Category Archives: ~ my 2cents …

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

Monday mashup


It’s going to be a week of enlightenment for We the People … Super Tuesday is here and while primaries do matter what we all will definitely glean from it all is what side are Americans really on. The effort to educate recruit and mobilize Democrats for special and mid-term elections is still a work in progress. It’s hard to believe any true American is willing to put people into office that practice exclusion or do in fact state they want less government but ask for money and advice from Wall Street, Big Banks and the insurance industry.  The Primaries will …or should help organizers see just who isn’t getting out there, who isn’t motivated to vote and this could be very important leading up to November elections.

FYI … people on the right are crafting a few falsehoods around the Elena Kagan appointment to the Supreme Court; please get the facts go to: White House site and read the information about Kagan;  you will see this is another crazy show … a stalling tactic and effort to portray her in the worst light ever … remember the comments and strange behavior during the Sonia Sotomayer appointment? the mis-understanding of saying what was really meant by “a wise Latina” The questions will be just as strange the length probably as long but Kagan probably will be the next Justice; a woman justice.

BP’s only focus has been capping the oil dump leak with top hats, holders and tubes and while that has gone on they either have forgotten or have no idea how to deal with what is going on with the plumes they are dispersing … strange, because it just seems like someone should be trying to siphon those plumes … is that a novel idea or just common sense. It is also apparent that what was going on at MMS,  other regulators as well as the EPA before President Obama was elected has to be reformed; this is another learning moment for what happens behind closed doors, handled by Republicans… the light has been turned on turbo style and while this oil dump, regulations and the Gulf Coast economy on his plate … who better than President Obama to reform the entire system.  It’s obvious a lot of what has been going on was in the hands of Republicans including  the winking and handshakes … it’s disgusting


Other News …

In a deal reached with Brazil and Turkey, Iran has agreed to ship most of its enriched uranium abroad and would receive medium-enriched fuel rods for its medical reactors in return. The agreement is nearly identical to the U.N.-drafted plan backed by the U.S. and its allies and could “deflate a U.S.-led push for tougher sanctions” on Iran.TP

**Hank Jones died at 91; Jazz pianist/composer-Grammy lifetime achievement award Winner

**The President signs the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act into law/protect the rights of journalists

**The President has issued an executive order to get an independent commission started

**A refinery has exploded in Huston,TX

**1.9million dart gun kits are being recalled as 2 children have died

Four Hispanic House Republicans told Roll Call that “the GOP must tread cautiously on immigration so as not to reverse the gains the party has begun to make with Hispanic voters on other issues.” “Part of the reason we have done so poorly with Hispanics was that there are a number of people who really went out of their way not to solve these issues but to stir them up,” Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) said.TP

C-SPAN …

Supreme Court Nominee Elena Kagan: Sen. Judiciary Kagan Questionnaire | Senate Judiciary Cmte. | Sen. Leahy | Sen. Hatch | Senate Judiciary Cmte. | Solicitor General Questionnaire

Today at 8pm (ET) on C-SPAN
Campaign Rallies for Pennsylvania 12th Congressional District Special Election Candidates

BP Exec. again Defends Containment Efforts to Congress

Nearly a month after the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, BP America, Inc. President Lamar McKay appears once more before Congress to explain the new techniques being tried to halt the spill. Also, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will provide the federal government’s response to the oil rig disaster.

watch Senate Hearing on C-SPAN at 2:30pm ET
watch Previous Hearings on Gulf Oil Spill

Candidates Prepare for State Primaries

On Tuesday, four state primaries will be held that may shape Congressional elections in November. In Pennsylvania, Mark Critz (D) and Tim Burns (R) are in a special election to fill the seat of the late Rep. John Murtha (D). Also, Incumbent Sen. Specter (D-PA) defends his seat from challenger U.S. Representative Joe Sestak (D). Kentucky holds a primary for the GOP U.S. Senate race with Trey Grayson, Rand Paul, Gurley L. Martin, John Stephenson and Jon J. Scribner. Lastly, challengers Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter and D.C. Morrison are up against incumbent Sen. Blanche Lincoln in the Arkansas U.S. Senate Democratic Primary.

Republicans continue to offer Amendments to Financial Reform Bill

Senators continue work on the financial reform bill this week with debate on Republican amendments, including an amendment by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) that would give the U.S. representative at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) the right to oppose future international rescue packages over repayment concerns. This and other amendments have been introduced by concerns over the Greek Financial Crisis. A cloture vote to end debate on the bill may happen as early as Wednesday.

watch Senate: 2pm ET on C-SPAN2

~ my 2cents ...

Weekend News/Reviews


It’s Sunday and as most of us wake up, turn on the tv we see news of incredible turmoil and violence in Bangkok that appears to be all about control .. shouldn’t we all be able to protest without getting shot? i know, but i still wonder why can’t things be done differently.

Talkingheads are talking Primaries coming up this Tuesday ; we are at a time when people need to decide… the choice of taking Political sides… history  shows that Republicans have questionable behavior; it also has to be understood what would happen if anyone from the Tea Party is voted into Political Office to represent We the People; when in fact the tea party people do not represent all the people only a select few and that does not include people of colour in my opinion.   In some cases Republican Politicians have made comments that suggest women need to stay in the kitchen and off the floor of Congress. It’s an obvious choice to me because Republicans practice exclusion; say they want less govt but go to Wall Street, Big Banks, AIG and big Oil Corp for money to support them; even our Supreme Court has helped Republicans and that move to legally deem corporations and individuals equal

 The idea of hearing Sarah Palin talking is bad enough but when she gets out there and gets paid… This woman is hardly qualified to be speaking for anyone … she is an ex-Gov of Alaska who apparently couldn’t finish out her job and some in Alaska do feel she abandoned them is now trying to tell the President what to do and  campaigning for anti-abortion? it’s offensive to hear her talk, it’s offensive for her to be out there taking money to say negative things about other Politicians when she is a Political quitter herself;  it’s offensive to think she honestly feels she is a supporter of Women or Family; because clearly she is not, WHY?  includes all things effect by families: her inability to separate Church from State, a right to choose, English or else? marriage for all people, how did she do among blacks and 1st nation families in Alaska and immigration will affect women and their families.

Today the Gulf Coast Benefit is being held all day and headliners involved and performing include: Lenny Kravitz, Mos Def, Neville Brothers and more …

The BP effort to plug up a siphon tube is starting to work and is it just me or did anyone else feel strange watching all those fisherman standing in line getting pay checks? especially after the interviews,  it definitely felt like some were getting better deals than others … pitting them against each other is just wrong and like some of them said… they? whoever can rectify the problem needs to start rotating boats … everyone should get a piece of the action … speaking of action … there should not be a small print clause about what happens … the people there still should and expect more … contracts with a no lawsuit clause are just wrong.

I get why they are using dispersants but the definition doesn’t get lost on me either …where will the oil plus poison go after being dispersed … EPA?

immigration … Gov Brewer has made a choice to go after the President and we all must remember how Brewer  got her job and after looking at her FB page the idea of the ole bait and switch came to mind; not only was she considered sane at some point she was appointed to Obama’s federal council of governor’s panel, had many ideas that seem good in writing yet one has to wonder …is it power, politics and control that is making  Arizona  an example of how not to act if you truly are an American? or is it

Other News …

**Banks cut Emergency lending from Fed

**44thou Military Helmets recalled due to design problems

**California’s bleak financial outlook has deep cuts coming to social programs

**PBuchanan has it out for Jews? very offensive

**BP efforts to plug siphon tube is starting to work at this time

**All those near Oklahoma need to stay away as a tornado headed or is there… if you are near underground facility get there now

**UK is going to be closing airports again as the Volcano spews ash

**NCarolina… Republican territory has about a $788mil deficit,will be slashing teachers

**Feds approve of dispersals

**Former Mexican Senator is missing

C-SPAN

Monday at 2:30pm (ET) on C-SPAN
Senate Hearing on the Response to the Gulf Coast Oil Spill

Gregg: GOP Not Trying to Stop Financial Reform

On C‑SPAN’s Newsmakers, Budget Committee Ranking Member Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) clarified that Republicans were not interested in stopping financial reform but hoped their amendments could improve the bill. In particular, he went over Republican efforts to change the bill’s language regarding derivatives, saying the current bill will hamper the “nation’s ability to be resilient and economically competitive.”

It’s Saturday … and as the weather heats up so does the political climate all over the country; what with primaries, laws that legalize racial profiling, Arizona is out of control … laws like the birther, the shoes please and now a ban on Ethnic Studies, reports of American troops leaving Haiti completely; troop numbers dropped to 900 and will drop again to 500 in June, a group of national business lobbyists in Florida want to take away health care from fellow Americans have joined in a suit against the new law of the land, capping that oil dump on the Gulf Coast, which, if you watched the hearings last week;  it was the other guys fault show and continues to play itself out on national tv like the 3 stooges, only it wasn’t funny at all; it was offensive.

The President  stated that watching them fall all over each other to blame and or point fingers at the other was offensive.  We the People got the impression there was a whole lot of bad acting going on; 3 huge Corporations pretending to care but in the end seem  to be standing firm on the liability cap amount and willing to waive the costs to taxpayers with the help of Republicans and some conserva-dems… how much more can Americans take.  This oil dump will take a toll on every aspect of life on the Gulf Coast and includes oil drilling as well so … alternatives need to be started asap.

Other News …

**Striking at a lucrative bank business, the Senate on Thursday voted to force credit card companies to reduce fees for debit card transactions and permit merchants to offer customer discounts based on their payment method. The 64-33 vote inserted the fee requirement in a package of new financial rules the Senate is considering to ward off a repeat of the financial crisis.cbsnews

**Npr is reporting that McFarlane and her drains/bridges have helped save Haiti

**A  joint lawsuit led by Florida, now 20 states was filed on March 23 by mostly Republican attorneys general.

Congress close to deal to pay for tax cutsCongress is finally getting around to extending more than 50 popular tax breaks that expired at the end of last year, including money savers for homeowners, businesses and shoppers in states with no income tax. Lawmakers want to raise taxes on investment fund managers to help cover the cost.

**The ban on Ethnic Studies could force Arizona int losing 10% in federal funds;Arizona plans to force schools to comply or be punished? State or Fed funds should be withheld immediately

**Feds/Justice Dept opens up criminal investigation regarding WVA underground mine

C-SPAN …

Today at 7pm (ET) on C-SPAN
America and the Courts: Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference Panel Moderated by U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan

watch President Obama watch Police Ceremony

watch Pres. Obama on Oil Spill

watch Interior Secretary Ken Salazar

watch Pres. Obama’s Weekly Address

~ my 2cents ...

TGIF … and some News – BP&econ collapse


Among other things happening and being reported, the news of today could be that the Senate got a lot done yesterday and seems to be buying into having some courage; maybe we can get some real Financial Reform that Wall Street, Big Banks and AIG types will respect, feel and be punished for not adhering to if they create another system that bets against the people.  Republicans are against Reform …

Is it just me or does anyone else find it awfully strange that people on the right and or Republicans appear to be mad about too much gov’t spending and or big government, but Politicians from the right are holding meetings with big Oil Corporations, big Banks and AIG type agencies and then there’s Sarah Palin campaigning for anti-abortion? they want the government and entitlements out of all our lives until it comes to issues like abortion which they want to completely control…  unreal.  Republicans, maybe some conserva-dems too are clearly on the wrong side of Financial Reform … asking for money and support?

What i feel is lost in the Media coverage and obviously the Public is missing …  is what side Republicans are actually on and it’s not on the side of We the People… sure folks are voting in more conservatives …but it doesn’t seem like they are watching closely… Republicans are on the side of the very people who led us into the financial ditch; Wall Street, Big Banks and AIG types.   Republicans are against Financial Regulations, Republicans want to Repeal Health Care so that the many who might have a chance will continue suffer and be discriminated against.

In the case of BP; Congress needs to find the courage, face the reality and vote to at least a moratorium on oil drilling… though jobs will be lost and that aspect of the oil dump will be a major concern of our President…  it’s obvious that drilling needs to be completely re-evaluated…  we are finding out that these 3 Big Corporations BP, Halliburton, TransOcean; BP being the focus and maybe many others like them have bet on risk…  the average amount of accidents against being ready for one was not only a disaster, betting on averages obviously proved to be the wrong move. Now, we find out that not only did their equipment fail the emergency protocol or plan b,c,d also failed. The idea that they bet or took a risk on not having a big accident and even so the cost of the fine and clean up  …probably a lot less than the profits from drilling and or an insurance claim itself.

In other news …SB1070 or the new Arizona law making racial profiling legal,  has prompted Los Angeles into boycotting the State, a school superintendent deciding the winning girls BB team will not play the championship in Arizona, the RNC cancelling their convention in Arizona and at least 22 other conventions have been canceled,  yet Baseball Commissioner Bob Selig seems to be ignoring calls to move the Phoenix All-Star game out of Arizona.  I am not sure what it will take for Gov Brewer and others to get the gist … SB1070  is a horrible law, the new birther law is horrible and now shutting down any and all Ethnic Study classes in a State and or Federally funded run schools should be considered a problem and addressed asap.

Other News …

**Washington and Oregon State politicians/lawmakers are looking to ban offshore drilling;any drilling spill/disaster would affect over half a million people on the west coast

**Thousands mourn Lena Horne in the NYC

C-SPAN

Financial Overhaul Bill enters final weeks in Senate

Lawmakers devoted a full week to work on the financial reform bill with Senators voting on a range of amendments from revamping underwriting standards to proposing limits on credit card fees. On C SPAN’s Newsmakers, Budget Committee Ranking Member Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) clarified that Republicans were not interested in stopping the passage of financial reform but wanted to offer amendments to “improve” the bill. Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) says he expects to complete work on the bill next week.

watch Senate Floor: NOW on C-SPAN2

Chamber CEO Focuses on Job Creation

In a speech at the National Press Club, the CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Thomas J. Donohue will unveil an economic impact study entitled “Opening Markets, Creating Jobs.” His speech will highlight the number of American jobs created by free trade agreements and assess challenges from overseas and at home.

Sarah Palin delivers address on Pro Life Agenda

Former Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) is the keynote speaker at the Susan B. Anthony List’s Celebration of Life Breakfast. The President of the pro-life organization, Marjorie Dannenfelser, praised her, saying, “Susan B. Anthony would be proud of Governor Palin’s consistent, passionate witness for women and the unborn, and especially her commitment to the families of children with special needs.”

watch Palin Address: LIVE on C-SPAN3

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

wacky Wednesday and some News …


I will go on a limb and state that the WSJ picture being discussed with Kagan up to bat is suggestive …maybe a switch hitter?  putting the question out there …  just so everyone wonders feeding the rumor which feeds more questions …  the intent is clear, the question is will people get pulled in;  maybe i’m naïve but who really cares what people do in their private life as long as the candidate is qualified for the job,  truthful about who you are and not hurting anyone or themselves.

It’s wacky Wednesday and some News …and what is more wacky than the news that Arizona Gov has signed a bill that will impact ethnic studies classes everywhere … what is going on in Arizona ?  The measure signed Tuesday prohibits classes that advocate ethnic solidarity, designed primarily for students of a particular race or that promote resentment toward a certain ethnic group.        Other wacky news …The SEC and the news about how it functioned while we needed them to do their jobs is kinda wacky … isn’t this a no brainer … put in good financial regulations, a protocol for all, enforce the rules regulations and policies when evidence comes in … say maybe a whistle-blower … uh investigate it …and possible enforce the law…but hey now days that seems like a novel idea…even wacky; pretty sure there are more stories to come … like watching/listening to in my opinion were the three stooges point the finger at the other instead of taking a group responsibility for the oil dump which has yet to be completely stopped.

The issues on the Congressional table continue to bring conflict.  Today S3217 and Climate Change will get some attention as Senators Kerry/Lieberman face it head on. At this time Immigration  Reform seems to be on hold and apparently some issues bring back  Health-Care as insurers and the chamber of commerce have posed issues and challenges to parents having their grown children covered until 26; believe me, it will be obvious when you find out and or compare what it would be if your male child had to get insurance on his own vs a female and then add any or all health issues … the new deal is great for We the People. Apparently, health care is definitely back in the news as Senator Anthony Weiner wants to do a meet up Click here to let me know what you think on Facebook. join in and make sure we all move into the 21st Century.

Other news …

**Los Angeles votes to boycott Arizona until it repeals it’s new law promoting legal racial profiling

**The House of Reps Voted and passed coverage Vet Benefits bill 417-0 /14 not voting and support for Women’s health care week passed as well

** 1090am/ Thom hartmann give Bay Buchanan the what for about Kagan and her qualifications comments

** A flash mob “infiltrates” the Westin St. Francis hotel in San Francisco, CA, performing an adaptation of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” to show support for “a boycott called by the workers of the hotel who are fighting to win a fair contract and affordable healthcare.” Watch it here.TP

**what could be more wacky then the AZ gov signing a bill targeting ethnic studies

**correction to the Kagan vs the Military; the rules,policies and regulations were in place before Kagan was hired

**The Republican National Committee (RNC) announced that it will hold its 2012 convention in Tampa, FL, citing the fact that it has been “a key targeted state in the past several elections, and it’ll continue to be in future elections.” One of the finalists the RNC notably passed over was Phoenix, AZ, which some conservatives were hoping the GOP would choose to show support for the state’s news anti-immigration law.TP



C-SPAN …

watch Meeting with Sen. Reid watch Meeting with Sen. McConnell  5/12

watch White House Press Briefing

watch Childhood Obesity Task Force Event

watch Senate Hearing on Immigration

watch Spkr. Pelosi Briefing on Middle East Delegation

watch Panel 1 watch Panel 2 Senate Energy Cmte/oil drilling

Sen. Kerry: “We want to make this the Senate where we finish the job.”

Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) released their climate and clean-energy legislation today. Sen. Kerry said the bill is essential for the United States to remain globally competitive and in control of its energy situation. “If we want to claim our share, we need to lead,” he said. The bill is expected to include provisions that create clean-energy jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and shift away from imported oil following the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

visit Kerry Lieberman Bill

Afghan President in Washington to Discuss War Effort

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai will meet with Pres. Obama to deliberate on matters of the war effort in Afghanistan. Both are expected to discuss ways to resolve disputes over corruption and a possible timeline for withdrawing American forces. Yesterday, Sec. of State Hillary Clinton met with Pres. Karzai for closed-door talks.

watch Joint News Conference: c-span.org, 11:15am ET
read REUTERS: U.S. Courts Karzai read AP: Clinton Reassures Afghans

Lawmakers Investigate Oil Spill Prevention Measures

Appearing for a second day on Capitol Hill, BP America Inc. Pres. Lamar McKay and Transocean Ltd. Pres. Steve Newman give their accounts on what caused the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico. Chairman Bart Stupack (D-MI) holds this House Oversight Subcmte. hearing to discuss how to prevent future incidents and the direction of U.S. national energy policy.

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

Tuesday tantrums & some News …


Ok… today is a day to close your eyes breathe in through your nose slowly and deeply and release your breathe slowly … be still stay calm

Yesterday, the President announced his nominee pick for the Supreme Court, which was followed by a whole lot of whining , false reports and more rumors.  It is a side of Politics some in the News say is obvious yet it just seems like the President should get his pick and then follow the process without all the nonsense that seems to come with it.  We the People voted for Barack Obama and the vote the 53% the right to appoint and get who you want in place should come with all the power that any other President has had.

Though last night was both sad and disturbing; maybe it should enlighten people as well, AC360 had a birther who happened to have been a Military Officer, a well-known Doctor; who showed up with his lawyer who seemed more nutty than the doctor.  Is it just me or have we gone into to some twilight zone where people who have titles feel they are much more likely to know the truth to where our President is from? it was clearly an example of a guy who cracked who definitely was on the far right and is mad; maybe into making decisions that will affect him for the rest of his life … a Court Marshall… Cooper called him a once honorable man … corrected by Rolland Martin…thank goodness and just because you have a title does not mean you have a valid, legal or power challenge; specifically when the Hawaii Vital Stats has proved it beyond a reasonable doubt …and more important how many Presidents prior had to show their birth certificates eh? and tell me this is not a racist … maybe much more …that hair cut tipped me off … just sayin

For all those people who want our President to govern more left of center have to understand that Presidents have to at least work to get Congress and other lawmakers to come together … which, is center not left of center … that is how it works.

My take is that the job for We the People is to vote for people who are not extremists on either side, don’t practice exclusion and who believe in equal rights for all and from where i sit it looks like this is one of just a few problem points for Elena Kagan … that she doesn’t practice exclusion(Discrimination)… listen up people;  how middle America can you be with one parent being a Teacher the other a Tenant lawyer …

The BP oil spill is not just a spill anymore … what do we call it? an oil dump?  well, the oil dump on the Gulf Coast is almost 1 month now and what has not been talked about much …  what is going on on the Gulf floor … the blanket of oil on the floor of the water ways is very troubling and as we all think about whether BP and associates have made a good faith effort to deal with these kinds of accidents, they all seem content on pointing the finger at each other.  The group of  Three didn’t  seem to have had any emergency plan whatsoever and that is both disturbing and evidence that drilling cannot continue until companies have emergency plans, emergency equipment, boats in place ready to move in… not a month from the incident. It is also a sad thing to know that eleven people lost their lives and not much coverage in the News about that or what BP intends to do for those families.

Other News ..

The lettuce recall expands … Moore Ok, Yuma AZ, NY,Ohio and Michigan… Ohio based FreshWay Foods reported the 23State recall but the FDA is recalling more romaine lettuce from other States …

**UK’s PM Gordon Brown stepped down from office today;david cameron taking his position as Uk’s new PM today

**Reports of a new Climate Bill for consideration for Wednesday from Senators Kerry/Lieberman

**A Chilean judge ordered a Pakistani man to be held under an anti-terrorism law Tuesday after he was arrested in the U.S. embassy in Chile with traces of explosive on him.

**Flights to/from Morocco,Italy and Spain have effected ..check your flights asap

**The Obama Admin is working on new Drug controls

**A benefit/concert for the people on the Gulf Coast will include Lenny Kravitz



C-SPAN …

Nominee Kagan begins to lobby Senators

Supreme Court Justice Nominee Elena Kagan and the White House have begun their lobbying efforts with phone calls to Senators. She is expected to begin Hill visits tomorrow with an initial meeting with Senate Maj. Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). Confirmation hearings are expected to begin in early summer.

Oil leak Under CONGRESSIONAL Investigation

Executives from BP, Halliburton and Transocean appear at two Senate hearings today on the effects of the Gulf of Mexico oil leak to the local economies, tourism, as well as wildlife and natural resources. The Senate Energy Cmte. is reviewing offshore oil and gas development and later the Senate Environment Cmte. will investigate the environmental impact.

Congress Looks at Safeguarding Wall Street

Last week, the Dow Jones industrial average dropped almost 1000 points from its previous closing number. Yesterday, Federal regulators agreed in principle to a system that would slow trading during periods of market volatility. Securities and Exchange Commission Chairwoman Mary Schapiro will explain the terms of the agreement and respond to lawmaker’s calls to implement a “one size fits all” system before a House Financial Services subcmte. hearing.