The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology releases a report on realizing the potential of government-held spectrum to spur economic growth. July 20, 2012.More

In 1981, the Centers for Disease Control issued its first warning about a new disease. We had trouble naming this disease, understanding and caring for the people who were infected, and facing down our own fears. But people would not be silent. Communities mobilized to fight HIV/AIDS. We gained the knowledge to create stronger medications, and found new tools to prevent HIV transmission. Instead of helping people die, we turned to helping people live. Now, together, we are saving lives and scaling up. We can see an AIDS-Free Generation. We can turn the tide on this epidemic.More

White House LGBT Pride Month Video Challenge Champions of Change

The White House honors ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things across the country to ensure safety, dignity, and equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, as demonstrated by their inspiring video entries in the LGBT Pride Month Video Challenge. July 19, 2012.More

Greening our Stadiums and Ballparks Part 1

The Obama Administration brings together sports league and team leaders, stadium operators and supply chain companies to celebrate success stories in making our sports facilities more energy efficient and raising the profile of the importance of going green. July 19, 2012.More

Greening our Stadiums and Ballparks Part 2

Greening our Stadiums and Ballparks Part 3

Community Leaders Briefing with Seniors

Vice President Biden speaks to community leaders representing seniors organizations from across the country. July 16, 2012.More

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

End the Boy Scouts of America ban on gays.

07/23/2012 Nativegrl77

The Boy Scouts of America shouldn’t allow an anonymous “secret committee” to uphold a ban against openly gay Scouts.

Sign Zach’s Petition

Boy Scouts: Stop the secrecy! Allow your Board to VOTE to end the ban on gay scouts and leaders

Started by: Zach, Iowa City, Iowa

I am a proud Eagle Scout. I’m also the proud son of two lesbian moms. It’s time for those two things to stop being contradictory.

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) have announced that a “secret committee” has confirmed the Scouts’ long-standing policy barring openly LGBT individuals from involvement in its organization, either as youth participants or adult leaders. This shocking “announcement” comes on the heels of a three-month campaign against that policy by various groups — including Scouts for Equality, of which I am a co-founder — and people like Jennifer Tyrrell, a gay den mother ousted from the Boy Scouts in April.

Secret committees do not speak for three million Scouts.

Last month, I delivered nearly 300,000 petition signatures to the Boy Scouts’ annual convention, and days later, a resolution was introduced that could allow openly gay scouts and leaders for the first time in the history of the BSA. But instead of allowing that resolution to be voted on by the executive board, the BSA instead decided to maintain their anti-gay ban without a vote. Because a secret committee said so.

Above all, what’s most disappointing is the secretive nature surrounding how this “decision” was reached. The very first value of the Scout Law is that a Scout is trustworthy. There is absolutely nothing trustworthy about unelected and unnamed committee members who are unwilling to take responsibility for their actions.

In June, an Associated Press story said that BSA spokesperson Deron Smith indicated that “the process would likely be completed by May 2013” at the next annual BSA convention. But that was before two prominent BSA executive board members — Ernst & Young CEO Jim Turley and AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson — announced that they would oppose the ban and work to overturn it.

Something here doesn’t add up.

We need transparency. We need accountability. More than 3 million individuals deserve more than the one-off musings of a subcommittee that has supposedly existed for more than two years but has not published a single report, has published no minutes and has, as far as anyone can tell, no official documentation.

That’s why I’ve started this petition demanding that the Boy Scouts of America allow the resolution to allow openly gay scouts and leaders to come to a vote at the next BSA convention, in May of 2013.

A secret committee should not silence the voices of hundreds of thousands of Americans. Let the BSA Executive Committee decide–let the resolution come to a vote in May 2013.

Click here to sign Zach’s petition, “Boy Scouts: Stop the secrecy! Allow your Board to VOTE to end the ban on gay scouts and leaders”.

You can also check out other popular petitions on Change.org by clicking here.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

This Week’s Top 3 On ThinkProgress

07/23/2012 Nativegrl77

It’s been a busy week. Here are three big stories from ThinkProgress you might have missed:

1. Alyssa’s take on The Shootings at ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ in Colorado

2. A Guide To Consumer Brands Helping Bankroll Right-Wing Attack Ads

3. 20 Prominent Republicans Who Want Romney To Release More Tax Returns Right Now

Best,

Igor Volsky Deputy Editor, ThinkProgress

~ Recent Post

National Day of Action for Workers Rights and Fair Wages …NYC

07/23/2012 Nativegrl77

Hello !

Tomorrow, July24th, we will raise our voices together with communities throughout the country to call for an increase in the federal minimum wage. We will launch the building of a movement that will no longer sit idly by while unscrupulous employers exploit hard-working men and women. We will cry out enough is enough.

Our traditions teach us to stand with the marginalized. On July 24th, we will make a courageous, public stand that we will be ever vigilant in advocating for and organizing with workers at retail stores, car washes,supermarkets, airports, and at other low wage industries throughout the city. We will demand dignity and respect for all workers.

Join us tomorrow from 4:00pm until 8:30pm at Union Square 14 st &Broadway, New York, New York10003

View flyer

Visit facebook event page

Read NY Times article

The Black Institute http://www.theblackinstitute.org/

Black History

CONGRESS: the Republican led House – the Senate and judicial nominee

07/23/2012 Nativegrl77

the Senate Convenes: 2:00pmET July 23, 2012

Following the prayer and pledge, the Majority Leader will be recognized.
At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #663, the nomination of Michael A. Shipp, of NJ, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey with 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.
As a reminder, cloture was filed on the Shipp nomination on Thursday, July 19^th. By unanimous consent, at 5:30pm on Monday, there will be a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the Shipp nomination.

At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on Executive Calendar #663, the nomination of Michael A. Shipp, of NJ, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey.

This afternoon Senate Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S.3412, Middle Class Tax Cut Act. The cloture vote would occur Wednesday morning, unless an agreement can be reached.

Cloture on the Shipp nomination has been vitiated. At 5:30pm, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #663, the nomination of Michael A. Shipp, of NJ, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey.

5:40pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Michael A. Shipp, of New Jersey, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey; Confirmed: 91-1

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #663, the nomination of Michael A. Shipp, of NJ, to be United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey; Confirmed: 91-1

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Began the Rule 14 process of S.3420, the Permanent Tax Relief Act. (Lee)

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.3414, the Cybersecurity Act of 2012. (Lieberman and others)

Completed the Rule 14 process of H.R.5872, the Sequestration Transparency Act of 2012. (Republican request)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

——————————————————————————

www.Houselive.gov

12:00:26 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:40 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:48 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.
12:06:19 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. today. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.
2:00:29 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 23.
2:00:45 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Andrew Walton, Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC.
2:02:27 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:02:32 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Sarbanes to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:54 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:07:46 P.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 Friday, July 20, 2012 at 4:07 p.m., and said to contain a message from the President whereby he notifies the Congress concerning the national emergency with respect to Somalia.
2:08:08 P.M.		The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notice regarding the national emergency with respect to Somalia – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-126).
2:13:20 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 3:30 P.M. today.
3:31:17 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 23.
3:31:26 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
3:31:44 P.M.	H.R. 1237	Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1237 — “To provide for a land exchange with the Trinity Public Utilities District of Trinity County, California, involving the transfer of land to the Bureau of Land Management and the Six Rivers National Forest in exchange for National Forest System land in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, and for other purposes.”
3:32:01 P.M.	H.R. 1237	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:32:04 P.M.	H.R. 1237	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1237.
3:38:43 P.M.	H.R. 1237	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
3:38:50 P.M.	H.R. 1237	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:39:24 P.M.	H.R. 4484	Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 4484 — “To provide for the conveyance of a small parcel of National Forest System land in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Utah to Brigham Young University, and for other purposes.”
3:39:38 P.M.	H.R. 4484	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:39:41 P.M.	H.R. 4484	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4484.
3:47:32 P.M.	H.R. 4484	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
3:47:35 P.M.	H.R. 4484	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:47:53 P.M.	H.R. 5958	Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 5958 — “To name the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Contact Station of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge unit of Gateway National Recreation Area in honor of James L. Buckley.”
3:48:16 P.M.	H.R. 5958	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:48:18 P.M.	H.R. 5958	The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5958.
3:53:41 P.M.	H.R. 5958	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
3:53:45 P.M.	H.R. 5958	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
3:53:48 P.M.	H.R. 3388	Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 3388 — “To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a segment of the Beaver, Chipuxet, Queen, Wood, and Pawcatuck Rivers in the States of Connecticut and Rhode Island for study for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes.”
3:54:15 P.M.	H.R. 3388	Considered under suspension of the rules.
3:54:17 P.M.	H.R. 3388	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3388.
4:00:22 P.M.	H.R. 3388	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
4:00:26 P.M.	H.R. 3388	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:00:49 P.M.	H.R. 2362	Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2362 — “To facilitate economic development by Indian tribes and encourage investment by Turkish enterprises.”
4:01:07 P.M.	H.R. 2362	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:01:09 P.M.	H.R. 2362	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2362.
4:39:59 P.M.	H.R. 2362	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.
4:40:13 P.M.	H.R. 2467	<action_description>Mr. Hastings (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2467 — “To take certain Federal lands in Mono County, California, into trust for the benefit of the Bridgeport Indian Colony.”
4:40:30 P.M.	H.R. 2467	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:40:31 P.M.	H.R. 2467	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2467.
4:49:22 P.M.	H.R. 2467	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
4:49:25 P.M.	H.R. 2467	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:50:08 P.M.	H.R. 5859	Mrs. Bono Mack moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 5859 — “To repeal an obsolete provision in title 49, United States Code, requiring motor vehicle insurance cost reporting.”
4:50:45 P.M.	H.R. 5859	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:50:48 P.M.	H.R. 5859	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5859.
5:10:26 P.M.	H.R. 5859	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
5:10:29 P.M.	H.R. 5859	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:10:53 P.M.	S. 1335	Mr. Bucshon moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 1335 — “To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide rights for pilots, and for other purposes.”
5:11:28 P.M.	S. 1335	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:11:30 P.M.	S. 1335	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1335.
5:18:41 P.M.	S. 1335	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:18:44 P.M.	S. 1335	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:19:01 P.M.	H.R. 3742	Mr. Bucshon moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3742 — “To designate the United States courthouse located at 100 North Church Street in Las Cruces, New Mexico, as the “Edwin L. Mechem United States Courthouse”.”
5:19:18 P.M.	H.R. 3742	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:19:19 P.M.	H.R. 3742	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3742.
5:26:04 P.M.	H.R. 3742	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:26:07 P.M.	H.R. 3742	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:26:12 P.M.	H.R. 3556	Mr. Bucshon moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3556 — “To designate the new United States courthouse in Buffalo, New York, as the “Robert H. Jackson United States Courthouse”.”
5:26:39 P.M.	H.R. 3556	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:26:42 P.M.	H.R. 3556	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3556.
5:34:10 P.M.	H.R. 3556	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:34:12 P.M.	H.R. 3556	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:34:32 P.M.	H.R. 4347	Mr. Young (AK) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 4347 — “To designate the United States courthouse located at 709 West 9th Street in Juneau, Alaska, as the “Robert Boochever United States Courthouse”.”
5:34:47 P.M.	H.R. 4347	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:34:51 P.M.	H.R. 4347	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4347.
5:37:25 P.M.	H.R. 4347	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
5:37:29 P.M.	H.R. 4347	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5:37:32 P.M.	S. 2039	Mr. Young (AK) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 2039 — “To allow a State or local government to construct levees on certain properties otherwise designated as open space lands.”
5:37:45 P.M.	S. 2039	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:37:47 P.M.	S. 2039	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2039.
5:59:08 P.M.	S. 2039	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.
5:59:36 P.M.	H.R. 3870	Ms. Buerkle moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3870 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6083 Highway 36 West in Rose Bud, Arkansas, as the “Nicky ‘Nick’ Daniel Bacon Post Office”.”
6:00:07 P.M.	H.R. 3870	Considered under suspension of the rules.
6:00:09 P.M.	H.R. 3870	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3870.
6:08:03 P.M.	H.R. 3870	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
6:08:06 P.M.	H.R. 3870	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:08:10 P.M.	H.R. 5837	Ms. Buerkle moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 5837 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 26 East Genesee Street in Baldwinsville, New York, as the “Corporal Kyle Schneider Post Office Building”.”
6:08:42 P.M.	H.R. 5837	<action_description>Considered under suspension of the rules.
6:08:43 P.M.	H.R. 5837	<action_description>DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5837.
6:12:31 P.M.	H.R. 5837	<action_description>On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
6:12:34 P.M.	H.R. 5837	<action_description>Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:12:39 P.M.	H.R. 3593	<action_description>Ms. Buerkle moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3593 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 787 State Route 17M in Monroe, New York, as the “National Clandestine Service of the Central Intelligence Agency NCS Officer Gregg David Wenzel Memorial Post Office”.”
6:12:54 P.M.	H.R. 3593	<action_description>Considered under suspension of the rules.
6:12:58 P.M.	H.R. 3593	<action_description>DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3593.
6:17:39 P.M.	H.R. 3593	<action_description>On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
6:17:42 P.M.	H.R. 3593	<action_description>Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:18:17 P.M.	H.R. 3477	<action_description>Ms. Buerkle moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3477 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 133 Hare Road in Crosby, Texas, as the Army First Sergeant David McNerney Post Office Building.”
6:18:32 P.M.	H.R. 3477	Considered under suspension of the rules.
6:18:34 P.M.	H.R. 3477	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3477.
6:24:42 P.M.	H.R. 3477	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.
6:24:59 P.M.	H.R. 2896	Ms. Buerkle moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2896 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 369 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the “Judge Shirley A. Tolentino Post Office Building”.”
6:25:13 P.M.	H.R. 2896	Considered under suspension of the rules.
6:25:16 P.M.	H.R. 2896	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2896.
6:29:04 P.M.	H.R. 2896	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
6:29:06 P.M.	H.R. 2896	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:29:10 P.M.	H.R. 1369	Ms. Buerkle moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1369 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1021 Pennsylvania Avenue in Hartshorne, Oklahoma, as the “Warren Lindley Post Office”.”
6:29:23 P.M.	H.R. 1369	Considered under suspension of the rules.
6:29:26 P.M.	H.R. 1369	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1369.
6:33:08 P.M.	H.R. 1369	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
6:33:11 P.M.	H.R. 1369	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:33:15 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
6:33:43 P.M.	H.R. 2362	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2362 — “To facilitate economic development by Indian tribes and encourage investment by Turkish enterprises.”
6:57:45 P.M.	H.R. 2362	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 222 – 160 (Roll no. 499).
6:57:46 P.M.	H.R. 2362	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6:57:48 P.M.	S. 2039	Considered as unfinished business. S. 2039 — “To allow a State or local government to construct levees on certain properties otherwise designated as open space lands.”
7:04:34 P.M.	S. 2039	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 126 – 254 (Roll no. 500).
7:04:35 P.M.	S. 2039	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:04:46 P.M.	H.R. 3477	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3477 — “To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 133 Hare Road in Crosby, Texas, as the Army First Sergeant David McNerney Post Office Building.”
7:11:02 P.M.	H.R. 3477	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 379 – 0 (Roll no. 501).
7:11:03 P.M.	H.R. 3477	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
7:12:33 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:21:32 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
8:20:09 P.M.		Ms. Foxx filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 738.
8:25:45 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House resumed with special order speeches.
8:57:10 P.M.		Mr. Gardner moved that the House do now adjourn.
8:57:20 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
8:57:40 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on July 24, 2012.