Stop Smart Meters Bulletin
news....@googlemail.com
Elizabeth Kelley, MHA
Co-Coordinator, Arizonans for Safer Utility Infrastructure����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Director, Electromagnetic Safety Alliance, Inc.
Tucson, Arizona
www.electromagneticsafety.org
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Stop Smart Meters! Bulletin
Vol. 9 Sept. 22nd, 2011http://stopsmartmeters.org� Contact: in...@stopsmartmeters.org
PO Box 66165 Scotts Valley CA 95067
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Quotes of the Month
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�Scientists and doctors tend to agree that SmartMeters and other wireless technology don't make people sick.�
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����������� ����������� -San Francisco Chronicle Sept. 12 2010
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�EMF hypersensitivity can occur as a bona fide environmentally inducible neurological syndrome.�
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-International Journal of Neuroscience Sept. 5th, 2011 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21793784
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�All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil.� The only sin is pride.�
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����������� ����������� -Sophocles, Antigone
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�You're the bad guys, you're going to give them cancer and burn down their houses, and charge them more money for the privilege while you're doing it. Period.�
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����������� ����������� -�Intelligent� Utility Magazine addressing the utility industry
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"This is a health issue. I�m sensitive to electromagnetic fields. I got a smart meter put on my house in November and got it taken out in January. I told them I would take a chainsaw and rip it off if they didn�t come out and get it. I now have the old analog meter.�
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-Pauline Holeton, Michigan http://www.dailytribune.com/articles/2011/07/02/news/doc4e0fa75d9462b345842024.txt
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�Please remove me from your list.�
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Sent from my iPad�
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����������� ����������� -Anonymous
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CONTENTS
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1.���� What YOU Can Do to Stop Smart Meters!
2.���� What are �Smart� Meters!?
3.���� What is Stop Smart Meters?
4.���� Upcoming Events
5.���� Thank You for Donating to Stop Smart Meters!
6.���� Check Out Our Allies
7.���� Smart Meter Campaign Updates
8.���� Media Links
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What YOU Can Do to Stop Smart Meters!
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1.���� Contact the California State Public Utilities Commission (PUC)� Send an e-mail from the EMF Safety Network Site at http://emfsafetynetwork.org/?p=1588 or write to: CPUC c/o Public Advisor 505 Van Ness Ave. Rm. 2103 San Francisco CA. 94102. FAX: 415-703-1758� Call the CPUC Commissioners and ask them why they are ignoring a growing public health emergency:
Mike Florio 415-703-1840
Catharine Sandoval 415-703-2593
President Michael Peevey 415-703-3703
Timothy Simon 415-703-1407
Mark Ferron 415-703-2782
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2.���� Send a letter to your utility via certified mail revoking permission for them to install a �smart� meter on your home or business, or demanding that it be removed. http://stopsmartmeters.org/sample-letter-to-utility/ Call your utility and tell them you intend to retain or restore the analog meter at no cost! PG&E: 1-877-743-7378, SCE: 1-800-655-4555 SDG&E: 1-800-411-7343 Demand to retain your analog meter- don�t take no for an answer.� Also, you can lock up your analog meter to defend it against theft by your utility. See: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/05/11/defend-your-analog-meter-part-iii/
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3.���� People concerned about their health have been having their �smart� meters removed by electricians or other willing professionals.� Despite utility threats, no one has had their service disconnected or been arrested as a result of analog meter replacement.� See: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/09/12/lompoc-woman-defies-pge-puts-on-gloves-and-removes-smart-meter/
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4.���� If your local city/ county has not acted against the smart meter attack, organize local residents and demand that they do their job to protect public health and safety. SSM! can advise on organizing and peaceful direct action against �smart� meter installation in your community.
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5.���� Contact Gov. Brown (or the governor of your state)- demand that he pull the plug on the �smart� meter wireless mesh network and fire CPUC President Michael Peevey.� Governor Jerry Brown, c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173, Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 445-2841 OR via web http://gov.ca.gov/m_contact.php
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6.���� Donate and allow Stop Smart Meters! to keep up the fight and expand our capacity: http://stopsmartmeters.org/donate/
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7.���� Forward this e-mail newsletter to 5 friends, and have them subscribe if they are interested by sending a request to in...@stopsmartmeters.org.
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WHAT ARE SMART METERS!?
The installation of wireless gas and electric meters is one of the largest technology rollouts in history.� Yet in California and other states, there was virtually no consultation with the public and local governments in advance of the multi-billion dollar �Advanced Metering Infrastructure� (or AMI) project -- the first mandatory microwave radiation device to be installed on our homes and businesses- far more powerful than common household wireless devices.[1] ��Wireless radiation is a class 2B carcinogen according to the World Health Organization[2] and causes DNA damage[3] at exposure levels far below FCC guidelines, in peer-reviewed scientific studies.� This radiation is not healthy for anyone, but can be torture for the growing number of electrosensitive people in our society.� �Smart� meters pose health risks, violate individual privacy, interfere with electronic appliances, increase carbon emissions and overcharge customers.� But utility companies and tech firms love them because they allow them to layoff meter readers and generate more profit.� Luckily, more communities every day are learning the facts and refusing the DumbMeter onslaught.� Check out our primer (that you can circulate) outlining the case against wireless utility meters here: http://stopsmartmeters.wordpress.com/why-stop-smart-meters/
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WHAT IS �STOP SMART METERS!�?
Growing out of the grassroots group Scotts Valley Neighbors Against Smart Meters, which was started in June 2010, Stop Smart Meters! is now a community supported national advocacy, media outreach, and direct action group providing activism consultation and technical assistance advice to dozens of local groups around the country (and even internationally) who are fighting the wireless �smart� meter assault.
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The fight against �smart� meters has brought about new, unexpected political alliances.�� Please join us and add your voice to thousands of others.� More info, regular news updates, analysis, and tips on resisting �smart� meters at our website: http://stopsmartmeters.org
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To join Stop Smart Meters! and add yourself or others to the distribution list for this newsletter, please send a request to: in...@stopsmartmeters.org
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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Sept. 21st 7pm (TONIGHT!) Freedom Forum in Santa Cruz- the official launch of the petition drive to recall Sheriff Phil Wowak. 1900 17th Ave. in Santa Cruz.
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Sept. 22nd, Oct. 6th, Oct. 20th, Nov. 10th- CPUC Meetings Come and speak out while you still can!� 9am 505 Van Ness, SF except for 10/6/2011 meeting which will be held in Los Angeles at Ronald Reagan Building 300 South Spring Street, Auditorium.� Meeting will begin at 10 a.m. See http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/aboutus/2011MeetingDates.htm for more details.
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Oct. 1-2: Dr. Magda Havas in San Diego, to speak at a convention in La Jolla's Museum of Contemporary Art: http://www.amiando.com/mc_convention_2011_san_diego.html�
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Oct. 5th-6th: Center for Safer Wireless Conference, Washington DC This 2-day Summit at Capitol Hill United Methodist Church in Washington DC and hosted by the Center for Safer Wireless will focus on updates in wireless safety research and developments, educating lawmakers on our concerns, and working together to protect those most vulnerable to microwave radiation.� The cost to attend is $85.00, which includes lunch on Wednesday.� More: http://www.centerforsaferwireless.org/Wireless-Safety-Summit.php
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Oct. 6th: People's Occupation Oct 6 in Washington DC- Human Needs NOT Corporate Greed:
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THANK YOU FOR DONATING TO STOP SMART METERS!
Even if it�s only a small amount, it all adds up and it really goes a long way toward making this education and advocacy possible.� Remember we are community supported- please chip in if you can!� Here�s more about the work that your donation supports: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/06/28/please-support-stop-smart-meters/�� Click here to make a donation: http://stopsmartmeters.org/donate/
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CHECK OUT OUR ALLIES
We urge you to get to acquaint yourselves with our friends at the following organizations, who are all working on different angles of the �smart� meter issue:
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Health and Safety: ����������� EMF Safety Network http://emfsafetynetwork.org
Health and Envt:��� EON EMF Blog: http://eon3emfblog.net/
Environmental Health Trust: http://www.environmentalhealthtrust.org/
Californians for Renewable Energy http://www.calfree.com/
Privacy issues: ����������� Electronic Frontier Foundation http://eff.org
Consumer Rights: The Utility Reform Network (TURN) http://turn.org
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SMART METER CAMPAIGN UPDATES
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47 CA LOCAL GOVERNMENTS UNITED IN DEMANDING A �SMART� METER HALT
The number of local governments opposed to the �smart� meter program continues to climb. A total of 36 cities, 10 counties and 1 Native American Tribe throughout CA- representing nearly 2.7 million people- have now formally demanded a halt to PG&E�s mandatory �smart� meter program. It is now illegal under local ordinance to install within the jurisdiction of 12 of these local governments.� Call the sheriff or police department if you see installations in any of these areas (or if your utility tries to install on your home against your will).�� The updated list of local governments protesting can be found here.� Want your city or county to be added to the list?� Why not get them to pass an ordinance?
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WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION DECLARES WIRELESS RADIATION A CANCER RISK
The World Health Organization (WHO) on May 31st classified wireless, non-ionizing radiation as �possibly cancer causing� based on a broad investigation into the peer-reviewed science, throwing a wrench into unrestrained proliferation of wireless infrastructure, particularly utility installations of �smart� meters throughout the United States.� Environmental health groups immediately seized upon the declaration, saying that it has vindicated their urgent calls for precaution around wireless technology such as �smart� meters- devices that have already been linked to thousands of illnesses throughout California and elsewhere.
Full story: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/05/31/world-health-organization-declares-wireless-a-cancer-risk-smart-meter-mesh-network-must-be-deactivated-to-protect-human-health/�� And the implications for the anti-smart meter movement: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/06/02/whos-statement-is-a-game-changer/
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CPUC �OPT OUT� PROCEEDING A DANGEROUS FARCE
Those of us watching the �smart� meter debacle unfold over the past couple of years- as the Utilities Commissions and state legislatures sit on their hands- are continually disgusted by the audacity, recklessness, and sheer inhumanity of the people covering for this deployment.� It�s no secret that the CA PUC has been used for years as a buffer between the scandalous and dangerous activities of the utility/ telecom industry and an increasingly outraged public.� Watch the full workshop where the public grilled the utility industry over smart meter lies.� More:
http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/09/07/cpuc-opt-out-proceeding-a-dangerous-farce/
http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/09/13/smart-meter-opponents-cry-foul-on-charging-plan/
Wilner and Associates Complaint Filed: http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/efile/MOTION/141995.pdf
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PORTRAIT OF A FORCED DEPLOYMENT
The utility PG&E has recently sent their contractors- Wellington Energy- into our neighborhood in Scotts Valley to install their �smart� meters. This is in spite of County laws banning the devices, a demand from our city council to halt installations, and a declared �smart meter free zone� in our neighborhood�.. a neighbor came up and said he supported what we were doing and had told Wellington to get off his property. He pulled up his shorts and showed us a tumor on his leg where he had kept his cell phone in his pocket for many years and one on his ear on the side where he spoke on the phone.� People are angry. We�re angry. Every time we go for a walk in our neighborhood now we get a headache. It�s just not okay.� Video of interviews here: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/09/21/portrait-of-a-forced-deployment/
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RECALL OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SHERIFF WOWAK LAUNCHED TONIGHT
Tonight marks the official launch of a community effort to recall Sheriff Phil Wowak from office, for failing to enforce County ordinance 5084 and protect the public from greedy corporations like PG&E and corrupt regulatory agencies like the CPUC.� The video above is of a rally that took place on August 5th.� Tonight at the Freedom Forum in Santa Cruz will be the official launch of the petition drive.� 7pm 1900 17th Ave. in Santa Cruz.� Video and more details on sheriff recall: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/09/21/recall-of-santa-cruz-county-sheriff-wowak-launched-tonight/
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�SMART� METERS VIOLATE FCC SAFETY STANDARDS.� PERIOD.
PG&E claimed last week in a workshop held at the CA Public Utilities Commission- the video of which is now online thanks to EON- that their �smart� meter program is in full compliance with all FCC regulations.� However even a kindergartener could see that this is clearly not the case.� If you look at the FCC authorization for the Silver Spring Networks smart meter transmitter that is being deployed throughout PG&E�s service territory (and likely, beyond) you will see three very clear violations of FCC regulations.�� Leave it to PG&E to violate three regulations in just one FCC document: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/09/19/smart-meters-violate-fcc-regulations-period/
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HOW CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE PROVIDING COVER FOR THE MOUNTING ECOLOGICAL CATASTROPHE OF THE �SMART GRID�
The �big three� corporate environmental organizations in the US- the Sierra Club, NRDC, and EDF- have all been cheerleaders for the �smart� grid for years.� It�s not surprising that they would rather not hear about how the lovechild of their technological obsession and corporate �partnerships�- the �smart� meter- is unleashing significant damage to the natural environment.� If you listen to some �smart� grid proponents and their �environmentalist� supporters, it�s a little like they are worshipping an idol the way they refer to �Smart Grid� without an article.� As in, �Smart Grid� will save the planet.� �Smart Grid� will solve homelessness.� �Smart Grid� will save the polar bear.�� Bow down before �Smart Grid.� Full analysis (in depth article): http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/07/26/the-green-sheen-wearing-thin-how-corporate-environmental-organizations-are-providing-cover-for-the-mounting-ecological-catastrophe-of-the-%E2%80%9Csmart-grid%E2%80%9D/
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�INDEPENDENT� �SMART� METER PROPONENT ON PG&E PAYROLL; COMPANY FAILED TO DISCLOSE FINANCIAL TIES
When we received the new publication, �SmartRead� in our Santa Cruz mountains mailbox last month, courtesy of our friendly local utility, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), we wondered who these �Santa Cruz residents� actually were.� Nearly everyone we�ve spoken with says things like, �I�ve had a headache since they installed that thing� or �I�m really worried about my 2 year old- her bed�s on the other side of the wall from the meter.� or �I don�t want to get cancer.�
We wondered aloud whether PG&E actually stooped to the level of paying these people to appear in their propaganda.� Well, it turns out we were right:
http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/08/01/mahlon-aldridge-santa-cruz-cty-resident-on-smart-meters/
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�SMART� METERS TO BLAME IN EAST PALO ALTO POWER SURGE?
A major power surge on Aug. 25th that left more than 200 without electricity and burned out appliances and wiring in East Palo Alto, a low income community in the San Francisco Bay Area, was likely related to the recently installed �smart� meters.� Many of the affected homes were in apartment buildings, where clusters of the new wireless meters have recently been installed. Residents reported loud bangs, pops, glass shattering, TVs blowing up, lines sparking, smoke, lightbulbs exploding, and other electrical problems. See: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/08/27/smart-meters-to-blame-in-east-palo-alto-power-surge/
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LOMPOC WOMAN DEFIES PG&E, PUTS ON GLOVES AND REMOVES �SMART� METER
Susan Beckman, a children�s TV show producer who lives near Lompoc in Santa Barbara County, has removed a Smart Meter from her home and replaced it with an analog meter to protect her husband, a WWII Veteran.� In response to this act Susan stated a PG&E representative has threatened to �bring the police and turn off her power.�� Yet so far these are just threats.� Susan is disgusted and going off grid. More: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/09/12/lompoc-woman-defies-pge-puts-on-gloves-and-removes-smart-meter/
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WOMAN DESCRIBES HOW SMART METERS CHASED HER OUT OF HER HOME
Winifred owns her home in Half Moon Bay, CA but can�t live in it since PG&E installed wireless �smart� meters in her neighborhood.� Video interview: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/06/16/winifred/
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APPLIANCES INTRODUCING STEALTH EMF INTO OUR HOMES
�I�ve just tested a home with an oven and dishwasher that had continuously radiating RF from internal power transmitters� says Sam Milham.� He could verify the RF signal was continuous, and only stopped when he turned off the electricity to them. Full story: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/05/27/appliances-introducing-stealth-emf-into-our-homes/
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UTILITIES: PROUD TO KNOW WHEN YOU MAKE A CUP OF TEA
�Smart� meters allow the utility to collect data on your second by second electricity consumption.�� Though it might seem trivial for the electric company to know when you boil the kettle for a cup of tea, the new technology is enabling widespread violations of the right to privacy in your own home, and consumer privacy protections have failed to keep pace with the abuses made possible by new technology- as the iPhone tracking scandal made clear.� Full story:
http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/06/10/utilities-proud-to-know-when-you-make-a-cup-of-tea/
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UTILITIES USING THREATS, INTIMIDATION, AND VIOLENCE TO FORCE METERS
Numerous reports have been coming in of hostile encounters between installers and residents.� In June, Stop Smart Meters! was notified by Oakland resident Charles Pine that PG&E had threatened him with disconnection of his electricity for refusing to allow Wellington Energy to install a �Smart�Meter on his duplex.� Unlike thousands of other residents who have been threatened, Charles inadvertently caught the exchange on tape.� PG&E backed off the threats for a couple of days until the media attention waned and then started threatening people again.� Full story: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/06/14/pge-caught-on-tape-threatening-disconnection-of-service-for-smartmeter-refusal/ A man in Santa Cruz wrote to us about how he had tried to defend the home of his neighbor who has a pacemaker: �I confronted him and further stated, �If you put that smart meter on, it could kill him.� You can punch me out but I will fight you.� More here:� http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/08/20/account-of-forced-%E2%80%98smart%E2%80%99-meter-installation-in-santa-cruz-county/� There was also a reported assault by a Wellington Energy installer and a Santa Cruz residents last week:
http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/09/15/santa-cruz-man-assaulted-by-wellington-worker-camera-broken/� And this is happening all over the world: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/power-company-sorry-for-smart-meter-standover-man/story-fn7x8me2-1226115494075
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SMART METER RADIATION STRONGER THAN A CELL TOWER
PG&E and other utilities claim that wireless �smart� meters emit a fraction of radiation compared to other common wireless devices.� This is a blatant lie, as anyone with an analyzer can determine for themselves.� Thanks to San Francisco resident Amy O�Hair for going out and measuring radiation levels herself- videos here:
http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/08/22/smart-meters-more-radiation-than-a-cell-tower/
http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/08/26/pge-we-just-dont-want-to-get-into-a-debate-about-it/
http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/09/04/comparing-cell-phone-and-smart-meter-radiation/
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WHY �SMART� METERS ARE A CLASS ISSUE
As class riots engulf the UK and the global economy teeters on a precipice, it seems the right time to take a look at how the forced �smart� meter installations now affecting many parts of California and other states are at their root, a class issue.� More: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/08/09/why-%E2%80%9Csmart%E2%80%9D-meters-are-a-class-issue/
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A LABOR DAY TRIBUTE TO UTILITY WORKERS
Yes that�s right.�� It�s Labor Day, and we would like to take this opportunity to appreciate the utility workers who keep the lights on for us, who brave difficult and dangerous conditions, and are often caught between authoritarian executives out of touch with reality and an increasingly hostile public who associates them with a �smart� meter program gone horribly wrong.�� Of course it�s not the guy up a pole who is making decisions about what level or radiation is safe for your children- those are the utility executives whose broken moral compasses apparently all point straight to the bank.� More: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/09/05/a-labor-day-tribute-to-utility-workers/
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WOMAN ARRESTED PROTESTING �SMART� METER INSTALLATIONS IN SF
Amy O�Hair- a Glen Park resident who has been documenting the strength of the powerful microwave pulses from �smart� meters in San Francisco- was arrested on June 18th for civil disobedience while trying to prevent installation of smart meters in her neighborhood.� Though there have been a number of acts of civil disobedience in the Richmond, Marina, and other neighborhoods, this is the first actual arrest of an anti-�smart� meter protester in San Francisco to date.� Amy joins a number of other women (including mothers and grandmothers) in Sonoma, Santa Cruz and Marin Counties who have been arrested over the past year blocking Wellington Energy �smart� meter installation trucks.� Full report and video: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/06/18/first-smart-meter-arrest-in-sf-this-morning-more-reports-of-illegal-pge-disconnection-threats/� Amy explains why she risked arrest to stop the new meters: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/06/22/my-neighborhood-why-i-was-arrested/
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THREE ARRESTED IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY PROTESTS
Joshua Hart, Director of Stop Smart Meters! was arrested in June after blocking the entrance to the Capitola PG&E payment center in protest of PG&E�s illegal �smart� meter installations in the County.� The County of Santa Cruz, as well as the Cities of Capitola, and Watsonville have adopted urgency ordinances prohibiting the installation of wireless �smart� meters within their jurisdictions. Full story and video: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/06/21/stop-smart-meters-director-arrested-in-capitola-today/�� and http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/07/02/two-more-arrested-at-santa-cruz-county-smart-meter-protest/
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SANTA BARBARA COUNTY TAKES ACTION AFTER �HEAVY PROTEST�
As reports of ongoing installations (using unmarked trucks) come in from the City of Santa Cruz, things are really heating up down South.� At a major hearing on Tuesday, attended by over 100 Santa Barbara County residents, the county government voted unanimously to demand a no-fee opt out and to investigate legal action and other remedies available to them to stop installations in their county, in response to �heavy protest.�� The movement has spread considerably in recent weeks, and a long list of local governments in Southern California now have the �smart� meter issue on their agendas to take action.� More details:
http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/07/07/santa-barbara-takes-action-after-heavy-protest/
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�IF SMART METERS GO ON EVERY HOME IN AMERICA, IT WILL NO LONGER BE AMERICA�
Burbank Producer Jerry Day outlines his fears over violations of privacy and civil liberties: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/07/09/if-we-allow-smart-meters-in-this-will-no-longer-be-america/
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SMART METERS HURTING BEES
Report received from a farmer in Grass Valley, CA: �We had three bee hives that were healthy and had no other reason to leave�when bees are uncomfortable, threatened, or lack food sources, they leave. Now, a colony will leave individually, yet these hives, all on completely different areas of the property left with in three days of the installation of a PG&E smart meter. We also called PG&E and asked them not to install, and they did when we were off the property.�
Full story: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/06/24/smartmeters-are-hurting-bees/
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ONGOING SMART METER PROTEST COVERAGE
Video includes interviews with those affected by smart meter radiation:
http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/06/27/nine-year-old-santa-cruz-girl-im-not-afraid-of-juvy/
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Outreach efforts around Santa Cruz county:
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Santa Cruz County Sheriff Wowak Enabling Installations: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/07/20/santa-cruz-county-sheriff-wowak-enabling-illegal-smart-meter-installations/
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Santa Cruz Protests Intensify: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/07/21/santa-cruz-smart-meter-protests-intensify-video/
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Santa Cruz Town Hall Forum Coverage: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/08/04/packed-house-at-stop-smart-meters-santa-cruz-forum/
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Chasing Installers Who Drive Recklessly and Try to Outrun Protesters:
http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/08/24/reckless-driving-reckless-microwave-experiment/
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Letter From Capitola Mayor to PG&E, denouncing their arrogance:
http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/09/02/no-means-no-capitola-demands-halt-as-pge-forces-meters/
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Photos of protests around the US and Canada:
http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/08/16/protests-against-wireless-meter-stupidity-spreading/
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SMART METER COMMUNITY MEETINGS ON VIDEO
Over the past several months, there have been community town hall meetings held around the country to discuss how to respond to forced �smart� meter installations.� Here are links to a couple of videos of these important community discussions- (video of the Santa Cruz forum will be posted shortly):
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Seaside, CA meeting May 6th: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/07/13/smart-meters-exposed/
Fairfax, CA meeting Sept. 9: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/09/20/fairfax-emergency-smart-meter-forum-video/
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�PG&E, I DON�T WANT TO BE PART OF YOUR EXPERIMENT!�
Tom Rossi and his wife live in an aging East-Bay apartment complex, directly over the utility room containing 42 �smart� meters. Tom didn�t know this until it came to his attention accidentally, and as he came to learn more about �smart� meters, he finds himself deeply disturbed by being involuntarily subjected to an untested technology that radiates easily measured RF pulses into his living space.� Full article and video: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/08/12/pge-i-dont-want-to-be-part-of-your-experiment/�
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MOVING PAST DENIAL- ADMITTING WE HAVE A PROBLEM
Denial is a funny thing.� If you had told me a year ago that wireless radiation can cause cancer or symptoms like headaches, nausea, dizziness, and tinnitus, I would have rolled my eyes and called you a tin foil hat loonie- like I did (believe it or not) a little more than a year ago outside the San Francisco Green Festival after a woman from the North Bay with an ironing board and some flyers warned me of the hazards of �smart� meters.�� I feel awful about that now after having read the thousands of peer-reviewed studies that have documented the health impacts associated with microwave radiation levels far below that of the �smart� meter� Full story: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/06/17/moving-past-denial/
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DEFEND YOUR ANALOG METER PART IV
This elegant solution to trespassing utility contractors- using steel bars to prevent theft- creates an attractive architectural accent to any home wherever pulsing microwave meters are not welcome.� Allows easy reading by meter readers, while making removal impossible without doing structural damage to the home.� Works well for either individual or multiple meters.� Remember- you have the right to retain your analog meter, or have your �smart� meter removed from your home if it is making you sick. See photos at: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/08/15/defend-your-analog-meter-part-iv/
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NO COMPROMISE IN DEFENSE OF OUR COMMUNITIES
Isis Feral asks: �So what�s more realistic: for all of us to stand together in a united front, and defend everyone from harm without exception, or to expect legislators to come to our rescue?�� Full Analysis here: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/06/26/waiting-in-vain-for-the-legislature/
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VOLUNTEER AS A SHIELDING �GUINEA PIG�
From Amy O�Hair: For a while now, I've been making videos to show the RF radiation we're all exposed to, from "smart" meters and other sources (http://youtube.com/thisirradiatedlife). Now I'd like to demonstrate some effective shielding, because people all over the country need some
reliable information about how they can shield their living space from their "smart" meter. Many are desperate, or are being told they can�t �opt out.� If you have a "smart" meter on your single-family house, and you live in the SF Bay Area, and can offer your home as a place to video some shielding ideas, I promise not to make any permanent changes---and you might learn something too. Please email me to talk about it. Amy O'Hair amyo...@gmail.com
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FCC WORKING ON ADA GUIDELINES- YOUR FEEDBACK NEEDED
The White House Office on Disability Policy and the National Council on Disabilities is working with the FCC and other federal agencies who carry roles and responsibilities for assuring equal access and accommodations for persons with disabilities is moving quickly to ensure that all disabled Americans are fully integrated into community living. The Assistive Devices Act of 2004 and the "Olmstead decision", a U.S. Supreme court civil rights decision, advances that cause. Unfortunately, this campaign leaves millions of Americans behind - those with environmental illnesses or who have medical implants. FCC is planning to introduce major legislation to fully integrate people with physical disabilities into the 21st Century. The FCC campaign will be led by headed by Greg Hlibok.� For more information, go to http://www.electromagneticsafety.org and click on "Protecting Health and Habitat.
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STOP SMART METERS! ON TWITTER!
For the latest campaign updates and links to developing stories that don�t make it onto our website, follow us on Twitter!� We are �stopsmeters�� Please retweet and encourage your friends to follow us!!� Our latest tweets also appear on the right hand side of our website.
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SIGN PETITION CALLING FOR NEW FCC STANDARDS ON WIRELESS EXPOSURE
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MEDIA UPDATE AND LINKS�
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Stop Smart Meters! on Your Call Radio KALW:
http://yourcallradio.blogspot.com/2011/08/are-benefits-of-smartmeters-worth-risks.html
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Smart Meter Smack Down: Utility Companies Blistered from All Sides over Meters
http://www.independent.com/news/2011/jul/06/smart-meter-smack-down/
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County, cities weighing fight over cost of SmartMeter opt-out
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_18694996?source=most_viewed
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Halt smart meter installation, says B.C. Green Party - British Columbia - CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/07/27/bc-hydro-smart-meter.html
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Texas online radio Center Stage Takes on Utility Oncor, Who Get Pummeled
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/centerstage/2011/09/03/is-oncor-smart-meter-scamming-their-customers
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/centerstage/2011/09/17/oncors-smart-meter-and-the-money-trail
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National Audit Office slams UK�s smart meter roll out plan
http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/4225/�
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Fire Fighter Talks Smart Meter Arcing
http://emfsafetynetwork.org/?p=4904#.Tgq5IjufSvo.email
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Meters Causing Fires in Florida
http://www.wsvn.com/features/articles/helpmehoward/MI92249/
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Houston Investigates Smart Meter Fires
http://www.click2houston.com/news/28147128/detail.html
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Protesters Ready to Fight Installation of Smart Meters
http://www.ktvu.com/video/28376673/index.html
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Santa Cruz Free Radio Discussion on Smart Meters
http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/52830
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Is this Even Legal?� Josh Hart and Larry Bragman on KPFA
http://www.kpfa.org/archive/date/2011/06/28
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Don�t Always Believe the Official Line- letter to editor
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_18320145
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Stop Smart Meters Interview at Santa Cruz Protests
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/06/27/18683091.php
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Scotts Valley Man Arrested in �Smart Meter Flap�
http://www.mercurynews.com/central-coast/ci_18396664?nclick_check=1
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Las Vegas TV news: The Bottom Line on Smart Meters
http://www.ktnv.com/contact13/consumerinformation/125873584.html?page=1#respond
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Should You Have a Say About What Goes On In Your Home?
http://www.anh-usa.org/should-you-have-a-say-about-what-goes-on-in-your-home/
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Backlash among homeowners in n. California, who fear they are about to be drenched in dangerous radio waves (pro industry twisting of the truth)
http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2011/06/mobile-phones-and-health
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SmartMeter foes call study on cell phones vindication
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/06/01/BUT31JO9MN.DTL
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East bay Express on WHO decision and Smart Meters
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Opponents of Smart Meters Stand Firm
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/may/29/local/la-me-smart-meters-20110529
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Bath, Maine fights back
http://www.timesrecord.com/articles/2011/06/02/news/doc4de79cb083a00091578607.txt
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Smart Meter Interference: BC�s Flawed Meter Plan
http://www.ve3ncq.ca/wordpress/?page_id=10
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Let's be smarter than lab rats
http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/smarter+than+rats/5195533/story.html
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What You Should Know About PG&E�s Smart Grid Plan
http://gigaom.com/cleantech/what-you-should-know-about-pges-smart-grid-plan/
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Not-So-Smart Meter Leaving Grandmother, Children in the Heat Houston Texas��
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One man�s smart meter nightmare
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Save the Humans: Standing up against Smart Meters
http://www.bohemian.com/bohemian/07.13.11/openmic-1128.html
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Smart Grid Privacy And Security Risks Loom For Agencies
http://energy.aol.com/2011/08/05/smart-grid-privacy-and-security-risks-loom-for-agencies/
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MIT: The too-smart-for-its-own-good grid
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'I have read and watched testimonies of bees disappearing and animals dying who are near the new smart meter. How is this affecting us humans?
http://www.opinion250.com/blog/view/21054/3/local+concern+over+smart+meter+installations
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Ex-CIA Chief: Smart Grid is �Really Stupid�
http://www.energynow.com/video/2011/08/10/preview-mix-james-woolsey
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Scientific American: Hacking the �Smart Grid�
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=securing-the-smart-grid
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CA Utilities Commissioners Jet off to Sweden, Courtesy of Utility Industry
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/08/15/BAU81KMVR5.DTL&tsp=1
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War of nerves unfolds in Fairfax between PG&E and SmartMeter opponents
http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_18759367
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Canadians Furious Over Forced Smart Meter Installs
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No Federal Mandate for Smart Meters
http://ppjg.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/smart-meters-no-federal-mandate/
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Oklahoma City residents protest smart meters:
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Chuck Norris: How Stimulus Funds are Radiating You
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=346069
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Arizona Smart Meter Hearing
http://www.azcc.gov/divisions/it/streaming/events.asp
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SmartMeters don't do well under heat and neither does PG&E
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Smart Grid Consumer Collective Gearing Up for Sly Smart Meter Sales Job
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2011/09/12/utilities-tech-firms-and-ngos-team-smart-grid-education
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Australian Smart Meter Overcharging Scandal
http://au.news.yahoo.com/today-tonight/money/article/-/10241945/power-scandal-exposed/#video
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SF Guardian: How to Avoid Smart Meters
http://www.sfbg.com/politics/2011/07/25/how-avoid-smart-meters
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Stop Smart Meters! Debates a Skeptic in Santa Cruz
http://communitytv.org/blog/kenknobler/vftv-7-24-11-pg-e-smart-meters
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Stop Smart Meters! Discusses Disability Rights on KPFA:
http://www.kpfa.org/archive/show/33
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No straight answers from SCE in Santa Barbara
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Erica Bridgeman from The KPFA Morning Mix interviewed Stop Smart Meters!
It begins at 8:10 and runs for 5 min:
http://www.kpfa.org/archive/id/71021
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BC Gulf Islands Against SM�s
http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_south/saltspringislanddriftwood/news/123872404.html
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Georgia Concerned about Smart Meter Health Impacts
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Empowering Choices- How People are Making the Decision to Remove their Meters
http://emfsafetynetwork.org/?p=4722#.TfmEN5ZV5R9;email
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Take this smart meter or else!
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More opposition from OK:
http://www.reddirtreport.com/Story.aspx/18839
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Maine PUC Requires �Smart� Meter Opt Outs
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CBS5 Station Asks Us: Are you willing to fight the installer?
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PG&E Starting Widespread Installation of Smart Meters in Santa Cruz County
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_18279124
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Groups like Stop Smart Meters! Have Started Making a Big Splash
http://capitola.patch.com/articles/smartmeters-raise-questions-of-science-and-legality
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General Wireless and Health News
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Wired but tired: is modern life draining your energy?
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Lightsquared�s stated goal, made by Chief executive Sanjiv Ahuja at a panel recently, is to penetrate every concrete building and remote spot in the world with wireless:
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Supreme Court to look at cell phone lawsuits in the wake of the WHO report
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/01/us-cellphones-lawsuits-idUSTRE75075L20110601
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Fiber to the Home: What Utilities and Telecom SHOULD Be Doing
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/05/BUFD1K6GF7.DTL
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Menlo Park CA cell tower shut down
http://www.almanacnews.com/news/show_story.php?id=9016
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Council of Europe Recommends Cell Phone/ Wifi Ban in Schools
http://assembly.coe.int/ASP/NewsManager/EMB_NewsManagerView.asp?ID=6685&L=2
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Dr. Mercola on Cell Phone/ Cancer Link
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Study Lends Some Credence to WiFi Health Claims
http://news.santacruz.com/2011/07/13/study_lends_some_credence_to_wifi_claims/
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Time to Remove WiFi From Our Schools
http://www.projo.com/opinion/contributors/content/CT_adkins27_06-27-11_3SOF39K_v16.3dd9d.html
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San Francisco Passes Cell Phone Radiation Law
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In Utero EMF linked to childhood asthma rates
http://emfsafetynetwork.org/?p=5380
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China�s Military Developing EMF Weapons
http://www.factoverfiction.com/article/1732
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Taiwan Removed 1500 cell towers from neighborhoods
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan+/2007/11/06/129715/1500-cellphone.htm
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Largest study finds evidence of association between EMFs and exposed worker suicide
http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/mar00/savitz2031500.htm
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FCC Must Update Cell Tower Safety Limits
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CableSystem uses cancer scare in ads for home phone service
http://www.wtol.com/story/15254631/cablesystem-uses-cancer-in-ads-for-home-phone-service
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Congo: Blood, Gold, and Cell Phones
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2011/sep/02/congo-blood-gold-mobile-phones-video?CMP=twt_iph
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Spain Recognizes Electro-Sensitivity as a Cause of Permanent Disability
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Sweden Accommodates People with EHS
http://planetthrive.com/2011/07/smart-meters-in-sweden/
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Mobiles could bring down world economy
http://www.moneyweek.com/news-and-charts/economics/global/keep-an-eye-on-mobile-phones-54118#
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NY Times Photographic Feature on Electrosensitivity and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
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Is the modern world hurting you?
http://www.hidesertstar.com/articles/2011/06/15/news/doc4df85b324e4ce592791712.txt
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Illinois governor dumps smart grid bill
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General Utility Dysfunction
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PG&E "donating" to organizations and recruiting speakers
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PG&E �Direct Descendents of the Robber Barons�
http://www.energy-net.org/1NWO/PGE/1PGE.HTM
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PG&E Avoiding Payouts to San Bruno Blast Victims
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/11/MNNG1K97E4.DTL
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S.F. lawsuit threatened over PG&E
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/14/BABA1KA5FJ.DTL&type=newsbayarea
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�Safety was not in the lexicon at PG&E before the explosion"
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/06/20/BAV01K0DUD.DTL&tsp=1
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Public Blasts Edison Rate Hikes
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/jun/15/public-blasts-edisons-proposal-to-raise-rates/
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Ex-Employee Says SDG&E Targets Low-Income Ratepayers
http://www.10news.com/news/28027671/detail.html
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Open Letter from Mayor of Chino Hills Warning of Corrupt, Brittle CPUC
http://emfsafetynetwork.org/?p=4887#.Tgjo3HrKYYA.email
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OTHER
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Why Do the Police Have Tanks? The Strange and Dangerous Militarization of
the US Police Force
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If you�d like to be removed from this list, please e-mail us at in...@stopsmartmeters.org and we will do so immediately.� ~Thank you for your support!~� - Stop Smart Meters!
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Endnotes:
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[1] http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/09/04/comparing-cell-phone-and-smart-meter-radiation/
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[2] http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2011/pdfs/pr208_E.pdf
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[3] Lai, H. and Sigh, N.P. DNA single- and double- strand DNA breaks in rat brain cells after acute exposure to low-level radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation. Int. J. Radiat. Biol. 69:513�521, 1996.
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"The politics we most need right now is the 'politics of community.'� In that birthing process, a prophetic spiritual network--across the lines of race, class, gender, and region--can act as the midwife of new possibilities."
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-Jim Wallis, The Soul of Politics:� A Practical and Prophetic
Vision for Change
--
Joshua Hart
Director, Stop Smart Meters!
http://stopsmartmeters.org