Category Archives: ~ my 2cents …

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

TGIF… &some News


Today, is definitely a day to slowly breathe deep & release your breath slowly … repeat as needed.

This has been the end of a strange week of eye opening events … The BP CEO actually thought buying tv spots to make them look good, which are not cheap are playing on basically all cable stations at a moment when the people on the Gulf Coast are having trouble getting payments just to get by; how can a 30second or longer Advertisement spot stating we’re sorry be rational? now we hear that BP has hired people from the last administration, more specifically Cheney’s group to help with the PR problems;  possibly anything legal as well.  My advice– it’s too late; the public will not give BP a pass, they have to pay up and get up to date on those who need that money now because their livelihoods have been destroyed by the oil spill.

The press and some progressives out there are already talking about the down fall of the President and being a one term President.  I object reject and feel that his base also includes people of colour and when people on cable and or radio say Obama has to do this that and the other for his base they do not include people of colour; they say progressives, the middle class environmentalists and we are in all those categories …we are a group…people of colour in themselves are Obama’s base and this should not be forgotten by anybody; even the current immigration issue has brought more Latinos on board.  Republicans like McCain have shown their cards and they say No to a comprehensive immigration package and continue to stall and or block movement toward getting comprehensive immigration.  The fact that Gov Brewer will be enacting laws that legalize racial profiling is something President Obama should jump on ASAP; this issue will definitely increase his base; if he and the Democratic Party does the right thing.  We all know immigration will effect us economically and any and all elections in the future.

The Democratic Party should challenge each other preferably during Primaries but i have a problem with letting a Republican get into office over any Democrat; we need to challenge our party but when the November elections come; sitting out just seems wrong.

It was very upsetting to hear what happened in South Carolina and the Democratic choice? Alvin Greene; how in the world could a guy who is unemployed, just got thrown out of the military who had no website no big rallies …as he put it; they had just a few meetings and claimed that the 10thou needed to get on the ballot was his… ok; we all know the military does pay our guys money so that seems plausible, but the felony charge didn’t come out until after 60% voted for this guy in what is called an open primary. I am personally offended because my i have a brother who served and really this guy is an embarrassment to anyone who served; he needs to accept responsibility for the lies tell the authorities what exactly went down because he is not qualified and foremost he needs to step aside; stop saying no… Man you got to go.  This has to be investigated and somebody needs to get fired for letting this guy get on the ballot in the first place; the race card has nothing to do with this , it was a reckless move by somebody clearly out of control and if Republicans are involved; South Carolina needs a verbal beat down and a lot of legal action should be happening ASAP.

The Arlington National Cemetery has been under investigation for quite sometime; reports that several if not hundreds of Military Personnel buried there have been misplaced and or the markers do not match the names listed; which, is on printed paper not online; that in itself is so offensive but to know that people were hired to take our soldiers in, get them ready for what use to be specified plots for family has somehow become a group of stupid people who either didn’t care were not qualified or both who probably got paid a lot of money committing a most egregious act that will never be forgotten or forgiven by some of us who have family buried there.

Other News …


C-SPAN …

watch Pres. Obama on Small Business

watch Spkr. Pelosi Briefing

BP to Speed up Payments; Obama may meet with BP Executives

Yesterday, BP announced it will expedite its payment process to businesses and individuals who have been affected by the Gulf oil spill. Also, the government said that more oil then previously announced is leaking from the broken pipe. BP also has plans to capture and burn about 420,000 gallons of oil a day. Testing on the burning system should begin this weekend, with full production planned to start early next week.

Next week, Pres. Obama plans to visit Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Also, the White House has invited BP executives to meet with the President next Wednesday.
watch WJ: Discussion on Oil Spill: Available Later
watch C-SPAN Oil Spill Coverage watch Adm. Allen Briefing: From Yesterday

financial regulation Conferees to begin debate next week

Yesterday, the 43-member House-Senate Conference Committee on financial regulation had its first open meeting with members giving opening statements. Chairman Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) announced that the committee will resume next Tuesday, June 15, and will start to debate and possibly vote on amendments to change four titles in the bill: the Derivatives Markets Transparency and Accountability Act, the Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act, the Capital Markets, and the Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act.

The Committee will combine the two versions of the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010. Senate Banking Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) is expected to play a key role as the principal author of the Senate bill. The combined bill contains 12 major sections and spans almost 2000 pages. The committee hopes to have a bill approved by both chambers of Congress and signed into law by President Obama by July 4th.

Experts Discuss Iran One Year After the Election

One year ago, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected to a second term, sparking protests and violent clashes between dissidents and police. Fearing a resurgence of violent protests, Iran’s opposition leaders canceled a rally to mark the election’s anniversary on Saturday, June 12. Today, the Democracy Council is hosting a series of panel discussions on last year’s election and its aftermath. Panelists explore the human rights issues involved and the role that technology plays in relaying information, as well as the influence of the protest movement on U.S. foreign policy.

On Wednesday, the UN Security Council approved new sanctions against Iran designed at curbing Iran’s nuclear aspirations by imposing financial curbs, arms embargos as well as other punitive measures.

watch Panel Discussion: NOW on C-SPAN2

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

Murkowski’s last stand


Call your Senators and ask them to vote NO on Senator Murkowski’s Dirty Air Act.

Senator Cantwell: 202-224-3441
Senator Murray: 202-224-2621

Report your call here.

Today is a crucial day for your engagement. This afternoon, the Senate votes on Senator Lisa Murkowski’s “Dirty Air Act.”

This vote represents a clear choice: A choice between protecting the American people or padding the pockets of the oil companies; between supporting clean, renewable energy or digging ourselves deeper into fossil fuel dependence; between proven pollution control legislation or another big oil bailout.

As oil continues to gush into the Gulf, it’s essential that we defend the Clean Air Act and make sure our leaders side with the American people, not big oil.

Call your Senators and demand that they vote NO on Senator Murkowski’s attack on the Clean Air Act.

Your Senators can be reached at:

Senator Cantwell: 202-224-3441
Senator Murray: 202-224-2621

When you’ve made your call, please report it by clicking here.

Once you’re connected, remember to tell the staff member you’re speaking to that:

  • You’re a constituent
  • The Deepwater Oil Disaster is just further tragic proof that we need to take action now to reduce our dangerous dependence on oil and dirty fossil fuels.
  • Lisa Murkowski’s “Dirty Air Act” is exactly the wrong approach. Your Senator must side with the American people, not the oil companies, and vote NO.

Please, call your Senator right now and report your call here.

Thanks,

Maggie L. Fox
Chief Executive Officer
The Climate Protection Action Fund’s Repower America campaign

~ my 2cents ...

Thursday thoughts …&some News


It’s day 52 of the BP oil disaster and though the reports state BP will start to expedite the payments, everyone needs to keep monitoring the effort so that they keep promises to the people.   Today, the President will have families from the Gulf Coast oil disaster come to the White House and while it is a moment to give condolences to this families lets hope they take and record info to use later; hopefully BP will be held accountable sooner than later because the buzz going on is that BP will go bankrupt possibly stall paying the insurance claims and then leave… that’s a rumor but it can be a completely avoided reality if someone can get a hold of funds faster than we all are hearing on the airwaves …We all have seen those commercials that BP conjured up and you have to wonder who in their right mind would say oh yeah that makes sense… spend millions to say i’m sorry when you haven’t organized payments to the people whose living you have destroyed yet …oh but making BP look good is more important –it’s offensive and any station playing those commercials should stop and give that money to the victims of the Gulf Coast instead of being so self-serving… it just seems wrong to play those disparate attempts to make BP/Halliburton/TransOcean look better… it ain’t working.

In this great mess of oil; the push and pull of who did what to whom and why is so grade school.  The part that is  such an incredible disappointment to see politics get pushed into the fight.  I wonder how the 1st nation peoples feel; and standing corrected the area is of diverse culture; i have relative there i know the Creole Cajuns, French, Spanish all have and still inhabit the area… and they didn’t own the land they used it and they kept it safe &healthy; their knowledge of how to use the Gulf not abuse it was a lesson current stewards didn’t learn or care to.   We all know back in the day the Gulf Coast lands were pristine then were taken by folks who saw the money, the profit and have abused it and now have caused irreparable damage to a whole way of life started out by 1st nation peoples now almost everyone depends on the Gulf bed, the fishing industry,  tourism and everything that makes money off them… people of the Gulf Coast will need to find other ways of making a living.  The healing of the Marshes, the Wetlands and Estuaries will take years; hopefully the people there know they won’t be able to just get back out there and fish and or take shrimp and oysters from the Gulf and expect everything to be ok… there is a good possibility the food source will need to go through months or years of healing before humans can fish, trap and or net fresh without it being toxic.


Other News …

Earlier this week, President Obama told NBC that he had not yet talked to BP CEO Tony Hayward. ABC’s Jake Tapper reports that will change next week. White House officials say Obama is planning to say “a few words” to Hayward when he visits Washington, D.C. next week.

Following a meeting with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas yesterday, President Obama called “for sharply limiting Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip” and “announced a $400 million aid package for the West Bank and Gaza Strip.” “The key here is making sure that Israel’s security needs are met but that the needs of people in Gaza are also met,” said Obama.

“One day after the Security Council approved new sanctions against them,” Iranian authorities threatened “to revise their relationship with the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, using familiar language that has in the past presaged moves to limit global oversight of Iran’s nuclear program.” Iranian leaders also lashed out at China’s support for the sanctions, saying it would “affect its standing in the Muslim world.”

C-SPAN …

Conferees Begin Negotiations Toward a Final financial regulation bill

The House-Senate conference on financial regulation legislation formally meets today. Committee Chairman Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), along with other lawmakers, Read More »are tasked with reconciling the competing versions of the financial bills that passed each chamber. The committee plans to work for the next few weeks, with the hope that it will conclude by the time President Obama leaves for the G20 summit later this month.

Mayors in affected areas describe oil spill impact

Local mayors are testifying in front of the Senate Homeland Security Committee to describe the extent of the damage and the challenges their communities are facing due to the Gulf oil spill. The committee aims to explore the planning that took place prior to the spill and the coordinated response efforts between federal, state and local governments. Congress is holding four hearings today on the oil spill to discuss a range of topics, including safety management, short and long term effects and potential environmental harm to humans. In his daily update, Adm. Thad Allen announced that yesterday BP collected 15,800 barrels of oil which he said continues a trend of capturing more oil each day.

Senate reviews deputy FBI director as head of TSA

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee held a hearing to review Pres. Obama’s third nominee for the head of TSA, John Pistole, a deputy FBI director. Pistole faced questions on airport security, intelligence coordination and terrorism. Another major issue of discussion was his views regarding collective bargaining rights for transportation security officers. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), the top Republican on the committee, said “allowing screeners to collectively bargain could have dire consequences on the agency’s fundamental security mission.” Obama’s first nominee, Errol Southers of the FBI, withdrew in January, blaming critics motivated by “political ideology” for the troubles surrounding his nomination. The second nominee, Maj. Gen. Robert Harding, withdrew in March, citing “distractions caused by my work as a defense contractor would not be good for this Administration nor the Department of Homeland Security.”

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

What did we learn Wednesday& some News


So, it’s raining and feeling way too much like the end of Winter not like May…ok, the rain showers probably will bring May flowers; it’s May, it should be less rain more sunshine/more heat.

What did We the People learn today.  We learned among other things that Republicans are still on the side of Wall Street that money can buy votes and gotta wonder if those votes were for We the People.   It’s the day after Super Tuesday and some sort of lesson was learned last night; the weight of  old power and in some cases money rules.  It’s just my opinion but Halter got beat by the base of Clinton. And while progressives shake it off, say the challenge needed to be done, that the time and money spent wasn’t a waste of time; the Media will beat up all those involved daily probably until the November elections.  If the reports are right the Democratic Party will need to unify in solidarity in November to get a solid win for Arkansas to keep it blue so take a day to whine, yell feel bad then move on because the fight will cost money and a good faith effort to campaign against Republicans, which could be worse than having blanche lincoln keeping her seat in Congress.  It was definitely an exciting and a worthy fight for progressives to engage in; the point spread between Halter and Lincoln was not that wide; hopefully she  learned a thing or two from this as well; to be sure Progressives have left a mark because 4points 4% should give anyone cause for concern.  Lincoln def needs to thank Bill Clinton and those who were standing behind her on stage last night while she accepted her win against Bill Halter.

In other election news, it’s tough to take that at least 25% in our beloved Cali believed in Orly Taitz as a competent or qualified candidate; good to know there were enough people to push back on that notion and shut her down.

The Media is stating this is the year of the Woman; well the choices of women candidates this year seem to be much more conservative than this Woman voter would like and hopefully the facts will continue to prove that voting for the Democratic Party is definitely the only way to go in November. Point/Counterpoint will try to put the facts down so folks can make intelligent choices for candidates that are running to help the people in their states.

So, let the verbal bashing , fact skewing, Media swaying and everything in between begin.


Other News …

**Today 1pmET Ashley Judd will testify on Mountain Top Removal Coal Mining

**The UN Sec Council passes Iranian sanctions for nuclear programs/though the sanctions are not economic or environmental the UN added 40 firms to UN Blacklist by enacting the 4th round of sanctions.Turkey,Brazil voted no, Lebanon abstained from the vote, Israel hailed the decision to slap sanctions Iran

*”House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told committee chairmen on Tuesday that she wants Congress to finish a legislative response to the Gulf oil spill before lawmakers leave for the August recess.” “The Speaker said she does not plan to leave here for August vacation without this having been completed,” Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) told The Hill.TP

**The Supreme Court “came to the aid Tuesday of well-funded candidates in Arizona and blocked the state from giving extra public money to those candidates who had agreed to forego private financing.” “It is the latest sign the high court’s conservative bloc is skeptical of legal rules to limit election spending or to equalize the spending between wealthy and not-so-wealthy candidates,” after the Citizens United decision and others.TP

**Arizona’s anti-immigrant law is “fueling an exodus of Hispanics” from the state to avoid future backlash from police. Business owners and school officials told USA today that “worried Hispanics — both legal and illegal” are dropping out of school and “holding on to cash” in preparation to flee the state before the law goes into effect on July 29.TP

C-SPAN …

Congress to Hold five hearings regarding oil spill

On the 51st day since the Gulf oil rig explosion, Congress today is holding five hearings related to the incident. At the Senate Energy Committee, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar will discuss issues related to the future of offshore drilling and energy development, including immediate steps to take with regards to safety regulations and worker conditions. Other hearings will look at legal liability for oil spills, the cause of the explosion and how to deal with the cleanup of oil spills.  Yesterday, Adm. Thad Allen said that 14,842 barrels of oil had been diverted to oil containment ships in the past 24 hours. He also stated that over 2,600 local boat vessels have been hired to help in the cleanup effort.

Fed. Chair to Assess American Economy; Sees Economic Growth

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will testify on the economy before the House Budget Committee. He is expected to be asked about the state of the recovery and Europe’s economic situation and how it affects the U.S. His testimony comes as House Democrats begin debate on whether they should pass more stimulus spending to sustain an economic recovery or pay more attention to growing deficits.

SEN. LINCOLN WINS IN ARKANSAS RUNOFF, TEA PARTY BACKED CANDIDATE SHARRON ANGLE TO FACE SEN. REID IN FALL ELECTION

Sen. Blanche Lincoln narrowly defeated Lt. Gov. Bill Halter in the Arkansas’ Democratic Senate runoff. She will next face Congressman John Boozman (R) in the November 2 general election. In South Carolina, Nikki Haley and Gresham Barrett fell short of the majority vote needed in the Republican gubernatorial primary. The two candidates will advance to a runoff election on June 22nd. Read More »

Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) will face Tea party favorite Sharron Angle after she won the Nevada GOP nomination for U.S. Senate. In California, former eBay chief executive Meg Whitman won the Republican gubernatorial nomination and will go up against former CA Gov. Jerry Brown (D) in the November election. Also in California, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) will face former HP Chief Executive, Carly Fiorina after they won their respective party primaries.
~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

mindful Monday &some News


Today is definitely a day to be mindful and a week to be much more aware of what our future as Americans could be if folks in Congress would just vote for the People, get the peoples work done by letting the current administration complete its cabinet, get the people needed to govern in place instead of holding up the process and trying to keep the Obama Admin from running a competent administration. The President is giving a Commencement speech today …grads need hope/change; hopefully the new generation of workers will continue to support this President, see where he wants Americans to be and that includes the Middle Class.   The idea that a less than competent staff being the plan of attack… not to mention voting no on all things to help Americans seems like an eye opener to me …the campaign is over the votes in and 53% voted for President Obama; people can disagree with the policies maybe some of the right of center behavior but as he stated in 2008 it is time to change; but change is hard and obviously the Republican party does not want to change the ways things are done even if the economy needs both Political Parties to work together

Republicans obstruct, vote against the people, were for reform until most Republicans decided the only way to bring down the current admin is to say NO to all things Obama? let me just say -saying no to any and all bills, amendments and legislation is a vote against Americans; these things maybe be against the Obama campaign but they are for Americans because Obama isn’t affected by medicare payments or lack of them, unemployment benefits or jobs bills it’s We the People and even their own constituents have lost out on so much because Republicans stay the self-interested fools they have always been… come on folks wake the heck up …tell what member of Congress is having financial problems, which one is underwater because a bad mortgage tell me who has sick children or family members who are being discriminated against and refused health care by the insurance industry… time for a change; 53% voted it in though people on the right and Republicans continue to lie


Other News …

**Elton john sang at the limbaugh wedding&james carville was there too.

**SC still spewing racists comments and covering up the racism by stating the comments were a joke … raghead is not only offensive he …said we already have one raghead in the White House…knotts is not worthy of any political office

The number of birds being harmed by BP’s Gulf oil spill has “increased at an alarming rate, indicating the oil is spreading farther into sensitive marshlands.” A local animal rehabilitation group has treated 203 oiled birds, 110 of which have arrived since last Friday. “This really increases the urgency of efforts to shut off the leak,” the group’s executive director said.TP


C-SPAN …


Senate Likely To Take Up Energy Policy

In response to the recent disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) told Democrats, “to address both the existing situation and to reduce the risks of such a catastrophe happening again.” He has asked committee leaders to come up with a comprehensive energy strategy by July 4. Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) is expected to introduce a bill this week aimed at cutting U.S. greenhouse gas emissions through expanding nuclear power, focusing on constructing energy efficient homes and buildings and addressing both renewable fuels and overall mpg efficiency in vehicles. A “cap and trade” system is not in this bill which differs from the House passed “American Clean Energy and Security Act” that included the plan.

watch Senate Floor: C-SPAN2 at 2pm ET

More Than 10,000 barrels of Oil Captured, BP Claims

On Sunday, BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward told the BBC that some 10,500 barrels of crude oil were captured on Saturday, following a new attempt by the company on Friday to cap the broken pipeline spilling an estimated 12,000 to 19,000 barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico daily. Meanwhile, Coast Guard Chief Thad Allen told CNN’s “State of the Union” that no one should be “pleased” about containment efforts until a relief well completely blocks the broken pipeline. The relief well will not be in place until sometime in August. Allen said the oil spill will impact the Gulf for many months to come.

watch WH briefing: c-span.org at 10am ET    watch LIVE Undersea ROV Cameras
visit Deepwater Horizon Response

Experts Examine Israeli Naval Blockade and Palestinian President Visit to Washington

Last week, nine passengers aboard a Turkish aid ship bound for Gaza were shot and killed by Israeli troops. On Saturday, Israel continued to enforce its naval blockade by escorting the Rachel Corrie, carrying pro-Palestinian activists and aid cargo to the nearby Israeli port of Ashdod. Today, Carnegie experts assess the future of the Middle East peace process, the fallout from Israel’s raid on a flotilla of humanitarian aid ships bound for Gaza, and the prospects for President Mahmoud Abbas’s visit to the White House on June 9.

watch CEIP: NOW on C-SPAN2
visit Carnegie Endowment for International Peace