~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Charlotte 2012 – Poster Contest !

12/16/2011 Nativegrl77

A message from … Dr. Dan Murrey, Executive Director

Dear Charlottein 2012 Supporter,I don’t want you to miss out. We are closing submissions for the poster contest on December 31, 2011. I want to make sure your artwork has the chance to become one of the official posters for the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

Here’s what you’ve got to do. Design a 18 x 24″ poster which focuses on one or more of the following themes: 1) Americans coming together; 2) building a better future; and/or 3) opportunity for empowerment. The poster must incorporate the official 2012 Democratic National Convention logo.

For a full list of contest requirements and to download the logo, visit the official website — www.charlottein2012.com/postercontest

I hope you’ll enter your submission before December 31st.

I can’t wait to see what you come up with.

Sincerely,

Dr. Dan Murrey Executive Director

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Tune in to ABC’s 20/20 with Diane Sawyer tonight …Helene D. Gayle, CARE

12/16/2011 Nativegrl77

CARE recently joined with ABC News and the United Nations Foundation in the Million Moms Challenge. This unique initiative engages millions of Americans with moms in poor countries around the world to connect — and act — on important issues, such as pregnancy, childbirth and children’s health.
Tonight, please tune in to ABC at 10:00 p.m. ET for a special edition of 20/20, “Making Life: A Risky Proposition.” Diane Sawyer will host an eye-opening report that sheds light on the challenges mothers face in developing countries. ABC talked to some of the women and girls CARE works with in Afghanistan, where we employ low-cost, low-tech solutions that can help save millions of lives.
We encourage you to share this e-mail with your friends on Facebook and Twitter or forward it to your friends. The more people we engage on this issue, the stronger our impact will be in helping mothers and their babies survive — and thrive.
Sincerely,
Helene D. Gayle, MD, MPH President and CEO, CARE

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

My wife, Jayni …Chevy Chase

12/16/2011 Nativegrl77

I don’t know about you, but I get angry when I hear people claim that global warming isn’t real. We know that the science is clear and climate change is an urgent problem. And we need more people to learn the truth.

That’s why Al Gore has trained more than 3,000 people to give presentations about climate change. One of these people is my wife, Jayni. I’m so proud that she’s joined this group of dedicated volunteers who share the truth about climate change and explain why the deniers are wrong.

But these volunteers can’t do it without your help. This holiday season, will you donate $3 to help Presenters share the truth about climate change all over the world? Your contribution will make a big difference.

http://forms.climaterealityproject.org/donate2011

These volunteers give presentations in schools, community centers, businesses and places of worship. They help people learn about the science of climate change and how we can solve this crisis. The work they do is vital — we need more people to understand the urgency of this issue so we can demand solutions from our leaders.

This fall, The Climate Reality Project has received more than 2,000 requests for presentations, from 91 countries and all 50 U.S. states. In the next few months, hundreds of thousands of people are likely to see a climate presentation. The Climate Presenters are up to the challenge. It’s an exciting opportunity — but we need your help too.

It costs an average of $17 to fund a presentation. That’s based on the travel costs for volunteers who give presentations away from their homes. With only a small contribution, you can help Climate Presenters tell the truth about climate change all over the world.

This is work that’s deeply important to both my wife and me. I’d be grateful if you could do your part and help Climate Presenters succeed.
Help Climate Presenters explain why the deniers are wrong. Donate $3 to help let people know that climate change is a real and urgent crisis.

http://forms.climaterealityproject.org/donate2011

Thanks for all you do,
Chevy Chase
PS. Donate before December 31 at midnight to take advantage of your contribution being deductible as a charitable contribution in 2011 for United States federal income tax purposes.

http://forms.climaterealityproject.org/donate2011

~ my 2cents ...

TGIF &Some News

12/16/2011 Nativegrl77

just another rant …

Isn’t it bad enough we have to hear Republicans , talking heads or Pundits use this moment to jack the President all around only to have to hear our own progressives and some libs say this that or the other about how the President has obviously mishandled crossing his t’s or dotting his i’s, I get heated when I hear this nonsense. I do not understand all the nic-pic nor is it worth the time because the lawmakers in Congress as territorial as they are create the laws and all those complaining about how the President should remind each other often. The ordinary person has no idea what is actually going on behind closed doors and we never will but taking what pundits, TV hosts or political strategists do for a living, as the truth is just wrong. I used to listen to those directly involved in our political process, which, if it is coming from the conservatives it unfortunately is growing in misinformation and a party meme that is not only extreme but gives me the creeps. The things happening in both Chambers of Congress since Republicans decided to go to the dark side has made this voter distrust most if not all the words coming from McConnell, speaker Boehner, leader cantor who put Profit before the People and then Grover Norquist ahead of country. Americans should not have to suffer at the hands of, because of or due to a small group of unruly Teapublicans who seem to have forgotten they not only are supposed to be our fellow Americans they were voted into office to work for all Americans not just their respective States. Yet, the Teapublican have proved to be scary and controlling the leaders of their party. They are reckless, ruthless, and insanely responsible for the S&P rating downgrade forced upon the US. It is obvious that the brinksmanship that Republicans engaged in gave the S&P a sense of uncertainty and a lack of trust in any break in the gridlock.

This has been a tough week; the rhetoric on the airwaves is always toxic but the nastiness even hints of discriminatory talk, which has been ongoing for the last 24 months seems to be increasing. If you listen to Teapublican surrogates, many are trying to stir up trouble for the President and or second-guessing what the debt deficit, the bad employment numbers and the economy’s effect on his bid for a second term. It is sad, disappointing, let alone irritating to have to listen to my own Political Party try and put his behavior in a box. The point is he has to do what he can to get to the ultimate end and that is to bring back the Middle and Lower Class as well as our Democracy. It is a heavy lift to take on decades long of BS only to have not only the opposition work to bring you down by bring the econ to the edge of death but with friends like the pl the rest of us Obama Supporters need to remember … Barack Obama said he could not do this by himself… why? because of the obstacles that is Teapublican ideology

FYI – how often do we have to remind those out on the ledge …the opposing party is not your father’s conservative political brand.

The last guy seemed to have done everything for his Oil and Corporate friends and very few things for the Middle and Lower classes if at all.

We may not all agree with the President’s efforts but given what he has to work with, I just do not understand why most progressives and or libs have been the worst whiners ever who also seem to be holding President Obama at a higher standard than President in the past. I like to think about where we would be if the McCain/Palin ticket had won but not too long, you will get sick. There is no question; President Obama has obstacles to jump over, Republicans like McConnell who stated his job is to make Barack Obama a one term President as well as a goal post that keeps being moved by the Republican Party. President Obama has delivered on about 85% of all his promises even with all the bs going on all political levels and will need ALL of our support – no whiners need apply as the professional and elite left demands seem driven with hints of childishness. Apparently, that type of behaviour is unacceptable from both sides of the political aisle and has been called out by Standard &Poor. Is anyone else offended that a group rumored to be among those “Raters” giving out random AAA ratings to worthless toxic waste is still recognized and respected. It makes me wonder just what side of the political aisle this group is from and given what we do know they need to answer some question and be investigated for their rumored part in our financial crisis.

“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

Other News

Pres. Obama Speaks About Middle East Pea

UPDATE: Author & Journalist Christopher Hitchens Dies at Age 62 – click here for his C-SPAN appearances

Review Continues of Euro Debt Crisis and U.S. Impact

“The Contenders” Historians Roundtable Discussion

House Democrats on Jobs

House GOP Discuss Funding Deal

White House Responds to Spending Agreement

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate – lawmakers wheel a deal –

12/16/2011 Nativegrl77

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/hub.html

the Senate Convened at 10:00amET December 16, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 12:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the first hour equally divided and controlled between the Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first 30 minutes and the Republicans controlling the next 30 minutes.
We continue to work on an agreement to consider the omnibus spending bill and a payroll tax compromise. As a reminder to all Senators, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to H.R.3630, the House Republican Payroll Tax bill. Unless an agreement is reached, that vote will occur Saturday morning.

Morning business has been extended until 5:00pm. This morning, Senator Reid announced Senators should expect roll call votes tomorrow, Saturday, December 17^th. The unofficial transcript of Senators Reid and McConnell’s remarks is below.

10:31:16 NSP} (MR. REID) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. REID: MR. PRESIDENT, SENATOR McCONNELL AND I HAVE JUST

FINISHED A MEETING. WE’RE MAKING REALLY GOOD PROGRESS ON BEING

ABLE TO HANDLE THE ISSUES THAT EVERYONE KNOWS ARE OUTSTANDING.

WE’RE NOT THERE YET, BUT WE’RE VERY, VERY CLOSE. THERE WILL BE

VOTES TOMORROW. THERE COULD BE VOTES THIS AFTERNOON ALSO. I

WOULD ALSO SAY, BECAUSE THIS IS A QUESTION THAT PEOPLE WILL

ASK, THE HOUSE IS GOING TO PASS

THEIR BILL AROUND 3:00. THAT IS THE OMNIBUS.

AROUND 3:00. THE TIME IS NOT ALWAYS EXACT. THERE’S A RULING

FROM THIS WHITE HOUSE, ITS PREDECESSORS THAT IF ONE HOUSE

PASSES A SPENDING BILL AS WE ARE DOING HERE, AND THERE’S A

PRESUMPTION IT WILL PASS IN THE OTHER BODY, THE TIME IS

EXTENDED FOR 24 HOURS. SO EVERYONE DOESN’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT

THE GOVERNMENT CLOSING TONIGHT.

{10:32:10 NSP} (MR. McCONNELL) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

MR. McCONNELL: MR. PRESIDENT, LET ME ECHO THE REMARKS OF THE

MAJORITY LEADER. AS HE’S INDICATED, THE ADMINISTRATION TAKES

THE VIEW THAT IF THE FINAL APPROPRIATIONS BILLS PASS ONE HOUSE

THIS AFTERNOON, WE COULD HAVE THAT VOTE TODAY OR IT COULD BE

TOMORROW. BUT THE ADMINISTRATION, I’M TOLD BY THE MAJORITY

LEADER, TAKES THE VIEW THAT IF IT’S PASSED ONE HOUSE, THERE

WILL NOT BE A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. SO I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD

BE REASSURED THAT’S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. THE CONFERENCE REPORT

HAS BEEN SIGNED AND WE’RE MOVING TOWARD COMPLETING THE BASIC

WORK OF GOVERNMENT THROUGH NEXT SEPTEMBER 30 VERY SHORTLY. ON

THE SECOND ISSUE, THE MAJORITY LEADER AND I ARE MAKING

SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS AND REACHING AN AGREEMENT ON A PACKAGE

THAT WILL HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, I HOPE. I THINK WE’RE GOING

TO GET TO THAT PLACE. AND I SHARE HIS VIEW THAT GOOD PROGRESS

IS BEING MADE.

The Senate is now in recess subject to the call of the Chair. When the Senate reconvenes, another message will be sent.

The Senate has reached an agreement with respect to the 2 month extension of payroll tax, UI, SGR, and other tax extenders, disaster aid funding, and the Omnibus Appropriations conference report,.

As a result of this agreement, senators should expect a series of up to 4 roll call votes at approximately 9:00am tomorrow in relation to the following items:

– Reid substitute amendment to H.R.3630, 2 month extension of the payroll tax reduction, doc fix, and unemployment insurance (60-vote threshold);

((up to 15 minutes for debate))

– Passage of H.R.3672, emergency disaster funding (60-vote threshold);

– Adoption of H.Con.Res.94, a correcting resolution to provide offsets for the emergency disaster funding (60-vote threshold); and

– Adoption of the conference report to accompany H.R.2055, Omnibus Appropriations (60-vote threshold).

The agreement is as follows:

At 9am, Saturday, December 17^th, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of Calendar #257, H.R.3630. The Majority Leader be recognized to offer a Reid-McConnell substitute amendment agreed to by both Leaders – a two month extension of the payroll tax reduction, doc fix and unemployment insurance.

Following the reporting of the amendment, the Senate will proceed to vote in relation to the substitute. No amendments are in order to the substitute or the bill prior to the vote. The amendment is subject to a 60 vote threshold. If the substitute amendment is agreed to, the bill, as amended, will be read a third time and passed; if the Reid-McConnell substitute amendment is not agreed to, the Majority Leader will be recognized.

Upon disposition of H.R.3630, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of the conference report with respect to H.R.2055 (Omnibus appropriations). There will be 15 minutes of debate – 5 minutes each for Senators Inouye, Cochran and McCain.

Upon the use or yielding back of time, the conference report will be temporarily set aside and, notwithstanding the lack of receipt of the papers from the House with respect to H.R.3672, the Senate proceed to the consideration, en bloc, of the following items: H.R.3672, a bill regarding emergency disaster funding and H.Con.Res.94, a correcting resolution to provide offsets for the emergency disaster funding. There will be no amendments in order to the bill or the concurrent resolution prior to votes in relation to those measures. Following the reporting of the bill and the concurrent resolution, the Senate proceed to votes on the measures in the following order:

– Passage of H.R.3672;

– Adoption of H.Con.Res.94; and

– Adoption of the Conference Report to Accompany H.R.2055, the Omnibus Appropriations bill.

There will be two minutes equally divided prior to each vote. Each of the votes will be subject to a 60 affirmative vote threshold. No motions or points of order be in order prior to the votes other than budget points of order and the applicable motions to waive. Further, the cloture motion with respect to the motion to proceed to H.R.3630 was vitiated. Finally, the House be immediately notified of the Senate’s action following the votes.

WRAP UP

Completed the Rule 14 process of H.R.3094, the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act.

Passed S.2009, the Insular Areas Act of 2011

Passed H.J.Res.94, 1 day CR

————————————————————————————————

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF DECEMBER 16, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

-The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 19, 2011.4:30:23 P.M. -On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.4:30:02 P.M. -Ms. Norton moved that the House do now adjourn.2:35:01 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed Special Order speeches.2:34:49 P.M. -The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed S. 2009.2:15:28 P.M. -SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.2:08:43 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.2:08:03 P.M. –Mr. Rogers (KY) asked unanimous consent That when the House adjourns on Friday, December 16, 2011, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Monday, December 19, 2011. Agreed to without objection.2:07:34 P.M. -H.J. Res. 95Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:07:23 P.M. -H.J. Res. 95On passage Passed without objection.2:07:10 P.M. -H.J. Res. 95Considered by unanimous consent. H.J. Res. 95 — “Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes.”2:06:25 P.M. -H.J. Res. 95Mr. Rogers (KY) asked unanimous consent to consider as introduced.2:06:20 P.M. -H.J. Res. 94Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:06:18 P.M. -H.J. Res. 94On passage Passed without objection.2:06:09 P.M. -H.J. Res. 94Considered by unanimous consent. H.J. Res. 94 — “Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes.”2:05:03 P.M. -H.J. Res. 94Mr. Rogers (KY) asked unanimous consent to consider as introduced.2:03:40 P.M. -H.R. 3672Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.2:03:39 P.M. -H.R. 3672On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 351 – 67 (Roll no. 943).1:56:24 P.M. -H.R. 3672Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3672 — “Making appropriations for disaster relief requirements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes.”1:54:18 P.M. -HOUSE SCHEDULE – The Chair recognized Mr. Cantor for the purpose of informing Members of the legislative schedule.1:53:20 P.M. –H. Con. Res. 94Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.1:53:18 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 94On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 255 – 165 (Roll no. 942).1:46:18 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 94Considered as unfinished business. H. Con. Res. 94 — “Directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make corrections in the enrollment of H.R. 3672.”1:45:59 P.M. -MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in remembrance of our brave men and women in uniform who have given their lives in the service of our Nation in Iraq and in Afghanistan and their families, and all who serve in our Armed Forces and their families.1:44:52 P.M. -H.R. 2055Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.1:44:52 P.M. -H.R. 2055On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 296 – 121 (Roll no. 941).1:19:06 P.M. -H.R. 2055The House proceeded to consider the conference report H. Rept. 112-331 as unfinished business.1:18:29 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on agreeing to the conference report to accompany H.R. 2055, agreeing to H. Con. Res. 94, and passage of H.R. 3672 all of which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.1:18:28 P.M. -H.R. 3672POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – Pursuant to clause X of Rule 20, the yeas and nays were ordered. Pursuant to clause VIII of Rule 20, further proceedings on H.R. 3672 were postponed.1:18:05 P.M. -H.R. 3672The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.1:09:13 P.M. -H.R. 3672DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 3672.1:08:59 P.M. -H.R. 3672Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 500. H.R. 3672 — “Making appropriations for disaster relief requirements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes.”1:08:33 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 94POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – Pursuant to clause VIII of Rule 20, futher proceedings on H. Con. Res. 94 were postponed.1:08:12 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 94The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.1:06:32 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 94DEBATE – The House proceeded with twenty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 94.1:05:50 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 94Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 500. H. Con. Res. 94 — “Directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make corrections in the enrollment of H.R. 3672.”1:05:24 P.M. -H.R. 2055POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – Pursuant to clause X of Rule 20, the yeas and nays were ordered. Pursuant to clause VIII of Rule 20, further proceedings on H.R. 2055 were postponed.1:05:14 P.M. -H.R. 2055The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.11:55:52 A.M. -H.R. 2055DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report H. Rept. 112-331 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 500.11:55:34 A.M. -H.R. 2055Mr. Rogers (KY) brought up conference report H. Rept. 112-331 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 500.11:53:26 A.M. -S. 278Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.11:48:49 A.M. -S. 278On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 413 – 0 (Roll no. 940).11:45:57 A.M. -S. 278Considered as unfinished business. S. 278 — “To provide for the exchange of certain land located in the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests in the State of Colorado, and for other purposes.”11:45:54 A.M. -H.R. 1892Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.11:45:53 A.M. -H.R. 1892On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 396 – 23 (Roll no. 939).11:44:22 A.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.11:36:21 A.M. -H. Res. 500Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.11:36:20 A.M. -H. Res. 500On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 252 – 164 (Roll no. 938).11:29:02 A.M. -H. Res. 500On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 239 – 179 (Roll no. 937).10:34:49 A.M. -H. Res. 500DEBATE – The House resumed debate on H. Res. 500.10:33:48 A.M. -The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 3421, and S. 1612. Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 93.9:58:00 A.M. -H. Res. 500DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 500.9:55:12 A.M. -H. Res. 500Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 500 — “Providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 2055) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3672) making appropriations for disaster relief requirements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 94) directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make corrections in the enrollment of H.R. 3672; and for other purposes.”9:54:44 A.M. -H.R. 2867Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.9:54:43 A.M. -H.R. 2867On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote.9:43:57 A.M. -H.R. 2867DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on agreeing to the Senate amendments to H.R. 2867.9:43:40 A.M. -H.R. 2867Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments.9:42:46 A.M. -H.R. 1892At 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.9:18:48 A.M. -H.R. 1892DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on agreeing to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1892.9:18:33 A.M. -H.R. 1892Mr. Rogers (MI) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.9:17:45 A.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.9:03:00 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.9:02:39 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.9:02:36 A.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.9:01:04 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.9:00:41 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Robert J. Dold to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.9:00:27 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.