Category Archives: ~ my 2cents …

~ my 2cents ...

Weekend wrap-up &some News …


To be sure MTV Movie Awards  tonight at 9pm in Cali… im thinking pop culture will meet with a lot of political outburst as well… the Sunday buzz … Republicans have a lot more to worry about now …what with jim greer averting funds, more and more Republicans are stating they have ties to the Military… Not  There are reports of a connection between the RNC chairman and jim greer too… oops.

We have another week of elections this Tuesday and hopefully the outcome is that voters get out there and vote for the Democratic Party who wants what is best for Americans not just a select few as it seems Republicans seem to feel.  It’s that old saying “do as i say not as i do,” because Big Banks, Big Oil, Big Insurance and Wall Street …de-regulation are still elements Republican Politicians want for themselves but say …Americans need to be ween themselves from.. strange philosophy coming from a group who just this last week was reported taking money from BP/Halliburton…last month Republicans like Mitch Mcconnell/Boehner Pence and Cantor  were reported  having meetings with Wall Street/Big Banks  asking for advice and money …

For about 39 days the  press/Media were saying President Obama needs to be in Louisiana, on the Gulf Coast talking to this person doing this or that… Now they are saying because he has been down there 2days in one week… he and his political capital is in deep trouble?okay i’ll bite… that is absurd and just one of many comments by the Media that is in my opinion stupid…yes, it’s to make people upset, maybe call in and make comments but the need for Press/Media self control is on the up swing as far as im concerned… it’s election season and talking heads are out to stir whatever trouble among the two Political Parties and among the parties themselves … i get it… but opinion news is tired and old.  If something looks and smells then reporter journalists are great but to latch on to a story that has no legs but meets all the talkingpoints so it gets played and played on national tv …old tired and maybe the reason some cable hosts numbers are way down.  Personally, was proud to see President Obama in Louisiana talking to people and definitely felt his frustration and reject the crap cable is force feeding the viewer…The President might be going to the Gulf Coast again this week and in my opinion it’s a great thing to see because the last guy seemed to have gone out of his way to  avoid places where the needy worked, or lived and needed real help real connection to what was going on and looked for himself.   It might be a hard thing to do but President Obama has and then some… because what folks conveniently forget is the plate full of problems that continuously need fixing and or that keep sprouting up and definitely were left by the last guys in office … do people get that.

Congress will be back in session this coming week and things like Cobra, Medicare payments, unemployment were dropped like a wet rat because it was recess time; the stalling, blocking by Republicans was offensive but will probably continue as they have decided the only way to bring down this President is to stop appointments, vote no on things they wanted and supported before and while Republicans state they want big government, socialized medicine and entitlements out of our lives; fact is most Republicans took the Stimulus money and not only took credit for it they passed it out like candy… i  wonder how many actually used the money to balance their budgets instead of creating jobs and or stopping the layoffs of teachers, police and first responders.  Republicans continue to want the rest of us to do without government until Republicans need it… for themselves and a select few

It’s obvious something strange happened last week and the reports about jobs that came mostly from census workers was wierd …the employment numbers for May were strange and call for some investigation … is the Private Sector holding back hiring …responding to the verbal beating by the Administration and others… if you watch or read enough on cable or newspapers/online it’s obvious that the Private Sector has changed the way they have hired in the past …jobs that were once paid and paid well because they actually are career oriented positions are mostly being offered up as internships to students …other jobs, some don’t necessarily turn into careers are offering commissions and less hours per week; which, is a strange and surprising thing to see because these are jobs that were “regular” Private Sector jobs  still offering insurance coverage but you have to wait 3 to 6 months… since the economy crashed and the verbal beat downs Wall Street and the Private Sector have gotten over the last 18months… the hiring process has changed and  outsourcing has again become the quiet norm

Other News …

**Unified Command in Mobile, AL announced deployment of a program to put unemployed to work  in areas affected by the spill http://ht.ly/1UB29

**Israel rejects an int’l commission to investigate the Gaza ship raid

**Chrysler recalled 25thou cars for pedal problems

**Don Cheadle has been named goodwill UN ambassador

**Dems need to support real Dems … Halter vs Blanche Lincoln

C-SPAN …

Portion of Leaking Oil Collected

Since the cap was placed over the leaking oil well Friday, it is believed that a quarter to half of the leaking oil from nearly a mile below the surface is being captured. In a press conference Saturday, Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen estimated that about 252,000 gallons of oil has been collected in its first full day of use. Six weeks after the Deepwater Horizon accident, the government estimates nearly 50 million gallons of oil has leaked into the Gulf of Mexico. Oil is washing up on the shores of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

watch Adm. Allen Press Conference (6/5)

watch LIVE Undersea ROV Cameras

visit Deepwater Horizon Response

Agriculture Secretary Discusses Future Farm Concerns

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined Newsmakers from Des Moines, IA to discuss the Obama Administration’s Rural Tour and how the public response will affect the 2012 Farm Bill. Feedback gained from the tour helped confirm “that we are headed in the right direction,” Sec. Vilsack said. He stressed the importance of educating America on the need for thriving rural economies and shared preliminary proposals on trade agreements and food safety.

In Depth with Martha Nussbaum

The author of 16 books, Martha Nussbaum joins Book TV’s In Depth to discuss her various works, including “Women and Human Development”, “Frontier of Justice”, and “Liberty of Conscience: In Defense of America’s Tradition of Religious Equality.” Martha Nussbaum is the Ernst Freund Distinguished Service Professor of Law and Ethics at the University of Chicago Law School.

Saturday morning and the great news … the weather is going to finally feel like May and not like the end of Winter.  It will be nice to  see the sunshine; hopefully the temperature will get up to 70 because it would help put a smile on anyone here in the 206; which has been very rainy…typical, but this year spring and summer has been way too cool… cold at times.

The wait for BP’s latest contraption to work is an ongoing feeling of helplessness for most of the country … a lot of misinformation and manipulation to pull the truth to one side or the other is happening on a daily basis and while it’s nice to get any information it should be accurate. The cap is on but the oil will continue to flow and some sort of ship is taking in the oil …maybe there should be more skimmers out there …enough oil plumes to siphon. Reports are that there are about 2000 boats ships on the Gulf working to siphon the oil currently and an update came in … 1% added today to Gulf fishing closure due to Horizon/BP oil spill effective 6pmET…if you have questions call 800-627-NOAA

The news about Republicans using words like backroom deals and or Obama definitely is not removed from Chicago Political behavior and or political manipulation is absurd.  I am not so naïve to think that the political deals being done are new or that both sides of the aisle don’t dabble in playing Chest. It’s obvious that deals are done everyday, so don’t let folks in the Media make you believe otherwise.   Though what is not so clear is who really is working in the best interest of our President ;maybe somebody needs to get moved aside… even more; maybe somebody or some people need to get fired.  I would hope folks remember the deals made by the Bush/Cheney group had a impact played a major difference to all our lives as Americans… like the War in Iraq…why did we go there instead of Afghanistan …why did the top 2% get tax breaks and count how many times they got them, who went out of the way to de-regulate Big Oil, Big Banks, Wall Street and look where it got us… The impact made by really bad decisions has been horrendous and any reporter who gets paid to start the oooooooooooh oh no he didn’t is getting on my nerves.  The offer of a paid job or not to a person in your own party …should be dealt with among the Political Party we all know Republicans do it …they probably make deals among themselves daily and are definitely able to keep it all quiet; however when it comes to We the People and the Peoples work?  we see Republicans who say they don’t want big government, don’t want entitlements for the People they represent that most people should do for themselves and let the market do what is has to and it will correct itself .

… What happened to doing the Peoples business, helping Americans? we see the dirty deals by Republicans every time there is a vote in Congress to help Americans move into the 21st Century except Republicans choose to be the Political Party of No because their agenda is … to bring down this President and sacrifice any and all things that would get America back on track… that is a huge smack in the face … to all Americans not just those who choose to be apart of the Democratic Party … it’s all us …we all lose when Republicans vote No on all things American …what do they represent when they are holding meetings with big Banks Wall Street characters and lobbyists determined to keep their control on all of Congress not just a part of it… what do Republicans represent when they vote No for helping Americans …the No votes affect Republicans out of work, doctors who aren’t getting helped, people who are discriminated by the insurance industry the list is way too long … and does anyone out there get it… if they continue to say No our system will continue on the same path the last guy left us on… that’s my take on what they want …when did he know the crash was coming, where was he and why didn’t he and his group stop it or stall it or do what people vote a person in for? people say oh when will we all stop blaming the last guy and make President Obama responsible? when Republicans realize that the governing body was voted in by 53% and let the governing begin… but it hasn’t  …the corrections Democrats feel are needed to fix our entire Financial system are being blocked and stalled by Republicans; unless and until they accept our President and who is in office… The Democratic Party, everything done before this administration still belongs to the house of Bush and his Republicans.

It’s sad that Republicans want government out of all our lives unless they need it personally and scream and yell about it and when government is supposed to help when no one or entity can…  they vote No on the floor of Congress but hold ribbon cuttings give out big stimulus checks and take credit for any and all monies given to their community, actually its not just sad it’s offensive.

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

TGIF and some News …


Today, the President will be in Louisiana …the Gulf Coast to talk to those who live and work there.  It is my opinion that it is not the Media’s job to sway or make sure we are all pissed at the President; their job is to report the News and time and time again we hear cable talking heads using the time to stir-up trouble.  It’s getting tiring to see people like tamron hall and others possibly trying to get better rating numbers by joining the bash the President brigade. People in the Press and or Media need to stop pointing fingers and help get this thing solved. I say change the channel

…Lakers Win Game 1 109, Celtics 89; Game 2 is on Sunday at the Staples Center.  The public or 60% of the public say they are upset with the President’s efforts on the Gulf Coast disaster… is it possible that the Media is not giving our President a platform… thank goodness Larry King did the interview …even though it is Larry’s 25yr celebration it was a moment that the public got to hear, see and realize how the President has been feeling as well as how he actually is handling BP and Associates. It can all be improved but clearly the government is not in the oil clean-up biz and anything said can possibly make the 3stooges abandon the site if pushed …they seemed to have decided to pay for damage control spots… odd because that money could be used to pay for the damages …to families of the dead, businesses dying and for more equipment to fight this spill… it should tell everyone exactly where these guys stand … and hopefully the President knows … BP seems to be putting Profits and damage control before the People.

The pictures and video’s of the oil goo, globs and blobs let alone the video of what some of the wildlife are going through was bad enough to make parents all over the country scream and turn the channel.  The photos are outrageous and while people are yelling where are the people/ and people need to clean this up… who is letting the viewers know that the air is that bad; it’s so unsafe for folks to be working there without some sort of mask or more hardcore -that is why the area is empty; this is not being conveyed to the viewer …we all need to see the awful things; this  should help Americans get it; we need to move toward Green Energy unlike how Gov Jindal seems to  feel …we don’t like big Gov’t, we want less spending but on the other hand Govt is not acting fast enough or spending enough money to get us out of this mess. It is unfortunate that people on the state level turned their heads while a lot of deals and money exchanged hands; like the current reports of money being given to Republicans as recent as last week from BP and Halliburton and it’s offensive.

It’s Friday, almost 2 months into what seems like an endless stream of bad news and photos from the Gulf Coast that prove what deepwater drilling does to the environment without proper equipment and lack of emergency procedures.  It is another day that 11people need to be recognized and condolences made to their families; the truth behind the accident will show the lack of safety features and hopefully used to recoup funds from the 3stooges.

And as the next BP procedure gets adjusted and or new procedure has to be used; We the People wait for the video the live shot or the reporter lucky enough to get both.  It’s not lost on me that the junkshot,  topkill, tophat and caphat procedures only seem to happen when it’s dark … why? out of sight out of mind or maybe less stress? anyway, it’s frustrating not being able to see the procedure happen; if nothing else we would all get a better idea on how far technology has come when it comes to getting something that has the value of gold but prefer to take extreme risks where worker safety is concerned. There are reports stating profits from oil is insane; probably the only reason why folks get into the oil business, willing to risk the environment or the people vs absolute profits

Hurricane season is here and while those of us outside the Gulf Coast sit and wait for things, something, anything positive to happen the reality that at any moment the whole area will need to be cleared out because the next natural but nasty thing is going to make a major impact on the Gulf Coast.  The weather is being watched closely by most weather experts and hopefully those responsible for the people on the Gulf Coast and their safety are as well because it’s clear  being prepared not only is a cliché; it’s one of many missing elements that could have prevented this type of incident.  It’s obvious this disaster has made  more people actually consider our future ,consider solutions that do not include fossil fuels but about moving toward Solar, Wind Biofuel, smart grid, batteries and more.

immigration … after watching the press conference that the Gov of Arizona held it appeared like she was nervous and uncomfortable but tried to seem like she got the best of the President …maybe she thinks that the written word will stop police officers who now have to act like ICE agents from negative behavior; that the written word will keep their emotions in check  but it won’t; racial profiling is used on a daily basis by the police  and while against the law, it’s accepted behavior … It is a side of human nature most of us know is bad but it’s there and this Governor just doesn’t get it … the video of a Seattle Police Officer was definitely an example of how some police officers can and do act … no all police officers will cross that line but it’s 2010 and this guy yelled shouted and called the so-called pert a racial slur… he must have felt safe that he would not be caught on tape …21st Century technology kept him in check…the written word of a law is only as good as the officer who takes the words written into law seriously.  Just ask people of colour who drive great cars and get pulled over; who visit parks and get questioned because they looked reasonably suspicious but there was no probable cause …this law seems  unconstitutional, will alienate minorities and drive undocumented people back into the shadows which is bad for the overall good of the state of Arizona.

Other News …

**Private Sector Companies are starting or have been outsourcing jobs …sending the jobs to China

**Changes today to  Gulf fishing  closure due to oil spill effective 6pm; call 800 627 NOAA for info or view map at http://ht.ly/1UbJx

Though Republicans are seizing on the Gulf oil crisis to attack President Obama, their “embrace of offshore oil drilling and their skepticism of ‘big’ government may hamper the party’s efforts to gain politically” from Obama’s handling of the disaster. “They’re kind of stuck because they’re the party of ‘Drill, Baby, Drill,’” David Lanoue, head of the political science department of the University of Alabama, told Bloomberg News.TP

**Vann Jones will be on Bill Maher tonight

**Griffey will work for Mariners

**The Gov and Mayor got into a fight over the Tunnel … they mayor does not want the tunnel the Gov let the mayor know he was not listening.

**Republicans believe they will gain more govenors

**The cap is on but the vents have not been closed yet …doug suttles states they will do so later on today

Myanmar has reportedly acquired components for a nuclear weapons program, including technology for uranium enrichment and long-range missiles, according to a defector from the nation’s Army. “The purpose is they really want a bomb. That is their main objective,” said defector Sai Thein Win.TP

C-SPAN …

watch Pres. Obama Remarks

Primary Elections Update

Democratic Governor’s Association 2010 Strategy

Eric Holder Remarks on Civil Rights

Cap placed on oil leak: President to Gulf to assess progress

President Obama returns to the Gulf region today to assess the latest efforts to contain the largest oil spill in U.S. history. This is his third visit to the region since the spill began in April and the second visit in just under a week. The White House said yesterday that the government will be sending BP and other responsible parties a bill for $69.09 million for costs of the response and recovery operations relating to the BP/Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.   Yesterday, crews cut through the pipe from the leaking oil well in the Gulf of Mexico and this morning BP said it has placed a cap on the pipe and that some oil is flowing thru pipes to tanker ships.

watch LIVE Undersea ROV Cameras watch Adm. Allen (6/3)

Unemployment dips to 9.7%: 430,000 jobs created but most were temporary census workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has released it employment statistics for the month of May. It finds that 430,000 jobs were created but 411,000 of those jobs were temporary census workers. The unemployment rate dropped from 9.9% to 9.7%. The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for unemployment benefits dropped last week, but figures show the job market continues to remain weak.

watch LIVE NOW: WJ on unemployment numbers
read BLS May Report:

Book TV Spotlights 2009 & 2010 Pulitzer Prize Winners

Tonight’s Book TV theme highlights three Pulitzer Prize recepients and their recently awarded books.

David Hoffman, former Moscow bureau chief for the Washington Post, begins the evening when he recounts the final decade of the Cold War and the nuclear and biological munitions that remained following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Dead Hand was the recipient of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for general non-fiction. Then, author T.J. Stiles outlines the life of Cornelius Vanderbilt, who was central in the ascendancy of the American corporation and whose fleet of steamships and railroad holdings allowed him to possess one of the largest fortunes in world history. T.J. Stiles’ The First Tycoon won the 2009 National Book Award for Nonfiction and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Biography. And finally, Liaquat Ahamed recounts four of the world’s central bankers who attempted to rebuild the global economy following WWI in his 2010 Pulitzer Prize book for history, Lords of Finance .

~ my 2cents ...

Thursday …&some News


Washingtonians woke up this morning having to accept the news that Ken Griffey Jr decided to retire.  It was a very sad announcement but most of us here in Seattle were glad he came back and finished his unbelievable career here.  It’s a day that deserves a peaceful start possibly repeated throughout the day  … so reach up  slowly breathe in deeply be still be calm and slowly release your breath as you lower your arms head shoulders and waist while bending your knees …repeat as needed.

Lets be clear —the stuff going on now was not started during the Obama Administration the rules and de-regulations started long before President Obama took the reigns; now is the time to fix the problems and he is trying but without the cooperation of Congress we will continue to have fires sprout up only to spray them out temporarily … we need the change that  53% voted for and the man to do it is President but the right keeps stalling blocking and making our lives  very difficult… now the Gulf Coast is at risk because of the de-regulation that Republicans like, need and continue to vote for … We need Reform People and the Democratic Party has been trying but the Political Party of NO  is on the side of Big Oil Corporations, Big Banks, Big Insurance and Wall Street… the very people that helped drive this country into a financial ditch which effected everything else associated

The President will be meeting with Gov. Jan Brewer… lets hope he does whatever to relax before the meeting begins because her latest comments gave some of us the impression that she was in it to fight; not to examine the constitutionality of the law, negotiate or realize what she and lawmakers of Arizona have done by implementing SB1070, the birther law and maybe other laws that permit the police to legally practice discrimination and as a brown person; where does it end? Just ask people of colour in other places about reasonable suspicion or probable cause as we drive walk and or loiter being black on any given day gets pulled over. This law will give police the right to act as an ICE agent which takes money, training and efforts that will take away from the every day criminal behavior and applying the rule of law;  comprehensive immigration cannot happen without a pathway for people to become American citizens.

The latest reports about BP and the procedure that didn’t work   … is that they were able to cut the pipe but a jagged edge was left and might prevent them from getting a good seal making them decide to go with another type of dome.  There were reports that BP was able to restrict flights going over the Gulf Coast oil spill though the FAA has stated they were not… reports of  code words for nasty air def health risk situations are now called “bad air days” which are becoming more often… and more light is being shown on the lack of safety for workers; as Tony Hayward stated that the worker illnesses were due to “food poisoning.”  There are  people who have firsthand experience with what is going on and are reporting that the President might not have been given all the information about what BP is doing and what they actually have control over.

And if BP has more control than being reported; we need to ask the Obama Administration why and maybe it is time to seize BP as suggested by Progressives on TV Cable and Radio; is the 6 month moratorium enough time to evaluate, make big oil Corporations reinforce changes or provide equipment for emergencies because clearly they have none; should we adopt the same rules as Canada?.  There are a lot of folks on the left telling the Administration, NOAA and the EPA  that they need to separate themselves from BP insist on more action than is being done currently; and no that does not mean nationalizing this thing because the government is not in the oil cleaning business.. But- the talk from credible people like riki ott continues; is an expert and is speaking up and out about what is going on the Gulf Coast; maybe the Obama Administration should listen.

because…

Riki Ott stated during a Reuter’s interview that “A friend in New Orleans is concerned about the oil fumes now engulfing the southern part of town. He says it “smells pretty strong–stronger than standing in a busy mechanics shop, but not as bad as the bus station in Tijuana.” State health officials are warning people who are sensitive to reduced air quality to stay indoors, but anyone who experiences the classic symptoms of crude oil overexposure–nausea, vomiting, headaches, or cold or flu-like symptoms–should seek medical help.”  This is serious: Oil spill cleanups are regulated as hazardous waste cleanups because oil is, in fact, hazardous to health. Breathing oil fumes is extremely harmful.”

last …the info below is from Think Progress and the comment from the Los Angeles Times; though totally on point it just seems like Americans aren’t getting the progress being made or the fact that we are finally moving into the 21st Century … obvious more needs to be done but the step forward is there...     Congress is racking up a record of landmark policy changes in health care, financial industry regulation, economic policy and more, reports the Los Angeles Times. Nevertheless, Congress is facing high levels of disapproval because “they have not done a good job communicating the virtues of their policies, even to potentially receptive voters.”

Other News …

The Obama Admin sent a $69million prelim bill to BP and other responsible parties/operations

**Sellig will not give the perfect rec to the pitcher though everyone knows the referee call was bad

**BP has put out new flying restrictions… no cameras over oil spill and do we wonder what that is… reports that the bad air days are up …

**Gov Jan Brewer meets with President Obama today

**Blagojevich has his first day in court

*”At least 11 states have passed laws this year regulating or restricting abortion,” giving anti-choice activists “an unusually high number of victories.” Approximately “370 state bills regulating abortion were introduced in 2010, compared with about 350 in each of the previous five years, and 250 a year in the early 1990s. At least 24 of this year’s bills have passed,” and the final total may hit the 2005 high of 34. TP

**President Obama is arguing that the Gulf oil catastrophe highlights the need to pass clean energy reform in the Senate. A clean energy future depends on “putting a price on carbon pollution,” Obama said. He added that “the votes may not be there right now, but I intend to find them in the coming months.” TP


C-SPAN

Cybersecurity Policy

South Carolina Democratic Gubernatorial Primary Debate

watch Defense Briefing on Afghanistan

watch Pres. Obama on Economy read Transcript of Pres. Obama’s Remarks read GOP Boehner & Allan Meltzer Statement

watch White House HIV/AIDS Meeting

watch White House Briefing

Cmdr. Of U.S. Cyber Security Discusses Role of New Agency

The United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) was officially activated in May. The agency is responsible for launching attacks on enemy computer networks as well as defending U.S. military systems. At a discussion at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, Gen. Keith B. Alexander, Director of the National Security Agency, spoke on U.S. cyber security policy and the role of USCYBERCOM.

watch CSIS: From Earlier
visit United States Cyber Command

BP Successfully Cuts Oil Pipe , Attempts to cap; Delay Shareholder Dividends Requested

Today, crews managed to cut through the pipe from the leaking well in the Gulf of Mexico. The next step is to proceed with plans to cap the pipe and begin pumping oil to tanker ships.
Also, the White House announced that President Obama will return to the Gulf region tomorrow.
In a letter to the British oil company’s chief executive, Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) asked BP to suspend plans to pay shareholder dividends until the cleanup cost of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is calculated. So far, BP PLC has paid out an estimated $1 billion to clean up the leak and is expected to spend billions more. The dividend is reportedly worth an expected $10 billion.

watch Adm. Allen: From Earlier watch WJ on Implications of the Gulf Oil Spill
watch LIVE Spill Cam

Survey to show many states with budget challenges

The National Governors Association (NGA) and The National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) held a press conference to release the biannual Fiscal Survey of States. The spring edition reflects actual figures from fiscal 2009, estimated fiscal 2010 numbers and recommended fiscal 2011 state budget data. The data examines state spending, state revenue actions and year-end balances.

watch Press Briefing: Available Later
visit Nasbo Website visit NGA Website

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

Humpday &some News …


Today, we are all waiting for the next BP procedure to work.  Apparently, the procedure involves a pair of underground scissors that will cut the top, which is bent over; if the procedure does work; a huge opening created though more oil will flow and another attempt to cap it will be made and there are problems with the procedure… stay tuned;  BP has reported that no information will be available for 72 hours and while people are feeling hopeless it is important to have some group vibe of positivity; losing hope is just not acceptable. And as folks like Carville, his wife and others scream the President hasn’t done enough; a lot of us prefer a level headed, calm and methodical man in the driver’s seat; that would be … President Obama.  I admit that a lot of people want him to get pissed and move  BP out-of-the-way and get it done … there are laws some of us clearly do not understand but it makes sense that if the Govt does take over the responsibility of who pays for the Gulf restoration and its people may be misdirected with BP and associates getting out of paying much more than the have currently.

Tuesday was Primary day for Alabama, Mississippi and New Mexico and the final outcomes had some surprises and some common sense endings; what with Davis who helped lead Democrats to a big win in 2008 but has been that representative who voted against health-care and other legislation that some have said are against Democratic Party ideology; RedState has some information about what happened Tuesday below:

Alabama results here.
Mississippi results here.
New Mexico results here

The President will be in Pittsburgh talking about Jobs, the Economy, Spending and getting the information out there being much more transparent than the last guy; on Thursday President Obama will meet with Governor Jan Brewer about the stupid laws that will become official at the end of July.  These new laws will make a  sane, compassionate person cringe and if you’re a minority, Arizona is clearly a place to stay away from.  Yesterday, the governor of Arizona was asked by a News Reporter what she will do if the President feels the laws are unconstitutional or something like that and her response was that she would see them in court, that she has a great record is tough and intends to    It is with great pride that i voted for a President who was willing to take on a mess left by a guy who looked the other way, was willing to let top people engage in drugs sex and lies when they wanted; did he know what was going on and just didn’t care or what is that he didn’t know what to do … and that’s simple … reform, regulate and enforce the policies and rule of law but he didn’t and all of our lives have been affected with the mismanagement by the last guy who was supposed to be in charge and acting in the best interest of We the People.  It’s now election season and people need to keep Big Banks, AIG’s and Wall Street types out of office.

Other News …

**5people were killed in a shooting spree in rural London

**Amy Knox is being charged for slander against Italian police

**Investigators will check out the underground mine where 29people died

**A Tobacco loophole in child health law lost 250mil

**President Obama may recess appoint “a handful of pending nominees” during the Memorial Day congressional recess, an aide told Roll Call. There is a record-breaking backlog of “more than 100 names” awaiting confirmation, and their outlook “appears grim for the rest of the year” as the Senate calendar is packed.TP



C-SPAN …

watch White House Briefing

watch Pres. Obama on Oil Spill

watch Adm. Allen Press Conference

Warren Buffett and Moody’s executives testify about 2008 crisis

Last week, Warren Buffett was subpoenaed to testify before today’s Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission. The hearing focuses on the role of ratings firms in the financial crisis and is titled, “Credibility of Credit Ratings, the Investment Decisions Made Based on those Ratings and the Financial Crisis.” Executives from Moody’s, including its current CEO, are also among the witnesses. Mr. Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is Moody’s largest shareholder.  Responding to questioning, Warren Buffett agreed that there are still risks involved in the derivatives market during today’s Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission hearing. The hearing focuses on the role of ratings firms in the financial crisis and is titled, “Credibility of Credit Ratings, the Investment Decisions Made Based on those Ratings and the Financial Crisis.” Executives from Moody’s, including its current CEO, are also among the witnesses. Mr. Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is Moody’s largest shareholder.

watch FCIC Hearing: NOW on C-SPAN2

watch FCIC Hearing: Session 1 watch FCIC Hearing: Session 2
read AP: Congress grills Moody’s officials

Federal Probe Underway as Cut and Cap Effort Continues

Yesterday, Attorney General Eric Holder said that authorities have opened criminal and civil investigations into the Deepwater Horizon disaster under power granted by federal clean air and pollution laws. Today on the Washington Journal, Daniel Weiss, Climate Strategy Director at the Center for American Progress Action Fund, discussed the federal government’s efforts to hold BP accountable for the oil spill, and the various attempts BP has used to stop the oil leak. National Incident Commander Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen said yesterday it could be at least three days before BP is able to install a new pipe for collecting oil from its broken well at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. Currently, BP is attempting to shear off the broken pipe a mile under water and place a containment cap that can funnel some of the leaking fuel to ships on the surface. Engineers are also preparing a pair of relief wells to divert oil and gas away from the damaged well and fill it with cement, theoretically stopping the leak for good. Those wells are not expected to be ready for at least two months.
As a result of the spill, nearly one third of the Gulf of Mexico is closed to commercial and recreational fishing. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration has closed approximately 76,000 square miles because of oil spreading from the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

New PM Cameron Holds First Question Time

Conservative Party Leader David Cameron will field questions from members of Parliament in his first Prime Minister’s Questions since the May 6th general election. He leads the coalition government with the Liberal Democrats. Harriet Harman is the acting Labour Party and opposition leader. Following Question time, British Foreign Minister William Hague will make a statement on the situation in Gaza.

watch Prime Ministers Questions: C-SPAN at 10am ET

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

Monday mashup …&some News


Primaries do matter even though the  whole nation is watching how the President is reacting to the current incidents happening in the World these days; The Democratic Party needs to GOTV in Alabama, Mississippi and in New Mexico.

The BP oil disaster is definitely an unprecedented event  because of its effects on the environment, habitat, wildlife, Marshes, Wetlands, the fishing and  tourism industries.  This oil drilling disaster effects an area of our country that depends on the Gulf Coast for their economy… that is why some folks are calling this thing unprecedented, we all feel it’s definitely a criminal act. The Reports that BP shares have plunged is some consolation but as investigators go through the evidence, the  Media videos and more; BP and the other 2companies are still in charge of the outcome.  The Press, the residents of the Gulf Coast,  some Politicians and  some Military Personnel feel the government should takeover, pay for it and then hit BP with a receipt, bring in tankers and more but there has to be a reason, a law that ties the hands of our government and if so keeps BP in charge but there is a paper trail, videos and guys like Cousteau Jr. able, willing to dive check out the reality of the situation and are reporting their findings to the commission so any misinformation from BP can be  dealt with by the President in the future.

The President gave Americans an Update on the BP oil disaster today. The press conference was good it showed the public that our government is doing what it can given the facts; he will also be meeting with the Oil Disaster Commission.  It is obvious this guy was the right one voted  President because the hits keep coming …immigration, SB1070, birther laws,  Wall Street Reform, Health-care insurers still trying to find ways to get out of being reformed, DADT, fighting NKorea-SKorea and Israel acting up or against an attack and then we have Republicans who seem determined to  keep us from progressing … the Political Party of No and this behavior will affect us all people; not just Democrats … people on the right say they don’t want big government … until they need it and while it’s offensive it’s hard to truly believe that come mid-terms -voters, sane Americans will vote for Republicans who have shown no compassion, continue to be the Political Party of No and have no plans or solutions for what their party started  a Recession that really probably was a depression to begin with but things are better now… when Bush took office there was a financial surplus but then someone must have said let the de-regulation begin. We must challenge the President and Congress to have courage to Reform the entities that have made choices that have effected us in such negative ways; it is not the time to bash the President it’s time to back him as we move into the 21st Century … it means cleaning up, reforming everything the last guy left  … it means possibly moving more to the left of center to get things done because it’s obvious the last guy only worked for a select few and looked the other way when it came to regulating the various entities he supposedly controlled which if the reports are right …booze sex drugs and lies

It is obvious that the efforts to stop the BP oil disaster have failed. I know i’m not the only one feeling helpless and we all want to know why it will take so long to dig relief Wells; some of us see this as just another stalling tactic and if otherwise BP needs to be much more transparent than they have been for the last 40days. The politics we all see playing itself out on land and in the water as BP and Associates seem to be keeping information to themselves, have no idea what they’re doing and want to say one thing do another or do say and hope everyone forgot… it’s offensive.

It’s definitely a morning and a day to  reach to the sky breathe in deeply through the nose and release your breath slowly and lower your arms and upper body down as you release your breath and repeat; probably more and more as the news and day wears on.

After a long Memorial weekend which honored our men and women who served bravely in the Military…my brother included. I was very upset that some veterans were miffed as the News called it that the President didn’t show up at Arlington National Cemetery; first, he is not the only President to have done this and why shouldn’t he pay respect to others who have served in the Military bravely… maybe start a new ritual of going to different states to pay respects because  it does leave out other soldiers who are just  as important.  It is an incredibly nice thing for him to have done and a really strange thing for Vets to complain about.

The weekend ended with the bad news about the top kill failure and news that a pipe will need to be cut but it will also release more oil into the Gulf and lately the comments from BP/Halliburton/Transocean personnel have been less than genuine which is just bad news in general.  The oil gusher on the Gulf Coast should be called a national disaster and treated as such.  This thing is effecting a whole way of life on the Gulf Coast and will only get worse, the damage will take decades to fix.  We have men and women who make their living on the Gulf Coast itself trying to help clean this stuff up and getting sick.   The numbers are increasing and what does Tony Hayward say; he states that it’s probably food poisoning and describes the close quarters, the environment,  the tent city so on and so forth; that the army marches on it’s stomach? unbelievable.  It was unreal to hear and see him get on camera and think people will believe the stuff coming out of his mouth.  The symptoms listed by the people of Louisiana trying to help clean up the land … are having trouble breathing, upper respiratory problems, dizziness as well as nasal passage issues. I have had food poisoning and those symptoms don’t come close.  The three stooges need to listen up and understand people aren’t as naïve as they think; that everyone in the country is watching and dissecting what is being said and done on the Gulf Coast and it’s personal…

And as we all wait for the storms, some say incredibly horrific hurricanes to come because it is Hurricane Season; reports are that there is a chance some of it might just come on land and  destroy the beaches, overrun the Marshes, Wetlands and even more might make it toward mainland as well.  It’s time for a change in the way the oil disaster is being handled and the President should consider it a national disaster as the effects on the environment, the wildlife habitat, the floor of the Gulf, the oyster beds, shrimp, not to mention the fish and tourism industry again, will take decades to recover.  The BP lies need to stop and the negativity toward what President Obama has and is doing respected; after all a Parish Leader stated that after he spoke to the President he changed his mind; that President Obama did not have all the information but soon after major changes were made and equipment available …The President is just as concerned about what is happening on the Gulf Coast  as the rest of us but because the Government is not involved in oil clean up business … it has got to be tough to sit back and wait.

Waiting … how many of us are waiting to find out just what will it take for advertising sponsors to drop TV, radio and print personalities who seem to promote, spew hate and racism when they want without being reprimanded by station owners and or stations they work for.  It just seems someone has to take more action as the comments coming from these people are out of control.

Other News …

**Seattle,WA lawmakers will be taxing candy, water and A Beer Tax at .28cents per six-pack to help pay for the 1.28 financial deficit

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**BP’s CEO Tony Hayward, who has insisted that the oil spill’s impact on the Gulf of Mexico would be “very, very modest,” finally conceded today that the ecological consequences will be far worse. He upgraded his assessment of the impact of the oil spill to an “environmental catastrophe.”TP

**The President of Peru will meet with President Obama today

**Primaries in Alabama , Mississippi and New Mexico today


C-SPAN …

watch V.P. Biden at Arlington National Cemetery

South Carolina Gubernatorial Candidates Debate

One week before South Carolina primary election on June 8, the Republican candidates for Governor debate tonight at Francis Marion University in Florence, SC.@7pm   A recent poll shows State Rep. Nikki Haley leading her opponents, U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, state Attorney General Henry McMaster and Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, following a Haley endorsement by 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. In the week since the poll was released, allegations surfaced of an extramarital affair between Haley and a conservative blogger two years ago. Haley has denied the claims, saying “I have been 100 percent faithful to my husband throughout our 13 years of marriage… This claim against me is categorically and totally false.” Tonight’s debate is sponsored by the university, in partnership with WBTW-TV News 13 and the Florence Morning News. The Democratic candidates debate this Thursday at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC. The primary election winners will face off in the November general election to succeed outgoing Gov. Mark Sanford.

Israeli PM Cancels White House Visit to Tend to Attack Aftermath

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has canceled today’s scheduled White House meeting with President Obama and returned to Israel following yesterday’s Israeli attack on ships carrying pro-Palestinian activists to the Gaza Strip. At least nine were killed and many more injured aboard the vessels, which were reported to be on an aid mission to the territory blockaded since 2007. A White House statement said President Obama spoke to Mr. Netanyahu and “expressed deep regret at the loss of life” in the incident, stressing the “importance of learning all the facts and circumstances” as soon as possible. The two leaders agreed to reschedule their meeting, seen as part of President Obama’s push to rekindle a lagging Israeli-Palestinian peace process. The President is scheduled to host Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for a White House meeting next week.

read WSJ: Flotilla Assault Spurs Crisis

Community Anger Builds as BP Attempts New Fix for Oil Leak

Gulf Coast residents were dealt another blow this weekend when officials announced the failure of the “top kill” effort to seal a pipe that has been gushing oil and natural gas into the Gulf of Mexico for more than a month. The spill is the focus of WIST-AM’s daily “Inside New Orleans” broadcast, which C‑SPAN simulcasts this afternoon. Hurricane season begins today and officials are concerned that the winds and surge of an early-season storm could drive even more oil towards shore. Already considered the worst oil spill in U.S. history, an estimated 12,000 to 19,000 barrels of oil are estimated to be leaking each day. Oil giant BP is now attempting to shear off the broken pipe a mile under water and place a containment cap that can funnel some of the leaking fuel to ships on the surface. Engineers are also preparing a pair of relief wells to divert oil and gas away from the damaged well and fill it with cement, theoretically stopping the leak for good. Those wells are not expected to be ready for at least two months.
“There’s no doubt that the ultimate solution lies on the relief well, which is in August,” BP Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward said Sunday.

watch WIST Simulcast: C-SPAN at 1pm ET    watch LIVE Spill Cam
visit WIST-AM

watch Archive of C-SPAN Spill Coverage

Past Supreme Court Nomination Hearings Revisited

With the upcoming Senate Judiciary confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan set for June 28, C‑SPAN will spend this week revisiting past confirmation hearings. Beginning tonight, we will present the hearings for Chief Justices John Roberts (2005) and William Rehnquist (1986) and Associate Justices Stephen Breyer (1994), Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1993), Clarence Thomas (1991), Anthony Kennedy (1988), and Antonin Scalia (1986).