Monthly Archives: July 2011

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Ten Minutes…Until Evacuation


 
Evacuation RouteCommunity and neighborhood evacuations are more common than you might think. A wildfire, hurricane, tornado, mudslide, toxic industrial accident or other imminent disaster could force you to leave your home—in some cases, within minutes of the evacuation order.Knowing what to do and what to take with you should the order come can help you preserve your most important possessions.

Plan it out.
Discuss an evacuation plan with members of your household well in advance of an emergency. Ask everyone to make a list of items they consider essential to bring and then prioritize.

Prepare a box with essential documents such as birth certificates, insurance records, passports, tax returns, wills and cherished photographs. Be sure to place this box in a secure location, such as a fireproof safe.

Create or update a home inventory list to accurately record your possessions and add the list to your essential document box.

  • Plan your escape routes. Choose more than one route, going in different directions, as some streets may be blocked off.
  • Choose a meet-up place for family members should an evacuation order come when you’re not together.
  • If you have some advance warning, fill your car’s gas tank and keep it topped off. Keep some cash on hand too—ATMs may not be operable in a disaster.

Pack it up.
For efficiency and speed, divide packing duties among household members. The Insurance Information Institute and the Department of Homeland Security offer suggestions for items to bring if you have only minutes to pack:

  • Your prepared document box
  • Prescriptions, first aid supplies, basic toiletries
  • Computers or laptops
  • Clothing for three days
  • Comfort items, such as a child’s blanket or stuffed animal
  • Pet supplies, including food, medicine, toys, vaccination records and a leash or carrier
  • Bottled water
  • Flashlight, battery-powered radio, extra batteries
  • Cash

Go to statefarm.com to learn how to be prepared in the event of a natural disaster, and visit the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) for a detailed preparedness plan. 

Source: StateFarm

5 Easy Ways to Improve Fuel Mileage
As prices at the pump continue to tick higher, everyone is looking to stretch each gallon of gas. Being smarter about the way you drive could help you go a lot farther on each tank. Here are five ways to improve your fuel mileage.

  1. Ease your speed – Your right foot is the key to better gas mileage. According the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph on the highway is like paying an additional 24 cents per gallon. Stick to the speed limits and you’ll save big.
  2. Be smooth – Imagine you’ve always got an open cup of hot java in the beverage holder. That could help you avoid pedal-to-the metal acceleration and last-second braking. According to the DOE, driving less aggressively could deliver up to 33 percent better fuel economy.
  3. Don’t idle away – Sitting with your engine idling while waiting to pick up the kids is just a waste of gas. Cutting the engine if you know you’ll be stopped for more than 30 seconds can provide 10 percent better fuel economy. You don’t want to do this at a stop light, of course.
  4. Plan your drive – Run all of your errands in one trip. According to the DOE, several stop-start drives can use twice as much fuel as one trip to the mall. And if you see a parking spot, take it, even if it means a longer walk to the store. Circling the lot wastes fuel.
  5. Lighten your load – That set of golf clubs in your trunk adds weight to your car. That means your engine has to work harder. Also ease the load on your engine by switching off the AC and heated rear screen when you don’t need them.

Visit statefarm.com to learn more gas mileage tips.
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Congress: the Republican led House & the Senate debate/vote for or against Americans today


the Senate Convenes at 9:00amET July 22, 2011

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R.2560, the Cut, Cap and Balance Act with the time until 10:00am equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.
  • At 10:00am, the Majority Leader will be recognized. At this time, Senator Reid is expected to make a motion to table the motion to proceed H.R.2560, Cut,Cap and Balance Act.  Therefore, Senators should expect a roll call vote at approximately 10:00am. To accommodate Senators on both sides, this vote will be longer than usual.

10:05am The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to table on the motion to proceed to H.R.2560, the Cut, Cap and Balance Act; Tabled: 51-46

The cap,cut and balance bill – which doesn’t tell us what would be cut capped or balanced was defeated today.

The Senate is in a period of morning business until 2:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. Senator Reid announced next roll call vote is expected at approximately 5:30pm on Monday, July 25, 2011.

Prior to adjournment on Friday, at the request of Senator Rockefeller, Senator Durbin asked unanimous consent that the Senate pass H.R.2553, the FAA extension with a Rockefeller-Hutchison substitute amendment (which is a clean extension of the program). Senator Hatch then objected to the request.

Senator Hatch then asked unanimous consent the Senate pass H.R.2553 (as passed by the House which includes policy riders). Senator Durbin then objected to Senator Hatch’s request on behalf of Senator Rockefeller.

Because the Senate did not agree on HR2553, a bill to extend FAA , 4,000 Federal Workers were put on furlough some parts of travel may feel the impact – fed taxes may be removed

Adopted S.Res.237, a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding coming together as a Nation and ceasing all work or other activity for a moment of remembrance beginning at 1:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on September 11, 2011, in honor of the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks committed against the United States on September 11, 2001.

Passed S.300, the Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act of 2011, with committee-reported amendments

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 22, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

Republicans do about 4hrs of work ?

1:01 P.M. – The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 25, 2011.

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.


11:29 A.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

11:25 A.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.Mr. Crenshaw asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Friday, July 22, 2011, it adjourn to meet on Monday, July 25, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. for morning-hour debate and 12:00 p.m for legislative business. Agreed to without objection.

H.R. 2551:
making appropriations for the Legislative Branchfor the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes 

11:24 A.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 252 – 159 (Roll no. 629).

11:07 A.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.

11:06 A.M. – The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

11:05 A.M. – The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2551.On agreeing to the Moran amendment Failed by recorded vote: 179 – 234 (Roll no. 628).

11:01 A.M. – On agreeing to the Holt amendment Failed by recorded vote: 176 – 235 (Roll no. 627).

10:56 A.M. – On agreeing to the Thompson (PA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 130 – 283 (Roll no. 626).

10:50 A.M. – On agreeing to the Stutzman amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 218 – 194 (Roll no. 625).

10:45 A.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 153 – 260 (Roll no. 624).

10:40 A.M. – On agreeing to the Hayworth amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 299 – 112 (Roll no. 623).

10:36 A.M. – On agreeing to the Watt amendment Failed by recorded vote: 102 – 302, 7 Present (Roll no. 622).

10:03 A.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments, which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.

10:02 A.M. – The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.Considered as unfinished business.

10:01 A.M. – The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 22.

9:41 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

9:39 A.M. – The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 1383amended.

H.R. 2551:
making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes 

On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Crenshaw moved that the committee rise.

9:38 A.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Moran amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Moran demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

9:27 A.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Moran amendment.Amendment offered by Mr. Moran.

An amendment numbered 9 printed in House Report 112-173 to prohibit the use of funds for polystyrene containers in the food service facilities of the House of Representatives.

9:24 A.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Holt amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Crenshaw demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

9:14 A.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Holt amendment.Amendment offered by Mr. Holt.

An amendment numbered 12 printed in House Report 112-173 to provide $2.5 million for the congressional Office of Technology Assessment and reduce funding for the House Historic Buildings Revitalization Trust Fund by the same amount.

9:12 A.M. – The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.Considered as unfinished business.

9:02 A.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.

9:01 A.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Fitzpatrick 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.

9:00 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Policing School Districts: The New Separate but Equal


In our last correspondence we received an overwhelming response to the Op-Ed articles about the struggles between traditional public and charter schools being housed in the same facilities. Your responses show that you are fully aware that the issues surrounding barriers to quality education are multifaceted at best. Our current blog discusses problems faced by parents who have attempted to place their children in better neighboring school districts. Share your feedback and respond to other responses posted.

Policing School Districts: The New Separate but Equal

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The Black Institute

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1st Victory …Rolf Skar, Greenpeace


You have helped us achieve something amazing and I can’t thank you enough. Thanks to you, we have shown a global spotlight on Mattel and exposed Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) for destroying tiger forests.  As a result, the toy industry is starting to clean up their act. 

There’s no doubt they know you are watching.

Since our campaign kicked off last month, the response has been amazing. More than 60,000 of you sent letters to Mattel urging them to drop APP and adopt policies to protect forests. But Mattel isn’t the only toy company we are holding accountable. In our recent Toying With Extinction report, we showed that Hasbro, Disney and Lego were wrapping toys in rainforest destruction.

I’m happy to say we have our first victory!

Just last week, Lego became the first toy giant to stand up for Indonesian forests. This is big news, and sign that our efforts are working. Lego announced a plan to end business with companies linked to deforestation, reduce its packaging, maximize recycled paper content, and source only certified sustainable wood for any virgin tree fiber it uses. That’s great news for rainforests and the people and wildlife that depend on them.

As for Mattel, they have said publicly they will drop APP and make a new policy to protect forests. But for forests, actions are more important than words. Greenpeace is keeping the pressure on Mattel — the world’s largest toy company — until they back up their statements with real changes.

You might wonder, do toy companies really matter? The answer is: absolutely. Mattel claims to sell three Barbie dolls every second. That’s just one of their toys.  And Mattel is just one of the toy companies we’re changing. Add them all up, and the toy industry uses a lot of paper.

Through our high-profile, global campaign, we are sending a clear message to companies around the world that rainforest destruction is bad for business. We couldn’t do that without you.

Our work isn’t done yet, and its critical that we keep up the pressure. I’ll update you as we achieve more together. But for now, it’s also important for us to pause, celebrate our latest victory, and say thanks.

For the forests,

 
Rolf Skar, Senior Forest Campaigner
Greenpeace

P.S. Our dedicated staff around the world — including those on the ground in Indonesia — are fighting hard to save critically endangered Sumatran tigers. With your help, we can bring them back from the brink of extinction. If you haven’t already please make a donation to Greenpeace today.

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Chicago is sick of coal plants …Amanda Starbuck, Rainforest Action Network


The Fisk and Crawford coal plants, owned by Midwest Generation, are located right in the heart of Chicago. Combined these two ancient plants have been spewing pollution directly into the Windy City‘s bustling neighborhoods for over 150 years.

“Every class I teach has four to seven students who suffer from  horrifying respiratory illness,” says Chicago public school teacher  Gloria Fallon. “I can no longer sit back and watch my students and my community being sacrificed for dirty coal.”

                    The asthma hospitalization rate in Chicago is nearly double the U.S. national average. In some neighborhoods, over 25% of the children under twelve suffer from asthma.

                    Midwest Generation must be stopped.

Tell Bank of America, Citi, and Chase to pull funding from Midwest Generation, so these coal plants will finally be shut down.

                    Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO) and the Pilsen Environmental Rights and Reform Organization (PERRO) have been working for many years to demand that Midwest Generation stop poisoning their communities with 45,000 tons of pollution every year. Join them.

                    Stand with LVEJO and PERRO for environmental justice. Wake up the financial institutions that fuel U.S. polluters today.

                    Air pollution from Fisk and Crawford causes more than 40 deaths, 66 heart attacks and 720 asthma attacks every year. Big banks enable devastating coal projects like these to continue hurting communities in Chicago and all across the United States.

Enough is enough. Americans deserve clean air and healthy communities. It’s time for U.S. financial institutions to take responsibility  for their actions, pull financing from dirty fossil fuel projects and start banking on clean, sustainable energy.

Demand that Bank of America, Citi, and Chase support clean energy projects instead of dirty, deadly ones.

 

 

 

 

For a clean energy future,

 
Amanda Starbuck
                                Energy & Finance Program Director

Twitter: @DirtyEnergy