It’s true. The Ecuadorian government is planning to allow oil drilling in one of the most biodiverse rainforests on the planet – Yasuní National Park – home to Ecuador‘s last remaining indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation. Together we can stop this. Please sign and share this global petition today!Thousands have mobilized in Ecuador to protest President Correa‘s decision to drill. In response the government has cracked down on dissent, launched a nationwide media campaign pitting poverty against leaving oil underground, and just last week it convinced the National Assembly to approve drilling in the most biodiverse part of Yasuní. If drilling were to move forward it would be a disaster for the rainforest and indigenous rights, and it would pave the way for drilling in 6.5 million acres of indigenous territory in the southern Ecuadorian Amazon.

Our partners are mobilizing for a national referendum on the government’s plans to drill in Yasuní and need our support in calling for global action. They have just launched a global petition to save Yasuní-ITT. Please sign and share to let President Correa know that the world won’t stand for drilling in the last remaining pristine rainforests.

Thank you for your support!

For Yasuní,

Adam Zuckerman
Environmental and Human Rights Campaigner

P.S. Download and Play The Age of Yasuní on your iPhone or Android smartphone. All proceeds support local groups that are defending Yasuní National Park.

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Evan died in Nikki’s arms

10/09/2013 Nativegrl77

Attorney General Beau Biden: Investigate Evan’s death

On November 3rd, 2012, my friend Nikki Dudley was days away from returning from her Air Force deployment when she found out her 21-month-old son Evan was in critical care. Nikki rushed home to find that Evan was in a coma and was not expected to live. The doctors told her Evan’s condition was so severe that he would have had to fall from an 8-story building, straight down to sustain such injuries. Evan died in Nikki’s arms two days later.

Evan died 10 months ago and Nikki still doesn’t know what happened the day her son was taken to the hospital. I started a petition asking Attorney General Beau Biden’s office to complete their investigation to bring justice to my friend.

Nikki left Evan with two military families she trusted while on deployment. She received regular updates from his daycare saying Evan was doing well and she spoke to him every day on Skype. Evan was in the care of one of the families when he sustained his injuries that ultimately killed him. The person who was looking after Evan told 911 that the boy fell down eight carpeted stairs, but his death certificate indicates that the immediate cause of death was “blunt force injury to the head” and that Evan “was assaulted to death.”

An investigation into Evan’s death has been ongoing for nearly a year, and Nikki still doesn’t know how her son died.

She’s even called the attorney general’s office but is brushed off when she asks for more information in Evan’s case. Nikki’s been patient, but it’s been 10 months since Evan died and no one has been held accountable. Join me in asking Attorney General Biden’s office to complete their investigation and bring justice to my friend and her son.

By Keri Marshall

Wilmington, Delaware

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 10/9 the House

10/09/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:30am on Wednesday, October 9, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for debate only with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

12:12pm the Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on the Reid motion to instruct the Sergeant at Arms to request the presence of absent senators;

Agreed To: 78-19

Senator Murray asked unanimous consent that when the Senate receives a Message from the House that they have passed H.J.Res.59, as amended by the Senate, the Senate go to conference on the Budget resolution (H.Con.Res.25, as amended with the text of S.Con.Res.8).

Senator Cornyn reserved his right to object, questioned why the Democratic offer requires the House to pass the clean continuing resolution (to open the government), and asked that the request be modified to prohibit the Senate from considering the conference report if it includes reconciliation instructions to increase the debt limit. Senator Murray objected to the modification. Senator Cornyn objected to the original request.

Murray unanimous consent request

Murray: I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate receives a Message from the House that they have passed H.J.Res.59, as amended by the Senate, the Senate then proceed to the consideration of Calendar #33, H.Con.Res.25; that the amendment which is at the desk, the text of S.Con.Res.8, the budget resolution passed by the Senate, be inserted in lieu thereof; that H.Con.Res.25, as amended, be agreed to; the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that the Senate proceed to vote on a motion to insist on its amendment, request a conference with the House on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses; and authorize the Chair to appoint conferees on the part of the Senate; with all of the above occurring with no intervening action or debate.

Cornyn: I object

Cornyn counteroffer

Cornyn: I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar #33, H.Con.Res.25; that the amendment at the desk, which is the text of S.Con.Res.8, the budget resolution passed by the Senate, be inserted in lieu thereof; that H.Con.Res.25, as amended, be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that the Senate proceed to a vote on a conference with the House on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses, and authorize the Chair to appoint conferees on the part of the Senate, with all of the above occurring with no intervening action or debate. I further ask that it not be in order for the Senate to consider a conference report that includes reconciliation instructions to raise the debt limit.

Murray: I object

The period of morning business for debate only has been extended until 5pm. The Republicans control the time between 2-2:45pm and the Majority controls the time from 2:45-3:30pm.

Several Republican senators asked unanimous consent that the Senate take up and pass mini-continuing resolutions and a sense of Congress regarding religious services to members of the Armed Forces. In most cases, there was a Democratic counteroffer to amend the applicable legislative vehicle with a clean CR amendment. After counteroffers and counter-counteroffers, there was eventually an objection to each request.

Senator McConnell asked unanimous consent to take up and adopt H.Con.Res.58, expressing the sense of Congress regarding the need for the continued availability of religious services to members of the Armed Forces and their families during a lapse in appropriations. Senator Casey asked for a modification to the request include an amendment on the sense of Congress that the House should vote on clean the CR, Senator McConnell objected to the modification, and Senator Casey objected to original request)

Senator Cornyn asked unanimous consent that after receipt from House, the Senate take up and pass H.J.Res.91, Making continuing appropriations for death gratuities and related survivor benefits for survivors of deceased military service members of the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2014. Senator Reid stated that the President is going to fix this situation shortly and asked that Senator Cornyn renew his request after 4pm. Senator Cornyn agreed and withdrew his request.

Senator Enzi asked unanimous consent to take up and pass H.J.Res.70, National Park Service Operations, Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014. Senator Boxer asked to modify the request to include a clean CR amendment, Senator Enzi objected to the modification, and Senator Boxer objected to the original request.

Senator Coats asked unanimous consent to take up and pass H.J.Res.85, Federal Emergency Management Agency Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014. Senator Durbin asked to modify the request to include a clean CR amendment. Senator Coats said would be willing to modify the request to include other emergency response agencies, but objected to Senator Durbin’s request. Senator Durbin objected to the original request.

Senator Hoeven asked unanimous consent to take up and pass H.R.3230, Making continuing appropriations during a Government shutdown to provide pay and allowances to members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who perform inactive-duty training during such period. Senator Murray asked to modify the request to include a clean CR amendment, Senator Hoeven objected to the modification, and Senator Murray objected to the original request.

Senator Rubio asked unanimous consent to take up and pass H.J.Res.84, Making continuing appropriations for Head Start for fiscal year 2014. Senator Harkin objected.

Senator Paul asked unanimous consent to take up and pass H.J.Res.70, National Park Service Operations, Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014. Senator Durbin asked to modify the request to include a clean CR amendment. Senator Paul said he would modify his request to include a $940 top line number on a clean CR. Senator Durbin objected to Paul’s modification to the modification. Senator Paul objected to Senator Durbin’s modification. Senator Durbin objected to the original request.

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

Last Floor Action:
4:11:20 P.M. – The House adjourned. 10/9

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on October 10, 2013.

10:00:25 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:29 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Chris Collins to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:49 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour Debate, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

11:41:38 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:16 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of October 9.
12:00:40 P.M.		Today‘s prayer was offered by Reverend Rod MacIlvaine, Grace Community Church, Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
12:01:57 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:02:00 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Foxx to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:40 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.

12:42:23 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
12:43:00 P.M.	H.J. Res. 91	Mr. Frelinghuysen moved to suspend the rules and pass the resolution. H.J. Res. 91 — “Making continuing appropriations for death gratuities and related survivor benefits for survivors of deceased military service members of the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2014, and for other purposes.”
12:43:00 P.M.	H.J. Res. 91	Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:43:03 P.M.	H.J. Res. 91	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.J. Res. 91.
1:09:50 P.M.	H.J. Res. 91	At 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.
1:11:13 P.M.	H.J. Res. 90	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 373. H.J. Res. 90 — “Making continuing appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration for fiscal year 2014, and for other purposes.”
1:11:35 P.M.	H.J. Res. 90	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on H.J. Res. 90.
1:39:08 P.M.	H.J. Res. 90	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
1:39:27 P.M.	H.J. Res. 90	Ms. Esty moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.
1:40:00 P.M.	H.J. Res. 90	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Esty motion recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House forthwith with an amendment to replace the underlying bill with the Senate Amendment to H.J. Res. 59, Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014, pending reservation of a point of order.
1:47:21 P.M.	H.J. Res. 90	Mr. Latham raised a point of order against the motion to recommit with instructions. Mr. Latham stated that the amendment was not germane to the underlying bill. Sustained by the Chair.
1:47:47 P.M.	H.J. Res. 90	Ms. Esty appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.
1:47:55 P.M.	H.J. Res. 90	Mr. Latham moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair
2:14:14 P.M.	H.J. Res. 90	On motion to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 228 – 194 (Roll no. 536).
2:21:23 P.M.	H.J. Res. 90	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 252 – 172 (Roll no. 537).
2:21:24 P.M.	H.J. Res. 90	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:21:34 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of a motion to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
2:21:48 P.M.	H.J. Res. 91	Considered as unfinished business. H.J. Res. 91 — “Making continuing appropriations for death gratuities and related survivor benefits for survivors of deceased military service members of the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2014, and for other purposes.”
2:34:24 P.M.	H.J. Res. 91	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 425 – 0 (Roll no. 538).
2:35:04 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
2:42:49 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
4:11:10 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
4:11:15 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
4:11:20 P.M.		The House adjourned.The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on October 10, 2013.

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

NG Picks of the Week: Power of Photography | Photo Contest | Your Shot Assignment

10/08/2013 Nativegrl77 2 Comments

Over National Geographic’s 125-year history, the process of taking photographs has changed dramatically, but the end result remains the same; a compelling photograph has the power to make you stop and think—and even sometimes act. This month, we’re taking an inside look at the determination, patience, and vision behind some of our most iconic images—the ones that have made people act to change the world.Explore the power of photography with our featured article. Learn how camera phones have made us all part of a global visual village. Zoom in on the changing face of America. See unearthed treasures from our photo archives. Delve into our new photo blog, Proof. Then see how your own photos stack up by joining our anniversary photo assignment on Your Shot for the chance to win a National Geographic Photo Workshop and more.

Watch what photography has the power to do.

EXPLORE MORE VIDEOSWatch our photographers explain what drives them.

See Cory Richards and Sadie Quarrier explain the latest Your Shot assignment.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

GOP Rejects Own Plan to Keep Government Open

10/08/2013 Nativegrl77

By CAP Action War Room

CHART: Democrats Have Already Negotiated & Compromised

Republicans continue to falsely claim that President Obama and Democrats won’t negotiate over the budget. That’s just not true.

In fact, Senate Democrats even tried once again this afternoon to launch a formal conference committee to hash out a budget through September of 2014, but Republicans blocked their request, as they have on 19 previous occasions since the Senate passed a budget over six months ago.

What is true is that Democrats refuse to negotiate over keeping the government open and paying the bills that Congress has already racked up. Those items should be non-negotiable. They are simply Congress’ job.

As soon as the GOP brings these latest manufactured crises to an end — as they could at literally any moment if they simply allow the House of Representatives to vote on a clean government funding bill and a bill that guarantees that Congress will not allow an unprecedented and catastrophic default on our obligations — Democrats are more than happy to negotiate on the actual budget.

In fact, they have done plenty of negotiating already. The clean bill to re-open the government is already a huge compromise and agrees to the sequester spending levels that Republicans demanded and promised to bring to a vote mere months ago.

Check out this chart that shows just how much Democrats have already compromised with Republicans:

FundingLevelCharticle-1

This compromise bill was Speaker Boehner’s own idea and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) touted it as a major victory for House Republicans just last month, but now they refuse to even allow the House to vote on it. Worse, Republicans continue to threaten to unleash a “financial apocalypse” on the global economy as soon as next week unless the president and Democrats agree to their laundry list of Tea Party demands.

BOTTOM LINE: Unless Congress acts, we’ll face a global economic calamity next week. Americans across the country — including the family members of our troops killed in action — are already suffering because the GOP shut down the government in a failed effort to deny affordable health insurance to millions.

It’s time for these manufactured crises to end. Republicans just need to allow the House of Representatives to vote on a clean government funding bill and a bill that guarantees that Congress will pay our nation’s bills.