Monthly Archives: July 2012

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Stand Up for Women in D.C. and Everywhere!


AAUW Action Network
Stand Up for Women in D.C. and Everywhere!

Take Action!
Tell Your Representative to Stop the D.C. 20-Week Abortion Ban

And you thought the War on Women couldn’t get any worse.

At a time when lawmakers are slashing funds for family planning services, blocking pay equity legislation, and targeting other programs that serve women and girls, Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) has set his sights on women who have no voting rights in Congress and can’t fight back: residents of the District of Columbia.

Franks is pushing H.R. 3803, which would ban abortions only in D.C. after 20 weeks without any exceptions for rape, incest, or the mother’s health. The bill, which is modeled after a similar ban in Nebraska and several other states, passed the House Judiciary Committee on July 18. Tell your representative to stop this heinous bill in its tracks and oppose a full floor vote.

Franks’ bullying tactics are an act of radical cowardice. Instead of proposing this extreme legislation for the entire country, which undoubtedly would mobilize women to contact their elected officials to vote against it, Congress is imposing its will on a group of residents who lack the voting representation to fight back. In fact, Franks refused to allow Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), the duly elected, non-voting representative of the District of Columbia, to testify at the House Judiciary Committee hearing on H.R. 3803!

But don’t be fooled! This legislation is a direct challenge to the constitutional protections for all women. This extreme and continued assault on women’s reproductive health will stop at nothing with the ultimate goal of turning back the clock on our constitutional rights.

The War on Women, including women in our nation’s capital, needs to end now.

Take Action!

Urge your representative to stop H.R. 3803 from coming to a floor vote. To send a message, simply click on the “Take Action” link in the upper right corner. Then follow the instructions to compose and send your message.

Follow AAUW on Twitter, and read our award-winning AAUW Dialog Blog for discussion, information, and advocacy for women and girls! 

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Take the next step to break through barriers for women and girls: Become part of the AAUW national community! Join or donate today!

Have general questions about AAUW? Please contact connect@aauw.org or call 800/326-2289 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday.
~ my 2cents ...

TGIF …


image from Alternet/GeneH.Bell article

In response to folks willing to comment on my blog about gun control  … an attitude formed way before 2009

an article i posted about guns in  – 10/2011 by mayor nutter

On 7/22/09  Congress decided to vote down this effort by 2 votes !!!!!

— It is only my opinion, but Congress should not be voting yes to allow people to carry guns across state lines … the Police should be the only people being able to cross state lines with a gun !!! and assault weapons should never never be in the hands of civilians at all

no civilian should be able to carry a gun across state lines … legally or not … this is just an absurd idea !!!

— Well, I am against hand guns because of incidents my family and friends have experienced. I am against automatic weapons because i don’t think we civilians need to have them at all. I definitely understand states rights but after the Giffords attack and what may have been said or done that led up to it is another issue to be considered . I am not an expert but i do receive newsletters and interesting articles that are meant to start a dialogue. I will admit i cringe anytime I hear states rights and while I did post an article by a Mayor I did not say he was speaking up for any citizen but what he has experienced as a Mayor.  Your 2nd Amendment rights? will stay intact but the facts are what they are guns in the wrong hands kill innocent people. I don’t think the rules laws or policies State by state should be different unless there are statics to back maybe a strict process. i just feel a dialogue is needed now not later and all guns should be registered and the owner vetted …everyone. I respect your rights though i don’t understand “Government is damaging the whole country.”

— First, you assumed i wrote the article, yet the title has the Mayor’s name on it, did you even bother to read it? NO … don’t be so willing to be nasty to people unless and until or before you try and convict folks -try to get the facts … That article was written by Mayor Nutter – It says … “Listen to Philly’s top Cop Mayor Michael Nutter” …So, write a nasty letter or whatever to him. FYI – I get information that i share from various newsletters, email and subscriptions… I post most because I think some are very informative others are of topics close to me and feel need more PR , i get Petitions and some articles are meant to produce a dialogue but i find it interesting that folks feel like they assume this that or the other … don’t . I get it, you do not agree with what he wrote but it was his opinion as a Mayor. I have to say your comment was just rude and if you had read it all the way to the end, you would have seen he signed off with his full name and position.
I do not believe in concealed weapons because i (had) friends and relatives who were victims of concealed handguns and I will admit i totally want automatic weapons out of the hands of civilians.

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The article … Tell President Obama: Listen to Philly’s Top Cop      … by Mayor Michael Nutter

Richard Tipton⋅

American Mayors, Police Chiefs and Sheriffs do not speak for the Citizens of this country.
The ability to carry a weapon for non-felonies and non-adults is our rights. We are more afraid of the Government (local, state and federal) than we are of criminals. Criminal damage is usually local. Government is damaging
the whole country.

educateyourselfbeforeblogging⋅

According to you, “dangerous people, including sex offenders and domestic abusers, could get a permit in one state and then carry hidden, loaded guns nationwide.” Now, read the facts for yourself:

Congress passed the first blanket prohibition on felons carrying guns in the Gun Control Act of 1968, which made it illegal for felons to possess a gun any under circumstances. The Firearm Owners’ Protection Act, passed in 1986, reinforced the ban on felons carrying guns, and also banned people who have been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year of imprisonment from possessing guns.

Congress later expanded federal gun control laws by passing what is commonly known as the Lautenberg Amendment, which prohibits persons who are subject to protective or restraining orders as a result of domestic violence, or who have been convicted of misdemeanor crimes involving domestic violence. Incidentally, these federal laws not only ban felons from possessing guns, but also from possessing any type or amount of ammunition.

In addition to the long-standing federal prohibition on felons possessing guns, there are also many state laws that limit the ability of a felon to legally carry a gun, some of which even predate the federal law. At one extreme, some states prohibit anyone who has been convicted of a felony, and even of certain misdemeanor crimes involving violence, from ever legally carrying a gun.

 

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Trader Joe’s sells meat fed with drugs …Change.org


Trader Joe’s: Stop selling meat fed with drugs!                       
      Sign Melissa’s Petition

 

Trader Joe’s: Stop selling meat fed with drugs!

Started by: Melissa Lee

The night we rushed my 10-month-old daughter Ruby to the hospital is a night I will never forget, especially the terror of not knowing what was making her sick.  It took doctors a very long week to figure out that it was Salmonella, and another two months for us to determine that it came from some ground turkey we ate.

Ruby spent 7 days in the hospital, one of 136 victims of a Salmonella outbreak last summer that led to a massive ground turkey recall.  To make matters worse, that strain of Salmonella was resistant to several kinds of antibiotics, which made it more difficult to treat.

That’s why I’m urging you to sign my petition to Trader Joe’s asking them to sell only meat raised without antibiotics.

Like over 86% of Americans, I want to buy meat raised without antibiotics at my local grocery store. Big supermarket chains can play a critical role in changing the food system.

Trader Joe’s is a progressive grocery store with high standards for the food they sell (and is not where the meat came from that made Ruby sick).   But in my community, many people shop at Trader Joe’s for products that are good for their health and good for the environment. Help me tell my story to Trader Joe’s, and encourage them to sell only meat raised without antibiotics.

I’m grateful every day that the doctors saved Ruby’s life, but we can’t take for granted the antibiotics that allow us to successfully combat serious infections.

80% of the antibiotics sold in the US are going to farm animals–used to make them grow faster and prevent disease in crowded, unsanitary conditions. In such an environment, “superbugs” can develop– and they can get into our food, as Ruby found out.

Whole Foods has already made the commitment to only selling meat raised without antibiotics.  We need more grocery stores to step up to the plate.

Tell Trader Joe’s to be a leader in saving our antibiotics and making food safer.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

must see YouTube


The Obama Administration highlights the healthcare industry‘s ongoing commitments to improving energy efficiency and increasing overall environmental sustainability with a panel discussion featuring leading industry representatives. As one of the largest, most profitable sectors of the economy, healthcare industry represents enormous potential for incorporating innovative and efficient design into their business models. July 24, 2012.More
Video
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Black History

CONGRESS : the Republican led House continues HR4078 & the Senate considers S.3414,Cybersecurity,Farm& brings VAWA back up


the Senate Convenes: 9:30amET July 26, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
  • The first hour will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
  • As a reminder, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to S.3414, the Cybersecurity Act of 2012 on Wednesday.  If no agreement is reached, the cloture vote will be on Friday.  However, we hope to reach an agreement to vote on Thursday.

This morning Senator Coburn asked unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S.3326, a bill to amend the African Growth and Opportunity Act to extend the third-country fabric program and to add South Sudan to the list of countries eligible for designation under that Act, to make technical corrections to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States relating to the textile and apparel rules of origin for the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement, to approve the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003, and for other purposes; that the Coburn amendment, which strikes the African Growth and Opportunity Act section of the bill; and the bill be passed, as amended. Further that when the Senate receives a House companion bill, the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration, all after the enacting clause the text of S.3326, as passed, be inserted in lieu thereof; and the House bill, as amended, be passed.

Senator Baucus objected.

Senator Reid filed cloture on Executive Calendar #759, the nomination of Robert E. Bacharach, of Oklahoma, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit. We expect the vote to occur at 5:30pm Monday.

3:23pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3414, Cybersecurity Act of 2012; Invoked: 84-11

Senator McConnell asked unanimous consent to proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R.9, insert the text of section 3 (Burma sanctions) of S.3326, African Trade/CAFTADR/Burma Sanctions, and pass the bill as amended.

Senator Baucus objected to the request.

The Senate has reached an agreement to consider the nomination of Executive Calendar #518, the nomination of Carol J. Galante, of California, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. At a time to be determined by the Majority Leader, in consultation with the Republican Leader, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination. There will be 60 minutes for debate equally divided in the usual form. Upon the use or yielding back of time the Senate will proceed to vote without intervening action or debate on the nomination. Confirmation of the nomination is subject to a 60 vote threshold.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1)      Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3414, the Cybersecurity Act of 2012; Invoked: 84-11

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Concurred in the House message to accompany S.1959, the Haqqani Network Terrorist Designation Act of 2012 by voice vote

Discharged the Banking Committee and passed S.1299, the Lions Clubs International Century of Service Commemorative Coin Act.

Adopted S.Res.529, recognizing that the occurrence of prostate cancer in African-American men has reached epidemic proportions and urging Federal agencies to address that health crisis by supporting education, awareness outreach, and research specifically focused on how prostate cancer affects African-American men.

Adopted S.Res.530, designating the month of August 2012 as “National Registered Apprenticeship Month”.

Adopted S.Res.531, commemorating the success of Team USA in the past 25 Olympic Games and supporting Team USA in the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Adopted S.Res.532, expressing support for the XIX International AIDS Conference and the sense of the Senate that continued commitment by the United States to HIV/AIDS research, prevention, and treatment programs is crucial to protecting global health by voice vote.

Discharged the Rules Committee and adopted H.Con.Res.90, a concurrent resolution authorizing the printing of the 25th edition of the pocket version of the United States Constitution.

Adopted H.Con.Res.133, a concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the rotunda of the United States Capitol for an event to present the Congressional Gold Medal to Arnold Palmer, in recognition of his service to the Nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship in golf.

Adopted H.Con.Res.134, condemning, in the strongest possible terms, the heinous atrocities that occurred in Aurora, Colorado.

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.6082, the Congressional Replacement of President Obama’s Energy-Restricting and Job-Limiting Offshore Drilling Plan.(Republican request)

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed the following items:

All nominations on the Secretary’s desk in the Air Force, Army and Navy.

AIR FORCE

Executive Calendar #839 to be Brigadier General—Colonel Edward E. Metzgar

Executive Calendar #840 to be Brigadier General—Col. Russ A. Walz

Executive Calendar #842 to be Major General—Brig. Gen. Timothy M. Ray

Executive Calendar #843 to be General—Lt. Gen. Paul J. Selva

Executive Calendar #844 to be Lieutenant General—Maj. Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel

Executive Calendar #845 to be Major General-Brig. Gen. Howard D. Stendahl

ARMY

Executive Calendar #846 to be Major General—Brig. Gen. Lawrence W. Brock

Executive Calendar #847 to be Major General—Brig. Gen. Reynold N. Hoover

Executive Calendar #848 to be Lieutenant General—Maj. Gen. James O. Barclay, III

Executive Calendar #849 to be Lieutenant General—Lt. Gen. Donald M. Campbell, Jr.

Executive Calendar #850 to be General—Lt. Gen. Frank J. Grass

Executive Calendar #851 to be Lieutenant General—Maj. Gen. David R. Hogg

Executive Calendar #852 to be Major General—Brig. Gen. Joyce L. Stevens

NAVY

Executive Calendar #853 to be Vice Admiral—Vice Adm. Allen G. Myers

Executive Calendar #854 to be Rear Admiral (Lower Half)—

Captain John D. Alexander;

Captain Bret C. Batchelder;

Captain Ronald A. Boxall;

Captain Robert P. Burke;

Captain David J. Hahn;

Captain Alexander L. Krongard;

Captain Andrew L. Lewis;

Captain Bruce H. Lindsey;

Captain Dee L. Mewbourne;

Captain John P. Neagley;

Captain Partick A. Piercey;

Captain Markham K. Rich;

Captain Charles A. Richard;

Captain Cynthia M. Thebaud;

Captain Brad Williamson;

Captain Ricky L. Williamson

Executive Calendar #855 to be Admiral—Vice Adm. John M. Richardson

Executive Calendar #856 to be Vice Admiral—Rear Adm. David A. Dunaway

MARINE CORPS

Executive Calendar #857 to be General—Lt. Gen. John F. Kelly

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www.Houselive.gov

“Providing for further consideration of the bill (H.R. 4078) to provide that no agency may take any significant regulatory action until the unemployment rate is equal to or less than 6.0 percent.”