Category Archives: ~ my 2cents …

Monday mashup and CSPAN.org …


The Congress Easter break is over so… let the games begin because we all know that Congress is working for the people right?

Today, the President will host several foreign leaders in efforts to put lasting force behind nuclear control.

The other things that will be on the minds of most Americans and the list is long; The reasons behind the confederate celebration and what else is Gov McDonnell planning for Tenn; as a person of colour, it’s hard for for me to feel anything positive from the actions of an elected official to embrace a time when Blacks were treated as things not people.  It is confusing to think anyone let alone people voted into office would belittle the most important reason for the war… Slavery.  It’s offensive and maybe everyone needs to ask themselves if we should be voting people like this in office?

The anticipation of the up and coming constant Republican debate tactics, stalling tactics blocking and misinterpretation from Republicans with  more discussion on who will Obama push to replace Justice Stevens or the warning they lodged at the President about trying to appoint anyone other than what they want or expect and what they plan to do; which, as we all know is to work for the People right.

The idea that Republicans will continue to disrespect the office of President, warning him not to live up to what 53% voted him into office to do … governing.  We the People cannot afford to vote politicians who put Political Party over doing the Peoples business; though Republicans would have the public believe it is in our best interest.  It is not in the best interest of any American to side on the party of no; people need to make the effort to listen to what things are now being done that Republicans did not even consider doing … We need and must move into the 21st Century if we plan to get back on track, be the number one in the Nation.  The November elections are important and democrats must be out in droves to vote Democrats into office for each and every State ; stay informed and vote to keep democrats in to complete the fixes our economy needs so badly because they definitely were avoided by the house of Bush.


Other News …

Bob McDonnell has or will subject ex-criminals to a test that is suppose to test and or disprove they get the right to vote back by forcing each one to write an essay…in a predominantly African American State can i just say how offended i am and hope that All people in Tenn will use their right to Vote and get Bob McDonnell out of there and his AG too.  I gotta say that the moves this man is making should scare all Americans; is it possible that Gov McDonnell has an ugly agenda? promoting fear hate and possibly violence has unintended consequences

HR4887 How can I find out about updates to the TRICARE benefit in the future?
We are committed to keeping our beneficiaries informed about their benefit. We will make new information available on our website, at our call centers, and via all of our educational materials as soon as we have more to share. You can also sign-up to receive benefit updates via e-mail.

Will children now be eligible for TRICARE until age 26?TRICARE is not currently affected by this provision. Our current age limits are set by statute, so separate legislation is required to change them.By law, TRICARE covers eligible dependent children:  1) Up to the age of 21, or  2) Up to age 23 if they are:a) Enrolled full-time at an accredited, higher education institution, and  b) Reliant on the sponsor for more than 50 percent of their financial support Coverage ends on the child’s 23rd birthday or at the end of that school year, whichever comes first. Learn more about eligibility for children.How can I keep informed about changes to the TRICARE benefit? check for updates, or sign-up to receive benefit updates via e-mail. We are committed to keeping you informed about any changes promptly.

How Our Laws Are Made <<<click on link that will explain how legislation is created and the different types of congressional action that result from it.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama optimistically opened a 47-nation nuclear summit Monday, boosted by Ukraine’s announcement that it will give up its weapons-grade uranium. More sobering: The White House counterterror chief warned that al-Qaida is vigorously pursuing ingredients and expertise for a bomb. complete article on AP

Former WaMu execs face grilling at U.S. Senate hearing

**Stephen Rotella, Kerry Killinger and others will speak publicly for the first time about what happened as the giant Seattle thrift careened toward ruin. Live coverage begins Tuesday at 6:30 a.m. seattletimes.nwsource.com

**in one week Congress will debate and vote on financial reform/it’s time to regulate to big to fail and Wall Street and or AIG type companies

**City of Seattle and garbage company waste management are still in contract talks to avoid a strike; talks are not going well

** GOP Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi said he doesn’t think the proclamation was a mistake.  “To me, it’s a sort of feeling that it’s a nit, that it is not significant, that it’s not a — it’s trying to make a big deal out of something (that) doesn’t amount to diddly,” Barbour said in the interview aired on CNN’s “State of the Union.” AP

**Hillary Clinton will not be offered the now open Chief Justice position as reported by the White House

**Minnesota union strikers are looking for help from Amy klobachar as they get pushed around,have their ot manipulated and their employer refuses to open up the books;all of which can be considered unfair labor practices

**The airline Spirit is now charging about $45 for carry-ons

**conservative columnist George Will criticized conservatives for saying that they want judges who will strictly follow the law while simultaneously cheering decisions that overturn the work of elected officials. Conservatives “say they’re against judicial activism. By which they mean they want the court to defer to the elected political branches of government. But if you look at what’s happened recently, the decision that most outraged conservatives was the Kelo decision on eminent domain. … The court did defer to the city government in Connecticut and it enraged conservatives. The recent decision that most pleased conservatives — Citizens United, overturning part of McCain-Feingold — was the court not deferring to the Senate,” Will said.TP

**A group of liberal Democrats, joined by Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), “are planning an aggressive spring offensive to strengthen key provisions of the financial reform bill — and daring Senate Republicans to vote against them.” “There are a number of people in our caucus who feel like there are things that can be done to strengthen it,” said Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)TP

**”Senate Republicans say they are willing to block ratification” of the new START treaty that President Obama signed with Russia “unless the administration follows through with key policy concessions.” “The president has to put into place a plan to modernize our nuclear weapons. Until that plan is presented, he won’t see support for the treaty,” a Republican Senate aide told Roll Call.TP

WASHINGTON — Amid a sudden upswing in relations, President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao sought common ground Monday on Iran, agreeing that a set of potential sanctions should make clear to Iran the cost of continued nuclear defiance, a White House official said.full article at AP

**Alan greenspan seems to be covering up or rewriting history with half-truths regarding his involvement in the 2008 crash of our economy, regulating the market and who did or specifically was responsible for regulating and didn’t do their jobs

Enactment of a Law <<<click on link that will explain the legislative process, contrasting the procedures of the House and Senate.

CSPAN.org live stream

Public Affairs Programming on C-SPAN

Leaders Gather in D.C. to Improve Nuclear Security.  Over 40 world leaders will meet in Washington this afternoon for a nuclear summit to find solutions to improve global nuclear security. Before the summit gathers today, Pres. Obama meets individually with some of the world leaders. Also today, Vice Pres. Biden will host a luncheon with attendees at his residence and later tonight the President will hold a dinner for heads of state.

Pres. Obama,Chinese Leader Meet Before Nuclear Summit. Sanctions against Iran’s nuclear program are expected to top the agenda when Pres. Obama meets with Chinese President Hu Jintao hours before the international nuclear summit opens in Washington, D.C., today. On Sunday, Pres. Obama spoke about nuclear security and regional issues during bilateral meetings held at Blair House with five world leaders, including the heads of two nuclear-armed rivals, India and Pakistan.

Senate Returns From Spring Recess To Tackle Unemployment Benefits. Following a two-week break, lawmakers are returning to Washington. Today, the Senate is expected to continue debate on a one-month extension of jobless benefits which expired the first week of April. They may also begin discussion on immigration overhaul and financial regulatory reform in the next few weeks.

Thursday news and more … cspan.org


On a day of historic proportions, the last couple have dampened the many great things that have happened this last couple of weeks. But first …a little spring snow for all you folks in Seattle …

Today, our President signed off on a new treaty with Russia to reduce nuclear weapons from 2500 to 1500 and for those who think this is bad; get informed and find out just exactly what it all means because it is a move that most Presidents have tried and have failed. The last treaty was signed in 1991.   This is yet another BFD.  Yay

The latest news and behavior by people voted into Public Service is very upsetting, just wrong as well as offensive and the idea that anyone in their right mind would suggest celebrating confederacy and or what it meant; let along have a Governor and a … actually put forth a proclamation is beyond my idea of crazy behavior.  The fact that Bob McDonnell did so was offensive but the words that came out of his mouth to support it to create it then act on it is worthy of an impeachment process.  This man clearly knew his history of the war why it happened and what issues were more significant than others yet refused to acknowledge it until pushed to do so yesterday after some weeks or months.  It was reported by Keith O on msnbc in an interview with Julian Bond that this is yet the forth Governor to talk and create the proclamation; former Governor Douglass Wilder and first African-American to hold the office did recognize both sides and what happened during the war. The difference between  and what is truly offensive is McDonnell’s outright need to lie about leaving out slavery and why. The civil war and what was significant about it was slavery; no one should be fooled into believing anything different.

Today, more Republicans have decided to challenge States rights regarding health care reform even after at least a year of debate, stalling and refusal to cooperate; hcr was voted on and is the new law of the land. While it is not lost on me that Republicans will do just about anything to set themselves apart from the President of the US; even as offensive as it is. The facts have been twisted turned and avoided by most Republicans and unfortunately some of my fellow Americans believe the noise coming from the right, quite frankly Republicans would rahter fight moving into the 21st Century while attempting to bring the President down than help others and our economy by bringing down the cost of health care/insurance.  The problem we have was not created by the current President, yet Republican Politicians seem to be trying to convince their supporters that big government equals the sitting President.  It is with great sadness that there is so many Americans who are drinking the kook-aid because big government was the house of Bush. The economy slipped into a ditch created by the spending that Bush did and if anyone is willing to listen…  he did not pay for it and left an incredible hole that needs to be fixed; it’s  true that the solution was to throw money at it and most economists believe it had to be done.  The idea that we keep the status quo is to say nothing needs to be changed; what better time is it that we improve upon a system that has long been broken. If not now when and what better group than Democrats to fix the problems… because Republicans are proving not only are they fiscally irresponsible they also practice exclusion; some might say the current words are laced with hate and or racism … that’s just my take

A thought for single mom’s everywhere; children are definitely a labor of love and those men(fathers) who decide to cheat while still being married leave and spend money going to exotic places with the latest girlfriend(s) need to remember the facts and go from there.


Other News …

**Race to top: She says involvement will help state get federal money | TUKWILA – Gov. Chris Gregoire believes Washington has a cha… Full Story

**Republicans are holding a 3day leadership conference opening up with liz cheney/newt and jc watts

**More and more Republicans in office seem to think they know more than a constitutional lawyer who is now President;and quite frankly it looks as if they would fight this and bring the President down than help others bring down the cost of health care/insurance

and cspan.org

Public Affairs Programming on C-SPAN

U.S. & Soviet Union sign treaty to reduce nuclear arms. Earlier today in Prague, President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) that will limit long-range nuclear weapons. The U.S. and the Soviet Union signed the original treaty in 1991. Following the signing, the two leaders took questions from reporters.

Citigroup Execs. Pressed on mortgage debt Investments. The bipartisan Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission (FCIC) is hearing testimony from several former Citigroup executives including ex-CEO and Chairman Chuck Prince and Robert Rubin, the former Treasury Secretary who headed Citigroup’s executive committee. The 10-member FCIC panel is investigating banking executives’ involvement in risky mortgage debt investments that helped trigger the 2008 financial collapse.

GOP hate intensifies …


It’s been a little more than a week since Tea Party protesters hurled racial and homophobic slurs and spat at members of Congress. I don’t want to repeat the language they used. Their despicable statements were widely reported in the media, and be assured this was no isolated or fringe event.

What the Tea Party protesters said was beyond defensible. But that’s not even the worst of it. The Tea Party movement is inciting violent acts targeting Democrats who voted to support the health care reform bill.

Democrats and Republicans alike must immediately address this atmosphere of violence targeting our elected officials. You would think this would be uncontroversial in the wake of protesters shouting the “N word” in the halls of Congress. But shockingly the Republican National Committee has refused to endorse a bi-partisan “civility” statement that would send a message to the protesters.

Join me in demanding that Republican leaders stop turning a blind eye to violence and hate before it gets out of control and someone gets hurt. Click the link below to add your name.


http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/hate_gop/?r_by=8486-2591629-MlOKpGx&rc=confemail1

tea party  protesters.



Tell the GOP: Don’t tolerate hatred.

Your message to GOP leaders:

We ask that the leaders of the Republican Party:

1. Unequivocally condemn bigotry and hate among your supporters, and make clear that those who embrace it have no place in your party and that you reject their support.

2. Make clear that you will not tolerate fear-mongering and coded appeals to racism from officials in the Republican Party, at any level


Tuesday news …&cspan


Tuesday, moves us forward from a wild wicked weekend that brought Easter, snow in the midwest and northwest, floods and receding water,more weeks of winter, strange comments from Karzai about joining the Taliban, strange behavior from Republicans, specifically, RNC chair Steele but they all seem to be acting more right wing than usual along with the tea party group,  deaths in mines from not just the US but in China, children and suicide seem to be on the rise oh the list of things  going on the first week of April are many. The 7.2 earthquake shook and shook a lot of folks in Texi/Cali; 2 people died in Mexico and many more after shocks since… my relatives were shaken but nothing  substantial.  We must not forget Haiti, Chile and now the US may be in store for some earth changes and preparing more and more.

The Vatican needs to prepare for Americans to push for more transparency as well as accept their responsibility for what happened over the last 40years of child abuse; sex happens with consenting adults no one under 18 is considered an adult and even then the Church is wrong to hide cover up and refuse to accept they either have obstructed and are putting their group ahead of the children or could it be that this group of people actually practice this behavior; it’s accepted and people in the church now will say whatever to hide the truth.

The chambers of Congress are silent until April 12th and with that comes what could have been coverage of townhalls and or guest spots for Democrats to sell our new law of the land and beat back the noise of Republicans with the truth but … well, there are still a few more days left.  The president called out 2right wing nutters in an interview and cable went nuts trying to figure out if it was appropriate? Why are Politicians so willing to put their Political life before getting the Peoples work done.

Speaking of getting the peoples work done? People need to call Republicans Coburn and Kyl to force them into having compassion… to think about families who are affected by Yes to  blocking unemployment; it’s not just the potential hobo the partying person who loves living on what ? enough to pay for rent? the lapse affects those who need help with flood damages is hurting our economy in a big way and when checks don’t show up in Republican voter mailboxes of people out of work maybe politicians will feel it in the voting booth 2010/2012.

Other News …

The President will announce a few changes to nuclear controls with the deal with Russia

As more top RNC advisers have decided to party ways with the Rnc Chair m.Steele this could be just the beginning of the end for the mid-term elections as how can a party govern if they have no control of their own party chair, the finances and their budget


cspsan …

U.S. Nuclear Weapons Plan To Be Released Today. The Obama Administration’s 2010 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), scheduled for release this morning, is expected to outline significant reductions in the U.S. nuclear arsenal. The congressionally-mandated review comes the day before the President departs for Prague to sign a new nuclear weapons treaty with Russia. Defense Sec. Robert Gates will discuss the NPR at a briefing this afternoon.

watch FWMG: Press Briefing: C-SPAN2 at Noon ET
watch Defense Sec. Gates: C-SPAN at Noon ET
read Nuclear Posture Review Excerpts: Noon
read USA Today: Obama stresses no nukes

Health Secretary Touts Insurance Pools for High-Risk Policies. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius asked state governors on Friday to participate in temporary high-risk insurance pools to provide insurance to people with pre-existing conditions. The recently-passed health care bill includes $5 billion and additional federal authority to expand such pools, which already exist in many states. Sec. Sebelius is expected to discuss the program and other benefits of the legislation at a National Press Club luncheon this afternoon.

watch Sec. Sebelius: c-span.org at 1pm ET
read NYT: Sebelius Begins Push for High-Risk Pools

Gordon Brown officially launches UK elections for May 6. This morning, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called a general election for May 6. British opposition leader David Cameron is running against Mr. Brown and seeks to regain the dominant position in politics after significant losses in the 1990s.

Good Friday … the News &cspan.org


Good news for everyone …It’s Friday and the job report for March is that 162thou new jobs were created and the unemployment rate 9.7 stays steady at this point; at least 123thou of those jobs are associated with the private sector. This is great news because reports are that this increase is the biggest since 2007.   The President will be in Charlotte N.C. today to not only let Americans know yes new jobs have been created, not just because of the 48thou census workers being hired; he will also explain hcr and education reform and the many accomplishments over the last 2weeks of March and how they will benefit everyone not just some.


Other News … updates when needed


**apparently something new in the terrorist movement is going on… a letter from a group called guardians of free republic have reached the offices of various Governors …at this moment the FBI states at least 30 so far; the group may be inciting violence and is considered an extremist operation

**The President agrees that performers should be paid royalties if their music is played

**After early morning reports of troubling comments made by Karzai;he now states he is surprised by the response and calls sec of state clinton to explain

**President Obama&Medvedeve are scheduled to sign the nuclear arms pact next Thurday…stay tuned;complete article go to Reuters/steve gutterman

**Iran has implied that it might get  involved with the Taliban;which could mean trouble for the us and coalition …

**This morning people who come from other countries into the US will undergo more rules, restrictions and be subjected to more scrutiny during the security screening

**An oil refinery fire in Washington State has killed 4 3injured and in critical condition

**State, Gregoire move to embrace health care reform
Gov. Chris Gregoire on Thursday announced plans to implement health care reform in Washington state.

**Washington State is in for a huge storm coming in and will peak around 2pm Pt…part of Wtr is still making itself felt… bring in your trash cans and anything else that could get swept by the wind …

Listen to C-SPAN Radio

and what’s on CSPAN.org …live-stream

watch Energy Panel: From Earlier

watch Discussion on U.S.-Russia Security

watch Pres. Obama on Health Care Reform

March unemployment rate remains unchanged at 9.7%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today that the unemployment rate for March remained unchanged for the second month at 9.7%. The Labor Department states that “nonfarm payroll employment rose by 162,000 in March.”

OBAMA VISITS CHARLOTTE, SPEAKs ON HIS JOBS & ECONOMY AGENDA. Pres. Obama will visit Charlotte, NC, today where he is expected to speak on jobs and the economy. On his trip, he will tour Celgard, a lithium-ion battery plant and recipient of the economic stimulus program. He will also address offshore drilling on the North Carolina coastline and the new health care reform law. Tea Party members have stated their plan to stage a protest during the President’s visit.

read Charlotte Observer coverage of visit

Counter terrorism Efforts Extend Beyond Iraq and Afghanistan. U.S. counterterrorism officials struggle each day with questions such as whom the U.S. should target, how to best utilize aerial drones and whether or where to detain and prosecute enemy combatants. State Dept. Counterterrorism Coordinator Daniel Benjamin will discuss these and tactical and strategic challenges in a Wilson Center Forum.

read NYT: Obama Team Divided on Anti-Terrowatch Counterterrorism Forum: From Earlierr Tactics