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DOMA:The Sinking Ship

05/10/2011 Nativegrl77

From: The Progress Report …

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender activists have resigned themselves to not seeing any substantial legislative progress toward equality while Republicans control the House of Representatives. Nevertheless, it has never been more apparent how the times have changed in the two decades since laws like the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) passed, both of which were actually seen as progress at the time. DOMA, some argued, at least allowed for individual states to legalize marriage for same-sex couples (as some since have), and DADT at least allowed gays, lesbians, and bisexuals to serve in the military, just so long as nobody knew who they were. It’s now been 15 years since the DOMA boat set sail, but its titanic barriers to equality are slowly sinking. In the meantime, same-sex couples are still struggling to make due without the federal protections marriage provides, while conservatives try every trick they know to keep inequality on the books.

LOST AT SEA: Though DOMA blocks 1,138 federal marriage benefits from same-sex couples, there is one in particular that’s particularly hard on some couples: not having the right to sponsor a foreign-born partner for residency. Immigration Equality estimates there are 36,000 same-sex binational couples living in the U.S., 45 percent of whom are raising children. Because of DOMA, any couple not protected by employment sponsorship is at risk of being separated by deportation. The Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) legal group actually warns these couples not to get married (PDF) as doing so may expose the foreign-born partner’s status and lead to deportation. In the wake of the President’s decision that DOMA is unconstitutional and should not be defended, the Department of Justice has twice suggested it might halt deportations, only to then reassert that deportations will continue. The first occasion was in March, when Citizenship and Immigration Services announced they would suspend the cases of married gay couples, but announced the following day that nothing had changed. Then, last week, Attorny General Eric Holder vacated a case, asking the Board of Immigration Appeals to reconsider it outside the context of DOMA. Again, hopes were raised, and a judge in Newark, New Jersey actually adjourned in a different case on Friday to give that couple an extra six months. On Saturday, however, the DOJ reaffirmed that deportations are still underway. Two proposed bills, the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and Reuniting Families Act (RFA), would protect same-sex couples from deportation, but the demise of DOMA would likely eliminate the disparities entirely.

PLUGGING THE LEAKS: As the DOJ chips away at DOMA and the military works toward certification of repeal of DADT, conservatives at both the state and federal levels are trying to halt the flow of equality in any way they can (in addition to the House’s radically expensive plan to defend DOMA). This week, Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) will introduce an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act to prevent Navy bases from performing marriages for same-sex couples after DADT is lifted, even in states where those marriages are legal. He claims that “federal property and federal employees, like Navy chaplains, should not be used to perform marriages that are not recognized by federal law.” Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) is going a step further, introducing the second of many expected bills and amendments intended to derail the DADT repeal process. General George Casey opposed a similar move by Hunter in January. Meanwhile, Republican-controlled states like Pennsylvania and Minnesota are following Indiana’s lead by considering constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage even though both states already prohibit same-sex marriage by law. In fact, the religious right is ramping up an extensive new multi-million dollar campaign called “Ignite An Enduring Cultural Transformation” that will push for anti-LGBT measures in states up through the 2012 election. But times have changed even since 2004, and it’s unlikely conservatives will have the same success using same-sex marriage as a wedge issue as they did then.

THE RISING TIDE: For the first time ever, opposing LGBT equality is the unpopular position in American politics. Polls have been consistently showing majority support for marriage equality, just as they showed overwhelming support for repealing DADT last fall. Target and Chik-Fil-A have gotten incredible pressure from LGBT activists for their support of anti-gay candidates and groups. Law firm King & Spalding backed out of their defense of DOMA after clients and employees voiced their dissent. Olympic gold medalist Peter Vidmar had to step down from his appointment as chef de mission for the 2012 U.S. Olympic team because of his support for Proposition 8, California’s rollback of marriage equality. Graduates of the University of Michigan Law School walked out of their own commencement ceremony this weekend to protest the anti-gay voting record of the guest speaker, Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH). Despite the clear growing unpopularity of anti-gay positions, almost every GOP presidential candidate has towed the party line in maintaining them. Romney, Bachmann, Gingrich, Santorum, Pawlenty, Trump, Paul and others have all defended DOMA and come out against LGBT equality in other ways. The only exception is Fred Karger, who is actually making history as the first-ever openly gay presidential candidate, though the national stage has not given him much attention. Hopefully the history books look upon Karger kindly as the first Republican candidate to step out of the shadow of the religious right and join the Zeitgeist in embracing LGBT equality

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Greenpeace

05/10/2011 Nativegrl77

One year later and Congress has learned nothing.

Instead of making it harder for oil companies like Shell to drill in the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean, the House of Representatives just voted to make it easier. If this legislation becomes law, the oil industry will be even less regulated now than it was a year ago before the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

And to make matters worse, Shell already gets millions in subsidies every year from the U.S. government. In fact, last year Shell paid effectively no taxes at all to the U.S. government. Congress is giving them more incentive to take unacceptable risks with our national treasures. It’s time to put a end to this dangerous game. We have a chance to do just that.

As soon as tomorrow, Congress will be voting on a bill that would cut billions of dollars worth of subsidies to oil companies like Shell. But the industry and their friends in Washington are currently doing everything they can to stop that from happening. That’s why you need to speak up and send a message to your members of Congress.

www.greenpeaceusa.org

Congress needs to hear your voice. Ask your members of Congress to put an end to government subsidies to the oil industry now.

Shell just submitted plans to drill up to ten new wells in Alaska’s Arctic Ocean over the next two years using the same faulty technology that BP uses in the Gulf. But Shell’s plans in the shallow waters of the Arctic are even more dangerous than BP’s are in the Gulf and run a higher risk of blowouts, according to government data.

Shell isn’t prepared for a disaster in the Arctic Ocean. No one is. It’s a known fact that there’s no way to effectively clean up an oil spill in the Arctic’s harsh conditions. All they care about is their corporate bottom line.

Congress should be fighting for you. It’s your money and it’s our land. The vote could be happening as soon as tomorrow. Contact your members of Congress today and ask them to put an end to government subsidies to the oil industry before it’s too late.

www.greenpeaceusa.org

Sincerely,

Melanie Duchin

Greenpeace Arctic Campaigner

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Bin Laden Justice a Testament to our Troops and Veterans

05/09/2011 Nativegrl77

To get the complete articles go to: www.murray.senate.gov

Applauding our Service members and Veterans for Bringing Osama bin Laden to Justice

This week, I spoke on the floor of the Senate to applaud the most significant victory to date in our war on terrorism and to pay tribute to our service members, veterans, and intelligence operatives who worked so diligently to ensure that Osama bin Laden was brought to justice.

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Getting Critical Benefits for Family Caregivers of Veterans

Thisweek, I was very pleased to see that the White House and the Department of Veterans Affairs listened to my concerns and reversed their decision to restrict financial and health care support to familymembers caring for severely wounded Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The change will allow more caregivers of more veterans to be eligible for the long-overdue benefit. I felt sostrongly about this issue that I personally brought it up with President Obama in the Oval Office. I’m pleased the he showed real leadership and worked to ensure the VA made this right.Going forward, I will monitor how the VA implements this program, looking closely at how caregivers of veterans with the invisible wounds of war are considered for this benefit.

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Training our Workforce

Last week, I toured the Pacific Fisherman Shipyard in Seattle with local workersand business owners to discuss legislation that would make sure workers have the skills and training they need to fill local jobs. According to a recent report released by the Washington StateEmployment Security Department, statewide job openings were up 31% last fall compared to a year earlier. This is great news; however, often employers can’t find local workers with theskills needed to fill those jobs. That’s why I’m working to pass my CareerPathways legislation which would help young people leaving high school get the skills and training they need to enter the workforce. I’m also working to reform and reauthorize the WorkforceInvestment Act which offers critical retraining to workers, including those who have recently been laid off

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Ensuring Workplace Safety

Last week, I honored Workers Memorial Day and the 40 thanniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the effective date of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. In the past 40 years, we have made greatprogress in reducing workplace tragedies, but we still have a long way to go. Every worker, in every industry, deserves to be confident that while they are working hard and doing their jobs, theiremployers are doing everything they can to protect them. That’s why I joined so many others last week in recommitting to our efforts to make sure that workplaces are safe in everyindustry across America.

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Urging President Obama to Fill Vacancies on Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, DecreaseWaiting Time for Veterans Seeking Answers on their Benefits

This week, I sent a letter to President Obama urging him to quickly fill threevacant judicial positions on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. This court has the huge responsibility of reviewing rejected disability and health care benefit claims for veterans, anincreasingly large burden with a claims backlog that has doubled in recent years. Without the quick nomination of judges to fill these seats, veterans will continue waiting far too longto get answers on their benefits. Once President Obama announces his nominees, I will work with my colleagues to move them quickly through the Senate confirmation process.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Budget: The Perilous Politics Of Ending Medicare

05/09/2011 Nativegrl77

On Wednesday, the Washington Post suggested that, despite voting to overwhelmingly approve Rep. Paul Ryan‘s (R-WI) budget just last month, Republicans may have seen the political writing on the wall and are now slowly backing away from one of the plan’s most unpopular provisions: transforming Medicare from a guaranteed benefit into a “premium support” voucher for future retirees. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) still promised that Republicans would “press for all the provisions in the Ryan proposal” in their negotiations with Democrats and insisted that “the starting point is the Ryan budget.” But he also hinted that the party could be open to taking the Medicare changes off the table. “Cantor said negotiators could avoid the ‘big three,'” which Democrats have vowed to defend, by focusing on changes in other areas. “If we can come to some agreement [and] act to effect those savings now, this year, it will yield a lot of savings in subsequent years,” he said. As one GOP strategist put it to the Los Angeles Times, “Why keep pushing something if it’s political kryptonite and it’s not going anywhere anyway?” The GOP has attempted to paper over these disagreements, releasing multiple statements reaffirming their commitment to the GOP budget, but the discomfort among its ranks and the public continues to grow.

NO HEARINGS: On Thursday, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI) told reporters that he was not planning on holding any hearings about Ryan’s proposal. “I’m not really interested in just laying down more markers,” said Camp, acknowledging that Ryan’s plan to give “premium support” vouchers to future Medicare retirees was a non-starter. “I’d rather have the committee working with the Senate and the president, focusing on savings and reforms that can be signed into law.” “I don’t think we can afford to wait,” he added, “I think we needed to make progress now.” In the Senate, Susan Collins (R-ME) is the only Republican senator to openly oppose Ryan’s plan, but a growing number of Republicans are also expressing doubts about the program. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) told Talking Points Memo that while he would vote for Ryan’s proposal, “there are other proposals that deserve serious consideration and I’m waiting to see what those are and I might vote for those as well,” he said. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) agreed, saying, “There is a discussion of two or three different alternatives being offered…some will be different on Medicare, others will have balance sooner.”

RAUCOUS TOWN HALLS: In the past two weeks, as congressmen went back to hold town halls in their districts, a major constituent backlash ensued against the Medicare plan and other aspects of the GOP budget. Constituents booed Ryan for arguing that the tax breaks for the richest Americans should expire. Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL) faced a barrage of questions from outraged constituents about the GOP plan to privatize Medicare, and Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY) confronted the ire of constituents who were upset about tax dodging by some of the nation’s largest corporations. Given this backlash, it’s understandable why House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) has repeatedly said that he is not wedded to Ryan’s plan and prospective GOP presidential candidates are remaining weary. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich has said he would back a slightly more moderate version of Ryan’s Medicare proposal, and former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) is refusing to explicitly endorse the Medicare plan. In fact, the GOP budget may even be putting former “Craigslist Congressman” Christopher Lee’s (R-NY) seat in play. GOP candidate Jane Corwin has vigorously defended the Ryan proposal, only to see herself lose ground to Democratic challenger Kathy Hoschul — a critic of the plan. “Ms. Hochul’s message seems to strike a chord in the district, where the race has become much closer than experts in either party had expected,” the New York Times reported. “A recent Siena College poll of likely voters, for example, indicated that Ms. Corwin and Ms. Hochul are in a tight race. Ms. Corwin leads by only five points, within the poll’s margin of error.” New polling has found the race has tightened further.

PUBLIC OPPOSITION GROWS: The GOP’s effort to present itself as eager to compromise with Democrats represents a change in tone and a departure from how Ryan himself has characterized the budget in town halls across Wisconsin and to national audiences. Speaking to ABC’s Christiane Amanpour last week, Ryan said that if Republicans don’t push boldly forward with his proposal, they deserve to be voted out of office. “Look, literally, Christiane, if all we fear about is our political careers, then we have no business having these jobs. If you want to be good at these jobs, you’ve got to be willing to lose the job.” And while Ryan did find a good deal of support at many of his town hall meetings, the Congressman was also routinely challenged by his constituents on his plan to lower tax cuts for the rich and transform Medicare into a “premium support” system in which seniors received a pre-determined sum of dollars to purchase health coverage from private insurers. Wisconsinites pressed Ryan on why the money used to extend the Bush tax cuts wasn’t being applied to the deficit, why their children would not receive the same guaranteed Medicare benefits they’ve enjoyed, and why the government’s “premium support” did not keep up with medical inflation. A recent Quinnipiac University poll found that this attitude is reflective of the national mood. “More than twice as many voters oppose efforts to change Medicare than those who favor limiting benefits,” the poll found. Even after being told that told that “Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid and defense comprise 60 percent of the federal budget,” 70 percent of voters said they were against reducing benefits while just 27 percent supported it.