Monthly Archives: August 2010

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another magic Monday …& some News


On Tuesday, the House returns from their summer recess to consider Senate amendments to HR 1586, which encompasses $26.1 billion in aid to the states for Medicaid assistance and money to avert teacher layoffs.

Today, Republicans seem to keep on talking trash … keep putting Party and Profits before the People.

Not only is it trash it is such crap that it stinks.  Is it just me or  should this finally open the eyes of Republican constituents …They have said no to HCR which will help parents with children in college, no to Medicare that obviously will help current Seniors and future ones, they have said no to Wall Street reform… and i thought Republicans were fiscal conservative worry about the budget so on and so forth yet they sided with big Corporations like AIG, big Banks even met with them, no doubt received money and talking points and now they have thrown the baby out with the bath water and decided to be honest and should scare the rest of us into action against discrimination …reasonable fair and compassionate people believe in equality but …

The hate and vitriol Republicans seem to be projecting is on people of colour, their babies and I guess gay people. The issue at hand is about equality and in this 21st Century people need to decide what right do people have to tell each other what a family is or that as a group we have that right to tell you No you cannot love or marry who you want or love? It just seems strange to think about it seriously. Republicans have the reputation for being the party of No. It is true they have said no to things that would help ALL Americans. We all must have seen on cable the final outcomes from the votes of all but 2 Republicans in Congress in the Senate to get legislation passed where the Peoples Business, the lives  of Americans usually goes to die unless it benefits them financially.  That has been proven over and over specifically on their reaction and objection to letting the Bush tax cuts expire. The Bush tax cuts, which were only for the rich top 1-2%. The question i keep asking myself is are their constituents listening up because each and every No vote effects you too.

Americans have had to sort through the noise on the right, wade through the Media propaganda or nonsense, and get bombarded with crazy talk from the right. While we may gasp at all or most of what Republicans throw out at us day after day. It should open the eyes of all those who have been trying to decide which side of the isle they should be on … it is clear to me Republicans have tried to play both sides of the issues yes we want to help Teachers, First Responders, but it just isn’t fiscally appropriate or a responsible thing to do at this moment… huh? But Republicans are having complete melt downs when the talk is focused on letting the Bush Tax cuts expire, even Alan Greenspan stated that they were wrong and we should let them expire. Go figure

A few months ago, Eric Cantor and most Republicans were using the Lewin Group for facts and numbers to get the public to be scared and view the Public Plan as a government plan that will be the worst thing for families and businesses… Please do not think this is the case. The lewin group is in the business of insurance … specifically private care and a Public Option would have competed with them. The point is, people need to get the facts before believing what any Republican states is their source for the truth because their truth may not be accurate

Is talk cheap…

Take a moment to compare and contrast what the House of Bush did while in office … come on he sent 10mil a month to Iraq … i really cannot think of much this man did that helped all of Americans … he did give oil men and the rich huge tax cuts …

People who voted Obama into office need to step up and be counted on those polls. The process to pass legislation on Healthcare, Climate Change, Clean Energy, and Education were not easy. The Obama Admin change would not be easy and it has not been at all but this man had no idea that he would be facing an economic melt down or put up with Republican obstruction. When the President was debating with Republicans there were only three issues to worry about by themselves and could have been individually dealt with but the House of Bush, Paulson and others decided to run the government, Wall Street , Banks, AIG, Goldman Sachs, insurance into the ground. We have an Administration who has proven they can debate, compromise and get more than one piece of legislation passed into law with the perseverance of the Democratic Party in Congress. The Dems in Congress do need to get tough on the filibuster have the future in their minds each time a progressive legislation comes up…and from now on legislation in the Senate will be issues that will either move Americans into the 21st Century or not. Its obvious Republicans are going to be obstacles and again, be the party of no. The rest of us, at least 53% want to move forward fight for the middle class while Republicans continue to stay in the 19th century. It is sad to see so many people drinking the Republican kool-aid. The comments coming from the mouths of people on the right are offensive and should open the eyes of all Americans why 53% voted for Obama. We also need to recognize all the great things President Obama has done in such a short time and appreciate it for what it is. This President has worked for the middle class, has fought to get legislation moved onto the floors of both Chambers of Congress. Though few felt the effort would be fruitful he proved them all wrong. But,  we need this to continue until the ditch the last guy drove us into becomes a memory and the only person that seems able is President Obama and we need to give him a chance not throw him to the wolves just because he is not doing exactly what we want but challenge him to do better to push Congress to do the peoples business and accept that Republicans only want his failure and will do what they need to do to get it done even if it means bringing a double dip to Americans which will bring us ALL down people not just Democrats.

The public should remind themselves that the President can give the Democratic Party in Congress his agenda but they have to be willing to move it forward with enthusiasm and in a coordinated effort for the good of All Americans.

Other News …

**Cities are charging additional fees to services rendered in order to plug the budget holes they all have-beware

**Trial for youngest Gitmo prisoner is taking place as you read this

**BP is going to continue drilling the relief wells

**HP CEO Out, and with nearly 28mil –

**Honda is recalling the honda accord and civic

**Cnn Reports the the 2 remaining escaped prisoners might be heading for Indiana


C-SPAN …

watch Swearing-In Ceremony: 8/7 Elena Kagan Ceremony

watch Picnic: 8/7 (D) Jack Conway V  (TeaParty) Rand Paul the choice is obvious

watch Pres. Obama’s Weekly Address watch Republican Weekly Address

House returns to vote on aid to the states

On Tuesday, the House returns from their summer recess to consider Senate amendments to HR 1586, which encompasses $26.1 billion in aid to the states for Medicaid assistance and money to avert teacher layoffs. The Senate passed this bill last week and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) immediately announced that she would call members back from the recess to pass the bill so the President could sign it before the school year begins.They are also likely to address a privileged resolution by Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., who is calling on the Democratic leadership not to hold a lame duck session after Election Day for, in his words, “the purpose of passing hugely unpopular legislation like a national energy tax, enormous deficit spending bills, and the kickback to Big Labor known as “Card Check”.

The House is expected to be in legislative business for only one day.


Experts Discuss The Role of Community Health Centers

The nation’s community health centers received additional funding in both the health care overhaul package as well as the stimulus bill. Today, the Center for American Progress hosts a discussion on these centers and their impact in their communities. Speakers include officials from health centers in New York City and Leesburg, Virginia. They will likely discuss health centers’ experiences serving their communities and how the Recovery Act funding impacted their services.   Last week, the Washington Journal explored how businesses are working to implement the heath care law that was signed by President Obama in March. Discussions ranged from changes to health insurance to individual health savings accounts.

Washington Journal Focuses on National Security and Energy

With national security continuing to be a major focus in Washington, retired General and former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Michael Hayden joined the Washington Journal to discuss national security strategy. His appearance comes as James Clapper prepares to become the fourth Director of National Intelligence.The Washington Journal continues its month long series looking at issues in the news, with a week long discussion on energy. Virginia Tech’s Yvan Beliveau, director of the Myers Lawson School of Construction, discussed ways to construct energy saving homes and buildings. The government encourages retrofitting homes with energy saving technologies by providing consumers up to a 30% tax credit on these purchases.

Photos: Getty Images /Credit to
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Is Google selling US out?


Google is playing with fire and could destroy the Internet as we know it.

Tell Google to back off its proposed plan with Verizon and make clear that it will defend an open Internet.

Click here

If you value the free, fair, and open Internet, then you need to act now, before two corporate giants deal it away.

Last Thursday, several news outlets reported that Google and Verizon are about to cut a deal that would allow giant corporations to control which websites load slowly, quickly, or not at all.1,2,3 Google used to oppose this kind of corporate control over the Internet, but now it looks like they might be changing their tune. Google’s motto is “Don’t be evil,” but it looks like their pursuit of profit might be getting in the way of living up to that ideal.4

Thankfully, it’s not a done deal yet — and with enough pressure, we can stop them from acting. That’s why we’re joining our friends at CREDO, MoveOn, and Free Press to demand that Google back off this corporate takeover of the Internet. Will you add your voice, and then ask your friends and family to do the same?

http://www.colorofchange.org/google/?id=2275-1238940

The basic promise of the Internet lies in the guarantee that information you put online is treated the same as anyone else’s information in terms of its basic ability to travel across the Internet. Your own personal website or blog can compete on equal footing with the biggest companies. It’s the reason the Internet is so diverse — and so powerful. Anyone with a good idea can find their audience online, whether or not there’s money to promote the idea or money to be made from it.

This is critical for Black communities and others that have had our voices compromised by corporate-controlled media. For the first time in history we can communicate with a broad audience, educate, politically organize, and create new businesses — without prohibitive costs or mediation by gatekeepers in government or industry. It’s the strength of your ideas, not the size of your budget, that largely determines your success. In television, radio, and print this can’t happen because access is determined by big media corporations seeking to turn a profit.

This deal could take the Internet in a different direction. It could end the Internet’s level playing field by allowing rich corporations like Google to pay for faster-loading websites and services. It could destroy the potential for independent voices to compete with giant corporations for an audience — big corporations who can pay for preferential access to Internet users would drown out the smaller voices online. And it could mean that you’ll start getting less Internet service at a higher cost.

We expect the big telecommunications companies to try to stifle freedom and equality on the Internet — they’ve hired an army of lobbyists to do just that. But Google has always said it supports a free and open Internet. Google likes to portray itself as a corporation with principles that go beyond profit, and it would be disappointing to see Google abandon them.

Google has tried to downplay this story. They issued a short, carefully worded statement that says they’re still committed to an open Internet, but they haven’t denied that they are in talks with Verizon to cut a deal that would give corporations more control over Internet traffic.5

By speaking out, you can pressure Google to walk away from this deal. But time is running out — please sign our petition to Google today.

http://www.colorofchange.org/google/?id=2275-1238940

Thanks and Peace,

— James, Dani, William, Gabriel, Milton, and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
August 9th, 2010

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU — your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:

https://secure.colorofchange.org/contribute/

References:

1. “Google and Verizon Near Deal on Web Pay Tiers,” The New York Times, 8-5-2010
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/347?akid=1541.1174326.NUZBO1&t=6

2. “Google, Verizon Try to Shape Net-Neutrality Law,” Wall Street Journal, 8-52010
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/348?akid=1541.1174326.NUZBO1&t=8

3. “Google, Verizon Said to Strike Deal on Web Traffic Rules,” Bloomberg, 8-5-2009
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/349?akid=1541.1174326.NUZBO1&t=10

4.”NYT: Google Just Killed Net Neutrality (UPDATING: Google and Verizon Deny Internet Traffic Deal),” Gizmodo, 8-5-2010
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/350?akid=1541.1174326.NUZBO1&t=12

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Google’s about to be really evil …boldprogressives.org


Google: Don’t be evil!

Sign the letter to Google. Tell them to stop being evil and protect the free and open Internet.

Hi — this is Jason Rosenbaum, a new campaigner at the PCCC. I’ve got some urgent news.

Google, who’s corporate motto is “Don’t be evil,” is about to do something really, awfully evil: kill Net Neutrality, the First Amendment of the Internet.

As reported on the front page of the New York Times, they’re in secret talks with Verizon “to speed some online content to Internet users more quickly if the content’s creators are willing to pay for the privilege.”

Click here to stand up for a free and open Internet and sign an open letter that we’ll deliver to Google’s DC headquarters next week.

The more people who sign by next week’s delivery, the more pressure Google will feel — so please pass this email to friends.

Many groups that organize over the Internet are joining together to save the Internet. This includes the PCCC, Free Press, MoveOn, CREDO, and Color of Change. Josh Silver at Free Press writes at Huffington Post:

The deal marks the beginning of the end of the Internet as you know it. Since its beginnings, the Net was a level playing field that allowed all content to move at the same speed, whether it’s ABC News or your uncle’s video blog. That’s all about to change…

A problem just for Internet geeks? You wish. All video, radio, phone and other services will soon be delivered through an Internet connection. Ending Net Neutrality would end the revolutionary potential that any website can act as a television or radio network.

This Google-Verizon deal, this industry-captured FCC, and the way this is playing out is akin to the largest banks and the largest hedge funds writing the regulatory policy on derivative trading without any oversight or input from the public, and having it rubber stamped by the SEC. It’s like BP and Halliburton ironing out the rules for offshore oil drilling with no public input, and having MMS sign off.

Google can still stop this deal — click here to sign the open letter to Google and stand up for the free and open Internet.

Along with this letter, we’re launching an ad campaign targeting Google, so they know people all over the country are watching this deal.

We need you to stand with us and tell Google to stop being evil.

Click here to sign the letter to Google.

Thanks for being a bold progressive,

Jason Rosenbaum and the PCCC team

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Sell Target?


Target is one of the first corporations to take advantage of Citizens United. It donated over $150,000 to an anti-gay, anti-immigration candidate in Minnesota. We need to hold Target accountable—and show other corporations that they will pay a price if they follow Target’s lead in hijacking our democracy. Can you chip in $5?

Breaking news: After Target’s contribution to a far-right candidate in Minnesota ignited a public outcry, the company’s stock took a hit. In one day, it lost $1.3 billion in value—and some observers said the threat of a boycott was one cause.1

But Target won’t stop trying to buy elections. In fact, Target’s CEO is already talking about “future donations.”2 Maybe he’s listening to the analysts who are “downplaying” the downsides of Target’s political activity.3 So we need to turn up the heat to make sure that Target—and ALL corporations—understand that Americans won’t tolerate corporations hijacking our elections.

We’ve been working round-the-clock on new, visible ways to get our message across—including skywriting above Target’s headquarters, viral videos from angry customers, and live events outside stores around the country. We need to hold Target accountable, and help show other corporations that they better not follow Target’s example.

Target gave a right-wing candidate $150,000. We need to raise at least that much right away to keep fighting back.

That’ll take 64 donations from Seattle—can you chip in $5? Just click here:

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/target.html?bg_id=hpc5&id=22407-9640874-r0UfT.x&t=3

It’s clear that we’ve got real momentum. A Facebook group protesting Target ballooned to over 40,000 members in less than a week. A woman with a gay son went to her local Target to protest respectfully—and the resulting video racked up over 200,000 views on YouTube.4 Target was forced to set up a special phone line to handle the volume of customers’ phone calls.

But Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel hasn’t promised that the company will stop intervening in elections. He emailed Target employees and defended the donation as focused on “business objectives”—and, later, pledged to set up a “review process” for future donations.5

Future donations? As long as corporations like Target think that it’s OK to plow money into political campaigns, we’re in trouble. Corporations are not people. We need to make sure that Target and each and every corporation in the country gets this message: Stay out of our elections!

To bring that lesson home, we need to use all our movement’s creativity and energy. So on Friday, MoveOn members at over 1,100 Target stores around the country (!) dropped by with letters expressing their disappointment. And we’re getting ready to display our message in the sky overhead Target’s headquarters!

We need resources to pay for these high-profile tactics. If we can raise $150,000—the same amount as Target donated to a right-winger—we’re confident we can break through the media chatter and spin.

That’ll take 64 donations from Seattle—can you chip in $5? Just click here:

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/target.html?bg_id=hpc5&id=22407-9640874-r0UfT.x&t=4

Thanks for helping us bring home this message to Target and other corporations—and for all you do.

–Ilyse, Robin, Anna, Milan, and the rest of the team

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Weekend wrap-up views &some News …As Discrimination breaks out


Sunday buzz … as Discrimination breaks out all over the country… in a place that has always welcomed immigrants has a new look and conflict on an old issue – Race, Religion and Sexual Preference.

Yes -there are two sides to every story …

What i see is a whole lot of race baiting from people on the extreme right acting in the name of getting their country back in response to having an African-American President among other things that seem to be on the break the Obama Presidency train agenda. The question is will we start to see angry mobs saying this that and the other in the name of the constitution? That ultimately blocks the rights of people of colour. It is a fact that Republicans state that they are the fiscal party, the conservative party that believes in the constitution yet the last 2years of the Obama Administration have suggested otherwise. We have two Democrats under investigated for possible ethics charges and Democrats in Congress have stated that they will in fact reprimand any member found to be guilty. .FYI:  We are all innocent until proven guilty …lets remember that but if we remember that lets also remind ourselves of the list of Republicans who have yet to be investigated for various things that seem to qualify for ethics charges in my opinion…

…Republicans have voted for Tax Cuts for the Rich, more Money for War, and do not want the Bush tax cuts to expire. They did without any morose vote against Teachers, our auto-industry, Wall Street Reform, Health Care reform, First Responders and Americans who are unemployed…What more do you need in order to Vote to keep Democrats in office or fill more seats with Democrats because Republicans want to take entitlements away from ALL of us… what is an entitlement? Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare and who out there in the middle class knows they need reforming but cutting those programs will create a chaos in the lives of current and future Senior citizens and probably not recover from. Now they are using the 14th Amendment in a disturbing and truly rude awakening way.

If you have been watching the news at all, it is apparent that the attitude and intent of people on the right have reached a new low in my book of nasty actions. The question i have among many others is if 9/11 had not happened. What if people on the right hadn’t said who and where the nexus of evil was and those responsible hadn’t been so determined to blame all Muslims for the action of a few or declare war against Islam as a response to the terror attack on the US; what would be their response. For me and it is just my own feelings and opinions but what i see is truly embarrassing, sad and offensive. I am not a religious person i am spiritual and feel that that is my right to feel and worship where and how i see fit as long as i hurt no one or myself in doing… let me say that again, as long as i hurt no one or myself. I watched the News covering the protests with signs that brought back memories of people who are afraid of the unknown and who have to be completely uninformed of the facts regarding our constitution or something else that probably should scare us all. It made me wonder how it must have felt when pressed, shoved, and provoked into Marching against discrimination. It made wonder how it felt to make a commitment to stand up against racism, against exclusion. We know that they had to take to the streets again and again even with the real possibility of dying at the hands of people who either just do not understand, are obviously listening to provocateurs  or are just racists and only see the problem and the most basic of logic…at least for them Race. What we have seen is not at the same level as history has on record yet the fight to uphold the 14th Amendment is on…though civilized now it is troublesome nonetheless.

The whole mosque protest is odd, first of all there is already a mosque and FYI location of the mosque and the new community center will not be at ground Zero as suggested by and started by someone misinformed jerk who is trying to stir people up. That is a fact and here is another one. There were great Muslim Americans who worked and lived among others in the NYC as anyone else like those carrying foul signs of contempt acting as if they are better than the Muslims that also died in that dreadful terror attack. I say shame on these people who obviously do not understand that not all Muslims are bad nor are all Black or Brown people or Gays and that brings me back to something i posted yesterday. Yesterday, i posted a picture of the civil rights riots- all or mostly all Black being beat and hosed down for standing up for future and equal rights in society. I know that we are not experiencing that same depth of discrimination but it spoke loudly to me though Blacks have more rights and more opportunities, we still suffer discrimination, women still suffer discrimination, and if the right continues, the right to choose will be an issue women will again have to March against discrimination. It you are in tune, Brown people are the latest target of discrimination, and so are their anchor babies -as Republicans call them. The undocumented and their children have become tool to stir up people who use the Constitution when they are mad at the government or are afraid and who are definitely willing to use the Racist Card as a political bat against giving others rights the 14th Amendment clearly states… People should look up the facts before protesting based on misinformation and anger. The attitude of folks in certain parts of our country seems like feel they have to do something before people of colour move in and take over. That is just my opinion but if you are honest, the target of said anger currently in the news today is about people of coulor. Those who are projecting the anger also know the fight is about equality and since we are in the 21st Century, we all need to move into it because until we do our stagnation will only stop progress. We had hope for change we could believe in that included Climate Change, Clean Energy, Green Jobs better Educational opportunities, and comprehensive immigration. If done correctly the US could become number one again but it requires Congress to create and make laws that gets All Americans back on track with small business loans, tax cuts to the middle class and credits to the private sector in order to get the cooperation that is missing right now. It is not lost on me how businesses such as AIG are still making Profits …the question is why is not this resulting in more jobs? Are they trading overseas, outsourcing and or slashing jobs and saving money while investing? At this moment, i see the country as The Republican Political Party in Congress against Americans. How can we see Republicans any other way? We have a group of people voted into office by Americans who say they are fiscal conservatives yet when they don’t get their way they have major tantrums.  They gave become the party of No to all things American. Saying no to health-care reform, unemployment, financial regulations affects everyone not just people who are left of center and if you are right of center or on the extreme right you have been impacted as well and should wonder what has any Republican done to help you because that is their job whether they admit it or not and they have yet to help even their own constituents out.

Equality is a right not a Privilege

Other News …

**Ice island breaks off Greenland Glacier

**Nun’s death is used to create allies and rallies anti-immigration reform

**Some people are being forced to retire early and use SS early

**Entourage will end sometime next year…but they might do a movie

**Thad Allen states BP must use the relief wells …huh?

——————————————————————————————

The Elena Kagan swearing in will be held today about 2pmET.

My Saturday sound off …We have all heard of Ratings Week or what most call Sweeps …whatever it seems like a whole lot of stations have decided to create a mood of doom and gloom for Democrats as we move toward the November elections. It is funny to hear the constant barrage coming from the mouths of an ab stoddard type of journalist who definitely does not speak for me or to me…

Well, none of them speak for me; some have said things that have made me frustrated because they have the platform to say whatever they want and the audience does not challenge it. Some of the commentators think this is News when obviously it is just opinions and sometimes-reckless comments are put out there to stir up trouble and or get ratings …right. It is offensive on most occasions and it may just be me but getting the News plus something extra from the likes of a Jenk just is not appetizing to me in most cases the channel is turned immediately, especially that day he said we all should have voted for Hillary Clinton as if he was speaking for all those in the Democratic Party.   It was offensive on so many levels and it was disrespectful to the current President and a great reason no one from the Obama Administration would want to be on that show as of late.

If you were able to see msnbc live yesterday you would have seen the interaction between Jenk and Senator Grayson told it all for me and hopefully other people saw the often-awkward banter on msnbc. It seemed to have left Jenk with a very nervous laugh and while he probably felt he behaved, professionally he did not, all that Senator Grayson could say was good luck with your TV show, and not smile attached … ok that is just my opinion.

Anyway, folks on cable and their cable heads are trying. Maybe too desperately to get Ratings… the almighty Ratings Numbers i guess translates into dollars but we all know that cnn and msnbc are behind the so-called fox news station because as reported in the news they offer up all those things cnn and msnbc or mainstream TV does not such as : Campaign Platform for candidates on the right, Racism and discrimination by hosts, lies, opinions portrayed as News, fabricated News and clowns like beck, hannity and others tell the audience things that are not completely lies but they aren’t accurate either and reach viewership of up to millions and make that and then some in change for telling the public half-truths.  It has to be said not all of their commentators engage in such unprofessional behavior but Sheppard smith is the only one i can think of right now and he gets good ratings from what i hear. It was odd when they hired huckabee then Palin as hosts and commentators because i thought both were interested in running for President and clearly the fact that they are on TV in their host or contributor status takes them out of the running for good. At least that is my understanding of the rules.

It has not lost on me that there have been a whole lot of changes to network programming because the November elections are just 60 some odd days away. We have to see prime timers making guest appearance on daytime to talk doom and gloom for Democrats with a little sarcasm about the President Obama and what he did in the short time he has been in office. Then we hear if Republicans played their cards, right the Poll numbers say this that or the other and we all believe those right. It all makes me want to puke but now and until the November elections we have to hear the manipulated truth or the truth with some facts left out or an off the wall opinion backed up by what the commentator believes we all feel as well…NOT. It is offensive to think that we all feel the way the commentator feels on every issue of the day and because they are, free to say whatever they want we the people sit with headphones or watch the screen with distaste. The comments and or manipulation of the truth is why i had to join twitter and blog as well because we as viewers have no recourse to some of the crap we hear on the airwaves or hear and or read from the Media. Beware of Ratings Sweep coming your way from now until the November elections.

Other News …

**6 American on med-team workers died in a Taliban attack in Afghanistan

**Tropical storms colin are heading into Bermuda and warnings of high winds  beaches are closed Saturday…estelle moves into the pacific and mexio with 50mph winds

**Overnight gunfight in Baghdad bomb factory kills 5

**Saudi says deal has been reached on BlackBerry services

C-SPAN …

listen BP Conference Call

watch James Roosevelt on Social Security

listen Admiral Allen Daily Oil Spill Update

watch White House Reception

July unemployment rate stays at 9.5%; Trustees report Released

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported yesterday that the unemployment rate for July stayed at 9.5% with 71,000 jobs created during the month.

Overall, the nation lost 131,000 jobs last month, but those losses came as 143,000 Census Bureau workers left their temporary employment, the Labor Department said. June’s number was revised downward to a total loss of 221,000 jobs. The agency originally reported that the nation lost 125,000 jobs in June.

To further examine BLS’s report, the Joint Economic Committee heard testimony from Keith Hall, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, on unemployment numbers for July, and national employment trends.

Pres. Obama spoke at Gelberg Signs, a small business in Washington, about the employment report. He also discussed the Adminisration’s plans to expand small business with the support of loans from the Small Business Administration.

Also this week, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, who serve on the Board of Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds, released a new Trustees report on the fiscal condition of Social Security and Medicare. They outlined the report which piggy-backed an earlier announcement by the Obama Administration that projected that new spending cuts would save the Medicare program $8 billion dollars by the end of 2011.

Under the new health care law, signed by the president in March, Medicare spending will increase by 5.3 percent a year over the next decade and allow the program’s trust fund to remain solvent until 2029.

Kagan to become fourth women on supreme court

Elena Kagan will go to the Supreme Court to take the Constitutional and the Judicial Oath to become the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. The oath will be administered by Chief Justice John Roberts. The Senate approved Kagan as the 112th Justice on Thursday by a vote of 63-37. Nebraska Democratic Senator Ben Nelson was the only member of his party who opposed Kagan in the final vote. Five Republican Senators joined the Democratic majority to support the nominee: Susan Collins (ME), Lindsey Graham (SC), Richard Lugar (IN), Olympia Snowe (ME) and Judd Gregg (NH). Kagan will replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens and become the fourth female Justice in the Supreme Court’s history. For the first time in its history, he nine-member court will now have three sitting female justices.

watch Swearing-In Ceremony: C-SPAN at 2pm ET
watch C-SPAN’s Senate Confirmation Hub Page
watch Pres. Obama Meeting With Kagan watch C-SPAN Biographical History: Elena Kagan

Photos …Getty Images