In the wake of President Obama’s courageous decision to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), radical lawmakers have sunk to a new low.

Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor have spent this past week working to placate anti-LGBT members of Congress and their right wing base by indicating they will defend DOMA – no matter what it takes.

So much for their pledges to focus on jobs and the economy. These so-called fiscal conservatives are wasting Congress’s time and resources to defend discrimination.

We’ve never taken these attacks sitting down – and we can’t start now. Time and again, our opponents lash out when we make progress. And time and again we band together to stop them. We’ve got to do it again this week, with a rapid-response effort in Congress and beyond. Can you help now? www.hrc.org

In the past several weeks, HRC has helped drive major victories: civil unions in Hawaii and Illinois; unprecedented progress on marriage equality in Maryland, Rhode Island, and New York; and President Obama’s decision on DOMA. All of those phone calls, rallies, letters to Congress, meetings with lawmakers – they’re working.

But these victories have pushed our opponents to redouble their efforts to undermine equality. www.hrc.org

So we’re at a crossroads. We can catapult off of these recent victories and others in Illinois and Hawaii, grab this momentum with both hands and lay a foundation now for a future of full marriage equality – or we can let the extreme right wing dictate America‘s political agenda.

Right-wing radicals know the tide is turning against them. It’s just making them more desperate. Only your generous grassroots support will help us stand strong. We must seize this moment. Are you with us www.hrc.org

Thank you for helping us win – and for keeping this movement stro ng.

Best,

Joe Solmonese

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Bankrate.com

03/04/2011 Nativegrl77

Here are stories published today.

National mortgage rates for March 3, 2011 | 2011-03-04

See rates from our survey of CDs, mortgages, home equity products, auto loans and credit cards. http://www.bankrate.com/finance/mortgages/interest-rate-roundup-for-march-3-2011.aspx?ec_id=brmint_newsalert_20110303

Credit card interest rates for March 3, 2011 | 2011-03-04

Here are the average credit card rates from Bankrate‘s weekly survey of large banks and thrifts. http://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/national-credit-card-rates-for-march-3-2011.aspx?ec_id=brmint_newsalert_20110303

Auto loan rates for March 3, 2011 | 2011-03-04

Here are the average auto loan rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of large banks and thrifts. http://www.bankrate.com/finance/auto/national-auto-loan-rates-for-march-3-2011.aspx?ec_id=brmint_newsalert_20110303

Home equity loan rates for March 3, 2011 | 2011-03-04

Here are the average home equity rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of large banks and thrifts. http://www.bankrate.com/finance/home-equity/national-home-equity-loan-rates-for-march-3-2011.aspx?ec_id=brmint_newsalert_20110303

CD rates for March 3, 2011 | 2011-03-04

Here are the average CD rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of large banks and thrifts. http://www.bankrate.com/finance/cd/national-cd-rates-for-march-3-2011.aspx?ec_id=brmint_newsalert_20110303

3 steps to stymie a personal credit crunch | 2011-03-04

The right moves can help with current credit problems and prevent future ones. http://www.bankrate.com/finance/debt/3-steps-to-stymie-a-personal-credit-crisis.aspx?ec_id=brmint_newsalert_20110303

~ my 2cents ...

TGIF …&some News

03/04/2011 Nativegrl77

Today, many on cable will either choose not to talk about what is considered good news for Americans or manipulate the information or hijack it and claim that Republicans are responsible for the job numbers announced today that unemployment dropped again to 8.9%. Yes, that number can be debated but we cannot debate the fact that 192thousand jobs were created in the private sector and contrary to what we will all be, hearing this positive news belongs to the efforts made by our President and the Democratic Party. In addition to this great news about job creation and or improvement we all should remember Rodney King. Rodney King, who was beaten to a pulp for a speeding ticket and ask ourselves have things changed that much 20 years later even with all that he has gone through since and if you would like to find out more about him tune into CNN with Don Lemon.

President Obama will be meeting with new Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel at the White House and later the President will be travelling to Miami with Arne Duncan and Jeb Bush to talk about Education.

Lastly, to the doubter’s haters and those who fear the unknown or who keep engaging in typical fear mongering via the interwebs

My response …

i respect your opinion, I may not agree but i will not call you names or think less of you … i don’t know you, however i did vote for Obama and will again because Republicans/Conservatives proved themselves to be useless… they have no one in charge, they have no solutions only complaints. The solutions they do have are only for the top 2% and that 2% has been getting breaks for too long it’s obvious in my opinion that Bush, Cheney and Paulson all f’d us and because of that i personally am subscribing to what works and that is the Government right now. If you need reminding to realize why we need the government right now just watch the House of Cards, a film created by CNBC definitely worth the time. This film will help you understand why Wall Street types capitalists like bernie madoff and others like him engaged in creative accounting, why AIG created a monster and the pay out by AIG to various Banks was big and how it worked its way overseas to become something too big to fail. Republicans want to continue on this same path of less regulation and people need to see it as it is. I wonder why after all that has happened since the mid-term elections would anyone with common sense feel this is the kind of Capitalism you want and if you are still expecting Republicans to solve our problems with every American in mind… I have to say you are foolish…

Capitalism does not mean firms should engage in cooking the books, secret transactions and or becoming bigger than their sum value or investing in schemes … that — is what happened …

We the People need capitalism with a small c and more regulation … with a huge R

Other News …

**America sturggles & bargaining for thier rights

**Libya makes it harder to cross border

**Tunisia steps up evacuations of people fleeing Libya- also prepare for elections

**Libya’s tribes rise up against Gadhafi

**Chavez and Gadhafi want the UN to visit Libya

**Walker threatens democratic senators -if they don’t come back he will hand out pink slips

**Ohio priest propositions police officers while being picked up for dui

**China will boost their Military spending

**Crude Rises based on Libya Violence

CSPAN …

TARP Oversight Panel Holding its Final Hearing

http://c-span.com/Events/TARP-Oversight-Panel-Holding-its-Final-Hearing/10737419983/

Unemployment Rate Drops to 8.9%

economy adds 192,000 new jobs

http://c-span.com/Events/Unemployment-Rate-Drops-to-89/10737419949/

Earlier today the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lisa Jackson testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Environment on the proposed 2012 budget, where she urged Congress not to cut her agency’s budget. http://c-span.com/Events/EPA-Head-and-Congress-Discuss-Environmental-Issues/10737419951/

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano went before a House panel to talk about President Obama’s 2012 budget request for her department. She discussed the needs of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and how the proposed budget will allow the department to continue essential programs to protect U.S. borders.

http://c-span.com/Events/Napolitano-and-Congress-debate-Border-Security/10737419952/

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was on Capitol Hill to defend the President’s $79.9 billion 2012 spending request for her department. This morning’s hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health focused on the implementation of the health care law. http://c-span.com/Events/Sebelius-defends-Health-Care-Law/10737419948/

President Obama called on Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to step down from power. He also said the U.S. military should be prepared to act if a humanitarian crisis develops in Libya. Speaking at a joint news conference with Mexican President Felipe Calderon, President Obama said the two leaders have come to an agreement on Mexican trucks’ ability to enter the U.S. http://c-span.com/Events/President-Obama-amp-President-Calderon-of-Mexico-Joint-Press-Conference/10737419986/

House Republicans held a news conference to discuss a bill that would change some of the health care law’s reporting rules for small businesses. http://c-span.com/Events/House-Republican-and-Democrat-Leadership-Press-Briefings/10737419990/

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congess in Session –

03/04/2011 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes at 10:00amET March 4, 2011

There will be no roll call votes during Friday’s session

Morning business with senators permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes each.

1:00pm Filing deadline for all first degree amendments to S.23, the America Invents Act

This afternoon Senator Reid asked unanimous consent that upon disposition of S.23, the America Invents Act, the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R.1, Defense Appropriations and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011; the Majority Leader be recognized to offer a substitute amendment (Inouye amendment #149); there be 4 hours for debate prior to a vote in relation to the substitute amendment; upon disposition of the substitute amendment, the Senate proceed to vote on passage of HR1, as amended, if amended; with no motions or amendments in order to the substitute amendment or to the bill prior to the votes; and the substitute amendment and the bill be subject to a 60-vote threshold.

Senator McConnell objected for the time being and said that his caucus needs more time to review the substitute amendment.

Senator Reid then asked unanimous consent that upon disposition of S.23, the America Invents Act, the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R.1, the Defense Appropriations and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011; .

Senator McConnell also objected to this request.

Senator Reid then moved to proceed to HR1 and filed cloture on the motion.

)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on March 4, 2011.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 4, 2011

112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

2:03 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on March 8, 2011 for Morning-Hour Debate.

2:02 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House 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.

2:01 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Dr. Barry Black, Chaplain of the United States Senate, Washington DC.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Thomas J. Rooney to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

2:00 P.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Google Becomes More Social And It’s Hurting Your Business …JeffBulla’s blog

03/03/2011 Nativegrl77

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 01:47 PM PST

Google Becomes More Social And It’s Hurting Your Business http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/JeffbullassBlog/~3/ntwQ5-nKbC8/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email

Conversations in bars and dinner parties about who is right or wrong are often solved by the smart phone being drawn from the pocket or handbag with a Tweet subsequent mobile search on “Lord Google” with the question being answered from Wikipedia or another website with authority. Problem solved… using a blunt mobile instrument without a fight breaking out at the bar or the tipping of wine into someone’s lap.

The online search industry is embedded in our daily lives with up to 90% of all buying decisions starting with an online search and 89% of all clicks through to a website occurring from websites that appear on the first page of Google.

Google has been with us for over 10 years now (the company started in 1998) and has just announced a continuing evolution of its search algorithms to maintain its relevancy and that includes more integration with social media that has been occurring since 2009, though you may not have noticed. Google has also added other tweaks such as increasing visibility and ranking for content that is more recent and this puts fresh unique content right in the frame and blogs are essential for companies to maintain regular published online content.

If you haven’t taken close notice of Google’s search page recently beyond just looking at your results, just take a look down the left side when you do a Google search and you will notice this refined search banner that has 5 social network elements.

5 Major Social Media Elements In Google Search

Images (which includes social media channels such as Flickr)

Videos (which includes a well known social network YouTube”)

Realtime (this is the feed from Twitter.another social media channel you may have heard of but conveniently renamed by Google)

Discussions (this highlights social channels including forums)

Blogs (another social web platform)

Google’s Latest Announcement

Google has included some significant changes in its latest announcement including

Increasing the priority and prominence of search results from platforms such as Twitter, Flickr and Quora (a new social network kid on the block)

Blending results throughout the page instead of only at the bottom

Adding friends social media interactions into search results

This is done by an annotation system that lets you know when a friend has shared a specific link or search result. If your friend writes a blog about how to create honey, that result will have an annotation that your friend has “shared this,” either via Google or through one of Google’s three major social integrations.

This will produce a massive increase in social results appearance in search with friends results turning up in if they have tweeted a reference to that particular search term. You can also connect your Google account to social networks like Twitter if you choose either publicly or privately as you may not want to reveal that you are a @spongebobsuperfan on Twitter.

Google On How It Works On YouTube

Click here to view the embedded video.

What Are The Implications For Business?

The implication for business from the latest announcement and the continuing refinements is that if you want to increase your chances of appearing high in a Google search, that just pursuing a SEO link strategy is not going to be as successful as in the past.

It is now a necessity and a priority to be participating on the major social media channels or you are reducing your brands chances of “being found online” high up on search results.

If you are not active on social media because you think it’s all hype then you may be damaging your business because Google is making social search a priority and your potential customers will find it increasingly hard to find you when they do their next online search and you can’t be found.

The reality is that social media integration into search is here to stay and you need to learn the rules of the new social web or you will reduce your organisations visibility and no one wants to be invisible unless you are a super hero or a dinosaur.