Monthly Archives: August 2011

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Final Vote on Bus Cuts on Mon. 8/15


King County Metro 30' Gillig PHANTOM coach #11...
Image via Wikipedia

Your support for saving King County Metro has made a huge difference. More than 8,200 people signed our SignOn petition to save our buses, and more than 14,000 total signed letters or petitions. The testimony at the 7/26 hearing was fantastic, and we didn’t lose! But we also haven’t won yet…

We need six of nine councilmembers to vote in favor of the two-year stop-gap measure to save our buses. We have the support of 5 members, but the sixth has been elusive.

The King County Council was set to vote on the matter that day. Luckily, thanks to the thousands of people who voiced their support, the four remaining councilmembers — all Republicans — agreed to take three more weeks to seriously consider the the measure.

Now, we must double-down. This is our last chance to save our buses from devastating 17% cuts that will significantly hurt 4 out of 5 riders. Though I started this petition as an individual, I’ve learned that many professionals are working on this and related issues under the umbrella of the Transportation for Washington campaign. Here’s what they recommend:

First, please send your own personal letter to the King County Councilmembers. There are no more opportunities for public testimony, so calling or sending another letter is the best way to remind them of our arguments. Feel free to edit or add personal details.

 Click here to send your letter.   http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5127/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=7814

Next, pack the meeting on Monday, August 15.
Click here to RSVP.    http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5153/p/salsa/web/questionnaire/public/?questionnaire_KEY=608

Finally, we need volunteers to help petition, phonebank, write letters to newpaper editors, and enter data.
Email Brock Howell, field director of Transportation 4 WA, at brock@futurewise.org to volunteer.

Thanks again for your support. Your dedication to the betterment of our society and planet warms my heart.
Together we can save our buses. Stay strong & don’t give up!

Peace to all of you,

Julia Deak

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

The coal industry


Somewhere in America a family will lose a loved one in the next hour as a result of pollution from coal-fired power plants.

Pollution from the coal industry isn’t just poisoning our communities. It’s polluting our political process as well. The millions of dollars they spend on lobbying and campaign contributions has allowed them to continue doing business as usual. But that’s changing.

Communities everywhere are standing up to the coal industry and doing what they have to do to keep their families safe and protect their air and water. And Greenpeace is supporting them.

That’s why we created a new website — www.quitcoal.org — especially for these activists and for anyone who is concerned about coal. Check out their stories and be one of the first people to see our new site by clicking on the video below.

We feel that this site can serve as a valuable resource by providing a platform for these activists to share their story and connect with other people in the movement and to highlight the work that is being done across the country to build a clean energy future.

You’ll be hearing a lot more about the site in the future. Thanks for all you do.

Quit Coal,

Kelly Mitchell

Greenpeace Coal Campaigner

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Standing strong …Nancy Pelosi


The latest reports are that Republicans are launching a smear campaign this week against ten Democrats who stood up and opposed the Tea Party plan to flat out end Medicare so they can give more tax breaks to multi-millionaires and Big Oil companies.

 We have launched our “Accountability August” campaign to hold Republicans accountable for their radical agenda while they are home in their districts but we must raise an additional $27,335 by midnight tonight to fully fund our Rapid Response campaign.

Will you stand with us and contribute $3 or more right now to help hit our Rapid Response Fund goal by midnight tonight?

www.dccc.org

 Your dollars will be put to work immediately with targeted advertising, grassroots organizing, and rapid response research.

 Let’s stand together for a new direction that chooses creating jobs and protecting Medicare over false attacks and reckless tax breaks for billionaires and Big Oil.  Contribute $3 or more before tonight’s deadline.

www.dccc.org

 Thank you for your support,

 Nancy Pelosi
 Democratic Leader

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress … still in …pro forma Sessions

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The Senate will meet on the following dates and times for pro-forma sessions only with no business conducted:

Tuesday, August 9th at 11:00am,

 Friday, August 12that 12:00pm,

– Tuesday, August 16th at 11:00am,

– Friday, August 19th at 10:00am,

– Tuesday, August 23rd at 2:30pm,

– Friday, August 26th at 11:15am,

– Tuesday, August 30th at 10:00am,

– Friday, September 2nd at 10:00am;

When the Senate convenes at 10:00am on Friday, September 2nd, it will adjourn until 2:00pm on September 6, 2011. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 5:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF AUGUST 9, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

10:05 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to to section 3 of H.Res. 375. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on August 12, 2011.

10:03 A.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 August 5, 2011 at 10:13 a.m. stating that that body had passedH.R. 2553.DISPENSING WITH LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS – Pursuant to section 4 of H.Res. 375, the Chair announced that no legislative business would be conducted on this day.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

10:02 A.M. – JOURNAL APPROVED – The Chair announced that pursuant to H.Res. 375, the Journal of the last day’s proceedings was approved.

10:00 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.The Speaker designated the Honorable Jeff Duncan to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: pro forma


 

The Senate will meet on the following dates and times for pro-forma sessions only with no business conducted:

Tuesday, August 9th at 11:00am,

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

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF AUGUST 5, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

10:09 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to section 3 of H.Res. 375.

 The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on August 9, 2011.

10:08 A.M. – The House received a communication from LaNette Wright, Executive Assistant, Office of Congressman H arold Rogers. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Ms. Wright notified the House that she had been served with a non-party subpoena issued by the Circuit Court for Russell County, Kentucky, for documents and testimony in a criminal case and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, she had determined that compliance with the subpoena was consistent with the privileges and rights of the House.

10:07 A.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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on August 3, 2011 at 10:54 a.m.: That the Senate passedS. 1302andS. 710.The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to section 4(c) ofH. Res. 5, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, and section 1(k)(2) of H.Res.895, One Hundred Tenth Congress, the Clerk notified the House that Jay Eagen, Allison Hayward, and Kelly Brewington each have signed an agreement to not be a candidate for the office of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress for the purposes of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 until at least 3 years after he or she is no longer a member of the board or staff of the Office of Congressional Ethics.

10:05 A.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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on August 2, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.: That the Senate passedH. Con. Res. 70, without amendment. The Senate also concurred in the House amendment toS. 365.ADJUSTED WHOLE NUMBER OF THE HOUSE – Under clause 5(d) of rule XX, the Chair announced to the House that, in light of the resignation of the gentleman from Oregon, Mr. Wu, the whole number of the House is 432.

The House received a communication from Representative Wu wherein he resigns as a member of the House of Representatives effective at 11:59 p.m. on August 3, 2011.

10:04 A.M. – The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a certification that the debt subject to limit is within $100,000,000,000 of the limit in 31 U.S.C. 3101(b) and that further borrowing is required to meet existing commitments. – referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-48).

10:03 A.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 August 2, 2011, at 2:13 p.m., containing a message from the President whereby he submits to the Congress a certification pursuant to section 3101A(a)(1)(A) of title 31, United States Code.Pursuant to section 4 of H.Res. 375, the Chair announced that legislative business is not dispensed with on this day.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led 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.

10:02 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the Deputy Parliamentarian, Tom Wickham.

10:01 A.M. – The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

10:00 A.M. –