~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

live stream

04/26/2010 Nativegrl77

Just another manic Monday … someone please tell me Why are Republicans unwilling to do the peoples business and if the test vote for Financial Reform fails we all should be aware that it’s Republicans who are on the wrong side of financial reform … not Democrats

Hey did anyone else experience the virtual Earth Day Rally or do the Rally in Person? Proud to say I was one of a billion at the Earth Day Rally on Sunday; it was incredible; the virtual feed was great the picture and the music insane.

That being said; a shout out to all the people performing, the people who organized it and the event personnel … fantabulous … without a doubt a successful event and still curious about how many people were actually out on the National Mall.

It was great to see so many people at what was coined among other positive things as a tea party rally … Green Tea that is or an Eco-Rally but nothing that was remotely associated with rage, guns, nasty signs or comments that degraded anyone on earth. It was soulful it was compassionate and definitely had a lot of information and food for thought; hope the vendors made some money and hopefully this is just the beginning of a movement to let lawmakers know We the People not only want Climate Change legislation but we will organize and come out in force to show our presence … hear and see us … because we are the voters of 2010/2012.

Today, in other news … the Senate will test the political waters with a test vote on financial reform; the mood is set the place is ready and possibly we will see Republicans make We the People see, hear and confirm the fact that Republicans need to be voted out of office at every level because they are not doing the peoples business based on bad policies; it’s because they are catering to their base who obviously prefer to practice exclusion at a level that should scare us all.

A great example would be the comments of late from the now not so much of a Maverick John McCain. The Republicans continue to be the Political Party of no in a time when a crisis should bring them all together to get Americans back on track; but no … which says a lot not only about him but about the people on the right; just listening to him made me sad. It is possible to cater to your base without selling yourself and or Americans out; too bad Sen McCain was willing to not only sell himself out he did so on a national level; though McCain doesn’t seem to care this new McCain has to have a negative effect on his campaign and his ex-VP candidate Palin. The comments that he was never really a maverick, that it depended on the issues, that he only serves the people of Arizona were not only a joke we have to ask ourselves were they lies?; hell this guy has a book calling himself an American maverick … this should be just one of many signals that his political relevance is but a strand of hope … self imposed failure.

Immigration … the new laws in Arizona are sad; we should all take these changes personal, see the urgency in immigration reform by our Congress, push to work on it as well as climate reform peacefully and with a voters enthusiasm make sure these reckless, hurried and hurtful laws are challenged with the intent to change the silly birther and unconstitutional immigration laws. We all know real immigration needs to be implemented but come on people … what really is upsetting (illegals)? people keep saying brown people but there are people here from other countries illegally and those illegals are not always brown people so the term reasonably suspicious better apply to everyone who may be illegal …

Other News …

**Supreme court will vote to let folks who signed R71 will be viewed;people fear retaliation from various groups.

**Supreme court will decide if Cali will be able to regulate violent video games…pushing the freedom of speech

**Treasury will be selling it’s first Citigroup stock and could be 20% of the 7.7bil shares of common stock the govt owns

**Reports from news mags papers or stations clearly from the right or very right of center state the President made a desperate plea… I considerate it a call to action and im there. the following is a quote from our President… We the People need to be out in force/ vote Democrat//the President is reported saying … “I need your help once more,” the president said in an online video sent to millions of his supporters. “If you help us make sure that first-time voters in 2008 make their voices heard again in November, then together we will deliver on the promise of change, and hope, and prosperity for generations to come.”

C-SPAN …

From Sunday, April 25

Climate Change Bill on Hold As Sen. Graham Withdraws Support

The scheduled release this morning of a bipartisan climate bill was cancelled over the weekend after Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC) withdrew his support. Sen. Graham had originally cosponsored the bill with Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), but reportedly objected to Majority Ldr. Harry Reid’s (D-NV) decision to take up immigration reform legislation first.

The Hill: Monday climate bill rollout scuttled

Wash. Post: Sen. Graham walks way from bill

Senate Moves Forward On Financial Reform Legislation

The U.S. Senate begins floor action today on legislation that would impose new regulations on large financial firms and create means to shutter failing ones. It also establishes a new consumer protection agency to monitor lending practices. A first procedural vote on the bill is scheduled for this evening. This morning, Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Assistant Treasury Secretary Michael Barr are expected to discuss the bill in remarks to a conference of independent community bankers.

Senate Floor: C-SPAN2 at 2pm ET

Bankers Conf.: NOW on C-SPAN2

Reuters: Republican Calls For Strict Rules

Business Leaders Weigh Challenges of Health Care Bill

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today hosts business leaders in Washington for a forum to explain the implications of the newly passed health care law and detail the timeline for complying with the new rules. Earlier this year, the Chamber led a multi-million-dollar campaign opposing the legislation, saying it would “drive up health care costs and make coverage less affordable for businesses.”

Chamber of Commerce: C-SPAN at 10am ET

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Top U.S. Cities For Green Energy Programs

04/23/2010 Nativegrl77

Over the last few years, there has been a great deal of public discussion about the need to transition to sources of energy beyond fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum. The reasons are clear: some of these fuels are likely to be exhausted in the next few decades, the U.S. must import large amounts of oil and all fossil fuels create some level of pollution. To commemorate Earth Day, The Nielsen Company studied the top 10 DMA markets most likely to participate in renewable energy programs derived from natural resources such as the sun, the wind, water, geothermal and biomass. These are abundant in supply and do no harm to the environment. Companies and consumers are looking at these energy alternatives to reduce their carbon footprint and ensure a sustainable energy future.

Residents in the San Francisco metro area were the most likely to participate in such programs – not much of a surprise given the region’s long-time reputation for being among the most environmentally conscientious areas in the country. More surprising might be the second and third ranked metro areas of Los Angeles and the Washington, DC.

Top 10 Market Potentials for Utility Green Energy Programs
Rank	DMA	Users/100 HHS	Index
1	San Francisco metro area, CA	4.54	138
2	Los Angeles, CA	4.1	125
3	Washington metro area, DC-MD	4.04	123
4	New York, NY	4.01	122
5	San Diego, CA	3.95	121
6	Chicago, IL	3.95	120
7	Las Vegas, NV	3.86	118
8	Sacramento metro area, CA	3.77	115
9	Salt Lake City, UT	3.74	114
10	Houston, TX	3.71	113
Source: The Nielsen Company

Nielsen works with a number of utilities around the U.S. to help them evaluate such programs. One such client is Oregon’s Portland General Electric (PGE), which has been recognized as having one of the most successful residential programs of its kind. While the Portland DMA falls just outside of the Top 10 market potential report above, PGE’s customers have enthusiastically adopted this program, and participation levels are approximately three times the national average for residential renewable energy programs. With 73,000 renewable power customers, PGE is constantly evaluating customer “touch-points” to make enrollment into renewable programs easy.

“Embracing renewable power is one of the easiest ways for customers to reduce their carbon footprint,” said Thor Hinckley, Manager of PGE Renewable Power Program. “We have to thank our more than 73,000 renewable power customers who have made PGE’s renewable power program one of the nation’s most successful. For the past four years, PGE residential customers have purchased more renewable power than from any other utility in the nation.”

“As PGE has shown, there is greater market potential out there for renewable energy support from the U.S. consumer than has been tapped. Understanding which households and consumers embrace renewable energy will continue to be a driving factor in the success of these types of programs nationwide,” said Jonathan Drost, Account Executive, Nielsen Claritas.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Is Wellpoint using women for target practice?

04/23/2010 Nativegrl77

Stop Targeting the Insurance Coverage of Sick Women

Tell insurance giant Wellpoint to immediately stop dropping sick women from their insurance coverage.

One of the country’s biggest health insurance companies has a target on the back of women who need coverage. And not just any women — women suffering from breast cancer.

Unconscionable. Sign our petition and tell Wellpoint to immediately stop dropping sick women from their insurance coverage.

According to a recent Reuters article, one of the largest insurance companies in the nation is targeting women who have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and finding reasons to drop their coverage. Though the new health care reform law we all fought so hard for will prohibit this harmful insurance company practice in September, insurance companies should immediately stop dropping women who are sick from their coverage. Women’s health should not be reduced to a self-serving insurance company equation designed to weed out women who need coverage.

Wellpoint’s actions are a sad reminder of why passing a health care reform law was essential for millions of Americans in this country. And it is an important cautionary tale about how vital it is for us to properly implement health care reform to meet the needs of women.

Sign our petition and tell Wellpoint to stop targeting women with breast cancer immediately.

We need to ensure that women are treated fairly and humanely and that insurance companies are held accountable for their actions.

Thank you for continuing to stand with us.

Sincerely,

Judy Waxman
Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights
National Women’s Law Center

P.S. Your generous donation allows us to continue to stand up for women and their families. Support our work today.

~ my 2cents ...

SB1070 and jan brewer

04/23/2010 Nativegrl77

Immigration …people act like this is a new problem that only erupted under President Obama’s administration; undocumented people have come to US with the quiet understanding for years and did the work that many US citizens refused to do. Where were all these people 10,20 30,40 or more years ago to stop the status quo? undocumented workers have kept America’s economy going at some level and now are paying the price for something started by big companies needing labor workers at very low wage if at all.

The decision of Arizona Gov Brewer, which, was announced today is truly a sad and misguided action by the very people we vote into public office to represent all of the people; except the Arizona Gov’t. It’s a law that will be subjective and negatively impact all of We the People… this could jump from state to state … get involved call Gov.Jan Brewer 602 542-4331. People in Public Office should not be in charge of promoting racial profiling and or violating civil rights. The White House comment line # 202-456-1111 let them know this law violates our civil rights; we need good strong immigration reform not paper or accent checks; anything remotely associated with racial profiling is just unacceptable. The new law would begin in 90 days. Arizona’s Hispanic population is 30% this does not include other people of colour;

It’s Friday, TGIF again… in a need to be still and feel calm …breathe in slowly deeply with me then slowly release your breath and inner anger slowly … we might need to do this a few times today … because the big issue…

The big worry on my mind today is the possibility that a State that definitely lives up to its label of being one of the Seven Wonders of the World is now a place that has people in authority practicing exclusion and gotta say it, it’s craziness… what do you call people who are supposedly put into public service to work for all of the people who clearly are not. The Arizona government has shown they are willing to not only express their bigotry but practice it as well by passing…quietly … a birther law and now this state is on its way to legalizing racial profiling to search find raid and arrest the undocumented by any means necessary and does not solve undocumented immigration

The issue of immigration and whether Gov. Jan Brewer’s comment of doing what’s right for Arizona means she will do what is best in the interest of not only her State but for everyone which she obviously missed and failed as an elected official. The decision she made will not only have a heavy impact on undocumented people but for those who look reasonably suspicious … which, is definitely racial profiling and it’s just wrong and hopefully will be challenged not only by the people in Arizona but from all of us who feel the rights of the many could possibly at risk or lost who are natural citizens but might look other

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress at Work …on Earth Day

04/22/2010 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes: 9:30amET

Morning Business for 1 hour with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The Republicans will control the first 30 minutes and the Majority will control the final 30 minutes.

Following morning business, the Senate will turn to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Denny Chin to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit. There will be up to 60 minutes for debate prior to a vote on confirmation of the nomination.

Votes:

123: Confirmation of the nomination of Denny chin to be United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit; Confirmed: 98-0

Unanimous Consent:
Passed S.3244, a bill to prohibit a cost of living adjustment for members of Congress in 2011.

The Senate confirmed the following nominations:

Cal. #780 – William Nettles – U.S. Atty – South Carolina;

Cal. #781 – Wildredo Ferrer – U.S. Atty – Southern District Florida;

Cal. #795 – David Capp – U. S. Atty – Northern District Indiana;

Cal. #796 – Anne Tompkins – U.S. Atty – Western District North Carolina;

Cal. #797 – Kelly Nesbit – U.S. Marshal – Western District North Carolina;

Cal. #798 – Peter Munoz – U.S. Marshal – Western District Michigan;

Cal. #816 – Loretta Lynch – U.S. Atty – Eastern District New York;

Cal. #817 – Noel March – U.S. Marshal – Maine;

Cal. #818 – George White – U.S. Marshal – Southern District Mississippi;

Cal. #819 – Brian Underwood – U.S. Marshal – Idaho;

Secretary’s Desk – Coast Guard, Foreign Service and NOAA; and

All nominations on the Secretary’s Desk in the Coast Guard, Foreign Service, and NOAA.

Vice Adm. Robert J. Papp to be Admiral;

Rear Adm. Sally Brice-O’Hara to be Vice Admiral;

Rear Adm. Manson K. Brown to be Vice Admiral;

Rear Adm. Robert C. Parker to be Vice Admiral

Concurred in the House message to accompany S.1963, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act

S.3253, a bill to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (3-month extention from April 30, 2010 to July 31, 2010)

Adopted S.Res.496, a resolution designating April 23, 2010, as “National Adopt A Library Day.”

Adopted S.Res.497, a resolution designating the third week of April 2010 as “National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week”.

H.Con.Res.255, a concurrent resolution commemorating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and honorin the founder of Earth Day, the late Senator Gaylord Nelson (with a Coburn amendment to the preamble).

S.Res.499, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day.

At 12:46pm ET on the Floor of the Senate Sen. Russ Feingold said, “Over the years, Members of Congress have had a lot of perks. One of them stands out. That’s the ability to raise their own pay. To make it worse, Members do not even have to vote on this pay raise. Congress has set up a system whereby every year members automatically get a pay raise. No one has to lift a finger…We took an important step last year when the Senate passed legislation to end automatic pay raises for Members of Congress. Unfortunately, the leadership of the other body has so far refused to take up that bill. There’s another step we can take in the meantime. That’s to make sure we don’t get a pay raise next year. We already blocked legislation to get a pay raise this year. Now we have to do the same thing for 2011. With so many Americans looking for jobs, now is no time to give ourselves a taxpayer-funded $1,600 pay increase.”

The measure introduced and passed without a roll call by(D) Sen.Russ Feingold on the floor of the Senate

At 1:37pmET – 3:11pmET Senators spoke on the following issues — all comments are unofficial :

Secret Holds on the Presidents nominees, 94 are being held up in the Senate currently-Gen Michael Walsh

(R)Senator Bennett of Utah pleaded his case about why a consumer protection agency is a bad idea; that it will hurt small business

Filed cloture on the Motion to Proceed to S. 3217, the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010. —by Sen Harry Reid Senate proceed to the consideration of S.3217 on 4/26/2010 … (R)Sen. McConnell objected
Financial Reform

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF APRIL 22, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

4:08 P.M. –

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote. The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. :on April 26, 2010.

Mr. King (IA) moved that the House do now adjourn.

1:55 P.M. –: SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.
1:54 P.M. –: The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 3244.
1:42 P.M. –: SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
1:41 P.M. –: Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on April 29: himself for 5 min, Mr. Jones for 5 min, and Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min. Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Burton of IN be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on April 28.

Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Burton of IN be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on April 27.

Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Burton of IN be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on April 26.

1:29 P.M. –: ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H.R. 2194:

to amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to enhance United States diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by expanding economic sanctions against Iran
12:51 P.M. –: The Speaker appointed conferees – from the Committee on Ways and Means for consideration of secs. 3 and 4 of the House bill, and secs. 101-103 and 401 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Levin, Tanner, and Camp. The Speaker appointed conferees – from the Committee on Financial Services for consideration of secs. 3 and 4 of the House bill, and secs. 101-103, 106, 203, and 401 of the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Frank (MA), Meeks (NY), and Garrett (NJ).

The Speaker appointed conferees – from the Committee on Foreign Affairs for consideration of the House bill and the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Berman, Ackerman, Sherman, Crowley, Scott (GA), Costa, Klein (FL), Ros-Lehtinen, Burton (IN), Royce, and Pence.

H. Res. 1270:

expressing support for Mathematics Awareness Month
12:50 P.M. –: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 407 – 2 (Roll no. 220).
12:41 P.M. –: Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 2194:

to amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to enhance United States diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by expanding economic sanctions against Iran
12:40 P.M. –: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On motion that the House instruct conferees Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 403 – 11, 3 Present (Roll no. 219).

Considered as unfinished business.
12:32 P.M. –: UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2194, and the question of adoption of a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceeding had been postponed.

H. Res. 1287:

raising a question of the privileges of the House

On motion to refer Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 402 – 0, 17 Present (Roll no. 218).
12:16 P.M. –: The previous question on the motion to refer was ordered without objection. Mr. Hastings (FL) moved to refer to Standards of Official Conduct.
12:15 P.M. –: On ordering the previous question Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 187 – 218, 16 Present (Roll no. 217).

11:42 A.M. –: QUESTION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE – Mr. Flake rose to a question of the privileges of the House and offered a previously noticed privileged resolution. The Chair announced that the resolution qualified and directed the Clerk to report the resolution to the House. Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 2194:: to amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to enhance United States diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by expanding economic sanctions against Iran

10:40 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House resumed debate on the Ros-Lehtinen motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2194.

10:38 A.M. –

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 222.

H.R. 2194:: to amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to enhance United States diplomatic efforts with respect to Iran by expanding economic sanctions against Iran

10:27 A.M. –

The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Ros-Lehtinen motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 2194. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the managers on the part of the House to insist on the provisions of H.R. 2194 as passed by the House on December 15, 2009 and to complete their work and present a conference report and joint explanatory statement by no later than May 28, 2010. Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved that the House instruct conferees.

10:26 A.M. –