~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Stop the Murder in Syria

02/16/2012 Nativegrl77

The Assad regime in Syria has killed over 7,000 people since March of 2011. And yet China remains as one of the only countries on the U.N. Security Council that has not supported Syrians’ struggle for freedom and democracy. Tell China this is unacceptable. »China cannot turn a blind eye to the horrific crimes committed by the Assad regime and still expect tourists and citizens with ethical convinctions to contribute to the Chinese economy.China should be supporting the struggle of the Syrian people, not endorsing the atrocious actions of the Assad regime.Stand up for democracy and freedom. Please take action today. Sign this petition to stop murders in Syria! »

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Dirty energy is not the answer …Robert Gardner, Greenpeace

02/16/2012 Nativegrl77

just wanted to give you an update on our activities in North Carolina. Just minutes ago, activists greeted employees at Duke headquarters with a message: We’re not going away until you clean up your act. Duke & its CEO Jim Rogers keep claiming they support using renewable energy, and yet they’re spending their time and money by investing in more dirty coal.

We need to get 50,000 letters to Duke by tonight and we’re almost there. Send your message to Jim Rogers right now and tell him to dump dirty coal!

Thanks, Robert
——————–
From: Robert Gardner, Greenpeace webmaster@greenpeaceusa.org
To: ynative77@gmail.com
Date: Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 9:35 AM
Subject: #OccupyDuke

Help back up these activists by sending the same message yourself to Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers right now.

Just moments ago activists took a stand at a coal-fired power plant in North Carolina.

Duke Energy is looking to acquire the company that owns the plant, Progress Energy. If the deal goes down, Duke will not only be the largest utility in the country but also one of the dirtiest. That’s because both companies rely on destructive practices like mountaintop removal for getting their coal and neither is making very much progress toward renewable energy.

These activists are there to send a clear message to Duke: Dirty energy is not the answer. But you don’t have to be at a coal plant to send the same message yourself.

Help back up the activists and help us reach our goal of 50,000 letters to Duke CEO Jim Rogers in the next 48 hours by sending the same message yourself right now.

Companies like Duke know they can do better and have invested a lot of money in convincing the public they are. Jim Rogers himself recently acknowledged that his company and other utilities are in a “unique position…to deploy solutions, to raise the capital and not raise the national debt, to do it at scale…”

Unfortunately, their behavior doesn’t match that rhetoric. Duke continues to rely on dirty old coal plants like the one these activists are at today in North Carolina. Polluting the air, destroying mountains, poisoning the water and killing the climate in the process.

And Duke’s planned merger with Progress Energy seems to only be leading them down more dead ends — more dangerous nuclear plants, more dirty biomass, and more coal-fired power plants. In other words, more global warming.

Duke can make a different choice if they want to. But that will only happen if we call them out. That’s why activists have taken a stand today at a coal plant in North Carolina today to get the message across, and it’s why you should take a minute to deliver the same message yourself right now.

Quit Coal,

Robert Gardner
Greenpeace Coal Campaigner

~ Recent Post

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate, Resumes consideration of S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill

02/16/2012 Nativegrl77

the Senate Convened at 10:00am ET February 16, 2012

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill.
During Wednesday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the following items, in the following order:

Reid amendment #1633, the Banking, Finance and Commerce (as reported out by the Commerce Committee) titles to S.1813 and
Executive Calendar #366, the nomination of Jesse Furman, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York.

At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, after consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will proceed to a series of 2 roll call votes in relation to the following, in the following order:

– Motion to invoke cloture on the Reid amendment #1633 (Banking, Finance, & Commerce titles) to S.1813, the Surface Transportation bill,

(2 minutes of debate)

– Confirmation of the nomination of Jesse Furman, of NY, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, and

These votes are expected to occur as early as 11:00am on Friday, February 17^th. When a time is set, another message will be sent.

The details of the agreement are below.

At a time to be determined, the Senate will proceed to the cloture vote with respect to the Reid amendment #1633. If cloture is invoked on the Reid amendment, the second degree amendment will be withdrawn and the Reid amendment will be agreed to and the bill, as amended, be considered original text for the purposes of further amendment. If cloture is not invoked, the motion to recommit and the Reid amendment #1633 will be withdrawn.

Immediately following the cloture vote and the actions listed above depending on the result of the cloture vote, the Senate will then proceed to Executive Session and the cloture motion on the Furman nomination will be vitiated. There will be two minutes of debate equally divided, between Senators Leahy and Grassley, prior to a vote on confirmation of the Furman nomination.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.2111, the Cyber Crime Protection Security Act (Leahy).

Began the Rule 14 process of S. 2118, the “Health Care Bureaucrats Elimination Act” (Cornyn).

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

——————————————————————————————————————–

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF FEBRUARY 16, 2012

112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

–

10:00:23 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:35 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:51 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
11:30:04 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:00 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 16.
12:01:16 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:02:41 P.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Speaker announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Quayle demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Speaker announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Quayle objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Speaker postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until a time to be announced. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
12:03:08 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Poe of TX to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:03:30 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.
12:37:44 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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on February 16, 2012 at 9:48 a.m.: That the Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 99, without amendment.
12:37:56 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
3:16:33 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 16.
3:16:38 P.M.	H.R. 3408	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3408 — “To set clear rules for the development of United States oil shale resources, to promote shale technology research and development, and for other purposes.”
3:16:59 P.M.	H.R. 3408	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
3:17:49 P.M.	H.R. 3408	An amendment, offered by Mr. Thompson (CA), numbered 13 printed in Part A of House Report 112-398 to clarify that the legislation does not allow for oil and gas drilling on the northern coast of California.
3:17:54 P.M.	H.R. 3408	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 547, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Thompson (CA) Part A amendment No. 13.
3:28:11 P.M.	H.R. 3408	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Thompson (CA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Thompson (CA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
3:29:50 P.M.	H.R. 3408	An amendment, offered by Mr. Holt, numbered 14 printed in Part A of House Report 112-398 to affirm that nothing in the underlying bill will affect funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
3:29:52 P.M.	H.R. 3408	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 547, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Holt Part A amendment No. 14.
3:36:46 P.M.	H.R. 3408	By unanimous consent, the Holt amendment was withdrawn.
3:37:10 P.M.	H.R. 3408	An amendment, offered by Ms. Hanabusa, numbered 15 printed in Part A of House Report 112-398 to require that offshore oil and gas leases contain specific safety requirements.
3:37:13 P.M.	H.R. 3408	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 547, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hanabusa Part A amendment No. 15.
3:46:54 P.M.	H.R. 3408	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Hanabusa amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Hastings (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
3:47:15 P.M.	H.R. 3408	An amendment, offered by Mr. Hastings (WA), numbered 16 printed in Part A of House Report 112-398 to streamline the NEPA process to allow for expedited development of renewable energy projects on federal lands and waters.
3:47:18 P.M.	H.R. 3408	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 547, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hastings (WA) Part A amendment No. 16.
3:58:42 P.M.	H.R. 3408	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Hastings (WA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Holt demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
3:58:56 P.M.	H.R. 3408	An amendment, offered by Mr. Markey, numbered 17 printed in Part A of House Report 112-398 to expand on the oil export ban already included in the Arctic drilling subtitle (Sec. 17706) to prohibit export of any natural gas produced pursuant to a lease issued under Title XVII of this Act.
3:58:58 P.M.	H.R. 3408	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 547, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Markey Part A amendment No. 17.
4:12:47 P.M.	H.R. 3408	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Markey amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Markey demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
4:13:15 P.M.	H.R. 3408	An amendment, offered by Mr. Markey, numbered 18 printed in Part A of House Report 112-398 to require companies holding defective leases which allow them to drill on public lands off-shore without paying a royalty, to renegotiate those leases prior to bidding on new leases issued pursuant to Title XVII of this Act.
4:13:17 P.M.	H.R. 3408	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 547, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Markey Part A amendment No. 18.
4:25:22 P.M.	H.R. 3408	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Markey amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Hastings (WA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
4:25:58 P.M.	H.R. 3408	An amendment, offered by Mr. Labrador, numbered 19 printed in Part A of House Report 112-398 to minimize NEPA requirements for a geothermal exploration test project so a project can quickly move forward if resources are found.
4:26:01 P.M.	H.R. 3408	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 547, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Labrador Part A amendment No. 19.
4:38:56 P.M.	H.R. 3408	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Labrador amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Garamendi demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
4:39:29 P.M.	H.R. 3408	An amendment, offered by Mr. Scalise, numbered 20 printed in Part A of House Report 112-398 to dedicate Clean Water Act penalties associated with the Deepwater Horizon disaster to the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund.
4:39:32 P.M.	H.R. 3408	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 547, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Scalise Part A amendment No. 20.
4:54:21 P.M.	H.R. 3408	On agreeing to the Scalise amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
4:54:55 P.M.	H.R. 3408	Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 3408 as unfinished business.
4:55:50 P.M.	H.R. 3630	Conference report H. Rept. 112-399 filed.
4:56:22 P.M.	H.R. 3408	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3408 — “To set clear rules for the development of United States oil shale resources, to promote shale technology research and development, and for other purposes.”
4:56:54 P.M.	H.R. 3408	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
4:57:27 P.M.	H.R. 3408	UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
5:22:38 P.M.	H.R. 3408	On agreeing to the Thompson (CA) amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 167 – 253 (Roll no. 64).
5:27:26 P.M.	H.R. 3408	On agreeing to the Hanabusa amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 189 – 228 (Roll no. 65).
5:32:58 P.M.	H.R. 3408	On agreeing to the Hastings (WA) amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 250 – 171 (Roll no. 66).
5:37:12 P.M.	H.R. 3408	On agreeing to the Markey amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 168 – 254 (Roll no. 67).
5:40:34 P.M.	H.R. 3408	On agreeing to the Markey amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 183 – 238 (Roll no. 68).
5:44:51 P.M.	H.R. 3408	On agreeing to the Labrador amendment; Agreed to by recorded vote: 244 – 177 (Roll no. 69).
5:45:01 P.M.	H.R. 3408	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3408.
5:45:45 P.M.	H.R. 3408	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
5:46:01 P.M.	H.R. 3408	The 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.
5:46:47 P.M.	H.R. 3408	Ms. Castor (FL) moved to recommit with instructions to Natural Resources.
5:47:07 P.M.	H.R. 3408	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Castor (FL) motion to recommit. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add a new section to restrict permits for new oil and gas slant, directional, or offshore drilling around the Great Lakes or the Florida Everglades.
5:56:15 P.M.	H.R. 3408	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
6:13:26 P.M.	H.R. 3408	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 176 – 241 (Roll no. 70).
6:19:21 P.M.	H.R. 3408	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 237 – 187 (Roll no. 71).
6:19:22 P.M.	H.R. 3408	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:19:43 P.M.		On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.
6:20:04 P.M.		The House received a communication from the Honorable Jackie Speier. Ms. Speier submitted her resignation from the Committee on Homeland Security. The resignation was accepted without objection.
6:20:44 P.M.		The House received a communication from the Honorable Paul Tonko. Mr. Tonko submitted his resignation from the Committee on the Budget. The resignation was accepted without objection.
6:20:45 P.M.		The House received a communication from The Honorable John Dingell. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dingell notified the House that he had been served with a subpoena, issued by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, to produce documents in a criminal case and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he had determined that compliance with the subpoena is inconsistent with the precedents and privileges of the House.
6:21:21 P.M.	H. Res. 553	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 553 — “Electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.”
6:22:02 P.M.	H. Res. 553	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
6:22:12 P.M.	H. Res. 553	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:22:43 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House continued with further one minute speeches.
6:25:15 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

The Fight for Women’s Health Must Continue …Senator Patty Murray

02/15/2012 Nativegrl77

February 14, 2012

The Fight for Women’s Health Must Continue

When the news got out that the Susan G. Komen foundation had cut off funding for breast cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood, men and women across the country were outraged. They didn’t understand the decision, they didn’t agree with it—and they did something about it. They made their voices heard loud and clear, and they got results. Komen did the right thing and announced that they had reversed their initial decision—and I want to commend them for that. Their mission— and their great work in the fight against breast cancer— is too important to get mixed up in partisan politics. Although this reversal was a great victory for so many women across America, let’s be clear: Our fight for women’s health does not end here. There are still many who will continue to put partisan politics ahead of women’s health and we need to make sure that the grassroots support and energy that successfully came together to right this wrong continues to stand firm against each and every attack that comes our way.

“Patty Murray Fights for Women’s Rights—Even When It Isn’t the Issue of the Day” – The Stranger

Virtual Town Hall with Disabled American Veterans

This week, I had the opportunity to chat one-on-one with veterans across the country in a Virtual Town Hall Meeting, organized by Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit charity dedicated to building better lives for America’s disabled veterans and their families. In the hour-long chat, I heard from people on a wide range of issues including mental health care, VA claim wait times, women veterans, and veterans jobs. Over 3,000 veterans, members of the military, and family members participated in the chat. I will use the struggles, stories, and suggestions I heard to continue to fight for veterans in Washington, D.C. – Read more

View full transcript of the Virtual Town Hall

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Contribute now to the Women’s Health Rapid Response Fund

02/15/2012 Nativegrl77

This is just unconscionable: Republicans in Congress are trying to make it legal for ANY employer to deny birth control coverage to their employees.

Yes, you read that right. Republicans are on track to give corporations the power to deny women access to health care.

The vote is set for this week — we must act IMMEDIATELY.

We must raise $50,000 by midnight tonight to get activists mobilized and ads up and running in Republican districts about this atrocious assault on women’s health care.

Will you contribute $3 or more right now to our urgent Women’s Health Rapid Response Fund?

We can’t afford to fall short and delay taking action for another day. Women across the country deserve to know that right-wing Republicans intend to take women’s health care back to the dark ages. Please give what you can today.

Rep. Diana DeGette

Co-Chair, Pro-Choice Caucus