Daily Archives: 12/12/2011

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Make this Convention a “Slam Dunk”


 
Dear Charlotte in 2012 supporter,You may know that during my matriculation at the University of North Carolina, I played basketball for the Tar Heels. That was an exciting time in my life. Now, another exciting time in all of our lives will soon be upon us. It is the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.I am committed to doing anything I can to help, starting with this video. The 2012 Democratic Convention will be different than any other in history. I ask all of you, from around the country, to invest $5 or $10 to make sure that next September is a “Slam Dunk”.

Will you join me in making this convention a success? Please watch…

Vince Carter

Make sure you receive email from charlotte in 2012. Add info@charlottein2012.com to your approved senders list.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Pell Grants help millions of Black students access higher education … by Matt Nelson, ColorOfChange.org


Tell Congress to stand up for educational opportunity:

 Black families across the U.S. are finding it harder to pay the rapidly-increasing costs of higher education, and now some members of Congress are trying to dramatically cut the Pell Grant program — a lifeline that makes college possible for more than 9 million low-income students each year.1

The Republican-led proposal would put educational access and advancement out of reach for millions of prospective Black students. $900 million in cuts would mean dumping 1 million students from the program within the next five years — half of whom could be kicked out before the end of this school year. The plan would also shrink the size of the award for many current recipients.2

The entire 2012 budget is under negotiation and Congress must vote by next Friday to avoid a potential government shut down. This debate is about funding priorities, and important programs like Pell will be cut unless enough members of Congress stand up to support education. Our elected officials should be working to expand opportunities for economic growth, not decimating higher education programs that help put low-income students and students of color in good jobs. Please call on members of the House of Representatives, where Republicans pose the biggest threat to Pell Grants, to vote down any attempts to cut or restrict the program:

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/PellFunding

Tuition and fees at colleges and universities continue to skyrocket, increasing more than 400% since 1982 — more than 4 times the rate of inflation.3 Access to a good education dramatically increases a person’s chances for solid employment and pay. Young adults with a college degree are nearly 3 times more likely to be employed, and earn almost twice as much as those with just a high school diploma.

Defunding Pell Grants will hit Black and low-income students the hardest. Nearly half of Black undergraduates rely on Pell Grants to attend school, and families with incomes below $40,000 constitute 90% of awardees.4 Republicans have used racially-charged language as part of their attack on Pell. One Congressman called Pell “the welfare of the 21st century.”5

Of course, Pell isn’t welfare. In fact, the average grant size is much less likely to cover a sizable amount of college tuition costs than when the program began 40 years ago. Back then, Pell covered 100% of the average cost of tuition while today’s maximum Pell award generally covers one-third.6

Pell Grants are a cornerstone of our nation’s student aid program and greatly influence the makeup of our nation’s colleges and universities, providing much-needed racial and economic diversity within the overall student population. Tell Congress to fund higher education, and when you do, ask your friends and family to do the same.

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/PellFunding

Thanks and Peace,

— Rashad, James, Gabriel, Dani, Matt, Natasha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
    December 10th, 2011

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU—your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way. You can contribute here:

http://www.colorofchange.org/donate

References

1. “House Budget Committee Is Searching for Excuses to Cut Pell Grants,” Center for American Progress, 11-15-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1070?akid=2320.1174326.5nh0Fe&t=7

2. “Fight for Social Programs Looms Anew in the House,” New York Times, 10-03-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1071?akid=2320.1174326.5nh0Fe&t=9

3. “Is college still worth the price?” CNN Money, 04-13-2009
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1073?akid=2320.1174326.5nh0Fe&t=11

4. “Pell Grants: The Cornerstone of African-American Higher Education,” Journal of Blacks in Higher Education
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1072?akid=2320.1174326.5nh0Fe&t=13

5. “Rep. Denny Rehberg: Pell Grants Are Becoming ‘The Welfare Of The 21st Century’,” Huffington Post, 04-01-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1074?akid=2320.1174326.5nh0Fe&t=15

6. “Infographic: A History of the Shrinking Pell Grant,” Campus Progress, 05-23-2011
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/1075?akid=2320.1174326.5nh0Fe&t=17

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Finish This Sentence: Thanks to the health care law… Judy Waxman, National Women’s Law Center


Two years ago, Christine Turner shared her story of surviving a rape that insurance companies considered a “pre-existing condition,” denying her coverage.

Her story cut through the political noise, helped change the dynamic of the fight over health care reform, and helped us win passage of the landmark Affordable Care Act. Now we are fighting to keep the law. Your stories can help illustrate what statistics and fact sheets can’t always do: show us how the health care law is changing the lives of every day Americans.

Share your story of how the health care law is helping you on our story blog.   http://action.nwlc.org/site/R?i=NWaDKd_EpRV04F6GIYsfuw  The story blog is an open forum where people can upload their photos and write about how the law is helping them. After you’ve shared, read some of the amazing stories from women across the country about how the health care law is helping them.

Were you one of the 3.8 million women on Medicare this year who received mammograms without co-pays or other out-of-pockets costs? Is your child one of the nearly one million young adults who gained health coverage due in part to the new law’s provision that allows young adults up to the age of 26 to stay on their parent’s health plan? Are you no longer paying that $20 co-pay for preventive care ?

Stories help cut through the political noise and show others why the law is important and how it is helping Americans from coast to coast. Join the story blog today. http://action.nwlc.org/site/R?i=5c8vCHxiW3uEW3lllBqZHg

Thanks to people like Christine and supporters like you, the health care law is improving the lives of women and their families. Thank you for all you do.

Sincerely,

Judy Waxman
Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights
National Women’s Law Center

~ my 2cents ...

mashup Monday &some News …


Today, President Obama and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki held a joint press conference at the White House . In other news, Occupy Wall Street has decided to block or interfere with Ports along the West Coast while The Supreme Court will hear arguments on the constitutionality of: the Affordable Health Care Act, the  Arizona immigration law though Justice Kagan has recused herself from the case due to her involvement as a solicitor general with the Obama Admin. The high court’s ruling will have implications for 44 states considering their own immigration policies.

just another rant …

 If Congress does not act in 18 days Middle Class Americans will have an increase of approximately $1000 in taxes

The official date of winter is 12/20 but the weather outside is getting frightful …well, depending upon what part of the country you live in. The Politics is getting uglier and people on the Hill are downright rude; Republican rude that is. Speaking of Republicans… who do you want as the Teapublican Presidential challenger – Newt the Grinch, Willard the flip flopper or Rick Perry the Secessionist. I know someone has to challenge Barack Obama though like he said last night; it really does not matter whom because Teapublicans all seem to have the same core values and it is a stark difference from the guy who is getting my vote, Barack Obama in 2012. The notion that the difference between Obama and Teapublican Ideology is a close as the nose on your face is obvious to me yet if you listen and I suggest listening – just don’t believe everything you hear main stream media, TV hosts, or those so-called reporters say. It is as if listening to a drumbeat of misinformation misguided misunderstood hitting the airwaves daily. The meme and the person delivering the crap should be held accountable -listen the 2010 elections had help from TV pundits, hosts etc. that put not only unqualified into both Chambers of Congress they are extreme and represent only a small percentage of their own constituents.  I hope everyone gets informed with the facts use YouTube and watch the many town halls the interviews of my fellow Americans suffering from not just their status in life. Teapublicans have put their States   at risk, rising unemployment numbers; situations that these new Teapublican Governors and Mayors promised. Now, a big dose of buyer’s remorse has led Americans in various States to become pro-active with progress made by the Middle Class to gain back control that will turn around that downward spiral being offered up by Teapublicans. The latest news is an effort to recall Teapublicans who do not believe in regulations, comprehensive immigration, the right to choose, Medicare, Medicaid, social security or that there is even an worker emergency that needs to be addressed, unemployment given and a real sincere effort to get America back on track instead of using their fellow Americans as pawns. If you listen to folks discuss the so-called “Polls” with strange survey question you have to wonder just how much are they being paid. I also wonder if anyone else wonders, where our economy would be if Teapublicans had not gotten into office in 2010 or got there but did what we all pay them for … To do the Peoples Business but they are not. The People’s Business is far from done and what are coming out of the Republican led House of Representatives are on most days an embarrassment and a big waste of taxpayer money. If you have not seen what goes on in Congress; the bills, the nasty attached amendments, the votes and the comments from Teapublican leaders yet you must take the time. The behavior of grown men and women working to gain whatever they can for their individual States is the job but these lawmakers seem to have forgotten the country.  I have to say watching Congress some days the rhetoric is silly, the lack of action upsetting.  It brings to mind what some members of the Democratic Party have referenced and I wonder why it took so long for them to get it. It is that football scene on snoopy; an animated cartoon that can be watched and laughed at by millions then forgotten but a look closer at the actions by Teapublican Leadership lately and it is a look at Lucy (Teapublicans) pulling that football(AmericanJobsACT) away from Charlie Brown(Dems) though in our case the scene(story) affects millions watching the crap go down.

I still have the audacity for hope and change …the possibilities to make America better with reforms to counter the corruption that almost brought us to our knees are as far as you can see, yet Teapublicans continue to do us all dirty with those filibusters hurting our entire social and economic system. I have to say if this is, what they think qualifies them to be trusted or to govern the beautiful United States of American then We the People have to make sure Teapublicans do not gain more power in 2012 because the changes they will make will disrupt and dismantle our Democracy as we  know it.

Other News …

British Prime Minister on Refusal to Join EU Treaty

President Meets With Iraqi Prime Minister

House Prepares to Debate Payroll Tax Cut

Ben and Jerry Support Occupy Movement

Gingrich & Huntsman Debate Nat’l Security Issues

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Talks About Military Cuts

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate considers nominations & Middle Class appropriations bills set to expire at end of Year -Tell Republicans to stop the Political Games-Americans are not Pawns


the Senate Convenes at 2:00pmET December 12, 2011

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in 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 following nominations:
  • #360 Norman L. Eisen – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Czech Republic
  • #501 Mari Carmen Aponte – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of El Salvador
  • There will be one hour of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Kerry and Lugar or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Eisen nomination. If cloture is invoked, the Senate will immediately vote on confirmation of the Eisen nomination. Upon disposition of the Eisen nomination, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Aponte nomination. Further, if cloture is not invoked on the Eisen nomination, the Senate will vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Aponte nomination.
  • Therefore, at approximately 5:30pm on Monday, Senators should expect up to 3 and at least 2 roll call votes in relation the following:
  • Motion to invoke cloture on the Eisen nomination
  • If cloture is invoked, confirmation of the Eisen nomination
  • Motion to invoke cloture on the Aponte nomination
  • Additionally, Senator Reid announced that the Senate expects to consider the following additional items next week: additional nominations, remaining appropriations bills, balanced budget amendments, and payroll tax, unemployment insurance, Medicare reimbursement, tax extenders, all of which are set to expire at the end of the year.

As a reminder, at approximately 5:30pm today, there will be up to 3 and at least 2 roll call votes in relation the following:

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #360 Norman L. Eisen to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Czech Republic;

– If cloture is invoked, confirmation of the Eisen nomination; and

– Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #501 Mari Carmen Aponte to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of El Salvador.

5:30pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the nomination of Norman Eisen to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Czech Republic; Invoked: 70-16

6:09pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the nomination of Mari Carmen Aponte to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to El Salvador; Not Invoked: 49-37

There will be no further roll call votes this evening. The Senate is now in a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #360 Norman L. Eisen to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Czech Republic; Invoked: 70-16

2) Motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #501 Mari Carmen Aponte to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of El Salvador; Not Invoked: 49-37

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.1801, Risk-Based Security Screening for Members of the Armed Forces Act with a Hutchison-Rockefeller amendment by voice vote.

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.1633, the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act.

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed the nomination of Norman Eisen to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Czech Republic by voice vote.

 *********************************************************************

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF DECEMBER 12, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

. -On motion to adjourn Roll Call 916 – Recorded vote pending.7:10:02 P.M. -Mr. Jackson (IL) moved that the House do now adjourn.7:09:51 P.M. -On approving the Journal Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (Roll no. 915).7:04:26 P.M. -Considered as unfinished business.7:03:25 P.M. -H.R. 2158Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.7:03:24 P.M. -H.R. 2158On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): (Roll no. 914).6:56:16 P.M. -H.R. 2158Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2158 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14901 Adelfa Drive in La Mirada, California, as the “Wayne Grisham Post Office”.”6:55:10 P.M. -H.R. 3220Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:55:09 P.M. -H.R. 3220On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): (Roll no. 913).6:31:14 P.M. -H.R. 3220Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3220 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 170 Evergreen Square SW in Pine City, Minnesota, as the “Master Sergeant Daniel L. Fedder Post Office”.”6:30:38 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal which had been postponed earlier in the day.6:30:05 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 12.5:49:35 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.5:49:26 P.M. -H.R. 2845Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.5:48:22 P.M. -H.R. 2845On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.5:10:29 P.M. -H.R. 2845DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2845.5:10:27 P.M. -H.R. 2845Considered under suspension of the rules.5:09:41 P.M. -H.R. 2845Mr. Shuster moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2845 — “To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide for enhanced safety and environmental protection in pipeline transportation, to provide for enhanced reliability in the transportation of the Nation’s energy products by pipeline, and for other purposes.”5:09:07 P.M. -H.R. 2668At 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.4:58:06 P.M. -H.R. 2668DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2668.4:58:03 P.M. -H.R. 2668Considered under suspension of the rules.4:57:45 P.M. -H.R. 2668Mr. Denham moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2668 — “To designate the station of the United States Border Patrol located at 2136 South Naco Highway in Bisbee, Arizona, as the “Brian A. Terry Border Patrol Station”.”4:56:21 P.M. -H.R. 2767At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Issa 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.4:48:54 P.M. -H.R. 2767DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2767.4:48:53 P.M. -H.R. 2767Considered under suspension of the rules.4:48:38 P.M. -H.R. 2767Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2767 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 8 West Silver Street in Westfield, Massachusetts, as the “William T. Trant Post Office Building”.”4:48:04 P.M. -H.R. 2158At 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.4:40:31 P.M. -H.R. 2158DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2158.4:40:30 P.M. -H.R. 2158Considered under suspension of the rules.4:40:16 P.M. -H.R. 2158Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2158 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14901 Adelfa Drive in La Mirada, California, as the “Wayne Grisham Post Office”.”4:39:53 P.M. -H.R. 3246At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Issa 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.4:32:21 P.M. -H.R. 3246DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3246.4:32:19 P.M. -H.R. 3246Considered under suspension of the rules.4:32:06 P.M. -H.R. 3246Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3246 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15455 Manchester Road in Ballwin, Missouri, as the “Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building”.”4:31:48 P.M. -H.R. 3220At 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.4:23:13 P.M. -H.R. 3220DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3220.4:23:10 P.M. -H.R. 3220Considered under suspension of the rules.4:23:01 P.M. -H.R. 3220Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3220 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 170 Evergreen Square SW in Pine City, Minnesota, as the “Master Sergeant Daniel L. Fedder Post Office”.”4:22:33 P.M. -S. 384At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Issa 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.4:17:01 P.M. -S. 384DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 384.4:16:59 P.M. -S. 384Considered under suspension of the rules.4:16:46 P.M. -S. 384Mr. Issa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 384 — “To amend title 39, United States Code, to extend the authority of the United States Postal Service to issue a semipostal to raise funds for breast cancer research.”4:16:01 P.M. -H.R. 1540Mr. Rogers (AL) asked unanimous consent that managers on the part of the House have until midnight on Dec. 12 to file a conference report on H.R. 1540. Agreed to without objection.4:15:57 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.4:15:45 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 12.2:04:59 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.2:04:35 P.M. -The House received a communication from Grant Scherling, Principal Engineer, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Mr. Scherling notified the House that he had been served with a subpoena issued by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for testimony in a civil case 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.2:03:40 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 December 9, 2011 at 10:02 a.m. stating that that body had concurred in the House amendment to S.J. Res. 22; passed H.R. 2061 and S. 1974; and agreed to H. Con. Res. 86.2:03:07 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Clyburn to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.2:02:52 P.M. -POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Clyburn demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Clyburn objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.2:00:44 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.2:00:34 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 12.12:01:28 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.12:00:56 P.M. -MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.12:00:40 P.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Jeff Denham to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.12:00:00 P.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.