wicked weather Wednesday &some News …

10/19/2011 Nativegrl77

just another rant ….

In response to an article written by AFL-CIO … I was sent an article by Rep.Dennise Kucinich from jhaines, which i may not agree with because it is full of his “real” truth with not that much reality in my opinion

jhaines: What American Workers Don’t Need – by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, | 2012: What’s the ‘real’ truth?
jhaines6.wordpress.com/2011/10/04/what-american-w…

ME:

While i did not agree with what Clinton did by implementing NAFTA to begin with, certainly with hindsight being 20/20 he might if given better info changed the process of trade some to favour Americans more so than it ended up doing.” NAFTA was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on December 8, 1993 and entered force January 1, 1994. Although it was signed by President Bush, it was a priority of President Clinton’s, and its passage is considered one of his first successes. (Source: History.com, NAFTA Signed into Law, December 8, 1993.” from about.com I will say that after hearing how President Obama put some stipulations into the Korea agreement i am far more trusting of trade agreements that our current President is trying to implement … it’s called fair and balanced contracts. I also feel that rep.Kucinich just does not agree or support President Obama from all of his comments and statements … I worry that Kucinich is against President Obama for reasons that are coming from the far right and that for me is enough to ignore
everything that Kucinich says. I would like to ask you- how do you feel that Kucinich was willing to jump out to Washington State at the drop of a hat just
to stay in the political game. I was offended that this guy would shop States because he wants to stay in the game not because he cares? Kucinich knows
nothing about Washington State let alone love my State and this is a sad example for any member of Congress but Kucinich is the topic so
his truth is just that … Rep.Dennis Kucinich truth. I prefer President Obama’s

thank you Jhaines for taking the time to respond to the Afl-cio article … I say talk is cheap action gets traction …I get it people have been ill-treated in
the past &why should Obama be different? I think that years of BS has been dumped at the doorstep of this President yet he has little slim or no partners
in that change we can believe in … why? Frankly, both chambers in Congress are okay with the status quo. We all have to remember that President Obama does not
create or pass the laws Congress does and so far they do not seem willing to get the job done… first they accuse him of not writing or presenting bills then
when he does both sides of the aisle whine. I say we need better members of Congress that will do the right thing, do their jobs, and work with President
Obama not against him …, which i feel Kucinich does

Other News …

Secretary Napolitano Updates Congress on Border Security

Senators Look Into Concussions in Sports

Exchange-Traded Funds Scrutinized

Grammy Award Winner Natalie Cole Remarks on Hepatitis C Awareness

President Obama Jobs Bus Tour

Social Security recipients to get 3.6 percent more | ajc.com

Florida Moves Primary Date from March 6 to January 31

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate

10/19/2011 Nativegrl77

the Senate Convened at 9:30amET October 19, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one
hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the
Republicans controlling the first half and the Majority controlling the final
half.
Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of
H.R.2112, the Agriculture, CJS, and Transportation/HUD Appropriations bill. The
time until 12:00pm will be equally divided and controlled between the Leaders or
their designees. At approximately 12:00pm, the Senate will conduct a roll call
vote in relation to the McCain amendment #739 (critical surface transportation).
Additional roll call votes are expected during WednesdayThe following amendments are pending to H.R.2112, the Agriculture, CJS, and
Transportation/HUD Appropriations bill:
- Inouye substitute amendment #738 (text of the 3 appropriations bills)
- Webb amendment #750, as modified (National Criminal Justice Commission)
- Kohl amendment #755 (spending plan)
- Murray amendment #772 (reconstruction of highway facilities damaged by
  natural disasters or emergencies)
- McCain amendment #741 (ethanol blender pumps and storage facilities)
- Sanders amendment #816 (energy efficiency programs for small businesses)
- Landrieu amendment #781 (farmer program loans)
- Vitter amendment #769 (drug reimportation)
- Coburn amendment #791 (prohibit funds for direct payments to individuals
  with income over $1M)
- Coburn #792 (end payments to slumlords)

The previous order has been amended to consider 3 District Judges at noon.
There are now 2 roll call votes expected at approximately 12:10pm in
relation to the Mariani nomination and the McCain amendment #739. The
details of the agreement are below.

At noon, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the
following nominations with 10 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled
between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees:

Calendar #272, Mark Raymond Hornak to be US District Judge for the Western
District of Pennsylvania
Calendar #273, Robert David Mariani, to be US District Judge for the Middle
District of Pennsylvania
Calendar #274, Robert N. Scola, Jr., to be US District Judge for the
Southern District of Florida

The Hornak and Scola nominations will be confirmed by unanimous consent; the
Mariani nomination will require a roll call vote. The Senate will then resume
Legislative Session and consideration H.R.2112 with two minutes of debate
equally divided and controlled between Senators McCain and Boxer or their
designees prior to the vote in relation to the McCain amendment #739.

Senator Harkin asked unanimous consent the HELP Committee be authorized to meet
in Executive Session today for the consideration of a bill to reauthorize the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Senator Paul then objected to Senator
Harkin’s request.

The Senate has reached an agreement that the next first degree amendments in order to be called up and made pending to H.R.2112 and the substitute amendment #738 be the following:

– Ayotte #753 (prohibit funds for coastal and marine spatial planning);

– Crapo #814 (implementation of provisions of title VII of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform);

– Moran #815 (Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act);

– Coburn #793 (Transparency in federally attended and funded conferences);

– Coburn #798, as modified, with the changes that are at the desk (prohibit funds for purchase of new passenger motor vehicles);

– DeMint #763 (prohibit funds to implement regulations regarding removal of essential-use designation for epinephrine);

– DeMint #764 (Eliminate increase in funding);

– Grassley #860 (accountability in federal grant programs administered by DOJ);

– Sessions #810 (prohibit funds to allow categorical eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program);

– Lautenberg #836 (additional funding for Economic Development Assistance Programs);

– Brown #874 (increase funds to carry out section 561 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987, with offset);

– Merkley #879 (limit appropriations for freight and rail transportation unless products used are manufactured in US);

– Bingaman #771 (funds to investigate trade violations);

– Gillibrand #869 (increase funding for emergency conservation/emergency watershed protection programs);

– Feinstein #855 (Farm Service Agency must enforce certain average adjusted gross income limitations); and

– Menendez #857 (extend loan limits for FHA, VA and others).

Further, that a motion to recommit from Senator Lee be in order; that, if offered, the motion be set aside and the Senate return to the consideration of the pending amendments.

The Ayotte amendment #753 (prohibit funds for prosecutions of enemy combatants in Article III Courts), the Crapo amendment #814 (implementation of title VII of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform) and the Merkley amendment #879 (limit appropriations for freight and rail transportation unless products used are manufactured in US) are now pending to H.R.2112, the Agriculture, CJS and Transportation/HUD Appropriations bill.

Additionally, Senator Vitter modified his amendment #769 (drug importation) with the changes at the desk.

The Moran amendment #815 (Watershed Protection and Flood Protection Act) and the Bingaman amendment #771, as modified with the changes at the desk (funds to investigate trade violations) are now pending to H.R.2112, the Agriculture, CJS, and Transportation/HUD Appropriations bill.

The following amendments are pending to H.R.2112, the Agriculture, CJS, and Transportation/HUD Appropriations bill:

Inouye substitute amendment #738 (text of the 3 appropriations bills)
Webb amendment #750, as modified (National Criminal Justice Commission)
Kohl amendment #755 (spending plan)
Murray amendment #772 (reconstruction of highway facilities damaged by natural disasters or emergencies)
Sanders amendment #816 (energy efficiency programs for small businesses)
Landrieu amendment #781 (farmer program loans)
Vitter amendment #769, as modified (drug reimportation)
Coburn amendment #791 (prohibit funds for direct payments to individuals with income over $1M)
Coburn amendment #792, as modified (end payments to slumlords)
Ayotte amendment #753 (prohibit funds for prosecutions of enemy combatants in Article III Courts)
Crapo amendment #814 (derivatives – Dodd-Frank)
Merkley amendment #879 (freight and rail products made in the US)
Moran amendment #815 (spending levels for Watershed Protection)
Bingaman amendment #771, as modified (funds to investigate trade violations)
Grassley amendment #860 (DOJ Federal Grants)
Menendez amendment #857 (extend loan limits for FHA, VA and others)
Lee motion to recommit H.R.2112 (FY11 levels)
Sessions amendment #810 (prohibit funds to allow categorical eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program)
DeMint amendment #763 (epinephrine)
DeMint amendment #764 (eliminate increase in funding)
Lautenberg amendment #836 (Economic Development Assistance Program)

The following amendments have been considered and voted on

Cornyn amendment #775, as modified (Operation Fast and Furious); Agreed to: 99-0
McCain amendment #740 (eliminate TAA funding for firms); Not Agreed to: 44-55
Collins amendment #804 (vegetables in school meal programs); Agreed to by Voice Vote
McCain amendment #739 (critical surface transportation); Tabled: 59-39
McCain amendment #741 (ethanol blender pumps and storage facilities); withdrawn

VOTES

12:10pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Robert David
Mariani to be United States District Judge for the Middle District of
Pennsylvania; Confirmed: 82-17

The following amendments and motion are now pending to H.R.2112, the Agriculture, CJS, and Transportation/HUD Appropriations bill:

Grassley amendment #860 (DOJ Federal Grants)
Menendez amendment #857 (extend loans limits for FHA, VA and others)
Lee motion to recommit the bill (FY2011 levels)
Sessions amendment #810 (prohibit funds to allow categorical eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program)

Additionally, Senator Coburn modified his amendment #792 with the changes at the desk.

During Wednesday’s session of the Senate, Senator Reid filed cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar #204, S.1723, the Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act.

Senator McConnell then filed cloture on the motion to proceed to Calendar #205, S.1726, the Withholding Tax Relief Act.

Additionally, Senator Reid announced there will be no further roll call votes during today’s session of the Senate.

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed Calendar #125, S.894, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2011

Adopted S.Res.299, designating October 2011 as “National Work and Family Month”.

Adopted S.Res.300, supporting the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

———————————————————————————————-

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on October 21, 2011.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress: the Republican led House – the Senate

10/18/2011 Nativegrl77

the Senate Convened at 10:00amET October 18, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business for one
hour with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the
Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final
half.
Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of
H.R.2112, the Agriculture, CJS and Transportation Appropriations bill.
The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly
caucus meetings.
We will work on an agreement with respect to the amendments pending to
H.R.2112 and notify Senators when votes are scheduled.

The following amendments are pending to H.R.2112, the Agriculture, CJS, and
Transportation/HUD Appropriations bill:

Inouye substitute amendment #738 (text of the 3 appropriations bills)
Webb amendment #750, as modified (National Criminal Justice Commission)
Kohl amendment #755 (spending plan)
Cornyn amendment #775 (Operation Fast and Furious)
Murray amendment #772 (reconstruction of highway facilities damaged by
natural disasters or emergencies)
McCain amendment #739 (critical surface transportation)
McCain amendment #740 (eliminate TAA funding for firms)
McCain amendment #741 (ethanol blender pumps and storage facilities)

11:45am The Senate has resumed consideration of HR 2112, Agriculture/CJS/THUD
appropriations bill.

Senator McCain has offered the following amendments:

McCain #739 (Critical surface transportation)
McCain #740 (Eliminate funding for TAA for firms program)
McCain #741 (Ethanol blender pumps/storage facilities)

LEGISLATIVE
ITEMS

Passed S.270, La Pine Land Conveyance

Passed S.292, Salmon Lake Conveyance

Passed S.333, Little Wood River Ranch hydro license

Passed S.334, American Falls Reservoir hydro license

Passed S.404, a bill to modify a land grant patent issued by the Secretary of
the Interior

Passed H.R.489, C.C. Cragin Dam and Reservoir

Passed H.R.470, Hoover Dam

Passed H.R.765, Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement

Discharged Energy and Passed S.925, Mt. Andrea Lawrence Designation Act of
2011

Adopted S.Con.Res.32, correcting the enrollment of H.R.470, Hoover Dam

Adopted S.Res.298, expressing support for the designation of October 20,
2011, as the “National Day on Writing”.

EXECUTIVE
ITEMS

Confirmed #429 Dan W. Mozena – to be Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the People’s Republic of
Bangladesh

Confirmed #430 Robert A. Mandell — to be Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Luxembourg

Confirmed #431 Thomas Charles Krajeski — to be Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Bahrain

Confirmed #432 Susan Denise Page — to be Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of South
Sudan

Confirmed #433 Adrienne S. O’Neal — to be Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Cape
Verde

Confirmed #434 Mary Beth Leonard — to be Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Mali

Confirmed #435 Mark Francis Brzezinski — to be Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Sweden

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF OCTOBER 18, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

. -The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on October 21, 2011.

11:03:05 A.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 the following message from the Secretary of the Senate on October 17, 2011 at 12:26 p.m.: That the Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 31.11:02:35 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.11:02:30 A.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.11:01:05 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Andrea Martin, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Washington, DC.11:00:54 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Andy Harris to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.11:00:40 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Help Save Dixie’s Home … Stop foreclosure on a 71-year-old cancer survivor

10/18/2011 Nativegrl77

Below is an email from Ian Pajer-Rogers, a MoveOn member who created a petition at SignOn.org that is getting a lot of attention and may be of interest to people in your area. If you have concerns or feedback about this petition, click here.

Dear Seattle MoveOn member,

Dixie Mitchell, a 71-year-old cancer survivor, and her husband, Luster, have owned their Seattle home for 44 years. This is the same home where the Mitchells raised their nine biological children and cared for fifty foster children, and the house was paid off in full in the mid-1980s.

When Dixie needed some money to make home repairs and to help one of the foster children in her care, her bank advised her to refinance her home. Under the direction of the bank, she took out a loan that they promised would work for what she needed.

But then the loan was bundled and resold. Soon after, Luster, suffered a massive stroke that has left him paralyzed and unable to work. Because of the bank’s changes to the loan, Dixie quickly fell behind on her payments. Without her husband’s earnings, her monthly income is just $2,200 in Social Security and her monthly mortgage is $2,052.

Now, despite Dixie’s best efforts, the Mitchells’ home is set to be auctioned on October 28, and they have no place to go.All Dixie needs is a small modification to the loan and she’ll be able to keep her house. The problem is that Ocwen Financial,which holds the loan, just won’t budge. Not because they can’t, but because they don’t want to.

That’s why I created a petition to Ronald Faris, President of Ocwen Financial, on SignOn.org, which says:

Tell the Big Banks, enough is enough! Ocwen Financial will soon be the country’s largest holder of subprime loans. Ocwenis even a participant in a federal program to help modify loans for families affected by the housing crisis—but theystill aren’t responding.

The Mitchells are one of the thousands of families who have already lost their home or are at risk of foreclosure. The Big Banks have drained wealth from hard-working Americans like the Mitchells, and continue to dodge taxes while making record profits.

Demand that Ocwen Financial give the Mitchells the simple loan modification they need in order to keep their home.

Will you sign the petition? Click here to add your name, and then pass it along to your friends:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=265429&id=32075-17809870-SllSr5x&t=2

Thanks!

–Ian Pajer-Rogers

The text above was written by Ian Pajer-Rogers, not by MoveOn staff, and MoveOn is not responsible for the content. Thisemail was sent through MoveOn’s secure system, and your information has been kept private.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Fair trade in every Starbucks, everyday …Amanda Kloer, Change.org

10/18/2011 Nativegrl77

What’s the point of Starbucks having fair trade coffee if you can’t buy a cup of it?

Starbucks says a lot about supporting small farmers through fair trade. But try buying a cup of brewed fair trade coffee in any American Starbucks and you’re in for some blank looks and a long wait.

Fair trade fights common forms of labor exploitation including human trafficking, child labor, and other abuses. No wonder Starbucks wants to promote the fact that they source coffee from fair trade certified farms. But walk into any Starbucks in the U.S., and it’s likely that you won’t see a fair trade coffee on the menu. Ask for it specifically and you’ll have to wait for a whole new pot to be brewed before you can even get your hands around a cup of it.

Former Starbucks barista Sam Greenblatt has started a petition on Change.org asking Starbucks’ CEO Howard Schultz to live up to Starbucks’ fair trade ideals by making a fair trade option brewed and available to every customer. Sign Sam’s petition to get a brewed fair trade option available to every American Starbucks customer, everyday.

Fair trade is able to improve the lives of small farmers by connecting them directly to consumers — through labeling that tells consumers where products come from and certifies the fairness of the exchange. Without fair trade, many coffee farmers can only sell their harvests for less than the costs of production, forcing them into a cycle of poverty and debt.

Thanks to the enduring efforts of advocates, 100% of Starbucks’ brewed espresso sold in Europe is Fairtrade Certified. This means every cappuccino, pumpkin spice latte and caramel machiatto is ethically sourced as well as delicious.

It’s time for Starbucks to not just talk the fair trade talk, but walk the walk by making fair trade coffee options easily available in their U.S. stores. Sign Sam’s petition to get a brewed Fair Trade Coffee option available in every American Starbucks, everyday:

http://www.change.org/petitions/ceo-howard-shultz-offer-brewed-fair-trade-coffee-daily-in-us-stores

Thanks for being a change-maker,

Amanda and the Change.org team