I wrote something for our blog about our decision to support Priorities USA, the Super PAC that can help neutralize the avalanche of special-interest spending to defeat President Obama. Every supporter should read it; it’s pasted below.

I just want to add something for you specifically about your role in all of this.

We decided to do this because we can’t afford for the work you’re doing in your communities, and the grassroots donations you give to support it, to be destroyed by hundreds of millions of dollars in negative ads.

It’s a real risk.

In 2011, the Super PAC supporting Mitt Romney raised $30 million from fewer than 200 contributors. Ninety-six percent of what they’ve spent so far, more than $18 million, has been on attack ads. The main engine of Romney’s campaign has an average contribution of roughly $150,000.

That’s why it’s up to us — the grassroots organization — to win this election where we have the real advantage, and that’s on the ground. More than 1.3 million Americans have already donated. Our average donation is $55, and 98 percent are $250 or less.

The stakes are too important to play by two different sets of rules. If we fail to act, we concede this election to a small group of powerful people intent on removing the President at any cost.

If you can volunteer, please sign up now

Thank you,

Messina

Jim Messina
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————

We will not play by two sets of rules
By Jim Messina

In 2010, the Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizens United case opened the door to a new wave of so-called Super PACs — non-candidate political committees that can receive and spend unlimited money from special interests. For the first time, these committees could accept money from corporations, not just wealthy individuals.

The decision has accelerated a dangerous trend toward a political system increasingly dominated by big-money interests with disproportionate power to spend freely to influence our elections and our government.

It’s a trend the President has fought against, coming into office with a mission to limit special-interest influence in Washington. He put in place the most sweeping ethics reforms in history to close the revolving door between government and lobbyists. And he’s overseen the most open administration ever — reversing Bush-era policies designed to limit Freedom of Information Act requests and disclosing White House visitor records so that Americans can see how their government works.

The President opposed the Citizens United decision. He understood that with the dramatic growth in opportunities to raise and spend unlimited special-interest money, we would see new strategies to hide it from public view. He continues to support a law to force full disclosure of all funding intended to influence our elections, a reform that was blocked in 2010 by a unanimous Republican filibuster in the U.S. Senate. And the President favors action — by constitutional amendment, if necessary — to place reasonable limits on all such spending.

But this cycle, our campaign has to face the reality of the law as it currently stands.

Over the last few months, Super PACs affiliated with Republican presidential candidates have spent more than $40 million on television and radio, almost all of it for negative ads.

Last week, filings showed that the Super PAC affiliated with Mitt Romney’s campaign raised $30 million in 2011 from fewer than 200 contributors, most of them from the financial sector. Governor Romney personally helped raise money for this group, which is run by some of his closest allies.

Meanwhile, other Super PACs established for the sole purpose of defeating the President — along with “nonprofits” that also aren’t required to disclose the sources of their funding — have raised more than $50 million. In the aggregate, these groups are expected to spend half a billion dollars, above and beyond what the Republican nominee and party are expected to commit to try to defeat the President.

With so much at stake, we can’t allow for two sets of rules in this election whereby the Republican nominee is the beneficiary of unlimited spending and Democrats unilaterally disarm.

Therefore, the campaign has decided to do what we can, consistent with the law, to support Priorities USA in its effort to counter the weight of the GOP Super PACs. We will do so only in the knowledge and with the expectation that all of its donations will be fully disclosed as required by law to the Federal Election Commission.

What this change means practically: Senior campaign officials as well as some White House and Cabinet officials will attend and speak at Priorities USA fundraising events. While campaign officials may be appearing at events to amplify our message, these folks won’t be soliciting contributions for Priorities USA. I should also note that the President, Vice President, and First Lady will not be a part of this effort; their political activity will remain focused on the President’s campaign.

But here’s what this doesn’t change: the fact that ordinary people stepping up to take control of the political process is essential to our strategy.

This decision will help fill a hole on our side. But it’s only one part of the overall effort.

Supporting Priorities USA means that our side will not concede the battles on the air in the months to come, but we continue to believe that this election will be won on the ground. Super PACs haven’t opened offices. They haven’t hired organizers. They haven’t registered voters. They haven’t knocked on doors or made the kind of personal contact with voters that we know is the single most effective way to persuade people and turn them out on Election Day.

And this is where we have the advantage. It will be up to us — the grassroots organization, funded by an average donation of $55 — to win this election.

It’s a point of pride that 98 percent of all our donations are $250 or less. Mitt Romney won’t reveal that number about his own campaign, but filings show that just 9 percent of the Romney campaign‘s money in the fourth quarter of last year came from people giving less than $200.

Americans across the country are supporting the most extensive neighbor-to-neighbor, grassroots organization in history.

It’s my hope that by making this decision and doing what we can to neutralize the onslaught of special-interest money, we can ensure that the decisive factor in this election won’t be an unprecedented flood of special-interest spending, and the outcome will be back in the hands of ordinary Americans.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Syria and brave citizen journalists … by Alice Jay – Avaaz.org

02/08/2012 Nativegrl77

The Assad regime is slaughtering its citizens and tearing cities apart. The UN has failed to stop the killing, and Avaaz has the only network smuggling medical equipment in and information out. Brave Syrian democracy activists have called for our help— click below to watch the video appeal and chip in to save lives:

On Saturday, Syria’s brutal forces killed one of Avaaz’s brave citizen journalists as he pulled people from the rubble of a deadly massacre in Homs. Omar was just 23 and he died as he lived, photographing the regime’s crimes, helping others and sacrificing for freedom.
As you read this, the regime is murdering men, women and children and tearing cities apart. China and Russia just handcuffed international action at the UN and gave Assad license to unleash his murder machine to crush the Syrian Spring once and for all. Omar’s friend just wrote to us — his community is determined, but they are urgently asking for our help: “We’re heartbroken, but his death will not be in vain, we will carry on the fight, but we need your support.”
Let’s be clear — as embassies close, medical agencies withdraw and journalists pull out, Avaaz has the only network that is both smuggling medical equipment and journalists in and images and information out. Avaaz just received a list of urgent needs: medical equipment for doctors in makeshift hospitals; more cameras and computers to keep informing the world; money for power and transport; safe houses for people to take refuge; and continued international action in support. Click here to watch a video appeal and chip in now — if 20,000 of us donate now, we can get help to the besieged towns before the next attack:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/smuggle_hope_into_syria_i/?vl
For months, Omar, a civil engineering student, photographed Syrian forces brutally killing peaceful protesters and sent the images out to the global media through Avaaz. After the regime kicked the international media out, Omar was one of more than 400 activists who risked their lives to work with Avaaz to break the news blackout and help 18 of the world’s leading journalists from foreign news outlets into the locked-down country. It’s likely that the images you have seen on your TV or photographs in your newspaper came from this courageous team.
But that is just a part of what the Avaaz project has done. Thanks to the generous support of members across the world, Avaaz is providing a rare lifeline of strategic and critical support to the democracy movement in Syria. When activists told us medicines were running out, we set up a smuggling network to deliver over $1.8 million worth of medical equipment into the country, saving thousands of lives. When the Syrian National Council was struggling to present a credible leadership alternative to the world, we organized meetings in the UN, Russia and across Europe to support their efforts.
Day after day, these heroes have turned out to protest, facing down tanks with no support from international governments. But what happens in the next two weeks will be decisive. This is the pinnacle of the Arab Spring and the global struggle against brutal despots. Together we can secure a lifeblood to the resistance and walk with the brave Syrian people on their journey to freedom. Click to make a life-saving donation now:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/smuggle_hope_into_syria_i/?vl
This year people power in the Middle East has taught the world an important lesson — together we are stronger than the fiercest dictator, and stronger than the most ruthless army. On the streets of Syria, Avaaz is a beloved partner in the struggle for freedom. As one opposition leader put it, “the Syrian people have gained strength from knowing that the world, through the Avaaz community, stands with them.” Together, we have made the impossible, possible and with our help Assad’s regime will come to end.
With hope and determination,
Alice, Ian, Antonia, Emma, Ricken, Morgan, Mouhamad, Wissam, Sam, Bissan, Will and the entire Avaaz team
More information:
A Doctor’s Cry for Help as Homs Victims Pour In to a Medical Center [Warning: This is a graphic video not suitable for sensitive viewers] http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=r3tmevemrqn0
At Least 200 Reported Killed in Syrian City of Homs (Washington Post) http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/protesters-turn-out-across-syria-but-capital-is-quiet/2012/02/03/gIQAQOqNnQ_story.html
Homs: Bloody Winter in Syria’s Revolution Capital (CNN) http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/16/world/meast/syria-homs-profile/index.html
Anger After Russia, China Block UN Action on Syria (Reuters) http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/05/us-syria-idUSTRE80S08620120205?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=71
Syria Crackdown: Homs Bombarded, Dozens Killed (Huffington Post/Reuters) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/06/syria-crackdown-homs_n_1256699.html

~ my 2cents ...

wicked Wednesday some News &my run in with conservatives

02/08/2012 Nativegrl77

just another rant…

I responded to several nasty rwnj comments about women, PP, contraceptives, and abortion. No, it was not a great idea because while I was casually responding the opposition was quite serious while throwing out their version of the truth their facts and some of those facts were just wrong the comments were just stupid. I had to ask where this information was coming from the Heritage Foundation, Newt or the Koch brothers. The idea that tax dollars are paying for abortions is silly in itself but most of these conservatives just know they are and since they are paying, they expect all abortions to stop asap … oh and being pro-life too. The fact is some women, smart women choose to have the procedure, and to think that birth control, contraceptives or abortion are not a part of women’s overall health care is beyond my understanding. I want folks to know that one does not always lead to the other. Yet, pro-lifers don’t seem to let facts get in the way because they feel women who have sex and get pregnant should either have the baby or give it up for adoption. First, the conservative movement that pushes a family values platform on women is political and is big government in full effect. Second, women should not be the only ones responsible for the prevention of unwanted pregnancies; men need to step up. Third, conservatives use a broad brush on the topic of women and their health care, specifically when the topic includes reproductive services STOP. Last, the new law or change implemented by President Obama‘s Administration is to offer an option of safe and affordable access to women’s health care …this law is already at work in 28 states so it is important to take it to the next level and find out what is working

I don’t know about you but the reasoning and or rationalization used to bash attack organizations like Planned Parenthood by reciting so-called facts from the internet with a list of falsehoods. The list of questionable info includes silly things like PP misuses money, funnels money or that PP only does abortions. I can only say the conspiracy theorists are in full effect. The facts are there; find out by calling that Planned Parenthood does so much more than just abortions, but that pro-life stance on abortion seems to be the conservative focus. Yes, thankfully women who are uninsured, underinsured or who just cannot afford a mainstream doctor get breast exams at Planned Parenthood, which is the first step then if needed referred they get mammograms at an affiliated clinic with a Planned Parenthood doctor but don’t let the truth get in the way. Unfortunately, that thing about Democratic Party wanting to abort black babies … they believe it. FYI, the Democratic Party has stated that it wants to protect a woman’s right to choose and apply all the Federal laws that exist …period. I was surprised at all the misinformation thrown at the viewers by TV hosts and Pundits. I get it you do not like abortion but I suggest that they would be better off calling the source or thorn in the side of your Pro-life stance. I admit it is tough not to want to use a footnote or source as an absolute from the internet but come up short. If you listen to conservative TV and talk radio you realize most just throw out the facts when it comes to birth control, contraceptives, abortion and what they all mean to a woman’s health. I was also amused at the name-calling, telling me to stop ranting being or acting like a victim.

Women’s health care has always been a politically charged topic, and before President Obama women who have children were considered or labeled as a pre-existing condition; an offensive rationalization used by so many in the insurance business to deny health care. Now, because of President Obama that practice by the insurance industry is no longer acceptable. However, though we can regulate how insurance industries treat women better that one area of our lives … our ability to reproduce, makes conservatives rise up to engage in hypocrisy on so many levels. I get the disagreement about abortion but I do ask where is the conflict about women having breast cancer screenings at a Planned Parenthood clinic that also gives access to quality, safe and affordable health care no matter what form it comes in. Yet, an ideology, a family values platform pushed debated and voted into law by Republicans, and their conservative comrades in some states already keep trying to quietly dismantle our rights.

Today, in this 21^st Century life, women still have to demand the right to make personal health care choices without political intervention. Unfortunately, some states have succeeded in pressing the reproductive services issue in a political box with laws that are so archaic you have to wonder what year it is. The cliché of, “do as we say NOT as we do” keeps coming to my mind every time I hear folks like Romney, Gingrich or Santorum speak on issues of women’s reproductive rights. Men’s health care issues unlike women’s seem to be treated different, providing enhancement drugs among other things without questions. Yet, women and in most instances women of colour are being singled out as abortion scarlet’s , abortion abusers, portrayed as something mysterious possibly evil and definitely disrespected by some extreme folks on the right who do not seem to understand that birth control , contraceptives and abortion if needed are all a part of a women’s health care.

I feel like a Freedom Fighter ….

anyway, my run in is below … and yes some issues with grammar

7:27pm –Lemzilla replied to your comment on Crooks And Liars Repeats Lie About Live Action Investigation / Big Journalism:

so I’m part of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy now? And you keep making it sound like I have something personal against you which I don’t because I have no idea who you are. And you keep harping on somebody taking away your right to choose, when I consistently ask you to consider that choices made before having sex are better for everybody (her, him, society) than trying to make a good choice after the fact. You refuse to admit the bad choices some women make to get pregnant are a reality.

You want every woman to get a free pass, so what if it’s a life they’re snuffing out forever. You have the right to sit at your keyboard and rant your little heart out because your mother chose to have you. If she had made a different choice, or aborted a sibling, you might feel differently. Or not at all if Mom decides, “You know what? Having a baby is hard, screw this.” Maybe you’re just feeling guilty about some of your own personal choices and just lashing out at me. Fine. Lash away. None of your ranting makes you right.
My sources are here, http://tiny.cc/phxta
and here. http://tiny.cc/zaoa9

Get a grip, lady. No one is attacking you or women in general. Holding women accountable for their choices, however, I very much insist on. Just like I do men. I make no distinction between the sexes when it comes to accountability. Because THAT would be sexist and wrong.

Go to commentIn reply to your comment:

where did you get all this information ? from newt ? Heritage Foundation or the Koch brothers
now, you are just being offensive … play your game with someone else … Women will not go backwards or accept the spin that takes away the right to choose

6:02pm– LibertyLover replied to your comment on Crooks And Liars Repeats Lie About Live Action Investigation / Big Journalism:

Margaret Sanger and the modern eugenics movement held the common belief that black people, and all “people of color” are genetically inferior and should be bread out of the human race. Adolf Hitler used her writings as partial justification for his concept of the Aryan super race and the “Final Solution” to the “Jewish Problem.”

Go to commentIn reply to your comment:

isn’t the answer to that obvious, that doctors want to get paid? those who work in low income facilities do it because they are compelled and racial eugenics is so 20th century though sterilization happened in the South during the 60’s … not that long ago
as for MSanger …Sanger’s activism was influenced by the conditions of her youth — her mother, a catholic, had 18 pregnancies in 22 years, and died at age 50 of tuberculosis and cervical cancer. And lack of sufficient woman’s health care

I would ask you …do you know how many of the abortions were based on rape, incest complications etc. because you seem to be inferring that we black women are loose … i object to that judgment and mentally – and Margaret Sanger can go

5:26pm – Lemzilla replied to your comment on Crooks And Liars Repeats Lie About Live Action Investigation / Big Journalism:

Obamacare overrides the Hyde Act. It was specifically designed to do so. And those nasty Catholics soon won’t be able to deny any woman an abortion anymore. Because their religion means nothing if a 17 year-old tramp (and don’t even front like you’ve never seen one) wants this yucky baby out of her tummy so she can get back to partying. This happens way, way more often than a rape victim getting pregnant. Feel free to Google the numbers I provided earlier. Those are called facts.

And where did I ever say or suggest you have no right to your opinion? You just seem like a raw nerve waiting for something to be insulted about. I took down your rape and incest argument, you have nothing there. I called out that saying “All women are smart” is dumb, because it really is, here look “All men are smart”, how does that sound? And all you can do is whine I have somehow attacked or impugned your right to free speech. Get over yourself. I have consistently pointed out that a woman’s choice should (should, not federally mandate) start with who she sleeps with, not what to do after she’s “unexpectedly” pregnant. That’s not telling anybody what to do.

You have yet to be honest that most abortions have nothing to do with the health of the mother but her personal choice to erase what she considers a mistake. A mistake that could have grown into who knows what, but we’ll never know. To the tune of millions. Be honest that a woman’s choice has to do as much with her ego more than any health concerns and we have common ground. Continue to play the victim and we don’t.

Go to commentIn reply to your comment:

rich … you can say whatever you want but i have to stop saying what i want … go figure … i have nothing else to say because you are right of center we will never agree … and it’s obvious you don’t the facts get in the way – Mr. Hyde put in his amendment that is recognized and so goes the law that fed funds cannot be used to pay for abortions … i get it you dont believe it … and you never will – Telling what women can or cannot do is bull

4:43pm – Lemzilla replied to your comment on Crooks And Liars Repeats Lie About Live Action Investigation / Big Journalism:

You make huge leaps of logic and are clearly emotional about the subject. I gave specific examples, never a generalization of all women, in my comments. And all women aren’t smart. That’s kind of a dumb thing to say. Because you don’t address the reality that a lot of the 99.93% of abortions were based on bad personal choices instead of any medical need. Medically exigent abortions are another low number to be hanging on to, to justify that Planned Parenthood isn’t really Birth Control After Conception. Make a good choice before sex and maybe there aren’t a million abortions every year.

And stop the persecution complex, I don’t care what goes on in your bedroom until it costs me money. You have no moral right to take my money and spend it on killing a baby you shouldn’t have made in the first place. That Roe vs Wade has made it legal to take it, doesn’t make it any more right. And vacuuming a fetus out of a womb IS a terrible way to begin parenting. It should be called “Unplanned Parenthood: Not If We Can Help It.” That would be more honest.

Go to commentIn reply to your comment:

im sure you needed to type slow…
you said, “If it’s called “Planned Parenthood” why do they even offer the option of Not Being A Parent At All? Vacuuming a fetus out of the womb seems a terrible way to begin parenting.”

Your comments speak to how i feel. stay out my bedroom my private life my uterus … women are smart and just because you chose to feel there are 2 kinds of women’s health care …that our bodies don’t require whole health is sad – Komen could have said we caved we don’t like abortions, we don’t believe women in need, low income uninsured underinsured should have safe or affordable hc and if they choose to have abortions make them go full term and give it up for adoption? some women choose adoption but being forced to go full term let alone be an adoption factory is odd…aside from other reasons women have abortions like rape, incest complications, tubal preg … blood loss Women have the right to choose ..we aren’t going backward to the old days or back alleys but have safe&affordable access

3:28pm – Lemzilla replied to your comment on Crooks And Liars Repeats Lie About Live Action Investigation / Big Journalism:

I’ll type slow…see if you can follow along. Where did I say or imply that anyone’s uterus belonged to me? Nowhere. That’s just histrionic crap on your part. Using 2008 as a sample, in 08 there were 90,479 reported rapes and 1,212,400 abortions. If EVERY ONE of those rapes had resulted in a pregnancy, that’s 0.07% of all the abortions for that year. So stop with the “rape and incest” chant, you just look silly.

Because you’re giving 99.93% of woman an easy out for their own bad decisions. Like having sex with a deadbeat who won’t support you. Or being too stupid to take care of your own birth control. Or being a teenager who thinks being a “Teen Mom” (looking at you MTV) is cool. Or any of the other myriad reasons a woman chooses an abortion over the hard thing, giving birth to and maybe raising (adoption, adoption, adoption) a child. But if you’re on the table because you’ve made crappy choices in your life, that’s not my fault and my tax dollars shouldn’t fund your personal course correction.
Go to comment

In reply to your comment:

so, can all the women you want to have babies give them to you if they are raped, incest have complications or know that a genetic issue is at hand? Why can’t women just have the right to privacy …and since when does any woman’s uterus belong to you … women talk to a dr, get counseling and then if needed pay for the abortions. the Hyde law takes care of legal issues … Why do you feel like a uterus belongs to you

2:41pm –LibertyLover replied to your comment on Crooks And Liars Repeats Lie About Live Action Investigation / Big Journalism:

One track ranter-supporters like you don’t help either.

Go to commentIn reply to your comment:

lying about what PP does or provides is just a bad look …

2:30pm – LibertyLover replied to your comment on Crooks And Liars Repeats Lie About Live Action Investigation / Big Journalism:

What does your moronic rant have to do with the issue at hand? You are a classic example of hot-button idiocy at work.
Go to comment

In reply to your comment:

so, can all the women you want to have babies give them to you if they are raped, incest have complications or know that a genetic issue is at hand? Why can’t women just have the right to privacy …and since when does any woman’s uterus belong to you … women talk to a dr, get counseled an then if needed pay for the abortions. the Hyde law takes care of legal issues … Why do you feel like a uterus belongs to you

2:04pm – kentatwater replied to your comment on Crooks And Liars Repeats Lie About Live Action Investigation / Big Journalism:

Ah yes. The enlightened view of the POSgressive, which advocate equality for all, except when it’s convenient to try and dismiss contrary opinions because of the wrong gonadal arrangement.

Go to commentIn reply to your comment:

i have to say … reading comments from men is slightly annoying because they don’t know how many women in their lives have used PP or think about what women did prior ..together PP and komen had 112yrs service to women’s health women died because of the embarrassment,no funds or support from men now it’s become a witch hunt for any reason possible to stop allowing a woman the right to choose, like we are stupid … i think the alternative to providing safe and affordable health care to women … whatever form it comes in is or would be disturbing and reading that ideology trumps a woman’s health also is disturbing

1:44pm – wohlfguy replied to your comment on Crooks And Liars Repeats Lie About Live Action Investigation / Big Journalism:

As I stated, PP DOES NOT PROVIDE mammograms, they refer them to another clinic, NOT A PP facility. I said nothing about breast exams. Bam, back to school little girl.
Go to comment

In reply to your comment:

i just called PP …they all provide breast exams which is the first step and yes do referrals to Planned Parenthood Doctors who do mammograms !!!! so, without a breast exam …early detection no one would no to have a mammogram … and without the 1st step the referral is not done… bam, you just got educated … don’t forget low income women, uninsured and under insured need these places for a chance an opportunity to stay alive -some don’t because it was too late others have no place to go .

1:24pm – kentatwater replied to your comment on Crooks And Liars Repeats Lie About Live Action Investigation / Big Journalism:

Why, yes we can. “Pro-abortion progressive leftist.” See?
Go to comment

In reply to your comment:

can we say stupid
12:22 – wldbil replied to your comment on Crooks And Liars Repeats Lie About Live Action Investigation / Big Journalism:

LOL!

I dunno….can you say nitwit progressive hypocrite?

BTW

Nice grammar…..Oh the glorious results of the union run state funded madrassas that now pass for ‘publick edukashun’ these days, makes us all feel real good about the future of this country…..
Go to comment

In reply to your comment:

can we say stupid

In other news …

White House Briefing with Press Secretary Jay Carney

Pentagon Provides Update on Afghanistan Operations

Ben Bernanke Debates Economic Policy with Senators

House Looks Into Corporate Tax Policy

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Tell Congress: Protect Unemployment Insurance for Millions of Americans … Joan Entmacher, National Women’s Law Center

02/07/2012 Nativegrl77


	Continue Federal Unemployment Insurance Benefits through 2012



	Tell Congress: Millions of workers will lose federal unemployment insurance at the end of February unless you act now!

They’re at it again. I’m sure you remember the feverish news cycle — federal unemployment insurance (UI) benefits were set to expire right before the holidays in December. House Republicans passed a bill that would slash the UI safety net (and more). At the last minute, Congress agreed to continue federal UI benefits for two months. But that extension expires in less than a month. We need your help to prevent millions of unemployed workers from losing the lifeline of UI benefits.

Tell Congress: Fully Renew Unemployment Insurance for 2012 — no cuts, no barriers to benefits!

WWW.NWLC.ORG

The House Republican leadership is still pushing to dismantle UI, with drastic benefit cuts and new barriers that would prevent many jobless workers from accessing these vital benefits.

If we don’t act now to ask for a ‘clean’ renewal of federal UI benefits, harsh cuts and punitive barriers to benefits could be tacked on to the bill. The bill passed by House Republicans in December called for slashing benefits by more than half in states with the highest unemployment, denying benefits for workers without a high school diploma or GED, drug testing applicants for UI benefits, making jobless workers pay for their reemployment services, and allowing states to divert unemployment benefit funds to uses other than paying worker benefits.

With unemployment expected to remain above 8 percent this year and long-term unemployment still at record highs, Congress must continue federal UI benefits through 2012. Tell Congress to do right by millions of Americans struggling to get back on their feet!

Don’t let it get down to the wire again — ask your Members of Congress TODAY to pass a clean UI extension with no cuts or barriers to benefits!

WWW.NWLC.ORG

Thank you for all that you do to help us protect women and their families. Millions of Americans depend on these benefits, and we will keep you updated as the deadline draws closer.

Sincerely,

Joan Entmacher
Vice President, Family Economic Security
National Women’s Law Center

P.S. You can find out more about the importance of federal UI benefits to women here and the latest on how women are faring in the recovery here.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Immigrant denied kidney transplant … Jackie Mahendra, Change.org

02/07/2012 Nativegrl77

Jesus Navarro’s wife wants to donate her kidney to him, but the hospital won’t let her — Jesus could die.

Jesus Navarro could die without a kidney transplant. His wife is a match, she wants to donate her kidney to save her husband’s life, and Jesus even has health insurance to cover the transplant.

But because Jesus is undocumented, the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center is refusing to perform surgery, essentially leaving Jesus to die.

Donald Kagan understands what Jesus is going through better than most. Donald immigrated from Nicaragua, and he needed (and received) a kidney transplant that saved his life. Donald is now a partner at a technology firm in Berkeley, CA — and he has offered to pay Jesus’s post-surgery medical bills. But UCSF Medical Center still says no.

Donald thinks it’s unconscionable that UCSF Medical Center would deny Jesus medical treatment even though Jesus already has a willing kidney donor, insurance to pay for his surgery, and a benefactor to pay for his follow-up care. So Donald started a petition on Change.org asking UCSF Medical Center administrators to allow Jesus to get the kidney transplant that could save his life. Click here to sign Donald’s petition right now.

When doctors take the Hippocratic Oath, one of the things they swear is that, “I will remember that I remain a member of society with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.” The administrators at UCSF Medical Center are forgoing their obligations as caregivers only because Jesus is undocumented.

After waiting for years for this surgery, Jesus was devastated to learn that it still might not happen. “He’s afraid he might die,” Jesus’s sister told NBC News. “He might not see his daughter grow up.”

The UCSF Medical Center administrators don’t want a public relations disaster on their hands — but that’s exactly what they’ll have if thousands of people sign Donald’s petition and they still refuse to provide Jesus with the surgery that could save his life.

Click here to sign Donald’s petition demanding that UCSF Medical Center allow Jesus Navarro to receive his wife’s kidney and save his life — a surgery that Donald himself will pay for.

Thanks for being a change-maker,

– Jackie and the Change.org team