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willful Wednesday &some News


“The function of education, therefore, is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. But education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society. The most dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with reason, but with no morals.”

  — Martin Luther King, Jr., The Purpose of Education

   

just another rant …
We all might agree that in an election year the most important thing most voters on the fence should be asking themselves is which politician running for office has been the most authentic, has not just your list of things in mind but that of your family, friends, co-workers and those who are now in need. We know the middle and lower class have been routed and that is on the list of targets the Party of NO has as a mission. I ask you to stop and think about what President Obama has tried to do or has done for ALL Americans not just for a select few like we have seen coming from the Republican Party. The choice for President2012 in my opinion is obvious. Yes, I will support Barack Obama for a 2nd term but it is not because I am a person of colour though I admit no one not one Teapublican person opposing President Obama has minorities in mind; we are all a second thought a group of invisible people who as newt says need paychecks not food stamps and or entitlements. Well, some may know this now since he forced it upon us, but there are more Caucasian people on food stamps than African Americans and or people of colour. if you are a Woman, the war waged against us by Teapublicans has become personal for me and given what this Party of No claims; to be for less government one must search for a codebook to find out exactly what that means and what is it they want from the middle and lower classes because it ain’t equality. I wonder, do they expect us to accept separate but equal. Whatever It is; it is utterly apparent that “these people” feel, act, or negotiate nothing like our parents conservative politicians and here’s hoping We the People do not have to experience what they all have been jabbering about because it does not sound sane efficient or address what all Americans need to move into the 21st Century. I watch, listen, and wonder what kind of education these conservative Teapublican candidates for President have received or have they just become more jaded more narrow minded, as they got older as they appear. I think a President must be willing to fight for the rights of everyone especially for those in need. I still cannot and probably will not forget what Eric cantor and Santorum said to women about health care. It definitely made me realize why I vote for the Democratic Party more often than not. I am no expert and I do not play one or pretend to be one; I just have a lot to say or rant about. In my need to reach out to those who may still be wondering who should be our next President. I ask them to compare and contrast President Obama against the Teapublicans who claim to want to “restore America”“, take back our country”, or insist on if they do get into the WH, that all Americans will conform to their “Family Values” platform. After hearing what they do not want to do for “We the People”, please think about family friend’s co-workers or neighbors who will be negatively affected by this type of attitude and the consequences of such a way of thinking and or living.

 The best possible chance for our Democracy to continue forward VOTE for … BarackObama2012

Other News …

DNC Chair Assesses NH Primary, Looks Forward

Administration Holds Jobs Forum

President Obama Goes to Chicago for Campaign Fundraiser

Report on Security of Nuclear Materials To Be Released

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Stand with the President in the fight for smart immigration policy … BarackObama.com


President Obama and his administration just proposed a common-sense change to our country’s immigration system in order to keep American families together.

This isn’t just a historic step for the hundreds of thousands of families who would be affected by this policy—it’s also a defining moment for this campaign.

Let the President know you stand with him in the fight for a smart, fair immigration system.

Under current law, undocumented spouses and children of U.S. citizens must leave the country to complete the immigration process—meaning thousands of families are separated every year while trying to pursue a legal path to citizenship.

The President’s plan would cut bureaucratic wait times and relieve an unfair burden on U.S. citizens who are unfairly separated from their loved ones during the legal immigration process. This proposal would build on other common-sense immigration reforms the President has put in place to help keep hardworking American families, who have played by the rules, together.

That’s why we need to have the President’s back in this fight—and the fights to come—in this election. Say you’ll stand with him today.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Stand Up to Mortgage Fraudsters and Big Banks


The Big Banks have a lot to answer for. As their greed and recklessness gave us a devastating financial crisis, they also abused and defrauded consumers. There are 7.5 million homes that have entered the foreclosure process, with another 4.8 million homeowners at risk. It’s time to set things right—and not with a slap on the wrist for bankersand fraudsters.Unfortunately, some state attorneys general are considering just that—a small slap on the wrist, not real accountability. To get the best deal for homeowners, and to make sure the banks are held fully accountable, your voice needs to be heard.

Your attorney general has the power to hold the banks accountable. Tell the AG you want real accountability and not another giveaway.

The collapse of the housing market and widespread abuses of homeowners are holding back our economy. Misconduct by the nation’s biggest banks gave us the financial crisis, and your attorney general has the power to hold them accountable. A deal already is being considered—and we have to get this right. We can’t repeat the mistakes of the bailout process.

Your attorney general will be making a decision soon; tell the AG to put homeowners above banker greed.

In Solidarity,

Manny Herrmann
Online Mobilization Coordinator, AFL-CIO

P.S. Have you checked out Working America‘s 9 Demands of the 99%? View eight commonsense solutions we need to fix the economy, add your own and sign on in support.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Your part of the State of the Union- from … Jeremy Bird, BarackObama.com

1 Comment

On Tuesday, January 24th, President Obama will give his State of the Union address.

Can you have a few people over to watch?

All it takes is a little bit of time to prepare and some enthusiasm for bringing people together.

Making sure everyone watches the speech, and has the opportunity to connect as President Obama lays out his agenda for the next year, is an important part of our campaign plan.

How about it? Can you be the person who hosts the party in your community to watch the State of the Union?

These parties are easy to put together. You’ll be able to decide how many people you can comfortably host, and we’ll provide you with tools to promote the event. We’ll talk you through what to expect and how to prepare for that night — including a conference call with other hosts beforehand to share tips and ideas.

This requires a basic commitment from you, but no previous experience doing this kind of thing — even if you’ve never hosted an event like this before, the campaign staff will make sure you have the tools and resources you need to make your party successful.

A party in your neighborhood is one big way to energize the campaign where you live. We’re aiming to have thousands of parties like it across the country.

But it will only happen if someone steps up to make it happen. Sign up here if you can host:

http://my.barackobama.com/Host-a-SOTU-Watch-Party

Thanks for all you do,

Jeremy

Jeremy Bird
National Field Director

http://www.barackobama.com/jobs?source=footer-nav   … Obama Biden campaign jobs

~ Culture & History, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Secretary Salazar Announces Decision to Withdraw Public Lands near Grand Canyon from New Mining Claims


   http://www.havasupai-nsn.gov/tourism.html

       http://www.nps.gov/features/grca/001/archeology/index.html

  

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Secretary Salazar Announces Decision to Withdraw Public Lands near Grand Canyon from New Mining Claims

Allows for monitoring to determine impact of uranium mining on vital watershed

01/09/2012

Contact: Adam Fetcher, (DOI) 202-208-6416

WASHINGTON – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced his decision to protect the iconic Grand Canyon and its vital watershed from the potential adverse effects of additional uranium and other hardrock mining on over 1 million acres of federal land for the next 20 years.

Secretary Salazar’s decision will provide adequate time for monitoring to inform future land use decisions in this treasured area, while allowing currently approved mining operations to continue as well as new operations on valid existing mining claims.

“A withdrawal is the right approach for this priceless American landscape,” Salazar said. “People from all over the country and around the world come to visit the Grand Canyon. Numerous American Indian tribes regard this magnificent icon as a sacred place and millions of people in the Colorado River Basin depend on the river for drinking water, irrigation, industrial and environmental use. We have been entrusted to care for and protect our precious environmental and cultural resources, and we have chosen a responsible path that makes sense for this and future generations.”

The Public Land Order to withdraw these acres for 20 years from new mining claims and sites under the 1872 Mining Law, subject to valid existing rights, is authorized by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. A Record of Decision was signed by the Secretary today during a ceremony held at the National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C.

The withdrawal does not prohibit previously approved uranium mining, new projects that could be approved on claims and sites with valid existing rights. The withdrawal would allow other natural resource development in the area, including mineral leasing, geothermal leasing and mineral materials sales, to the extent consistent with the applicable land use plans. Approximately 3,200 mining claims are currently located in the withdrawal area.

“The withdrawal maintains the pace of hardrock mining, particularly uranium, near the Grand Canyon,” said Bureau of Land Management Director Bob Abbey, “but also gives the Department a chance to monitor the impacts associated with uranium mining in this area. It preserves the ability of future decision-makers to make thoughtful decisions about managing this area of national environmental and cultural significance based on the best information available.”

During the withdrawal period, the BLM projects that up to 11 uranium mines, including four that are currently approved, could still be developed based on valid pre-existing rights – meaning the jobs supported by mining in the area would increase or remain flat as compared to the current level, according to the BLM’s analysis. By comparison, during the 1980s, nine uranium mines were developed on these lands and five were mined out. Without the withdrawal, there could be 30 uranium mines in the area over the next 20 years, including the four that are currently approved, with as many as six operating at one time, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) estimates.

The withdrawn area includes 355,874 acres of U.S. Forest Service land on the Kaibab National Forest; 626,678 acres of Bureau of Land Management lands; and 23,993 acres of split estate – where surface lands are held by other owners while subsurface minerals are owned by the federal government. The affected lands, all in the vicinity of the Grand Canyon or Grand Canyon National Park, are located in Mohave and Coconino Counties of Northern Arizona.

“The decision made today by the Secretary will help ensure continued protection of the Grand Canyon watershed and World Heritage designated Grand Canyon National Park,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “As stewards of our national parks, it is incumbent on all of us to continue to preserve our treasured landscapes, today and for future generations.”

Today’s decision is the culmination of more than two years of evaluation during which the BLM analyzed the proposed withdrawal in an EIS prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Park Service.

Numerous cooperating agencies, tribes, counties and stakeholders were fully engaged in this process, which included an extensive public involvement period which generated more than 350,000 comments, including input from more than 90 countries. Substantive comments, including those on the economic impact discussion, were addressed in the Final EIS, released on October 27, 2011 for a final 30-day review period.

Information on the withdrawal is at http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/mining/timeout.html or can be obtained by calling (602) 417-9504.

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