Category Archives: ~ Culture & History

~ Culture & History, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Tell Congress – This Is Personal


WILD HORSES?

Some members of Congress are working overtime trying to place restrictions on women’s reproductive health care.

This January, a new Congress, including many newly elected members, will get to work. Lawmakers either can set a new, positive agenda on women’s health, or they can spend another two years trying to limit your ability to make decisions about your own reproductive health.

If women speak up now –loudly and in one voice – we can send the message that decisions about our reproductive health are not up for debate.

Sign the petition today and tell the new Congress: This Is Personal.

Our Message to the Incoming Congress:     www.thisispersonal.org

Decisions about women’s reproductive health are personal.  As you prepare to take office in 2013, my decisions about birth control, pregnancy and reproductive health services are not up for grabs.

Leila Abolfazli
Senior Counsel
National Women’s Law Center
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture, ~ pop culture

Posted on Aug 28, 2012 by    

Queen Elizabeth II is cooler than any of us. She raises corgis, parachutes from planes with James Bond (sort of) and hangs out with some awesome girlfriends. Should we even keep trying?
Her Majesty took to the wheel in Balmoral over the weekend — home of the infamous corgis vs. Princess Beatrice’s terrier smackdown — rollin’ in a Range Rover on her way back from a grouse shoot. But instead of her trademark floral hats — much more customary for a royal — she slipped into some unusual headgear, wearing what appeared to be a grey-colored hoodie.
The 86-year-old queen usually scoots around in her chaffeured Bentley, so we’re surprised to see her gunning behind the wheel of a green Range Rover. But regardless… THAT HOODIE.
Now, we have to ask. Was the queen actually decked out in a hoodie, or was her headwear just a scarf pinned down with bobby pins (which we can sort of make out in the photos)? Judge for yourself.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture, ~ pop culture

Just Released: DHS Outlines Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Process


The White House

DHS Outlines Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Process

WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security today provided additional information on the deferred action for childhood arrivals process during a national media call in preparation for the August 15 implementation date.

On June 15, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano announced that certain people who came to the United States as children and meet other key guidelines may be eligible, on a case-by-case basis, to receive deferred action.  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is finalizing a process by which potentially eligible individuals may request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals.

USCIS expects to make all forms, instructions, and additional information relevant to the deferred action for childhood arrivals process available on August 15, 2012. USCIS will then immediately begin accepting requests for consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals.

  • Information shared during today’s call includes the following highlights:
  • Requestors – those in removal proceedings, those with final orders, and those who have never been in removal proceedings – will be able to affirmatively request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals with USCIS.
  • Requestors will use a form developed for this specific purpose.
  • Requestors will mail their deferred action request together with an application for an employment authorization document and all applicable fees to the USCIS lockbox.
  • All requestors must provide biometrics and undergo background checks.
  • Fee waivers cannot be requested for the application for employment authorization and biometric collection. However, fee exemptions will be available in limited circumstances.
  • The four USCIS Service Centers will review requests.

Additional information regarding the Secretary’s June 15 announcement will be made available on www.uscis.gov on August 15, 2012. It is important to note that this process is not yet in effect and individuals who believe they meet the guidelines of this new process should not request consideration of deferred action before August 15, 2012. Requests submitted before August 15, 2012 will be rejected. Individuals who believe they are eligible should be aware of immigration scams. Unauthorized practitioners of immigration law may try to take advantage of you by charging a fee to submit forms to USCIS on your behalf. Visit www.uscis.gov/avoidscams for tips on filing forms, reporting scams and finding accredited legal services. Remember, the Wrong Help Can Hurt! An informational brochure and flyer are also available on www.uscis.gov.

For more information on USCIS and its processes, please visit www.uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis), and the USCIS blog The Beacon.

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