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Official Google blog

02/08/2011 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Happy birthday from 20,000 leagues under the sea

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/MKuf/~3/lBR1vHWlAxg/happy-birthday-from-20000-leagues-under.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 09:01 PM PST

It wasn’t very difficult for something to spark my imagination when I was a child—whether it was a pile of leaves or a couch of stackable cushions, just about anything could jump-start my creativity. My first encounter with Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, however, sent my imagination into hyper drive.

I first found the novel while browsing through a random aisle in my local library. The cover was dark, murky and a little worn—but it was the most spectacular thing I’d ever seen. A pair of old-fashioned divers drag their feet over the ocean floor, watching a school of fish drift by. They don’t seem to notice the twisting silhouette of a monster inching toward them.

The cover alone pulled me in, but I didn’t want to spoil all of the possible story lines by actually reading the book. Looking back, I realize that what fascinated me most was the unknown: a creative spark and the imaginative exploration that followed. Since then, I’ve become more familiar with his work and still believe that exploration is the essence of Verne’s novels. His stories pull the readers into a world filled with infinite potential—be it in the clouds, on land or under the sea.

Today’s doodle, celebrating Verne’s 183rd birthday, tries to capture that sense of adventure and exploration. Using CSS3 (and with help from our resident tech wizards Marcin Wichary and Kris Hom), the doodle enables anyone to navigate the Nautilus down (nearly) 20,000 leagues with the simple pull of a lever. And for those using devices with built-in accelerometers and the latest versions of Google Chrome or Firefox, it’s even simpler—just tilt your device in the direction you want to explore and the Nautilus will follow.

So voyage below (and above) the waves to see what you can discover… just make sure to keep an eye out for the giant squid.

Posted by Jennifer Hom, Google Doodler

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Economy: Obama Goes To The Chamber

02/08/2011 Nativegrl77

Yesterday, President Obama addressed the leaders of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the influential, ideological right-wing trade association that represents mostly large multi-national corporations. Obama told the assembled executives and corporate lobbyists to “ask yourselves what you can do for America,” not just for company bottom lines. “I want to be clear: Even as we make America the best place on earth to do business, businesses also have a responsibility to America.” Citing a long history of corporate fearmongering about government regulations, Obama made a “robust argument in favor of an active regulatory role for the federal government.” Obama urged the audience of business executives to “get in the game” and spend some of the trillions of dollars corporations have banked in the past year on job creation. “We need to make America the best place on Earth to do business,” the president promised. The Chamber’s top lobbyist, R. Bruce Josten, quickly rejected the President’s promotion of the “social compact” with America’s working families. “Bottom line, the most patriotic thing a company can do is ensure it is in business and take steps to stay in business; otherwise everyone loses and more people lose their jobs.”

THE CHAMBER AND JOBS: Indeed, much of the Chamber’s executive leadership has spent the past few years rewarding themselves with millions of dollars in additional compensation while eliminating American jobs. Trucking manufacturer Navistar Inc., on the chamber’s board, has laid off workers at factories across the country. Meanwhile, the company has enjoyed healthy profits, and Navistar CEO Daniel Ustian increased his total compensation to $8.43 million. As agricultural manufacturer Deere and Co. recorded high profits, the company slashed hundreds of jobs in Illinois, Iowa, and North Dakota. Meanwhile, Deere CEO Samuel Allen was awarded a compensation package in 2010 of $12.29 million. Health insurance company WellPoint, also on the Chamber’s board, has reported record profits and extraordinary executive compensation. In 2009, WellPoint CEO Angela Braly was awarded a 51 percent compensation boost, from $8.7 million in 2008 to $13.1 million. As WellPoint’s trade association secretly transfered $86 million to the Chamber to fight health reform, the company shed thousands of jobs across the nation. Despite bloated rhetoric about the virtues of “free enterprise,” the Chamber demanded taxpayer bailouts for its bank members, billions in taxpayer money for its defense contract members, taxpayer money forcleaning up BP’s oil spill, and preferential tax cuts for its millionaire executives. The Chamber has a history of being singularly focused on boosting short-term profits, not creating American jobs by investing in the future. It has pushed for unfettered free trade deals, sponsored a series of conferences to teach businesses how to outsource jobs to China, and even lobbied against legislation that would have helped create over 1.7 million jobs.

THE CHAMBER AND POLLUTION: In his speech, Obama said American business needs to acknowledge that “not every regulation is bad.” At a Washington, D.C. press conference last week, U.S. Chamber of Commerce officials blasted Obama’s call for a clean energy future built on modern standards. Christopher Guith, vice president for policy at the Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy, said a national clean-energy standard is “ridiculously premature,” even though 25 states have renewable and alternative energy standards. The Institute’s president, former Bush official Karen Harbert, said that the United States should instead allow “increased access to land for oil and gas drilling both onshore and offshore,” drilling a deeper hole with fossil fuel dependence. This opposition to clean-energy job creation on behalf of big oil is nothing new for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Throughout the last decade, the Chamber led the opposition to action on climate change, promoting global warming denial. Its history of defending pollution at the expense of the health of the American public and American jobs, however, goes deeper. Just as it is doing now, the Chamber petitioned to weaken the Clean Air Act in 1982, 1990, and 1997. The Chamber has opposed hazardous waste dumping bans, trade sanctions in NAFTA for failure to enforce environmental laws, and the reinstatement of Superfund taxes on toxic polluters. The Chamber’s anti-regulatory campaign is strongly supported by House Republicans. After the President’s speech, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) lashed out: “Far from changing tack, his administration is taking steps to protect the job-crushing regulations in its health care and permanent bailout laws, while plotting a backdoor national energy tax.”

THE CHAMBER AND INFRASTRUCTURE: Following the President’s State of the Union address, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka and Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Donohue issued a rare joint statement supporting “Obama’s call to create jobs and grow the U.S. economy through investment in our nation’s infrastructure.” “Whether it is building roads, bridges, high-speed broadband, energy systems and schools,” they wrote, “these projects not only create jobs and demand for businesses, they are an investment in building the modern infrastructure the country needs to compete in a global economy.” Even with the support of business and labor, the president is going to have an uphill battle putting “more people to work rebuilding crumbling roads, rebuilding our bridges.” Many Republican leaders in Congress are strongly opposed to infrastructure investment. “I understand the goal, but right now this is going to be — anytime you talk about ‘investment’ it means new spending,” Sen. John Thune (R-SD) carped. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), the House Budget Committee chairman, is planning “unimaginably steep reductions of 26 percent to transportation and housing.” The Republican Study Committee, a caucus of 175 House conservatives, “wants to completely de-fund Amtrak and high-speed rail.” Republican governors have killed billions of dollars worth of infrastructure projects in Ohio, Wisconsin, and New Jersey. It remains to be seen whether the heavily right-leaning Chamber will actually fight Republican leadership to invest in America.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Save the Whales. Save the Money.

02/08/2011 Nativegrl77

If you were watching the Super Bowl the other night (or at least tuning in for the always entertaining commercials) you may have seen a commercial starring Cuba Gooding Jr. about saving the whales.

It was a pretty tongue-in-cheek message about over-the-top celebrity cause advertising, which is what the sponsors of the commercial, Groupon, were going for. Since they started out as a collective action and philanthropy site, they loved the idea of poking fun at themselves by talking about discounts as a noble cause.

The commercial was part of a Groupon campaign called “Save the Money.” Greenpeace is happily participating in the campaign. The truth is that the “Save the Money” campaign and the commercial are really helping us save the whales.

Don’t worry if you missed it. You can check it out right now: below Cuba Gooding on video

http://us.greenpeace.org/site/R?i=n0cdj4izh2vfqWpckko5NQ..

Here’s how it works: Groupon is collecting donations from individuals to help Greenpeace save the whales. People can purchase a $15 Groupon to save the whales and when they do Groupon matches that by giving the person $15 in Groupon credit. It’s a great campaign and it’s really going to help us in our work.

So check it out, sign-up and save the whales (and the money).

Sincerely,

John Hocevar

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: both Chambers will be in Session …2/8

02/08/2011 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

The Senate Convenes at 10:00am ET February 8, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.223, the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act.

The following amendments are pending to S.223:

– Wicker amendment #14, as modified (Excludes TSA from collective bargaining)

– Blunt amendment #5 (private screening company)

– Paul #21 (reduce authorization for FAA to FY2008 levels)

– Wyden #27 (increase test sites for unmanned aerial vehicles)

– Inhofe amendment #6 (liability protection to volunteer pilots)

– Inhofe amendment #7 (flight time limitations/rest requirements)

– Ensign amendment #32 (military remotely piloted aerial systems)

– McCain amendment #4 (Essential Air Service)

– Leahy amendment #50 (liability protection for volunteer pilots)

– Reid amendment #54 (noise buffering)

– Reid #55 (Convey federal land to Mesquite, NV)

– Udall (NM) #49 (Dona Ana County airport)

– Udall (NM) #51 (Advanced Imaging Technology)

– Nelson (NE) #58 (criminal penalties for distribution of airport screening x-rays)

– Paul amendment #18 (Memorandum of understanding re: OSHA)

At 10:20am, there will be 10 minutes for debate prior to a vote in relation to the Nelson (FL) amendment #34 (NASA).

Senators should expect a roll call vote at approximately 10:30am in relation to the Nelson (FL) amendment #34 (NASA) to S.223, FAA Authorization.

That will be the only roll call vote of the day.

Votes:

14: Nelson (FL) amendment #34 (NASA); Agreed to: 96-1

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

The next meeting in the House is at 2pm ET February 8, 2011

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF FEBRUARY 8, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

7:23 P.M. –

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

7:08 P.M. –

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

7:07 P.M. –

RONALD REAGAN CENTENNIAL COMMISSION – Pursuant to Section 4 of the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-25), and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed Mr. Schock of Illinois to the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission .

7:06 P.M. –

COMMISSION ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE – Pursuant to 22 U.S.C 3003, and the order of the House of January 5, 2011, the Speaker appointed Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Chairman; Mr. Pitts of Pennsylvania; Mr. Aderholt of Alabama; and Mr. Gingrey of Georgia to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe .

7:05 P.M. –

Mr. Dreier filed reports from the Committee on Rules, H. Res. 72 and H. Res. 73.

7:04 P.M. –

Mr. Dreier asked unanimous consent that the chair of each committee be permitted to submit their respective committee rules for publication in the Congressional Record and that the chair of the Committee on the Budget be permitted to submit material related to the budget process for publication in the Congressional Record.

H.R. 514:

to extend expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 and Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 relating to access to business records, individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers, and roving wiretaps until December 8, 2011

7:03 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 277 – 148 (Roll no. 26).

6:31 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

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

6:30 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 8.

3:12 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.

3:11 P.M. –

Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission – Pursuant to Section 4 of the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act (Public Law 111-25) the Minority Leader appointed the following member of the House to the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission: Mr. Reyes .

House Democracy Partnership – Pursuant to Section 4(b) of H.Res. 5, 111th Congress the Minority Leader appointed the following members of the House to the House Democracy Partnership: Mr. Price of NC, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Holt, Ms. Schwartz, Mr. Payne, Mr. Farr, Mr. Ellison, Ms. Hirono and Ms. Roybal-Allard .

3:10 P.M. –

Board of Trustees of the Congressional Hunger Fellows Program – Pursuant to Section 4404(c)(2) of the Congressional Hunger Fellows Act of 2002 (2 U.S.C) 1161, the Minority Leader appointed Mr. James P. McGovern of Worchester, Massachusetts .

National Council on the Arts – Pursuant to the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 955(b) note) the Minority Leader appointed the following member of the House to the National Council on the Arts: Ms. McCollum .

H.R. 514:

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.R. 514.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Smith (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.

2:25 P.M. –

2:24 P.M. –

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules 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 February 3, 2011 at 10:33 a.m. stating that that body had approved appointments to the Senate National Security Working Group, Board of Trustees of Gallaudet University, United States Holocaust Memorial Council, Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, United States-China Interparliamentary Group conference, United States-Japan Interparliamentary Group conference, Mexico-United States Interparliamentary Group conference, United States-Russia Interparliamentar

2:23 P.M. –

2:22 P.M. –

2:18 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House resumed one minute speeches.

2:17 P.M. –

The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notice stating that the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13396 of February 7, 2006, with respect to the situation in or in relation to Cote d’Ivoire is to continue in effect beyond February 7, 2011. – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-8).

2:16 P.M. –

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a sealed envelope from the White House on January 26, 2011, at 3:55 p.m. which is said to contain a message from the President whereby he submits a copy of a notice filed earlier with the Federal Register continuing the national emergency with respect to Cote d’Ivoire first declared by Executive Order 13396 of February 7, 2006.

2:02 P.M. –

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

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, starting a new legislative day.