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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Watch the lunar eclipse from anywhere … from the Offical Google blog

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Posted: 15 Jun 2011 06:00 AM PDT

my source … the Official Google blog

(Cross-posted on the YouTube and Lat Long blogs)

We’re always fascinated by the unique wonders of space and the world—what can we say, it’s the geek in us! Naturally, when we learned that part of the world will be treated to a rare 100-minute long total lunar eclipse starting at 11:20am PDT today, we were both excited and disappointed that this rare occasion wouldn’t be visible from our Mountain View campus like last year’s eclipse. We suspect we aren’t alone, so you’ll be glad to know that we’ve worked with Slooh Space Camera to let you experience the spectacle wherever you are in the world, in real time.

Slooh will host a live mission interface using Google App Engine that lets anyone not lucky enough to live in certain areas (South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia) take part in this rare astronomical event. It’s equipped with audio narrations from real-life astronomers so you can hear a firsthand, expert account of the event. You can also watch the live stream on the Google YouTube Channel or from the Sky layer in Google Earth (download this kml), while exploring the fascinating world that exists in our galaxy. Finally, those of you on the go can download the Slooh Space Camera Android app to view the images right on your phone.

If you’re fortunate enough to be able to view this event in the sky, we hope you’ll get the chance to step outside and indulge in the spectacle. For everyone else, we hope our moon madness helps brighten your day.

Posted by Noel Gorelick, Chief Extraterrestrial Observer and Technical Lead in Special Projects

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

“Democrats intentionally steal elections.” says, Maine’s State GOP Chairman Charlie Webster


You need to know this: Republican governors and state legislatures are working to pass laws to suppress voter turnout in 2012. Texas, Wisconsin and Florida have already passed legislation including restricting early voting. Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maine might be next.

These are all crucial swing states in 2012. If Republicans can prevent Democratic voters from exercising their right, we could lose the White House. And we could lose the Senate. It’s that simple.

Republicans can’t win on the merits – look how unpopular their plan to kill Medicare is. But they might very well capture the Senate if they keep Democrats from voting. I need your help to fight back now. We need 100,000 people to stand with us and draw attention to the undemocratic actions of these Republican state legislators and governors. Will you add your name?

 www.dsccc.org

After you’ve signed, be sure to forward this email to friends. All Democrats need to join together and draw attention to these disgusting Republican tactics. We won’t stand quietly by while they try every trick in the book to steal an election. It’s undemocratic, and it must end.

Sincerely,

                                Guy Cecil

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Helping homeowners harness the sun


Official Google blog

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 09:16 AM PDT

(Cross-posted from the Green Blog)

Imagine sitting on your patio watching the sun’s rays pass overhead, knowing that they power your home with clean energy—at a cost that’s less that what you would have paid using just the grid. That’s what my colleague, engineer Michael Flaster, has been doing at his home in Menlo Park, Calif. since March of this year. He did it with the help of a company called SolarCity, which enables homeowners and businesses to begin using solar energy to power their homes and buildings.

Today, we’re announcing that we’ve investing $280 million to create a fund that will help SolarCity finance more solar installations across the country. This is our largest clean energy project investment to date and brings our total invested in the clean energy sector to more than $680 million. We’ve also launched a partnership to offer SolarCity services to Googlers at a discount.

In SolarCity’s innovative financing model, the company covers installation and maintenance of the system over the life of the lease. You can prepay, or pay nothing upfront after which you make monthly solar lease payments. All told, Michael will save $100 per month on his energy bills this year, and more than $16,000 over his 15 year lease, after factoring in his lease payment and lower energy bills.

 
We believe the world needs a wide range of clean energy options in the future, each serving different needs. We’ve already invested in several large-scale renewable energy projects, so we’re excited that this new partnership with SolarCity helps people power their homes directly with solar energy, too. We think “distributed” renewable energy (generated and used right at home) is a smart way to use solar photovoltaic (PV) technology to improve our power system since it helps avoid or alleviate distribution constraints on the traditional electricity grid.

Our investment is a quadruple-win for Google, SolarCity, its new customers and the environment. We continue to look for other renewable energy investments that make business sense and help develop and deploy cleaner sources of energy. Whether harnessing the sun on rooftops like Michael’s or in the desert sands of the Mojave, it’s all part of building a clean energy future.

Posted by Rick Needham, Director of Green Business Operations

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress debates&votes: the Republican led House defunds -the Senate deals with S.782


The Senate Convenes at 10:00amET June 15, 2011 
 
  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business until 6:30pm with Senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each with the Republicans controlling the first 30 minutes and the Majority controlling the next 30 minutes.
  • We continue to work through amendments to S.782, the Economic Development Act. Senators will be notified when votes are scheduled.
  • There are currently 18 amendments pending to S.782, the Economic Development Act:
    • DeMint amendment #394 (to repeal Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act)
    • Paul amendment #414 (to increase debt limit by $2.406 trillion)
    • Cardin amendment #407 (prohibition on interest charges for on-time principal payments)
    • Merkley amendment #428 (mortgage servicing)
    • Kohl amendment #389 (NOPEC)
    • Hutchison amendment #423 (delay implementation of health care reform until pending lawsuits are resolved)
    • Portman amendment ##417 (inclusion of application to independent regulatory agencies)
    • Portman amendment #418 (Unfunded Mandates Reform Act)
    • McCain amendment #411 (prohibit Federal funds to construct ethanol blender pumps/storage facilities)
    • McCain amendment #412(repeal of Davis-Bacon wage requirements)
    • Merkley amendment #440 (Energy Efficient Loan Program)
    • Brown (MA) amendment #405 (repeal imposition of withholding on certain payments made to vendors by government entities)
    • Inhofe amendment #430 (reduce the amounts appropriated for EDA)
    • Inhofe amendment #438 (regulatory assessment)
    • Merkley amendment #427 (technical correction to the HUBZone designation process)
    • McCain 2nd degree amendment #441 (to prohibit federal funds to construct ethanol blender pumps or ethanol storage facilities) to Coburn amendment #436, as modified (to repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit)
    • Feinstein amendment #476 (to repeal the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 15, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

H.R. 2112:
making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes 

8:28 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Foxx amendment no. 1 under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Ms. Foxx.

An amendment numbered 1 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds to be used to support any Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative by the Department of Agriculture.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Pingree amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Pingree demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

8:17 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Pingree amendment under the five-minute ruleAmendment offered by Ms. Pingree (ME).

An amendment to prohibit the use of funds to provide electronic notifications to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives on travel relating to “know your farmer, know your food”.

On agreeing to the Young (AK) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

8:09 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Young (AK) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Young (AK).

An amendment to prohibit the use of funds made available by this Act to the Food and Drug Administration to approve any application for approval of genetically engineered salmon.

8:08 P.M. – On agreeing to the Kingston amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

8:07 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Kingston amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Kingston.

An amendment to reduce each amount made available by titles I though VI by 0.78.

8:06 P.M. – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole resumed debate on pro forma amendments to H.R. 2112.The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Considered as unfinished business.

8:05 P.M. – The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 15.

5:25 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

5:24 P.M. – The House received a communication from the Honorable Charles J. Fleischmann. Mr. Fleischmann submitted his resignation from the Committee on Small Business. The resignation was accepted without objection.

H.R. 2112:
making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes 

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2112as unfinished business.

On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

5:23 P.M. – Mr. Kingston moved that the Committee rise.

5:22 P.M. – Mr. Lucas raised a point of order against the content of the measure. Section 744 violates Clause 2 of rule XXI and constitutes legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

5:20 P.M. – Mr. Lucas raised a point of order against the content of the measure. Section 743 violates Clause 2 of rule XXI and constitutes legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

5:13 P.M. – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole resumed debate on pro forma amendments to H.R. 2112.

5:12 P.M. – Mr. Lucas raised a point of order against the content of the measure. Section 741 violates Clause 2 of rule XXI and constitutes legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

5:10 P.M. – Mr. Lance raised a point of order against the content of the measure. Section 740 violates Clause 2 of rule XXI and constitutes legislation in an appropriations bill. The Chair sustained the point of order.

5:03 P.M. – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on pro forma amendments to H.R. 2112.

5:02 P.M. – On agreeing to the Stearns amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 436).

4:58 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 435).

4:55 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 434).

4:50 P.M. – On agreeing to the Gosar amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 433).

4:46 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 432).

4:43 P.M. – On agreeing to the Foxx amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 431).

4:40 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 430).

4:37 P.M. – On agreeing to the Gosar amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 429).

4:33 P.M. – On agreeing to the Richardson amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 428).

4:30 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 427).

4:27 P.M. – On agreeing to the Clarke (MI) amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 426).

4:23 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 425).

4:21 P.M. – On agreeing to the Chaffetz amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 424).

4:17 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 423).

4:12 P.M. – On agreeing to the Farr amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll No. 422).

4:08 P.M. – On agreeing to the Sessions amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: (Roll No. 421).

4:03 P.M. – MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in honor of those affected by the tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri on May 22, 2011.

4:02 P.M. – On agreeing to the DeLauro amendment Failed by recorded vote: (Roll No. 420).

3:34 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced the unfinished business was on the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.

3:33 P.M. – By unanimous consent, the Lummis amendment was withdrawn.

3:11 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Lummis amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mrs. Lummis.

An amendment to make sundry changes to Section 739.

3:04 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by voice vote.

3:02 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment numbered 7 printed in the Congressional Record to limit the number of motor vehicles purchased to 231, all which must be for replacement only.

2:56 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Stearns amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Stearns demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

2:48 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Stearns amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Stearns.

An amendment to reduce the amount appropriated to the Center for Tobacco Products by $392 million dollars and apply the savings to the Spending Reduction Account.

2:47 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

2:32 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment numbered 6 printed in the Congressional Record to eliminate the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program Grants and apply the savings of $180 million to the Spending Reduction Account.

2:31 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

2:16 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun (GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment to reduce the Food for Peace Title II Grants account by $940,198,000 and apply the savings to the Spending Reduction Account.

2:15 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Gosar amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Gosar demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

1:59 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Gosar amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Gosar.

An amendment to reduce the Food for Peace Title II Grants account by $100 million and apply the savings to the spending reduction account.

1:58 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Broun(GA) amendment No. 12, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

1:56 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun (GA) amendment No. 12 under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment numbered 12 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the Foreign Agricultural Service account by $175 million and apply the savings to the spending reduction account.

1:55 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Foxx amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Foxx demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

1:46 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Foxx amendment under the five-minute rule.

1:45 P.M. – Amendment offered by Ms. Foxx.

An amendment to reduce the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children by $82,500,000 and apply the savings to the spending reduction account.

By unanimous consent, the Foxx amendment was withdrawn.

1:40 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Foxx amendment No. 2 under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Ms. Foxx.

An amendment numbered 2 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children by $82,500,000 million.

1:39 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Broun(GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun(GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

1:31 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun(GA) amendment under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment to reduce the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children by $604 million and apply the savings to the spending reduction account.

1:29 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by voice vote.

1:26 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun amendment No. 11 under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment numbered 11 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce Rural Housing Assistance Grants by $20,480,000 and apply the savings to the spending reduction account.

1:21 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Gosar amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Gosar demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

1:13 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Gosar amendment under the five-minute rule.

1:12 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Gosar.

An amendment to increase funding in the Multi-Family Housing Revitalization Program Account and the Rural Business Program account by $100,000,000 and reducing the the Food for Peace Title II Grants account by $100,000,000.

1:11 P.M. – On agreeing to the Broun (GA) amendment Failed by voice vote.

1:05 P.M. – DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Broun amendment No. 10 under the five-minute rule.Amendment offered by Mr. Broun (GA).

An amendment numbered 10 printed in the Congressional Record to reduce the Watershed Rehabilition Program by $15,000,000 and applying the savings to the spending reduction account.

1:03 P.M. – The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.Considered as unfinished business.

Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 300, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on pro forma amendments to H.R. 2112.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 15.

12:34 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 1:00 P.M. today.

12:03 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Pitts to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

12:01 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Phil Hoskins, Higher Ground Baptist Church, Kingsport, TennesseeThe House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 15.

11:23 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:00 A.M. – MORNING HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debates. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.The Speaker designated the Honorable Richard B. Nugent to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

a message from Robert Gibbs, Democrats.org …Last night’s spectacle


Im writing to you from Manchester, New Hampshire, where last night I witnessed a spectacle that every single Obama supporter needs to hear about.

The major GOP presidential candidates debated for the first time and made one thing very clear: They have no agenda but to take down President Obama.

They even nodded along when one called the Obama administration a “destructive force,” and they said nothing when another said the President has “embraced our enemies.”

Last night was a wake-up call to anyone who thinks they can sit tight while the Republicans battle each other for the nomination: The campaign to defeat Barack Obama and roll back his entire record is well underway. And that’s the one thing on which all of their potential candidates agree.

It was seven against one. Since the President won’t be speaking for himself at one of these debates until next year, our best response is to show the Republicans that when they attack Barack Obama, it only makes us fight back harder.

www.democrats.org    <<< Check out the Website

Fundamentally, last night’s debate was about which of their candidates would turn back the clock the farthest.

They came out for re-fighting the battles they lost on Wall Street reform and the health care law. They backed reinstating “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

They even talked about abolishing the Environmental Protection Agency — and phasing out Social Security and Medicare.

They actually spent time debating whether they think Sarah Palin would have made a better vice president than Joe Biden (spoiler alert: They still think so!).

But the words “education” and “middle class” were never uttered even once.

If you were watching at home, you might have thought it was a re-run from four or eight years ago.

Most of these people are full-time candidates with nothing to lose and nothing to do but keep pushing to take us back to the failed policies of the past. Help fight back with a donation today: