Daily Archives: 06/20/2012

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Please Contribute to Support Charlie Rangel and Alan Grayson



The Rockets’ Red Glare, the Bombs Bursting In Air.

Congressman Charlie Rangel often says that the last bad day he had was way back in 1950.  Let me explain what he means by that.

Rangel joined the US Army at 18.  He was assigned to the segregated, all-African-American 503rd Field Artillery Battalion.  His nickname was “Sarge,” which was funny, because Rangel actually was a private first class, not a sergeant.

On November 27, 1950, Rangel’s commander, General Douglas MacArthur, learned that the Chinese Army was about to surround America’s Eighth Army.  MacArthur ordered the Eighth Army to retreat.  But that could happen only if American units held off the Chinese forces on the Eighth Army’s right flank.  Charlie Rangel’s unit was given that suicide mission, in what became known as the Battle of Kunu-Ri.

The Chinese Army quickly surrounded Rangel’s unit.  His unit kept fighting.

Sundown brought less shooting, but also bitter cold.  The temperature dropped below zero.  Even at night, the Chinese Army’s bugle orders rang out, and the night sky was lit by Chinese flares.  Rangel called it a “waking nightmare.”  He kept fighting.

Having the high ground, the Chinese Army pounded Rangel’s unit with artillery fire.  On the third day, an explosion sent shrapnel into Rangel’s back.  The shrapnel hit him so hard that he was tossed into a ditch.  He kept fighting.

Rangel and his unit could hear American soldiers screaming and moaning.  They could hear American soldiers being taken prisoner.  Rangel said, “We couldn’t see any possible way out of the situation.”  They could have surrendered.  But they didn’t.

Rangel and his unit were trapped behind enemy lines for three days of heavy fighting.  After three terrible days, under cover of darkness, Charlie Rangel, sleepless, wounded, bleeding and freezing, led 40 American soldiers to safety.

Half of Rangel’s battalion died in the fighting.  Rangel spent a long time in the hospital, recuperating.  For his courage and leadership, he was awarded a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, two Presidential Unit Citations, and three battle stars.

And Charlie Rangel was awarded a certain perspective on life itself. As Charlie always says, “Since Kunu-ri, I have never, never had a bad day.”

One week from Tuesday, Congressman Charles Rangel faces the voters in the New York Democratic Primary.  National Public Radio calls it Rangel’s “toughest reelection challenge” since he won the seat in 1970.

Win or lose, it won’t be a bad day for him.  Not after what he went through at Kunu-ri.  But I want it to be a good day for him.  That’s why I’m helping him, and why you should, too.  Click here.

Courage,

Alan Grayson

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

HCAN


Helen Dally at Supreme Court

Health care reform is saving lives and protecting families – including young adults trying to start new lives in a challenging economy. So far, 6.6 million young adults have gained health insurance under their parents‘ health care plans as a result of the Affordable Care Act, according to the Commonwealth Fund. The new figures far outstrip earlier estimates.

That’s 6.6 million young people who will have more flexibility to pursue careers of their choosing, who won’t face the added stress of going without health care as they begin their careers and who can know that they’ll be covered if something bad happens. Helen Dally is one of them. In March when the U.S. Supreme Court was hearing arguments on Obamacare, this young woman came to the steps of the court to explain to reporters how the law enabled her to join a health plan sponsored by her parents’ small business.

Please click here to share with your friends and family how this part of the ACA is helping young people.

The dependent coverage provision, one of Obamacare’s most popular elements, allows young adults to enroll in a parent’s health plan as long as they have not reached their 26th birthday and their employer does not offer a qualified health plan. The provision is a godsend for recent college graduates struggling to find work and pay off expensive student loans. Many young adults have been forced to return to their parents’ homes while they look for employment, and the ACA lends these individuals a helping hand while giving parents peace of mind.

This is just one of the many ways that the health care law is working.

Thanks,

Will O’Neill Health Care for America Now

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Politics Blowing UP the Transportation Bill ?


URGENT TO CONGRESS: JOBS AT STAKE
June 30 is the deadline for Congress to act on the surface transportation bill. This bill would protect and create good jobs in the United States and begin to fix our crumbling infrastructure, but it’s being held up because of political antics from extreme Republicans.

Tell your members of Congress it’s time to stop playing politics and pass the surface transportation bill.

I’m writing to you because this is urgent. Jobs are at stake.

Here’s the deal. Both the U.S. Senate and House have passed versions of the surface transportation bill—the Senate version of the bill would create or sustain nearly 3 million jobs—and a conference committee of key House and Senate leaders is negotiating final details of the bill right now. But some Republicans in the House want to make it their way or the highway. They want to starve funding for badly needed infrastructure projects and hold hostage family-sustaining jobs.

In the past two and a half years, Congress has settled for nine short-term extensions instead of coming up with a long-term solution to fix our crumbling infrastructure and get ironworkers, crane operators, cement masons and other construction workers—14 percent of whom are currently unemployed—back on the job.

Without a long-term fix, jobs will be lost and our roads, bridges and transportation system will fall into further decay. Click here now to e-mail your members of Congress to tell them we can’t wait. We need to pass the surface transportation bill now.

This is a chance for our leaders to come together and do their part to create good jobs in the United States and invest in our future. For too long, we have watched while politicians pushed policies that have sent jobs overseas while kicking the can down the road on investing in infrastructure projects that would create jobs here.

Tell your elected leaders in Washington to pass the surface transportation bill before the June 30 deadline.

We’re at a critical point in the legislative process. The conference committee reportedly has narrowed the gap between the bills passed in the House and Senate. But, without pressure from working people like you, a few extreme Republicans—intent on slowly starving funding for the transportation system—may get their way. We can stop this from happening.

E-mail your lawmakers to tell them that now is the time for Congress to set differences aside and come together to pass a surface transportation bill that creates and saves family-sustaining jobs, fixes our crumbling bridges, roads and transportation system and keeps in place Buy America and Davis-Bacon prevailing wage protections for projects financed by the bill.

Thank you for your support.

In Solidarity,

Andy Richards
Digital Strategies, AFL-CIO

P.S. Actions and events are being organized across the country to call for elected leaders to stop helping companies outsource jobs and instead support the patriotic companies that create jobs here. Click here to find an event near you.

~ my 2cents ...

Be a Seed for Change


I needed a place to sound off. To increase awareness on some issues we should all know and care about, start a dialogue, get people to sign a petition(s), offer and post some info from folks who know, challenge the people who think they know. I feel we should Question not only their comments, views, and reviews but be a part of a community who believe in action not lip service, my 2cents or more.

It’s time for a change … & contrary to what is going on now… I still have the Audacity for HOPE and CHANGE

I am a MOM first, earned my BA in English Lit, Activist, and Advocate for my children and my family. I am an ex-track rat, ex-cheerleader, ex-gymnast, and a lover of dance: free/ballet 10yrs or more of dance training, contemporary/lyrical, and jazz.   In other words, I am competitive. I come from a fishing based family, love talking, food, gorgeous men & movies, not necessarily in that order; my pet fishy détente loves word games I have a great love of books, words, and music –Oye Como VA

I support Obama because he represents the bold and drastic changes we need NOW in Washington, DC … he believes in action, not the lip service we’ve gotten from the last administration… he knows and understands we need to pay attention to our environment, that we need to narrow the gap between the haves and have none, better health-care. Last, our future is our children and that means better educational opportunities…

Americans should demand nothing less than … Equal rights for everyone in all its forms.

The change Americans believed in 2008 … is now one we must all take part in and fight for so, look for, sign, and or comment on Petitions available. Use the petitions to voice your opinion, tell me what YOU think, support, or push Congress for… “We the People” GOTV for Barack H. Obama 2012

My Blog: Point/CounterPoint… named after the Novel written in the 1920′s

Yet, Reflects our 21st-century society … characters in Politics and Pop culture who denounce the dangers of sacrificing humanity for intellectualism while expressing concerns about the staggering progress of science and technology.

Who also condemn opinions on class and the reactions of people as the barriers break down comparing where the various possibilities and relationships collide or cross paths while looking with judgmental eyes at the dichotomy between reason and passion.

The push and pull of social values … Point/CounterPoint .

Issues: equality /immigration/ civil rights; civil liberties / privacy; peace & social justice; foreign policy / human rights/security; economic fairness / security; environment / conservation; smart energy policy; public infrastructure / transportation; good government / ethics; electoral reform; affordable health care; education Registered to Vote: Yes

Leave me a message …

Black History

CONGRESS: the Republican led House – the Senate debates&votes on S.3240,Farm bill – Joint Res.disaproval of EPA’s Mercury Air and Toxics Standards


the Senate Convenes: 9:30amET June 20, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
  • Following the remarks of the two Leaders, the Republican Leader will be recognized to make a motion to proceed to S.J.Res.37, a joint resolution of disapproval regarding EPA’s Mercury Air and Toxics Standards.  The time until 11:30am will be equally divided controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first 15 minutes and the Majority controlling the second 15 minutes.
  • At 11:30am, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.37.  If the motion to proceed is not successful (which is what is expected), the Senate will resume consideration of S.3240, the Farm bill and resume voting on the remaining amendments in order to the bill.
  • Senators should expect several roll call votes beginning at 11:30am on Wednesday.

When the Senate convened this morning, Senator Reid moved to proceed to S.1940, a bill to amend the National Flood Insurance Act, and filed cloture on the motion. The Leaders have been working on a consent agreement on amendments and they will continue to do so in the coming days. If an agreement cannot be reached, the cloture vote would occur Friday morning.

Senator McConnell moved to proceed to S.J.Res.37, a joint resolution of disapproval regarding EPA’s Mercury Air and Toxics Standards. At approximately 11:30am the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to proceed to the joint resolution of disapproval. If the motion is defeated as we expect it to be, we will resume consideration of the Farm bill and immediately proceed to a long series of votes in relation to the remaining amendments and motions in order as well as passage of the bill.

The vote on the motion to proceed to the joint resolution of disapproval will be a 15 minute vote and all others 10 minute votes. There will be 2 minutes for debate between each vote. Senators are encouraged to remain on or near the floor throughout the day.

The 11:30am vote sequence is as follows:

– Motion to proceed to S.J.Res.37, a joint resolution disapproving a rule promulgated by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency relating to emission standards for certain steam generating units

– Manchin #2345 (dietary study) (possible voice vote);

– DeMint #2273 (broadband);

– Merkley #2382 (organic crop insurance);

– Coburn #2289 (MAP);

– Schumer #2427 (acer);

– Coburn #2293 (Limit Millionaires);

–  Stabenow #2453 (NAP);

– Kerry #2454 (North Korea);

– Kyl #2354 (North Korea);

– Udall(CO) #2295 (bark beetle);

– Lee #2313 (Forest Legacy);

– Warner #2457 (rural broadband);

– Lee #2314 (CSP/CRP cut);

– Wyden #2442 (microloans);

– Boozman #2355 (Ag research, law info) (possible voice vote);

– Wyden #2388 (farm to school);

– Boozman #2360 (TEFAP)

– Leahy #2204 (rural development);

– Toomey #2226 (energy title);

– Nelson(NE) #2242 (rural housing) (possible voice vote);

– Toomey #2433 (sugar);        

– Klobuchar #2299 (transportation study) (possible voice vote);

– Lee Motion to Recommit (FY 2008 levels);

– Carper #2287 (poultry feed research) (possible voice vote);

– Johnson(WI) Motion to Recommit (Nutrition/Agriculture titles);

– Sanders #2254 (biomass);

– Chambliss #2438 (conservation crop insurance);

– Thune #2437 (crop insurance);

– Durbin-Coburn #2439 (crop insurance);

– Chambliss #2340 (sugar);

– Chambliss #2432 (FMPP);

– Ayotte #2195 (GAO crop insurance fraud report) (possible voice vote);

                                    – Blunt #2246 (veterans) (possible voice vote);

– Moran #2403 (food aid);

                                    – Moran #2443 (beginning farmers) (possible voice vote);

– Vitter #2363 (pets) (possible voice vote);

                                    – Toomey #2247 (paperwork) (60-vote threshold);

– Sanders #2310 (genetically engineered food) (60-vote threshold);

– Coburn #2214 (convention funding) (60-vote threshold);

– Boxer #2456 (aerial inspections) (60-vote threshold);

– Johanns #2372 (aerial inspections) (60-vote threshold);

– Murray # 2455(sequestration) (60-vote threshold);

– McCain #2162 (Sequestration report – DoD) (60-vote threshold);

– Rubio #2166 (RAISE Act) (60-vote threshold);

– Bennet-Crapo amendment #2202 (improve agricultural land easements) (expect voice vote); and

– Passage of S.3240, as amended.

11:30am The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to proceed to S.J.Res.37, a joint resolution disapproving EPA’s Mercury and Air Toxics Standards; Not Agreed To: 46-56

12:03 om The Senate began a roll call vote on Merkley amendment #2382 (organic crop insurance); Agreed To: 63-36

12:24pm The Senate began a roll call vote on DeMint amendment #2273 (broadband); Not Agreed To:44-55

12:45pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Coburn amendment #2289 (MAP); Not Agreed To: 30-69

1:04pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Coburn #2293 (limit millionaires); Agreed To: 63-36

1:30pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Kerry-Lugar amendment #2454 (North Korea); Agreed to: 59-40

1:49pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Kyl amendment #2345 (North Korea); Not Agreed to: 43-56

2:09pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Udall (CO) amendment #2295 (bark beetle); Agreed To: 77-22

2:31pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Lee amendment #2313 (repeal Forest Legacy Program); Not Agreed To: 21-77

2:55pm The Senate began a roll call vote on on Lee amendment  #2314 (CSP/CRP cut); Not Agreed To: 15-84

3:27pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Boozman #2360, as modified (TEFAP); Not Agreed To: 35-63-1 voting present

3:46pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Toomey amendment #2226 (energy title); Not Agreed to: 36-63

The following amendments have been considered to S.3240, the Farm bill:

4:08pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Toomey amendment #2433 (sugar); Not Agreed to: 46-53

4:28pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Lee motion to recommit (FY2008 levels); Not Agreed to: 29-70

4:52pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Johnson (WI) motion to recommit (nutritution/agriculture titles); Not Agreed to: 40-59

5:14pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Vitter amendment #2363, as modified (animal fighting); Agreed to: 88-11

5:35pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Chambliss amendment #2438 (conservation crop insurance); Agreed to: 52-47

5:59pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Thune amendment #2437 (crop insurance); not agreed to: 44-55

6:22pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Durbin amendment #2439 (crop insurance); Agreed To: 66-33

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1)      McConnell motion to proceed to S.J.Res.37, a joint resolution of disapproval regarding EPA’s Mercury Air and Toxics Standards; not agreed to: 46-53

2)      DeMint amendment #2273 (broadband) to S.3240, the Farm bill; Not Agreed To: 20-79

3)      Merkley amendment #2382 (organic crop insurance); Agreed To: 63-36

4)      Coburn amendment #2289 (MAP); Not Agreed To: 30-69

5)      Coburn amendment #2293 (limit millionaires); Agreed To: 63-36

6)      Kerry amendment #2454 (North Korea); Agreed To: 59-40

7)      Kyl amendment #2354 (North Korea); Not Agreed To: 43-56

8)      Udall (CO) amendment #2295 (bark beetle); Agreed To: 77-22

9)      Lee amendment #2313 (Forest Legacy); Not Agreed To: 21-77

10)  Lee amendment #2314 (CSP/CRP cut); Not Agreed To: 15-84

11)  Boozman amendment #2350 (TEFAP); Not Agreed To: 35-63-1

12)  Toomey amendment #2226 (energy title); Not Agreed To: 36-63

13)  Toomey amendment #2433 (sugar); Not Agreed To: 46-53

14)  Lee motion to recommit (FY 2008); Not Agreed To: 29-70

15)  Johnson (WI) motion to recommit (nutrition/agriculture titles); Not Agreed To: 40-59

16)  Vitter amendment #2363 (pets), as modified (60-vote threshold); Agreed To: 88-11

17)  Chambliss amendment #2438 (conservation crop insurance); Agreed To: 52-47

18)  Thune amendment #2437 (crop insurance); Not Agreed To: 44-55

19)  Durbin-Coburn amendment #2439 (crop insurance); Agreed To 66-33

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.500, a resolution celebrating the accomplishments of title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, also known as the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, and recognizing the need to continue pursuing the goal of equal educational opportunities for all women and girls.

Adopted S.Res.501, supporting Men’s Health Week.

Adopted S.Res.502, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the signing of the First Morrill Act.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

——————————————————————————————————————

House Floor Activities                 Legislative Day of June 20, 2012

Last Floor Action:                     10:12:02 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.