Monthly Archives: August 2011

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Hot, hot, hot …Robby Mook


Dems launch ‘Accountability August’
– CNN

 House Democrats Attack GOP Members Over Medicare
  – Wall Street Journal

Democrats Hit Back in GOP Districts
  – New York Times

No matter what the National Weather Service is forecasting for August, I promise it is going to be extremely hot for House Republicans headed back to their home districts.

 Today, we’re kicking off an aggressive campaign to hold Republicans accountable for repeatedly choosing Millionaires over seniors’ Medicare. We’re calling it “Accountability August.”

Thanks to your incredible grassroots support, we beat our $500,000 rapid response goal for July’s critical Federal Election Commission deadline, raising $671,658. Your dollars are being put to work immediately to take the fight to Republicans with targeted advertising, grassroots organizing, and our “Millionaires over Medicare” action center so grassroots Democrats like you have the tools to fight back.   Click on the link for more info … http://www.dccc.org/page/m/1d63c982/1b9dd8ab/4d0c4293/4e0cec36/1302624222/VEsH/

 We’re on offense and forcing Republicans to defend the indefensible: A reckless agenda that would use Medicare as a piggybank in order to fund tax breaks for millionaires and protect subsidies for Big Oil. This is an insult to every hardworking American who has paid into Medicare over a lifetime of hard work.

 I can’t thank you enough for your tremendous grassroots support and for standing strong against the Republicans’ reckless agenda to hurt seniors and instead protect millionaires and Big Oil.

 When we’re done with them, Republicans are going to want to book a flight right back out of their districts faster than you can say “Millionaires over Medicare.”

Stay tuned,

 Robby Mook
 DCCC Executive Director

~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

TGIF &some News


just another rant …

The latest events or filibusters by Republicans in both Chambers of Congress have made me wonder  if or when will the Democratic Party push back or beat back the ideology that is taking over up on the Hill. I do think a line in the sand may have been drawn when our big 3 programs came under fire and while you can see vids of Republican leaders say they got 98% of what they wanted in the debt deal, it’s obvious they change Republicans want was worth pushing possibly over the cliff. To those people who hated the deal, remember they will have to defend it, which will be interesting, especially if forced to this debt deal give full disclosure. I have to say the Debt deal and the FAA debacle proved to be a moment when we saw the Democratic Party unite against the ideology of Republicans who want to take down the entire system, as we know it. The assault on the middleclass by the Republican members of Congress is obviously very offensive and will continue until we the people get out the vote and put Democrats back in control. So, when Congress gets back from their five-week break let’s hold Republicans accountable and demand that Democrats not only stand up more but do it as a united Political Party because it makes you want to jump in and say just exactly what they are thinking but too cautious to say.

 It’s time for the Democratic members of Congress the President and We the People to get on the same page and take back our Democracy.

The temporary Band-Aid that Congress has put on the debt, deficit as well as the things filibustered, or sitting on some table in a back room somewhere in the Senate will rear its ugly head again.  Republicans are planning to bring back the Paul Ryan Budget. It is and ideological plan that should open the eyes of most if not all Republican constituents, well maybe… hey, I definitely an optimist. We all were scared about Sarah Palin becoming one person closer to being President of the US of A and thank goodness, saner minds prevailed.  In a time when millions are unemployed, more layoffs coming and Corporate America is still outsourcing and holding middle class jobs hostage. The Republican Party continues to cut slash and burn American Workers in Republican controlled states. The party of No, which used to be just a conservative pro-life scary group, is now so extreme that the slogan “taking their country back”, is no longer code but an overt statement from Republican Tea Party members. Obviously, it is about not wanting “his kind” in the White House or as other as Sarah Palin and cohorts have spewed on various occasions.  I don’t know about you but the BS about President Obama being too “other” from anyone outside of Congress is offensive but when those who took an oath to serve and protect the lives of all Americans not a select few or those who you signed that Grover Norquist pledge admit to putting ideology and pledges before the People.

 

We are all Freedom Fighters on some level every day

 

CSPAN …

U.S. Economy

117,000 Total Jobs Created in July: Unemployment Down to 9.1%

154,000 private sector jobs created

   ************

Congress Agrees to Short-Term FAA Authorization

    ************

Defense Department Faces Budget Cuts

Panetta worried about debt ceiling agreement

      ************

Bachmann bashes Whoopi back in new fundraising letter

Bachmann Stands By Marriage Pledge That Links Slavery to Black …
Romney, Bachmann, Santorum Vow to Defend Marriage

 

Reich ’68 critiques US debt deal

Senate Passes FAA Funding Measure to End Impasse, Furloughs

NATO airstrike kills Gadhafi’s son: rebels

Factors behind the market sell-off

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Somalia is Dying … Luis Morago – Avaaz.org

1 Comment

Right now, more than 2000 people are dying every day in Somalia, in a famine that threatens to starve eleven million people to death. Drought has brought this region to its knees, but the food crisis is really fueled by a complete breakdown in governance and international diplomacy, and we can put an end to it.

The famine-hit area is governed by Al-Shabaab, an Islamist regime that is linked to terrorist groups. The isolation and conflict between Al-Shabaab, other local leaders, and the international community have kept out much of the aid and trade that could end the famine. But a few key countries, including the United Arab Emirates, still trade with Al-Shabaab — they have an opportunity to broker a deal with the regime and break the stalemate that threatens the survival of millions.

We cannot let the politics of the war on terror claim any more innocent lives. It’s time for the international community and Al-Shabaab to come to an agreement to immediately get food to the suffering Somali people. The UN Security Council is meeting in a few days — let’s demand that they take immediate action to support key Arab nations in an effort to open talks with Al-Shabaab on cooperating to end the famine and seize this chance for a long-term political solution:

www.avaaz.org

Somalia’s government was destroyed in 2006 by a US-backed invasion which feared Islamic extremism. But the tactic backfired. Since then, even more radical groups like Al-Shabaab took over and brutalized most of Somalia, and the international community has propped up a corrupt government whose control is limited to parts of the capital. The policies of isolation, invasion and pressure in the war on terror have not helped anyone, and now thousands of Somalis are dying every day. It’s time for a new approach.

The US has already stepped up to tackle the crisis, relaxing anti-terrorism laws that blocked aid from reaching the Somali people in Al-Shabaab’s region. Meanwhile, there are growing cracks within insurgent groups, and some leaders are willing to let aid in. But it is not enough to break the wall that surrounds those hardest hit by famine. Only bold international diplomacy can engage with all key parties to ensure that relief safely reaches the hundreds of thousands of desperate families.

One of Al-Shabaab’s largest sources of income comes from cutting down acacia trees for charcoal, which they illegally export primarily to the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries. These nations could now leverage their economic ties to Al-Shabaab to play a crucial diplomatic role and guarantee humanitarian access to famine-stricken areas.

We urgently need a new direction for Somalia — let’s appeal to the UN Security Council to support key Gulf countries to lead mediation efforts to ensure that Somalis dying behind Al-Shabaab’s lines are able to access life-saving food and health care for themselves and their starving children. Sign now and forward widely

www.avaaz.org

Together, Avaaz members have ensured crucial aid was delivered in Burma, Haiti and Pakistan after natural disasters, saving thousands of lives. Now, as the world watches heartbreaking images of dying children in shock and horror, we can urge key countries to show the leadership the Somali people urgently need — let’s stand together now and help end the tragedy in Somalia.

With hope and determination,

Luis, Stephanie, Maria Paz, Emma, Ricken, Giulia, Iain and the whole Avaaz team

SOURCES

Somalia (New York Times)
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/somalia/index.html

Famine weakens and divides Al-Shabaab militants (France24)
http://www.france24.com/en/20110729-somalia-al-shabaab-famine-weakens-divides-qaeda-linked-militants

A famine in Somalia, and a chronic political failure on humanitarian aid (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-leadership/a-famine-in-somalia-and-a-chronic-political-failure-on-humanitarian-aid/2011/08/03/gIQAPaOgrI_story.html

US urges global action on Horn of Africa famine (AFP)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gWVkYmwIZGd2Jr-3vp5rKF1blTbg?docId=CNG.0dcc70d787af82f2b283aeb2af9d940e.b31

Horn of Africa: From one drought to another (The Guardian)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jul/07/horn-of-africa-drought

Somalia: Focus on the Charcoal Trade (SomaliaWatch.org)
http://www.somaliawatch.org/archiveoct00/001026601.htm

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Latest update in Wisconsin …Charles Chamberlain, Democracy for America


Here’s the latest update in Wisconsin —

 We have to win at least three Republican recall elections next week to take back the State Senate and we’re looking good in two districts right now. Districts 18 and 32 are blue districts and we have two great Democratic candidates. We should be able to pick up both of these seats if we keep running strong.

 Polls show us leading in District 14, but not by much. We’ve gone all-in here with a great TV ad and with thousands of volunteers on the ground and across the country making calls to voters every day.

 We’re behind in Districts 2, 8 and 10, but polls show us catching up fast. We just expanded our canvass in District 10 and now we’re going on offense in District 8 with a powerful new TV ad. But we need your help to get it on the air today.

http://youtu.be/yJ38Jp2uzSQ

District 8 is a Republican district and Alberta Darling has been elected here for almost 20 years. This was always going to be a tough fight for us, but Darling’s attacks on middle class families have made her vulnerable. A win here would be a huge upset and we have all the momentum.

 DFA has been on the ground for weeks with a massive canvassing program and with volunteers across the country making calls to voters in the district. This new ad is our August surprise and it could be what puts us over the top. Please contribute $8 right now to help us put our new ad on the air.

 This is our last chance to expand our ad buy in Wisconsin ahead of the August 9 recall election. http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/1004?akid=1177.1480546.YsKT4D&t=1

 Thank you for everything you do.

 -Charles

 Charles Chamberlain, Political Director
 Democracy for America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Gray hairs …Michelle Obama


Every day, I see Barack make choices he knows will affect every American family. That’s no small task for anyone — and more proof that he’s earning every last one of those gray hairs.

This has been a busy week in Washington, but today happens to be Barack’s 50th birthday. I’m writing to you because this year, the girls and I would like to do something a little different.

I’m asking friends and supporters of this campaign to wish him a happy birthday by signing his card, and sharing why you’re on this journey with us.

Your names and notes will become part of a book that tells the story of this campaign — who’s building it, why we’re in this thing, and what he means to us. We’ll deliver a copy to Barack and send one to our campaign offices across the country.

I’ve known Barack for more than 20 of his 50 years, and we’ve been through quite a lot together.

It still amazes me that no matter how many decisions and distractions he’s faced with every day, he’s always able to focus on the bigger picture. One way he does that is by making time for stories and letters from people like you — because he knows that this job isn’t about him, but about the millions of folks around the country he’s fighting for.

This next year will challenge us all to work harder than ever before, but the crucial thing is that you’re here now, early on, helping to build this campaign.

I know that, like Barack and me, you have your own reasons why, so I hope you’ll take a moment to sign the card and share your story with him and other supporters of this campaign.

Thanks for being a part of this,

Michelle