Category Archives: ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Bankrate.com

12/17/2010 Nativegrl77

Here are stories published today

Home equity loan rates for Dec. 16, 2010 | 2010-12-17

Here are the average home equity rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of large banks and thrifts.

National mortgage rates for Dec. 16, 2010 | 2010-12-17

See rates from our survey of CDs, mortgages, home equity products, auto loans and credit cards.

Credit card interest rates for Dec. 16, 2010 | 2010-12-17

Here are the average credit card rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of large banks and thrifts.

CD rates for Dec. 16, 2010 | 2010-12-17

Here are the average CD rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of large banks and thrifts.

Auto loan rates for Dec. 16, 2010 | 2010-12-17

Here are the average auto loan rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of large banks and thrifts.

5 ways to cut credit cards from your life | 2010-12-17

It’s not easy to cut the umbilical cord to credit card debt. These tips will help you break away.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Curing lesbianism with rape?

12/17/2010 Nativegrl77

Join the global outcry against “corrective rape” in South Africa

Earlier this year Millicent Gaika, a 30-year-old South African woman, was tied up, beaten, strangled, tortured and raped for five hours by a man as he screamed that he would “cure” Millicent of her lesbianism.

Ndumie Funda, a local community activist whose lesbian partner was murdered in the course of a similar “corrective rape,” reached out to Millicent through a small local charity she set up to rescue and support survivors of “corrective rape.” But last month they both had to go into hiding after the South African government released the perpetrator they had helped to jail on 60 rand (less than $10) bail.

Ndumie, Millicent and others decided to fight back against the rapists and the lack of accountability for their crimes. From a Cape Town safehouse for survivors of ‘corrective rape,’ the women created a petition on Change.org targeting South African Justice Minister Jeffrey Radebe.

Please, they wrote, declare ‘corrective rape’ a hate crime, which would both empower and require South African police to take a harder line on the vicious crime.

Click here to add your name to the petition.

More than 500 “corrective rapes” are reported in South Africa each year, and more than 30 South African lesbians have been murdered because of their sexuality over the past decade. Worse, for every 100 men charged with rape in South Africa, 96 of them walk free.

We can help here. Last year, South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority went on record refusing to formally declare ‘corrective rape’ a hate crime, saying “It is not something that the South African government has prioritized as a specific project.”

But with enough international pressure on the South African government, such heinous crimes might finally be taken seriously. More than 2,000 Change.org members have added their name to the petition created by Ndumie and Millicent. Click here to add yours:

http://www.change.org/petitions/view/south_africa_declare_corrective_rape_a_hate-crime?alert_id=SlPqUMmEGV_YugBiDLRru&me=aa

Thank you for taking action,

– The Change.org Team

P.S. Every time a new person signs the petition, the Justice Minister’s office automatically gets an email. So once you join, will you forward this to friends and family, and post on Facebook, so that they hear a global outcry?

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Baby Whale Bacon

12/17/2010 Nativegrl77

Please make your most generous gift right now to support this work.

“Baby whales are more tender, so the crew keeps that meat for themselves. They are perfect for unesu (whale bacon).”

This shocking witness testimony came from an ex-whaler at the trial of two Greenpeace Japan activists who were recently prosecuted in Tokyo for exposing corruption within Japan’s supposedly “scientific” whaling program.

Despite the overwhelming evidence brought forward at the trial, the Japanese whaling fleet is now steaming toward the Southern Ocean with plans to kill more baby whales for whale bacon.

Please rush Greenpeace your most generous support as we continue our work to shut down the Japanese whaling industry—once and for all!

The key to ending Japan’s taxpayer-funded whale hunt lies with the Japanese people, 95% of whom never or rarely eat whale meat and 69% of whom do NOT support whaling in the Southern Ocean.

That’s why Greenpeace is rallying public support within Japan to stop the slaughter, in addition to pressuring President Obama to fulfill his campaign promise of “strengthening the international moratorium on commercial whaling.”

Although Greenpeace fought tirelessly to pass the international whaling moratorium in 1986, the Japanese government continues to take advantage of a loophole in ban, which allows for “lethal scientific research.”

However, what the Greenpeace Japan activists exposed during their Tokyo trial is the fact that Japan’s “science” is nothing more than a whale meat embezzlement scandal in disguise.

Now, as we’ve seen reported in news outlets around the world, Japan is buying votes at the International Whaling Commission to have the whaling moratorium overturned so that they no longer have to hide behind the veil of “science.”

Please rush Greenpeace your most generous donation NOW.

We need your help to rally support within Japan and pressure President Obama to use his international influence to strengthen the whaling moratorium. Together, we can ensure that baby whale bacon is no longer on the menu.

For the whales,

John Hocevar
Ocean Campaigns Director

PS: Greenpeace cannot save the lives of these whales—or continue our campaigns to defend the oceans, stop global warming, and protect the forests—without your support. Please send your emergency contribution today!!

~ Culture & History, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

House DADT victory! Now to the Senate…

12/16/2010 Nativegrl77

UPDATE

What has HRC done for me lately?

US – House passes stand alone repeal bill; Now to the senate. More »

WV – HRC and SLDN bring veteran voices to Sen. Manchin. More »

ME – HRC organizers brave the cold for DADT repeal. More »

MA – HRC volunteers and vets ask Sen. Brown to vote to repeal DADT. More »

US – HRC offers guidance on TSA screenings for transgender travelers. More »

IL – HRC joins successful phonebank-a-thon for civil unions. More »

ACT

Facebook campaign: Tell seven key senators to repeal DADT

Now that the House has once again voted to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the Senate faces its last, best chance to end DADT this year. Last week, the Senate was just three votes shy of moving forward to repeal this discriminatory law. But seven key senators who voted against us last time will make all the difference this time around. We need your help to reach out to everyone you know in ANY of these senators’ states: Alaska, Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, Ohio, and West Virginia. We’ve made it easy – just post this action on Facebook and tell your friends about this critical vote!

post this on facebook »

SUPPORT

A membership to help secure our rights

Days after the New Year’s Eve decorations come down, we’ll be facing a newly energized, far more right-wing Congress. We will be working around the clock to protect pro-equality victories, go toe-to-toe with radical hate groups, and spread marriage equality across the nation – but we need your support. Become an HRC member – or renew your membership – and you’ll be an integral part of this fight in 2011.

donate »

NEWS

Facebook to compensate employees for taxes on domestic partner health benefits »

Ninth Circuit hears oral arguments in Prop. 8 case »

Military leaders make ironclad case for DADT repeal »

Illinois civil unions bill awaits governor’s signature »

Nation’s first openly-transgender judges make history »

VIDEO: Whoopi raises profile for marriage equality in New York.

VIDEO: Broadway actress Daphne Rubin-Vega offers voice to NY Marriage Equality

VIDEO: Uncovering NOM’s shock and awe

What has HRC done for me lately?

Facebook campaign: Tell seven key senators to repeal DADT

A membership to help secure our rights

News: All eyes on the Senate as House passes DADT repeal bill

Video: Whoopi raises profile for marriage equality in New York

Her HRC

Thousands of women will come together in cities across the country for a national weekend of celebration, Jan 15-16, 2011.

Find out more »

Buyer’s Guide

Support businesses that support workplace equality! View online, search, print, or download the iPhone app »

The Goods

Introducing the Love and Pride Pendant – exclusively for HRC.
Check it out »

HRC Debit Card

With the HRC Debit Card, you can help support equality with every purchase.*

Apply today »

Wedding Registry

Laina & Xoe: Designer meets photographer. Sparks.

Honor a couple »

Sponsor Spotlight

This month we salute Microsoft, celebrating its first year as an HRC Platinum National Sponsor. Microsoft also is a generous supporter of the HRC Foundation and for several years has been a sponsor of both the HRC National Dinner and the HRC Pacific Northwest Gala. The company’s strong commitment to LGBT workplace inclusiveness has earned it a perfect 100% score on the HRC Corporate Equality Index since 2005.

Full list of National Corporate Partners »

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

TGIF in Congress – lame duck calendar …

12/16/2010 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes: 9:30amET December 17, 2010

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the New START Treaty. The treaty will be open to amendments tomorrow.

Senators are encouraged to come to the floor to offer and debate their amendments.

Roll call votes are possible to occur throughout the day.

As a reminder, Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to concur with respect to HR5281, DREAM Act and on the motion to concur with respect to HR2965, DADT. The first cloture vote will occur early Saturday morning at a time to be determined.

Unanimous Consent:
Passed S.1481, Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2009.
Passed H.R.4973, National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Improvement Act of 2010.

Passed H.R.5901, Real Estate Jobs and Investment Act of 2010
(with Baucus substitute and title amendments)

Passed H.R.5116, COMPETE Act (with Hutchison substitute)

)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((())))))))))))))))0

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF DECEMBER 17, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

5:18 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed with special order speeches.

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 5116 amended.

5:11 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

5:10 P.M. –

Mr. Burton of IN requested general leave to address the House for 5 minutes on December 21.

Mr. Burton of IN requested general leave to address the House for 5 minutes on December 20.

5:08 P.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

5:07 P.M. –

Mr. Garamendi asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, December 17, 2010, it adjourn to meet at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 21, 2010. Agreed to without objection.

5:06 P.M. –

The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 6523.

H. Res. 1767:

commending the Wisconsin Badger football team for an outstanding season and 2011 Rose Bowl bid

5:05 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

Considered as unfinished business.

S. 3874:

to amend the Safe Drinking Act to reduce lead in drinking water

5:04 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 226 – 109 (Roll no. 656).

4:53 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 5510:

to amend the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to allow amounts under the Troubled Assets Relief Program to be used to provide legal assistance to homeowners to avoid foreclosure

4:52 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 210 – 145 (Roll no. 655).

4:31 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

4:30 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H.J. Res. 105:

making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2011, and for other purposes

4:28 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed by voice vote.

4:25 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 105.

Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 105 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. All points of order against consideration of the joint resolution are waived except those arising under clause 10 of rule XXI.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1776.

4:23 P.M. –

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on December 17, 2010 at 3:15 p.m. stating that that body had passed S. 1481 and H.R. 4973; passed H.R. 5901 with amendments.

H.R. 2142:

to require the review of Government programs at least once every 5 years for purposes of assessing their performance and improving their operations, and to establish the Performance Improvement Council

4:20 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 212 – 131 (Roll no. 654).

H. Res. 1776:

providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 105) making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2011, and for other purposes

4:12 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 184 – 159 (Roll no. 653).

4:05 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Con. Res. 336:

providing for the sine die adjournment of the second session of the 111th Congress

4:04 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 196 – 153 (Roll no. 652).

3:31 P.M. –

Considered as privileged matter.

H. Res. 1776:

providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 105) making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2011, and for other purposes

3:30 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 1776, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the resolution, and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Sessions demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of ordering the previous question until later in the legislative day.

3:29 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered without objection.

3:19 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1776

Considered as privileged matter.

3:18 P.M. –

Mr. Polis (CO) filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 1776.

3:17 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 17.

1:50 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

1:49 P.M. –

INDIAN LAW AND ORDER COMMISSION – Pursuant to section 235 of the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 (PUB. L. 111-211), and the order of the House of January 6, 2009, the Speaker appointed the following members of the House to the INDIAN LAW AND ORDER COMMISSION: Ms. Herseth Sandlin and Mr. Pomeroy .

H.R. 628:

to establish a pilot program in certain United States district courts to encourage enhancement of expertise in patent cases among district judges

1:48 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 371 – 1 (Roll no. 651).

1:36 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 6523:

to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2011 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 341 – 48 (Roll no. 650).

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

1:27 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 1107:

to enact certain laws relating to public contracts as title 41, United States Code, “Public Contracts”

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 385 – 0 (Roll no. 649).

1:19 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1377:

honoring the accomplishments of Norman Yoshio Mineta, and for other purposes

1:18 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

1:17 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 384 – 0 (Roll no. 648).

12:50 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

12:49 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.

H.R. 6523:

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

11:49 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6523.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Skelton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 5510:

to amend the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to allow amounts under the Troubled Assets Relief Program to be used to provide legal assistance to homeowners to avoid foreclosure

11:47 A.M. –

11:12 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5510.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Capuano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 6533:

to implement the recommendations of the Federal Communications Commission report to the Congress regarding low-power FM service, and for other purposes

11:10 A.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

10:53 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6533.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Doyle moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

S. 3874:

to amend the Safe Drinking Act to reduce lead in drinking water

10:52 A.M. –

10:27 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3874.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Doyle moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H. Con. Res. 335:

honoring the exceptional achievements of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and recognizing the significant contributions he has made to United States national security, humanitarian causes, and peaceful resolutions of international conflict

10:26 A.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

10:01 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 335.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Berman moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1767:

commending the Wisconsin Badger football team for an outstanding season and 2011 Rose Bowl bid

9:59 A.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Holt objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

9:49 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1767.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Holt moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1621:

recognizing the 100th anniversary of the historic founding of Catholic Charities USA

9:48 A.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

9:39 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1621.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Cuellar moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 2142:

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

9:27 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the Senate amendment to H.R. 2142.

Mr. Cuellar moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.

H. Res. 1733:

recognizing Mark Twain as one of America’s most famous literary icons on the 175th anniversary of his birth and the 100th anniversary of his death

9:25 A.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

9:15 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1733.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Cuellar moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

S. 3592:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 100 Commerce Drive in Tyrone, Georgia, as the “First Lieutenant Robert Wilson Collins Post Office Building”

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Cuellar objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

9:08 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3592.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Cuellar moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

9:07 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

9:02 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.

9:01 A.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Cuellar to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 4602, H.R. 5133, H.R. 5605, H.R. 5606, H.R. 5655, H.R. 5877, H.R. 6400, H.R. 6392, H.R. 2142, H.R. 5809, S. 3874, S. 4036, and S. 3592.