~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Degrading black professors

12/04/2013 Nativegrl77 2 Comments

Depicting a black professor as a gorilla being sodomized by his white supervisor was just the beginning. Sign my petition calling on California’s attorney general to investigate systemic racism at UCLA.

Sign Ron’s Petition

Dr. Christian Head was a respected surgeon at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). But because he is black, Dr. Head was the target of blatant discrimination — including a public presentation that featured an image depicting Dr. Head as a gorilla being sodomized by his white supervisor.

Dr. Head fought back. After more than 100,000 people signed a petition supporting him on Change.org, his lawyers were able to secure a landmark settlement from UCLA. But Dr. Head was far from the only faculty member to experience racism at UCLA.

In fact, a shocking new study reveals that the problem is extremely widespread. As a national board member of the NAACP who lives in Los Angeles, I am abhorred that a prestigious public university like UCLA would turn a blind eye to the systematic degradation of its non-white faculty members.

That’s why I started a petition on Change.org calling on California’s attorney general, Kamala Harris, to launch an investigation into racism at UCLA to determine if civil rights laws have been violated and to recommend solutions. Click here to sign my petition.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the recent campus-wide study of racism at UCLA — led by former California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno — said that UCLA regularly ignored complaints about discrimination and retaliation. One Latino professor reported being called a racial slur by a colleague in front of his students. He says he was told that reporting what happened to him would only “cause more trouble.”

Since UCLA refuses to take action to address systemic racism on campus, it’s time for Attorney General Harris to step in.

As a strong woman of color in California leadership, Attorney General Harris is uniquely positioned to take swift and decisive action to address UCLA’s pernicious culture of discrimination. I know that if thousands of people sign my petition, Attorney General Harris will respond, just as a petition created key pressure to enable Dr. Head to win his settlement from UCLA.

Click here to sign my petition calling on Attorney General Harris to launch an investigation into systemic racism at UCLA.

Thank you,

Ron Hasson Los Angeles, CA

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Back on Offense

12/04/2013 Nativegrl77

CAP Action War Room

After a trying two months, the new and improved HealthCare.gov had more than a million visitors yesterday and is functioning well for most people, enrollment is surging, nearly 1.5 MILLION Americans have been newly found eligible for Medicaid, and the GOP plan still consists of repeal and “we’ll see.”

Here’s today’s top health care stories:

White House, Allies Go On Offense: Now that HealthCare.gov is functioning, the White House, Congressional Democrats and allies (including yours truly) have launched an aggressive campaign to educate the public about the Affordable Care Act’s benefits ahead of the December 23 deadline to sign up for coverage that begins on January 1.

18,000 Enroll Through HealthCare.gov on Monday: Just under 27,000 people signed up for plans through HealthCare.gov during the entire month of October, but some 18,000 people enrolled through the revamped website in just 24 hours on Monday.

California Republicans Use Taxpayer Funds on Fake Obamacare Website: In attempt to sabotage the law and convince individuals not to enroll in coverage, California Republicans have rolled out an anti-Obamacare website designed to mimic the state’s exchange website. California Assembly Republicans built the site with taxpayer funds and bill it as a “public service.”

GOP Health Care Plan Is Repeal and ‘We’ll See’: When asked today whether Republicans would finally, after 4.5 years of attacking Obamacare, offer their own alternative, Speaker Boehner’s response was merely, “we’ll see.” Republicans continue to call for repealing the law, which would now take away health coverage from the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have enrolled in the past two months and eliminate benefits that millions of other Americans have enjoyed for years.

Nearly 1.5 MILLION Americans Found Eligible for Medicaid: A new report out today from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services found that nearly 2.5 MILLION applications for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) were submitted in October and nearly 1.5 MILLION low-income Americans were found to be eligible for coverage.

BOTTOM LINE: Obamacare is working and it’s here to stay.

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 12/4 the House

12/04/2013 Nativegrl77

What side of History will your member of CONGRESS be remembered for

Immigration,Climate Change, GunReform, SNAP, JOBsAct, VRA, Women, ACA

The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, December 9, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 4:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1197, the National Defense Authorization to allow the Chairman and Ranking Member to provide a status update on the bill.

At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #327, the nomination of Patricia Ann Millett, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, post-cloture. There will be up to 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled in the usual form. At 5:30pm, all post-cloture time will be expired and there will be a roll call vote on confirmation of the Millett nomination.

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Last Floor Action:
6:54:21 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The
next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 4, 2013.

10:00:00 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:08 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Paul Cook to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:03 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.

12:00:21 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 4.
12:00:24 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:01:16 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:01:19 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Jenkins to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:01:39 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.
12:37:07 P.M.	H. Res. 429	Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 429 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3309) to amend title 35, United States Code, and the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act to make improvements and technical corrections, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1105) to amend the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to provide a registration exemption for private equity fund advisers, and for other purposes.”
12:41:23 P.M.	H. Res. 429	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 429.
1:31:53 P.M.	H. Res. 429	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H. Res. 429, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 429 and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Polis demanded the yeas and nays on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 429 and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a later in the legislative day.
1:32:30 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
2:02:29 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 4.
2:02:35 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 429 on which previous proceedings had been postponed.
2:02:48 P.M.	H. Res. 429	Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 429 — “Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3309) to amend title 35, United States Code, and the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act to make improvements and technical corrections, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1105) to amend the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to provide a registration exemption for private equity fund advisers, and for other purposes.”
2:29:47 P.M.	H. Res. 429	On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 220 – 194 (Roll no. 618).
2:36:11 P.M.	H. Res. 429	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 229 – 185 (Roll no. 619).
2:36:12 P.M.	H. Res. 429	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:38:46 P.M.	H.R. 1105	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 429. H.R. 1105 — “To amend the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to provide a registration exemption for private equity fund advisers, and for other purposes.”
2:38:51 P.M.	H.R. 1105	For H.R. 3309, resolution provides one hour of general debate; bill is considered read; specified amendments are in order; and one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. For H.R. 1109, resolution provides that an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee print 113-29 shall be considered as adopted; one hour of debate; makes in order an additional specified amendment; and one motion to recommit, with or without instructions.
2:40:19 P.M.	H.R. 1105	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1105

3:52:11 P.M.	H.R. 1105	An amendment, offered by Mrs. Maloney, Carolyn, numbered 1 printed in Part B of House Report 113-283 to require private equity fund advisers to register with the SEC, but direct the SEC to create a simplified registration and disclosure regime for small private equity fund advisers.
3:52:15 P.M.	H.R. 1105	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 429, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Carolyn Maloney amendment.

4:04:00 P.M.	H.R. 1105	The previous question was ordered on the amendment (A002) pursuant to the rule.
4:33:10 P.M.	H.R. 1105	On agreeing to the Maloney, Carolyn amendment; Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 186 – 225 (Roll no. 620).
4:34:02 P.M.	H.R. 1105	Mr. Horsford moved to recommit with instructions to Financial Services.
4:34:22 P.M.	H.R. 1105	Floor summary: DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Horsford motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment to require that in order for a firm to qualify for exemption from Dodd-Franks registration and reporting requirement, it must provide investment advice for funds that do not own controlling interests in a company that outsources American jobs and publicly report the number of jobs eliminated each quarter at each company owned and controlled by the funds.
4:45:57 P.M.	H.R. 1105	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
4:54:41 P.M.	H.R. 1105	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 185 – 227 (Roll no. 621).
5:02:17 P.M.	H.R. 1105	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 254 – 159 (Roll no. 622).
5:02:18 P.M.	H.R. 1105	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:02:58 P.M.		Mr. LaMalfa asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9:00 a.m. on December 5. Agreed to without objection.
5:03:59 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
5:18:30 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
7:25:05 P.M.		Ms. Kaptur moved that the House do now adjourn.
7:25:14 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
7:25:15 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on December 5, 2013.

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

On #GivingTuesday Help Protect the Amazon from Big Oil

12/03/2013 Nativegrl77

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Photo of Patricia Gualinga by Boris Andrade in Gatopardo magazineWonderful news for Giving Tuesday!

Ecuador‘s 11th Round Oil Auction that threatened millions of acres of rainforest and indigenous territory is over and it ended last Friday as a dismal failure! Because of your support we were able to see a reduction in the initial oil blocks from 21 to 13 and two extensions to the auction – doubling its original duration – because the bidders weren’t bidding. Of the hundreds of international oil companies that were invited to bid, only 4 ultimately did so. In part due to the tremendous pressure generated by Amazon Watch once we accompanied our indigenous allies around the world demonstrating that communities will oppose every effort to drill on their lands.

Please celebrate on this Giving Tuesday by contributing so we may continue to stand with our allies in defending the Amazon from Big Oil.

For the past two weeks we have highlighted the work of our partner and friend, Sarayaku-born activist and leader Patricia Gualinga. While she is pleased that the 11th Round is over and failed overall, Patricia remains concerned about the future of her community, the Amazon and our global climate.

Upon hearing the results of the 11th Round, she said:

“Petro Andes, a Chinese company, has made an offer in the 11th Oil-Licensing Round that affects 6,000 hectares of the sacred territory of Sarayaku, sacred land of our ancestors. From Sarayaku, we once again express our whole-hearted rejection of oil development on our territory. This company will not enter our territory. We will defend it with our lives.”

Please continue to stand with us to make more victories possible and keep up this integral fight for the future of the Amazon, for the indigenous peoples there, and for our global climate. Help us to support Patricia Gualinga as she continues to be one of the powerful voices of indigenous leadership and justice in the Amazon.

Thank you from all of us at Amazon Watch on this Giving Tuesday and every day.

Branden Barber
Director of Engagement

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Giving Tuesday: Your Chance to Save the Asian Elephant

12/03/2013 Nativegrl77

On Giving Tuesday — a worldwide effort to act for the common good — you can do something amazing.

You can save the Asian elephant. And, working together, it may be our last chance.
With their populations already endangered due to human expansion, deaths by high speed railroad trains are driving elephants over the brink.
On November 13, a high-speed train in the Jalpaiguri district slammed into a herd of elephants crossing India‘s wider faster “Killer Tracks.” Five adult elephants and two calves were slaughtered and 10 more were severely injured, their bodies so demolished that at first officials could not take an accurate death toll.
With thousands of miles of railroad tracks passing through areas inhabited by elephants, train deaths are mounting and the NYTimes reports that activists and wildlife officials have repeatedly met with transportation officials in hope of minimizing collisions.
Now, Earth Day Network’s India office has launched a large-scale emergency campaign to save the Asian elephant.
Community leaders, lawyers, school children, elephant experts, teachers, and local government officials have joined with Earth Day Network in this ambitious effort.
With your help, we will:

Implement a simple but effective early warning system to prevent elephant deaths from railway accidents.
Initiate a citizen suit to eliminate the environmental impact exemption for railways.
Build and mobilize a broad national citizens’ movement to support environmental impact requirements and protect Asian elephants.
Work to develop a lasting stewardship program among local community leaders.

But we can’t do it without you. Please act now to save the Asian elephant!
Celebrate Giving Tuesday by making a donation to help save one of the world’s most incredible species.
Thanks for your support,
– The Earth Day Network Team