Tag Archives: Barack Obama

wicked weekend & some News


It has been a tough December what with the wicked wind, rolling thunder, and flashes of lightening. I say that knowing folks are out there taking incredible photos of what it all looks like and will be online soon which most of us enjoy. It is cold here but not anywhere close to the mid-west and or east coast.

Today, we all woke up knowing dadt is now a thing of the past and while I have no friends severing in the military, anymore we all know people with friends, co-workers, and neighbors serving who will sigh with relief once President Obama signs the repeal and it becomes law as soon as possible. We all need to be reminded that dadt is a civil rights issue on all angles and as one wants to move into the 21st Century repealing dadt clearly is not only a great achievement it is another move toward equality for all.

I will admit i was sad but not surprised that the Dream Act failed to pass. The Dream Act failure as the media remarks is only a postponement of what will become a reality some day hopefully. I dare anyone in Congress who voted against Dream Act to say there were no dreamers in their own families who came to the U.S. We are a country built by immigrants (Dreamers) by the way. The unconscionable behavior on the floor of Congress during the Dream Act debate was offensive, embarrassing and quite sad because my family like so many of us would not be here today had people been as discriminatory as those speaking out against the Dream Act on the floor of Congress. I would like to tell Republicans that the current Dreamers though young are future American Dreamers who will be voters.

The bad and or guilty party if the tax deal had not passed would have definitely been on the backs of the Republican Tea Party. It is obvious some in our own democratic party have to be held accountable too as our President encouraged them to get certain legislation done 20 months ago but even our own blew him off with comments of we have plenty of time before the midterm elections. The fact that most if not all members of Congress spent a lot of time posturing at the podium with banter of lets debate this thing, lets go through this bill line by line blah blah was disappointing with the end result being a Congress that will be controlled by the Tea Party and not democrats. The frequent delays has put some of President Obama’s most important campaign promises at risk with only a few days left in 2010 to debate, vote, and pass legislation. Thankfully, the tax deal passed and President Obama signed it. I know a lot of our democratic members of Congress had to hold their noses while voting for the tax deal. This voter thanks all those who decided to think about, support, and give help to folks that needed though it is with great sadness the 99ers left out of the deal will be included in some legislation soon.

It is my opinion that President Obama has proved himself to be one of only a few grown-ups in the negotiation room and while the Republican Tea Party decided to use Americans as pawns over two years ago, their effort to not only get what they want but make the President look bad by holding Americans hostage continues. I know we all see the Republican Tea Party putting one over on Americans who voted them into power during the Midterm elections on a daily basis. The lying, laughing while on the floor of Congress is getting old, tiring and most certainly seems un-American. The tax deal took the President a couple of days, maybe a week, or two to get done with some objections in both political parties. The biggest revelation folks should take from the midterm elections – is if you voted for Republicans, you made a big mistake. The overt and relaxing but negative position certain Republican members of Congress have and it definitely is not with Americans. In addition, the RPT campaigned on listening to Americans, creating JOBS JOBS JOBS, and fixing the economy. They actually succeeded in showing us exactly what is most important to them and it is all about money for the rich. It also shows how cold they are by announcing a lock step decision to vote against the very legislation that could help Americans and participated in with plenty of perks for various Republican Tea Party members only to back away from the agreed upon changes and vote the bills down. The political games began two years ago and yes I keep saying the same thing…they continue. Even with all the nonsense, the Republicans have thrown at him. It is outstanding, incredible that President Obama has achieved more successes than previous President’s have and or in Congress. It is obvious that President Obama’s successes need more recognition by the media and those who have been on the negative bandwagon for the last two years.

Lastly, we only have a few days left before the new Congress gets seated and the current debates going on in the Senate over the last few weeks regarding START, FY2011 and the 9/11 Responders  not only shows a clear disrespect from Republicans but a determination to stay dedicated to what Jon Boehner said 2 years ago. The Republican Tea Party has tried to ruin President Obama and his Presidency hoping to find that one legislation that will become his waterloo. I would like to ask -How is that working out for you so far. I do not know about anyone else but I say stay the course until and unless leaning left is required President Obama because We the People voted you in to fight for the Middle Class and in doing so we expect you to as well as keep those campaign promises. I think the Democratic Party looks better when our President is bipartisan yet achieves wins for the Middle Class and in doing so 2012 looks good for him and the Democratic Party.

The choice is easy, either you vote for helping out your fellow American or you vote no so that the President does not get a victory and gotta say if a political party can vote against  helping the 9/11 responders we have to wonder who these people truly represent.

CSPAN …

Baby Whale Bacon


Greenpeace
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Whale tail, whaling, oceans, whales

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“Baby whales are more tender, so the crew keeps that meat for themselves. They are perfect for unesu (whale bacon).”

This shocking witness testimony came from an ex-whaler at the trial of two Greenpeace Japan activists who were recently prosecuted in Tokyo for exposing corruption within Japan’s supposedly “scientific” whaling program.

Despite the overwhelming evidence brought forward at the trial, the Japanese whaling fleet is now steaming toward the Southern Ocean with plans to kill more baby whales for whale bacon.

Please rush Greenpeace your most generous support as we continue our work to shut down the Japanese whaling industry—once and for all!

The key to ending Japan’s taxpayer-funded whale hunt lies with the Japanese people, 95% of whom never or rarely eat whale meat and 69% of whom do NOT support whaling in the Southern Ocean.

That’s why Greenpeace is rallying public support within Japan to stop the slaughter, in addition to pressuring President Obama to fulfill his campaign promise of “strengthening the international moratorium on commercial whaling.”

Although Greenpeace fought tirelessly to pass the international whaling moratorium in 1986, the Japanese government continues to take advantage of a loophole in ban, which allows for “lethal scientific research.”

However, what the Greenpeace Japan activists exposed during their Tokyo trial is the fact that Japan’s “science” is nothing more than a whale meat embezzlement scandal in disguise.

Now, as we’ve seen reported in news outlets around the world, Japan is buying votes at the International Whaling Commission to have the whaling moratorium overturned so that they no longer have to hide behind the veil of “science.”

Please rush Greenpeace your most generous donation NOW.

We need your help to rally support within Japan and pressure President Obama to use his international influence to strengthen the whaling moratorium. Together, we can ensure that baby whale bacon is no longer on the menu.

For the whales,
John
John Hocevar
Ocean Campaigns Director

PS: Greenpeace cannot save the lives of these whales—or continue our campaigns to defend the oceans, stop global warming, and protect the forests—without your support. Please send your emergency contribution today!!

TGIF … &some News


Today the President will sign the Tax deal bill around 3:50pm ET so left coasters need to be alert. Congress has FY 2011, START, DADT on the calendar and hopefully the Dream Act will also get passed well before they all decide to cut out of DEC for Xmas.

Last night the tax deal passed in the House and the Senate. However, it was obvious that the tax deal was a tough vote for our dems in the House. The final vote was 277 for 148 against. I will admit that it was not the best; even the President said the bill had offensive pieces in the bill but the deal given the midterm vote was the best anyone could have gotten. I believe Congress in both Chambers would still be “negotiating” on the provisions, the amount and so many other things, which would have pushed it into January, so though it may not have been perfect i am happy for what our President pushed through in such a short time.

The big Omnibus bill was treated like a bipartisan effort, clearly as was said on the floor of Congress members on both sides of the aisle worked on it, yet after Sen. McCain got on the floor of Congress thanked the Tea Party for the intervention, laughed, and stated who won that on national tv. It is obvious our dems in Congress have yet to figure out the Republican Tea Party has no intention of being bipartisan even their own RNC chair Mr. Steele said that bipartisanship is overrated. The idea that the RTP truly are willing to be bipartisan let alone honest with good faith intentions has prove to be a joke. This latest move of got’cha was not only embarrassing it was sad to see Leader Reid face all dejected. It was good to see so many Senators come to the floor to make sure the public knew that this Omnibus bill was in fact indeed a bill that was bipartisan though the RTP clearly was portraying it yet another scam or something they felt pushed into by the Dems having had little to do with it. The notion that so much pork listed in the Omnibus bill is the fault of the Dems in the Senate definitely was quite absurd and embarrassing. It is however, proof that the RTP cannot be trusted as one of them stated there was a letter brought to them, they all decided to sign it, and the bill died. It was odd to see the fringe and or Tea Party aspect of the Republicans have so much power even off the floor of Congress though Sen. McCain made sure the public heard who intervened in this previously agreed to bill. I used to say i hope this or that move opens the eyes of Republican constituents but a lot were hoping the bill would be defeated and News stations are reporting that Tea Party members definitely making their voices heard thus defeating the Omnibus bill -last minute. I guess some folks are afraid of them because they certainly betrayed their agreement to Leader Reid and Senate Democrats.

Yesterday I was going to order Omaha Steaks but after hearing the correction by the CEO, I will never order from Omaha Steaks until they agree to stop using Fox as their advertising source. In fact, i ask for a boycott based on the correction and response by the CEO. I encourage everyone to take the time to leave a message on their website too… steakbytes.com

I just wanted to say how disappointed i was to hear the outcome. I was the one who called in to say that i just could not order @OmahaSteaks given the fact that your company had bought ad spots on his show with all the racial vitriol he throws out at the public. As far as free speech when it tells minorities they are not acceptable, dangerous and the enemy that reaches far beyond racial slurs discrimination and certainly freedom of speech. I take it that what you are saying is that Glenn Beck has the right to be a racist on National Television. I specifically said that Glenn Beck’s racial rants were my problem to one of your representatives from your company. I received a call back from an Omaha Steaks Representative stating they would be taking down the advertisement or that it would end around 12/20 and in doing so made me want to order but then i pulled back and said maybe i will wait until the ads disappear. I now feel after reading the correction from CEO Bruce Simon it is obvious his staff only gave partially accurate information. I say she intentionally kept information back. I appreciate the prompt correction but have now decided to take my business elsewhere to a company who believes in equality not the vitriol that comes from not just Glenn Beck but from the Fox News station.

Other News …

CSPAN

Thursday Leader Sen.Harry Reid remarks on earmark spending

After attending a meeting of the Senate Democratic Caucus, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) made remarks about earmark spending and responded to reporters’ questions.

Speaker Pelosi remarks on DADT Wednesday

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) spoke to reporters about the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy on gays in the military. She was joined by co-sponsors of the bill, Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD).

Senate Democrats Press Conference on START treaty

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) talked about the nuclear arms treaty with Russia. 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. Senator Kerry was joined by Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI) and Intelligence Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

Senate Republicans Press Conference on START treaty

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

toxic Tuesday & some News


The rain combined with the wind has put the hammer down on the 206 – The thunder was rolling the lightening close and noisy so anyone out there having difficulty today and it is still Fall …you are not alone.

I am feeling less and less confident that legislation we need done before the New Congress gets into place after hearing comments from various Democratic members of the House on various cables and or radios. The House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says that they will do their best to get a vote and pass the Tax Deal but if I heard him correctly, he stated with some Amendments added this thing would pass. I have to say if any changes made to the tax agreement that would be great but the deal was a take it or leave it situation. Therefore, any comment by Hoyer just proves folks do not listen to each other or refuse to see that time is of the essence and there just is not a lot of it left. I feel given the fact that bills that pass in the Senate need to be sent to the House to be passed and vice versa so adding amendments will not only increase the time it will take for it to pass. I am worried that the process by which the House is willing to put the TAX Cut deal through sounds and makes it almost impossible to pass before January.

In other News that is upsetting and so, obviously unfair and unbalanced is that not only did A.G. Cuccinelli file a suit against HCR, who has said some awful things about President Obama on numerous occasions should make anyone uncomfortable and see how the outcome any decision might side with the Republican Tea Party. The fact that Judge Henry E Hudson who is a Bushy was the one who received this suit first of all and was not able to see the conflict on interest so obviously right in his face. Anyway, below you will find part of an AP story by Larry O’Dell, for the full story go to the AP site -“Judge Strikes down federal health care law”. It is obvious this guy should recuse himself from the case but hey, that is just me…

Hudson sided with Virginia Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli, who argued the mandate overstepped the bounds of the Constitution.

“The ruling is extremely positive for anyone who believes in the system of Federalism created by our founding fathers,” Cuccinelli said. “It underscores that the Constitution’s limitations on federal power really do mean something.”

Cuccinelli, a Republican, filed the lawsuit to defend a new state law passed in reaction to the federal overhaul that prohibits the government from forcing state residents to buy health insurance.

He argued that while the government can regulate economic activity that substantially affects interstate commerce, the decision not to buy insurance amounts to economic inactivity that is beyond the government’s reach.

“This lawsuit is not about health insurance, not about health care, it’s about liberty,” he said.

Hudson, a Republican appointed by President George W. Bush, sounded sympathetic to the state’s case when he heard oral arguments in October, and the White House expected to lose this round.

Administration officials told reporters last week that a negative ruling would have virtually no impact on the law’s implementation, noting that its two major provisions — the coverage mandate and the creation of new insurance markets — don’t take effect until 2014.

Dear Cuccinelli and Judge Hudson:

definition of CONFLICT of INTEREST … The Free Dictionary -by farlex

A term used to describe the situation in which a public official or fiduciary who, contrary to the obligation and absolute duty to act for the benefit of the public or a designated individual, exploits the relationship for personal benefit, typically pecuniary.

In certain relationships, individuals or the general public place their trust and confidence in someone to act in their best interests. When an individual has the responsibility to represent another person—whether as administrator, attorney, executor, government official, or trustee—a clash between professional obligations and personal interests arises if the individual tries to perform that duty while at the same time trying to achieve personal gain. The appearance of a conflict of interest is present if there is a potential for the personal interests of an individual to clash with fiduciary duties, such as when a client has his or her attorney commence an action against a company in which the attorney is the majority stockholder.

Incompatibility of professional duties and personal interests has led Congress and many state legislatures to enact statutes defining conduct that constitutes a conflict of interest and specifying the sanctions for violations. A member of a profession who has been involved in a conflict of interest might be subject to disciplinary proceedings before the body that granted permission to practice that profession.

and if that wasn’t enough…

conflict of interest n. a situation in which a person has a duty to more than one person or organization, but cannot do justice to the actual or potentially adverse interests of both parties. This includes when an individual’s personal interests or concerns are inconsistent with the best for a customer, or when a public official’s personal interests are contrary to his/her loyalty to public business. An attorney, an accountant, a business adviser or realtor cannot represent two parties in a dispute and must avoid even the appearance of conflict. He/she may not join with a client in business without making full disclosure of his/her potential conflicts, he/she must avoid commingling funds with the client, and never, never take a position adverse to the customer.

Copyright © 1981-2005 by Gerald N. Hill and Kathleen T. Hill. All Right reserved.
Other News …

**M.Steele has decided to run again for the RNC chairman
**Army Lt. Col. Terrance L. Lakin, a Birther faces court martial for refusing deployment
** Black segregation in US drops to lowest in Century
**Holbrooke  is remembered as a giant in US diplomacy
**
CSPAN …
Justice Kagan: Justice Kagan: “The learning curve is extremely steep”
Monday
White House Briefing with Press Secretary Robert Gibbs White House Briefing with Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
Monday
AEI Discussion on Financial Regulatory Reform AEI Discussion on Financial Regulatory Reform
Monday
Lawrence Summers Remarks on the Great Recession Lawrence Summers Remarks on the Great Recession
Monday
Factcheck.org Discussion on Campaign Spending Factcheck.org Discussion on Campaign Spending
Monday
Pres. Obama Signs Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 Pres. Obama Signs Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
Monday

GOP Congress to be Batsh*t Insane | Bush-Appointed Judge Fights Health Care Reform | “Easier” to Prosecute Assange Than NY Times


By Sarah Seltzer | AlterNet
By Sarah Seltzer | AlterNet