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mashup Monday &some News


The featured picture is of the I-5 Peace Arch.

  I needed some feeling of peace today. Actually, we probably will all feel the need for some peaceful thoughts as we watch members of Congress play politics with American lives. Congress might have until August to raise the debt ceiling but the evidence is becoming quite clear that Republicans have absolutely no intention of helping their Fellow Americans and or the Economy move toward that path of progress let alone the 21st Century, so the picture on the left is of our I-5 Peace Arch on the Canadian Border.

 In 2010, right around this time a vote was taken and while the Democratic Party was trying to get Americans back to work by introducing legislation to be passed Republicans acted and continue to act as if Corporate America is the only people, they trust and the following was what happened.  Last night, June/2010 the following comments were made after the jobs/tax extenders bill failed in the Senate again 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.  The American people are about tired of the BS offered up by both sides of the aisle but after watching  listening to TV and or radio the sad sad reality is that people are willing to vote against their best interest.

Apparently, folks have forgotten that it has been a Republican mission to vote against their fellow Americans calling it unnecessary spending though if anyone recalls that these are the same folks who voted against stimulus money while  taking the stimulus money, shoot every state was going to get it whether they said no because it was an emergency. It was slightly amusing though shortly lived and definitely offensive now that the number of Politicians with negative comments about the stimulus funds even though they held elaborate ceremonies with ribbon cutting, offering huge checks, took responsibility for the effort and some even asked for more money.  I am not sure how anyone else feels but knowing that the number of Governors that took the stimulus money to balance their budgets was disturbing enough. It was not just disturbing but hearing how Republican Governors made a choice of Profits over the People in their states by giving money  to private sector who turned out to be friends like the Koch brothers is felonious at best . It is also quite possible some of those very Republican Governors have businesses that received direct or non- direct advantages sort of like those drug testing clinics that belong to the governor who has decided that all state employees be tested for drug use. I may be wrong but reports are he is the only one with those clinics and this past weekend there were reports that rep. Paul Ryan stands to make a lot of money if his plan is implemented. If all that we have heard about our so-called Public Servants is correct, the stimulus money was obviously misused and some folks in office abused their positions.  We have Governors saying their states are broke though some had surpluses while the private sector being a Republicans best friend is still unwilling to open up the purse strings or stop sending jobs offshore until Americans accept lower wages and or compete for  what used to be Public Service jobs turned private and fee based . The current attitudes coming from Republicans will only drive unemployment up.  The obvious choice would be to place a Public Jobs Works bill on the table that would create jobs that will take care of our crumbling infrastructure, accept that at this moment in time we need everyone to participate. The idea that people are actually against fair share is beyond me but that Republican view currently being forced upon our fellow Americans in some states right this very moment is a reality.  It’s the 21st Century people. We need members of Congress to walk through a feature like our Arch to bring peace over them and maybe they will all come to the same conclusion two and a half years later. That all members of Congress need to participate in fair share as well as vote yes to Jobs bills that include county, state, or federal workers. Since when do we have  to tell companies like BP or other big Corporations that they should be held completely accountable for their errors; let us hope all Americans heard the Barton, Bachmann; cable heads and Boehner comments about a year ago because those- Corporatist-Republicans are still at it. The escrow was for We the People and was not a Chicago style take down as suggested. Republican Congressmen like Barton came out in support and the protection of a company that has ruined not only the Gulf Coast, the livelihoods, the environment the Marshes, Estuaries and now the beaches in Louisiana are suffering, which may affect every aspect of their economy for decades. Barton pulled those comments back but as I have said, those comments cannot be put back into any bottle and hopefully Americans will not forget or forgive.

If you just cannot enjoy our I-5 Peace Arch on the Canadian Border try breathing deeply in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth … repeat as needed

Other News ….

Your tributes to the Big Man, Clarence Clemons

Casey Anthony Trial Update: Defense case continues after dramatic beginning

Protesters take to streets in Syria after Assad speech

Euro, Stocks Recover as Debt Concern Eases

Tunisia’s Ousted President Says He Was Tricked Into Leaving

Is Rick Perry Going to Run for President?

Inappropriate Jokes

CSPAN

Governors Discuss Job Creation

Study released on states and job growth

A Look at “Mystery Phone Fees”

Huntsman announcement, Panetta Vote, Clinton on Capitol Hill

Senate to vote Tuesday on Panetta as SecDef
Issue for Jon Huntsman: His family’s Iran Business

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This video really moved me …a message from Michelle Obama


As families around the country get together to celebrate fathers today, I’m thinking about dads like Alex.

 Alex is the father of two boys and two girls, ages six to 13. During the week, he works the 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift as a front-desk supervisor at a Seattle hotel. After work and on the weekends, he devotes his time to a summer organizing program that’s giving more than 1,500 first-time organizers the training they need to help build this movement in their communities.

   He says he hopes this organizing work will help teach his kids the power one person can have — that if “they see something that needs to be changed, they know they can make a difference.”

 I wanted to share a video of Alex explaining what prompted him to join this program and devote his summer to this work.

 I was really moved by what he had to say. Take a look, and share it with a dad you’re thinking about today:

 

Today, I’m also proud of my husband, the man who drove our first daughter and me home from the hospital 13 years ago next month, determined to be the kind of father he hadn’t had for himself.

 Barack often says he decided that day that if he could be anything in life, he’d be a good dad, and he dedicated himself then and there to making sure our daughter had every opportunity he could provide.

  When it comes down to it, that’s why we’re all here — Barack, Alex, myself, and everyone who’s part of this campaign. We’re all working to make sure we leave our kids with a country that’s fairer and more full of opportunity — just as our parents did for us.

 Thank you for being part of that work, and part of this campaign.

  Wishing you a happy Father’s Day,

   Michelle
—
We aren’t funded by Washington lobbyists or corporate interests. We rely on donations from people like you. You should donate today.

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Thank you for taking action on clean air


When we  come together as a group, we can achieve great things!.

Last week, with your  effort, we sent over 9,000  public comments to the EPA with a clear message to  strengthen and keep the Power Plant Mercury and Air Toxics Standard in  place. Help us reach 10,000 today!  http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=KuboNjRJOEHLPzs%2FgnYXVYTCglo5gL1A

Everyone has a voice  that deserves to be counted. Your voices are heard loud and clear in  current polls that show  strong American support for the EPA.  Key findings stated that:
An overwhelming 75 percent of voters support EPA  setting stricter limits on smog;
65 percent say that stricter standards on air pollution will not damage our economic recovery, with 54 percent believing that updates are likely to create more jobs, not less: 66 percent of voters think the EPA should set pollution       standards, not Members of Congress;
Support for updating smog standards is widespread.       Targeted polling among voters in Florida,       Ohio, Michigan,       Minnesota, Wisconsin,       North Carolina and Virginia found support for the EPA       setting stricter limits on air pollution ranging between 64-72 percent.

The public comment period for Power Plant Mercury and Air Toxics Standard will remain open until July 5th. Please forward the action page on to others who care about clean air for everyone.

Thank you for  supporting clean air — and Earth Day Network.

To help us continue this important work, please consider making a tax deductible donation.

— Kathleen Rogers

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what’s going on in Congress -the Republican led House – the Senate


 During Thursday’s session of the Senate, Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar #75, S.679, the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011. The Senate then entered into the following unanimous consent agreement. The Senate then went on a long weekend break.

  • At 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2011, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Calendar #34, the nomination of Michael H. Simon, of Oregon, to be US District Judge for the District of Oregon with one hour for debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 12pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call voteon confirmation of the Simon nomination.
  • Following this vote, the Senate will recess until 2:15 p.m. for the weekly party conferences.
  • At 2:15 p.m., the Senate will consider Executive Calendar #183, Leon E. Panetta to be Secretary of Defensewith 2 hours for debate equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 4:15pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of the Panetta nomination.
  • Following this vote, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 782, the EDA bill and conduct a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the bill.
  • If cloture is not invoked, the Senate will immediately conduct an additional roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 679, the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011.
  • Therefore, Senators should expect up to 4 roll call votes on Tuesday, June 21st:
    • at approximately 12pm
      • Confirmation of the Simon nomination
    • at approximately 4:15pm
      • Confirmation of the Panetta nomination
      • Motion to invoke cloture on S.782, the Economic Development Act
      • Motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.679, the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act

 CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JUNE 20, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

 

10:05 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on June 21, 2011. 

10:04 A.M. – The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification stating that the emergency declared with respect to the risk of nuclear proliferation created by the accumulation of a large volume of weapons-usable fissile material in the territory of the Russian Federation is to continue beyond June 21, 2011 – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-36).

 10:03 A.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 sealed envelope from the White House on June 17, 2011 at 10:50 a.m. which is said to contain a message from the President whereby he notifies the Congress he has extended the national emergency with respect to highly enriched uranium in the territory of the Russian Federation.

 10:02 A.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
  10:01 A.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.The Speaker designated the Honorable Jerry Lewis to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. 

10:00 A.M. – The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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Stop E-Verify in its Tracks


Reform Immigration FOR America

GOP Immigration Strategy:
Mass firings, mass deportations
 
Over the past two years, we’ve watched as deportations doubled, the DREAM Act failed, and elected officials squandered several chances for real immigration reform.
Yesterday, Lamar Smith (R-TX) introduced his plan for immigration reform: a nationwide, mandatory E-Verify system requiring employersto perform ‘electronic pat downs’ before hiring employees.E-Verify is an Internet-based system that checks eligibility of employees to work in the United Statesand it’s highly flawed. In 2010 alone, 80,000 people lost their jobs because of errors in the system. In this trying economy, this is not a policy Americans can afford.Under the GOP plan:

  • At least 770,000 legal workers would lose their jobs due to errors.
  • The nearly 8 million undocumented workers would be further exploited by employers and forced into underground economies.
  • Small businesses would be crushed by an estimated $2.6 billion dollars in fines annually.

Help us stop E-Verify in its tracks.

E-Verify would wrongfully profile immigrant workers, tear our families apart, and cost businesses billions each year. Also, it would result in mass layoffs and mass deportations. But we can stop it now.

A donation of $30 helps us send 80 faxes and make 100 calls to Congress to help stop mandatory E-Verify legislation in the House and Senate.
Thank you for all you do,Marissa Graciosa
Reform Immigration FOR America