ABC tracked down Bank of America’s CEO …Michael Whitney, Change.org


Change.org
                Tell Bank of America to drop its new $5 debit card fees             
Sign the Petition

Whoa. ABC News heard that 135,000 Change.org members signed Molly Katchpole’s petition against Bank of America’s new $5 monthly fee to use a debit card. So the network tracked down CEO Brian Moynihan and forced him to respond to the petition. (Thanks, ABC News!)

The CEO was flustered and couldn’t give a coherent explanation — an embarrassing moment on national TV for the big bank (and the second night in a row that Molly’s petition was a featured story on the newscast).

Bank of America is feeling the pressure from Change.org members. As more people speak out, Bank of America will be forced to cancel its new fee — and other banks will be too scared to create their own new fees.

Add your name to Molly’s petition demanding Bank of America cancel its new $5 debit card fee.

While you’re signing, check out the amazing video from ABC News. It’s inspiring to see one person’s petition can make a bank CEO squirm on TV! Watch it here:

http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-bank-of-america-no-5-debit-card-fees

Thanks for being a change-maker,

– Michael and the Change.org team

P.S. Good news about Cristian Fernandez, the 12-year-old being tried as an adult that I emailed about a couple days ago. His judge pushed back the hearing for one month after more than 150,000 Change.org members demanded that he be tried as a juvenile.

Black is Beautiful …The Black Institute


tumblr_liqfpfNxmE1qezdspo1_400.jpegThe historic 1940’s doll experiment showed that Black children overwhelmingly preferred white dolls to black dolls, and that this preference sprung from a feeling that the white dolls were good and pretty, while the black dolls were bad and ugly.

In 2005, 17-year-old film student, Kiri Davis, of Manhattan’s Urban Academy duplicated the doll experiment to see how much, if anything had changed regarding children’s perceptions when it comes to skin color and value.

Read our latest blog entry to find out how the Black image has changed and tell us what you think?

The Black Institute
http://www.theblackinstitute.org/

-=-=-
The Black Institute  · 39 Broadway, Suite 1540, New York , NY 10006
-=-=-

thirsty Thursday &some News


Just another rant …

All we are asking is for the millionaires and billionaires to pay their fare share !!!  I Support Obama/Biden 2012  I’m in that 99% and that means i believe that 1 – 2% should pay their fare share.

My response to those trying to bring back and pollute the airwaves with the BS about
President Obama being “the other” geez, we are all “other” at
some point in our lives, get real please…

Typical doubter rhetoric but i respect your opinion… i may not agree with it but i will not call you names or think less of you. I will
admit to feeling you need some re-education, rehab and or exposed to reality. I don’t know you and ok so you voted for a RWNJ, that is your unfortunate act as
you do remember what happened afterwards right. Though before the Mid-term
elections your Speaker Boehner announced far and wide that Jobs Jobs Jobs is
was will be the focus of your Party and then promptly attacked women and their
right to choose, children, food safety, clean air, seniors, gays and the whole
immigration system. I accept that you voted for RWNJ freshman with absolutely
no qualifications to hold a seat in Congress let alone vote on issues that
affect all Americans because they do not care. This is a small group of extremists who have held the middle class hostage.  They have shown themselves to be willing to
drive our economy and our Democracy into the abyss and now the byproduct is rearing its ugly head in all kinds of ways even though you said we are going
the wrong direction and the solutions are the Republican Party in 2012.  That statement is disturbing on so many levels. However, i did vote for Obama 2008 and will again in 2012 because Republicans/Conservatives proved themselves to be useless what with all those votes in the House of Representatives against the People they say they
represent but have yet to listen to. Republicans are governing the House with little or no effort to admit that the American People not only have buyer’s
remorse they are for taxing the rich though Cantor has stated that will not happen and btw they have no one in charge, they have no solutions only
complaints all coming from Eric Cantor. The solutions they do have are only for the top 1%, that 1% has been getting breaks for a long time, and that trickle down
theory… how is that working for us. I personally am subscribing to what works and that is the Government right now though Republican Governors have been
laying off government workers to sabotage all efforts in my opinion. If, you were able to watch the original not what is now posted online: The cnbc’s the
House of Cards you would understand why Wall Street types, capitalists like bernie madoff and others like him engaged in creative accounting. Greed! In
addition, the excesses going on were impossible to regulate or more accurately, these folks flew their corruption like a freak flag. The people at AIG and
those around them created a monster and the pay out by AIG to various Banks was enormous which having worked its way overseas
became something too big to fail … Is that the kind of Capitalism you want?  Capitalism does not mean firms
should engage in cooking the books, secret transactions and or becoming bigger than their sum value or investing in schemes … and Regulation does not have to
mean “job killer” though it is being used as a scare tactic in Congress.

We the People need capitalism with a small c and more regulation … with a huge R

Other News …

Geithner Testifies About Financial Stability

Biden, Scalia and Boehner Attend “Ideas Forum”

Lawmakers Explore Increasing Cooperation Within Intel Community

Florida Moves Primary Date from March 6 to January 31

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate


the Senate Convened at 9:30amET October 6, 2011

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of
    S.1619, the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act with the time until
    10:30am equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their
    designees.
  • As a reminder to all Senators, cloture was filed on S.1619 during Tuesday’s
    session.  As a result, the filing deadline for 2nd degree amendments
    to S.1619 is at 10:00am on Thursday.
  • At approximately 10:30am, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to
    invoke cloture on S.1619.

The filing deadline for all 2nd degree amendments to S.1619, the
Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act is 10:00am today, Thursday, October
6, 2011.  If your Senator has a germane 2nd degree amendment and
would like to preserve his or her right to offer, please send a signed copy of
the amendment to the cloakroom prior to the deadline so that we may file it for
you.  If you have already filed, there is no need to re-file.

At approximately 10:30am today, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to
invoke cloture on S.1619, the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act.

VOTES

10:31am The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on
S.1619, the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act; Invoked: 62-38

On the Cloture Motion: Motion to Invoke Cloture on S. 1619; A bill to
provide for identification of misaligned currency, require action to correct the
misalignment, and for other purposes.
Result: Agreed to (62-38, 3/5
threshold)
Details: [click here]

6:41pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the question “Should the ruling of
the Chair be sustained?”; Not Sustained: 48-51

During Thursday’s session, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to
S.1660, the American Jobs Act.  By unanimous consent, this vote will occur on
Tuesday, October 11, 2011.

At approximately 5:30pm, the Senate will conduct 3 roll call votes in
relation to the following:

  • confirmation of Executive Calendar #250, Jane Margaret Triche-Milazzo, to be
    US District Judge for the E.D. of Louisiana,
  • passage of S.1618, the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act and
  • motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1660, the American
    Jobs Act.

This evening, Senator Reid asked unanimous consent that the Senate conduct up
to 8 roll call votes in relation to the following:

– motion to suspend rule 22 with respect to the McConnell amendment #735
(Jobs Act)(67-vote threshold);

– motion to suspend rule 22 with respect to the Coburn amendment #670
(foreign aid)(67-vote threshold);

– motion to suspend rule 22 with respect to the Paul amendment #678 (Fed
funding audit)(67-vote threshold);

– motion to suspend rule 22 with respect to the Barrasso amendment #672
(cement)(67-vote threshold);

– motion to suspend rule 22 with respect to the Hatch amendment #680
(currency alternative) (67-vote threshold);

– motion to suspend rule 22 with respect to the Cornyn amendment #677
(fighter planes/Taiwan)(67-vote threshold);

– motion to suspend rule 22 with respect to the DeMint amendment #689 (Right
to Work)(67-vote threshold); and

– passage of S.1619, the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act
(majority threshold).

Senator McConnell objected to Senator Reid’s request.

At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader in consultation with the
Republican Leader, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of the following
bills, en bloc, notwithstanding not having received the bills from the
House:

– H.R.3080, United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act

– H.R. 3079, United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation
Act and

– H.R.3078, United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation
Act

There will be up to twelve hours of debate equally divided between the two
Leaders, or their designees.  Upon the use or yielding back of time and the
receipt of papers from the House, the Senate will proceed to vote on passage of
the bills in the order listed above.  Of the Majority time, Senator Baucus will
control 20 minutes, Senator Brown (OH) will control one hour and Senator Sanders
will control one hour.

During today’s session, the Majority Leader announced his intention to
complete action on the bills on Wednesday, October 12, 2011.

LEGISLATIVE
ITEMS

Passed H.R.2944, the United States Parole Commission Extension Act of 2011
with a Coburn amendment which reduces the extension from 3 years to 2 years.

Discharged Judiciary and Passed S.1639, a bill to amend title 36, United
States Code, to authorize the American Legion under its Federal charter to
provide guidance and leadership to the individual departments and posts of the
American Legion, and for other purposes.

Discharged Judiciary and Adopted S.Res.201, expressing the regret of the
Senate for the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Laws with a Brown (MA)
amendment.

Adopted S.Res.288, designating the week beginning October 9, 2011, as
“National Wildlife Refuge Week”.

Adopted S.Res.289, celebrating the life and achievements of Reverend Fred Lee
Shuttlesworth and honoring him for his tireless efforts in the fights against
segregation and his steadfast commitment to the civil rights of all people.

Adopted S.Res.290, supporting the designation of October 6, 2011, as
“Jumpstart’s Read for the Record Day”.

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

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS LEGISLATIVE

DAY OF OCTOBER  6,

2011 112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 4:19:28 P.M. -The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on October 7, 2011.4:19:27 P.M.

-On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.4:19:14 P.M. -Mr. Burton (IN) moved that the House do now adjourn.3:32:22 P.M.

-SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.3:26:32 P.M.

-ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.3:25:58 P.M. -Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, October 7, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 11, 2011, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.3:25:57 P.M. -Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on October 7. Agreed to without objection.2:53:46 P.M. -COLLOQUY ON HOUSE SCHEDULE – The Chair recognized Mr. Hoyer for the purpose of engaging in a colloquy with Mr. Cantor on the expectations regarding the legislative schedule for the House during the upcoming week.2:52:45 P.M. -Mr. Dreier filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 425.2:50:17 P.M. -H.R. 2250Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2250 as unfinished business.2:49:54 P.M. -H.R. 2250On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.2:49:39 P.M. -H.R. 2250Mr. Whitfield moved that the Committee rise.2:49:31 P.M. -H.R. 2250On agreeing to the Doyle amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 147 – 251, 1 Present (Roll no. 770).2:45:46 P.M. -H.R. 2250On agreeing to the Capps amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 153 – 254 (Roll no. 769).2:41:31 P.M. -H.R. 2250On agreeing to the Hahn amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 151 – 255 (Roll no. 768).2:36:54 P.M. -H.R. 2250On agreeing to the Rush amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 156 – 242 (Roll no. 767).2:33:42 P.M. -H.R. 2250On agreeing to the Waxman amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 167 – 243 (Roll no. 766).2:15:58 P.M. -H.R. 2250UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.2:15:52 P.M. -H.R. 2250The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.2:15:37 P.M. -H.R. 2250Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2250 — “To provide additional time for the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue achievable standards for industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers, process heaters, and incinerators, and for other purposes.”2:15:02 P.M. -On motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 231 – 173 (Roll no. 765).1:49:40 P.M. -Mr. Whitfield moved to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair.1:48:40 P.M. -The Chair announced that the pending question is will the decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the House?1:48:39 P.M. -Mr. Jackson (IL) moved to appeal the ruling of the Chair.1:39:38 P.M. -POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE – Pursuant to rule IX, the Chair recognized Mr. Jackson (IL) to offer a previously noticed resolution raising a question of the privileges of the House. The Chair directed the Clerk to report the resolution and then recognized Mr. Jackson (IL) to present argument as to why the resolution should be considered as privileged under rule IX. Subsequently, the Chair announced that, upon examination, the resolution did not affect “the rights of the House collectively, its safety, dignity, or the integrity of its proceedings” within the meaning of clause 1 of rule IX and did not qualify as a question of the privileges of the House.1:38:27 P.M. -H.R. 2250Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2250 as unfinished business.1:38:17 P.M. -H.R. 2250On motion to rise Agreed to by voice vote.1:38:00 P.M. -H.R. 2250Mr. Whitfield moved to rise.1:37:35 P.M. -H.R. 2250POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Doyle amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Waxman demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.1:25:27 P.M. -H.R. 2250DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 419, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Doyle amendment No. 4 under the five-minute rule.1:25:24 P.M. -H.R. 2250An amendment, offered by Mr. Doyle,  numbered 4 printed in the Congressional Record to establish a date for compliance with standards and requirements in accordance with 112(i)(3) of the Clean Air Act and allows the Administrator to provide an extension for such compliance up to one year, but in no case beyond the date that is 5 years after the effective date of such regulation.1:25:04 P.M. -H.R. 2250POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Capps amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Capps demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.1:16:54 P.M. -H.R. 2250DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 419, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Capps amendment No. 16 under the five-minute rule.1:16:51 P.M. -H.R. 2250An amendment, offered by Mrs. Capps,  numbered 16 printed in the Congressional Record to add a section which includes findings for health costs and benefits for the rules specified in section 3(b).1:15:35 P.M. -H.R. 2250POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Hahn amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Hahn demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.1:07:04 P.M. -H.R. 2250DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 419, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Hahn amendment No. 15 under the five-minute rule.1:07:01 P.M. -H.R. 2250An amendment, offered by Ms. Hahn,  numbered 15 printed in the Congressional Record to require the current boiler rules and regulations to stay in effect for the ten metropolitan areas of the United States with the worst air quality.1:06:31 P.M. -H.R. 2250POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Rush amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Rush demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.12:57:32 P.M. -H.R. 2250DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 419, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Rush amendment No. 6 under the five-minute rule.12:57:11 P.M. -H.R. 2250An amendment, offered by Mr. Rush,  numbered 6 printed in the Congressional Record to add a section that this Act shall not be intended to supercede, or limit the provisions of the Clean Air Act.12:56:53 P.M. -H.R. 2250POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Waxman amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Waxman demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.11:54:27 A.M. -H.R. 2250DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 419, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Waxman amendment No. 9 under the five-minute rule.11:54:05 A.M. -H.R. 2250An amendment, offered by Mr. Waxman,  numbered 9 printed in the Congressional Record to insert a section for the protection of infants and children.11:53:33 A.M. -H.R. 2250The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.11:53:17 A.M. -H.R. 2250Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2250 — “To provide additional time for the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue achievable standards for industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers, process heaters, and incinerators, and for other purposes.”11:45:12 A.M. -NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO OFFER RESOLUTION – Pursuant to clause 2 of rule IX, Mr. Jackson (IL) was recognized to give notice of his intent to raise a question of the privileges of the House and proceeded to present the form of a resolution. Subsequently, under rule IX, the Chair announced that it would not at this point determine whether the resolution noticed by Mr. Jackson (IL) constituted a question of privilege, but, rather, would make the determination at the time designated for consideration of the resolution.11:45:11 A.M. -H.R. 2681Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.11:45:10 A.M. -H.R. 2681On passage Passed by recorded vote: 262 – 161 (Roll no. 764).11:37:47 A.M. -H.R. 2681On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 176 – 247 (Roll no. 763).11:18:36 A.M. -H.R. 2681The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.11:07:32 A.M. -H.R. 2681DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Capps motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions in the motion seek to report the same to the House with an amendment to protect infants, children, and pregnant women form toxic and cancer-causing air pollutants, by requiring the EPA Administrator to not delay action to reduce air pollution from cement kilns that are within 5 miles of any school, day care center, playground or hospital with a maternity ward or neo-natal unit. Any facility that will have regulation of its air pollutant emissions delayed by this bill is required to notify affected communities no later than 90 days after the date of enactment.11:06:44 A.M. -H.R. 2681Mrs. Capps moved to recommit with instructions to Energy and Commerce.11:05:53 A.M. -H.R. 2681The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.11:05:49 A.M. -H.R. 2681The 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.11:05:48 A.M. -H.R. 2681The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2681.11:04:50 A.M. -H.R. 2681On agreeing to the Edwards amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 165 – 258 (Roll no. 762).11:00:48 A.M. -H.R. 2681On agreeing to the Keating amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 162 – 257 (Roll no. 761).10:56:30 A.M. -H.R. 2681On agreeing to the Cohen amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 172 – 248, 1 Present (Roll no. 760).10:29:59 A.M. -H.R. 2681UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.10:28:46 A.M. -H.R. 2681The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.10:28:34 A.M. -H.R. 2681Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2681 — “To provide additional time for the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue achievable standards for cement manufacturing facilities, and for other purposes.”10:28:00 A.M. -H.R. 2250Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2250 as unfinished business.10:27:43 A.M. -H.R. 2250Mr. Whitfield moved that the commitee rise.9:16:41 A.M. -H.R. 2250GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2250.9:16:04 A.M. -H.R. 2250The Speaker designated the Honorable Jeff Denham to act as Chairman of the Committee.9:16:03 A.M. -H.R. 2250House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 419 and Rule XVIII.9:15:25 A.M. -H.R. 2250Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2681 and H.R. 2250 with 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. No amendment to the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be in order except those received for printing in the portion of the Congressional Record designated for that purpose in clause 8 of rule XVIII in a daily issue dated October 4, 2011, or earlier and except pro forma amendments for the purpose of debate.9:15:20 A.M. -H.R. 2250Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 419. H.R. 2250 — “To provide additional time for the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue achievable standards for industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers, process heaters, and incinerators, and for other purposes.”9:01:50 A.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to five per side of the aisle.9:01:28 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Cicilline to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.9:01:21 A.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.9:00:16 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.9:00:03 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.