Change.org

Tell the US Soccer Federation: Don’t shut down Women’s Professional Soccer

The Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) league — home to World Cup stars like Hope Solo and Abby Wombach — could be completely disbanded. Change.org members and fans around the country have just 4 days to save it.

The US Soccer Federation, the governing body for the sport in America, is planning to withdraw it’s top accreditation from the league for having fewer than 6 teams (two recently shut down because of financial hardship during the recession, though expansion is expected next year).

If US Soccer strips the WPS of its “Division 1” status, the league loses key support and credibility, almost undoubtedly leading to full collapse.

Alex Sahlen, a defender for the Western New York Flash, is feverishly trying to save her sport, and her petition on Change.org has already attracted 10,000 signatures. But with US Soccer making a final decision on December 5th, there are just days remaining to amp up the pressure.

Please sign Alex’s petition to save women’s pro soccer in America.

US Soccer’s stated mission is to “make soccer a preeminent sport in the United States,” so they are very sensitive to public opinion. If 20,000 of us stand with Alex, we can make sure the governing body knows that a key part of that goal is making sure that women’s soccer thrives.

Abby, Hope, Alex, and the players, coaches, and owners of the WPS know that building a women’s sports league during a recession is an uphill climb. But the fan base is slowly building, and new TV contracts may be on the way. The league could still fail, but it’s up to you to help give them a fighting chance.

Click here to sign Alex’s petition to save the Women’s Professional Soccer league:

http://www.change.org/petitions/support-womens-professional-soccer-wps-remaining-a-sanctioned-league

Thanks,

– Shelby Knox and the Change.org team

P.S. Thousands of people are changing the world through petitions on Change.org every week. Here are some that need your support now:

D.C. college student Katie Breslin is petitioning to get Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) kits and trained staff in every D.C. hospital so no sexual assault survivor is turned away without treatment.
Grey2K is petitioning Skechers not to air a new commercial filmed at the the Tuscon Greyhound Park, which has a long record of dog abuse.
Two men in Cameroon were just sentenced to five years in prison for the “crime” of being gay. Now petition starter Stephane Koche is asking Cameroon’s president to drop the charges and let the men go free.
At one school in Massachusetts, students have to carry neon cards in the lunchroom to receive their free or reduced price lunch. Jennifer Kalvinek’s daughter is being bullied for carrying her card, so she started a campaign to get the school to implement a better system.
Leslianne Bouchard is a disabled teacher in California who qualifies for a program to help save her home from foreclosure — but First Mortgage Corporation refuses to let that happen. Leslianne’s daughter is fighting the bank to let her mom keep her home.

Click here to start your own petition.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Campaign 2012

12/02/2011 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

Who will win the GOP nomination?

It doesn’t matter.

There has NEVER been a more extreme field of candidates.

Renew your 2012 membership now to help us reach our $250,000 goal and stop extremism from defeating the American Way.

As a member of People For the American Way, you know as well as I do all that’s at stake with the upcoming elections, and that 2012 will be an absolutely critical year for our country.

Our nation has already begun what I believe will be one of the most pivotal presidential elections in American history.

That is why I’m asking you, Carmen, to help People For the American Way be prepared now and have the biggest impact possible in this critical presidential election year.

So please renew your 2012 membership early with a contribution of $49.00, $65.00, $115.00 or more today to help us reach our $250,000 year-end goal.

Our nation is facing a potential sweeping right-wing takeover. This is no exaggeration. With dishonest extremists like Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, and Herman Cain vying for the GOP nomination, and the possibility of a Radical Right-controlled Congress, Supreme Court, and White House, you and I should be very concerned.

So much of what you and I care for is at stake, but you can help us prevent a right-wing victory next year by renewing your membership for 2012 now.

The threats to the issues you and I hold dear are not idle speculation. If you’ve watched any of the GOP presidential debates, you know that these extremists are quite open about their plans for radically changing America.

They want to roll back civil rights, women’s reproductive rights, and recent hard-won progress toward equal rights for gays and lesbians… they block every effort to help the economy and the middle class to protect tax breaks for corporations and the richest 1%… and they seek to undo both separation of church and state AND the separation of corporation and state.

Say “no” to their plans by immediately renewing your membership for 2012 early with a generous donation to our year-end campaign. YOU can help us reach our $250,000 goal and support PFAW’s efforts to beat the right wing in the 2012 elections.

Your membership contribution will finance our opposition campaign in the coming elections as well as our ongoing efforts to battle right-wing legislation on Capitol Hill, and our many other campaigns to fight the increasingly extremist Far Right movement.

Thank you in advance for your continued support, I’m confident you’ll help us close out 2011 strong and be ready for the battles that 2012 brings.

Sincerely,
Michael Keegan

P.S. The Tea Partiers and right-wing extremists have committed themselves to an unyieldingly rigid conservative orthodoxy … tax cuts for the wealthy without compromise, deregulation without common sense, and social conservatism without an ounce of compassion or respect. We cannot let them win. Renew today.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

a message from Senator Maria Cantwell

12/02/2011 Nativegrl77

Some Wall Street banks think they can get away with anything.

Wrecking the economy with reckless gambling? Abusing the foreclosure process to put more homeowners out on the street? Raising fees on consumers whenever they want? To them, it’s all part of the game.

That’s why we have to be ready for anything in this campaign. Maria has fought her entire career to hold Wall Street accountable, and powerful special interests are determined to defeat her. They’ll say anything. They’ll spend whatever it takes. And it’s up to us to fight back.

Will you help strike a blow against these special interest groups by making a contribution of $5 or more to help Maria fight back today?

For years Maria has been working to hold Wall Street accountable to the people – voting against the Wall Street bailout, cracking down on speculation in oil markets, toughening restrictions on derivatives trading, and fighting to make the financial reform bill stronger and more progressive.

But some of the worst offenders on Wall Street are also some of the most powerful special interests in Washington. And they are determined to get rid of one of the Senate’s champions for accountability and sound regulation.

Maria can’t win this fight alone – we all need to stand together against the big banks and their attacks. Please click here to make a contribution today!

Fueled by huge money from Wall Street special interests, shady right-wing attack groups will do everything they can to defeat Maria. But these special interests can’t beat us if we stand together.

Please click here to contribute now.

Thanks for helping Maria stand up to Wall Street.

– Chris

Chris Gregorich
Campaign Manager
Friends of Maria

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House -the Senate back on 12/05/2011

12/02/2011 Nativegrl77

The Senate will not be in session on Friday, December 2, 2011.

the Senate will convenes at 2:00pmET December 5, 2011

On 12/1/2011 Roll Call Vote on Reid motion to proceed to S.1917, the Middle Class Tax Cut of 2011 >> Vote break down http://t.co/RVsf93Qa

Following Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 4:30pm with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. At 4:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nominations listed below. There will be up to 1 hour for debate on the nominations.

#363 Edgardo Ramos – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York

#364 Andrew L. Carter, Jr. – to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York

#365 James Rodney Gilstrap – to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas

#406 Dana L. Christensen – to be United States District Judge for the District of Montana

At 5:30pm there will be a roll call vote on confirmation of one of the judicial nominations. We expect the remaining three judges to be confirmed by consent. As a reminder, cloture was filed on the nomination of Caitlin Joan Halligan, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia. That cloture vote will occur at noon on Tuesday.

——————————————————————————————

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF DECEMBER 2, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

-The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on December 5, 2011.3:10:18 P.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.3:10:05 P.M. -Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.2:11:56 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.2:11:28 P.M. -The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 2192, without amendment.1:12:41 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.1:12:13 P.M. -Mr. Woodall asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Friday, December 2, 2011, it adjourn to meet on Monday, December 5, 2011 at 12 p.m. for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business. Agreed to without objection.1:11:34 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.12:22:48 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.12:21:47 P.M. -H.R. 3010Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.12:21:46 P.M. -H.R. 3010On passage Passed by recorded vote: 253 – 167 (Roll no. 888).12:11:49 P.M. -H.R. 3010On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 186 – 233 (Roll no. 887).11:55:27 A.M. -H.R. 3010The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.11:43:11 A.M. -H.R. 3010DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Boswell motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment that stipulates the provisions in this Act shall not apply to new regulations or the revision of existing regulations that reduce costs or increase coverage for pharmaceuticals and other health services for seniors, or efforts by the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Veterans Administration, and Defense to negotiate lower prescription drug prices.11:42:57 A.M. -H.R. 3010Mr. Boswell moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary.11:42:44 A.M. -H.R. 3010The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.11:42:35 A.M. -H.R. 3010The 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.11:41:43 A.M. -H.R. 3010The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3010.11:41:02 A.M. -H.R. 3010On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 175 – 247 (Roll no. 886).11:37:16 A.M. -H.R. 3010On agreeing to the Nadler amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 174 – 247 (Roll no. 885).11:32:23 A.M. -H.R. 3010On agreeing to the Connolly (VA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 171 – 242 (Roll no. 884).11:29:23 A.M. -H.R. 3010On agreeing to the Jackson Lee (TX) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 162 – 250 (Roll no. 883).11:25:15 A.M. -H.R. 3010On agreeing to the Moore amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 187 – 232 (Roll no. 882).10:57:32 A.M. -H.R. 3010POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 7, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.10:51:05 A.M. -H.R. 3010DEBATE – Pursuant to the the provisions of H. Res. 477, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 7.10:50:41 A.M. -H.R. 3010An amendment, offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX), numbered 7 printed in Part B of House Report 112-296 to exempt all rules promulgated by the Department of Homeland Security.10:50:22 A.M. -H.R. 3010POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Nadler amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (TX) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.10:42:49 A.M. -H.R. 3010DEBATE – Pursuant to the the provisions of H. Res. 477, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Nadler amendment.10:42:24 A.M. -H.R. 3010An amendment, offered by Mr. Nadler, numbered 6 printed in Part B of House Report 112-296 to exempt from the Act actions by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission under the Atomic Energy Act.10:42:04 A.M. -H.R. 3010POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Connolly amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (TX) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.10:35:33 A.M. -H.R. 3010DEBATE – Pursuant to the the provisions of H. Res. 477, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Connolly (VA) amendment.10:34:41 A.M. -H.R. 3010An amendment, offered by Mr. Connolly (VA), numbered 5 printed in Part B of House Report 112-296 to clarify that regulations to protect public health and safety would not be blocked or repealed by H.R. 3010.10:34:09 A.M. -H.R. 3010POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 3, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Smith (TX) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.10:26:42 A.M. -H.R. 3010DEBATE – Pursuant to the the provisions of H. Res. 477, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 3.10:26:16 A.M. -H.R. 3010An amendment, offered by Ms. Jackson Lee (TX), numbered 3 printed in Part B of House Report 112-296 to clarify that the agency would retain the discretion to determine whether to provide advanced notice, not later than 90 days, of a proposed rule prior to it being published in the Federal Register.10:25:59 A.M. -H.R. 3010On agreeing to the Olson amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.10:21:19 A.M. -H.R. 3010DEBATE – Pursuant to the the provisions of H. Res. 477, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Olson amendment.10:20:52 A.M. -H.R. 3010An amendment, offered by Mr. Olson, numbered 2 printed in Part B of House Report 112-296 to clarify that cumulative costs and benefits and estimated impacts on jobs shall include an estimate of the net gain or loss in domestic jobs.10:20:31 A.M. -H.R. 3010POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Moore amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Moore demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.10:14:06 A.M. -H.R. 3010DEBATE – Pursuant to the the provisions of H. Res. 477, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Moore amendment.10:13:46 A.M. -H.R. 3010An amendment, offered by Ms. Moore, numbered 1 printed in Part B of House Report 112-296 to clarify that an agency shall take into account whether a problem disproportionately impacts certain vulnerable subpopulations (including veterans, low-income individuals and families, and the elderly), and whether such an impact would be mitigated by new agency action.9:15:25 A.M. -H.R. 3010GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 3010.9:14:58 A.M. -H.R. 3010The Speaker designated the Honorable Steve Womack to act as Chairman of the Committee.9:14:57 A.M. -H.R. 3010House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 477 and Rule XVIII.9:14:26 A.M. -H.R. 3010Measure provides for consideration of H.R. 3463 with one hour of general debate, equally divided and controlled; bill is closed to amendments. Provides for consideration of H.R. 527 with one hour of general debate, equally divided and controlled; specified amendments are in order. Provides for consideration of H.R. 3010 with one hour of general debate, equally divided and controlled; specified amendments are in order.9:14:21 A.M. -H.R. 3010Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 477. H.R. 3010 — “To reform the process by which Federal agencies analyze and formulate new regulations and guidance documents.”9:02:05 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.9:01:57 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Nunnelee to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.9:01:49 A.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.9:00:45 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.9:00:33 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.