~ my 2cents ...

wilful Wednesday &some News


It would be great if the Democratic Party would call out Republicans more often, heck it would be nice if talking heads getting paid to give the viewer news challenge everything people like Bachmann, McConnell, Boehner, Huckabee, Brown and Palin say. We all know freedom of speech is a right but how these people are using it and why they are getting away with it is what we all question because the rhetoric does promote fear, hate, and in some cases incited violence. The act or use of freedom of speech also means you should not only use it responsibly but be held accountable for any negative outcome as well, like what happened to Representative Gabrielle Giffords. I hope I am not the only one offended by Politicians willing to be on national TV saying questionable things that can be fact checked or are telling outright lies and allowed to because TV hosts, station owners, and reporters have opted in most cases to let them spread what can only be considered as their own truths. I have to say anyone with common sense should be able to easily hear loaded rhetoric and see through the negative or in the case of most Republicans, the noise, lies, and or half- truths that cable heads should have follow-up questions.

We all need to question authority on all levels. So, after hearing that Rep. Luis Gutierrez not only wants our President to exert his power and enforce immigration with an executive order he also stated that he has been patient and will probably withhold his vote to reelect Barack Obama. I have to ask you, i would like to ask if all leaders of the Latino caucus will do the same or  at least remind the community that change in any form on any issue and level takes time. I cannot imagine those who fought for civil rights were not on most occasions simply impatient that the mission was indeed taking too much time. We all know that even with the obvious impatience our fighters for civil rights stayed on task for the mission of freedom and never strayed, civil rights are definitely a part of our everyday lives just as human rights unfortunately more are trying to make “reasonably suspicious” a part of everyday language. The importance of directing our anger, impatience, and or opposition to the right party responsible is essenstial and that would be Republicans like Brewer. I feel and like to call legislation like SB1070  Race Control and it is spreading more and more . The President has consistently made moves to get the Dream Act started and voted on which would have moved American thought into the 21st Century. I truly believe we should spare children of undocumented any punishment because they were born on US soil and their parents were not Americans. We should challenge the President and his policies but what really helps create change is informing our members of Congress who not only make the laws but also pass them. We all need to make sure that they all know exactly what we expect from them. It definitely goes without saying that the President could invoke an executive order yet it is not law … and for that we need Congress to do their jobs for the rights of ALL Americans because We the People seem to be having trouble being treated fair and equal lately.

We may be in the 21st Century but our rights are being challenged, stripped and trashed by people like Governor Bob McDonnell, Scott, Walker, Snyder, others in the South, people from Arizona, which, I gotta say scares me as it should for all Americans. It is beyond me to think a State like Arizona which, for me is beautiful; truly a 7th wonder of the world, definitely unique and reminds me of the most representative of 1st nation/Mexican homeland . Though people say Arizona is a diverse state … imagine how many people are in hiding though they have been in the states for years but happen to be undocumented … this whole thing has my mind reeling. I would never have thought a birther law would pass anywhere in the USA let alone cross into what by all accounts is the business of being a Police State. I cannot help but feel this is just the beginning of reverting to the days when the line of who belongs and who does not will be enforced by people who took an oath to protect and serve, to help all people’s not practice legal racism.

Will they have the right to tell me and or my family i fit the profile of an illegal citizen ask for papers just because? Anyone of colour could be subject to a stop with lots of question and paper checks. I have to ask, is this the way America wants its fellow American to live and more importantly this move toward a Police State needs to be stopped so keep calling Republican Governors to stop the legalization of immigration laws through racial profiling.

Other News …

White House Poetry Workshop 2:25pmET www.whitehouse.gov/live

Renown poets and artists join the First Lady for a student poetry workshop, featuring students from California to New York

An Evening of Poetry at the White House  7:10pmET  www.whitehouse.gov/live  

A celebration of American poetry and prose featuring accomplished poets, musicians and artists.

 **Colorado man wins Seattle’s top library job

**Santana bringing George Lopez on tour for 5 shows

**Southern US Cities Brace for Historic Flooding

**Libya http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42989322/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/

**Syria Military Steps Up Shelling, Killing at Least 20 – http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703864204576316784098385542.html  

**Three die in San Jose State campus shooting

CSPAN

 

**Defense Authorization Debated in House Armed Services Committee

 http://c-span.org/Events/Defense-Authorization-Debated-in-House-Armed-Services-Committee/10737421453/

Markup of FY2012 Authorization Act

**ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE

Gingrich to Announce Candidacy Via Web

Trump, Romney also on trail http://c-span.org/Events/Gingrich-to-Announce-Candidacy-Via-Web/10737421469/

**Lawmakers discuss AT&T/ T-Mobile Merger

Looks at impact on competition http://c-span.org/Events/Lawmakers-discuss-ATT-T-Mobile-Merger/10737421452/

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Barack H. Obama …Fixing what’s broken


I went to El Paso, Texas, today to lay out a plan to do something big: fix America’s broken immigration system.

It’s an issue that affects you, whether you live in a border town like El Paso or not. Our immigration system reflects how we define ourselves as Americans — who we are, who we will be — and continued inaction poses serious costs for everyone.

Those costs are human, felt by millions of people here and abroad who endure years of separation or deferred dreams — and millions more hardworking families whose wages are depressed when employers wrongly exploit a cheap source of labor. That’s why immigration reform is also an economic imperative — an essential step needed to strengthen our middle class, create new industries and new jobs, and make sure America remains competitive in the global economy.

Because this is such a tough problem — one that politicians in Washington have been either exploiting or dodging, depending on the politics — this change has to be driven by people like you.

Washington won’t act unless you lead.

So if you’re willing to do something about this critical issue, join our call for immigration reform now. Those who do will be part of our campaign to educate people on this issue and build the critical mass needed to make Washington act:

http://my.barackobama.com     

In recent years, concerns about whether border security and enforcement were tough enough were among the greatest impediments to comprehensive reform. They are legitimate issues that needed to be addressed — and over the past two years, we have made great strides in enhancing security and enforcement.

We have more boots on the ground working to secure our southwest border than at any time in our history. We’re going after employers who knowingly break the law. And we are deporting those who are here illegally. I know the increase in deportations has been a source of controversy, but I want to emphasize that we are focusing our limited resources on violent offenders and people convicted of crimes — not families or people looking to scrape together an income.

So we’ve addressed the concerns raised by those who have stood in the way of progress in the past. And now that we have, it’s time to build an immigration system that meets our 21st-century economic needs and reflects our values both as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.

Today, we provide students from around the world with visas to get engineering and computer science degrees at our top universities. But then our laws discourage them from using those skills to start a business or a new industry here in the United States. That just doesn’t make sense.

We also need to stop punishing innocent young people for the actions of their parents — and pass the DREAM Act so they can pursue higher education or become military service members in the country they know as home. We already know enormous economic benefits from the steady stream of talented and hardworking people coming to America. More than a century and a half ago, U.S. Steel‘s Andrew Carnegie was a 13-year-old brought here from Scotland by his family in search of a better life. And in 1979, a Russian family seeking freedom from Communism brought a young Sergey Brin to America — where he would become a co-founder of Google.

Through immigration, we’ve become an engine of the global economy and a beacon of hope, ingenuity and entrepreneurship. We should make it easier for the best and brightest not only to study here, but also to start businesses and create jobs here. That’s how we’ll win the future.

Immigration is a complex issue that raises strong feelings. And as we push for long-overdue action, we’re going to hear the same sort of ugly rhetoric that has delayed reform for years — despite long and widespread recognition that our current system fails us all and hurts our economy.

So you and I need to be the ones talking about this issue in the language of hope, not fear — in terms of how we are made stronger by our differences, and can be made stronger still.

Take a moment now to watch my El Paso speech and join this campaign for change:

http://my.barackobama.com

Thank you,

Barack

Black History

Congress is in Session -the Republican led House -the Senate


The Senate Convenes at 9:30amET May 11, 2011

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for debate only with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each, with the first hour equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees, with the Republicans controlling the first 30 minutes and the Majority controlling the next 30 minutes.

At 2:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #44, the nomination of Arenda Wright Allen to be a District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia with one hour of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees. Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 3pm), the Senate will conduct a roll call vote on confirmation of the Allen nomination.

Votes:

69: Confirmation of the Wright Allen nomination; Confirmed: 96-0

Unanimous Consent:

S.Res.179, making minority committee appointments

~~~~~~~~

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on May 11, 2011

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 11, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

8:08 P.M. – Ms. Kaptur moved that the House do now adjourn.

6:39 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

6:31 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

H.R. 1231: to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to require that each 5-year offshore oil and gas leasing program offer leasing in the areas with the most prospective oil and gas resources, to establish a domestic oil and natural gas production goal, and for other purposes

6:30 P.M. – Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1231 as unfinished business.

On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Pearce moved that the Committee rise.

6:29 P.M. – On agreeing to the Keating amendment Failed by recorded vote: 186 – 240 (Roll no. 314).

6:21 P.M. – On agreeing to the Markey amendment Failed by recorded vote: 189 – 238 (Roll no. 313).

6:13 P.M. – On agreeing to the Connolly (VA) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 193 – 228 (Roll no. 312).

5:46 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Inslee amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Inslee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption until a time to be announced.

5:35 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 257, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Inslee amendment.

5:34 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Inslee. An amendment numbered 8 printed in House Report 112-74 to require the Washington state Governor and legislature approve any leasing of the Outer Continental Shelf off of Washington state.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Thompson (CA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Thompson (CA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption until a time to be announced.

5:24 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 257, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Thompson (CA) amendment.

5:23 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Thompson (CA). An amendment numbered 7 printed in House Report 112-74 to clarify that the legislation does not allow for oil and gas drilling on the northern coast of California.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Brown(FL) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Brown (FL) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption until a time to be announced.

5:16 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 257, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Brown amendment.

5:15 P.M. – Amendment offered by Ms. Brown (FL). An amendment numbered 6 printed in House Report 112-74 to make permanent the current moratorium on drilling in the eastern gulf of Mexico that expires in 2022.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Tsongas amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Tsongas demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption until a time to be announced.

5:07 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 257, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Tsongas amendment.

Amendment offered by Ms. Tsongas.

An amendment numbered 5 printed in House Report 112-74 to require that all applicants for a drilling permit under a lease issued under H.R. 1231 would have to submit a worst-case scenario oil spill containment and clean-up plan.

5:06 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Keating amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Keating demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption until a time to be announced.

5:00 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 257, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Keating amendment.

Amendment offered by Mr. Keating.

An amendment numbered 4 printed in House Report 112-74 to require the Secretary to make public information about the lessee’s executive bonuses from the most recent quarter.

4:59 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Markey amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Markey demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption until a time to be announced.

4:49 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 257, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Markey amendment.

4:48 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Markey. An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 112-74 to require that new 5-year leasing plans require that companies bidding on new leases first renegotiate any royalty-free leases they own; thus raising more than $2 billion over 10 years.

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on the Connolly (VA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Connolly (VA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption until a time to be announced.

4:39 P.M. – DEBATE – Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 257, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Connolly (VA) amendment.

Amendment offered by Mr. Connolly (VA).

An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 112-74 to clarify that new offshore drilling would not conflict with military operations.

4:38 P.M. – On agreeing to the Young (AK) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

4:37 P.M. – Amendment offered by Mr. Young (AK). An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 112-74 to make technical numbering corrections to section 2 of the bill.

4:15 P.M. – GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole resumed general debate on H.R. 1231.

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

4:14 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.

4:13 P.M. – Ms. Foxx filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 264.

H.R. 1231: to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to require that each 5-year offshore oil and gas leasing program offer leasing in the areas with the most prospective oil and gas resources, to establish a domestic oil and natural gas production goal, and for other purposes

4:12 P.M. – Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1231 as unfinished business.

On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Young (AK) moved that the committee rise.

3:36 P.M. – GENERAL DEBATE – The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1231.

3:35 P.M. – Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 257, the amendment recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources now printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted in the House and in the Committee of the Whole.

3:34 P.M. – The Speaker designated the Honorable Candice S. Miller to act as Chairwoman of the Committee.

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 257 and Rule XVIII.

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1231 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. The amendment recommended by the Committee on Natural Resources now printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended, shall be considered as read.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 257.

3:33 P.M. – FILING AUTHORITY – Mr. Miller of Florida asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs have until 5 p.m. on Friday, May 20, 2011, to file reports on the following bills: H.R. 1407, H.R. 1484, H.R. 1627, H.R. 1383, H.R. 1657 and H.R. 802. Agreed to without objection.

H.R. 673: to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent the depreciation classification of motorsports entertainment complexes

Ms. Berkley asked unanimous consent to be the first sponsor of H.R. 673, and to have the authority to add co-sponsors. Agreed to without objection.

H.R. 427: to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a 5-year recovery period for computer-based gambling machines

Ms. Berkley asked unanimous consent to be the first sponsor of H.R. 427, and to have the authority to add co-sponsors. Agreed to without objection.

H.R. 1800: to temporarily extend expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 relating to access to business records and roving wiretaps and to permanently extend expiring provisions of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 relating to individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers

3:32 P.M. – Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Judiciary have until 5:00 p.m. on May 18 to file a report on H.R. 1800. Agreed to without objection.

H. Con. Res. 46: authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

Mr. Denham asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.

Considered by unanimous consent.

H. Con. Res. 16: authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby

3:31 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

Considered by unanimous consent.

Mr. Denham asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.

The House received a communication from the Honorable Mr. Fincher . Mr. Fincher submitted his resignation from the Committees on Agriculture and Transportation and Infra- structure. The resignation was accepted without objection.

H. Res. 263: electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives

3:30 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

3:29 P.M. – On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

Considered as privileged matter.

H. Res. 257: providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 1231) to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to require that each 5-year offshore oil and gas leasing program offer leasing in the areas with the most prospective oil and gas resources, to establish a domestic oil and natural gas production goal, and for other purposes

3:28 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by recorded vote: 243 – 179 (Roll no. 311).

3:09 P.M. – On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 241 – 179 (Roll no. 310).

3:01 P.M. – Considered as unfinished business.

3:00 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of ordering the previous question and adoption of H.Res. 257, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H.R. 1229: to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to facilitate the safe and timely production of American energy resources from the Gulf of Mexico

2:58 P.M. – Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 263 – 163 (Roll no. 309).

2:52 P.M. – On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 186 – 239 (Roll no. 308).

2:33 P.M. – The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

2:24 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Connolly (VA) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House with an amendment to prohibit the Secretary of Interior from issuing a permit to any applicant that has been required to pay a civil penalty, criminal fine or monetary damages resulting from the applicant’s drilling activities on the Outer Continental Shelf, until the penalties have been paid in full, or the applicant has entered a formal agreement to pay the penalties in order to redress economic and environmental harm caused to the Gulf of Mexico Region.

2:23 P.M. – Mr. Connolly (VA) moved to recommit with instructions to Natural Resources.

2:22 P.M. – The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

2:21 P.M. – The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1229.

On agreeing to the Hastings (FL) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 185 – 239 (Roll no. 307).

2:16 P.M. – On agreeing to the Deutch amendment Failed by recorded vote: 205 – 222 (Roll no. 306).

2:11 P.M. – On agreeing to the Hastings (FL) amendment Failed by recorded vote: 169 – 258 (Roll no. 305).

2:07 P.M. – On agreeing to the Polis amendment Failed by recorded vote: 174 – 254 (Roll no. 304).

2:03 P.M. – On agreeing to the Holt amendment Failed by recorded vote: 179 – 247 (Roll no. 303).

1:56 P.M. – On agreeing to the Hanabusa amendment Failed by recorded vote: 187 – 235 (Roll no. 302).

1:32 P.M. – UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

1:31 P.M. – The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 257: providing for consideration of the bill ( H.R. 1231) to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to require that each 5-year offshore oil and gas leasing program offer leasing in the areas with the most prospective oil and gas resources, to establish a domestic oil and natural gas production goal, and for other purposes

1:30 P.M. – POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 257, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. McGovern demanded the yeas and nays, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on ordering the previous question until later in the legislative day.

12:22 P.M. – DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 257.

Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 1540: to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2012 for military activities of the Department of Defense and for military construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes

12:21 P.M. – Mr. Reed asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services have until 5:00 p.m. on May 17 to file a report on H.R. 1540. Agreed to without objection.

12:03 P.M. – ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.

12:02 P.M. – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mrs. Ellmers to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

12:01 P.M. – Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Wallace Shepherd, Second Baptist Church, Santa Barbara, California.

12:00 P.M. – The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 11.

10:45 A.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.

10:08 A.M. – MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House resumed with Morning-Hour Debate.

10:07 A.M. – The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 16.

10:01 A.M. – MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Renee L. Ellmers to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

10:00 A.M. – The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

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

DOMA:The Sinking Ship


From: The Progress Report  …

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender activists have resigned themselves to not seeing any substantial legislative progress toward equality while Republicans control the House of Representatives. Nevertheless, it has never been more apparent how the times have changed in the two decades since laws like the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) passed, both of which were actually seen as progress at the time. DOMA, some argued, at least allowed for individual states to legalize marriage for same-sex couples (as some since have), and DADT at least allowed gays, lesbians, and bisexuals to serve in the military, just so long as nobody knew who they were. It’s now been 15 years since the DOMA boat set sail, but its titanic barriers to equality are slowly sinking. In the meantime, same-sex couples are still struggling to make due without the federal protections marriage provides, while conservatives try every trick they know to keep inequality on the books.

LOST AT SEA: Though DOMA blocks 1,138 federal marriage benefits from same-sex couples, there is one in particular that’s particularly hard on some couples: not having the right to sponsor a foreign-born partner for residency. Immigration Equality estimates there are 36,000 same-sex binational couples living in the U.S., 45 percent of whom are raising children. Because of DOMA, any couple not protected by employment sponsorship is at risk of being separated by deportation. The Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) legal group actually warns these couples not to get married (PDF) as doing so may expose the foreign-born partner’s status and lead to deportation. In the wake of the President’s decision that DOMA is unconstitutional and should not be defended, the Department of Justice has twice suggested it might halt deportations, only to then reassert that deportations will continue. The first occasion was in March, when Citizenship and Immigration Services announced they would suspend the cases of married gay couples, but announced the following day that nothing had changed. Then, last week, Attorny General Eric Holder vacated a case, asking the Board of Immigration Appeals to reconsider it outside the context of DOMA. Again, hopes were raised, and a judge in Newark, New Jersey actually adjourned in a different case on Friday to give that couple an extra six months. On Saturday, however, the DOJ reaffirmed that deportations are still underway. Two proposed bills, the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and Reuniting Families Act (RFA), would protect same-sex couples from deportation, but the demise of DOMA would likely eliminate the disparities entirely.

PLUGGING THE LEAKS: As the DOJ chips away at DOMA and the military works toward certification of repeal of DADT, conservatives at both the state and federal levels are trying to halt the flow of equality in any way they can (in addition to the House’s radically expensive plan to defend DOMA). This week, Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) will introduce an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act to prevent Navy bases from performing marriages for same-sex couples after DADT is lifted, even in states where those marriages are legal. He claims that “federal property and federal employees, like Navy chaplains, should not be used to perform marriages that are not recognized by federal law.” Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) is going a step further, introducing the second of many expected bills and amendments intended to derail the DADT repeal process. General George Casey opposed a similar move by Hunter in January. Meanwhile, Republican-controlled states like Pennsylvania and Minnesota are following Indiana’s lead by considering constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage even though both states already prohibit same-sex marriage by law. In fact, the religious right is ramping up an extensive new multi-million dollar campaign called “Ignite An Enduring Cultural Transformation” that will push for anti-LGBT measures in states up through the 2012 election. But times have changed even since 2004, and it’s unlikely conservatives will have the same success using same-sex marriage as a wedge issue as they did then.

THE RISING TIDE: For the first time ever, opposing LGBT equality is the unpopular position in American politics. Polls have been consistently showing majority support for marriage equality, just as they showed overwhelming support for repealing DADT last fall. Target and Chik-Fil-A have gotten incredible pressure from LGBT activists for their support of anti-gay candidates and groups. Law firm King & Spalding backed out of their defense of DOMA after clients and employees voiced their dissent. Olympic gold medalist Peter Vidmar had to step down from his appointment as chef de mission for the 2012 U.S. Olympic team because of his support for Proposition 8, California’s rollback of marriage equality. Graduates of the University of Michigan Law School walked out of their own commencement ceremony this weekend to protest the anti-gay voting record of the guest speaker, Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH). Despite the clear growing unpopularity of anti-gay positions, almost every GOP presidential candidate has towed the party line in maintaining them. Romney, Bachmann, Gingrich, Santorum, Pawlenty, Trump, Paul and others have all defended DOMA and come out against LGBT equality in other ways. The only exception is Fred Karger, who is actually making history as the first-ever openly gay presidential candidate, though the national stage has not given him much attention. Hopefully the history books look upon Karger kindly as the first Republican candidate to step out of the shadow of the religious right and join the Zeitgeist in embracing LGBT equality

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Greenpeace


One year later and Congress has learned nothing.

Instead of making it harder for oil companies like Shell to drill in the icy waters of the Arctic Ocean, the House of Representatives just voted to make it easier. If this legislation becomes law, the oil industry will be even less regulated now than it was a year ago before the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

And to make matters worse, Shell already gets millions in subsidies every year from the U.S. government. In fact, last year Shell paid effectively no taxes at all to the U.S. government. Congress is giving them more incentive to take unacceptable risks with our national treasures. It’s time to put a end to this dangerous game. We have a chance to do just that.

As soon as tomorrow, Congress will be voting on a bill that would cut billions of dollars worth of subsidies to oil companies like Shell. But the industry and their friends in Washington are currently doing everything they can to stop that from happening. That’s why you need to speak up and send a message to your members of Congress.

www.greenpeaceusa.org

Congress needs to hear your voice. Ask your members of Congress to put an end to government subsidies to the oil industry now.

Shell just submitted plans to drill up to ten new wells in Alaska’s Arctic Ocean over the next two years using the same faulty technology that BP uses in the Gulf. But Shell’s plans in the shallow waters of the Arctic are even more dangerous than BP’s are in the Gulf and run a higher risk of blowouts, according to government data.

Shell isn’t prepared for a disaster in the Arctic Ocean. No one is. It’s a known fact that there’s no way to effectively clean up an oil spill in the Arctic’s harsh conditions. All they care about is their corporate bottom line.

Congress should be fighting for you. It’s your money and it’s our land. The vote could be happening as soon as tomorrow. Contact your members of Congress today and ask them to put an end to government subsidies to the oil industry before it’s too late.

www.greenpeaceusa.org

Sincerely,

Melanie Duchin

Greenpeace Arctic Campaigner

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