~ Culture & History, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

National Museum of African American History and Culture

06/02/2011 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

For All The World To See:
Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights

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Sanitation workers assembled before Clayborn Temple
Ernest C. Withers, Sanitation Workers assemble in front of Clayborn
Temple for a solidarity march. Memphis, TN, March 28, 1968.
Ernest C. Withers, Sanitation Workers assemble in front of Clayborn

Civil rights leaders and activists were often exceptionally skillful image-makers, adept at capitalizing on the authority of pictures to edify, educate, and persuade. They also understood, and took advantage of, new visual technologies as well as society’s insatiable hunger for pictures. Through compelling photographs, television and film clips, and other historic artifacts, For All the World to See explores the role of visual culture — from the late 1940s to the mid-1970s — in shaping and transforming the struggle for racial equality and justice.

Curated by Maurice Berger, Ph.D. For All The World To See was organized by the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in partnership with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The exhibition opens June 10 and runs through November 24, 2011 in NMAAHC‘s gallery on level two at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. For information about this exhibition please click here.

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Victory — Psychology Today! …Rashad Robinson, ColorOfChange.org

06/02/2011 Nativegrl77

The efforts of you and more than 75,000 other ColorOfChange members paid off.1 Psychology Today has now agreed to remove controversial author Satoshi Kanazawa, the author of a deeply offensive article regarding Black women, from its website, and they have implemented new policies to prevent inflammatory content in the future.

It wasn’t easy or a foregone conclusion. After staying silent for almost two weeks, Psychology Today on Friday issued an apology, but they refused to say how they would prevent such a situation from happening again. Then hundreds of ColorOfChange members started calling the magazine by phone, along with additional pressure on Facebook and Twitter demanding a clearer response — at which point Psychology Today came correct and did the right thing.

While there still remains the larger problem of Black women and girls having to face dehumanizing and damaging messages, this is an important victory. We’ve not only drawn a line with Psychology Today — we’ve sent a powerful message to other media outlets that serving as a platform for racist and dehumanizing content is unacceptable and will result in pushback and consequences.

At ColorOfChange, we will continue to hold media accountable, and we hope you will continue to be there with us. Remember, our work is powered by you, our members. If you can support our work financially, whatever the amount, please click the link below:

http://www.colorofchange.org/donate

Thanks and Peace,

— Rashad, James, Gabriel, William, Dani, Matt, Natasha, and the rest of the ColorOfchange.org team
June 2nd, 2011

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Charlie Bass… a message from Charles Chamberlain, Democracy for America

06/02/2011 Nativegrl77

“When Congressman Charlie Bass voted to end Medicare; that was an attack on New Hampshire families like mine.”

Jane Brickett is a Social Worker in New Hampshire’s North Country. She has a disability and if she didn’t have Medicare the doctor bills could bankrupt her.

She’s one of the lucky ones. If Republicans succeed in destroying Medicare, Jane’s children might be able to find a way to save her house and keep food on the table. Thousands of others seniors and children depending on Medicare and Medicaid won’t be so lucky.

It’s time to make sure New Hampshire voters know what Charlie Bass has done. We’ve created another hard hitting ad with our friends at the Progressive Change Campaign Committee showcasing a personal story a real person. Please contribute now to keep the ad on the air.

Watch the ad and keep it on the air

Republicans will end Medicare if we don’t stop them and nothing will hurt Republican Charlie Bass more than the truth.

Let’s make sure there isn’t a single person in his district who hasn’t heard Jane’s story.

Contribute now and keep it on the air

Thank you for everything you do.

-Charles

Charles Chamberlain, Political Director
Democracy for America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Think Progress

06/02/2011 Nativegrl77

Some Inconvenient Truths About the National Debt

Jun 1, 2011 | By ThinkProgress War Room

How’d We Get Here?

As we draw closer to August 2, the drop-dead date by which the nation’s debt ceiling must be raised or the U.S. will risk economic calamity by defaulting on its obligations, Republicans continue to play political games with the economy. Last night, House Republicans staged a political stunt by bringing a $2.4 trillion increase in the nation’s borrowing limit that was not paired with any spending cuts up for a vote. Republicans designed the measure to fail (as it did, with the Democratic leadership also calling for a ‘no’ vote in protest) to try and gain political leverage over President Obama and the Democrats in the ongoing budget negotiations being led by Vice President Biden. Also tucked into this measure was poison pill language blaming President Obama for the nation’s fiscal woes. Since the GOP continues to have collective amnesia about how we got into this mess in the first place, here’s a handy chart from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP):

As our friends at CBPP note, “without the economic downturn and the fiscal policies of the [Bush] Administration, the budget would be roughly in balance over the next decade.”

Where the GOP Wants to Take Us: More Tax Cuts for the Wealthy & Big Oil, Less Health Care for Grandma

In order to raise the debt ceiling to pay for the debts we’ve already incurred as a result of these Bush-era policies, Republicans are demanding that the president accept elements of their disastrous — and extremely unpopular — budget plan, which includes:
A permanent extension of the Bush tax cuts, which (along with two wars) make up almost half of the debt we’ll owe by 2019 under current policies
A new tax cut for the wealthy that would lower the top rate by almost one-third
A new tax cut for corporations — including Big Oil
Ending Medicare as we know it and slashing Medicaid
A hidden tax increase on the middle class

Missing from the GOP plan? Any new revenue for the government or any serious deficit reduction over the next decade.

Evening Briefing: Important Stories That You May Have Missed

Voters in several states have buyer’s remorse.

South Africa’s Zuma fails to persuade Qaddafi to step down.

The House GOP prefers to keep campaign finance disclosure opaque.

Texas redistricting is underway and it isn’t pretty.

Forcing “forcible” out of federal rape policy.

Matt Drudge’s disgusting race war awareness campaign.

Supposed-Libertarian Rand Paul (R-KY) wants to imprison people who attend “radical political speeches.”

Which major corporations are making huge profits but pay negative tax rates?

News You Can Use: Get Your Go-Bag Ready — Hurricane Season Starts Today

After a spring filled with record floods and killer tornadoes fueled by an ever-warming planet, today marks the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. Scientists predict that this season there will be 18 named storms, including 3-6 major hurricanes. The La Niña effect, which helped steer storms away from the U.S. last year, is expected to ebb by June or July, increasing the likelihood of a major hurricane hitting the U.S during the peak of the season in late August and September. Meanwhile, the GOP’s proposed budget for next year cuts disaster preparedness funding by $1.5 billion.

Lie of the Day: Palin’s Magical Mystery Tour Marches On–Complete With a $7 TRILLION Lie on Fox News

In between saying how much she “loves the smell of emissions,” playing hide-and-go-seek with the media, and eating dinner with Donald Trump, Sarah Palin sat down with Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren. As is customary for Palin’s appearances on Fox, her interview included a ‘pants on fire’ lie about President Obama. She claimed that the president has increased the national debt by “more than all other presidents combined.” As ThinkProgress’ Judd Legum notes: “this is flatly false,” as the debt was $10.6 trillion when Obama came into office and has increased by $3.7 trillion since then — mostly due to Bush-era policies, as noted above. That leaves Palin’s accounting off by a mere $7 TRILLION. Check out the video:

http://youtu.be/bsSzEtIvEFQ

www.ThinkProgress.org

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Congress: the Republican led House is in Session – the Senate will be back on 6/6

06/02/2011 Nativegrl77

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 2, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION.@@@@@@@@@

9:03 P.M. – On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on June 3, 2011.

Mr. Richmond moved that the House do now adjourn.

8:09 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

8:08 P.M. – Mr. Scott (SC) filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 294.

8:02 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

H.R. 2055:: making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes

8:01 P.M. – Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2055as unfinished business.On motion that the Committee now rise Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Culberson moved that the Committee now rise.

8:00 P.M. – On agreeing to the Culberson amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

7:48 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 288, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Culberson amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Culberson.

An amendment to redirect funds for the medical services and general administration divisions of the Veterans Health Administration.

7:01 P.M. – GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2055.The Speaker designated the Honorable Lee Terry to act as Chairman of the Committee.

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 288and Rule XVIII.

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2055with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. After general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. Points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI are waived. The resolution authorizes the Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have pre-printed their amendments in the Congressional Record.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 288.

H. Res. 293:: electing a Member to a certain standing committee of the House of Representatives

7:00 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 2017:: making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes

6:58 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 231 – 188 (Roll no. 409).

6:52 P.M. – On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 187 – 234 (Roll no. 408).

6:31 P.M. – The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

6:24 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House with an amendment to increase grants for Transportation Security and Counterterrorism through offsets from the Department of Homeland Security’s National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility.

6:23 P.M. – Mr. Bishop (NY) moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.

Mr. Bishop(NY) moved to recommit the bil H.R. 2017 to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with the following amendment: � Page 45, line 18, after the dollar amount insert “(increased by $75,000,000)”. � Page 64, lines 2 and 4, after each of the dollar amounts insert “(reduced by $75,000,000)”.

6:22 P.M. – The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

6:21 P.M. – The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2017.On motion to rise and report Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Aderholt moved for the Committee of the Whole to rise and report.

6:20 P.M. – On agreeing to the Polis amendment Failed by recorded vote: 107 – 313 (Roll no. 407).

6:17 P.M. – On agreeing to the Mica amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 219 – 204 (Roll no. 406).

6:12 P.M. – On agreeing to the Gohmert amendment Failed by recorded vote: 199 – 224 (Roll no. 405).

6:09 P.M. – On agreeing to the Cole amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 252 – 170 (Roll no. 404).

6:06 P.M. – On agreeing to the Rokita amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 218 – 205 (Roll no. 403).

6:02 P.M. – On agreeing to the Rokita amendment Failed by recorded vote: 110 – 312 (Roll no. 402).

5:59 P.M. – On agreeing to the Amash amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 257 – 164 (Roll no. 401).

5:56 P.M. – On agreeing to the Amash amendment Failed by recorded vote: 123 – 300 (Roll no. 400).

5:52 P.M. – On agreeing to the Amash amendment Failed by recorded vote: 127 – 295 (Roll no. 399).

5:49 P.M. – On agreeing to the Cravaack amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 289 – 131 (Roll no. 398).

5:46 P.M. – On agreeing to the King (IA) amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 251 – 168, 1 Present (Roll no. 397).

5:34 P.M. – On agreeing to the Scalise amendment Failed by recorded vote: 207 – 213 (Roll no. 396).

5:06 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the question of adoption of amendments which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

5:01 P.M. – Mr. Carter raised a point of order against the Eshoo amendment Mr. Carter stated that the amendment seeks to change existinlaw and constitutes legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

4:56 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Eshoo amendment under the five-minute rule, pending the reservation of a point of order.Amendment offered by Ms. Eshoo.

An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to enter into contracts with corporations or business entities that do not disclose their political expenditures.

4:49 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Polis(CO) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Polis(CO) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

4:29 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Polis(CO) amendment number 23 under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Polis.

An amendment numbered 23 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds for being used to carry out section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

4:12 P.M. – The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.Considered as unfinished business.

4:11 P.M. – The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 2.

3:20 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

H.R. 2017:: making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes

3:19 P.M. – Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2017as unfinished business.On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Aderholt moved that the Committee rise.

3:18 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Mica amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Mica demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

3:03 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Mica amendment under the five-minute rule, pending a reservation of a point of order. Subsequently, the point of order was withdrawn.

3:02 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Mica.

An amendment to add a new section requiring the amount made available to the Transportation Security Administration for screeing operations, not more than $2,760,503,458 may be used for screener personnel, compensation, and benefits.

2:52 P.M. – By unanimous consent, the Issa amendment was withdrawn.

2:46 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Issa amendment under the five-minute rule, pending a reservation of a point of order.

2:45 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Issa.

An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to promulgate regulations that will result in private sector job losses to United States companies.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Gohmert amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Gohmert demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

2:35 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Gohmert amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Gohmert.

An amendment to prohibit the use of funds for the new construction, purchase, or lease of any building or space in the District of Columbia except where a contract for the construction, purchase, or lease was entered into before the date of the enactment of this Act.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Cole (OK) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Cole (OK) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

2:28 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Cole (OK) amendment No. 42 under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Cole.

An amendment numbered 42 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used to implement any rule or regulation regarding the disclosure of political contributions that takes effect on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

2:26 P.M. – The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 288:: providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 2055) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

The previous question was ordered without objection.

1:55 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 288.Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 2017:: making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes

1:52 P.M. – Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2017as unfinished business.

1:51 P.M. – On motion to that the Committee now rise Agreed to by voice vote.Mr. Aderholt moved to that the Committee now rise.

1:49 P.M. – On agreeing to the Gosar amendment Failed by recorded vote: 183 – 234 (Roll no. 395).

1:46 P.M. – On agreeing to the Sherman amendment Failed by recorded vote: 208 – 213 (Roll no. 394).

1:43 P.M. – On agreeing to the Price (NC) amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 264 – 157 (Roll no. 393).

1:39 P.M. – On agreeing to the Carter amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 242 – 180 (Roll no. 392).

1:35 P.M. – On agreeing to the Lummis amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 238 – 177 (Roll no. 391).

1:32 P.M. – On agreeing to the Sessions amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 218 – 204 (Roll no. 390).

1:28 P.M. – On agreeing to the Clarke (MI) amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 273 – 150 (Roll no. 389).

12:53 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

12:49 P.M. – On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

12:41 P.M. – Debate – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX).

An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to be used to limit the discretion of the Secretary of Homeland Security to enhance the use of Federal Air Marshals on inbound international flights considered to be high risk by the Department of Homeland Security.

12:40 P.M. – Mr. Aderholt raised a point of order against the Speier amendment stating that the amendment proposes to change existing law. The Chair sustained the point of order.

12:37 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Speier amendment no. 18 under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.

12:36 P.M. – Amendment offered by Ms. Speier.

An amendment numbered 18 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used to award a noncompetitively bid contract to an Alaska Native Corporation, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian Organization in an amount in excess of the competitive bidding threshold.

12:35 P.M. – Mr. Aderholt raised a point of order against the Speier amendment stating that the amendment proposes to change existing law. The Chair sustained the point of order.

12:33 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Speier amendment no. 19 under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.Amendment offered by Ms. Speier.

An amendment numbered 19 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds used by TSA to purchase clothing that is not 100 percent domestic in origin.

12:32 P.M. – Mr. Aderholt raised a point of order against the Baldwin amendment stating that the amendment proposes to change existing law. The Chair sustained the point of order.

12:26 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Baldwin amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.

12:25 P.M. – Amendment offered by Ms. Baldwin.

An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to be used to design, develop, or procure any vessel of the Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutter class of ships, unless it is manufactured in the United States.

12:24 P.M. – The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.Considered as unfinished business.

12:03 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.

12:02 P.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Poe of TX 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.

12:01 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. John Sloop, First Presbyterian Church, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

12:00 P.M. – The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 2.

11:09 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:01 A.M. – MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

10:00 A.M. – The House convened, starting a new legislative day.