Posted by Maggie L. Fox, President & CEO

Today, we have cause for celebration. For much of this year, a large, diverse and growing grassroots movement has worked tirelessly to stop the Keystone XL pipeline, which would transport carbon-polluting tar sands oil from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Last weekend, thousands of people circled the White Houseto tell our leaders this pipeline would be devastating for our climate. This was an important statement of physical opposition to a foolish and unnecessary proposal.

And now, our leaders have listened. President Obama and the State Department announced they will delay any decision on the pipeline at least until 2013. This means we will have at least another year to continue educating our leaders and the public on why this pipeline is such a terrible idea. Some early reports suggest that in practical terms, this delay means the pipeline will never get built.

We have faced many setbacks in our fight to solve the climate crisis. But over the long run, it is clear we will prevail. We will prevail because every day, millions of people around the world are demanding that their leaders face the reality of this crisis. This is one of those moments. This time, the people were heard.

The reality of climate change is the defining challenge of our time. It’s up to all of us to reject the deniers and the special interests and build a sustainable future for our planet. Congratulations and thank you to everyone who took part in this fight — to members and supporters of Climate Reality, and the whole band who were physically present and those who joined hands online. We all know there is a great deal of work ahead but it is victories like this that show us real change can be achieved. We must keep up the fight

~ my 2cents ...

Monday mashup … &some News

11/14/2011 Nativegrl77

just another rant …

Fall back y’all and we did.

The President and Mrs. Obama are at the APEC summit in Hawaii. The rest of us have to hear the continuous drone from Teapublicans who still think Americans want repeal HCR, Wall Street reform, cut Education by 20%, replace and eliminate social service programs that women, vets, older folks and the new poor use. I have to say Teapublicans in Congress must have taken a Pledge to wear earplugs in order to get through all their just say not campaign. Suffice it to say if these Teapublicans continue to go after the Middle Class Social Security Medicare/caid instead of JOBS it would definitely seem to be a recipe for trouble and likely force the USA into a double dip or deeper recession and will be the reason they will become unemployed; hopefully. I happen to think we went right into a depression what with losing 750 thousand jobs a month even before President Obama took office. The current rhetoric has absolutely nothing to do with JOBS or the Economy …If people are listening they have no intention of helping Americans unless it is on the backs of the Middle and Lower classes people …get that in your head!!! The Party of NO will be in control for about a minute and what we as Democrats need to remember is that we have to call Teapublicans out on every move they make to ruin the current President instead of focusing on and or creating Jobs. I have to say anyone with any common sense knows that the top 2% will not spend their tax cuts to create an environment so that people will be hired or create jobs and if they do it will be to outsource them for lower wages in China, Mexico etc. If you do not believe it, just tune into CNBC occasionally, and hear the words coming from various Teapublicans Ludlow and associates trot out on any given day.

I hope everyone is asking their Teapublican member of Congress what exactly the top 2% did with the Bush giveaways because it could not have been on hiring and creating jobs or we would not be in worse shape since the 2010 Midterm elections or see the mess all around us. I feel that after three years of gridlock from the Teapublican Party of No things are about to get heated within their own Family Values Platform party. Reports are and maybe Teapublicans need reminding that over 70% of Americans want to tax millionaires and billionaires, most do not want cuts to Soc.Security or Medicare, over half of us want the new Affordable Health Care Act to be law. Yet, conservative members of Congress have given themselves over to Mr. Norquist as well as the big money brothers Koch and if you start to think about it that ditch President Obama pulled us from is a whole lot closer now that we have an extreme part of Congress controlling the House of Representatives … The question is do Teapublicans care what happens to their own family friends and co-workers jobs and status in life if they continue this lemming march toward disaster?

Anyway –

“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” –George Orwell

I personally do not want to go back to colonial days we must move forward stay in the present so discrimination fails …the past fails and equal rights for all prevails.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the World. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” –Margaret Mead

Jus sayin

Other News …

Congress Returns to Negotiate Another Short-term Funding Bill

House Considers Expanding Gun-Carry Laws

Blue Cross CEO Discusses Health Care Business

House Democrats Examine Voting Law Changes

President Obama Opens APEC Summit

Grover Norquist Discusses Taxes and the “Super Committee”

News and Documentary Emmys Awarded

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Make marriage equality in Washington a reality!

11/14/2011 Nativegrl77

With the momentum for marriage equality around the country on our side and recent polling showing growing support in Washington State, now is the time to make marriage equality a reality.

Today, Jim Brunner of the Seattle Times ran a story announcing Washington United for Marriage, a vast coalition of local organizations, congregations, unions and businesses working together to secure civil marriage for loving, committed gay and lesbian couples in 2012.

HRC is a proud founding member of Washington United, and we look forward to securing marriage in Washington in the coming months. In order to do that, we need your help.

Join us across the state for Community Meetings on Marriage Equality, where you can learn about the campaign and how you can get involved. From Spokane to Gig Harbor, Vancouver to Bellingham, Washingtonians are making their voices heard.

Click here to find the community meeting in your area >>> WWW.HRC.ORG

All the best,

Marty Rouse
National Field Director

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: the Republican led House of Representatives – the Senate debates H.R.2354, the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill votes on US Dist. Judges

11/14/2011 Nativegrl77

the Senate Convenes at 2:00pmET November 14, 2012

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 3:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of H.R.2354, the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill, for debate only.
The next roll call votes will be Tuesday morning in relation to two US District Judges.

The Senate confirmed all nominations on the Secretary’s desk in the Coast Guard.

Adopted S.Res.199, supporting the goals and ideals of ‘Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week.’

Adopted S.Res.322,designating November 2011 as “COPD Awareness Month”

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF NOVEMBER 14, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

-SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.7:10:23 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.7:09:37 P.M. -Mr. Nugent filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 463.7:07:38 P.M. -H.R. 2422Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.7:07:37 P.M. -H.R. 2422On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 390 – 0 (Roll no. 839).7:01:19 P.M. -H.R. 2422Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2422 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 45 Bay Street, Suite 2, in Staten Island, New York, as the “Sergeant Angel Mendez Post Office”.”7:01:14 P.M. -H.R. 298Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.7:01:12 P.M. -H.R. 298On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 391 – 0 (Roll no. 838).6:53:49 P.M. -H.R. 298Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 298 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 500 East Whitestone Boulevard in Cedar Park, Texas, as the “Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris Post Office Building”.”6:53:45 P.M. -S. 1412Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:53:44 P.M. -S. 1412On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 385 – 0 (Roll no. 837).6:31:02 P.M. -S. 1412Considered as unfinished business. S. 1412 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 462 Washington Street, Woburn, Massachusetts, as the “Officer John Maguire Post Office”.”6:30:42 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.6:30:27 P.M. -H.R. 2112Mr. Rogers (KY) asked unanimous consent that managers on the part of the House have until midnight on Nov. 14 to file a conference report on H.R. 2112. Agreed to without objection.6:30:26 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 14.5:51:52 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.5:51:48 P.M. -H.R. 1791At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mrs. Napolitano objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.5:43:12 P.M. -H.R. 1791DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1791.5:43:10 P.M. -H.R. 1791Considered under suspension of the rules.5:42:59 P.M. -H.R. 1791Mr. Denham moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1791 — “To designate the United States courthouse under construction at 101 South United States Route 1 in Fort Pierce, Florida, as the “Alto Lee Adams, Sr., United States Courthouse”.”5:42:04 P.M. -H.R. 2415At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Cummings objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.5:33:44 P.M. -H.R. 2415DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2415.5:33:43 P.M. -H.R. 2415Considered under suspension of the rules.5:33:30 P.M. -H.R. 2415Mr. Farenthold moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2415 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 11 Dock Street in Pittston, Pennsylvania, as the “Trooper Joshua D. Miller Post Office Building”.”5:32:56 P.M. -H.R. 2660At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Cummings objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.5:25:12 P.M. -H.R. 2660DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2660.5:25:10 P.M. -H.R. 2660Considered under suspension of the rules.5:25:01 P.M. -H.R. 2660Mr. Farenthold moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2660 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 122 North Holderrieth Boulevard in Tomball, Texas, as the “Tomball Veterans Post Office”.”5:24:12 P.M. -H.R. 2422At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.5:16:42 P.M. -H.R. 2422DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2422.5:16:40 P.M. -H.R. 2422Considered under suspension of the rules.5:16:31 P.M. -H.R. 2422Mr. Farenthold moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2422 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 45 Bay Street, Suite 2, in Staten Island, New York, as the “Sergeant Angel Mendez Post Office”.”5:15:55 P.M. -H.R. 298At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.5:05:51 P.M. -H.R. 298DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 298.5:05:50 P.M. -H.R. 298Considered under suspension of the rules.5:05:27 P.M. -H.R. 298Mr. Farenthold moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 298 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 500 East Whitestone Boulevard in Cedar Park, Texas, as the “Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris Post Office Building”.”5:05:04 P.M. -S. 1412At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.4:56:22 P.M. -S. 1412DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1412.4:56:21 P.M. -S. 1412Considered under suspension of the rules.4:56:11 P.M. -S. 1412Mr. Farenthold moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 1412 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 462 Washington Street, Woburn, Massachusetts, as the “Officer John Maguire Post Office”.”4:55:37 P.M. -H.R. 3004At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Cummings objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.4:48:16 P.M. -H.R. 3004DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3004.4:48:15 P.M. -H.R. 3004Considered under suspension of the rules.4:47:46 P.M. -H.R. 3004Mr. Farenthold moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3004 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 260 California Drive in Yountville, California, as the “Private First Class Alejandro R. Ruiz Post Office Building”.”4:46:11 P.M. -WITHDRAWAL OF MOTION TO SUSPEND – Subsequently, Mr. Farenthold asked unanimous consent to withdraw the motion to suspend the rules with respect to H.R. 2079. Agreed to without objection.4:42:10 P.M. -DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2079.4:42:08 P.M. -Considered under suspension of the rules.4:41:00 P.M. -Mr. Farenthold moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill H.R. 2079.4:40:04 P.M. -H.R. 588Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.4:40:01 P.M. -H.R. 588On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.4:33:38 P.M. -H.R. 588DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 588.4:33:36 P.M. -H.R. 588Considered under suspension of the rules.4:33:21 P.M. -H.R. 588Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 588 — “To redesignate the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge as the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge.”4:33:13 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.4:32:46 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 14.2:05:59 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 4:30 P.M. today.2:05:39 P.M. -The House received a communication from The Honorable Lee Terry, Member of Congress. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Mr. Terry notified the House that he had been served with a subpoena duces tecum for the production of documents, issued by the District Court of Sarpy County, Nebraska, and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he had determined that compliance with the subpoena was consistent with the privileges and rights of the House.2:05:15 P.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 November 14, 2011 at 10:19 a.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 398 and S. 363.2:04:51 P.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 November 10, 2011 at 5:52 p.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 674 with an amendment.2:03:02 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.2:02:40 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Burgess to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.2:02:37 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.2:01:10 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.2:00:51 P.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Virginia Foxx to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.2:00:37 P.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.