Monthly Archives: November 2010

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

FW: Emergency Action on DISCLOSE Act

Congress is convening today for its “lame duck” session to end the year. This could be our last chance for a long time to pass the DISCLOSE Act and pull back the curtain from the shady corporate spending that helped propel the Far Right into power in the election a few weeks ago.

Join the thousands of activists who have already signed our emergency petition to the Senate by adding your name now.

We need a full court press now to make sure the pressure’s on the Senate to bring up and pass the DISCLOSE Act. If you missed Diallo’s email from last week, please take a moment to read it now and sign the petition.

Thank you for your activism!

— Marge Baker, Executive Vice President

From: Diallo Brooks, People For the American Way
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2010 5:51 PM
To: Marge Baker
Subject: Emergency Action on DISCLOSE Act

 

disclose 

Dear Senator,

Please do all you can to pass the DISCLOSE Act now, and pull back the curtains to reveal the interests behind the spending. Americans have a right to know.

sign the petition

The window of opportunity for Congress to pass the DISCLOSE Act is shrinking fast.

On Monday, Congress convenes for a “lame duck” session to end the year… in January, the Tea Party-dominated Republican majority takes over in the House, comprised of many of the beneficiaries of this year’s runaway, undisclosed corporate spending.

PFAW is pulling out all the stops and will be putting as much pressure as we can on Congress to pass the DISCLOSE Act in this short session, before time runs out and the new House majority is seated.

Help build the centerpiece of our lobbying efforts. Sign our emergency petition to pass the DISCLOSE Act right now.

Earlier this year, Republican senators voted in lockstep to filibuster the DISCLOSE Act, with a handful of GOP senators from more liberal states hanging their objections on various provisions of the bill. This time around, Democrats will be offering a stripped-down version which will simply require the wealthy interests that bankroll the attack ads and directly support candidates to come out of hiding and reveal themselves.

As we saw in this past election, shadowy front groups with pleasant sounding names like “Commission on Hope, Growth and Opportunity,” the “Coalition to Protect Seniors,” and the “Center for Individual Freedom” are paying for endless ads on the public airwaves and not disclosing their donors. Voters have a right to know who is funding these messages.

It’s time to pull back the curtain from the corporate special interests like Big Oil and Big Insurance which are funding much of this activity and give Americans the information they deserve to make up their minds about issues and candidates.

Join our emergency petition to pass the DISCLOSE Act now and ask others to do the same.

It’s no wonder the Right wants to keep this information hidden from voters. We saw in the midterm elections that when voters know where the funding for campaign messages is coming from, they are more likely to see through misleading attacks and evaluate biased ads more reasonably.

This is a major all-hands-on-deck campaign we are waging, but making sure you are on board by adding your name to our emergency petition is the first critical step.

This is a fight we can win, but we don’t have much time. Please sign now and spread the word.

— Diallo Brooks, Director of Field Mobilization

Black History

what’s going on in Congress: the House meets Today …the Senate resumes on 11/17


The Senate is not meeting on 11/16 but convenes on 11/17

As a reminder, on Wednesday, September 29, Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to the following bills:
– S.3815, the Promoting National Gas and Electric Vehicles Act of 2010;
– S.3772, The Paycheck Fairness Act; and
– S.510, The FDA Food Safety and Modernization Act.

Senators should expect the next roll call vote to occur at a time to be determined on Wednesday, November 17, 2010.

The first vote of the week will be on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3815, the Promoting National Gas and Electric Vehicles Act of 2010.

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))((((((((((((((

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 12:30pmET November 16, 2010

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF NOVEMBER 16, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

5:56 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

5:55 P.M. –

Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Jones be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on November 18. Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Jones be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on November 17.

H. Con. Res. 329:
recognizing the 35th anniversary of the enactment of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975

5:54 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

5:45 P.M. –

Considered under suspension of the rules. DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 329.

Ms. Hirono moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1715:
congratulating Joe Paterno on his 400th win as Penn State Nittany Lions football head coach

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

5:37 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1715. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Hirono moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

. H. Res. 1655:

expressing support for designation of October as “National Farm to School Month”

5:25 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1655.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Hirono moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1641:

celebrating September 30, 2010, as the 60th Anniversary of Impact Aid

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 voice vote.

5:18 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1641.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Hirono moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1428:

recognizing Brooklyn Botanic Garden on its 100th anniversary as the preeminent horticultural attraction in the borough of Brooklyn and its longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship and education for the City of New York

5:14 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): 401 – 0, 1 Present (Roll no. 571).

5:07 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

5:06 P.M. –

ADJUSTED WHOLE NUMBER OF THE HOUSE – Under clause 5(d) of rule 20, the Chair announced to the House that, in light of the administration of the oath to the gentleman from Indiana, the whole number of the House is 434.

5:01 P.M. –

The Dean of the Indiana delegation, Representative Dan Burton, addressed the House and introduced Representative Marlin Stutzman, Third District, Indiana.

5:00 P.M. –

ADMINISTERING THE OATH OF OFFICE – Representative-Elect Marlin A. Stutzman from the Third Congressional District, State of Indiana, presented himself in the well of the House to take the Oath of Office administered by the Speaker of the House.

The House received a message from the Clerk. The Clerk transmitted to the House a facsimile copy of a letter received from Mr. Todd Rokita, Secretary of State, State of Indiana, indicating that based on the unofficial results of the election held on November 2, 2010, the Honorable Marlin A. Stutzman was elected Representative in Congress for the Third Congressional District, State of Indiana.

H. Res. 1475:

congratulates the town of Tarboro, North Carolina, on the occasion of its 250th anniversary

4:59 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): (Roll No. 570).

4:51 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 716:

recognizing Gail Abarbanel and the Rape Treatment Center, and for other purposes

4:50 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): (Roll No. 569).

H. Res. 716:

recognizing Gail Abarbanel and the Rape Treatment Center, and for other purposes

4:20 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Roll Call 569 – 2/3 Yea and Nay vote pending.

Considered as unfinished business.

4:19 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H. Res. 1652:

expressing support for designation of the month of October 2010 as National Principals Month

4:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1652.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Hirono moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1654:

expressing support for designation of the week of October 24, 2010, as “Undergraduate Research Week”

4:11 P.M. –

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

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

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

4:03 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1654.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Hirono moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1714:

congratulating the engineers, scientists, psychologists, and staff of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for helping to successfully rescue 33 trapped Chilean miners from a collapsed mine near Copiapo, Chile

4:00 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 voice vote.

3:51 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1714.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Johnson, E. B. moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 6399:

to improve certain administrative operations of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, and for other purposes

3:50 P.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.

3:46 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6399.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mrs. Davis (CA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 6387:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 337 West Clark Street in Eureka, California, as the “Sam Sacco Post Office Building”

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.

3:39 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6387.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 6237:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1351 2nd Street in Napa, California, as the “Tom Kongsgaard Post Office Building”

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

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

3:32 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6237.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H. Res. 1494:

congratulating the champion, finalists, and all other participants in the 83rd Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee

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

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

3:25 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1494.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

S. 3567:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Broadway in Lynbrook, New York, as the “Navy Corpsman Jeffrey L. Wiener Post Office Building”

3:24 P.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.

3:16 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3567.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 5367:

to amend title 11, District of Columbia Official Code, to revise certain administrative authorities of the District of Columbia courts, and to authorize the District of Columbia Public Defender Service to provide professional liability insurance for officers and employees of the Service for claims relating to services furnished within the scope of employment with the Service

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

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

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

3:10 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5367.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 6278:

to amend the National Children’s Island Act of 1995 to expand allowable uses for Kingman and Heritage Islands by the District of Columbia, and for other purposes

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.

3:04 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6278.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 5702:

to amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to reduce the waiting period for holding special elections to fill vacancies in the membership of the Council of the District of Columbia

3:03 P.M. –

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote

H.R. 5702:

to amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to reduce the waiting period for holding special elections to fill vacancies in the membership of the Council of the District of Columbia

2:57 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5702.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 5655:

to designate the Little River Branch facility of the United States Postal Service located at 140 NE 84th Street in Miami, Florida, as the “Jesse J. McCrary, Jr. Post Office”

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

2:56 P.M. –

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

2:51 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5655.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H. Res. 1529:

commending Bob Sheppard for his long and respected career as the public-address announcer for the New York Yankees and the New York Giants

2:49 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 voice vote.

2:40 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1529.

2:39 P.M. –

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 5758:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2 Government Center in Fall River, Massachusetts, as the “Sergeant Robert Barrett Post Office Building”

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

2:31 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5758.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H. Res. 1428:

recognizing Brooklyn Botanic Garden on its 100th anniversary as the preeminent horticultural attraction in the borough of Brooklyn and its longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship and education for the City of New York

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

2:16 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1428.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1475:

congratulates the town of Tarboro, North Carolina, on the occasion of its 250th anniversary

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

2:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1475.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Norton moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

2:11 P.M. –

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

2:03 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

2:02 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Fleming 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.

2:00 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 16.

12:43 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

12:32 P.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

12:31 P.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Loretta Sanchez to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

12:30 P.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day


~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Turn Your Family Holiday Into a Charitable One Great Charities for Families at the Holidays


By Joanne Fritz, About.com Guide

Oxfam America Unwrapped

Photo Courtesy of Oxfam

“Sheepish” about giving another useless gift? Oxfam America offers unexpected ways to surprise your loved ones and make a difference in the fight against poverty. Pick from more than 50 gifts: a sheep, a can of worms, planting 100 trees, a bicycle, or a goat. Here’s how it works: You choose the gift. Your loved one receives a card. Your gift helps someone in need.

Heifer International

Photo Courtesy of Heifer International
Self suffiency is this charity’s mantra. Honor loved ones on your gift list with a flock of chickens from Heifer International for $20 – a gift that creates sustainable benefits for a poor family in Guatemala or Haiti. A hive of honey bees for $30 would start a small business in Honduras. Or your whole family could go in on a dairy cow for $500 and that would mean a miracle for a woman in Africa left to care for an extended family of AIDS orphans.

Nothing But Nets

Photo Courtesy of Nothing But Nets
Malaria kills nearly one million children each year in Africa alone. But there is a simple solution…a bed net that has been coated with insecticide. People who use the nets decrease the rate of malaria dramatically. A bed net costs only about $10. Donate $10 or any multiple of $10 and provide a simple, effective tool to help save people from a terrible disease.

Soles4Souls

Photo Courtesy of Soles4Souls
We all take our shoes for granted. We have many pairs in our closets gathering dust. Soles4Shoes has a mission of helping people by providing them shoes in those areas of the world where there is no shoe store, much less the money to buy shoes. You can donate money to this charity, organize a shoe drive, or send your own shoes to it. Feed your soul with some soles!

World Wildlife Fund

World Wildlife FundPhoto Courtesy of WWF
For Global Warming and environmental issues we like the World Wildlife Fund. The website has a feature that is fun for kids and parents called “WildFinder” which maps the world’s animals. It is a searchable database of 26,000 species worldwide. You can search by place or species and learn about birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Donating is fun too with symbolic animal adoptions, a WWF Endangered Species-of-the-Month Club, and handcrafted items that support sustainable livelihoods.

Champs Kids

Photo Courtesy of Champs Kids
CHAMPS kids is an educational program to raise awareness of the global landmine crisis. Groups of kids raise funds and sponsor mine-detection dogs. They name their dog and actually make a difference in the lives of people all around the world. This project may require you to work with your child’s teacher, or scout troop, but it is a perfect way for kids to work together on something very specific.

NURU

Photo Courtesy of NURU

NURU means light in Kiswahili. Your family can help a poor family in Nuria, Kenya climb out of extreme poverty for $29 a month. Join the I Am Nuru Campaign and provide healthcare, clean water, and economic assistance to a family.

More About Giving
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Pop Quiz


Pop quiz: Which of the following will make up a majority of the deficit in the next decade?

A) Social Security
B) Medicare
C) The National Park Service
D) PBS
E) George Bush’s tax cuts

Give up? The answer is E — George Bush’s tax cuts.

But this week the co-chairs of the so-called “Deficit Commission” came out with their recommendations on how to fix the deficit. Do you know what their answer was? They said they wanted to cut A, B, C and D.

That’s right — the co-chairs of the Deficit Commission said that they wanted to cut Social Security, Medicare, the National Park Service, PBS and a whole lot more. But they’re OK with leaving George Bush’s tax cuts in place even though those tax cuts are projected to make up over half of the deficit over the next 10 years.

These guys are dead wrong and it’s time Congress knew just how wrong they are — sign the pledge calling on Congress to reject the Deficit Commission’s right-wing attack on Social Security.

Add your name now

Not only are they dead wrong on how to fix the deficit, but they’re probably the only two people in the country who think it’s a good idea to cut Social Security.

On Election Day, Democracy for America polled voters nationwide on some key issues, and when asked about Social Security only four percent said they supported making cuts to Social Security.

The vast majority of Americans — 85 percent — said they don’t want any cuts to Social Security. But they don’t get a vote in the Deficit Commission, so let’s make sure Congress hears what they have to say — sign our pledge today.

Tell Congress to reject the Deficit Commission’s right-wing attack on Social Security.

DFA members told us to stand strong for Social Security. And that’s exactly what we’re doing.

Thank you for working to move America forward.

-Charles

Charles Chamberlain, Political Director
Democracy for America

Democracy for America relies on you and the people-power of more than one million members to fund the grassroots organizing and training that delivers progressive change on the issues that matter. Please Contribute Today and support our mission.