Category Archives: ~ my 2cents …

~ my 2cents ...

Monday mashup …&c-span


The wind and rain was, is  loud and heavy here in the 206 last night but nothing like what is going on in the mid-west and further south of our country.  All thoughts are on the people along the Gulf Coast, hopefully BP will hire and pay so all those who are losing money everyday the WELL is not capped as the coast remains a mess and threats of damage to shrimping, oyster beds, fish, canneries, restaurants,  sight-seeing tours and everything related is likely to suffer as well.  It’s only right to not only pay up but figure out what the potential loss for the gulf coast economy along with the  fishing industry and prepare to compensate a whole lot of people.

The people  on the Gulf Coast should not be treated as if they don’t know what the future looks like; no deal, no amount of money will  be able to undo what has happened to the area in the long term and after hearing an offer of $5,000 dollars if people don’t sue? uh can we all say class action.  While there are many other issues to stress out on most people are wondering and or thinking about … the attempted terrorist attack in Times Square, Wall Street reform, an Immigration and Climate Change Bill.

Other News …

**Conservative Latinos are rethinking their ties to the Republican Party in the wake of the GOP’s reaction to the new anti-immigrant Arizona law. Massey Villarreal, a past national chairman of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly, said, “It’s insulting to have Republican leaders across the country applauding this racist law. I’m sure this is going to hurt the Republican Party.” WSJ

**Seattle garbage/waste management workers voted 96% on the 5yr contract with yearly increases

**Obama administration officials told Newsweek that the Department of Homeland Security signaled to Arizona police that “it will most likely detain and deport only violent criminals” arrested because of the state’s new anti-immigration law. All others “will get a written notice requesting that they appear for a future hearing — warnings that some immigration officers call ‘run letters’ because recipients so rarely show up.”TP

**Whirlpool, who took about 19million in stimulus dollars; will now outsource jobs to Mexico

C-SPAN …

watch White House Briefing 5/3

At a national conference on intolerance, leaders from across the country gather to hear from key government leaders, policymakers and ambassadors on ways to confront violence stemming from anti-Semitism, incivility in America, the Iranian nuclear threat, and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. The Anti-Defamation League hosts this Shana Amy Glass National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.

watch Conference: C-SPAN2 at 12:30pm ET

Governors Share Solutions to Improve Job Growth

A bipartisan panel of governors, including Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), share the challenges states face in the economic downturn, such as creating jobs and reviving economic growth. He will discuss a recent study on Minnesota’s methods to foster conditions for job growth. Earlier today, Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM) gave a preview of the annual summit, hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber Foundation

watch Panel Discussion: From Earlier

Sec. Clinton: U.S. Committed to Vision of Nuclear Free World

As part of the “irreversible, transparent and verifiable steps” to reduce its nuclear arms, Sec. of State Clinton announced that the U.S. will publicize the number of weapons in its nuclear arsenal. This is one of several actions by the Obama Administration to encourage world leaders to follow its nonproliferation agenda. Sec. Clinton also responded to Iranian Pres. Ahmadinejad’s remarks, saying that Iran has failed to meet its responsibility and is in noncompliance with U.N. safeguard obligations.

Iranian President Resists Non-Proliferation Pressure

In his first remarks in the United States since Pres. Obama began advancing his non-proliferation agenda, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will address a United Nations Non-Proliferation Treaty Conference this morning. Later today, Sec. of State Hillary Clinton also delivers remarks and will likely discuss stalled efforts to pass new sanctions against Iran, as well as international cooperation on nuclear arms control.

watch U.N. Conference: C-SPAN at 10:30am ET
read Reuters: Iran may not get warm welcome at U.N.
~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Follow Friday News …&C-SPAN


While the sun comes up and the light of day starts to show just how bad this oil spill disaster is and  finally uncover what exactly happened. Hopefully, reality will sink in on how just one error that could have been prevented by simply making BP or companies like them put expensive  but high-tech emergency equipment in place to cap the well, avert or absorb spills before they start. The negative outcome and proof that the  rules and deregulation of financial and oil companies by the house of Bush … is evident.  Now, we see what happens when a big corporation tries to save money but does so much damage and in this case a big impact not only the environment but foul, fish industry and the entire economy on the gulf coast for decades.  It is great to have a President that is willing to change direction on issues when the facts and or evidence show that delays and or cancellation of offshore drilling is clear.  What happened should not be blamed on President Obama, this is clearly a human error and in this case BP;  they know it and need to take responsibility for the entire clean-up.

I have to say the first reports of the explosion and then word that everything was okay made me wonder …common sense tells you okay the well is underground; it could bleed out, up or both, which is what happened.  The big question is why didn’t they act before the oil started to leak.  This spill, is for me a warning to either change the way the clean-up process works or scrap any plans for further oil platforms or at least  get an emergency plan in place because it seems this error by BP happened because they had no plan B, C  maybe none at all… I’m no expert but equipment should have been available immediately that absorb oil… bumpers placed along the coast and shores before the leak actually spread … i saw nothing but boats watching , waiting for the leak to show … unacceptable

In other unacceptable news …  the Arizona law that will carry out legal racial profiling or  SB1070 and the fact that in 90days and or after the Arizona legislature finishes it’s business may become law as well as the stupid birther law.  Republicans have managed to alienate a whole lot of people and hopefully I’m not the only one who feels the up coming elections will show that … if not, it’s definitely something to work on.

The bright spot on immigration reform are the comments from Nancy Pelosi about leadership and appetite in response to The President; meaning she is willing and has the appetite to deal with immigration reform in 2010; as well as the move by Senator Harry Reid, who put together an immigration proposal that will include a National ID ?, a pathway to citizenship and beefed up Border Patrol … this is a beginning stayed tuned because some of it needs adjustments if you ask me.

last …

The continued effort by all these mistresses who, i guess truly believe they have not stolen someone’s husband or that they are not home wreckers is just beyond me.  Is it time to get legal on these women? and how nutty  were Miss Hunter’s comments; this O interview just shows in my opinion how delusional the “other woman is” … or what. When will they understand this is not your man; he is legally married to someone no matter how unhappy you think he is or how often he says it and just because you have a baby by the married man does not change a thing…you have no legal rights to him  –the other women, predator or ho and should have said NO because he is married –simple

http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Oprahs-Conversation-with-Rielle-Hunter

Other News …

The President has started interviewing Supreme Court candidates, having spoken to Sydney Thomas yesterday


**Leno is hosting the White House Correspondent Dinner Saturday night on MSNBC 9pm ET raising money for potential journalists

**Honda Motor Co. is recalling about 167,000 Acura TSX cars to fix power steering hoses that could deteriorate and cause a fire under the hood.AP

**The U.S. economy grew at 3.2 percent annual rate in the first quarter of this year, marking three straight quarters of growth. “Consumer spending growth has remained solid thanks to more hiring and better financial conditions,” said Aaron Smith, a senior economist at Moody’s Economy.com. TP

**The company Massey& owner of the mine where 29miners died has offered a settlement of 3million each to families; reports are that Massey is only offering money to those without counsel

**Senator Patty Murray& SenatorDorgan have started a move to get the fast track back on track in a meeting that occurred on Thursday money was the main problem but talks have begun …

**Gov Jan Brewer is calling immigrants terrorists and their coming into Arizona a terrorist attack ? omg

**Hawaii has voted to  same sex unions

**Seattle, A ruling on R71 may happen in June 2010

**The $8000 dollar credit for first time Home buyers ends today at midnight/Buyers must close by June 30 2010 –some offices are open until 10pm tonight

**Insurer Anthem has announced that they will withdraw the 39% rate hike

**Reports of another jobs bill coming up for consideration in Congress possibly in 3months

**The State of Washington will start the new 10 unpaid furlough days work during the year and the cigarette tax pack starts as well



C-SPAN …

watch Oil Spill Update

watch Navy Secretary: From Earlier

watch Pres. Obama on Oil Spill and 2010 Q1 GDP

watch Conference Discussion: From Earlier

watch State Dept. Briefing

watch VP Biden Remarks read WH Press Release on Projects

creating middle class Jobs, state of the U.S. Labor Market.  New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers join a discussion examining the national long-term trends in employment, earnings and job opportunities. The conference, hosted by The Hamilton Project and the Center for American Progress, also includes morning panels with academics and policymakers who explain how the competitive global economy is linked to the challenge of creating high-paying U.S. jobs.

Navy Secretary Outlines Plan to Allow Women on Submarines.  One day after the ban prohibiting women from serving aboard submarines expired without formal objection from Congress, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus is expected to outline the shift in remarks to the National Press Club today. He is also expected to discuss other future obstacles facing the Navy. Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced the intended submarine policy reversal in a letter to Congressional leaders in February.

watch LIVE from the NPC: c-span.org at 1pm ET
visit Reuters: Women to start serving on submarines

Debate Continues on Financial Regulation Overhaul Measure.  After three days of blocked attempts to debate Sen. Chris Dodd’s (D-CT) financial reform bill, Senate Republicans agreed to allow the bill to move ahead for a formal debate yesterday. Today, members will continue with general speeches and are set to submit their amendments on the bill, which will likely be voted on next week.

~ my 2cents ...

People Places and Things … to avoid?


Apparently, the following States not only are practicing exclusion the very people voted into office to represent WE the People are responsible … is racism starting to rear its ugly head; another question … what are people going to do peacefully about this because the impact from these actions will impact all of We the People

Arizona …

Alabama … 

Colorado 

Georgia … 

Utah

 

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

wild weather Wednesday News …&C-SPAN


Okay, what time of the year is it?  Wind Hail and Rain are hitting the Emerald city in a big way and it’s April not December; more snow storm in the NE… ugh. Relax Breathe in slowly then slowly release your breath …be still then repeat the process.

News that is irritating … since when did Lindsey Graham have control over the governing party because he certainly was acting like it on cable tv last night; this is a man who only a month ago stated that we need to move forward on immigration, now he says no? It makes a voter wonder, can’t Republicans stop flip-flopping for just a minute so Congress can get the Peoples work done.   The mystery of Sen Ben Nelson’s NO vote on financial reform is no surprise either … money and its intent … buying Warren Buffett time/a special deal- again? so the tantrums continue …  okay take a deep breath.  That didn’t help me out because for the 3rd time Republicans and Sen Ben Nelson have blocked the move forward to debate and get Financial Reform started on the Floor of the Senate

breathe in breathe out and relax …

In great news …President Obama will be in Missouri and Quincy, Illinois today to talk wind, green energy, jobs, Wall Street, maybe more and while our President is doing the work of the people… ALL of the people.

In what could be considered a knock on the head of at least one Republican… who decided to stop obstructing Wall Street/financial reform without a vote on the floor and will start not only the  debates but maybe some amendments and new Reform Laws that will protect Americans from financial abuse voted on soon. Before the change of attitude in Republicans, this morning Democrats in the Senate tried yet again to move the debate on Wall Street/Financial Reform forward but failed 56-42 which isn’t a surprise but these games are getting old right about now.  The time for talk is or should be over … the backlog of legislation in the Senate that has been stalled, ignored and or blocked by Republicans is offensive

…right now The Democratic Party seems the best choice going into the 2010/2012 elections what with a lot of Republicans who joined in the effort to speak in code engaging in, supporting bad behavior, exclusion and now –Arizona among other things has decided to pass 2 crazy laws:  birther and legal racial profiling. The law or SB1070 in itself is strange enough but the press conference Gov Jan Brewer held showed just how reckless the law truly is and will unfortunately come back to haunt the great state of Arizona.  A call for action made by several States … a Revenue Boycott seems to be in play.

Immigration … the solutions of immigration should be comprehensive; putting the biggest responsibility on corporations…  fine them or enforce the 2007 law that companies who hire will in fact be shut down … illegals are not just brown people; and again, what does reasonable suspicion mean and how stupid is it to say you can tell an illegal from the shoes they wear? not to mention the response to that question by Gov. Jan Brewer… uh no i cannot tell what an illegal looks like and there are some people in Arizona who do know- WHAT?  clearly the workforce of undocumented workers is huge and some deserve a path to become a citizen as the ex- maverick has said in the past; it needs to be done in a common sense way not out of hysteria


Other News …

**Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland asked a stupid question of a potential  draft pick: is your mom or has she ever been a prostitute? then takes it back and says it was poor judgment … makes you wonder what credentials you really need to be a GM

**Seattle, WA –Waste Management/Garbage strike is not only over the contract talks are over and an agreement made

**Huge March on Wall Street at 4PM/ET in the NYC

**Shakira will meet with the mayor of Phoenix later this week to help campaign against a new Arizona law cracking down on illegal immigration a spokesman for the mayor’s office confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday.

**The Fed Reserve is keeping  interest rates at their lowest

*Are birthers paranoid as well as sick and stupid

**Recall alert for the Sequoia 2003 SUV with problems with acceleration

**Seattle …Tax hikes are coming to fund public safety

**Alabama Gov Candidate and apparently anti-immigrant Tim James is pushing the envelope by stating he would like to implement English only drivers examine and is  currently doing so in various advertisements-

**Flight 3006, operated by regional carrier ExpressJet for Continental Airlines Inc., was headed for Dulles International Airport in Virginia when it was directed to land at Piedmont Triad International Airport near Greensboro “out of an abundance of caution,” the TSA said.

**Coast Guard will start a burn process to get rid of oil …hoping to stop the oil run off possibly hurting wet lands and more

**Senate Democrats are gearing up to keep Republicans on the Floor until the debate on Financial Reform can move forward …

**The Obama administration is “supporting legislation to provide mandatory paid sick leave for more than 30 million additional workers who are some of nation’s lowest-paid employees.” The legislation, called the Healthy Families Act, has been introduced by Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT).

C-SPAN

listen Sens. Reid & Dodd

watch Hearing on Antibiotics

watch Senate Approps. Hearing: From Earlier visit SEC visit CFTC

watch Pres. Obama on Financial Reform

watch Pres. Obama Remarks on Economy

Peterson Foundation looks to provide answers to fiscal crisis

Pres. Clinton, Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) and the co-chairmen of the National Debt Commission are keynote speakers at the first-ever National Fiscal Summit, an event meant to kick start a “bipartisan dialogue on America’s fiscal challenges.” Sponsored by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation (PGPF), the summit brings together top policy-makers, senior government officials, elected leaders and economic experts to share their views on the fiscal problems facing America.

Goldman have their guard up at Senate Hearing

Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein told a Senate panel that there was no conflict of interest in their dealings involving mortgage-securities and that they had no obligation to tell clients about their business practices. Yesterday, the Senate Governmental Affairs Subcommittee asked current and former executives about their duty to clients and the ethics of betting against the housing market, despite also selling mortgage-linked securities.

Budget Increases Slated for Financial Oversight Agencies

Today, CFTC Chair Gary Gensler and SEC Chair Mary Schapiro will testify before a Senate Appropriations Subcmte. on their respective budgets. The SEC request is up 13 percent to $1.2 billion, while the CFTC budget request is 54 percent higher than last year at $261 million. Twenty-four million and $45 million of the proposed SEC and CFTC budgets, respectively, are contingent on the enactment of financial regulatory reform legislation.

watch Senate Approps. Hearing: C-SPAN3, 2:30pm ET
visit SEC visit CFTC
read WSJ: ‘Watchdog’ – The SEC’s Porn Problem
~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Tuesday … some News &c-span live stream


Today, The President is in Iowa talking wind, energy jobs and  change we can all believe in.

Game on …  the response is Bring it …at least that’s the impression given by some Democrats … specifically Nancy Pelosi and chessman Senate Majority leader Harry Reid.

Reports are that leader Reid and Senator Nelson both voted no but for extremely different reasons and as a democrat the moves Harry Reid is making definitely is refreshing; we need someone who is shrewd, smart and clearly a  Reid strategy is either in place or coming into focus with lessons learned from what happened with health care reform; Senator Reid stated he will not tolerate slowing down the process, any progress or watering down of financial reform, which, is great because the time for talk is over …the other side keeps saying we need time,we need a substantive bill one that puts the screws to Wall Street; well it’s just talk and the action they really want is keeping the status quo.   Senator Ben Nelson and his reasons for voting no on Financial Refrom twice remains a mystery.

Daily Gallup Poll numbers– President Obama job approval by Party Affiliation:

82% Democrats

48% Independents

13% Republicans

Americans want Congress to get more than one thing done at a time and stop playing the political games keeping us from moving forward but Republicans seem to feel being the Political Party of No will bring voters out for them in 2010 or 2012 are betting, risking a big rally against them in the up coming elections.

Immigration … effects all parts of our economy our way of life and needs a comprehensive reform not raids, arrests or paper checks.  We need to STOP legal racial profiling and is it just me or is this new law along with the birther law a legal way to control brown people and possibly the  2010/2012 elections; if so; we will not be held down and while the games are beginning we will overcome this foul play. While immigration is definitely an issue that will continue to hit the hot buttons of everyone it’s time to get organized, get informed in Arizona and get out the vote GOTV for DEMOCRATS to fix what is currently going on there and what might jump to other states.   This morning on the BillPress show a Democrat and Progressive Candidate has announced his bid for the Democratic nomination to run against McCain and JD hayworth named Randy Parraz, who is a Civil Rights Attorney… we need to get behind a candidate for the Senate that is there for everyone not just for a select few http://www.parrazforchange.com

Other News …

**Both Chambers of Congress have elected to opt out of pay raises for this election year

**The 3rd financial reform test vote should happen on Wednesday and even R. Senator Gregg believes it will move forward.

**The President’s debt commission is meeting today consisting of 18Senators from both Political Parties

**WellPoint states they will stop dropping patients after May 1st; health insurers have until September to start implementing reform;some have already implemented coverage under parents insurance for children under 26


C-span …

Saturday at 8pm (ET) on C-SPAN
White House Correspondents’ Association Annual Dinner: Remarks by President Obama & NBC “Tonight Show” Host Jay Leno

watch Pres. Obama Remarks on Economy

watch Pres. Obama Remarks on Jobs

watch Announcement on Health Care Settlement

watch White House Press Briefing 4/26
watch Hearing with DHS Sec. Napolitano 4/27

watch Chamber of Commerce Meeting read U.S. Chamber of Commerce( on health care bill) 4/26

watch Community Bankers Conference

Lawmakers call for “updated and effective” wall street regulation

Testifying before a Senate committee, six current and former Goldman Sachs executives are appearing on the role Goldman and other investment banks played in triggering the 2008 financial collapse. Panel one includes Goldman’s Exec. Dir. Fabrice Tourre and in a later panel Goldman CEO Lloyd Blankfein will deny that the firm profited by betting against the U.S. housing market. Yesterday the Senate rejected to act on financial regulatory reforms.

Commission Chairs: All Options Have To Be On The Table To Lower Deficit

The Presidential Commission charged with finding bipartisan solutions to lowering the nation’s trillion-dollar budget deficit is meeting for the first time today. In remarks before the meeting, Pres. Obama told the commissioners that “everything is on the table,” and that “we are serious in getting our budget under control”. The Commission is supposed to submit its recommendations to the President by December 1.

watch Debt Cmsn. Meeting: From Earlier

read AP: Obama urges bipartisan effort

Lawmakers investigate mine safety, legislative solutions

After the recent West Virginia Upper Big Branch Mine blast, a series of investigations have been launched to look into mine safety. Today, federal labor and mining officials appear before the Senate HELP Committee to discuss ways to strengthen regulation enforcement. Due to pending investigations, the hearing is not expected to focus on the West Virginia accident in particular, but rather on overall safety efforts.

watch Mine Safety Hearing: LIVE on c-span.org