Category Archives: ~ my 2cents …

wicked Wednesday &some News


trying to pub since early morn…ugh

The President is in Arizona to talk about the awful tragedy that happened on Saturday and call for a moment of National Unity and Healing.

It is a day to remember the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. It is a time to ask how far they have come and acknowledge how much more work, and funding Haiti needs. The State of Arizona experienced an awful tragedy none of us will truly understand, a number of people gunned down six killed and Congresswoman Giffords shot in the head, she and several survivors are on the mend. The reports are that Gaby Giffords is doing well.

It has been five days since the awful incident in Arizona and while some on both sides of the political aisle are agreeing that, the language used may not be appropriate. There are those long considered leaders in politics, TV, pundits, hosts have chosen to either ignore the obvious opportunity to tamp down the ugly rhetoric or come on national TV to act as if they were the victims. This is unacceptable to me. I am not sure if people will finally come together to tell those on the right by so-called Public Servants throw out violent rhetoric and  language; like blood libel, 2nd amendment remedies, do not retreat reload and last… i want everyone in Minnesota armed and dangerous. It is with great sadness to mention one of several Sharon Angle interviews this one with the RGJ in May, Angle said, “We’re called as Americans to be vigilant to protect our liberty. At some point in each of our lives, we’re called to service to defend and protect our Constitution “What is a little bit disconcerting and concerning is the inability for sporting goods stores to keep ammunition in stock. That tells me the nation is arming. What are they arming for if it isn’t that they are so distrustful of their government? They’re afraid they’ll have to fight for their liberty in more Second Amendment kinds of ways? “That’s why I look at this as almost an imperative. If we don’t win at the ballot box, what will be the next step?”

The pledge to America in my opinion seems like a doctrine of what the right(the Republican Tea Party) thinks and says they are all about but in my opinion are definitely without: compassion, any sense of service; community or for helping your fellow American, which, is why Obama was voted in.

The fact is… 53% wanted a huge change in the way thing get done not only in Washington DC but also on a global level, conservatives and their comrades the Republican Tea Party are fighting it. It is a moment when those of us that voted for President Obama need to help make this change a reality in 2012 by getting more true democrats on the floor of Congress. It was with great sadness that this was not accomplished during the 2010 midterms but those easily hoodwinked, fooled or who just did not care voted right of center. In my opinion, any or all things that have been accomplished and will help create positive improvement are at risk because the RTP has a need to not only privatize but ruin the Presidency; which if we all pay attention is a calling to take back their country – I ask what does that mean to you? For me it means there is a group of people afraid of the unknown, willing to use race or those of us that are other because we are brown, black or under the protected classes. I have to say some call it socialism some like me just want the country to stop being self-destructive, be civil, maybe help people by giving them an opportunity to prosper and flourish. I maybe naïve, but doing better than the next generation use to be a dream your parents had for you and you would pass on but if we listen to the right talk at some point these folks were trained taught to think completely differently than the rest of us. Though scary even folks on the right say this is not your fathers Republican Party and the radical right use to be visible but not so many got into public service positions let alone get on the floor of Congress. This has been an outrage for me since before 2008 but in light of the latest incident we have to hold some radio and tv pundits, politicians, tv hosts and bloggers accountable for their lack of self-control.

Other News …

**Haiti and the World remember that 2010 terrible earthquake

**Snow storms in 49 States

**Brazil is hit with rain and mud kills 99

**Riots reach Tunisia’s capital, so they now have a curfew

**Tracking bands hurt Penguin -seabirds

**Our 2010 ended strongly

**Lebanon govt falls Hezbollah pulls out

**Quinn wont say if he will sign off on death penalty bill

**

CSPAN…

The National Alliance to End Homelessness released its State of Homelessness in America report that found the nation’s homeless population increased by approximately 3 percent from 2008 to 2009 and cited the recession as contributing factor to the increase.  The report also showed California, Florida, and Nevada have the highest rates of homelessness. Speakers included the group’s president Nan Roman and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), who is a senior Democrat on the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. The event took place at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

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Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner spoke at John Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Study in Washington, DC. His remarks focused on the U.S. and China’s economic future and what to expect from Chinese President Hu Jintao’s upocming state visit.

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On the third day of voting in the South Sudan independence referendum, one of the lead U.S. negotiators for Sudan and the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs spoke with reporters at the State Department to provide an update on the vote.

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The Brookings Institution hosted a discussion on the earthquake in Haiti.  Activists who recently traveled there gave an assessment of the current situation, and also their insights on the remaining problems that are hindering reconstruction efforts. Topics of discussion include humanitarian aid concerns, rubble removal efforts, disease response as well as sexual violence and sanitation concerns in Haitian camps.  Among the speakers was actor and humanitarian Sean Penn who currently heads a group devoted to providing relief to Haiti.

More Info »

wicked Wednesday &some News …


The New Republican members Congress, dang not even the old Republicans have talked about jobs, jobs, jobs seriously since the midterm elections placed them in the Majority in the House of Republicans.

So, is anyone else wondering when we all will be outraged enough to march on the Republican Tea Party because I sure am. The idea that there will be investigations of every nook and cranny especially if Obama had a hand in it sounds very expensive and though no cost estimates have been given spending money on trying to prove something or someone is guilty instead using that money to create jobs is outrageous.  There will be new rules coming from the Republican Tea Party to be listed and rumors that they will vote against raising the Debt Ceiling and we may default on and could cause all kinds of issues

I am outraged that these people want to repeal and or privatize health care let alone what Republicans call Obamacare, which stands to save elder people, those with children under the age of 26 can stay on their parents health care while in College and if you have a pre-existing condition and you are a woman  …we are considered a pre-existing condition.  Though we all know the Senate will not repeal the new health care law the fact is repealing it would leave a lot of women with diseases at risk.  I hope everyone is listening to what the Republican Tea Party is saying but unlikely to carry out … Lindsey Graham stated that if President Obama comes our way we will compromise? why would people vote for these people.  John Boehner said, “That he is going to do whatever it takes to see that as he calls it Obamacare never gets implemented. I want everyone to watch listen and be aware that Mitt Romney created and implemented Universal Health Care in his own state of Massachusetts while telling Americans that we do not deserve it with a vote of no on the floor of Congress and while he has not said much watch to see if he has the courage to say repeal Obamacare when it is actually based on what his constituents have.  While Republican Tea Party members of Congress try to repeal our new health care law Paul Ryan wants to Privatize Social Security, Medicare and Darryl Issa along with Michele Bachmann will start investigating everything in sight especially if it is related to Obama because like the old Congress …the Republicans of 111th had a goal – to ruin his Presidency and the new 112th Republican Congress will try but as Margaret Mead said …

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

It is time for the Democratic Party to Unite if not to protect everything that was accomplished over the last two years …to protect Americans from the hands of a Political Party, Republican Tea members that have a family values platform that will force their ideologies on the rest of us telling us what we can do or not.   I want to know if anyone else thinks that is big Government at play.

Other News …

**President Obama signs the 9/11 healthcare bill

**Chris Christie still defending his vacation plans

**Flooding in Austrlia

**Cuomo plans to freeze state worker pay for a yr

**Debt limit fight is a sure thing

**Republican Tea Party promise to cut and investigate

**Seahawks win playoff bid

**Zsa zsa has to have a leg amputation

**Issa reveals his hit list -wikileaks, Afghanistan, fannie mae/freddie mac, FDA, President Obama, Financial crisis inquiry commission, the New Black Panther group?,

**Packers stay in the game and gain playoff berth

**Kent company recalls sprouts

**Tribal police,FBI and investigate shooting on Swinomish Reservation

CSPAN …

Haiti still needs Shelter Box USA … won’t you help?


 Three years later and while there are natural disasters occurring … Haiti still needs help 

wicked weekend & some News


It has been a tough December what with the wicked wind, rolling thunder, and flashes of lightening. I say that knowing folks are out there taking incredible photos of what it all looks like and will be online soon which most of us enjoy. It is cold here but not anywhere close to the mid-west and or east coast.

Today, we all woke up knowing dadt is now a thing of the past and while I have no friends severing in the military, anymore we all know people with friends, co-workers, and neighbors serving who will sigh with relief once President Obama signs the repeal and it becomes law as soon as possible. We all need to be reminded that dadt is a civil rights issue on all angles and as one wants to move into the 21st Century repealing dadt clearly is not only a great achievement it is another move toward equality for all.

I will admit i was sad but not surprised that the Dream Act failed to pass. The Dream Act failure as the media remarks is only a postponement of what will become a reality some day hopefully. I dare anyone in Congress who voted against Dream Act to say there were no dreamers in their own families who came to the U.S. We are a country built by immigrants (Dreamers) by the way. The unconscionable behavior on the floor of Congress during the Dream Act debate was offensive, embarrassing and quite sad because my family like so many of us would not be here today had people been as discriminatory as those speaking out against the Dream Act on the floor of Congress. I would like to tell Republicans that the current Dreamers though young are future American Dreamers who will be voters.

The bad and or guilty party if the tax deal had not passed would have definitely been on the backs of the Republican Tea Party. It is obvious some in our own democratic party have to be held accountable too as our President encouraged them to get certain legislation done 20 months ago but even our own blew him off with comments of we have plenty of time before the midterm elections. The fact that most if not all members of Congress spent a lot of time posturing at the podium with banter of lets debate this thing, lets go through this bill line by line blah blah was disappointing with the end result being a Congress that will be controlled by the Tea Party and not democrats. The frequent delays has put some of President Obama’s most important campaign promises at risk with only a few days left in 2010 to debate, vote, and pass legislation. Thankfully, the tax deal passed and President Obama signed it. I know a lot of our democratic members of Congress had to hold their noses while voting for the tax deal. This voter thanks all those who decided to think about, support, and give help to folks that needed though it is with great sadness the 99ers left out of the deal will be included in some legislation soon.

It is my opinion that President Obama has proved himself to be one of only a few grown-ups in the negotiation room and while the Republican Tea Party decided to use Americans as pawns over two years ago, their effort to not only get what they want but make the President look bad by holding Americans hostage continues. I know we all see the Republican Tea Party putting one over on Americans who voted them into power during the Midterm elections on a daily basis. The lying, laughing while on the floor of Congress is getting old, tiring and most certainly seems un-American. The tax deal took the President a couple of days, maybe a week, or two to get done with some objections in both political parties. The biggest revelation folks should take from the midterm elections – is if you voted for Republicans, you made a big mistake. The overt and relaxing but negative position certain Republican members of Congress have and it definitely is not with Americans. In addition, the RPT campaigned on listening to Americans, creating JOBS JOBS JOBS, and fixing the economy. They actually succeeded in showing us exactly what is most important to them and it is all about money for the rich. It also shows how cold they are by announcing a lock step decision to vote against the very legislation that could help Americans and participated in with plenty of perks for various Republican Tea Party members only to back away from the agreed upon changes and vote the bills down. The political games began two years ago and yes I keep saying the same thing…they continue. Even with all the nonsense, the Republicans have thrown at him. It is outstanding, incredible that President Obama has achieved more successes than previous President’s have and or in Congress. It is obvious that President Obama’s successes need more recognition by the media and those who have been on the negative bandwagon for the last two years.

Lastly, we only have a few days left before the new Congress gets seated and the current debates going on in the Senate over the last few weeks regarding START, FY2011 and the 9/11 Responders  not only shows a clear disrespect from Republicans but a determination to stay dedicated to what Jon Boehner said 2 years ago. The Republican Tea Party has tried to ruin President Obama and his Presidency hoping to find that one legislation that will become his waterloo. I would like to ask -How is that working out for you so far. I do not know about anyone else but I say stay the course until and unless leaning left is required President Obama because We the People voted you in to fight for the Middle Class and in doing so we expect you to as well as keep those campaign promises. I think the Democratic Party looks better when our President is bipartisan yet achieves wins for the Middle Class and in doing so 2012 looks good for him and the Democratic Party.

The choice is easy, either you vote for helping out your fellow American or you vote no so that the President does not get a victory and gotta say if a political party can vote against  helping the 9/11 responders we have to wonder who these people truly represent.

CSPAN …

TGIF … &some News


Today the President will sign the Tax deal bill around 3:50pm ET so left coasters need to be alert. Congress has FY 2011, START, DADT on the calendar and hopefully the Dream Act will also get passed well before they all decide to cut out of DEC for Xmas.

Last night the tax deal passed in the House and the Senate. However, it was obvious that the tax deal was a tough vote for our dems in the House. The final vote was 277 for 148 against. I will admit that it was not the best; even the President said the bill had offensive pieces in the bill but the deal given the midterm vote was the best anyone could have gotten. I believe Congress in both Chambers would still be “negotiating” on the provisions, the amount and so many other things, which would have pushed it into January, so though it may not have been perfect i am happy for what our President pushed through in such a short time.

The big Omnibus bill was treated like a bipartisan effort, clearly as was said on the floor of Congress members on both sides of the aisle worked on it, yet after Sen. McCain got on the floor of Congress thanked the Tea Party for the intervention, laughed, and stated who won that on national tv. It is obvious our dems in Congress have yet to figure out the Republican Tea Party has no intention of being bipartisan even their own RNC chair Mr. Steele said that bipartisanship is overrated. The idea that the RTP truly are willing to be bipartisan let alone honest with good faith intentions has prove to be a joke. This latest move of got’cha was not only embarrassing it was sad to see Leader Reid face all dejected. It was good to see so many Senators come to the floor to make sure the public knew that this Omnibus bill was in fact indeed a bill that was bipartisan though the RTP clearly was portraying it yet another scam or something they felt pushed into by the Dems having had little to do with it. The notion that so much pork listed in the Omnibus bill is the fault of the Dems in the Senate definitely was quite absurd and embarrassing. It is however, proof that the RTP cannot be trusted as one of them stated there was a letter brought to them, they all decided to sign it, and the bill died. It was odd to see the fringe and or Tea Party aspect of the Republicans have so much power even off the floor of Congress though Sen. McCain made sure the public heard who intervened in this previously agreed to bill. I used to say i hope this or that move opens the eyes of Republican constituents but a lot were hoping the bill would be defeated and News stations are reporting that Tea Party members definitely making their voices heard thus defeating the Omnibus bill -last minute. I guess some folks are afraid of them because they certainly betrayed their agreement to Leader Reid and Senate Democrats.

Yesterday I was going to order Omaha Steaks but after hearing the correction by the CEO, I will never order from Omaha Steaks until they agree to stop using Fox as their advertising source. In fact, i ask for a boycott based on the correction and response by the CEO. I encourage everyone to take the time to leave a message on their website too… steakbytes.com

I just wanted to say how disappointed i was to hear the outcome. I was the one who called in to say that i just could not order @OmahaSteaks given the fact that your company had bought ad spots on his show with all the racial vitriol he throws out at the public. As far as free speech when it tells minorities they are not acceptable, dangerous and the enemy that reaches far beyond racial slurs discrimination and certainly freedom of speech. I take it that what you are saying is that Glenn Beck has the right to be a racist on National Television. I specifically said that Glenn Beck’s racial rants were my problem to one of your representatives from your company. I received a call back from an Omaha Steaks Representative stating they would be taking down the advertisement or that it would end around 12/20 and in doing so made me want to order but then i pulled back and said maybe i will wait until the ads disappear. I now feel after reading the correction from CEO Bruce Simon it is obvious his staff only gave partially accurate information. I say she intentionally kept information back. I appreciate the prompt correction but have now decided to take my business elsewhere to a company who believes in equality not the vitriol that comes from not just Glenn Beck but from the Fox News station.

Other News …

CSPAN …

Thursday Leader Sen.Harry Reid remarks on earmark spending

After attending a meeting of the Senate Democratic Caucus, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) made remarks about earmark spending and responded to reporters’ questions.

Speaker Pelosi remarks on DADT Wednesday

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) spoke to reporters about the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy on gays in the military. She was joined by co-sponsors of the bill, Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD).

Senate Democrats Press Conference on START treaty

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) talked about the nuclear arms treaty with Russia. Senate Democrats want to pass the START treaty as it’s known before the end of the year. Sixty-seven votes are required for ratification. Senator Kerry was joined by Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI) and Intelligence Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

Senate Republicans Press Conference on START treaty

Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) along with several of his Republican colleagues spoke to reporters about the nuclear arms treaty with Russia known as START.  Senate Democrats want to pass the START treaty as it’s known before the end of the year. Sixty-seven votes are required for