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Americans Vs Republicans

09/05/2010 Nativegrl77

Prior to a vote on the small business jobs bill, Senator Olympia Snowe, who eventually voted no, described her frustration with the countless delays this legislation has encountered, by her Republican colleagues nonetheless…. (more info)

Senate Democrats today discussed The Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Spill Accountability Act that was introduced earlier this week. Democrats are trying to pass this legislation to create jobs, lower consumers’ energy costs, protect the environment, and hold BP accountable for the Gulf Coast oil spill. Senate Republicans want taxpayers to foot the bill for BP’s disaster and let BP use endless legal battles to run out the clock on those whose livelihoods they destroyed. The Republican plan also does nothing to create jobs or reduce our nation’s dependence on oil. … (more info)

Senator Jeff Sessions today attempted to claim that President Obama’s judicial nominees have moved at a considerably faster pace than President George W. Bush‘s did. False.

Senator Sessions skewed the math to his advantage. Take a look at the video for the real facts. … (more info)

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Weekend Reviews& some News

09/04/2010 Nativegrl77

Wow summer is almost over and though we have moderate heat here it just does not seem like summer anymore. The East Coast is still getting a lot of rain and wind but not the cat3-4 like first estimated though the folks in Nova Scotia need to get prepared for the worst be happy if it turns out to be a wimp.

Does anyone know how big of a deal it is to get the middle east peace talks started let alone getting these men all in the same room and engaged in the move toward the 21st Century. Americans should be proud. i definitely see myself as an American and Proud of the effort made by President Obama -let’s hope they all cooperate with him.

The Political climate is getting heated as the sometimes ugly rhetoric regarding race religion and gender preferences seem to be the big stick Republicans are wielding at those with truly weak minds who seem unwilling to remember what being an American is all about. I know that schools use to teach inclusion but with all that is going on one has to wonder what is being taught at home or at the schools these days. What seems like an overt dogma of exclusion my hope that any sane person would think this attitude is not what Americans are all about. We are a country of immigrants with various types of families that blend and make sense only to them i guess. I don’t understand the attitude and do not subscribe to it because it is un-American.

The video below was created after the 9/11 terrorist attacks … sorry about the sound or clarity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_5XIOn68Hk

Someone left a comment on my blog about a couple of articles posted which was a great thing in itself but we disagreed about how Muslim Americans are being treated around the US today as well as his personal attitude toward President Obama.

The first comment left asked about an article from media matters asking why so many people believe the falsehoods about President Obama’s birthplace, religion, and ideology. This person said”, what disproven falsehoods would these be. The Obama Regime has disproved none of the allegations against him.” My response was and still is; what you should be wondering is why you feel or need to label President Obama admin. I ask if it racism and fear, or do you just feel like white people should be in charge? I continued by stating it was obvious they were not apart of the 53% who voted for Obama. There is no Regime and to say this is so offensive because if Bush had done the right thing Obama would be working on HCR, immigration DADT, Climate and Clean energy. Instead, the last guy in charge of the White House waited until the very last moment and said whoops we have a problem then hid. He had Paulson tell us that the economy was close or near to collapsing. As everyone hid or tried to keep the public and Congress at bay, we had the McCain campaign deciding to get their own Hillary by hiring Palin as a VP candidate. Then as the News or rumors about our economy came out McCain says our system is fundamentally sound…What? While the shit was, hitting the fan President Obama remained calm cool and stepped up while all the others became afraid. I do not think anyone knew what to do and Bush/Paulsen acted…foolishly, we would be better off had they thrown more money at the right ppl… they did not.

The other comment was about an article that dealt with the current negative talk and behavior toward Muslim Americans. The person is in my interpretation a racist considering he believes all Muslims are either terrorists or complicit by association and in their inaction and their cult’s name. The person stated this is American and you get what you deserve. I have to say it was a strange response. I do not know if this person was young or old but it definitely was a reflection of how a lot on the right feel these days. I responded stating; yes this is America and lumping people into a category is not how right or how most Americans act. It is un-American …Not every Caucasian is a bigot, not every African American is a killer or belongs in a gang and not every Latino American runs drugs or guns and this is the same with Muslim Americans not every Muslim is a terrorist …unless you know more than i are all White People Racists? How do you feel about what G.Bush and his band of Republicans did to our economy and or Boehner and his group of Republicans or Tea Party who have been practicing exclusion overtly? Exclusion, racism, discrimination seems to be what you are suggesting …generalizing is just wrong. I do not know you but i can do you belong to a group that thinks our Constitution means nothing and if so are you un-American? Fear of the unknown begets these feelings about the “Other” or those who do not fit the group they are more comfortable with and that is something that is not only offensive but also a primal reaction that can only be changed if the person feeling it wants to change. I have to say people need to calm down and work together instead of working against each other Whites against People of Colour or Religion. Though i totally disagree with the person who commented on my blog was surprising to hear someone say – that people get treated as they deserve because it just is wrong -try being reasonably suspicious and talk to me again… and what does an illegal look like? The treatment anyone gets is only as pure as the person applying the treatment and please don’t tell me you don’t know anyone who hasn’t been pulled over for driving, walking or just being non-white at any given day. I am only responding to your generalization of Muslims. The problem of how people try to apply the Constitution when it suits them is also confusing offensive and compels me to respond…hey thanks for your input

Other News …

**Middle East peace talks are being held under the org of President Obama and Hillary Clinton

**Photos of Rhianna giving the finger to the paps …all things considered she made a bad choice because she is wearing what looks like an authentic military hat ….very disrespectful on all accounts

**The East Coast had damage from Earl but not as bad as it could have because it lost strength as it rolled on now Canada is on the alert

**President Obama states he is committed to helping the Middle Class

CSPAN …

Panel Discussion on Filibustering and the 111th Congress

Panel Discussion on 2010 Elections

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This is not about Ground Zero …it is about America

09/04/2010 Nativegrl77

Over the last week we’ve heard a lot from DFA members around the country asking for action to protect the rights of religious freedom for all Americans and I couldn’t agree more.

I don’t get upset much. I mean, I get ticked off at Republicans and Democrats (and at really bad customer service!), but that’s why I work with you at DFA. Because when we get upset, we don’t stew in it and hope it goes away. We do something about it.

The controversy around the building of a Muslim Community Center at 51 Park in New York City should upset all of us. It definitely upsets me. Shortly after the tragedy of the 9/11 attacks, much of this country came together. But there were a number of other, smaller tragedies occurring all over the country as a result of the attacks. People who “looked like terrorists” were victims of harassment, intimidation, and outright violence.

That includes me, and every member of my immediate family in different instances. My response was to protest the coming wars. My family did something different, though. They started going to Mosque. It did more than renew their faith — it provided a sense of community and safety during a very dark time for us. But for the last nine years, at least, people have been trying to block the construction of mosques all over the country.

Now, let’s be clear, the subject of the highest profile Muslim structure, 51 Park in New York City, will have a basketball court and a culinary school. Two floors will have a prayer room. The other eleven will host movie nights, performances, group dinners, etc — it’s basically a Muslim YMCA, open to everyone. These moderate Muslims are doing everything we could ask of them. They’re trying to build a bridge in the communities they live in, trying to show the world that Muslims are cool and interesting and diverse, and proving that being a Muslim does not equal being a terrorist.

But they’re being thrown under the bus by our elected leaders, egged on by some of the ugliest elements of the right-wing. Well-intentioned leaders of the Democratic Party are getting caught up in the fray as well, some of them seeking to find common ground with an implacable opposition. It’s not helping.

This isn’t just a Manhattan problem. Right now, there is opposition to mosques in Staten Island, Brooklyn, Southern California, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Illinois, and dozens of other locations across our nation. Where would they move? If public pressure can be brought to bear to take down the most high-profile Muslim community center in liberal NYC, then these other places don’t even have a chance, Ground Zero connection or not.

Frankly, this isn’t about Ground Zero. This is about America. This is about freedom. This is about people and there seems to be no place that Muslim people can go without being harassed.

The harassment has to stop, and that starts with you and me.

I think most people agree that Muslims have the right to worship. But these efforts to harass Muslims are based in fear, prejudice, and ignorance. Removing a community center doesn’t solve these problems. But talking about religious freedom — really engaging people — can open people’s minds, and blunt the prejudice.

I pledge to do it myself.

I pledge today to stand up for religious freedom right now. We cannot wait another day to defend the rights of all Americans to worship if they want, where they want, and when they want. I will not wait for the conversation to come to me; I will start the conversation now. Please join me in making the pledge to fight for our universal American values of acceptance and respect for religious freedom.

I need you, in your community, to have those challenging conversations with people you know.

Take the pledge right now.

It’s time to be pro-active in support of the values that define what we stand for and who we are as Americans. After you take the pledge, please follow up and share the conversations you’ve had. I think we’ll all find them inspiring to share.

-Arshad

Arshad Hasan, Executive Director

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TGIF …& some News

09/03/2010 Nativegrl77

So, we have very bad weather on the East Coast with family friends and tourists leaving or stuck somewhere because they made the decision to wait out hurricane Earl. The best plan during hurricane season is to follow the mandatory evacuation efforts and it would be one less person to have to worry about because things happen, things that are not planned and as we all know if people are missing it is up to first responders to go find those people which increases the number of people at risk. Though it is commendable that folks want to stay put and protect their property but it does put a strain on the people who are paid to save us and we all need to remember putting ourselves at risk affects others during hurricanes and floods. Anyway, lets hope we have far and few hurricanes as we move into fall and winter. We have yet another oilrig explosion which begs the question why moratoriums are important. It is yet another bit of evidence about doing what is right for everyone. We all need to call 202-456-1111 to ask the President to go back and file another moratorium request for the Gulf Coast based on the latest incident. The fact is that each and every Well needs to be checked or deemed safe to operate before letting them restart full operations.

On Monday, President Obama accused Republicans of stalling and blocking a separate $55billion legislation that would cut small business taxes. It is unfortunate that the public fails to see what Republicans are doing to not just Democrats but to their own constituents. It is the hope of Senate Democrats that they can get this small business package passed. In my opinion those people who own small businesses on both sides of the aisle need to get on the phone and tell their member of Congress that it’s time to move forward not backward and please people think about what will happen if things get even worse. It will send our first responders, teachers, police and the unemployed under the bus.

The President also commented on what he is currently working on regarding our economy and it will include as reported by Cnn, “that his economic team is identifying additional measures that will make a difference in promoting growth and hiring in the short term, and increasing our economy’s competitiveness in the long term,” he continued by stating that “Steps like extending tax cuts for the middle class that are set to expire this year. We will redouble our investment in clean energy and R&D, rebuilding more of our infrastructure for the future. Further tax cuts to encourage businesses to create jobs here in the United States.”

The idea that people are willing to vote for the Republicans while being misinformed about what President Obama has done for all Americans over the next 20months and if you are willing to admit you are not sure please go to the White House blog and find out definitely read to get the facts from your own member of Congress then compare and contrast that against reality. I will bet you will come back and decide to vote for the Democratic Party…and FYI if we can keep the House and load the Senate up with Democrats we can get the rule of 60 out of the way, we can get if folks have the courage to vote for a public option as well as other things Republicans have managed to stall, block and strike down. Let me point it out for you –Republicans have said no to all everything that will help Americans get back on track.

As we all enjoy the long weekend due to the Labor Day Holiday and or pray for those getting slammed by hurricane Earl we all also need to remember Katrina the BP disaster and all the things that did not get done. If you watched TV last weekend it was very apparent that the local and state government did not do their jobs for their constituents. It is beyond me to think seven years have passed without much work getting done while folks like Gov. Jindal say No to big government but has his hand out for more money just like other Republican Politician. The idea that blame the Obama administration for being the symbol of everything they hate, promote fear mongering, spewing hate while plotting to take down the very people trying to help them out. It is so hypocritical offensive and sad to think these people may actually take over our government and cut off programs the were put in place to help our fellow man only to be called bailouts by folks like Cantor, McCain, McConnell, Bachmann, Boehner as well as other so-called Republicans/Teabaggers who might just be dangerous to even their own constituents.

Other News …

**5million men suffer from male menopause

**Toshiba recalls 41,000 computers over burn risks

**The middle east talks continue on but Settlements are and may be an issue for Netanyahu

**Seattle Teachers have signed their 3yr contracts&will be in class rooms next Wednesday

**ONE nation March will happen

**Education Nation on Sept 26th

**Gov Brewer was given a million from some guy to pay for her legal bills

Panel Discussion on “Tea Parties and the Future of Big Government.”

State Department Direct Talks Between Israeli P.M. Netanyahu and Palestinian Pres. Abbas

White House Briefing with Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

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Defend the EPA’s ability to protect our health and environment

09/03/2010 Nativegrl77

Write a Letter to the Editor Today
Please write a letter to the editor
today on the need for Congress to oppose any legislation that would block or delay the EPA from acting on global warming.

Defend the EPA’s Ability to Protect Our Health and EnvironmenYou were probably as disappointed as I was when the Senate failed to pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation before leaving for August recess. While comprehensive legislation remains critical, we now are counting on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to do its job to protect our health and the environment by reducing the heat-trapping emissions that cause global warming. In 2009, the EPA found that global warming emissions endanger public health and welfare. According to the Supreme Court, this finding means that the agency must limit these pollutants under the Clean Air Act

Unfortunately, some members of Congress, with the backing of the coal, oil, and electric utility industries, are attempting to block the EPA from cutting these emissions.

Your senators and representative are home for the next two weeks, and will be reading local newspapers to see what their constituents are talking about. They need to know that you expect them to do everything they can to begin reducing global warming emissions right away. Please write a letter to the editor today on the need for Congress to oppose any legislation that would block or delay the EPA from acting on global warming.

Take Action Today!

Sincerely,

Kate Abend
National Field Organizer
UCS Climate and Energy Program