Daily Archives: 12/06/2010

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Don’t Let GOP Censor the Smithsonian
I urge you to end the hostile rhetoric and respect America’s standards of honoring free speech and creative expression. As the leaders of incoming majority of the House of Representatives in the coming year, your job should be to work with the Senate and the White House to advance policies which will help Americans, not to chase political straw men at the behest of the Far Right. 

sign the petition

Incoming House Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor have thrown the weight of government into efforts by the Religious Right to shut down an acclaimed art exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery. The Hide/Seek exhibit explores evolving expressions of sexuality in art. The Religious Right — in this instance led by the always-hysterical Bill Donohue and his fringe Catholic League — and its allies in Congress have been quick to try to whip their base into a fervor over themes they didn’t even try to understand before condemning as “anti-Christian.”

Cantor ludicrously said the exhibit is an intentional attempt to offend Christians during the Christmas season. And Boehner, Cantor and other right-wing leaders have attacked the exhibit as a questionable use of taxpayer money, even though Smithsonian exhibits — including this one — are privately funded. They are now threatening to go after Smithsonian public funding and even to launch investigations into Smithsonian exhibits.

Tell the House Republican Leadership to stay out of the censorship game and to keep their hands off Smithsonian funding.

After you sign the petition to Reps. Boehner and Cantor, you’ll be asked to call the National Portrait Gallery and urge administrators there to stand strong against the Right in defense of free expression.

The Gallery was quick to cave on one piece of the Hide/Seek exhibit which was singled out by the Right: a video which included an 11-second segment depicting a Crucifix with ants crawling on it, a statement about the suffering of AIDS victims at the time the video was produced. The video, by the artist David Wojnarowicz, who himself died of AIDS in 1992, had been on display for a month without a single complaint from any museum attendees. The only complaints the Portrait Gallery received about the video or any parts of the exhibit were from Religious Right activists from around the country who had not actually seen the art. In a twist of sad irony, these activists were successful in getting the video taken down exactly one day before World AIDS Day. Hide/Seek is a courageous exhibit, but it’s an outrage that the Portrait Gallery would not show equal courage in defending the exhibit in its entirety against right-wing censorship.

We need to speak up to make sure that there are no more capitulations by the Smithsonian, and to make sure that Republican congressional leaders don’t get away with their ridiculous political pandering to the radical Religious Right.

Please add your voice to the growing chorus of Americans who are speaking out against this latest right-wing attack.

Reps. Boehner and Cantor, along with virtually ever other congressional Republican leader, are working hard to block all business on Capitol Hill… holding the country hostage by insisting that no much-needed measures be passed until the Bush tax cuts are extended for the richest 2% of Americans… and all the while attacking the president for not doing enough to create jobs. Yet THIS is how they want to spend their time and taxpayer dollars — kowtowing to right-wing zealots like Bill Donohue by attacking the arts and investigating museums.

Shame on them.

Sincerely,

Michael B. Keegan signature

Michael Keegan, President

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Decide which T-shirt we should make


Repower America is designing a T-shirt and you don’t have to be a fashion expert to weigh in. We’ve narrowed it down to two choices. Which one is your favorite?

Cast your vote by Tuesday at midnight for the T-shirt you want to see Repower America supporters wear in 2011.

Vote for your favorite Repower America shirt

Whether you’re part of the climate movement because you want to save money on your electricity bill or because you want to save the planet for your grandchildren, you know it’s important for supporters to come together in 2011. Climate deniers and the fossil fuel industry are emboldened, and it’s up to us to show that we will keep standing strong.

The truth is, we’re already winning this fight. Electric utilities and other corporations are taking steps to reduce their emissions. Windmills and solar panels are dotting the landscape from coast to coast. And more and more car owners are shopping for fuel-efficient vehicles.

What we need now is a way for supporters everywhere to send a clear and powerful message: We’ve got momentum behind us, and we won’t be denied our clean energy future.

That’s why Repower America is rolling out a new T-shirt exclusively for Repower America members. And we’re counting on supporters like you to help us select the best one.

Decide which T-shirt we should make. Vote here:

http://acp.repoweramerica.org/yourshirt

The climate movement has always been in your hands. Now, it’s time for you to decide how to move it forward in the weeks and months ahead.

Thanks for getting involved,

Dave Boundy
Campaign Manager
Repower America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

a message from Gov.Tim Kaine


Democrats

There are just a few weeks left in this Congress, and we have a lot left to do.

Democrats are rolling up their sleeves, getting to work on all fronts to finish important work that we all set out to accomplish together.

That means pressing, right now, to ratify the New START treaty, furthering our goal of nuclear arms reduction — and securing a safer future for our nation.

That means working to extend much-needed tax cuts to the middle class and unemployment benefits to those who are out of work — making sure Americans get the relief they deserve.

That means fighting to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” a discriminatory law that prevents qualified men and women from serving their country.

And that means pushing to pass the DREAM Act, paving a path to citizenship for undocumented youth willing to work toward a college degree or serve in our military.

We’re working, right now, to draw attention to these crucial measures, and help get them passed — making them impossible for the media to ignore and for Republicans in Congress to obstruct.

But amplifying this message requires resources — and we can’t do it without your help.

Can you donate $3 or more today to support Democrats and fuel these efforts?

If the obstructionist Republicans in Congress have their way, the current “lame duck” session will have lived up to its name. They’ve been blocking the road on every single one of the issues we’ve been fighting so hard for.

They’re willing to hold up an arms treaty that’s critical to our national security. They’re willing to stand in the way of commonsense immigration reform that folks on both sides of the aisle have long embraced. And they’re willing to keep in place an unfair policy that top military leaders across the board have recommended repealing.

It’s not enough for us to just lament how “broken” Washington is. It’s not enough to shake our heads and say that we wished Republicans would stop playing political games, or that the pundits would focus on issues that unite us instead of the petty partisan battles that divide us.

We need to stand up.

We need to raise our voices about where we’d like to see this country go — and the work we know this Congress still needs to accomplish. That means ratifying the New START Treaty, extending tax cuts to middle-class Americans, repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and passing the DREAM Act. And it means extending unemployment benefits so Americans looking for work can keep paying their bills.

Democrats in Congress are going to work for the measures that matter to us — and together, we can send the message that we refuse to stand by and watch while Republicans stand in the way.

Please donate $3 or more today to help send the message loud and clear that Democrats across the country are committed to accomplishing these key initiatives before the year is out:

http://my.democrats.org/LoudAndClear

Together, we’ll make these issues impossible to ignore.

Thank you,

Governor Tim Kaine
Chairman

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress is in Session -today 12/7


The Senate Convenes: 10:00amET December 7, 2010

At 10:00am there will be a live quorum to begin the Court of Impeachment for the trial of G. Thomas Porteous. Senators are asked to be on the floor at 10:00am.

At 12:30pm, the Senate will proceed to legislative session for a period of morning business with Senator LeMieux recognized to speak for up to 15 minutes. Following his remarks, the Senate will recess until 12:45pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

There will be two additional live quorums with respect to the Court of Impeachment, one at 2:30pm and another at 5:30pm.

Court of Impeachment:
At 10:00am on Tuesday, December 7, the Senate will resume consideration of the articles of impeachment against Judge G. Thomas Porteous, Jr. of the Eastern District of Louisiana for the commencement of arguments by the House Managers and counsel for Judge Porteous on motions filed by Judge Porteous with regard to the impeachment articles. The Secretary is instructed to notify the House of Representatives.

Each side will be permitted no more than one hour for arguments on all motions, counsel for Judge Porteous will be permitted to open and close the motions argument, and the parties are permitted to divide their arguments on the motions as they wish.

After recessing for the weekly party caucuses (12:45pm until 2:30pm), the Senate will reconvene on the articles of impeachment at 2:30pm for the parties’ final arguments on the merits of the articles. There will be a live quorum at 2:30pm to resume the Court of Impeachment. Each party will have 1 ½ hours to present argument on all four articles, which, under the impeachment rules, will be opened and closed by the House Managers, with no more than two individuals speaking for each side.

At the conclusion of the three hours allotted for final arguments, the Senate shall immediately meet in closed session to begin its deliberations on the articles of impeachment and the related motions in accord with impeachment Rule XX.

Senators are encouraged to be in the Senate Chamber tomorrow at 10:00am when a live quorum will begin, just prior to the commencement of the impeachment proceedings. This is an important constitutional part of each Senator’s responsibilities, and each Senator has an obligation to the participants in the case and to his or her office to be present and informed and participate.

Unanimous Consent:
Passed S.3199, the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act.

Passed S.3984, the Museum and Library Services Act of 2010.

Passed H.R.2480, Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2010.

Passed H.R.6184, a bill to amend the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to extend and modify the program allowing the Secretary of the Army to accept and expend funds contributed by non-Federal public entities to expedite the evaluation of permits, and for other purposes.

Adopted S.Res.696, a resolution making minority party committee appointments.

************************************************************

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 12:30pmET December 7, 2010

. 7:08 P.M. –

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

7:07 P.M. –

Mr. Jones requested the following general leaves to address the House on December 14: Mr. Poe of TX for 5 min and himself for 5 min.

Mr. Jones requested the following general leaves to address the House on December 13: Mr. Poe of TX for 5 min and himself for 5 min.

Mr. Jones requested the following general leaves to address the House on December 9: Mr. Garrett of NJ for 5 min, Mr. Paul for 5 min, and Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min.

Mr. Jones requested the following general leaves to address the House on December 8: Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for 5 min, Mr. Garrett of NJ for 5 min, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Lincoln of FL for 5 min, Mr. Paul for 5 min, and Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min.

6:54 P.M. –

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

6:49 P.M. –

NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO OFFER RESOLUTION – Ms. Waters notified the House of her intent to offer a privileged resolution. Ms. Waters was recognized to notice the form of her proposed resolution.

H. Res. 1264:

expressing support for the designation of March as National Essential Tremor Awareness Month

6:47 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 387 – 1 (Roll no. 610).

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

6:38 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1642:

recognizing the centennial of the City of Lilburn, Georgia and supporting the goals and ideals of a City of Lilburn Day

6:37 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): 379 – 0 (Roll no. 609).

6:30 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 6400:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 111 North 6th Street in St. Louis, Missouri, as the “Earl Wilson, Jr. Post Office”

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 382 – 0 (Roll no. 608).

6:02 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

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

6:01 P.M. –

Mr. Perlmutter filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 1752.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 7.

5:19 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:00 P.M. today.

H.R. 6412:

to amend title 28, United States Code, to require the Attorney General to share criminal records with State sentencing commissions, and for other purposes

5:18 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Scott (VA) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

5:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6412.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 3353:

to provide for American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas to be treated as States for certain criminal justice programs

5:11 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Scott (VA) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

5:02 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3353.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

S. 3998:

to extend the Child Safety Pilot Program

5:01 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Scott (VA) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

4:51 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3998.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H. Res. 1540:

supporting the goal of eradicating illicit marijuana cultivation on Federal lands and calling on the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to develop a coordinated strategy to permanently dismantle Mexican drug trafficking organizations operating on Federal lands

4:50 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.

4:31 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1540.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

S. 3987:

to amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act with respect to the applicability of identity theft guidelines to creditors

4:30 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.

4:24 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3987.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Adler (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H. Con. Res. 267:

congratulating the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the 20th anniversary of the reestablishment of their full independence

4:23 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.

4:16 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 267.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Klein (FL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1751:

mourning the loss of life and expressing condolences to the families affected by the tragic forest fire in Israel that began on December 2, 2010

4:15 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.

4:08 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1751.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Klein (FL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1717:

congratulating imprisoned Chinese democracy advocate Liu Xiaobo on the award of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize

4:07 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.

3:27 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1717.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Klein (FL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1402:

recognizing the 50th anniversary of the National Council for International Visitors, and expressing support for designation of February 16, 2011, as “Citizen Diplomacy Day”

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Klein (FL) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

3:15 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1402.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Klein (FL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1704:

honoring the 2500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Klein (FL) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

3:06 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1704.

3:05 P.M. –

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Klein (FL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1531:

expressing support for designation of 2011 as “World Veterinary Year” to bring attention to and show appreciation for the veterinary profession on its 250th anniversary

3:04 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Clay objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

2:53 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1531.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1264:

expressing support for the designation of March as National Essential Tremor Awareness Month

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.

2:47 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1264.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1727:

recognizing Rotary International for 105 years of service to the world and commending members on their dedication to the mission and principles of their organization

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.

2:38 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1727.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1642:

recognizing the centennial of the City of Lilburn, Georgia and supporting the goals and ideals of a City of Lilburn Day

2:37 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.

2:26 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1642.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 6400:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 111 North 6th Street in St. Louis, Missouri, as the “Earl Wilson, Jr. Post Office”

2:25 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.

2:18 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6400.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H. Res. 1687:

recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Runaway Prevention Month

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.

2:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1687.

2:11 P.M. –

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

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

2:05 P.M. –

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 7, 2010, at 9:50 a.m., stating that that body had agreed to H.Con.Res. 259 and passed S. 4010.

2:04 P.M. –

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 6, 2010, at 1:24 p.m., stating that that body had passed H.R. 6399, S. 3860 and S. 3817.

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 3, 2010, at 4:15 p.m., stating that that body had passed H.R. 3237, H.R. 5281 with amendments, S. 1774 and S. 124.

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

2:03 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC 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.

2:01 P.M. –

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

2:00 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 7.

12:50 P.M. –

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

12:31 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.

12:30 P.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Sam Farr to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day