Category Archives: ~ my 2cents …

~ my 2cents ...

another thorny Thursday &some News -Wall Street Reform


As we the people wait … for the result of the new BP cap testing, the vote on Wall Street Reform which has been reported as a go because Republicans Brown, Snowe and Collins have stated they will vote for the Reform bill.

This is great news and confirms that when push comes to shove though only three get it. The people are watching and telling at least these three members of Congress that it is time to reform Wall Street even if the reform is watered down.

It is a glaring reminder of just how hard it has been to move Americans into the 21st Century and where most Republicans stand and it ain’t for We the People folks. The decision to bet against the People to bring President Obama down is one that is not only in bad taste it will bring the rest of us down with them. I know i say this almost everyday  … but as sad as it is the truth is Republicans are willing to let our entire financial system collapse to get control -has any of their constituents asked what will happen if they are successful? Have their constituents watched or listened to what they offered up as solutions? The only solutions heard around the country is they plan to Privatize just about everything take away your grandma’s Social Security as well as any program that can be called an entitlement. It is offensive to think people work all their lives in some cases and money is taken out of their check at a rate they have no say in and this group of Republicans say ish on that …That Americans should pull up their boot straps and live at the pace that they come into…okay so let’s dissect that statement because it sounds like those of us born into middle and or lower class not mention poor should be given no opportunity to lead better lives unless we find a way on our own, granted there are self-made folks who did exactly that but if you know your history unlike folks who are so bold to make references to Americans being spoiled, not everyone can or are able to move into the self-made category without help and helping others  just seems much more American to me.

-Women and People of Colour have been kept down for what decades and have been the last to get not only the right to vote but to have the same access to things the White man was given just because they were of and felt of privilege. I admit some great people, Caucasian people felt segregation was a bad thing that all people have the right to pursue happiness…no one has the right to hurt others but history says otherwise and with all the ugly noise it looks like some folks do want to go back in time. It was a time when women and people of colour were seen …maybe but they definitely were not heard…but forces to build without much in return and today after all the Marches, Riots and Political maneuvers to rectify the injustices done to people over the last few decades. Though things are better the climate, the environment is less friendly since our first President of colour was elected

-53% of the people of the United States voted Obama into office, Republicans should  respect that though the poll numbers are down it is my contention that those who are upset don’t understand exactly know how much President Obama has accomplished or are upset because he has done everything you want now…. I call BS and people more left of center need to stop the tantrums because we have two Political Parties two chambers of Congress and it is obvious who is and is not working for all Americans. The House is by far the Democratic Party at work as legislation is getting through after much evaluation debate and votes but The Senate has more issues and that is because of the rules there and unfortunately Republicans have taken advantage at almost every angle have misused true efforts to improve things for all Americans  to break the possibility for all Americans to progress into the 21st Century and for our Government to reform thus progressing into the 21st Century as it should

Other News …

First Lady Michelle Obama announced yesterday that preventive health care services “will be free” under the Affordable Care Act. The law will “require all new private health insurance plans to cover services that can detect the first symptoms of long-term problems.” Chronic and often preventable diseases “are responsible for seven of 10 deaths in the U.S. each year and for 75 percent of the nation’s health spending.”

House lawmakers “pushed ahead” yesterday with an amendment to ban BP “from obtaining new offshore oil leases because of its poor safety record.” While it won’t affect BP’s current leases, the amendment, added to a “broader oil rig safety bill,” highlights “the threat to BP’s long-term future in the US.”

Yesterday, a federal judge blocked a Nebraska law “requiring mental health screenings for women seeking abortions,” which was set to go into effect today. The judge said the measure would place “substantial, likely insurmountable” obstacles in front of women, requiring doctors to administer “screenings that could be impossible to perform under a literal reading of the law.”

**A ship from the 18th Century may have been found on ground Zero

“Argentina legalized same-sex marriage Thursday, becoming the first country in Latin America to grant gays and lesbians all the legal rights” of heterosexuals. “Today’s historic vote shows how far Catholic Argentina has come, from dictatorship to true democratic values, and how far the freedom to marry movement has come, as twelve countries on four continents now embrace marriage equality,” said Evan Wolfson of Freedom to Marry.

C-SPAN ...

Hearing on Working After Retirement

Senate votes 60-38 to limit debate on the financial regulation bill

The Senate voted 60 to 38 to limit debate on the financial regulation bill (HR4173).

Up to thirty hours of debate can take place but Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) announced that an agreement has been reached where debate will continue until 2pm today after which a point of order vote will take place followed by a final vote on the legislation.

If the bill passes, it will then be sent to the President for his signature.

The House approved the bill last month 237 to 192, with just three Republicans voting for the legislation.

Senate Floor: NOW on C-SPAN2
H.R.4173 AP: GOP Sees Political Advantage AP: bank bill ready for passage

Testing Resumes on containment cap following overnight leak

BP has announced that a leak has been repaired and they can continue to test the new containment cap to see if it will be able to stop the oil flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. The testing could take up to 48 hours.Experts will increase pressure in the capping stack in 6 hour intervals to assess data and measure pressure. Adm. Thad Allen (Ret) said yesterday that they must consider, if pressure readings remain low, the possibility that there is oil leaking elsewhere. Allen did not promise 100 percent containment, but said he is “very optimistic” that BP will be able to contain much more of the leaking oil.

Allen refuted claims that relief well drilling had been delayed. He announced it had just slowed, upon reaching 4 feet, 4 inches from its target. However, further process will be much slower to ensure no problems occur.

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson is appearing before a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee to talk about the effects dispersants are having on the Gulf of Mexico’s wildlife and seafood safety. The focus of the hearing is to find out about the chemicals and what are the unintended consequences from their use.

Hearing on Dispersants: NOW on C-SPAN3
Thad Allen: From Earlier Live: Undersea ROVs
Times-Picayune Coverage of Oil Spill
EPA: List of Dispersants Used

Senate Cmte. Questions Federal Reserve Nominees

Janet Yellen, President Obama’s nominee to be vice chairman of the Federal Reserve, appeared at a nomination hearing before the Senate Banking Committee. The Committee also questioned additional Board nominees Peter Diamond and Sarah Bloom Raskin, who were tapped to serve as members of the Federal Reserve board of governors.

In her opening statement, Yellen stated her highest priorities, if confirmed, would be to revitalize the economic recovery and reduce unemployment. When asked about the biggest challenges facing the Fed, Yellen said the Central Bank will need to learn from the financial crisis of 2008 and implement any legislative changes to the financial industry.

Speaking to the panel, Chairman Christopher Dodd (D-CT) stated that the government and American people are entrusting the Fed’s Board of Governors to “play a key role in recovering the economy.” Ranking member Richard Shelby (R-AL) called on the nominees to strive towards transparency and questioned the feds increased power since the economic crisis of 2008.

The 63-year-old Yellen has served as San Francisco Federal Reserve President since 2004 and was chosen by the President in April. If the Senate confirms all three nominees, the Federal Reserve Board will have all seven members for the first time since early 2006.

Nomination Hearing: From Earlier C-SPAN Archived Video of Janet Yellen
Hearing Witness List & Details
MarketWatch: New faces strengthen Bernanke
FED minutes from June meeting AP: Yellen – job creation must be `high priority’

~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

wacky Wednesday &some News


Today on CSPAN … tune into what is going on in Congress too!

watch Thad Allen Briefing: c-span.org at 3pm ET

watch Senate Hearing: c-span.org at 2pm ET

watch JEC Hearing: C-SPAN3 at 2pm ET

The  weekend is almost here and most of us will be at home maybe relaxing, drinking coffee, getting up to do errands or go to church; basically not experiencing natural or man-made disasters like the one by BP, but most of us will not be in the path of   tornados , earthquakes over 6.0, mine disasters, or sinking oil rigs. It does seem like Americans are easily desensitized from the events that have happened over the last few days or months. Do not get me wrong, yes, life goes on yet the latest moves from the very people voted into public service have shown fear that cannot be ignored because we are all going to be feeling it. We all need to be responsible for watching, listening to how these new Arizona laws just waiting to go in effect at the end of the month effect the Arizona people, specifically the brown ones. The birther law will essentially make it impossible to run for office in AZ without producing a birth certificate that they feel or deem valid and the police will handle SB1070, which legalizes racial profiling, and take note fear is driving these two laws.

The question is what kind of fear. Yes, there is a lot of violence, drugs, and large numbers of people literally shooting their way into our borders and it definitely has to be dealt with as soon as possible. Though the way to resolve immigration is not by making life harder for some that have lived year for generations or picking up people merely because they look a certain way, talk a certain way or judge them by their shoes – is just wrong. It’s not only wrong but is it  just me or is it strange to be giving ICE authority to the local police who are already stretched  to the limit and who clearly are not immigration agents to behave like them just makes no sense. The move does make it impossible for Congress not to address; they have to and anyone with common sense knows that the law in and of itself could incite big ole problems.

Arizona was a beautiful place that some say is of a diverse population. The reports  say Hispanics make up 30% of the population. I wonder if that includes the many undocumented who have been here for generations have children that were born here who are hiding in the shadows now. I will admit to liking some of the stuff McCain said prior to the 2008 elections because it seemed like a foundation could be made between Republicans and Democrats when the legislation finally reached the floor of Congress. But, like everything else -Republicans have stalled and blocked the progress of immigration and are now talking about immigration like it is a dirty word.  This sadly includes Sen. John McCain and other Republicans who once were open to offering a pathway, offering legislation for legal immigration now are turning their backs on any path proving apparently they can only offer lies.

In a time when we have to accept, our government needs to be changed significantly as well as a need for bipartisanship not lies should be in full force on the floor of Congress for all Americans and quite obviously, it is not. I have  found some of the attitude change or adjustment by democrats in Congress refreshing  … to explain better; the notion that having a Democratic majority in both Chambers of Congress but were unable to get legislation through at the beginning of President Obama’s first year in office still is awkward or strange. The fact remains actual work is getting done.  It has been slow but progress is real and continuous efforts for bipartisanship on most legislation are also a reality but if those efforts on the Republican side become disingenuous, the Democratic Party needs to move forward, which it seems to be doing even with all the comments and or noise coming from the right.

The noise and comments from Sen. Graham shows not only how Congress in the past were unable to handle more than one issue at a time but Republicans are willing to obstruct progress of all Americans for their own agenda; we have many American issues that need to be worked on at the same time. The news that Sen. Graham essentially is having a tantrum after 6 full months of work and a possible agreement on Climate being made on a bipartisanship path is huge. That being said, Graham is now stating”, putting a climate bill on hold is a cynical and or political ploy by Sen. Harry Reid; moving forward on immigration reform being hurried and panicky seemed to be reckless”

We the People certainly are not stupid enough to believe that the current situation with immigration is small, can be put on hold for climate change or clean energy policy or that it’s  a political ploy and just hearing it is offensive. We all know that Republicans have a policy of NO a political ploy would not you say … we need lawmakers to do their jobs even if it means solving more than one at a time.

President Obama has proven he can handle more than one American issue at a time, the question is can our Democratic Party do the same.

Other News …

C-SPAN …

Budget deficit, jobs and economy focus of admin. appearances

Vice President Biden and the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers Christina Romer will unveil the latest CEA quarterly report on the economic impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The report will cover the amount of private sector jobs created through Recovery Act investment projects.  Later, at a Joint Economic Committee hearing, Ms. Romer will give further evidence of the Recovery Act’s impact on job creation and economic growth. Recent reports show the U.S. federal budget deficit at $1 trillion with three months to go in this budget year.

$257.3 billion from the $787 billion stimulus fund has been paid out to states, according to the latest White House release. The Recovery Act was signed into law by President Obama on February 17th, 2009.

Holbrooke, Crocker Update Congress on civilian strategy in Afghanistan

A top American official in the Afghanistan war will go before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today to review the governance and civilian strategy in Afghanistan. Richard Holbrooke, the Obama administration’s special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan will testify alongside former Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker.

Following last month’s career-ending quotes by Gen. Stanley McChrystal in Rolling Stone magazine, Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), a committee member, requested an immediate hearing on U.S. goals in Afghanistan. Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) scheduled the hearing which is expected to reaffirm the U.S. troop draw down next year and “provide clarity” on the administration’s handling of the war.

watch Senate Hearing: c-span.org at 2pm ET
read NYT: Afghan Shift Puts U.S. in Tricky Spot

Integrity Tests delayed on Containment Cap, Relief Well

BP has delayed testing today to determine whether a new containment cap placed on the leaking well will contain the oil spilling into the Gulf. Additionally, Coast Guard and BP announced a temporary halt to the drilling of a relief well. Both groups will provide updates this afternoon — Thad Allen is scheduled to brief the media at 3pm (ET) and BP is expected to update later this afternoon.

The Interior Department announced Monday that they are issuing a second moratorium to block deepwater drilling. The new moratorium is not based on water depth like the first, but still targets deepwater drilling. The six-month moratorium is in place while oil and gas companies develop and implement new safety measures in response to the Deepwater Horizon explosion. Last Thursday, a federal appeals court rejected the U.S. government’s effort to keep a deepwater drilling ban in place after a lower court struck down the original ban.

The national commission investigating the cause of the Gulf Coast disaster yesterday completed its public meeting in New Orleans. The commissioners heard testimony involving the status of the spill response and the economic and community impact to the region. Witnesses included Adm. Peter Neffenger, Deputy Incident Commander, and Sr. VP of BP North America, Kent Wells. The commission also heard from Gulf citizens and business owners on the drilling moratorium and the impact to local communities

watch Thad Allen Briefing: c-span.org at 3pm ET
watch W.J. on BP Claims: Available Shortly
watch Live: Undersea ROVs watch Nat’l Commission Meeting on Oil Spill
read Times-Picayune coverage of oil spill
~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

mashup Monday &some News …


Where has our Democracy gone?

We the People have to deal with the ramping up of Right-wing Media Pollution …For those people on the right, like Fox news,Rove, Bill Crystal, Limbaugh and beck …53% voted for President Obama. The 53%, made up of more than just Black People makes you wonder if the comments used by the people listed are engaging in the fine line between racist remarks, the act of discrimination or as they honestly feel is freedom of speech. I believe freedom of speech should come with the ability to act and use it with responsible behavior …but that might be too much to ask from some people let alone ask them stick to the facts or speak the truth.

Today, the culmination of the various things in the news judged, questioned, denied negotiated, decided, debated, and still waiting on some table to be voted before the break will be faced head on in both chambers of Congress starting this week. We the People will hear a lot more vitriol leading up to the November elections. The various items Republicans have held up, blocked, or manipulated could make your head pop off. As Americans, we should see the forest through the trees; continue to push the Democratic Party to have courage, push for change that 53% voted for during the 2008 election. It might be time to have a meeting as one Party to get on the same dang page why don’t you and challenge this President to lead more if that is what is will take to get things passed in the Senate.

As Congress goes back to work this week, the pollution in various forms will be in play. The will have plenty to do, have plenty of complaints at a time when reports suggest another recession or worse is at hand or as talking heads refer to it as a double dip is coming. The impending doom and dread that cable heads of that double dip recession or worse, can be avoided if folks in Congress would just work for the best interest of the people instead of what will keep them employed on the Hill.

As we, all know Republicans voted against the unemployed … people should use their votes to voice how those NO votes made them feel and vote out Republicans. If you have not already heard, Republicans have invited lobbyists to the Hill next week. The week will start out slow but unless you live under a rock, the intent is clear; do Republicans think voters will continue to put up with them siding with Wall Street and not Main Street or the Street. The public will finally notice and call Republicans out. The Senate will convene around 2pmEt on Monday and there will be debates/votes and confirmation of a judge. The House meets on Tuesday and while the Senate battles it out on legislation given them both chambers will have climate change & clean energy, immigration dadt to deal with in a period of 4 months before the November elections; can they do it. Americans expect Congress to make a good faith effort to get these things done and maybe the Democratic side should look at budget issues that might merit the use of reconciliation.

Other News …

**Spain wins World Cup

**UFCW 367 is asking you to call the Tacoma Macy’s tell them to treat their employees fair

**The WA state bandit was caught by the Bahamian police

SEATTLE — In a last-ditch effort to chip away at King County’s $60 million deficit, the county’s council is introducing a brand new tax proposal.But the measure is almost identical to a similar sales tax hike proposal that recently failed.  and   If King County doesn’t raise taxes, Sheriff Sue Rahr says she’ll be forced to make a list of cuts, including: “”the marine patrol, arson investigations, homicides, sexual assault investigations, elderly abuse investigations and domestic violence.”

**Republicans in Bonner County, Idaho are protesting the area’s “Fiesta at the Fair” theme. The county GOP said it will “decorate its booth with the word ‘celebrate’ instead of ‘fiesta’ and have “asked Arizona officials for some license plates to put in the booth” to show support for the state’s controversial anti-immigration law. Bonner County fair board Chairman Tim Cary responded, “Are we supposed to change the name of a burrito to something in English? I’m thinking there’s some narrow-mindedness here, but that’s just my opinion.”

**Cnn will be in Haiti starting today…stayed tuned

**President Obama will unveil “the first-ever national AIDS strategy” on Tuesday an attempt at “slashing the number of new infections and increase the number of people who get care and treatment.” The strategy will not increase federal spending but will “redirect money” to areas and population groups with the greatest need, “including gay and bisexual men and African-Americans.”

**On Fox News Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he did not envision a negotiated Middle East peace agreement being implemented within the next two years. “Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has set a goal of building the institutions of a Palestinian state within a year.”

C-SPAN …

Congress Returns to Tackle Financial Regulation, War Bill, jobless benefits

Following the week-long 4th of July break, lawmakers return to Washington this week for a busy month of legislative business, and this morning’s Washington Journal features a discussion of the agenda. Senate leaders hope to work on an extension of unemployment insurance benefits (H.R. 4213), the conference report on the financial regulations bill, and debate the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. Senate action on the fiscal year 2010 Defense Authorization Bill could stay in a holding pattern, however, due to an expected lengthy debate on contentious provisions within the legislation. When the House returns tomorrow, they will begin work on a bill aimed at improving and encouraging teleworking (H.R. 1722) along with a flood insurance bill (H.R. 5114), sponsored by Rep. Waters (D-CA). The House also is waiting to act on legislation the Senate may send it related to war spending and an extending unemployment insurance benefits.
watch Senate Floor: C-SPAN2 Live at 2 pm ET
watch House Floor: C-SPAN Live Tuesday at 2 pm ET
visit C-SPAN’s Congressional Video & Resources
visit C-SPAN’s Congressional Chronicle

Oil Spill Commission Holds First Public Meeting

The National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling will hold its first public meeting today in New Orleans. The commissioners will hear testimony on the status of the spill response and the economic impact to the region. President Obama created the bipartisan commission one month after the April 20 rig explosion to provide recommendations on how to prevent and respond to future spills. Former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham (D-FL) and William K. Reilly, former Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, serve as the commission’s co-chairs. On Sunday, a BP spokesman said the company was pleased with “capping stack” efforts to stem the flow of oil from the leaking well. Speaking to reporters on a conference call, BP Senior V.P. Kent Wells cautioned that the project could take another six days to complete. Wells is expected to testify today on the ongoing response effort, and will be joined by Coast Guard Rear Adm. Peter Neffenger, the Deputy Incident Commander.

National Incident Commander Thad Allen said Friday that relief well drilling efforts continue and are within a few hundred feet from their target; however, it is unlikely they will be completed before the end of July.Last Thursday, a federal appeals court rejected the U.S. government’s effort to keep a six-month deepwater drilling moratorium in place after a lower court struck down the ban on June 22nd. The court found the Interior Department did not show sufficient evidence that the federal government would suffer “irreparable injury” if the moratorium was not reenacted.

Weak Planning Found in Pentagon-to-State Department Handoff of War Contracts

A new report released this morning by the Wartime Contracting Commission indicates that there is insufficient planning in the transition of reconstruction, logistics, and security functions from the Pentagon to the State Department.

Defense Department officials are appearing before the panel today and face questions on how the lack of planning may lead to unnecessary spending in hiring new contractors which the State Department may be unable to properly oversee.

The commission was created by Congress in 2008 to examine federal agency contracting for reconstruction, logistics, and security functions in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and to recommend future improvements. Former Deputy Director of the Defense Contract Audit Agency, Michael Thibault, and former Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT) serve as co-chairs.

The commission will submit its final report to Congress in 2011.

~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Week -end Wrap -up &some News


Sunday buzz…

The President has some new projects underway to deal with things confronting Veterans, Creating a Green zone, facing and improving Government, Innovation, and Economy. Unlike our counterparts the Democratic Party took up the challenge that was left to them and have made headway in spite of the big Wall Street Republicans side with…We the People will get it and vote them out of office. The Democratic Party has yet to completely step up to the challenge …when will they get it the 53% that voted for change is not the group of 1993-4 … The changes needed are becoming a reality …Democrats need to avoid shooting ourselves and accept the change will be slow but steady…we need the upcoming elections and  2012 to continue the changes and improvements necessary

BP is replacing another cap and the oil is gushing into the Gulf. In addition, while that is going on reports about the blobs, globs and oil coming on shore is not from the BP disaster. This has got to make you wonder just what is going on because if it isn’t from BP where and why and then it just gets deep …what have they been doing until now to combat the mess -Questions Governors of the Gulf Coast need to answer -where were the emergency plans because any state wanting oil drilling should have had one in place.

The noise from Lebron James decision really made some folks come unglued it was strange to hear such vitriol and was definitely filled with unsportsmanlike like conduct by reporters who forgot the man was a Free  Agent LJ, King James if you’re nasty. In addition, coaches, reporters, or so-called fans definitely still name calling, questioning his integrity. The donation LJ made to the Boys and Girls Club was all but put on the back burner by most reporters. It was the embarrassing part for me because that was a great act that got pushed aside for the negativity of it all…that ain’t right and gotta ask yourself was it racial, jealousy, haters or pr …it definitely is a whole lot of miss-behaving nasty words that need to be squashed.

Congress will be back in Session on Monday with plenty to do plenty of complaints at a time when reports suggest another recession or worse is at hand or as talking heads refer to it as a double dip. It can be avoided if folks in Congress would just work for the best interest of the people instead of what will keep them employed on the Hill because as most know Republicans voted against the unemployed …my thought is people should use their votes to voice how those NO votes made them feel and vote out Republicans. If you have not already heard, Republicans have invited lobbyists to the Hill next week. The week will start out slow but unless you live under a rock, the intent is clear; do Republicans think voters will continue to put up with them siding with Wall Street and not Main Street or the Street. The public will finally notice and call Republicans out. The Senate will convene around 2pmEt on Monday and there will be debates/votes and confirmation of a judge. The House meets on Tuesday and while the Senate battles it out on legislation given them both chambers will have climate change & clean energy, immigration dadt to deal with in a period of 4 months before the November elections; can they do it. Congress will have to make a good faith effort to get these things done and any budget issues might merit the use of reconciliation.

C-SPAN …

watch NGA meeting

watch Pres. Obama’s Weekly Address watch Republican Weekly Address

watch Panel Discussion visit Alliance for Health Reform

Governors Focus on The Federal Budget Deficit

With the National Governors Association (NGA) wrapping up its three-day meeting in Boston today, PoliticsDaily.com Senior Correspondent Jill Lawrence joins the Washington Journal live from Boston to review the conference and discuss the 2010 elections. Today’s closing NGA plenary session focuses on “The Federal Budget Deficit: Risks and Challenges.” The panel will hear from former Senator Alan K. Simpson (R-WY) and former Clinton White House Chief of Staff and Senate candidate Erskine B. Bowles (D-NC), co-chairs of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, who will provide their insight into the monetary challenges facing the nation.

Top Political Leaders Appeal to Party Line Voters

This morning on the Washington Journal, strategist Leslie Sanchez will discuss the 2010 political landscape, the new Arizona immigration law and its impact on Republican Party, as well as new polls showing GOP messages leading Democrats on several policy fronts. In Nevada, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele spoke Friday at a state Republican Party Convention dinner. Earlier in the week, some Democrats and Republicans had called for him to resign after he referred to the war in Afghanistan as “a war of Obama’s choosing.”   Nevada GOP Senate nominee Sharron Angle also spoke at the dinner. The “Tea Party”-backed candidate is challenging Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) in the November elections. President Obama was in the state Thursday to campaign for Senator Reid, who is seeking a fifth term.

Saturday …Is it just me or did everything after the Lebron James announcement get out of hand?  Some teams, owners, so-called fans, coaches were upset and while they engaged in bad behavior did everyone forget -he was a FREE AGENT  -move on

We all need to make the effort to be a part of a group reminding folks of the dangers Americans face if we go back to the status quo.

The truth is Republicans long to go back to the status quo,  have been and still are the negative element to this financial melt down and have vowed to bring down President Obama. The problem is not only will they bring this President down they will take us all down with them and that cannot be what folks truly want. This President had a great campaign showed his knowledge, poise and when things became rough he acted Presidential unlike the Republican ticket, which was not only unqualified but out of touch with issues effecting all Americans of all financial and or racial background. The Republican ticket stated that our economy was fundamentally sound -huh? as we all know that was far from the truth

If you listen to the cable heads, mainstream TV, radio noise, and others seemingly on the side of Republicans, you would think they feel the public is not smart enough to see, hear, and feel the election rhetoric begin. It is on the public to see the forest through the trees as they did with the 2008 elections and hear what the Pundits say but make choices based on facts not the rhetoric from those that get paid to possibly sway the public to one side or the other when they step into the voting booth. The choice to stick with the way things are now or the option to move forward into the 21st Century seems obvious.

However, if you are a woman and or person of colour the status quo has changed over time and what seems to be catching rapid fire is the desire to back in time when women or people of colour were seen maybe and rarely heard. I need people to hear that America was built by immigrants that those very people who want to vote against comprehensive immigration have ancestors who probably had some involvement knew someone maybe helped someone who was undocumented. I don’t believe that undocumented people want anything less then most people  – a job a place to live have children and be safe . Immigration is the elephant in the room and though it has been around for decades, everyone knows it is time to make the changes and why. Immigration affects our economy our families and will continue to be the huge elephant in both chambers of Congress until Politicians get it and deal with it.

Friday comments ...In the days, weeks, and months to come, the news will focus on the upcoming November elections, we all should be watching listening and sorting out just what are these candidates and their supporters or financial backers saying. This nation is at a moment when we need to make intelligent choices ones that will make the difference to not only our economy but to the nation. It may seem silly if you are sitting back with no real issues in your life like the people on the Gulf Coast because the reality of our circumstance is all in that one place. It was going fine people living their lives when a big financial company decided to bet against the people and the environment by not investing in certain safety features thus cutting costs… sound familiar. That being said an explosion happened eleven people died with over 100 people swimming or were rescued thank goodness but the fact is not much news came out about the explosion until a couple of plumes and maybe a brave survivor started making comments. The story is long the effects will be longer and the truth, well we do  not have the truth yet but the leak –ish it is a gusher that still continues on and has brought the Gulf Coast people to their knees not just financially, emotionally, physically but it reflects what our nation is going through. The people on the Gulf Coast needed help as businesses closed,  people losing their jobs and the air has, on some occasions been so bad they have had what is called, “bad air days.” BP and the government I guess have limited the beach and oilrig views but we hear the daily comments from reporters from the fishing industry and the people who need to speak up and out more frequently. I blame BP but the other group responsible for not getting things done quicker is the local government. The Gulf Coast governors like Gov Jindal are out there doing photo ops but are falling short on getting things like respirators to the workers. This should be a concern of local government and if not then someone has to start a phone tree to call the White House because we all know that the air can harbor deadly things even if you cannot see it you smell it and that can only be ignored for so long.

In addition, like the BP disaster the facts that almost brought our nation to its knees cannot be ignored. The house of Bush gave taxes breaks to the wealthy in 2001 sold as a stimulus and again in 2003 then he made an investment in 2Wars, which resulted in massive debt and a quick trip to a recession just short of a depression…, which is still possible by the way because Republicans refuse to help … is anyone paying attention! Bush did not pay for these things among other things and this led us into our current situation!

The Democratic Party is trying to move Americans into the 21st Century, we cannot afford to go backward, and who would want to because Republicans do not have our best interest in their minds and what better evidence is there then the NO votes that could have gotten us out of this crisis sooner.

It is with great happiness to say thank goodness it’s Friday! TGIF has long been a cliché we all indulge in every week and some laugh at though very accurate as our workweek ends on this day. The thing is the week does not end for the President, he has been at work getting our economy back on track for less than two years, and though pundits and cable heads would have you believe that it is not happening, they are wrong. The recovery has had many obstacles placed in the way of this President, some include members of the Democratic Party, which is very odd yet should give the public a better view of how hard this whole thing was going to be. If anyone remembers at all, our then young Obama and candidate for President stated many times that he cannot get the change we believe in or need alone. It still is true that the change we need is one that everyone has to take part in which means that independents should be calling legislators to act in the best interest of the people, stop stalling, holding back and up appointments the President has a right to have to govern.

Speaking of governing, in a year of major elections that will change how our Congress looks many Economists state few in Congress have the courage to commit to change and act boldly to get America straightened out. If you listen to those pushing the negative poll numbers at us, should we all give up just because they say so, this is not the time for democratic supporters, voters the 53% that put this President in office to now turn their backs. The fact is we have 2 political parties and one nation under god but Republicans have forgotten that and have instead set out on a mission to not only bring down this President but in doing so will take the rest of us down with them.

We have Republicans who continue to be obstructionists along with a couple of members of the Democratic Party. It is up to people supporting the effort to rectify the nonsense that the last guy left by speaking up and out if given the opportunity. President Obama was given the worst economy since the depression has pulled the US back from the ditch that we all faced; actually, a huge percentage of people did fall into that ditch and are now collateral damage the house of Bush failed to stop while he was still in office. In fact, most of the people I talk to cannot even remember where he was after the announcement of just how bad a crisis we were in before this President took over. The President had an agenda during the 2008 campaign that did not include a complete financial crisis. The Mccain/Palin ticket said oh our economy is fundamentally sound and that was the first sign as to whom we all needed to vote into office. The facts slowly came out and we probably have not heard all the truth which means things obviously were worse than they knew people on the right keep trying to hold this President to the original numbers; the fact is everything is relative and the numbers have to adjusted folks. The President can give Congress an agenda but it is up to them to move us into the 21st Century, which means creating and voting on legislation that will put those laws on the books but treated as failures.

There have been major changes not failures made by this President and reports of him being weak are just a joke that he needs to fight the verbal beat downs that people on the right are engaging in… please who has time for that and this President should pick the right time to take up the verbal fight. I prefer that he make progress into the 21st Century anyway we can and when the move stalls we must challenge him or those who continue to stall block and vote against it. In my opinion, the progress our President or the Democratic Congress has made seldom gets significant PR. The fact that they do not is annoying, disappointing. The fact that the someone in the administration admitted that the President’s own advisors pleaded with him to give up on Health Care Reform evidence on how hard a time this new administration is having. We all should be thankful this President did not listen then and quite possibly start to move left of center asap… the cliché -we got his back use to be par for the course  but now my question is where are the independents and will they help or hinder our move into the 21st Century?

Other News …

**New rules for Vets with PTSD will be announced Monday making it easier to file claims

**A lawsuit against the AZ sheriff has been filed claiming an illegal or abusive use of power

**FaceBook has announced it will shut down the Gifts giving aspect of its site

~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

thorny Thursday &some News …


If not now -when

The President will be stumping for the Democratic Party in Nevada and Kansas City the VP will be in California and it will all be on cable around 1:30pmET, I am so proud but I will say that he needs to tighten up his crew before Congress comes back.

Are you registered to vote -know any first time voters? anyone who is not registered to vote?-it is time to get involved …let your voice be heard! register to VOTE for Climate change alternative energy, Immigration, Jobs Bill, Reform of all things Financial

It is time for the Democratic Party and our President to find courage to sway more left of center because if they have not already gotten it -that, is who voted in the 2008election -that- is the 53%

We are all counting down the days to when the Senate comes back, We the People need to take the advice of Alan Grayson who by the way was an awesome guest on CNN. The Congressman not only held his own but was able to challenge the cable host … his advice is not just call members of Congress he suggested a March on Congress when they get back to tell Congress to get the Jobs Bill done for the people of American … hey, why not use Reconciliation.

Today, among other things will be a day of heat heat heat red meat heat =sunburns. It has been more cool of late which quickly moved into a couple of days of mild warmth a few days of rain and mild warm weather and though the warnings were there it seemed to be announced then it happened just like the weather people stated. That is not to say meteorologists do not know what they talk about because that is the job at hand, it is just here in the 206 we usually have opposite weather that includes a lot of rain on most days. It is hot hot hot. It’s Summer!!

And more hot News that has occupied the minds of sports fans for quite sometime now is about LeBron James. The famous Lebron is scheduled to announce what team he will join on ESPN Thursday night and while the talk has been heated; folks who viewers had no idea were interested have given so-called opinions about where he should go. Then we see people in the news making comments and or complaints. I don’t know who started it but the word Diva suddenly got play and people ran with it …apparently some jealous folks but then they said we are all at fault for letting him get this way …huh? It just seems like a good PR job to me what with two or three States getting some coverage on TV. The main event will be tonight about 9pm but that might be ET so if you really are interested better check the programming because you will def miss it here in the PST if you actually wait until 9pm … I suspect his 1-hour program on ESPN, which got many complaints will probably be replayed over and over.

In other issues gaining more heat as the days wear on is the BP disaster which has yet to be taken to the next level and though we all know what is going on the cameras are no longer getting that close up. We are no longer are-watching reporters picking up tar balls and visits to the beach are becoming less but we all know they and the gusher is still there. It has been stated that there are 27,000 wells possibly leaking, it was confirmed and is now being reported as if it was the current President fault , implying that not only was it his fault but then it slides into a tirade of why ken Salazar should be fired. I am tired of the ability that reporters, hosts, cable heads use to spew info that may be true or not it is even more annoying that folks from the right, specifically politicians think they will say whatever they want without being challenged… but this is happening too. I am beyond offended that the various stations have let Republicans and or some Democrats get on and say this spill is Obama’s Waterloo we have him now because he is the President; forget the nonsense that limbaugh and or beck are spewing because that stuff is too obvious. It’s the crap that the 3 major cable stations allow and or hope will get folks worked up but it just makes me turn the channel…thank goodness for channel surfing because the nonsense between now and November will be endless.

Last, We the People know that Freedom of Speech is not only a right but also a responsibility. It just seems like the art of Free Speech has become twisted definitely misused and abused daily

I would like to say thank you to Media Matters for America and Think Progress because while there are other sources these two are priceless.

Other News …

**There is a Russia -US spy swap as we speak

**The Congressional Budget Office has found that the Senate’s climate change legislation would reduce the deficit by $19 billion over the next decade if enacted. “There is no more room for excuses; this must be our year to pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation and begin to send a price signal on carbon,” said the legislation’s authors, Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT).

**Former White House green jobs adviser Van Jones spoke at the Campus Progress National Conference yesterday and encouraged students to be patient with Obama. “We’re trying to build a pro-democracy movement in a country that at least for eight years was run by straight-up authoritarians, and it’s not going to be easy,” he said. Jones added that despite his “rough exit,” the whole experience was “worth it.”



C-SPAN …

watch White House Press Briefing

watch Pres. Obama on Exports

President Stumps for Recovery Act in Missouri & Nevada

President Obama continues to visit communities around the country this week as part of an effort to focus attention on Recovery Act projects underway across the nation. Today, the President travels to Kansas City, MO, to tour a Smith Electric Vehicles facility where he will deliver remarks to workers on the economy. He will later headline a campaign fundraiser on behalf of Democratic Senate nominee Robin Carnahan. The President continues to Las Vegas tomorrow where he will headline a campaign rally for Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) at the Aria Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

Pres. Obama in MO: 1:30pm ET on C-SPAN2

Greece Looks to reinvigorate economy through “green technologies”

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis will today appear at the Woodrow Wilson Center to discuss Greece’s efforts to shift away from fossil fuels while still facing an economy-crippling financial crisis. He is expected to highlight his nation’s goal of raising renewable energy usage ten-fold to meet European Union renewable targets for 2020. Greece has attempted to reinvigorate climate change talks by suggesting a regionally focused approach that would allow other countries outside of the European Union to formulate climate measures that fit their national needs. It has already begun negotiating with other Mediterranean nations and has pointed to the possibility of climate-induced droughts in African and Asian as motivation for other countries to utilize the same approach. In December 2009, the U.N. Climate Change Conference attempted to produce a legally binding treaty to reduce greenhouse gases, but the “Copenhagen Accord” is not legally enforceable. Countries from around the world are set to meet later this year for U.N.-sponsored climate talks in Cancun, Mexico.

Brookings Panel to “Reimagine” U.S. Immigration Policy

In the wake of Tuesday’s U.S. Justice Department announcement that it challenging Arizona’s new immigration law in federal court, the Brookings Institution today hosts a forum on “Reimagining U.S. Immigration Policy.” Brookings Vice President and Director of Governance Studies Darrell West will discuss his new book, “Brain Gain: Rethinking U.S. Immigration Policy.” The event will also include a panel debate on immigration reform and specific proposals to improve federal immigration strategy. The Justice Department lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Phoenix, argues that immigration policy must be consistent nationally and that the Arizona law oversteps state authority. The law, S.B. 1070, requires state and local law enforcement to stop and question suspected illegal immigrants. It passed the state legislature in April and is set to take effect July 29 unless a judge grants the federal government’s request for an injunction to block its implementation.