Tag Archives: Barack Obama

a tempest filled Tuesday &some News …

01/10/2012 Nativegrl77

The NW is either experiencing climate change …it’s Winter and not a snow flake in sight let alone real cold air. I guess all that nasty hot air coming from the mouths of Teapublicans running for President has raised its ugly head of lies I mean skewed, maybe manipulated information they all seem to be giving to Americans, has flowed toward us. We have yet another day and night filled with wicked weather with odd high temperatures, the wind has yet to calm down and the rain is washing away foundation, which is so northwest weather but can do much damage. So, be careful out there.

Given all that is happening in the World a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. is so appropriate right about now. People are dying for the right to speak freely, for a better life and human rights …no one speaks to life’s struggles better than MLK jr and as we move into a New Year let us all find keep or continue the audacity to have hope to change and work hard to give Barack Obama a second term.

“Human Progress is neither automatic nor inevitable even a superficial look at history reveals that no social advance rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals without persistent effort, time itself becomes an ally of the insurgent and primitive forces of irrational emotionalism and social destruction. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.” – MLK Jr.

Other News …

C-SPAN’s New Hampshire Primary Coverage Begins at 8pm ET

President Announces Resignation of Chief-of-Staff; Budget Director Jack Lew to Fill Post

A Look at the Future of the Internet

Book TV on C-SPAN2

“C-SPAN letter to Chief Justice Roberts on TV camera coverage of health care case”

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

BREAKING: Administration takes step forward with family unity waiver

01/06/2012 Nativegrl77

New procedure change could keep more families together

Last month, we resolved to make 2012 the year for immigrant families — the year we show our united strength to defend our communities from the threats of the broken, unjust American immigration system.Today, the administration is proposing changes that would keep hundreds of thousands of families together.Imagine this scenario: your father leaves home to apply for his US visa — and finds himself barred from returning. Or your wife, finalizing her application to gain a visa, is stuck waiting months across the border, with no form of recourse.

Situations like these are reality for hundreds of thousands of immigrants and their families. It’s a catch-22 in the American immigration system: if you return to your country of origin to apply for a visa, you trigger a bar of 3 or even 10 years that prevents you from coming back to the US.

The administration is proposing family unity waivers that would allow spouses and children of US citizens to file for visas while remaining in the US.

Today’s announcement is welcome news. This reform could prevent parents from missing a decade of their children’s lives, and spouses from facing years without the support and care of their partners. There’s nothing abstract about potentially sparing hundreds of thousands of individuals from being separated from their families for years.

With hope,

Donna De La Cruz
Reform Immigration FOR America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Charlotte 2012

01/05/2012 Nativegrl77

Dear Charlotte in 2012 supporter,Four years ago, the Iowa caucus started President Obama’s historic journey to the White House. This year, his journey will take him through Charlotte, North Carolina in September for the 2012 Democratic National Convention.Every day until September is important. We are relying on people like you to help any way you can – starting by watching this short video.

I’m going to say it a million more times before September — we are funding this Convention unlike any of its predecessors. We are starting a grassroots movement with the help of thousands of people just like you. I’m asking you today to give what you can, every month, between now and the convention. Is that $5 or $10? Next September is what we make it. Please give today.

Let’s make this convention a success together. Please watch.

Sincerely,

Anthony Foxx
Mayor

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

President Obama Opens 2012 by Advancing Pipeline Safety

01/04/2012 Nativegrl77

President Obama Opens 2012 by Advancing Pipeline Safety

Posted by Secretary Ray LaHood on January 3, 2012 at 7:04 PM EST

Ed note: This has been cross-posted from the Department of Transportation’s Fastlane blog

When we say at DOT that safety is our number one priority, we are not kidding around. And today, as part of that important goal, President Obama signed into law the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act.

Last April, following several fatal pipeline accidents, we called upon U.S. pipeline owners and operators to conduct a comprehensive review of their oil and gas pipelines to identify areas of high risk and accelerate critical repair and replacement work. We also convened a Pipeline Safety Forum with state officials, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to discuss steps for improving the safety and efficiency of America’s pipeline infrastructure.

In one of their final actions for 2011, the House and Senate passed a pipeline safety bill consistent with the legislative proposal we submitted to Congress last year. This legislation gives the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, an important part of DOT, stronger enforcement tools and increases civil penalties for pipeline operators who do not meet safety regulations. It’s another terrific step forward for greater pipeline safety.

Not only will this legislation help keep America’s communities safer; it also helps give pipeline operators the certainty they need to run their systems more effectively.

To advance pipeline safety, the bill doubles the maximum fines that pipeline operators face for safety violations. The Bill requires PHMSA to issue new pipeline safety standards requiring operators to install automatic or remote-controlled shut-off valves and excess flow valves in new or replaced transmission pipelines. As U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller said, “Communities can rest a little easier knowing that Congress has implemented tougher safety rules.”

The bill authorizes PHMSA to award $110 million in safety-related grants each year. These include state damage prevention programs, technical assistance to local communities, emergency response training, and one-call system improvements. And PHMSA is authorized to add a number of new pipeline inspectors to support its investigation and enforcement obligations.

To promote regulatory certainty for the pipeline industry, the new bill prohibits PHMSA during a two to three year Congressional review period, from issuing regulations establishing leak-detection requirements or expanding integrity management requirements beyond high-consequence areas. However, this restriction would not apply if a condition poses any risk to public safety, property, or the environment.

As the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee observed, “By providing greater regulatory certainty, the bill will help create a better economic environment for U.S. businesses to create jobs.”

This bill is a win for safety and a win for America’s communities. And, by signing it into law on the first business day of the new year, President Obama has sent a clear message that this Administration believes we can achieve greater safety and stronger economic growth at the same time.

I can’t think of a better way to start 2012.

~ my 2cents ...

towrah Tuesday &some News

01/03/2012 Nativegrl77

just another rant … revived

Failed Promises

Like what we are experiencing under the Republican controlled House of Representatives versus change to or a redirection of promises that President Obama has had to make on numerous occasions. It is obvious the two situations are quite different. The first two years of the Obama Admin the Republican Tea Party spent most of their time on the floor of Congress saying no, blocking, making the Democratic Party scale back or run away from legitimate bills that party of NO attached felonious amendments to that no member of Congress could in good conscious vote for. In the weeks and months following these just say no votes, Americans in Public Service began losing jobs and the unemployment rate increased and will continue; Republicans without remorse started calling the unemployed lazy, unmotivated and if all else failed they should ask for charity. We have 2012 candidates running for President that are even less compassionate for those who are unemployed underemployed or in that 99%. Corporations are people too and if you are not rich? Well, that is on you.

The ultimate show of privileged behavior is when Republicans decided to hold the middle class hostage while demanding the bush bonus dollars be made permanent, under the guise of that top 2% being the job creators. The campaign for the midterm elections considered an off year usually gets few voters out to vote though in what definitely is a first of many firsts in the Obama’s Presidency, the midterms were important to all Americans looking back. Yet, folks did the same ole same, some opted out on purpose and even more voted right of center on purpose. That is beyond my understanding but the whole notion of teaching a President a lesson is the one of the worse reasons to vote against your best interest. While most know the outcome of the midterm elections, I think that many people do not understand what truly happened. President Obama said he got shellacked and would try to make a move to be more bipartisan, though senator McConnell said if he wants us to consider compromise he would have to do, say and act like we want him to and on conservative airwaves McConnell said his job was to make Obama a one term President. The midterm elections were bad for everyone and as the months moved along buyer’s remorse set in though it took way too long for me. For the last three years, Americans have been hearing Republicans say that we need to create jobs. Mr. Boehner and his comrades definitely used the jobs, jobs, jobs slogan to win the House of Representatives in 2010. Sadly, these carpetbaggers have been waving one hand in the air while using the other to attack, slash, cut, and burn every effort to get our economy back on track.

Yes, President Obama did promise change and he has kept over half of them, he also stated that he could not make changes alone … we all would have to participate. That comment is a hard reality given the crap that the Republican Tea Party keeps pulling out of somewhere disguised with them saying they are listening to what Americans want. That claim is a proven falsehood, the promises the Republican Tea Party has made repeatedly has or …could put us at risk.

I certainly feel our country is at risk with failed promises, reckless and or provocative rhetoric but contrary to what we hear in the news … it is definitely coming from Teapublican members of Congress and Governors.

I still have the Audacity of hope and change …

Other News …

C-SPAN’s Coverage of Iowa Caucuses Begins at 7pm ET

Rick Perry Ends Campaign Day in Perry, Iowa

Rick Santorum Ends Day Before Caucuses in Altoona, Iowa

Mitt Romney Holds Final Rally on Day Before Caucuses

Ron Paul Tours 5 Cities on Last Day of Iowa Campaign

Newt Gingrich Works for Final Votes in Iowa

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Talks About Military Cuts

DHS Secretary Napolitano Discusses International Partnerships

Mitt Romney Interviewed by Iowa Newspaper

Rick Perry Interviewed by Iowa Newspaper