~ my 2cents ...

TGIF …&some News


Today, many on cable will either choose not to talk about what is considered good news for Americans or manipulate the information or hijack it and claim that Republicans are responsible for the job numbers announced today that unemployment dropped again to 8.9%. Yes, that number can be debated but we cannot debate the fact that 192thousand jobs were created in the private sector and contrary to what we will all be, hearing this positive news belongs to the efforts made by our President and the Democratic Party. In addition to this great news about job creation and or improvement we all should remember Rodney King. Rodney King, who was beaten to a pulp for a speeding ticket and ask ourselves have things changed that much 20 years later even with all that he has gone through since and if you would like to find out more about him tune into CNN with Don Lemon.

President Obama will be meeting with new Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel at the White House and later the President will be travelling to Miami with Arne Duncan and Jeb Bush to talk about Education.

Lastly, to the doubter’s haters and those who fear the unknown or who keep engaging in typical fear mongering via the interwebs

My response …

i respect your opinion, I may not agree but i will not call you names or think less of you … i don’t know you, however i did vote for Obama and will again because Republicans/Conservatives proved themselves to be useless… they have no one in charge, they have no solutions only complaints. The solutions they do have are only for the top 2% and that 2% has been getting breaks for too long it’s obvious in my opinion that Bush, Cheney and Paulson all f’d us and because of that i personally am subscribing to what works and that is the Government right now. If you need reminding to realize why we need the government right now just watch the House of Cards, a film created by CNBC definitely worth the time. This film will help you understand why Wall Street types capitalists like bernie madoff and others like him engaged in creative accounting, why AIG created a monster and the pay out by AIG to various Banks was big and how it worked its way overseas to become something too big to fail. Republicans want to continue on this same path of less regulation and people need to see it as it is. I wonder why after all that has happened since the mid-term elections would anyone with common sense feel this is the kind of Capitalism you want and if you are still expecting Republicans to solve our problems with every American in mind… I have to say you are foolish…

Capitalism does not mean firms should engage in cooking the books, secret transactions and or becoming bigger than their sum value or investing in schemes … that — is what happened …

We the People need capitalism with a small c and more regulation … with a huge R

 Other News …

**America sturggles & bargaining for thier rights

**Libya makes it harder to cross border

**Tunisia steps up evacuations of people fleeing Libya- also prepare for elections

**Libya’s tribes rise up against Gadhafi

**Chavez and Gadhafi want the UN to visit Libya

**Walker threatens democratic senators -if they don’t come back he will hand out pink slips

**Ohio priest propositions police officers while being picked up for dui

**China will boost their Military spending

**Crude Rises based on Libya Violence

CSPAN …

TARP Oversight Panel Holding its Final Hearing

http://c-span.com/Events/TARP-Oversight-Panel-Holding-its-Final-Hearing/10737419983/

Unemployment Rate Drops to 8.9%

economy adds 192,000 new jobs

http://c-span.com/Events/Unemployment-Rate-Drops-to-89/10737419949/

Earlier today the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lisa Jackson testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Environment on the proposed 2012 budget, where she urged Congress not to cut her agency’s budget.  http://c-span.com/Events/EPA-Head-and-Congress-Discuss-Environmental-Issues/10737419951/

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano went before a House panel to talk about President Obama’s 2012 budget request for her department. She discussed the needs of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and how the proposed budget will allow the department to continue essential programs to protect U.S. borders.

http://c-span.com/Events/Napolitano-and-Congress-debate-Border-Security/10737419952/

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was on Capitol Hill to defend the President’s $79.9 billion 2012 spending request for her department. This morning’s hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health focused on the implementation of the health care law.  http://c-span.com/Events/Sebelius-defends-Health-Care-Law/10737419948/

President Obama called on Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to step down from power. He also said the U.S. military should be prepared to act if a humanitarian crisis develops in Libya. Speaking at a joint news conference with Mexican President Felipe Calderon, President Obama said the two leaders have come to an agreement on Mexican trucks’ ability to enter the U.S. http://c-span.com/Events/President-Obama-amp-President-Calderon-of-Mexico-Joint-Press-Conference/10737419986/  

House Republicans held a news conference to discuss a bill that would change some of the health care law’s reporting rules for small businesses. http://c-span.com/Events/House-Republican-and-Democrat-Leadership-Press-Briefings/10737419990/

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congess in Session –


The Senate Convenes at 10:00amET March 4, 2011

There will be no roll call votes during Friday’s session

Morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

1:00pm Filing deadline for all first degree amendments to S.23, the America Invents Act

This afternoon Senator Reid asked unanimous consent that upon disposition of S.23, the America Invents Act, the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R.1, Defense Appropriations and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011; the Majority Leader be recognized to offer a substitute amendment (Inouye amendment #149); there be 4 hours for debate prior to a vote in relation to the substitute amendment; upon disposition of the substitute amendment, the Senate proceed to vote on passage of HR1, as amended, if amended; with no motions or amendments in order to the substitute amendment or to the bill prior to the votes; and the substitute amendment and the bill be subject to a 60-vote threshold.

Senator McConnell objected for the time being and said that his caucus needs more time to review the substitute amendment.

Senator Reid then asked unanimous consent that upon disposition of S.23, the America Invents Act, the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R.1, the Defense Appropriations and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011; .

Senator McConnell also objected to this request.

Senator Reid then moved to proceed to HR1 and filed cloture on the motion.

)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on March 4, 2011.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 4, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

2:03 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on March 8, 2011 for Morning-Hour Debate.

2:02 P.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.

2:01 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Barry Black, Chaplain of the United States Senate, Washington DC.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Thomas J. Rooney to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

2:00 P.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Google Becomes More Social And It’s Hurting Your Business …JeffBulla’s blog


Posted: 01 Mar 2011 01:47 PM PST

 Google Becomes More Social And It’s Hurting Your Business  http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JeffbullassBlog/~3/ntwQ5-nKbC8/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email

Conversations in bars and dinner parties about who is right or wrong are often solved by the smart phone being drawn from the pocket or handbag with a Tweet subsequent mobile search on “Lord Google” with the question being answered from Wikipedia or another website with authority. Problem solved… using a blunt mobile instrument without a fight breaking out at the bar or the tipping of wine into someone’s lap.

The online search industry is embedded in our daily lives with up to 90% of all buying decisions starting with an online search and 89% of all clicks through to a website occurring from websites that appear on the first page of Google.

Google has been with us for over 10 years now (the company started in 1998) and has just announced a continuing evolution of its search algorithms to maintain its relevancy and that includes more integration with social media that has been occurring since 2009, though you may not have noticed. Google has also added other tweaks such as increasing visibility and ranking for content that is more recent and this puts fresh unique content right in the frame and blogs are essential for companies to maintain regular published online content.

If you haven’t taken close notice of Google’s search page recently beyond just looking at your results, just take a look down the left side when you do a Google search and you will notice this refined search banner that has 5 social network elements.

5 Major Social Media Elements In Google Search

Images (which includes social media channels such as Flickr)

Videos (which includes a well known social network YouTube”)

Realtime (this is the feed from Twitter.another social media channel you may have heard of but conveniently renamed by Google)

Discussions (this highlights social channels including forums)

Blogs (another social web platform)

Google’s Latest Announcement

Google has included some significant changes in its latest announcement including

Increasing the priority and prominence of search results from platforms such as Twitter, Flickr and Quora (a new social network kid on the block)

Blending results throughout the page instead of only at the bottom

Adding friends social media interactions into search results

This is done by an annotation system that lets you know when a friend has shared a specific link or search result. If your friend writes a blog about how to create honey, that result will have an annotation that your friend has “shared this,” either via Google or through one of Google’s three major social integrations.

This will produce a massive increase in social results appearance in search with friends results turning up in if they have tweeted a reference to that particular search term. You can also connect your Google account to social networks like Twitter if you choose either publicly or privately as you may not want to reveal that you are a @spongebobsuperfan on Twitter.

Google On How It Works On YouTube

Click here to view the embedded video.

What Are The Implications For Business?

The implication for business from the latest announcement and the continuing refinements is that if you want to increase your chances of appearing high in a Google search, that just pursuing a SEO link strategy is not going to be as successful as in the past.

It is now a necessity and a priority to be participating on the major social media channels or you are reducing your brands chances of “being found online” high up on search results.

If you are not active on social media because you think it’s all hype then you may be damaging your business because Google is making social search a priority and your potential customers will find it increasingly hard to find you when they do their next online search and you can’t be found.

The reality is that social media integration into search is here to stay and you need to learn the rules of the new social web or you will reduce your organisations visibility and no one wants to be invisible unless you are a super hero or a dinosaur.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

RECALL Wisconsin’​s GOP Senators!


It’s time to show right-wing lawmakers that they cannot use budget gaps, created by their own massive giveaways to their corporate sponsors, as an excuse to attack Americans‘ fundamental rights.

The budget plan proposed by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and advanced by his Republican allies in the legislature which would rip away the collective bargaining rights of public workers is a shocking example of extreme overreach … it’s time to hold these people accountable!

In Wisconsin, voters can recall their state elected officials after they have been in office for a year. That means that Gov. Walker cannot be recalled until 2012, but eight of the GOP Senators who have pushed for passage of Walker’s plan are eligible for recall NOW — and the state Democrats have taken steps to begin the recall process.

First things first: Let us know you’re on board and sign our petition supporting the recall effort. http://site.pfaw.org/site/R?i=GbPmpmXeNOxyIYbTQmjhcQ..

This is not just about Wisconsin — it’s about right-wing power grabs and assaults Americans’ rights everywhere. If we can successfully recall these lawmakers in  Wisconsin, it will help set us up for similar recall efforts where they are possible in other states and, more importantly, it will make governors and legislators think twice about pushing such measures to begin with.

Show lawmakers in Wisconsin and all states that this type of overreach will not be taken sitting down.

Join this effort now.

— Ben Betz, Online Communications Manager http://site.pfaw.org/site/R?i=O4zSzS3uSvIPX3v3DdxGXg..

P.S. This is going to be BIG and PFAW hopes to be a real force in this effort. That means we’ll need as many of our members and activists, from around the country, engaged in it.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Tell Sens. Murray and Cantwell: Support the Social Security Protection Act of 2011.

2 Comments

Tell Sens. Murray and Cantwell: Support the Social Security Protection Act of 2011.

Take Social Security off the chopping block.

Clicking here will add your name to this petition to Sens. Murray and Cantwell:

“Social Security is one of the most popular and most effective social programs in our country’s history. We cannot allow its opponents to undermine it.

Help take Social Security off the chopping block by co-sponsoring the Social Security Protection Act of 2011.”

Click here to add your name

http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=7242&id=17410-2591629-SdISt_x&t=9

We need to take Social Security off the table as a bargaining chip in talks about the budget deficit and federal spending.

Social Security is one of the greatest anti-poverty programs in our country’s history and is wildly popular. In addition, despite fearmongering to the contrary, Social Security is currently running a surplus, is fully solvent for decades, and is prohibited by law from adding to the deficit.

In fact, the only crisis facing Social Security is caused by opponents of the program who are crying wolf about a crisis in order to justify undermining one of the most popular social programs in our history.

Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont is introducing a bill today called the Social Security Protection Act of 2011. The bill would take Social Security off the chopping block by requiring a two-thirds super majority to reduce benefits, raise the retirement age or privatize the program.

Tell Sens. Murray and Cantwell: Support the Social Security Protection Act of 2011. Click here to automatically sign the petition.

Make no mistake, enemies of Social Security are trying to sabotage it even as they try to bamboozle the rest of us about their real aims. And we already know that some plan to use the prospect of a government shutdown or the fight around the debt ceiling as leverage to undermine Social Security.

We’ve seen how this works before. Time and again, conservatives have ginned up fake emergencies to justify far-reaching and deeply unpopular legislation. And all too often, we’ve seen Democrats in office do nothing to stop — or worse, actively enable — these conservative power-grabs.

We can’t let this happen with Social Security, which for 75 years has withstood both the test of time and the active efforts to undercut it.

Tell Sens. Murray and Cantwell: Support the Social Security Protection Act of 2011. Click here to automatically sign the petition..

Ten senators are already co-sponsoring the Social Security Protection Act. As a number of the co-sponsors of the bill wrote in a Dear Colleague letter:

http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=7242&id=17410-2591629-SdISt_x&t=9

“Our legislation does not prohibit Congress from cutting Social Security benefits, raising the retirement age or privatizing this important program. It simply ensures that if Congress takes any of these actions, a super-majority vote is needed…”

This is precisely the type of leverage we’ll need in the upcoming fights. It will help stop conservatives from ramming through cuts or privatization as some sort of grand compromise on “must pass” legislation.<

Once we do this, we banish the false specter of crisis, and have a real discussion about how to make changes to Social Security to keep it successful for another 75 years.

Thank you for standing up for Social Security.

Matt Lockshin, Campaign Manager

CREDO Action from Working Assets

P.S. The co-sponsors for the Social Security Protection Act of 2011 are: Bernard Sanders (VT), Daniel Akaka (HI), Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), Sherrod Brown (OH), Barbara Mikulski (MD), Barbara Boxer (CA), Debbie Stabenow (MI), Mark Begich (AK), Richard Blumenthal (CT) and Frank Lautenberg (NJ).

politics,pollution,petitions,pop culture & purses