Last night President Obama spoke powerfully about what happened in Arizona.
We were struck by the incredibly strong reaction our friends and family had to the speech, so we’re passing it along in case you missed it:
Thanks for all you do.
–Justin, Kat, Nita, Steven, and the rest of the team
The U.S. Senate is broken, and its rampant dysfunction is slowly hollowing out the other two branches of government. Conservative senators have waged an unprecedented campaign of obstruction against President Obama’s judicial nominees, leaving nearly one in nine federal judgeships vacant . Senators routinely hold uncontroversial nominees hostage to extract petty concessions — Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) once placed a blanket hold on more than 70 White House nominees in order to extort tens of billions of dollars in pork for his home state. In perhaps the most absurd example of Senate obstructionism, Shelby also single-handedly blocked a nominee to the Federal Reserve Board whom he deemed too unqualified to set economic policy, only to have that nominee win the Nobel Prize in Economics a few months later. Because it is now so easy to stall a nominee, potentially keeping an entire federal agency leaderless for years, powerful industry groups have spawned an entire industry devoted to keeping the government from functioning — and no one has mastered this game better than the National Rifle Association.
ENSURING A PERMANENT VACANCY: In 2006, the NRA successfully lobbied Congress to require the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to be confirmed by the Senate. Since then, the ATF has never had a Senate-confirmed head. President Bush nominated U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan to head the ATF, but even a Republican president’s choice proved unacceptable to pro-gun lobbyists. The NRA accused Sullivan of “overly zealous enforcement activities” because, while Sullivan served as Acting Director of ATF, the agency revoked several gun dealers licenses to sell firearms. Sens. David Vitter (R-LA), Larry Craig (R-ID) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) soon took up the NRA’s cause, placing a hold on Sullivan’s nomination until he agreed to comply with the NRA’s demands. President Obama did not nominate an ATF Director until Nov. 2010, in no small part because the administration “had a tough time even finding a candidate interested in the ATF job because of likely gun-lobby resistance.” When Obama finally did nominate Andrew Traver, a 23-year veteran of the ATF and the head of its Chicago office, the NRA officially announced its opposition the very same day. Many of the NRA’s objections to Traver call into question whether anyone actually interested in enforcing the nation’s gun laws could breach the NRA’s wall of obstruction. The gun lobby complains that Traver once was interviewed in a local news segment about a 14 year-old girl who was killed by an AK-47, and it objects to Traver’s belief that civilians should not be able to purchase guns that fire 5 inch long .50 caliber rounds that are capable of punching a fist-sized hole in 2.5 inches of bulletproof glass.
THE PRICE OF OBSTRUCTION: When entire agencies sit without confirmed leadership for years at a time it has very severe consequences for the government’s ability to provide the most basic services. The gun lobby may object to the ATF’s decision to control the most dangerous weapons or require gun dealers to follow the law, but when the NRA gums up this agency’s leadership it also hurts its ability to keep guns out of the hands of Mexican drug cartels or prevent arson and bombings. Agencies without a confirmed head also lack clout within an administration and thus have less ability to assert their need for additional budget appropriations. Accordingly, difficult budgeting decisions wind up being decided based on which agencies’ leaders are able to wield their influence with the Office of Management and Budget rather than on the nation’s actual needs. And leaderless agencies are understandably reluctant to pursue new regulations or other long-term initiatives for fear that they will not be embraced if a permanent leader is ever confirmed. Nor are the costs of Senate obstruction limited to the federal agencies. Because of the Senate’s inability to confirm judicial nominations, a federal court in Illinois currently has only one active judge doing the job of four, and the average civil litigant nationwide must wait nearly two years for a jury trial. And if the Senate isn’t fixed, the judiciary will soon become completely incapable of functioning. Nearly half of the 876 federal judgeships will be vacant by the end of the decade if the current confirmation rate does not speed up, according to the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Policy.
HOLDS FOR SALE : The gun lobby may be the most effective special interest group at ensuring that the agency that oversees its members is completely unable to function, but it is far from alone in exploiting the broken Senate. Indeed, as ThinkProgress’ Lee Fang recently reported, corporate lobbyists have created an entire holds-for-sale industry which connects powerful interest groups with senators willing to place a hold on Senate business which could hurt the interest group’s bottom line. One lobbying firm, Endgame Strategies LLC, openly advertises to potential clients that it can help its clients find just the right “backbench Senate Republicans” to “exercise their prerogatives to delay or obstruct.” And this firm is hardly a lone wolf. The American League of Lobbyists recently pitched a seminar to DC lobbyists with a provocative question and answer: “Can you turn Congressional rules and procedures into a tactical advantage for achieving your policy goals? Absolutely!” In other words, while the United States slowly loses its ability to function due to its broken Senate, corporate lobbyists are wildly profiting off that very dysfunction.
trying to pub since early morn…ugh
The President is in Arizona to talk about the awful tragedy that happened on Saturday and call for a moment of National Unity and Healing.
It is a day to remember the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. It is a time to ask how far they have come and acknowledge how much more work, and funding Haiti needs. The State of Arizona experienced an awful tragedy none of us will truly understand, a number of people gunned down six killed and Congresswoman Giffords shot in the head, she and several survivors are on the mend. The reports are that Gaby Giffords is doing well.
It has been five days since the awful incident in Arizona and while some on both sides of the political aisle are agreeing that, the language used may not be appropriate. There are those long considered leaders in politics, TV, pundits, hosts have chosen to either ignore the obvious opportunity to tamp down the ugly rhetoric or come on national TV to act as if they were the victims. This is unacceptable to me. I am not sure if people will finally come together to tell those on the right by so-called Public Servants throw out violent rhetoric and language; like blood libel, 2nd amendment remedies, do not retreat reload and last… i want everyone in Minnesota armed and dangerous. It is with great sadness to mention one of several Sharon Angle interviews this one with the RGJ in May, Angle said, “We’re called as Americans to be vigilant to protect our liberty. At some point in each of our lives, we’re called to service to defend and protect our Constitution “What is a little bit disconcerting and concerning is the inability for sporting goods stores to keep ammunition in stock. That tells me the nation is arming. What are they arming for if it isn’t that they are so distrustful of their government? They’re afraid they’ll have to fight for their liberty in more Second Amendment kinds of ways? “That’s why I look at this as almost an imperative. If we don’t win at the ballot box, what will be the next step?”
The pledge to America in my opinion seems like a doctrine of what the right(the Republican Tea Party) thinks and says they are all about but in my opinion are definitely without: compassion, any sense of service; community or for helping your fellow American, which, is why Obama was voted in.
The fact is… 53% wanted a huge change in the way thing get done not only in Washington DC but also on a global level, conservatives and their comrades the Republican Tea Party are fighting it. It is a moment when those of us that voted for President Obama need to help make this change a reality in 2012 by getting more true democrats on the floor of Congress. It was with great sadness that this was not accomplished during the 2010 midterms but those easily hoodwinked, fooled or who just did not care voted right of center. In my opinion, any or all things that have been accomplished and will help create positive improvement are at risk because the RTP has a need to not only privatize but ruin the Presidency; which if we all pay attention is a calling to take back their country – I ask what does that mean to you? For me it means there is a group of people afraid of the unknown, willing to use race or those of us that are other because we are brown, black or under the protected classes. I have to say some call it socialism some like me just want the country to stop being self-destructive, be civil, maybe help people by giving them an opportunity to prosper and flourish. I maybe naïve, but doing better than the next generation use to be a dream your parents had for you and you would pass on but if we listen to the right talk at some point these folks were trained taught to think completely differently than the rest of us. Though scary even folks on the right say this is not your fathers Republican Party and the radical right use to be visible but not so many got into public service positions let alone get on the floor of Congress. This has been an outrage for me since before 2008 but in light of the latest incident we have to hold some radio and tv pundits, politicians, tv hosts and bloggers accountable for their lack of self-control.
Other News …
**Haiti and the World remember that 2010 terrible earthquake
**Snow storms in 49 States
**Brazil is hit with rain and mud kills 99
**Riots reach Tunisia’s capital, so they now have a curfew
**Tracking bands hurt Penguin -seabirds
**Our 2010 ended strongly
**Lebanon govt falls Hezbollah pulls out
**Quinn wont say if he will sign off on death penalty bill
**
CSPAN…
The National Alliance to End Homelessness released its State of Homelessness in America report that found the nation’s homeless population increased by approximately 3 percent from 2008 to 2009 and cited the recession as contributing factor to the increase. The report also showed California, Florida, and Nevada have the highest rates of homelessness. Speakers included the group’s president Nan Roman and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), who is a senior Democrat on the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. The event took place at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.
Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner spoke at John Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Study in Washington, DC. His remarks focused on the U.S. and China’s economic future and what to expect from Chinese President Hu Jintao’s upocming state visit.
On the third day of voting in the South Sudan independence referendum, one of the lead U.S. negotiators for Sudan and the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs spoke with reporters at the State Department to provide an update on the vote.
The Brookings Institution hosted a discussion on the earthquake in Haiti. Activists who recently traveled there gave an assessment of the current situation, and also their insights on the remaining problems that are hindering reconstruction efforts. Topics of discussion include humanitarian aid concerns, rubble removal efforts, disease response as well as sexual violence and sanitation concerns in Haitian camps. Among the speakers was actor and humanitarian Sean Penn who currently heads a group devoted to providing relief to Haiti.
The New Republican members Congress, dang not even the old Republicans have talked about jobs, jobs, jobs seriously since the midterm elections placed them in the Majority in the House of Republicans.
So, is anyone else wondering when we all will be outraged enough to march on the Republican Tea Party because I sure am. The idea that there will be investigations of every nook and cranny especially if Obama had a hand in it sounds very expensive and though no cost estimates have been given spending money on trying to prove something or someone is guilty instead using that money to create jobs is outrageous. There will be new rules coming from the Republican Tea Party to be listed and rumors that they will vote against raising the Debt Ceiling and we may default on and could cause all kinds of issues
I am outraged that these people want to repeal and or privatize health care let alone what Republicans call Obamacare, which stands to save elder people, those with children under the age of 26 can stay on their parents health care while in College and if you have a pre-existing condition and you are a woman …we are considered a pre-existing condition. Though we all know the Senate will not repeal the new health care law the fact is repealing it would leave a lot of women with diseases at risk. I hope everyone is listening to what the Republican Tea Party is saying but unlikely to carry out … Lindsey Graham stated that if President Obama comes our way we will compromise? why would people vote for these people. John Boehner said, “That he is going to do whatever it takes to see that as he calls it Obamacare never gets implemented. I want everyone to watch listen and be aware that Mitt Romney created and implemented Universal Health Care in his own state of Massachusetts while telling Americans that we do not deserve it with a vote of no on the floor of Congress and while he has not said much watch to see if he has the courage to say repeal Obamacare when it is actually based on what his constituents have. While Republican Tea Party members of Congress try to repeal our new health care law Paul Ryan wants to Privatize Social Security, Medicare and Darryl Issa along with Michele Bachmann will start investigating everything in sight especially if it is related to Obama because like the old Congress …the Republicans of 111th had a goal – to ruin his Presidency and the new 112th Republican Congress will try but as Margaret Mead said …
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
It is time for the Democratic Party to Unite if not to protect everything that was accomplished over the last two years …to protect Americans from the hands of a Political Party, Republican Tea members that have a family values platform that will force their ideologies on the rest of us telling us what we can do or not. I want to know if anyone else thinks that is big Government at play.
Other News …
**President Obama signs the 9/11 healthcare bill
**Chris Christie still defending his vacation plans
**Flooding in Austrlia
**Cuomo plans to freeze state worker pay for a yr
**Debt limit fight is a sure thing
**Republican Tea Party promise to cut and investigate
**Seahawks win playoff bid
**Zsa zsa has to have a leg amputation
**Issa reveals his hit list -wikileaks, Afghanistan, fannie mae/freddie mac, FDA, President Obama, Financial crisis inquiry commission, the New Black Panther group?,
**Packers stay in the game and gain playoff berth
**Kent company recalls sprouts
**Tribal police,FBI and investigate shooting on Swinomish Reservation
CSPAN …
Featured picture is … Baby New Year 1905 chases old 1904 into the history books in this cartoon by John T. McCutcheon.
It is the end of 2010 and while it is snowing a bit all over the country, it is very cold. So, the voice of reason says everyone who is going to engage this New Year with something spiked to drink should stay put get cozy, watch movies, tv listen to some music; if the weather impacts you bundle up and or go to a bed/breakfast or hotel etc. and relax.
Hypocrisy and misinformation are two things of interest that should be beat back by those of us center and or left of center.
The only reliable product of an organized religion (replace w/Republican Tea Party) is a flock of hypocrites who feel that only *their* hypocrisy is divinely sanctioned. – Siddownshaddap
One of the biggest issues i hope the Democratic Party will jump on in 2011 is the overt Hypocrisy the Republican Tea Party has engaged in since electing President Obama into office.
My Urban Dictionary says a Hypocrite is…
(1) A person who engages in the same behaviors he condemns others for.
(2) A person who professes certain ideals, but fails to live up to them.
(3) A person who holds other people to higher standards than he holds himself.
The idea that what our President has engaged in anything that even resembles hypocrisy over the last two years compared to anything that most if not all Republicans and their comrades engage in without remorse is beyond me. I offer up as just one of hundreds of “pieces” of evidence Senator John McCain as one of the most well-known Hypocrisy Actor. I think most people at least respected McCain, the man who called himself a maverick but Senator McCain, having done a full 360 turn around on just about every piece of legislation that he was for while running for President. Senator McCain, the so-called maverick is now known to be a man of questionable choices by so many. In addition there are other Hypocrisy Actors like Mitt Romney who gets Government Health Care himself voted for TARP not only created but implemented Universal Health Care in his own State, voted NO on the floor of Congress that denied the rest of Americans from getting UHC or true government health-care like he gets paid for by you and me. The list of Hypocrisy Actors though long includes Republican Fox TV host Huckabee who not only spoke out against but ran on the pro-life campaign also had serious investments in embryonic stem cell research.
I have been a firm supporter of President Obama even when it looked as if legislation would sour or are voted down. It is slightly upsetting that given past histories of ”The People” or voters giving Presidents many chances some have gotten two terms and well you know where that got us. The next obvious thing one has to wonder and question is why so many would give previous Presidents so many opportunities even after a few years of seemingly falsehoods. Yet, turn on a new President so quickly, why would so many on the side of the issues have tantrums on such a regular basis and why make threats to take back your votes in what has been the worst economy since the depression? Those things on their own would be reason enough to give a new President time to find the correction let alone implement it. It is not lost on me why this President enlisted the like so of a larry summers, tim geithner and others … it is quite simple really -they know who what why where how when things got ugly, so far the fix is in though slow. In the hypocrisy or change of mind angle, it is obvious that for me every issue the President has talked about and or used during the pre-President election days are ones in which some information given underwent a change, which in turn changed Obama’s mind, his heart and warranted a change of direction. This for me is a change i welcome … for someone to have thought, selfless action, personal judgment and view for the many opposed to or for a select few right of center or even center think a change of mind is hypocrisy? Pish paw the very definition of hypocrisy since 2008 has the picture of Senator John McCain right by it –
This President has said right from the beginning that he had an open mind to solutions given by others from the Republican Party. However, they have spent two years obstructing, saying no, scaling down possible solutions, and hearing that Corporate America sent 1.4 Million jobs offshore in a time when it should be Country first – your own country. It makes me wonder just what will it take to see that those so-called people who hired folks or create jobs are doing so but outsourcing them to China and or Mexico etc. in the name of cost efficiency.
just sayin
Republican Hypocrite of the Week …by DCCC
There are so many outrageous Republican hypocrites that it’s hard to chose just one but this week – we think Rep-elect Joe Walsh of Illinois deserves a nomination!
New reports this weekend reveal that Representative-elect Joe Walsh (IL-08) believes government has done TOO MUCH for the middle class, YET he’s hired a financial services lobbyist to be his Chief of Staff and is welcoming contributions from Wall Street titan JP Morgan. Walsh ran as an anti-government outsider but is now embracing Wall Street’s agenda and argues that government takes “care of too many in the middle class.”
Voters are getting a crash course in how out-of-touch Representative-elect Joe Walsh really is after he hired a Wall Street lobbyist to run his office and said there are too many government programs, like Social Security and the Department of Education, that benefit the middle class. When Representative-elect Walsh says that government has done too much for the middle class it must warm the heart of his Wall Street staff and special interest donors – but it leaves Illinois families out in the cold. Hiring a Wall Street lobbyist as Chief of Staff is the best evidence yet that Walsh’s agenda will be driven by Wall Street’s needs, not the needs of the middle class.
below: hypocrisy over the stimulus bill
Other News …
Elizabeth Warren: Foreclosure Scams Show Need for New Consumer Agency
CSPAN …
Release of the 2011 Congressional calendar for the U.S. House of Representatives
The U.S. Senate has voted 67 to 28 to advance the nuclear arms treaty with Russia known as START. That’s the exact number needed for ratification. After this vote, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) said he has an informal agreement with Republican Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) on amendments to the treaty. He’s joined by Foreign Relations Ranking Member Dick Lugar (R-IN), who has worked on nuclear non-proliferation for a number of years.
Senate Republicans remarks on START treaty
December 21, 2010
The Senate’s number three Republican Lamar Alexander (R-TN) has said he will vote to ratify the nuclear arms treaty with Russia known as START. Treaty opponents, Senators Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and others spoke with reporters at the Capitol about their concerns.
Senate Republicans Press Conference on START treaty
December 15, 2010
Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) along with several of his Republican colleagues spoke to reporters about the nuclear arms treaty with Russia known as START. Senate Democrats want to pass the START treaty as it’s known before the end of the year. Sixty-seven votes are required for ratification.
House Speaker Pelosi signs Post 9/11Veterans Education Assistance
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was joined by other Democratic members and veterans activists in the Capitol for a ceremony that will send a 9/11 veterans bill to President Obama. The measure builds on the the so-called new G-I bill, extending education assistance to soldiers returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Be a Seed for Change 
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