Category Archives: ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

wicked Wednesday weather& some News


The World is watching …    As Freedom marches ramp up and the violence against protesters breaks out again … people have had enough

Remember … there is always strength in numbers

I think we all take our freedoms for granted here in the US of A though lately the Republican Party is beginning to make me feel a little less free every day. I watched as freedom fighters  in Egypt Libya and others in the region did whatever they had to before going out to march against tyranny , but the idea that there are people being killed by their own government for wanting to be free, heard,  wanting to be participants in their own futures is not new but it is disturbing. There were  mothers with children, older men and women and college students  coming out in droves to let the current dictators know it’s time for a change and given what these dictators will lose they have chosen to “crackdown” on the protesters which we all know is pure bs and a lack of respect for life.

Months ago, we saw some of the people of Iran try to rise up and claim a voice of independence. Unfortunately, what came out of that was the loss of freedom fighters with Neda becoming their symbol of strength. However, in the end after a few days those freedom fighters had to retreat which had to be the only way to save lives. It was a rude awakening at how a dictator only respects his position and is still willing to sacrifice the many for his title, power, and money. Then we heard of an uprising in Tunisia Egypt and many others in possible transition with talk of more and more people willing to risk their lives to gain their freedom. It was definitely clear that a movement against the Ancient practice of dictatorship by freedom fighters for a move into the 21st Century was breaking out all over. The voice and votes of millions have gone uncounted and or compromised for decades.  The demand to be heard great but to get the change they need and want … means that the fear of authority was, is, cannot be an option… and the possibility of death likely.

The quick response from dictators was surprising, disturbing, and totally unacceptable. I have to say it was strange to see how fast they were able to cut off most if not all connections to the outside world, stating the US meddled in the process to divert responsibility while using extreme force on their own people. In the case of Libya, we heard their government make threats of slaughtering all who will not stand down and going house to house, which was after reports of thousands already killed by Gadhafi forces. The demand to move into the 21st Century continues to be met with bullets bombs and death. It has to make you wonder if the money the militia gets is worth killing their own people, don’t they want personal freedom , do they dare dream or wonder what living in a more modern society would be like. I guess being an American, the thought of remaining silent under force let alone 40years of dictatorship is just not an option. These men of so-called power showed the World how horrible they were and as days and weeks went by their own military forces began to crumble.  It was enlightening to see just how nefarious these dictators were and still are. I have to say it was stunning to hear that under pressure a dictator was willing to kill Military forces who wanted out and or refused to kill civilians. It was equally stunning that some managed to flee the region and others definitely in elite positions asked for refuge while workers, outsourced from other countries became shields, trapped, or lacked funds to go home, as some countries did not help their people out others took that long walk across the border to temporary safety and freedom in refugee camps.

The journey toward freedom is sometimes paved with danger

pray for all those involved

Other News

Egypt probes Tahrir Square
clash

Instant view: Greek parliament votes

NM Wildfire Burns Near Nuke Facility

Roche seeks more time for Avastin in
breast cancer

Taliban claims credit for hotel
attack

Burma warns Aung San Suu Kyi to halt
all political activities

Conservative blogger Breitbart sees
Sarah Palin jumping into White House race

CSPAN …

President Obama Holds News Conference

Will take questions on Afghanistan, Libya, deficit talks

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

White House Releases National Counterterrorism Strategy

Deputy Nat’l Security Adviser John Brennan on U.S. plan to defeat al-Qaeda

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

Senate Panel Looks at Supreme Court Rulings

Sen. Leahy said the Court sided with corporations

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

Federal Reserve To Issue Final Rules on Debit Card Fees

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

GAO Reports on Diplomatic Security

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


for austerity plan

Congress is in Session –


  • The Senate Convenes at 9:30amET June 29, 2011
  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning
    business for one hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10
    minutes each with the time equally divided and controlled between the two
    Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first half and
    the Majority controlling the final half.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.679,
    the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act.  At approximately
    11am, the Senate will conduct up to 4 roll call votes in relation to the
    following amendments to S.679:

    • DeMint #501 (IMF bailouts)(60-vote threshold);
    • Portman-Udall(NM)-Cornyn #509, as modified with the changes that are at the
      desk (Comptrollers of Navy, Army, Air Force; Controller of OMB and department
      CFOs)(expected voice vote);
    • DeMint #511 (legislative & public affairs);
    • Toomey #514(strikes the provision relating to the Governors and alternate
      governors of the IMF and the International Bank for Reconstruction and
      Development)(expected voice vote);
  • Following disposition of the amendments, the Senate will conduct an
    additional roll call vote on passage of S.679, as amended (60-vote threshold).
  • Following disposition of S.679, the Senate will proceed to consideration of
    S.Res.116, a resolution to provide for expedited Senate consideration of certain
    nominations subject to advice and consent.
  •     6:11pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Coburn amendment #521
    (duplicative Federal programs)At approximately 6:10pm, the Senate will conduct 2 roll call votes in
    relation to the following:

    • Coburn amendment #521 (duplicative Federal programs) (67-vote threshold)
    • Adoption of S.Res.116, to provide for expedited Senate consideration of
      certain nominations, as amended (majority threshold)
    • VOTES
    •   6:36pm the Senate began a roll call vote on adoption of S.Res.116, to provide
      for expedited Senate procedure for certain nominations, as amended; Adopted:
      89-8
    •    6:11pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Coburn amendment #521
      (duplicative Federal programs) (67 vote threshold) Not agreed to; 63-34
    • Roll
      call vote on Passage of S.679

      Jun 29,
      ’11
      11:57 AM

      11:55am The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of S.679, the
      Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act; Passed: 79-20

      More

      Roll
      call vote on DeMint amendment #511

      Jun 29,
      ’11
      11:39 AM

      11:35am the Senate began a roll call vote on the DeMint amendment #511
       (legislative and public affairs) Not agreed to; 25-74

      More

      Roll
      call on DeMint amendment #501

      Jun 29,
      ’11
      11:07 AM

      11:07am The Senate began a roll call vote on the DeMint amendment #501 (IMF
      Bailouts); Not agreed to; 44-55

      More

      Vote
      Reminder: up to 5 roll call votes at approx 11am

      Jun 29,
      ’11
      9:36 AM

      At approximately 11:00am today, the Senate will conduct up to 5 roll call
      votes in relation to the following: DeMint #501 (IMF bailouts)(60-vote
      threshold); Portman-Udall(NM)-Cornyn #509, as modified with the changes that are
      at the desk (Comptrollers of Navy, Army, Air Force; Controller of OMB and
      department CFOs)(expected voice vote); DeMint #511 (legislative &
      public…

      More

      Live
      quorum/roll call vote on motion to instruct

    • Wrap Up

      • Adopted S.Res.220, expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the June 30,
        2011, opening of the Tom Lantos Institute in Budapest, Hungary.
      • Adopted S.Res.221, congratulating Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity on reaching the
        historic milestone of 100 years.
      • Adopted S.Res.222, recognizing the American Revolution Center for its role
        in telling the story of the American Revolution and the continuing impact on
        struggles for freedom, self-government, and the rule of law throughout the
        world, and encouraging the Center in its efforts to build a new Museum of the
        American Revolution.

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

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 1, 2011.

new polling … Jason Rosenbaum, DSCC Director of Online Communications


Hey, we’ve got some new polling that I wanted to show you:
Democrats are already competitive in two GOP-held seats, in UT and NV.
Democratic incumbents in OH and PA (Sherrod Brown and Bob Casey) look strong

GOP efforts to sabotage the economy for political gain are not paying off – yet. But Republicans are reading the same polls and writing big checks. Karl Rove’s group just made a $20 million ad buy in crucial swing states (including Nevada). We have no margin for error in 2012. If they flip just 4 Democratic seats, we lose the Senate.

Our FEC deadline 48 hours from now will help determine which states we can compete in, and which we must let go. We want to compete everywhere we’ve got a shot at victory. Your gift now can help make that happen. If we fall short, we’ll leave states on the table.

If everyone kicks in $5 we’ll have the $201,000 we need in the bank before midnight Thursday.

Thanks,

Jason Rosenbaum
DSCC Director of Online Communications

Tell President Obama: Stand Up for Women & Families in Budget Negotiatio​ns


Budget negotiations in Washington are at a critical point.

Republicans who want to slash programs for low-income people while rejecting any revenue increases are threatening to refuse to raise the debt ceiling — which must happen to avoid a fiscal crisis — unless they get their way.

President Obama needs to hear that women and families are counting on him to protect programs for low-income people.

You can help! Call 1-888-245-0215 to be connected to the White House comment line. In your message:State your name, where you’re from, and if you’re affiliated with a service provider or work with low-income people (though that is not necessary to call).
Then say: “Please tell the President and the Vice President to hold firm and insist that any deficit-reduction plan must protect programs for low-income people and not increase poverty. Women and their families shouldn’t bear the brunt of deficit reduction through cuts to critical programs like Medicaid, food stamps, child care and Head Start, and Pell grants. Increased revenues from those with the greatest ability to pay must be a major part of any deficit-reduction plan.”
Unless programs for low-income people are protected in the budget negotiations, women and their families will bear the brunt of deficit reduction. Women are more likely than men to be poor at all stages of their lives and their families disproportionately rely on programs designed to help low-income people. Maintaining and strengthening programs like Medicaid, food stamps, child care assistance, Head Start, and Pell grants protects vulnerable women and families today — and expands their opportunities for a better life.

Please ask President Obama and Vice President Biden to demand fair change in the budget negotiations. Dial 1-888-245-0215 today!

Sincerely,

Joan Entmacher
Vice President, Family Economic Security
National Women’s Law Center

Judy Waxman
Vice President for Health and Reproductive Rights
National Women’s Law Center

P.S. Please spread the word by forwarding this message to friends, family and colleagues.

Examining the impact of clean energy innovation …Official Google blog


Posted: 28 Jun 2011 04:00 AM PDT

At Google, we’re committed to using technology to solve one of the greatest challenges we face as a country: building a clean energy future. That’s why we’ve worked hard to be carbon neutral as a company, launched our renewable energy cheaper than coal initiative and have invested in several clean energy companies and projects around the world.

But what if we knew the value of innovation in clean energy technologies? How much could new technologies contribute to our economic growth, enhance our energy security or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions? Robust data can help us understand these important questions, and the role innovation in clean energy could play in addressing our future economic, security and climate challenges.

Through Google.org, our energy team set out to answer some of these questions. Using McKinsey’s Low Carbon Economics Tool (LCET), we assessed the long-term economic impacts for the U.S. assuming breakthroughs were made in several different clean energy technologies, like wind, geothermal and electric vehicles. McKinsey’s LCET is a neutral, analytic set of interlinked models that estimates the potential economic and technology implications of various policy and technology assumptions.

The analysis is based on a model and includes assumptions and conclusions that Google.org developed, so it isn’t a prediction of the future. We’ve decided to make the analysis and associated data available everywhere because we believe it could provide a new perspective on the economic value of public and private investment in energy innovation. Here are just some of the most compelling findings:
Energy innovation pays off big: We compared “business as usual” (BAU) to scenarios with breakthroughs in clean energy technologies. On top of those, we layered a series of possible clean energy policies (more details in the report). We found that by 2030, when compared to BAU,  breakthroughs could help the U.S.:
Grow GDP by over $155 billion/year ($244 billion in our Clean Policy scenario)
Create over 1.1 million new full-time jobs/year (1.9 million with Clean Policy)
Reduce household energy costs by over $942/year ($995 with Clean Policy)
Reduce U.S. oil consumption by over 1.1 billion barrels/year
Reduce U.S. total carbon emissions by 13% in 2030 (21% with Clean Policy)
Speed matters and delay is costly: Our model found a mere five year delay (2010-2015) in accelerating technology innovation led to $2.3-3.2 trillion in unrealized GDP, an aggregate 1.2-1.4 million net unrealized jobs and 8-28 more gigatons of potential GHG emissions by 2050.
Policy and innovation can enhance each other: Combining clean energy policies with technological breakthroughs increased the economic, security and pollution benefits for either innovation or policy alone. Take GHG emissions: the model showed that combining policy and innovation led to 59% GHG reductions by 2050 (vs. 2005 levels), while maintaining economic growth.
This analysis assumed that breakthroughs in clean energy happened and that policies were put in place, and then tried to understand the impact. The data here allows us to imagine a world in which the U.S. captures the potential benefits of some clean energy technologies: economic growth, job generation and a reduction in harmful emissions. We haven’t developed the roadmap, and getting there will take the right mix of policies, sustained investment in technological innovation by public and private institutions and mobilization of the private sector’s entrepreneurial energies. We hope this analysis encourages further discussion and debate on these important issues.

Posted by Bill Weihl, Green Energy Czar, and Charles Baron, Google.org, Clean Energy Team