Category Archives: ~ my 2cents …

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

thoughtful Thursday &some News


The President Obama will deliver an address at American University, hopefully giving Americans a clear plan for immigration reform that affects an estimated 11 million people who live in the U.S. undocumented. Reports are that Obama met with lawmakers this week to discuss a strategy for passing immigration reform but as we, all know other things have been happening and have taken his eye off immigration. We all know that immigration has been an issue that most people try to avoid; it also affects certain parts of our economy. Another fact is that elections are coming; and it would be in our President’s interest and for the rest of us if he finally addresses immigration in a way that can move us toward progress not exclusion like Republicans seem to want to do and require of their party members.  We need a new but comprehensive way for people to live and work just as all Americans want and strive for their own families. Apparently, Senator Coburn felt some folks more than others deserve to be free and strive for a better way of life. I for one do not want to go back to the days when women and minorities were expected to be seen not heard and failed to have rights like the white men who liked to control every aspect of people’s lives.

If anyone was listening or watching the Elena Kagan hearings yesterday, it was again another eye opening moment of what seemed to be racist behavior by senator Coburn. It went from asking about her background to what seemed like an attack on women that was then followed by an attack on people of colour and thank goodness, Senator Amy Klobuchar decided to not just challenge the comments she definitely schooled this man as well as the public who happened to be tuned in. It was one of many moments in this hearing that have been made a stage for comments filled with vitriol, Republican talking points,  just rude behavior on so many levels and so offensive to anyone who vaguely believes in compassion or true freedom for Americans.

Other News …

**Toyota: over 270thou faulty engines

**reports from cnn are that immigration advocates will use a strategy for comprehensive immigration and that is to challenge Republicans to come on board

C-SPAN …

watch Pres. Obama on Immigration

Panel Presses Goldman & AIG on Relationship During Financial Crisis

The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission continues its investigation into the 2008 Financial Crisis with a second day of testimony on how the institution used derivatives within the market and when they were used during 2007-2008. Witnesses include current and former executives of Goldman Sachs and AIG, as well as the chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

The financial crisis panel was created by Congress and is due to report its findings this December. Former California Treasurer Phil Angelides serves as chairman.

Questioning Wraps Up for Supreme Court Nominee

Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan finished her last day of questioning on Wednesday. Over the past two days Ms. Kagan was challenged over her treatment of military recruiters while dean of Harvard Law School, and asked to share her perspective on gun rights. When questioned on the subject of partial-birth abortion, Kagan described it as “an incredibly difficult issue.”Read More »

Outside witness testimony will begin Thursday afternoon at 4pm following the U.S. Senate’s adjournment for the arrival of Sen. Robert Byrd’s casket on Capitol Hill. These witness panels will include those both in favor of and opposed to Kagan’s nomination.The Committee hopes to approve her nomination and hold a floor vote in late July. If confirmed, she would replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens and become the fourth woman in the Supreme Court’s history.

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

weary Wednesday &some News you might not know about


Today, we are in a  We the People moment from now on … choice needs to be made by us; do we let Republicans continue saying No to the things that will help fix what brought us to a near depression … or

Who would you vote for most -a Political Party who has outed themselves as Corporatist or one with the Democratic ideology and belief of the Constitution. The choice is an easy one if you just remind yourself of the events prior to the 2008 Presidential Elections and the choices we had, an old  guy who definitely served his country in a great way but seemed out of touch, a little creepy and when our economy was tanking he said,” our system was fundamentally sound” top that off with his VP choice who most sane people on both side of the aisle agree was completely unqualified to be considered our next President if anything happened to the old guy let alone the Vice President.

My take  -Republicans are now completely responsible for all negative effects our economy incurs from here on. People may want to ask why? it is because after repeated efforts to pass any jobs bill for homeless Vets, ui benefits, home buyer tax extensions, Republicans have voted them down, now 1.2 or more people will be out on the street. It is my opinion that any jobs numbers announced by Cable heads, The Media, Radio or Newspapers are solely because of the inaction of Republicans to continue to stimulate the economy and help people who are under employed or unemployed due to the financial crash of 2008.

Today, The President will be in Wisconsin for another town meeting, talk about our economic recovery as well as answering questions about recover and hopefully good questions about what he intends to do about Republicans who continue to just say No.

I resent every Republican who has made negative comments about the people out of work people on Social Security, our Homeless Vets as well and their willingness to outsource jobs is just offensive. We need to update, reform and move forward into the 21st Century not go backward, as Republicans obviously want.  If the public is listening and or watching now know where Republicans stand and or maybe remind them what has gone on with Republicans, what with all the stalling, blocking and just say no to any and everything needed to put America back on track.

In addition,  General Patreus is being confirmed and  taking over the military effort in Afghanistan, while Elena Kagan is getting abused, I mean questioned for the third day, the Supreme Court confirmation and hearing process has been an eye opener given the things Republicans have said about Thurgood Marshall, the activist Judge label they gave her and Judge Marshall has been offensive and was meant as a bad thing. I would have to say my response would be to ask Senator Sessions tell everyone who Citizens United is and what exactly they do for your party.

More recently, sadly after Senator Byrd died the reform bill was pulled because a Republican named Scott Brown put up a fuss so Democrats agreed to pull it and hopefully adjust it adequately enough to be voted into law and major financial reform finally happening for Americans today.

My 2nd rant today is this…

Pundits, the Media the GOP will say the President numbers are due to not being able to get the employment numbers down the GOP thinks people will blame our Democratic Party and or our President. It is a time to stop being fooled, any and all negative numbers coming in from now can be attributed to Republicans just say no attitude though Congress leaders are required to do the peoples business. It is clear Republicans are not doing the peoples business but trying to make this President fail but are Republicans just unable to understand that if this President fails all of America fails, our economy goes back to how it was before January 20, 2008. As Americans, we voted them into office but apparently, the GOP decided after the 2008 elections that the only way to move Democrats out of office is to crucify, target and ruin the President whenever possible. In my opinion, this President has accomplished much more than the last guy did and it was for the rich or We the People not for a select few. The Democratic Party with the exception of a couple of Conservadems has tried and is still trying to move Americans into the 21st Century. The constant votes of no regarding any and all legislation that should help all Americans including Health care reform, Climate and Clean Energy and now the Jobs Bill, which according to many in Congress has let other important legislation stack up. Unfortunately, even our own Democratic Party seemed to have felt it is time to move on,  we all know they are tired, have done what they can to get the extensions needed to keep stimulating our economy but it is obvious that is what Republicans want, it’s a great move because they have made our Democrats in the Senate tired. Again, I ask the public to not be fooled if the extensions are voted down again and the people that need to be held accountable is Republicans please do not allow media heads, other politicians, fox news, msnbc anyone make you believe this is the President’s fault.

The day Congress announced they had to move on was the day Republicans became the sole group responsible for any and all negative effects their No Votes will have on homeless Vets, Outsourcing jobs away from America. In addition, there will be 1.2 million people who will no longer be stimulating the economy because they have nothing coming in from anywhere because there are no jobs out there. I ask everyone to think about the domino effect that is coming if the UI benefits extensions continue to be voted down by Republicans. I feel what will happen is the creation of the new poor consisting of not just the real poor but also the middle class, those of us that work all their lives who have a certain amount taken out of their checks in order to live on at the end of their work lives. These are the people Jon Boehner, Bachmann and mostly all Republicans talk about, those who receive entitlements should be slashed and used to pay for wars, raise the retirement age to 70 and those that are wealthy should not get benefits at all as reported in a Pittsburgh Newspaper interview, though Boehner people deny the statements, there is a video. In response to Boehner, House Democratic Whip James Clyburn stated, “Boehner and the GOP want to raise the retirement age to pay for Bush’s war and their failed policies of the past.” Fortunately, for us Mr. Clyburn said, “Democrats will not stand for this.” Moreover, House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi has a fact sheet to go to for information.

The bottom line is this … our population is getting older but living longer and learning to say healthier. The idea of raising the retirement age appears to be something no one can avoid and it is a bipartisan issue, which led to a bipartisan commission appointed by President Obama to find ways to reduce the debt and deficit are considering raising the age to 70. Currently, you have options to retire and receive partial payback or stay in the workforce until your reach full retirement age, which btw is different for everyone or continue until age 70 and get even more money. It is something that might be inevitable and in these times of, we just might have to accept the changes but the suggestion to slash it or end Social Security is not an option that should be considered. I think if the options to stay in at three different levels as they have now people will accept and go on with life. The problems we are having with our economy is because the last guy did nothing to update adjust or change our system with reforms, now most people do need to work longer to recoup money lost from bets made with worker investments in stocks that seemed to be meant to fail. I can accept raising the retirement age but I do not agree with anything that is even close to privatizing it; who can trust Republican ideas -they believe in Corporations not providing for the people who pay their salaries.

Other News …

“The recession has directly hit more than half of the nation’s working adults, pushing them into unemployment, pay cuts, reduced hours at work or part-time jobs, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.” Nearly half of the survey’s respondents said “they are in worse financial shape as a result of the downturn, which destroyed 20 percent of Americans’ wealth.”TP

House Democrats have attached $10 billion to the long-stalled war funding bill “to help local school districts avoid teacher layoffs when schools reopen.” The $70 billion bill “is anchored by President Barack Obama’s $30 billion request for the troop surge in Afghanistan and contains money for disaster aid accounts, foreign aid and disability benefits for Vietnam veterans.”TP

Foreclosed homes accounted for nearly a third of all home sales in the first three months of 2010, according to new data from foreclosed property marketer RealtyTrac, Inc. During 2009 alone, 1.2 million property sales dealt with foreclosures. “That number boggled my mind,” said RealtyTrac spokesman Rick Sharga, referring to the jump in foreclosures. “A 2,500% increase over a four-year period surprised even us.”TP

Although nearly every GOP lawmaker has vowed to repeal health care reform, only 30 House Republicans have “actually signed the discharge petition calling for such a repeal.” The petition, if signed by 218 members, would force a vote on repeal. But so far, the measure introduced by Rep. Steve King (R-IA) and pushed by the Heritage Foundation’s new political group has fallen very short.TP

C-SPAN …

watch Hearing on Arlington Cemetery

watch Senate Confirmation Hearing: Part One watch Senate Confirmation Hearing: Part Two

watch Conference Committee


Kagan: People Need to trust the Court as Non-Political

The confirmation hearing of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan continues today with more questions from Senate Judiciary Committee members. Beginning with a line of questioning by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ms. Kagan defined the relationship of politics to the Supreme Court. She stated, “the people need to trust the court as a non-political body.” Read More »

The nominee then answered questions from Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) on legal judgment at the Supreme Court level as “not a robotic quality with no judgment in the process.”

Outside witness testimony was scheduled for Thursday, but due to events surrounding the death of Sen. Robert Byrd, the committee schedule is uncertain. The committee hopes to vote out her nomination in July with a Senate floor vote in late July. If confirmed, she would replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens who served his last day on the Supreme Court yesterday.

Commission Questions the Extent of AIG and Goldman Sachs Contribution to the Financial Crisis

The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission has begun a two-day hearing on “The Role of Derivatives in the Financial Crisis,”. They will hear testimony from current and former executives from AIG and Goldman Sachs including former AIG executive Joseph Cassano and Goldman Sachs President Gary Cohn.

The congressionally appointed panel is looking into the ties between the two companies and how their derivatives transactions may have contributed to the financial crisis.

CBO Presents Budget Outlook to President’s Debt Commission

The Presidential Commission charged with finding bipartisan solutions to lowering the nation’s trillion-dollar budget deficit met for the third time since April.

The group heard from Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Director Doug Elmendorf who presented CBO’s 2010 long term budget outlook which was released earlier today. In remarks, Dir. Elmendorf said that if no changes took place, federal spending on health related programs will grow from 5% of GDP today to 10% of GDP in 2035 which at current rates is an increase of spending of $700B dollars.

The commission is co-chaired by former Senator Alan Simpson (R-WY) and former Clinton White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles. Its non-binding recommendations are due in December.

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

toxic Tuesday &some News


Toxic Tuesday?

Today seems like a day when we all need to breathe in slowly in deeply  -breath out, repeat as needed.

The Elena Kagan confirmation hearings gave me that eerie  feeling of how it must have felt back in the day when folks of colour and women were treated so poorly

A whole lot of folks are engaging in toxic talk that seems embattled and begs us to ask ourselves where Republicans are regarding race. And do they know the public is now seeing on national TV -it effects how immigration as well. America is of diverse backgrounds and if you listen to the vitriol being put out there, on the airwaves you would have to wonder if racism is coming from folks we vote into office and how can we stop that before they get there.

Is there a voice of reason on that strange panel of Republicans for the Elena Kagan confirmation hearing asking questions on national TV that should have people of colour deciding just who they will be voting for in the up coming elections and it is not for Republicans, as the rhetoric seem very racist and disrespectful. The man Elena Kagan clerked for Thurgood Marshall just so happens to have a lot of respect from a hell of many people so the comments will not be forgiven or forgotten.

The latest news reports are that 10 Russian spies were picked up recently because as our President was telling their President they were friends and while the airwaves were wondering if our President knew about it all, I had to laugh at the question itself. The President is Commander in Chief not an actor who is just pretending on camera. The office of President should be given more respect. It would be nice to find out what exactly did President Obama say to Medevei after the information crossed his desk. Though we probably will never find out the total sum of the conversation but one can always hope. If there was a conversation, someone will ask the press secretary and the gist will be watered down and life will go on. In other news that was sad, made me laugh and has to have folks become more aware of Republican hypocrisy to such a degree anyone listening should have cringed.

Yesterday, Elena Kagan’s confirmation hearings started; she has been labeled as an elitist and while she worked hard in school did well and moved on to a prestigious college she is from a modest background as her dad is an attorney, a tenant lawyer and her mom a teacher. I personally do not find her anything but middle class, a great work ethic, and the capacity to excel.

Then we hear Senator Jeff Sessions begin the Republican talk, which by all accounts is not just negative it is offensive. In my opinion, Senator Sessions epitomizes the ridiculous stance most Republicans have but are smart enough to keep it to themselves. The question was it Racism in all its glory on national TV and will it continue? Mr. Sessions has stated in the past, that if he had his choice he wouldn’t have tried any Civil Rights cases and has also known to call Black men “boy” which not only provides evidence that he is out of touch with today’s society another question for him and the other Republicans would be is were they against the decision of Brown vs The Board of Education or not?

It seems like it would be in their best interest not to beat up on Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American to serve on the Supreme Court who Kagan clerked for, respected, and has repeated some of his thoughts out of respect and admiration. Senator Sessions and his Republican associates verbally beat up on Marshall as an activist Supreme Judge as if this was a bad thing, so far only a few people have responded with oh please just remember “Citizens United.” It was uncomfortable for me hearing this vitriol coming from human beings let alone coming from people voted into office. In my opinion Senator Sessions was too comfortable making demeaning comments about the President, Thurgood Marshall, and the Democratic Party on national TV, which was a strategy that needs to be challenged. The Supreme Court voted 5-4 to make Corporations equal to individuals without taking into account that Judge John Roberts has cinched the “activist judge” title in my eyes with his ruling for Corporations.

The question is will Judge Roberts and the other four obviously conservative Justices continue trying to be a policy destructor and is his behavior because of some grudge he had during his confirmation hearings and has the power and decided to use it.

and last, can i just say that someone should figure out by now that after being in Afghanistan for 6 to 9 years it seems obvious that the people there are not all in to what it will take to become more self sufficient because if they were the locals would have more control.

Other News …

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) said that he will vote against Congress’s financial regulatory reform bill, arguing that it doesn’t go far enough to prevent future catastrophes. “As I have indicated for some time now, my test for the financial regulatory reform bill is whether it will prevent another crisis,” he said. “The conference committee’s proposal fails that test and for that reason I will not vote to advance it.”TP

Nevada GOP Senate candidate Sharron Angle “has steadfastly refused to talk to reporters” in the state. “I can’t remember a time that we’ve ever had trouble with interviews,” said Mary Beth Farrell, the news director at KRNV. KRNV finally got an interview with Angle “after weeks of private rejections” by taking the “unprecedented step” of publicly asking her “to explain her positions to Nevada voters.”TP

**Macy’s has become toxic and reports are they might be abusing their employees, UFCW has asked people to boycott Macy’s until they start to respect employees

**Reports are that China and Taiwan signed a landmark deal

C-SPAN …

watch Admiral Allen Daily Oil Spill Update

watch Kenneth Feinberg on Executive Pay

watch U.S. Senate: Byrd Tributes watch Senate Tribute (11/09) watch Sen. Byrd on Memoir (6/05)
watch Booknotes Interview (4/89) watch More C-SPAN Programs read Sen. Byrd official website
read Politico: WV Law Murky on Byrd Succession read Charleston WV Gazette

watch Defense Dept. Briefing

Questioning begins in Kagan confirmation

“One thing I do know is that my politics would be, must be, have to be completely separate from my judging,” said Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan at the second day of her confirmation hearing. Questioning by members of the committee on issues related to the judiciary began on Tuesday and will continue into Wednesday. Outside witnesses are expected to testify on Thursday.

If confirmed, Elena Kagan will replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens on the Court.

Gen. Petraeus faces congress to discuss war in Afghanistan

General David Petraeus is now appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee in his confirmation hearing to replace General Stanley McChrystal as lead commander of troops in Afghanistan.

Gen. McChrystal resigned last week in the wake of a recently released Rolling Stone article. In the story, Gen. McChrystal and members of his staff are quoted as criticizing the Vice President and other members of the Administration.

Vice President Biden to Visit New Orleans and Pensacola

Vice Pres. Biden will visit the Gulf today to assess clean-up efforts and tour affected areas. He will stop in New Orleans and Pensacola, visiting the Unified Area Command, the Naval Air Station Pensacola and Pomes Seafood to meet with Gulf residents impacted by the spill. Other government officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and presidential environmental advisor Carol Browner also visited the region.

Tropical Storm Alex, which has already sent heavy rains to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, appears likely to miss Gulf areas affected by the oil spill. However, while current paths predict Alex will pass to the west of the spill site, there is a possibility that strong waves will delay BP’s plan to increase the rate of containment, Adm. Thad Allen said in a briefing yesterday.

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another manic Monday &some News


We are at a moment when Americans should speak up and out for the need to spend, to stimulate our economy, the end of G8/G20 summit showed how other countries are having a tough time with the decision to keep stimulating or to draw back and focus on the deficit;  this week will be full of  event that impact our lives in so many ways in Congress, the confirmation of a new Supreme Court Justice, or President’s second nominee that could change some outcomes on the panel and definitely debates/votes on a Jobs Bill this week.  …take part -call your representative tell them not to give up because rumors are that they will give HR4213 one more effort. Americans should not let the hammer of fear wielded by Republicans get the best of what the Obama Administration campaigned on and can’t do by himself –

Today we all found out that Senator Robert Byrd, the longest serving member of the Senate died at 92. This was a man who was ill during the HCR but came in to vote when he had to even though he was ill, he was once a KKK member and as he lived life he stated that intolerance has no room here on the planet. I have heard all day that this man will be missed. The Elena Kagan confirmation hearings start today and while we have all watched as Sonia Sotomayor was questioned, possibly abused verbally we all need to be aware of what goes on and take part because the Congress will only create laws and or pass legislation with the push of the people at their backs. Republicans and maybe a couple of Democrats will act and or vote with a personal agenda involved, which is okay in a normal situation but we almost had our complete financial system crash, which effected everything else here in the states as well as globally. I would like someone to tell me that should a crisis can be solved in 18 months. The downfall of our economy began a couple of Presidents ago but this particular one has to get it under control before everyone decides to vote for him again or holding votes because of the slow road of progress of DADT, Climate and Clean Energy over his head? Absurd behavior

As budget reductions, begin to happen here in Seattle. You have to wonder just how many people will be affected and how many other states are beginning to cut what they consider non-essential programs and how this is a direct result from the stalling blocking and obstructionist behavior of Republicans in the Senate because they have decided to say NO to a Jobs Bill. For an example, City Light programs like the “Fridge Program” and the popular Skagit Tours programs are suspended for the rest of the year and will not return until 2011. Seattle City Light recommends that people should still unplug your old second or third freezer or refrigerators’. Those people who already have appointments will still get the free pick-up. The domino effect from budgets having to be cut because states will have to cut whatever can be called non-essential will be things that could lead us all into the 21st Century but Congress has said no we cannot help the states we have big deficits. The cuts to our first responders will be deep all over the country and in a time when the gulf coast needs help the failure to pass a jobs bill and tax extenders will increase the problems there as well. The fridge program might seem small but the effort is to bring folks into the 21st Century increase savings by getting old appliances off the grid, apparently the savings can be big.

The Cash for Appliances and City light’s WashWise program is still running and people can get up to $200 by buying qualified washers; you can get a $75 rebate for Energy Star refrigerators. These two programs run until 12/31/2011 or until the funds run out. To get more information go to www.cashforapplianceswa.com or www.washwiserebate.com and for details about Energy Conservation call the help line 206-684-3800. If you want info about visiting the upper, Skagit River or the North Cascades go to www.ncascades.org or http://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm.

Other News …

**Supreme court Justices extended gun ownership rights to everyone w/some limitations

**Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) admitted to David Gregory that he does not agree with Brewer’s fallacious comments, but refused to address whether such gross exaggerations “make the debate harder”:TP

**In his New York Times column, Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman warns we are in the early stages of a “third depression.” “This third depression,” he writes, “will be primarily a failure of policy” as the world’s leading governments obsess “about inflation when the real threat is deflation, preaching the need for belt-tightening when the real problem is inadequate spending.”TP

**A USA Today/Gallup poll finds a majority of Americans (53 percent) approve of President Obama’s decision to replace Gen. Stanley McChrystal with Gen. David Petraeus. A greater percentage — 58 percent — back the plan to start pulling out U.S. troops in July 2011.TP

**The “headline achievement” of the G-20 summit was an agreement by developed nations to “halve their annual deficits within three years.” Although the U.S. signed on to the plan, President Obama urged continued spending to support growth, stating, “[W]e must recognize that our fiscal health tomorrow will rest in no small measure on our ability to create jobs and growth today.”TP

**Boeing workers voted to ratify a union contract against union leader advice

C-SPAN …

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

watch Pres. Obama Concluding Press Conference

watch From Sunday, June 27 PM Haper G20 briefing

watch Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) in Las Vegas

Sen. Robert C. Byrd (1917-2010)

92-year-old Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) died earlier this morning. First elected in 1958, Sen. Byrd was the longest serving U.S. Senator and Member of Congress in history. He is also the author of five books, including a series on the history of the Senate.

House Majority Leader Discusses National Security Issues

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD)speaks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on the Democrats National Security Strategy. He will likely discuss President Obama’s strategy that was released in May and the prospects for passage of additional funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.Tomorrow, Gen. David Petraeus will appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee in a confirmation hearing to replace Gen. Stanley McChrystal as lead commander of troops in Afghanistan. McChrystal resigned last week in the wake of a recently released Rolling Stone article. In the story, General McChrystal and members of his staff are quoted as criticing the Vice President and other members of the Administration.

Kagan confirmation hearing begins

The Senate Judiciary Committee will take up the nomination of Elena Kagan to be Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Judiciary Committee members and Elena Kagan will make opening statements and move to the question and answer session beginning Tuesday. She will be introduced by Massachusetts Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Scott Brown (R-MA).The committee plans four days of hearings with the questioning of the nominee Tuesday and Wednesday and outside witnesses on Thursday. If confirmed, Elena Kagan will replace retiring Justice John Paul Stevens on the Court.

watch C-SPAN’s Senate Confirmation Hub Page
watch Opening statements on C-SPAN3 at 12:30pm ET
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Week -end News/Reviews


Sunday Buzz …The US Soccer Team lost 2-1 on Saturday during  extra time and while some people are down it was not enough to turn away from them because they played well and the World Cup was fun to watch on TV and South Africa did a great job hosting it.

The G8/G20 summit ends today and sounds like many ideas are flying around but as the Media has stated no one is agreeing with what the President has said, that we need to continue to stimulate the economy. Far be it from me to say the Media is correct in what they report but they sure do like to report when people seem to be on the opposite side of our President whether the other person or party talking is correct or not. The Deficit will be high but even economists state that stimulating the economy is the way to go but the people we count on are not listening to the President or the economist and that  has got end up with a lot of Americans losing out not to mention the people who are governed by G8/G20 countries.

Reports are that the gay-pride marches are set to happen today. I do believe that the future is now but that future also takes time and in a moment when our lives are moving into the 21st Century people need to remember that Congress is the place where these laws are being created and made… lawmakers are where the anger should be not the President because obviously people don’t get it. We need Congress to step up to the plate of courage for not just DADT but immigration and climate change. It takes more than just the President as the votes come from Congress people- change is something we all have to participate in and Congress needs to hear us …that means Democrats and Republicans but as we all know Republicans have been unwilling to move into the 21st Century

Tell Congress to move DADT immigration, climate and clean energy legislation forward

We all need to watch and listen but we do not have to take cable heads very seriously because stations have clearly set out some sort of effort to make this president look vulnerable to his base. While every President should be challenged, this particular President has been put on a pedestal, treated poorly, judged with higher expectations and standards that no person can possibly achieve. The public needs to know that he is not superman and is being judged by how he has had to clean up the mess left by the last guy and not what he has accomplished and what he ran on …and he has…

This President needs our support when good things are done, challenged when the effort is slow …like immigration and or DADT because these are things he ran on and while people out there are impatient, they need to support him as well. All Americans should challenge him even more but in those challenges we also need to help him achieve his campaign promises by calling our representatives because it seems like folks don’t know or understand that he can lead Congress to accept his agenda but he can’t make them create or implement the laws needed to get America back on track.

We also need to see Republicans for what they really are and it ain’t good –who would throw people under the bus just to create chaos that will or could give them power back. Think about what kind of chaos we all will be in if what Republicans have planned actually works.  Is it possible that we will find ourselves in another recession or depression…more likely a deep depression.

Because of budget reductions here in Seattle, programs like the Fridge program was suspended for the rest of the year and will not return until 2011 but according to city light people should still unplug your old 2nd or 3rd freezer or fridge and people who have appointments will still get the free pick-up.  The domino effect from budgets having to be cut because states will have to cut whatever can be called non-essential will be things that could lead us all into the 21st Century but Congress has said no we cannot help the states we have big deficits.  The cuts to our first responders will be deep all over the country and in a time when the gulf coast needs help the failure to pass a jobs bill and tax extenders will increase the problems there as well.  The fridge program might seem small but the effort is to bring folks into the 21st Century increase savings by getting old appliances off the grid, apparently the savings can be big.  The Cash for Appliances and City light’s WashWise  program is still running and people can get up to $200 by buying qualified washers, you can get a $75 rebate for Energy Star refrigerators. These two programs run until 12/31/2011 or until the funds run out.

This is a time when both Political Parties should work together but Republicans just are not willing to be good citizens.

Other News …


**go get the book “The new Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander ..an eye opener that most black people know but will find their beliefs confirmed

**Elena Kagan confirmation will begin on Monday …keep up with this because the Supreme Court impacts all of our lives

**the next job report on Friday will somehow impact the public view according to chucktodd on msnbc

**The gulf coast is being watched for storms hurricanes and some parts have tornados threats or repeat tornados

Summer on Saturday … I’m not feeling it yet here in the 206 though at best it usually is a fleeting feeling… when the sun comes out a mission is definitely put into motion to get ready quick and very much worthy of all the efforts. It is also a time that folks should remember to throw on sun block …especially those of us that use to bask out in the sun …it can be a dangerous even to people of color.

Yesterday, people celebrated the life and legacy of MJ; some were good others were self indulgent prattle from people who will try and try to make money off the man and need to look in the mirror for a moment or two. I would say don’t buy anything that has not been given the estate ok or isn’t giving money to the children; MJ lived his life and had leeches that are still hanging on by the tips of their finger nails; We all need to say it’s time y’all end your money grubbing ways unless you lawyer up. It is time for this family to put their feet down on those so intent on cashing in on the family name and for all those intent on saying this that or the other about the family? this family knows who they are have obviously made their own arrangements and have understood each other all these years though the Media would have you believe otherwise. Families are the only people you can shit on and still be accepted…well most anyway, and the Jackson family is no different. It is nice to see some reporters who obviously made MJ’s life a joke and continued to stir up nastiness with their words now stating they were wrong or at least made more out of the rumors than what may have been the truth.  It won’t bring MJ back and like a couple of Entertainment Stars said last night. Look at what we did to him. I would submit..it is what did the Media do to sway public mind and response to MJ and it wasn’t good and there are still people who feel just fine talking BS about his kids their relationship and the list goes on; it is a shame and if it were anyone else no one would care a rats ass. It’s painful to know that the privacy MJ gave his kids with masks …is gone -they cannot go anywhere now and the paps have invaded their privacy…it is offensive to see those photos from Hi because it’s obvious to me what they were up to; if you look close Prince is not happy and if someone in that family is getting paid for those types…any photos somebody better intervene now before it goes any further… having fun at a distance is ok but these were too close and they were shooting to get specific shots… it’s offensive

Today, Soccer will be just one of many games on TV or in your neighborhood, college or professional arena but the World Cup has been a great distraction the US did what it had to and now they play hard or go home … no more ties, hopefully the ref’s will be the best …people expect that in all sports and today will hinge on great strategy skill timing and teamwork -go US

This last week has shown that while our President has gotten some major things done for Americans in 18months; like health-care reform, financial reform working on climate and immigration reform, the Media tells us the public seems to think we are still going the wrong way? Absurd! The poll numbers are subjective. I would need more information about who they polled who they voted for in the 2008 election before I would actually try to believe them. I decide for myself and the more and more I listen to cable -cableheads have more of an impact on people than I like to hear; it is extremely disappointing because the Republican Party is no different then it was when the house of Bush was in charge. They still prefer Wall Street over Main Street and if anyone had enough evidence of that just ask michelle Bachmann, Joe Barton, john Boehner, Sharron Angle oh they have said more than we ever wanted about where they stand and again folks seem to agree? Is it possible that the people being polled on the extreme right of any poll out there? What would any one voter need to know that would help them understand that their Republican representatives not only practice exclusion they would throw their own constituents under the bus to please Wall Street. The problem includes Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, he too is among those who have to go home and tell those who lost their jobs due to a Bush administration who behaved like spending money was and after thought… hey, let the next guy pay for this and deal with the damage? The damage was big and even as I write I still wonder why Bush has not told the public, why his administration did not know what to do to stop it and why they waited so long to let the bad news out of the proverbial bag right before the Presidential Election? I do not expect to ever know the truth maybe someone anyone if there is a reader out there can tell me because the crash still boggles my senses … at what point did Bush say oh it’s bad -what do we do? Okay just keep sending money to Iraq oh say 10million a month and keep the other war in Afghanistan going …that might distract everyone? Wth happened. Why, when and how are still on my lips though the upside could be that we now have this opportunity to change the things; the negative things that have kept us from progressing into the 21st Century have kept us behind in all things innovative, have brought our country down. We now have people in office or running for office who believe not all people are equal that maybe we all should practice exclusion that the government should be  easier on Corporations and not We the People hey even the Supreme Court ruled against the people stated companies are equal to any person ? That is still a strange ruling …who in their right mind would vote to equate the two as equal? Individuals …how many of us have enough money to compete with any company? There are how many million and billionaires in the world? The ratio should have tipped off Judge Robert of the insane reality that there is nothing similar let alone equal.

What more do people have to hear for them to know that Republicans and or the teabag groups are not for the people in our 21st Century? We are a people of and with diverse backgrounds, families who have lived side by side, some friendly, some not so friendly but I will tell you that the projected 1.2 million people on unemployment are not all minorities nor are they poor, drug dealers or violent. It is time to realize and accept that Republicans would risk our economy solely to grab control of the office governing our country now is offensive… Think people – Don’t we all deserve both sides of the aisle to fix the BS that happened so that we can get on track and then they can fight. We need Politicians to explain whatever happened to the fact that we are all Americans and the BS that the last guy left us has made an impact on every aspect of everyone’s lives and will not go away until Democrats and Republicans work together. The fact remains; who is to say that if Republicans get into office things would get better because we have heard the agenda of what is wrong but they actually have no solutions to date … if they did wouldn’t they try to help? Instead, they decided to be obstructionists and party of no, even as we all speak the states that need much more than BP money have refused to say Yes to extending ui benefits to them. That is hard to believe that Republicans from the Gulf Coast region were on Capitol Hill and were all willing to throw their constituents under the bus … they need ui benefits now more than ever … The BP spill was not a natural disaster it was from people who made a choice to bet against safety and the environment for Profits. I am still unsure that the money being doled out should be taxed -someone needs to look into the division of folks being hired to help and those whose livelihoods have ended because of the BP disaster who is working…getting paid as part of a claim and or what they would get for that day week month or year. It is yet another task the administration needs to be aware of because a claim and salary seem to have become that thing that gets blurred in translation.

Other News …

Storms are coming toward the Gulf Coast

C-SPAN

watch Discussion on Energy and Oil Spill

watch Pres. Obama on Financial Regulations

watch Adm. Allen Briefing

watch CAP Discussion on Health Insurance

global economy tops agenda of world leaders

Pres. Obama and other world leaders wrap up a two day meeting of G-8 countries as they move on to the larger G-20 summit. At the meeting, they were to discuss aid to poorer countries and how to provide that aid given current world economic conditions. They also plan to debate economic conditions and steps that can be taken to strengthen the world economy. Following the end the G-8 meeting, Canadian P.M. Stephen Harper will hold a closing news conference. The G-20 meeting will begin later tonight and continue in to Sunday.