Indiana’s attorney general on Tuesday appealed a judge’s ruling that blocked key aspects of a new state law that cut some public funding for Planned Parenthood because the organization provides abortions.
Daily Archives: 06/29/2011
I am an outlaw
Just one week ago, I published an expose in the New York Times. It was my life story. I am an undocumented immigrant, an outlaw in my own country.
In the days since, I have been drowning in media requests, tearful letters, and powerful Facebook messages. I want to thank all of the individuals who have both challenged and supported me, and ask those who have not yet done so to join me.
I’ve left my job as a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and come out about my immigration status because it’s long past time to strike up a more civil, inclusive debate about immigration in America. It’s a risk, but I have a unique story to tell, and I was tired of staying silent.
Now, I’m launching the project “Define American.” http://www.change.org/petitions/stand-with-me-jose-antonio-vargas-for-a-new-conversation-about-immigration?utm_source=action_alert&utm_medium=email&alert_id=priUkRVDLL_INmaVodArs
We may not all agree on how to fix it, but one thing we can all agree on is that our immigration debate is out of control and our immigration system is badly broken. I believe not only that we can do better, but that we must.
Will you sign the pledge to stand with me, Jose Antonio Vargas, in calling for a new national conversation on immigration? http://www.change.org/petitions/stand-with-me-jose-antonio-vargas-for-a-new-conversation-about-immigration?utm_source=action_alert&utm_medium=email&alert_id=priUkRVDLL_INmaVodArs
Some would say my story is the tale of a hard-working immigrant who defines the American dream: achieving success against great odds, working hard, and even earning a Pulitzer Prize for my reporting. Still, despite everything I’ve achieved, the law still says I am not technically an American. I am undocumented.
I want to ask my fellow Americans: What would you do, if you found out at age 16 that you didn’t have the right papers? As a journalist, my job is to ask questions that spark conversation. Now I am asking you to join in that conversation.
Sign the pledge to “Define American,” share it with everyone you know, and then leave us a comment about what you would do if you found out you were undocumented. I will bring your comments and stories with me as I head to the next round of media interviews. http://www.change.org/petitions/stand-with-me-jose-antonio-vargas-for-a-new-conversation-about-immigration?utm_source=action_alert&utm_medium=email&alert_id=priUkRVDLL_INmaVodArs
We all have a story to tell, so let’s talk. Let’s debate. Most importantly, let’s listen.
All the best,
– Jose
Corporate crackdown .. Rebecca Tarbotton, Rainforest Action Network
As corporations amass more and more power over our government and all of our lives, how do we stop them from trampling our rights and polluting the air and water we need to survive?
We must be unrelenting, we must be strategic and we must be more brave than we’ve ever imagined we could be. Now is the time for action.
Last month, four RAN activists chained themselves to Disney‘s headquarters to shine a light on its forest destruction. Just a week later, six more were arrested bringing attention to the struggle of 30,000 Ecuadoreans living with Chevron‘s oil disaster in the Amazon.
Why would these courageous men and women risk so much? Because sometimes it takes rappelling off a bridge and unfurling a 50-foot banner to get a corporation to put people’s health and the environment first.
RAN’s next big action is going to be absolutely awe-inspiring…Do you want to be in on it?
We need you there with us. We need your direct support now to start planning.
You can feed an activist a meal that will fuel them through the grueling physical challenge of a banner action. It only takes $10.
Precision communication is key to pulling off direct actions. Put a mobile phone into the hands of our next action coordinator for $25.
Direct action climbers dangle hundreds of feet over land or water, which means safety comes first. Protect the most vital tool a climber has, their head. Give $50 to buy a safety helmet for a RAN activist during our next big banner hang.
Now if you’ve got the means and the passion to push Corporate America hard, I’m asking you to go big. Like 80-feet wide kind of big.
Be the funder behind RAN’s next massive banner. $500 will get the job done.
When corporate polluters refuse to stop decimating precious rainforests or blowing up historic mountain ranges, we’ve got to take action.
YOU can make it happen. Donate today.
For a just and thriving planet,
Rebecca Tarbotton
Executive Director
wicked Wednesday weather& some News
The World is watching … As Freedom marches ramp up and the violence against protesters breaks out again … people have had enough
Remember … there is always strength in numbers
I think we all take our freedoms for granted here in the US of A though lately the Republican Party is beginning to make me feel a little less free every day. I watched as freedom fighters in Egypt Libya and others in the region did whatever they had to before going out to march against tyranny , but the idea that there are people being killed by their own government for wanting to be free, heard, wanting to be participants in their own futures is not new but it is disturbing. There were mothers with children, older men and women and college students coming out in droves to let the current dictators know it’s time for a change and given what these dictators will lose they have chosen to “crackdown” on the protesters which we all know is pure bs and a lack of respect for life.
Months ago, we saw some of the people of Iran try to rise up and claim a voice of independence. Unfortunately, what came out of that was the loss of freedom fighters with Neda becoming their symbol of strength. However, in the end after a few days those freedom fighters had to retreat which had to be the only way to save lives. It was a rude awakening at how a dictator only respects his position and is still willing to sacrifice the many for his title, power, and money. Then we heard of an uprising in Tunisia Egypt and many others in possible transition with talk of more and more people willing to risk their lives to gain their freedom. It was definitely clear that a movement against the Ancient practice of dictatorship by freedom fighters for a move into the 21st Century was breaking out all over. The voice and votes of millions have gone uncounted and or compromised for decades. The demand to be heard great but to get the change they need and want … means that the fear of authority was, is, cannot be an option… and the possibility of death likely.
The quick response from dictators was surprising, disturbing, and totally unacceptable. I have to say it was strange to see how fast they were able to cut off most if not all connections to the outside world, stating the US meddled in the process to divert responsibility while using extreme force on their own people. In the case of Libya, we heard their government make threats of slaughtering all who will not stand down and going house to house, which was after reports of thousands already killed by Gadhafi forces. The demand to move into the 21st Century continues to be met with bullets bombs and death. It has to make you wonder if the money the militia gets is worth killing their own people, don’t they want personal freedom , do they dare dream or wonder what living in a more modern society would be like. I guess being an American, the thought of remaining silent under force let alone 40years of dictatorship is just not an option. These men of so-called power showed the World how horrible they were and as days and weeks went by their own military forces began to crumble. It was enlightening to see just how nefarious these dictators were and still are. I have to say it was stunning to hear that under pressure a dictator was willing to kill Military forces who wanted out and or refused to kill civilians. It was equally stunning that some managed to flee the region and others definitely in elite positions asked for refuge while workers, outsourced from other countries became shields, trapped, or lacked funds to go home, as some countries did not help their people out others took that long walk across the border to temporary safety and freedom in refugee camps.
The journey toward freedom is sometimes paved with danger
pray for all those involved
Other News
Egypt probes Tahrir Square
clash
Instant view: Greek parliament votes
NM Wildfire Burns Near Nuke Facility
Roche seeks more time for Avastin in
breast cancer
Taliban claims credit for hotel
attack
Burma warns Aung San Suu Kyi to halt
all political activities
Conservative blogger Breitbart sees
Sarah Palin jumping into White House race
CSPAN …
President Obama Holds News Conference
Will take questions on Afghanistan, Libya, deficit talks
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White House Releases National Counterterrorism Strategy
Deputy Nat’l Security Adviser John Brennan on U.S. plan to defeat al-Qaeda
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Senate Panel Looks at Supreme Court Rulings
Sen. Leahy said the Court sided with corporations
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Federal Reserve To Issue Final Rules on Debit Card Fees
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GAO Reports on Diplomatic Security
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for austerity plan
Congress is in Session –
- Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning
business for one hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10
minutes each with the time equally divided and controlled between the two
Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first half and
the Majority controlling the final half. - Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.679,
the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act. At approximately
11am, the Senate will conduct up to 4 roll call votes in relation to the
following amendments to S.679:- DeMint #501 (IMF bailouts)(60-vote threshold);
- Portman-Udall(NM)-Cornyn #509, as modified with the changes that are at the
desk (Comptrollers of Navy, Army, Air Force; Controller of OMB and department
CFOs)(expected voice vote); - DeMint #511 (legislative & public affairs);
- Toomey #514(strikes the provision relating to the Governors and alternate
governors of the IMF and the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development)(expected voice vote);
- Following disposition of the amendments, the Senate will conduct an
additional roll call vote on passage of S.679, as amended (60-vote threshold). - Following disposition of S.679, the Senate will proceed to consideration of
S.Res.116, a resolution to provide for expedited Senate consideration of certain
nominations subject to advice and consent.
- 6:11pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Coburn amendment #521
(duplicative Federal programs)At approximately 6:10pm, the Senate will conduct 2 roll call votes in
relation to the following:- Coburn amendment #521 (duplicative Federal programs) (67-vote threshold)
- Adoption of S.Res.116, to provide for expedited Senate consideration of
certain nominations, as amended (majority threshold) - VOTES
- 6:36pm the Senate began a roll call vote on adoption of S.Res.116, to provide
for expedited Senate procedure for certain nominations, as amended; Adopted:
89-8 - 6:11pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Coburn amendment #521
(duplicative Federal programs) (67 vote threshold) Not agreed to; 63-34 -
Roll
call vote on Passage of S.679Jun 29,
’11 11:57 AM11:55am The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of S.679, the
Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act; Passed: 79-20Roll
call vote on DeMint amendment #511Jun 29,
’11 11:39 AM11:35am the Senate began a roll call vote on the DeMint amendment #511
(legislative and public affairs) Not agreed to; 25-74Roll
call on DeMint amendment #501Jun 29,
’11 11:07 AM11:07am The Senate began a roll call vote on the DeMint amendment #501 (IMF
Bailouts); Not agreed to; 44-55Vote
Reminder: up to 5 roll call votes at approx 11amJun 29,
’11 9:36 AMAt approximately 11:00am today, the Senate will conduct up to 5 roll call
votes in relation to the following: DeMint #501 (IMF bailouts)(60-vote
threshold); Portman-Udall(NM)-Cornyn #509, as modified with the changes that are
at the desk (Comptrollers of Navy, Army, Air Force; Controller of OMB and
department CFOs)(expected voice vote); DeMint #511 (legislative &
public… -
Wrap Up
- Adopted S.Res.220, expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the June 30,
2011, opening of the Tom Lantos Institute in Budapest, Hungary. - Adopted S.Res.221, congratulating Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity on reaching the
historic milestone of 100 years. - Adopted S.Res.222, recognizing the American Revolution Center for its role
in telling the story of the American Revolution and the continuing impact on
struggles for freedom, self-government, and the rule of law throughout the
world, and encouraging the Center in its efforts to build a new Museum of the
American Revolution.
- Adopted S.Res.220, expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the June 30,
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The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 1, 2011.


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