~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Endorsements for your Primary ballot

07/22/2013 Nativegrl77

The Primary Election is on August 6th, and you should receive your ballot by early next week.

Click here for endorsements for your Primary ballot.

Our endorsements include positions on Initiative 522 and important races for positions in city and county government. While there is no race as high profile as the race for President, the outcome of this election will have a direct impact on your daily life.

Primary Elections typically have low turnout, which is why it is so important that informed Democrats like you vote. We ask that you make your voice heard. Because of the low turnout, your vote will make a critical difference in these races!

Find Democratic Party endorsements, and mail your ballot by August 6th.

If you don’t receive your ballot or have any other voting questions, contact your County Auditor.

Thank you for voting!

Jaxon Ravens
Executive Director
Washington State Democrat

Black History

the Senate 7/23 CONGRESS the House considers HR5

07/22/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate will convene at 10:00am on Tuesday, July 23, 2013.

Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized. It is expected he will renew his motion to proceed to S.1243, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. The time until 12:00pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.
The next roll call vote will be at 12:00pm on Tuesday, July 23^rd on the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to S.1243. Cloture was filed on that motion during Thursday’s session of the Senate. If cloture is invoked, all post-cloture time will be yielded back and the Senate will proceed to vote on the motion to proceed to S.1243 (likely a voice vote). If the motion to proceed to S.1243 is adopted, the text of H.R.2610, as reported by the House Appropriations, will be deemed House passed text for the purposes of rule 16.
The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

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July 2013
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
	1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30	31

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Last Floor Action:
1:18:37 P.M. – The House adjourned
pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00
p.m. on July 22, 2013.

12:00:10 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:24 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Steve Womack to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:54 P.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
12:07:38 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

2:00:34 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 22.
2:00:40 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:01:58 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:02:03 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Burgess to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:22 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:08:20 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 4:30 p.m. today.
4:32:03 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 22.
4:33:09 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until later in the legislative day.
4:33:20 P.M.	H.R. 697	<action_description>Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 697 — “To provide for the conveyance of certain Federal land in Clark County, Nevada, for the environmental remediation and reclamation of the Three Kids Mine Project Site, and for other purposes.”
4:33:46 P.M.	H.R. 697	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:33:52 P.M.	H.R. 697	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 697.
4:44:50 P.M.	H.R. 697	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
4:44:54 P.M.	H.R. 697	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:45:05 P.M.	H.R. 1411	Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1411 — “To include the Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands in the California Coastal National Monument as a part of the National Landscape Conservation System, and for other purposes.”
4:45:15 P.M.	H.R. 1411	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:45:18 P.M.	H.R. 1411	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1411.
4:58:17 P.M.	H.R. 1411	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
4:58:20 P.M.	H.R. 1411	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:58:21 P.M.	H.R. 2353	Mr. Petri moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2353 — “To amend title 23, United States Code, with respect to the operation of vehicles on certain Wisconsin highways, and for other purposes.”
4:58:56 P.M.	H.R. 2353	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:58:58 P.M.	H.R. 2353	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2353.
5:04:51 P.M.	H.R. 2353	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:04:58 P.M.	H.R. 2353	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:05:12 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 44	Mr. Ribble moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. H. Con. Res. 44 — “Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.”
5:05:18 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 44	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:05:23 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 44	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 44.
5:10:56 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 44	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.
5:12:11 P.M.	H.R. 1542	Mr. Meehan moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1542 — “To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish weapons of mass destruction intelligence and information sharing functions of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security and to require dissemination of information analyzed by the Department to entities with responsibilities relating to homeland security, and for other purposes.”
5:12:33 P.M.	H.R. 1542	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:12:35 P.M.	H.R. 1542	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1542.
5:23:53 P.M.	H.R. 1542	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.
5:24:32 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 6:30 P.M. today.

–

6:30:48 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 22.
6:30:52 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:31:30 P.M.	H.R. 1542	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1542 — “To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish weapons of mass destruction intelligence and information sharing functions of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security and to require dissemination of information analyzed by the Department to entities with responsibilities relating to homeland security, and for other purposes.”
6:57:22 P.M.	H.R. 1542	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 388 – 3 (Roll no. 375).
6:57:24 P.M.	H.R. 1542	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:58:02 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 44	Considered as unfinished business. H. Con. Res. 44 — “Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.”
7:05:16 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 44	On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 388 – 0 (Roll no. 376).
7:05:17 P.M.	H. Con. Res. 44	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:06:08 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:18:23 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
9:12:51 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

9:58:23 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 22.
9:59:07 P.M.		Mr. Nugent filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 312.
10:00:05 P.M.		Mr. Nugent moved that the House do now adjourn.
10:00:08 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
10:00:09 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 23, 2013.

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9:00:21 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:25 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:01:22 A.M.		POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON APPROVAL OF JOURNAL – The Chair announced that he had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Wilson (SC) demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Wilson (SC) objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the approval of the Journal until a time to be announced.
9:01:53 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Welch to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:02:03 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.
9:06:43 A.M.	H.R. 5	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 5 — “To support State and local accountability for public education, protect State and local authority, inform parents of the performance of their children’s schools, and for other purposes.”
9:15:03 A.M.	H.R. 5	The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
9:15:47 A.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Mr. Culberson, numbered 22 printed in House Report 113-158 to empower States by giving them the opportunity to accept or reject feder al grant money. Grant money rejected by State legislatures would be dedicated to paying off our outstanding national debt.
9:16:05 A.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Culberson amendment No. 22.
9:23:12 A.M.	H.R. 5	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Culberson amendment No. 22, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Tierney demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
9:23:49 A.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Mr. Fitzpatrick, numbered 23 printed in House Report 113-158 to provide a funding condition for a state or local educational agency to be eligible for funds, agency personnel cannot facilitate the transfer of an employee if they know, or have probable cause to believe, that the employee has engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor. Agencies must also require employees be subjected to background checks in compliance with the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act.
9:24:09 A.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Fitzpatrick amendment No. 23.
9:29:51 A.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Fitzpatrick amendment; Agreed to by voice vote.
9:30:15 A.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Ms. Jackson Lee, numbered 24 printed in House Report 113-158 to create a report containing recommendations regarding the advisability of authorizing a state education authority to close a school district over the opposition of a locally elected school board, and regarding best practices governing the exercise of authority by a state education agency in monitoring, supervising and controlling under-performing school districts with particular emphasis on rural and underserved school districts.
9:30:37 A.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 24.
9:37:10 A.M.	H.R. 5	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 24, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
9:37:45 A.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, offered by Mr. Cantor, numbered 25 printed in House Report 113-158 to allow Title I funds to follow students to other public schools or charter schools, upon the state opting to allow it.
9:38:03 A.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cantor amendment No. 25.
9:53:19 A.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Cantor amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
9:53:30 A.M.	H.R. 5	An amendment, in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. Miller, George, An substitute amendment numbered 26 printed in House Report 113-158 to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to maintain the civil rights and equity focus of the law and to ensure all students have access to an education that prepares them for college and the workforce. Supports all students, and in particular those who are historically disadvantaged, through access to high quality state-developed standards, a meaningful but flexible accountability and school improvement system, improved and targeted professional development and working conditions for teachers and school leaders, additional learning time and after-school programs, and dedicated supports for wrap-around services for students and a well-rounded education.
9:53:37 A.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 303, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the George Miller (CA) substitute amendment No. 26.
10:19:01 A.M.	H.R. 5	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the George Miller (CA) amendment No. 26, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. George Miller (CA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
10:46:53 A.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Culberson amendment Agreed to by recorded vote: 227 – 196 (Roll no. 370).
10:51:17 A.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Jackson Lee amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 186 – 237 (Roll no. 371).
10:55:58 A.M.	H.R. 5	On agreeing to the Miller, George amendment; Failed by recorded vote: 193 – 233 (Roll no. 372).
10:56:11 A.M.	H.R. 5	The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5.
10:56:49 A.M.	H.R. 5	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
10:57:02 A.M.	H.R. 5	The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
10:58:01 A.M.	H.R. 5	Ms. Kuster moved to recommit with instructions to Education and the Workforce.
10:58:21 A.M.	H.R. 5	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kuster motion to recommit with instructions pending a reservation of a point of order. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to prevent lowering standards for children with disabilities, including autistic children. It establishes safety standards for the use of seclusion and restraint in schools so children are not physically and mentally harmed. It also establishes standards for protecting student athletes from concussions. Lastly, it provides for criminal background checks of school and contractor employees who have contact with children. Subsequently, the reservation of a point of order was withdrawn.
11:06:52 A.M.	H.R. 5	The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
11:14:39 A.M.	H.R. 5	On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 196 – 231 (Roll no. 373).
11:20:51 A.M.	H.R. 5	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 221 – 207 (Roll no. 374).
11:20:52 A.M.	H.R. 5	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:21:06 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
11:21:07 A.M.	H.R. 5	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. 5.
11:58:55 A.M.		Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent That, when the House adjourns on Friday, July 19, 2013, it adjourn to meet at 12 p.m. on Monday, July 22, 2013, for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.
11:59:06 A.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
12:10:09 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
1:18:23 P.M.		Mr. Wolf moved that the House do now adjourn.
1:18:35 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
1:18:37 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on July 22, 2013.

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Inevitable: Limbaugh Finally Says N-Word On Air

07/19/2013 Nativegrl77

This week, Rush Limbaugh claimed that it’s OK for him to say “‘nigga’ with an ‘A’ on the end,” because “it’s not racist” when Travyon Martin’s friend Rachel Jeantel uses it. [1]In an interview today, Jeantel responded to Limbaugh, noting that it’s “disrespectful” and “racist for an adult” to say it. [2]

It’s no surprise that Limbaugh gleefully seized what he saw as an opportunity to say the slur on air. For years, he has used racially-charged rhetoric and other dog whistle tactics to attack minorities on his radio show.

Limbaugh makes his case in this short video:

After a career of tiptoeing to the edge, Limbaugh thought he could finally use this slur with impunity. When a caller followed his example and also said the word “nigga” on air, Limbaugh didn’t advise against it or inquire as to why he’d want to use it in the first place. Instead, he merely warned the caller “not to try it on the street.”

Watch Limbaugh tiptoe his way to the n-word: http://youtu.be/K-Gfb3cwHIw

We’d advise Limbaugh not to try it with his remaining advertisers, either—his reckless slurs have already gotten him into trouble. Last year, after Limbaugh smeared Sandra Fluke as a “slut” and a “prostitute” for advocating that health insurance cover contraception, an effort emerged to educate his advertisers about the content they sponsor.

It’s working—Limbaugh’s advertising sales are way down, and his distribution deal with one major radio station operator, Cumulus Media, may collapse at the end of the year. [3]

You can help keep the pressure on by signing up for our Stop Rush updates. You’ll receive, on average, one email per month with news and ways to take action to hold Rush Limbaugh accountable.

Sign up to stop Rush today: http://action.mediamatters.org/stop_rush_join

Cynthia Padera Campaigns Manager Media Matters for America

—–

[1] Limbaugh: After Jeantel’s Interview, “I Can Now” Say “‘Nigga’ With An A” Because “It’s Not Racist” http://mm4a.org/13gGfXg

[2] Rachel Jeantel Responds To Limbaugh’s Use Of The N-Word http://mm4a.org/11WS6eM

[3] On Limbaugh’s Advertiser Losses, Cumulus CEO says: “The Facts Are Indisputable” http://mm4a.org/12aWZ0q

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

We have lost 80% of the Artic sea ice

07/19/2013 Nativegrl77 5 Comments

Last week, along with five other women, I scaled Europe’s tallest skyscraper to show our leaders and Shell that we don’t want Arctic drilling. Now we need you to take the reins and make sure the whole world knows why we need to protect the Arctic.
This feat took us 15 hours of climbing. Despite our exhaustion, the outpouring of support from tens of thousands of people all over the world kept our spirits high. When we reached the top, we waved a flag for the Arctic in direct view of Shell’s three London headquarters.
There were only six of us up there, but there are millions of us in every corner of the world who want the Arctic protected. The most effective action we can do now is to make everyone else care for the Arctic as we do, and to do that we need to make it big news. This is not a niche subject. This affects every single person on our planet.
Everyone should know that we’ve lost 80% of the Arctic sea ice in the last 30 years, the sea ice that cools our planet and provides a home to unique species like the polar bear. That should make people want to protect it — not to drill for more oil, one of the fossil fuels that caused the melting in the first place.
Shell doesn’t want us talking about their dangerous Arctic oil drilling plans. Together we can shout about them from the rooftops 😉
Thanks for everything,
Victo (and Sandra, Sabine, Liesbeth, Wiola and Ali)

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Official Google

07/19/2013 Nativegrl77

Campus for Moms: Helping women entrepreneurs in Israel

Posted: 17 Jul 2013 09:35 AM PDT

Since opening our Campus Tel Aviv last December, we’ve hosted thousands of promising entrepreneurs and developers at events, workshops, lectures and hackathons. Many of these entrepreneurs refer to their start-ups as their “baby,” and it’s easy to understand why. Like having a newborn, a start-up is super-exciting, yet the days are hectic and the nights are… sleepless.
What’s really inspiring (and just a little bit crazy) is that some people do both at the same time. Take, for example, Israeli entrepreneur Hilla Brenner, who raised $5 million for her first start-up when she was nine months pregnant. Earlier this year, I had the chance to meet Hilla and we began talking about how juggling work and kids doesn’t leave much time to invest in learning and developing new skills. We also discussed how maternity leave can be one of the few times when women can stop and think about their career. We asked ourselves: what could we do to help women with young children get access to self-development and career support and, in doing so, to help more women become tech entrepreneurs?
Campus for Moms is a baby-friendly start-up school for new moms, run by Google in partnership with Yazamiyot, a networking group for Israeli women entrepreneurs. The first course, which ended this week, included nine sessions led by successful entrepreneurs, investors, technology experts and others. The sessions covered personal success stories, finance, legal and presentation skills, and tech knowledge, like cloud computing. We arranged mattresses, bean bags and diaper-changing facilities so that the moms could take care of their young ones during the sessions. Four babies were born during the course and one new mum returned to the program less than a week after giving birth!
At the end of the course, participants presented their initiatives to venture capital funds and the course speakers. Their ideas are exciting—including a platform for teachers to create apps for their students, a fashion-tech meet up to encourage cooperation between local fashion-related start-ups, a 2G mobile ecommerce gateway for emerging markets and a bunch of other great initiatives.
The participants are continuing to develop their skills: two of the start-ups have joined the Campus Tel Aviv “Launch Pad” program, an intensive week-long bootcamp for entrepreneurs, and another will be visiting Campus London to meet with U.K.-based entrepreneurs.

The first course of “Campus for Moms” is over, but we’re gearing up for another course in October. We’re also looking forward to sharing the tools and best practices we’ve developed at Campus for Moms with others, so they can help entrepreneurial moms in their communities. After all, whether they’re moms or not, entrepreneurs can always do with a helping hand with their “baby.”
Posted by Tal Sarig-Avraham, Product Marketing Manager