the power of an informed citizenry when it is empowered, organized, and motivated." - Ralph Nader ---------------

Terry, too bad this isnt tied to the two topics dealing with just the sort of problem - one of which you created a long time ago. Oh well... Topic 4 of 40: Gaia: Geological Ecology http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/Geo/4 Topic 12 of 40: bioregions - getting to know your unique niche on planet earth http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/Geo/12

..Oh yes, On Geo conference, of course...

... of course. Linked.

Thank you!!!