Call for Nominations: 2019 Lebowitz Prize. AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL ASSOCIATION.

Dear DAVID, The nomination deadline for the 2019 Dr. Martin R. Lebowitz and Eve Lewellis Lebowitz Prize is December 1, 2018. For information on the prize and the nomination process, please visit the Dr. Martin R. Lebowitz and Eve Lewellis Lebowitz Prize page. The Lebowitz Prize for philosophical achievement and contribution is awarded by the Phi Beta Kappa Society in conjunction with the American Philosophical Association. The associated Lebowitz symposium is presented annually at a divisional meeting of the American Philosophical Association. Both societies are grateful to Eve Lewellis Lebowitz for her generous bequest, honoring her late husband, Martin R. Lebowitz, and providing a significant, tangible recognition for excellence in philosophical thought. The dialogic character of the Lebowitz symposium, created by the gift, emphasizes the historic work of philosophy as a process of inquiry. The winners of the prize will present contrasting (but not necessarily opposing) views on an important philosophical issue of current interest. Past Lebowitz symposia have addressed topics including the scientific method, meaning, social epistemology, and disability. Honoraria for the symposiasts, funded from the endowment created by the Lebowitzs’ $1 million gift, are approximately $25,000 each. The winning submission will have the opportunity to be published in the Journal of the American Philosophical Association. Publication will be arranged by mutual agreement of the winners and the journal’s editorial board. The winners will be selected by a committee appointed jointly by the Phi Beta Kappa Society and the American Philosophical Association, and ratified by the Phi Beta Kappa Senate. Previous winners of the Lebowitz Prize: 2018 winners: Kit Fine and Stephen Yablo 2017 winners: Nancy Cartwright and Elliott Sober 2016 winners: Ernest Sosa and Stephen Stich 2015 winners: Alvin Goldman and Jennifer Lackey 2014 winners: Jonathan Schaffer and Jessica Wilson 2013 winners: Anita Silvers and Eva F. Kittay APA members are eligible to nominate or self-nominate. Please contact me if you have any questions regarding the prize or the nomination process. I look forward to receiving your nominations! Sincerely, Jen Horneman The Phi Beta Kappa Society

Our community is forcing change in the tea industry! FREEDOM UNITED.

Dear David, We are delighted to announce that our community has helped us move closer to ending labor abuses in the tea industry!  The Freedom United team partnered with Traidcraft Exchange to press all major tea brands to publish where they buy their tea. As of last week, 4 of the 6 big tea brands have felt compelled to share their tea sources. Ask the last two tea companies 'Who Picked My Tea?' to see them do the same! Ask 'Who Picked My Tea?' Traidcraft Exchange thank you for asking 'Who Picked My Tea?' saying: "It means that in six months we’ve got four out of the six biggest UK tea brands to answer the question ‘Who picked my tea? – a fantastic achievement and proof that campaigning works. But more importantly, it has tipped the balance towards making transparency the norm.  Before we started the campaign, the tea sector was known for its secrecy and tea workers had no idea who was buying their tea. But with four major brands publishing, we have made transparency the norm. Many of you joined us on tour last week, when campaigners from Assam shared their experiences. One thing that struck me was  how grateful they were for our support. We know that changing conditions in Assam won’t be easy. But getting the brands to publish is a vital first step to enable tea workers, and organisations working with them, to hold tea companies to account and call for better conditions and pay.   Thank you for being part of this change." In solidarity, Miriam and the Freedom United team P.S. Congratulate Clipper by posting a comment on our page – we'll make sure they know what you said! Miriam Karmali Advocacy, Freedom United

Stop Trump's War on Wildlife. CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY.

Stop Trump's Assault on Wolves, Bears and 1,000 Other Species SIGN THE PETITION » Trump has declared an all-out war on America's wildlife. And your voice matters right now. Over the past few months, his administration has rolled out plans to eviscerate the Endangered Species Act, the lifesaving law that protects bears, sea turtles, birds and more than 1,000 species across the country. His goal? Weaken the law so much that corporate polluters can bulldoze, mine, drill, log and destroy some of the last remaining habitat for endangered species on the planet. It will mean more trophy hunting, trapping and lethal snaring of endangered species like grizzlies, wolves and lynx. What's more, Trump is gearing up to strip protections from nearly every wolf in the lower 48 states so they can be gunned down, trapped or killed in their dens. It's disgusting — and we're not about to let that happen. The Center for Biological Diversity's kick-ass staff of lawyers, scientists, organizers and media experts are fighting back with everything we've got. We've been battling right-wingers' attempts to destroy the Endangered Species Act for decades, but we've never seen anything like what Trump is trying to pull. Think about what's at stake. Without the Endangered Species Act: Livestock operators would have free rein to annihilate gray wolves. Trophy hunters could gun down Yellowstone's grizzly bears for fun. Polar bear and spotted owl habitat could be bulldozed, drilled and destroyed. This is the fight of a lifetime for more than 1,000 animals and plants, from polar bears and ice seals to wolves and sage grouse. We must act now to stop this violent assault on America's most vulnerable creatures.  Whenever wildlife are at risk, no one goes to court faster than the Center for Biological Diversity. We've protected more than 620 species and half a billion acres of habitat — more than any other conservation group. You have a part to play too when it comes to protecting wildlife from Trump. This is no time to sit on the sidelines. Act. Resist. Sign the petition.

BLAST FROM THE PAST. WHAT PROGRESSIVES MUST LEARN. DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF HATE: THE ''NEW'' REPUBLICAN PARTY.

Progressives, no matter where found, must understand, and not forget, that the REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT EXISTS TODAY IS DIFFERENT FROM THE PAST. THOSE WHO HAVE LED THE CHARGE TO NOMINATE DONALD TRUMP, ARE FROM A SMALL NUMBER OF EXTREMIST FACTIONS WHOSE RISE TO POWER WITHIN THE PARTY HAS BEEN DRAMATIC. IT HAS ALSO BEEN THE RESULT OF THE PARTIES INCREASING USE OF INTOLERANT AND HATE FILLED PROPAGANDA TO STIGMATIZE THE OPPOSITION, AND MISLEAD THE PUBLIC.

The Problem for the REPUBLICANS, was the Idea that these FACTIONS could be Utilized for the benefit of the Party as a whole, but controlled and prevented from attaining to much power and influence within the Parties Hierarchy. When needed they could be Mobilized for Money, Votes, Voices on Radio, Demonstrations, or any Party need that could not be satisfied Through Normal, Traditional, Intellectually Honest or Morally Commendable Channels.

These Factions Include Individuals who could be Described in the following ways:

-   RELIGIOUS ZEALOT.

-   RADICAL ISOLATIONIST.

-   ECONOMIC BIGOT.

-   ANTI- INTELLECTUALIST.

Now, they're Racists, Bigots, Homophobes, Xenophobes etc., , to be found in every walk off life. However, in the Republican Parties case, They now call the shots by setting Policy, and promoting certain Individuals as Candidates to Nominate for the Upcoming Election.

(ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON 9/7/2016}