tame it Tuesday &some News …

08/10/2010 Nativegrl77

Today is definitely one that needs taming, the air is thick with pollen and by the end of the week, the 206 should be experiencing high temps again…

Ten years ago a procedural vote on HR1586 in the House of Representatives took place ..a Vote to help Teachers, Govt workers, Firefighters, and 1st Responders..it extends the stimulus money to help States pay Medicaid, a $26Billion Bill. …in a time when a deep recession has occurred and need to pump money into the system is obvious …Republicans want tax cuts for the wealthy and no one on the right seems to know how or who would pay for the $830Billion needed to pay for them, they don’t want reform they only want what will keep the upper 1-2%happy and made threats using Wall Street back then now it’s average Americans that are a target. The action republicans continue to engage in is offensive and All Americans should be outraged …it’s time to open your eyes people. If you are listening … the target in on the Poor, Impoverished, and People who they continue to believe are dragging them down? because they want to spend money on the wealthy without paying for it? I will say this over and over again… All citizens have been made a victim and for Republicans and a few conservadems have shown themselves to be unworthy to be in Congress …that is supposed to represent the People

No Doubt the Democratic Party is working for the People and NOT against Us. The Speaker of the House called Congress at least those that are in the House of Representatives back into Session. The reports back then were that they would only meet on Tuesday and vote to fund Teachers, First Responders in this time of financial crisis that Republicans have and continue to vote against Americans whenever possible and apparently, things haven’t changed.

The House of Representatives were in Session Monday night for about 2-3 hours, which was a surprise to see this morning. Republicans started saying No 20 months ago and have not stopped, have voted time, and time against their own constituents. We the People have to stand up against this come to the November elections.

It is so offensive to think Politicians not only would want to say No to workers in such a deep recession of the US but run away from all things called Reform. It is obvious we need to reform a whole lot of things the last guy left us –because that is who pushed us into the ditch. We did not fall completely over the edge but if we give Republicans control, we definitely will not just be in a deep recession but a depression. If it sounds cynical well it is because for 20 months not one Republicans has given us concrete plans to get Americans back on track

Today seems like a day when we all, maybe it is just me because i do need to breathe in slowly in deeply -breathe out, repeat as needed. –

–With all the noise coming from the right about stripping citizenship from children of immigrants , how SB1070 had hidden consequences and definitely an intent to oust Brown people out of Arizona, which, if you know your history has only been a US state since 1912. It begs the question of who owned Arizona before right? well, we all know but it points to the class system and how people of privilege seem to be rearing their ugly head. The crap that upsets me is equality is a right not a privilege and no one especially Politicians should not forget that. I know this much is true…If my Ancestors had not gone through the journey to America …good bad and possibly ugly as well as those who gave in to their passion and love for each other, my family would not exist and i thank them for taking the risk

There are so many things going on in the News right now that should bother all of us and while clearly as a whole we are in a better place, it is the 21st Century and the ugly struggle continues. Yet, the whole Elena Kagan confirmation hearings gave me that eerie feeling of how it must have felt back in the day when folks of colour and the women were treated so poorly. There seemed to be a whole lot of folks engaging in specific toxic talk that seems embattled and begs us to ask ourselves where Republicans are regarding race. They have to know the public is watching the conversation on national TV right so it was very confusing to hear people, voted supposedly into office to create and pass laws for all people have made a choice to put Party and Profit before the Peoples business.

Now, Republicans seem to be using old white strategy, reasonable suspicion, and the14th Amendment to scare; I guess White people. There are people in the News or analyst stating that when there is a recession of the kind we are now having people get restless and start to look for a target and unfortunately, it seems to be the other… Well, for me that is just not acceptable. We live in a country made up of immigrants and while it is true that we need comprehensive immigration the nonsense coming from Politicians on the right saying we need to look at changing, adjusting, or stripping the 14th amendment because it is outdated or for whatever reason just crosses the line of sanity.

America is a country of diverse backgrounds and if you listen to the vitriol being put out there, on the airwaves you would have to wonder if racism is coming from folks we vote into office and how can we stop that before they get there. Is there a test, criteria to be met before you can run for office? Ok, I know there are far and few because if there were rules laws then we definitely would not be seeing even half of who is currently sitting in the Senate.

Is there a voice of reason in the Republican Party of No? Because the Elena Kagan confirmation hearing if nothing else brought the Republican stank out and into the open. It was obvious to me that it should have people of colour deciding just who they will be voting for in the upcoming elections and it cannot be for Republicans, as the rhetoric doesn’t just seem racist it is that and with that disrespect follows. The comments about the man Elena Kagan clerked for, Thurgood Marshall who just so happens to have a lot of respect from a hell of a lot of people were disrespected on national TV. I still wonder what these nasty Republicans felt like when his Widow walked into the ceremony for Elena Kagan. The fact that she was there was covered by the Media and cable but nothing was said about any remorse or apologies or possible embarrassment Republicans may have felt considering the things that were said during the confirmation hearing.

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Warren: Good News …

08/10/2010 Nativegrl77

Big mo? Progressive groups call on Obama to appoint Warren

Great news! The Washington Post’s Greg Sargent just reported that Senators Dick Durbin and Carl Levin are publicly backing Elizabeth Warren! That makes 15 senators since we started making calls last week.

Can you help us get Senator Murray and Cantwell on the record supporting Elizabeth Warren? It takes 30 seconds — click here for a script and the number.

The media is taking notice of our partnership with Sen. Al Franken on this issue — and the nearly 5,000 calls PCCC and Credo Action members have put into Senate offices. Here are a few recent headlines about our campaign:

CBS: “Franken, Progressive Groups Begin Whip Campaign For Elizabeth Warren”
Talking Points Memo: “Al Franken Leads Campaign to Whip Support for Elizabeth Warren”
Minnesota Independent: “Franken whips up support for Elizabeth Warren appointment”
Huffington Post: “PCCC bombing Senate with Elizabeth Warren calls”
Washington Post: “Big mo? Two more Senators call on Obama to appoint Elizabeth Warren”

Help us keep the momentum going. Ask Sens. Murray and Cantwell to join Durbin, Levin, Franken, and 12 other senators in saying that if the President appoints Warren to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, they will vote yes.

Click here for a script and the number.

Thanks for being a bold progressive,

–Julia Rosen, Jason Rosenbaum, Adam Green, Stephanie Taylor, and the PCCC team

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Congress in Session -The House of Representative is

08/10/2010 Nativegrl77

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF AUGUST 10, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

The procedural vote on HR1586 in the House of Representatives is taking place right now ..a Vote to help Teachers, Govt workers, Firefighters and 1st Responders..it extends the stimulus money to help states pay Medicaid and is a 26Billion dollar Bill. I have to say how distasteful it is to know that even 4 in the Democratic Party felt bold enough to vote against HR1586 the vote moves it forward and a vote to debate is now on the floor as well as a possibility that they may have to come back another day…following that if HR1586 passes the bill goes to President Obama asap.

HR1586 passes 247-161 vote with the ugly truth that 3 in the Democratic Party voting No and will go to the desk of the President. The House also passed the 600million for security on the border and now are adjourned until Sept 14th

3:26 P.M. –

The House adjourned pursuant to H. Con. Res. 308. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on September 14, 2010.

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Hastings (FL) moved that the House do now adjourn.

H.R. 1586:

to impose an additional tax on bonuses received from certain TARP recipients

3:25 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 247 – 161 (Roll no. 518).

3:01 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

1:49 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to H.Res. 1606, the House proceeded with one hour of debate, equally divided and controlled, on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1586.

1:48 P.M. –

Mr. Obey moved that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment.

H. Res. 1606:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 1586) to modernize the air traffic control system, improve the safety, reliability, and availability of transportation by air in the United States, provide for modernization of the air traffic control system, reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, and for other purposes

1:46 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 229 – 173 (Roll no. 517).

1:39 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

1:38 P.M. –

MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in memory of the brave men and women in uniform who have given their lives in the service of the United States in Iraq and in Afghanistan and their families, and all who serve in our Armed Forces and their families.

H. Res. 1606:

1:37 P.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 244 – 164 (Roll no. 516).

1:18 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

1:17 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on ordering the previous question and adoption of H.Res. 1606, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

12:39 P.M. –

POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE – Pursuant to clause 1 of rule IX, Mr. Rangel rose to a point of personal privilege and was recognized by the Chair to proceed for one hour.

On motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 236 – 163 (Roll no. 515).

12:13 P.M. –

Mr. Polis (CO) moved to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair.

12:12 P.M. –

The Chair announced that the pending question is will the decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the House?

Mr. Price (GA) moved to appeal the ruling of the Chair.

11:59 A.M. –

Pursuant to a previous special order, Mr. Price (GA) rose to a question of the privileges of the House and submitted a privileged resolution. The Chair directed the Clerk to report the resolution. The Clerk completed the reading of the submitted resolution and upon examination of the resolution, the Chair announced that the resolution did not constitute a question of the privileges of the House.

H. Res. 1606:

11:58 A.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 1606, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Dreier demanded the Yeas and Nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on ordering the previous question on H.Res. 1606 until a time to be announced.

10:55 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1606

Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 6080:

making emergency supplemental appropriations for border security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

10:54 A.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

10:15 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6080.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Price (NC) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

10:14 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

10:02 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Kagen to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

10:00 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Charles Gallagher, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Washington, DC.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of August 10.

9:24 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. today.

9:00 A.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 10:00 a.m. for the start of legislative business.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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NATIONAL SECURITY The Right’s Shameful Muslim-Bashing

08/10/2010 Nativegrl77

Six days after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, President Bush delivered a speech at the Islamic Center of Washington, DC, making clear his belief that the Islamic radicals who attacked America did not represent all Muslims. “The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam,” Bush said. “That’s not what Islam is all about.” In recent months, however, Bush’s message of tolerance has been increasingly rejected by key conservative leaders, many of whom have begun to irresponsibly cultivate fear and hostility toward American Muslims. Journalist Michelle Goldberg wrote that “the hysteria over the Cordoba Initiative” — the Islamic cultural center to be built in lower Manhattan — “has marked a tipping point. Recently, conservatives, including conservative politicians, have indulged in the sort of full-throated, shameless anti-Muslim prejudice more typical of the European far right.” While it was tasked with protecting the country, the Bush administration seemed to recognize that alienating Muslims worldwide was a bad idea, even if its actual policies of war and occupation ended up doing just that. Now, however, unmoored from the responsibilities of governance, the American right is unabashedly embracing a platform of blatant fear-mongering and Islamophobia, and promoting a deeply divisive discourse of war between America and Islam.

NATIONAL OUTBREAK OF ANTI-ISLAMIC PROTEST: Driven by the rhetoric of leaders like Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin, controversy over the so-called “Ground Zero Mosque” has spilled over into conservative protests against Muslim places of worship elsewhere in the country. The Atlantic’s Max Fisher notes that “crowds of protesters, sometimes aligned with the conservative Tea Party movement, are now rallying against proposed mosques in such locations as Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Sheboygan, Wisconsin; Bridgeport, Connecticut; and Temecula, California.” The New York Times recently reported that “local skirmishes make clear that there is now widespread debate about whether the best way to uphold America’s democratic values is to allow Muslims the same religious freedom enjoyed by other Americans, or to pull away the welcome mat from a faith seen as a singular threat.” Examining recent conservative rhetoric against both Muslims and immigrants, the Center for American Progress’ Matthew Yglesias wrote in the Washington Post, “Politicians are making hay out of the mosque only because public opinion seems to oppose it. They are reflecting, as well as stoking, a groundswell of public hostility toward outsiders.”

THE ISLAMOPHOBIA NETWORK GOES MAINSTREAM: For years, a network of well-funded right-wing organizations and individuals have been peddling a false vision of Islam as irretrievably hostile to the United States and modernity, and of American Muslims themselves as a potential fifth column. Since 9/11, pundits like Daniel Pipes, Frank Gaffney, and Andrew McCarthy have made a fine living trafficking in anti-Muslim invective, but have mostly remained on the margins of the debate. Now the adoption of this anti-Islamic discourse by an ostensibly “serious” conservative leader like Newt Gingrich represents a significant escalation. Speaking at the American Enterprise Institute on July 29, Gingrich used a series of discredited anecdotes to argue that Islamist radicals are infiltrating America’s legal system, and declared that Cordoba House represented “an act of triumphalism,” because “Cordoba is the city in Spain where a conquering Muslim army built a mosque on top of a church.” Echoing Gingrich, and expressing his willingness to join “a mass demonstration in front of [New York Mayor Michael] Bloomberg’s office,” former CIA head and Saddam-Al Qaeda conspiracy theorist James Woolsey insisted, “There is absolutely no reason to put [an Islamic cultural center] there except triumphalism.” In a detailed post correcting Gingrich, scholar Carl Pyrdum noted that this argument “elides three hundred years of Christian and Muslim history.” Far from “symboliz[ing] their victory,” Pyrdum wrote, “the [Cordoba] Mosque was held up by Muslim historians a symbol of peaceful coexistence with the Christians” of Spain.

TIME FOR PROGRESSIVES TO STEP UP: Analyzing the upsurge in anti-Islamic rhetoric among conservatives, George Washington University’s Marc Lynch wrote that “the progressive side bears some of the blame” in having failed to offer a coherent counter-narrative to the right-wing’s “war of civilizations.” Slate’s Will Saletan wrote, “If the prospect of losing our Constitution to religious government frightens you, don’t worry about the tiny Muslim-American minority. Worry about the anti-mosque majority Gingrich is working to mobilize.” Defending Cordoba House, the Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg wrote that Imam Rauf, the leader of the Cordoba Initiative, “represents what [Osama] Bin Laden fears most: a Muslim who believes that it is possible to remain true to the values of Islam and, at the same time, to be a loyal citizen of a Western, non-Muslim country.” Goldberg continued, “Bin Laden wants a clash of civilizations; the opponents of the mosque project are giving him what he wants.” “America has real enemies in the world — forces that want to kill us and destroy our democratic values,” wrote the CAP’s Sally Steenland. “We would be smart to refute their claims by more forcefully declaring and acting on what we know to be true — that Islam and democracy are wholly compatible, that Muslims were part of America before we were a nation, that they have fought alongside their fellow Americans in every war we have endured, and today are helping to strengthen our national security and fulfill our country’s promise of equality, liberty, and justice for all.”

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Environment: Global Warming

08/10/2010 Nativegrl77

ENVIRONMENT — REP. MARKEY SAYS GREENLAND ICEBERG HAS MADE ROOM ‘FOR GLOBAL WARMING DENIERS TO START THEIR OWN COUNTRY’: Last week, NASA satellite data showed that a giant ice shelf four times the size of Manhattan broke off from a glacier in northwest Greenland. “The new ice island has an area of at least 100 square miles,” noted University of Delaware climate researcher Andreas Muenchow, “and a thickness up to half the height of the Empire State Building.” Over the weekend, Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), who has been leading the legislative effort to confront climate change, blasted his obstructionist colleagues in a statement about the news. “An iceberg four times the size of Manhattan has broken off Greenland, creating plenty of room for global warming deniers to start their own country,” Markey said. “So far, 2010 has been the hottest year on record, and scientists agree arctic ice is a canary in a coal mine that provides clear warnings on climate.” He added that it was “unclear how many giant blocks of ice it will take to break the block of Republican climate deniers in the US Senate who continue hold this critical clean energy and climate legislation hostage.” His urgency is warranted: a paper published in Science magazine last year found evidence “that the most recent 10-year interval (1999–2008) was the warmest of the past 200 decades” for the Arctic. And a recent National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration report found that 2010 Arctic sea ice extent was the lowest on record for the month of June. The startling decline in Arctic sea ice has been shown by numerous climate studies based on expert analysis to be a direct result of human activity.