Category Archives: ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Rep. Joe Barton …


It’s hard to believe, but Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) just apologized to BP CEO Tony Hayward.

Worse, this senior member of Congress called the real tragedy of the Gulf oil disaster not the hundreds of thousands of livelihoods destroyed, but that BP can be subjected to a “shakedown” — referring to the funds BP has promised to pay back Gulf Coast victims.

“I’m ashamed of what happened in the White House yesterday. I think it is a tragedy of the first proportion that a private corporation can be subjected to what I would characterize as a shakedown.”

This is a jaw-dropping reminder that some in Congress are still willing to carry water for even the worst of the worst offenders, despite the fact that their actions threaten our way of life and a livable environment.

You have to see the video yourself — and please make sure that your friends and family watch as well.

Watch this video

Rep. Barton’s apology came as BP’s Hayward was testifying for the first time in Congress. And even while the CEO’s testimony was evasive and at time infuriating, we can expect that of the company responsible for the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history.

What is completely unacceptable is elected officials putting the interests of the fossil fuel industry ahead of the public’s health and welfare, and in particular, ahead of the interests of those most affected by the Gulf disaster.

As we push forward and fight to solve the climate crisis and transition to a clean energy future, let’s continue to be vigilant. Let’s get the word out about any fossil fuel-backed member of Congress who feels it is okay to apologize to big oil in front of the American public.

Watch the video and please share it with everyone you know.

Thanks,

Dave Boundy
Campaign Manager
Repower America

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Why immigration reform matters: Liz’s story


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Reform Immigration FOR America

We know that you’re committed to this fight. And the hard work you’ve done is what’s gotten our movement this far. The events you’ve attended, the faxes you’ve sent, the phone calls you’ve made, and everything else you’ve done for the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in America today have made a difference.

But this issue is even bigger than all of us put together. All of us know people who haven’t taken a side in the fight for comprehensive immigration reform. Maybe they’re friends or coworkers. Maybe they’re neighbors. They might even be family members. Showing them why this fight matters is vital to our movement’s success.

All summer long, we’ll be sharing stories with you of people all across the country who need comprehensive immigration reform for themselves, their families, their businesses, and their communities. And we want to hear about your story, and why you’re in this fight.

Let me tell you about Liz, a woman who grew up in California whose story shows why we need to fix our broken system:

My dad [was] a permanent U.S. resident. But what he didn’t know was that under a new 1996 immigration law passed in Congress, an immigrant could be deported regardless of when [a] crime was committed, what type of crime was committed, and if time was served. In the wee hours of the morning my dad was handcuffed in front of my brother and taken away by agents leaving my brother alone, crying, and confused…

You can read the rest of Liz’s story on our blog. You can also use her story, and the other stories we’ll be sharing with you in the weeks and months to come, to start conversations with the people you know. Let them know that there are millions of people just like Liz, who suffer every day under our broken system. We’re fighting for immigration reform because we know that those families and those people need justice.

Thank you,
Marissa Graciosa
Reform Immigration FOR America

The Democratic Party


Friend —

Yesterday, Republican Congressman Joe Barton, the top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued an outrageous personal apology to BP and slammed the President for his efforts to hold them accountable.

Worse, if the GOP wins back the House, Barton is the guy who could be in charge of regulating the oil industry.

Think about it: In the Gulf right now, jobs are being lost, ecosystems are being destroyed, an entire way of life is being upended. And Joe Barton is apologizing to the oil company that caused the disaster.

We’re whipping together an ad as fast as possible to make sure voters know exactly whose side Barton and the GOP are on and to demand they stop apologizing to big oil, but we need your help to get it on the air.

If you’re as furious as I am, will you chip in $5 to help us fight back?

https://my.democrats.org/BartonAd

Thanks,

Brad

Brad Woodhouse
Communications Director
Democratic National Committee

Friday in Congress


The Senate Convenes: 9:45amET June 18, 2010

On 6/17/2010 these comments came after the jobs bill was voted down 56-40  -“Tonight, every single Republican voted to deny states critical aid that would keep firefighters, police offices and teachers employed,” said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). “And tonight, every single Republican voted to tell the one in ten Americans who have lost their jobs that they are on their own.” Please call your representative in Congress.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each. There will be no roll call votes on Friday, June 18.

Unanimous Consent:
Passed HR3962, with Baucus and title Substitute (provides for a 6-month extension of the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula)

passed H.Con.Res.242, a concurrent resolution honoring and praising the NAACP on the occasion of its 101st anniversary

Turns out the vote for the doc fix was too late , the House won’t be available to do their part til next week & Medicare announced that it will process claims at lower rate  &this will increase costs to tax payers and providers – this is unacceptable

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The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 11:ooamET June 21, 2010