Category Archives: ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Must Read …MMA


Media Matters August 25, 2010

How did the atmosphere of hope and forward progress around the 2008 election turn into today’s toxic stew of anger, paranoia, and distrust?

Why do so many people believe already-disproven falsehoods about President Obama’s birthplace, religion, and ideology?

Why is our news cycle increasingly driven by phony scandals, fearmongering, and political opportunists?

It’s no accident — and Media Matters Senior Fellow Will Bunch explains it in his must-read new book, The Backlash: Right-Wing Radicals, High-Def Hucksters and Paranoid Politics in the Age of Obama.

Pre-order “The Backlash” today.

Bunch, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, reveals the secrets behind the crusade against Obama, exploring how forces like radical militia groups, the Tea Party, pro-gun zealots, and Glenn Beck have combined old-fashioned populist outrage with digital-age phobias to produce a wave of resentment that many have ridden straight to the bank. It’s a well-researched, compelling book uncovering a dangerous political moment that poses legitimate risks to democracy in America. The Backlash hits stores Aug. 31 — but you can pre-order your copy today.

Pre-order “The Backlash” today.

To understand our political environment, you must understand the sources of myths and smears, and the machine that elevates them to the top of our national conversation. With The Backlash, Bunch provides an essential guide.

David Brock

Media Matters for America

Stop deep cuts to conservation programs …


Right now, critical conservation initiatives are in serious jeopardy and you can help save vulnerable programs that are protecting our nation’s natural resources.

Earlier this year, President Obama proposed major cuts to conservation funding that would let four million acres of land fall through the cracks. Now, he has called for an additional 5% cut in the budgets of non-security federal agencies.

Agencies must respond with their proposed cuts by September 13.

Don’t let conservation become a cost cutting casualty. Please urge Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack NOT to slash vulnerable programs that are protecting our nation’s precious natural resources >

While we applaud this effort to move towards a more balanced federal budget, we cannot cut programs that help farmers, ranchers, and private landowners secure a cleaner future for our air, water and land.

Farmers, ranchers and private landowners are stewards of over 70% of the land in America. Gutting initiatives — like the Environmental Quality Incentive Program and the Wetlands Reserve Program — will cut support to those partners who are investing in tackling environmental challenges on their lands.

Demand for these programs already far outweighs available funding. Tell Secretary Vilsack NOT to cut one dime >

Critical conservation initiatives are in serious jeopardy – you can help

Sign the Petition

With the continuing threat of climate change, water challenges, and the newest environmental disaster in the Gulf, now is not the time to slash vital conservation efforts. Please take action and speak out in support of transformational and effective initiatives that help farmers, ranchers and landowners protect our futures.

Sincerely,

The Change.org Team in partnership with Environmental Defense Fund

Tell Congress: Let students earn citizenship


TAKE ACTION

Tell Congress:

Our broken immigration system needs reform now. Pass the DREAM Act as a step towards comprehensive immigration reform.

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take action


Today, thousands of young immigrants who were brought here at a young age are waiting for the DREAM Act to have a chance to go to college. Sign this petition to Congress to give them the opportunity they deserve:

Our broken immigration system needs reform now. Pass the DREAM Act as a step towards comprehensive immigration reform.

Click here to add your name to this petition and send it to your Representative and Senators.

The DREAM Act would allow students who are undocumented to earn their citizenship. These students have worked hard for years in the hopes of going to college, furthering their educations, and making a difference in the world. But our broken immigration system makes that impossible.

The DREAM Act is one step toward a fair and just immigration policy, and an important one. Congress should pass it immediately. Please join me in taking action today.

Thank you,
Marissa Graciosa
Reform Immigration FOR America

Fight the Right — Send a message to the tabloids!


Barney Frank for Congress 2010

For the second time in a week, the ultra-conservative Boston Herald ran a giant, front-page headline attempting to tie me to recent ethics investigations in Washington.  (Not surprisingly, the actual story, deep inside the paper and in much smaller type, asserted no impropriety.)

I take attacks from the far-right as a badge of honor.  The meaner the attacks and the larger the headlines, the more evidence that they know — and fear — that I am effective, and that I have earned the support you have given me.

But now the attacks are accelerating and it is time to fight back.

Three weeks ago, President Obama signed into law the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the most sweeping financial reform since the Great Depression.  I am proud to have played a leading role in passing that legislation despite the opposition of some of the most powerful financial institutions in the country, a legion of well-paid lobbyists, and almost every Republican in Congress.

The Right is determined that I pay a price.

As November approaches, I predict we will see even more malicious headlines.  Then, the next wave of attack will arrive — nasty television ads fueled by big money from right-wing organizations.  And now, because of the recent Supreme Court decision defining corporate spending on elections as free speech, the threat is far greater.

Let us not underestimate the power of lies.  Inherent implausibility is not self-refuting.  We must fight back — now.

I will need substantial resources to fight effectively and we cannot afford to wait until the fall.  So I am asking you to help me raise over $100,000 by Monday, August 23rd.  Your strongest support will make that possible.

The tabloids and other right-wing institutions are counting on us to cower in fear.  Let’s stand up to the GOP attack machine — fighting every false, malicious attack by raising our voices and pooling our resources.  Their assaults will only make us stronger.

Let’s send them a message today.

Thank you for your help,

Barney Frank

P.S.  You can multiply your efforts by forwarding this email to others who share our values and determination.  The larger our numbers, the more powerful we become.
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TGIF …&some News


Today, President Obama will be signing the $600million border bill that will increase the effort to protect the border by adding more ICE agents and equipment along the border …this action is more than any other administration has done before. I would like to hear what the Governor of Arizona has to say about this …hopefully to say thank you if nothing else.

The other great things going on this coming weekend is that The President Obama will be going to Panama City, Fl this weekend.  The fact is Florida is a State where many people immigrated to from many many places back in the day Florida passed through the hands of many people of colour, mostly Native Americans. Though at some point that ended… and most if not all immigrants were of Hispanic,Caribbean and European decent; we all know as a port for slave trade and drop-offs back in the day.  However, Today … there are now immigrants from all over the world working and living in Florida. The City our President is going is where some of my people live… YAY!!!

Here’s hoping the oil is far away if just a touch and if it is there they are able to get it cleaned and the people made whole. The BP disaster has damaged so many people on the Gulf Coast hopefully Panama City continues to shine as well as bringing revenue in, tourists, fishing, and everything related to get back on track.

In other News about Race and in my own experience in my own opinion; Words Matter – Words hurt. They incite violence, they promote fear, anger, shame and when misinterpreted by the right people they cause harm; physically and to property and in this 21st Century people like those on the airwaves should know which topics they can or should definitely stay away from. As a person of colour the comments made by a Doctor was in itself offensive but most of all …it ties into this whole uprising about anchor babies or terror babies, interracial-marriage including her use of the N-word over and over again. This kind of behavior by a professional on the airwaves is unacceptable, yet we must all become aware of the new immigration scare tactic and obviously Dr. S is apart of that effort

It is most obvious of things to rant about today is about Dr. S … we all know who she is and though it is funny she is still being talked about her comments and the way she handled herself definitely was not funny whatsoever. In fact on the face of it maybe if she was a newbie on the radio we might be able to warn her and let it slide but this lady and i use that word with control because to be honest she has lost my respect forever so lady is about all i can call her without being nasty. Dr S. is not new to the business and like someone said on radio today Dr. S knows who and what side of her bread is getting buttered and like most folks from the right …she has joined the race-baiting debate. It is my hope that folks all over the world boycott or stop listening to this lady because even with her apology the very words she said are forever imbedded in my mind and will not ever be forgotten.

Other News …

**Thad Allen stated testing will be done on the BP oil well to determine the success of the cap and or seal

**UFCW local 367 asks us to support Macy’s workers in Tacoma due to unfair hiring practices

**Dr S. racist rant is something no one should let move on without hearing

**The Blagojevich trial continues

**In Arizona yesterday, a conservative group along with several Arizona lawmakers launched a lawsuit attempting to block President Obama’s health care overhaul. The Goldwater Institute and Republican Reps. Jeff Flake, Trent Franks and John Shadegg, along with several state lawmakers, filed the suit in U.S. District Court which takes aim at the requirement to purchase health care coverage.

A week after striking down California’s ban on same-sex marriage, U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker ruled yesterday that gay marriages could resume on Aug. 18. He gave opponents about a week to seek an injunction from a higher court. “I am pleased to see Judge Walker lift his stay and provide all Californians the liberties I believe everyone deserves,” Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates is causing consternation within the Pentagon for his budget-cutting plan to reduce the number of generals and admirals by five percent. But, while Gates is advocating certain small cuts, he is urging Congress not to engage in more significant cuts of the defense budget.

**Judge gives green light for same-sex marriage in Cali

**Wikileaks preparing to release 15thou more Afghanistan docs

**The Pentagon is cutting waste

**Waters insists she didn’t break House rules


C-SPAN …

watch State Dept. Briefing

Washington Journal Focusing on Solar Power

The Washington Journal wrapped up its week-long series on energy issues, with a conversation about solar power. Tom Rooney, the CEO of SPG Solar, the second largest solar company in the U.S., joined the discussion to talk about the benefits of solar power and the incentives the government provides to encourage homeowners and utility companies to invest in solar technology.

Earlier this week, the Washington Journal looked at various ways to construct energy saving homes and buildings, explored how public policy regarding electric vehicles affects the industry and the distribution of natural gas and the impact of public policy decisions on the utility industry, as well as wind energy.

Next week the summer series will turn its focus to a weeklong discussion on the financial regulation bill, which was signed into law in July

Rep. Waters meets with reporters; Denies Proof of Ethics Violations

Issuing her first formal public response to ethics charges against her, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) is meeting with reporters to lay out her defense strategy when her ethics trial begins this fall. Earlier this month, the House Ethics Committee announced its investigation into the congresswoman’s involvement with arranging a meeting between OneUnited Bank and Treasury Department officials. Later, the bank received $12 million from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). The committee cites a series of emails between Waters’ chief of staff Mikael Moore and OneUnited, where her husband has financial interests, pointing to a conflict of interest. Waters defended her request for the meeting as part of her efforts to advocate on behalf of minority-owned businesses. She is the second House Democrat to face an ethics trial this fall. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) is also facing an ethics trial.

New Economic Indicators Point to Stalled Recovery

A series of key indicators have painted a weak economic outlook, according to economists. Reacting to fears of trouble in the domestic and global markets, the Dow Jones industrial average saw its biggest one-day drop since last month, dropping 2.5 percent; while the average New York Stock Exchange slid 3.3 percent on Wednesday. Setting off this reaction of events was Tuesday’s announcement by the Federal Reserve that its previous assessment of the national recovery may be “more modest in the near term than had been anticipated.”

As part of its assessment, the central bank referred to the high unemployment levels and its impact on the economy. With jobless figures hovering at 9.5 percent, a new report shows that first-time claims for unemployment reached its highest number since February, totaling to a seasonally adjusted 484,000, the Labor Department said on Thursday.

In an attempt to address the problems facing jobless Americans, the Treasury Department will allocate $2 billion under the Hardest Hit Fund to help unemployed homeowners living pay their mortgages. Paid for by the Troubled Assets Relief Program, the program focuses on those in the 17 hardest hit states, including California, Arizona and the District of Columbia.