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National Security… from ThinkProgress.org


UNDER THE RADAR

NATIONAL SECURITY — JUDGE ADMITS CONFESSION EXTRACTED BY THREATENING A DETAINEE WITH GANG RAPE: In the first full war crimes tribunal of the Obama administration, a military judge held that a detainee, who confessed to killing an American soldier after he was threatened with being gang-raped to death if he did not cooperate, may nonetheless have that confession used against him at trial. Omar Khadr faced interrogation by U.S. Army Sgt. Joshua Claus, who testified in May hearings that he threatened Khadr with being gang-raped. Sgt. Claus has since been convicted of abusing a different detainee and has left the military, but nevertheless, military judge Col. Patrick Parrish allowed the confession to be used during Khadr’s tribunal. Khadr’s trial is controversial to begin with — he was only 15 years old at the time of his capture and confession, earning his tribunal a strong condemnation from the United Nations. In the words of the U.N., “Juvenile justice standards are clear. Children should not be tried before military tribunals.” Other proceedings are also underway at Guantanamo — yesterday, a military jury handed an al-Qaeda cook a 14-year sentence. There is reportedly a plea deal that will send the man home much earlier, but the details have not been officially disclosed. Human Rights Watch observer Andrew Prasow slammed those proceedings, saying, “The fact that the actual plea agreement is secret calls into question how open and transparent these proceedings really are.” The Pentagon has been offering journalists tours of the base several times per month to clear up “common misrepresentations” and promote transparency, but in a story today titled, “Tours of Guantanamo Offers a Look, but Little Else,” the paper reported the information journalists receive is mostly useless.

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thoughtful Thursday &some News …


Today, In another effort to help All Americans The Senate Democrats will offer a unanimous consent resolution on border security legislation at 10 a.m. In addition, the Senate plans to adopt a resolution honoring the memory of former Senator Ted Stevens.

President Obama will be heading to Panama City, FL to assess the BP oil disaster,  what is going on with the people,  the various businesses affected and evaluate the progress of any an all  clean-up happening or that needs to happen in order for everyone and everything to become whole in the present and future.

Though November is not a Presidential election year folks on both sides of the aisle have been talking about who may or may not be the best choice to go up against President Obama. If you tuned into msnbc and listened to the stupid noise of Jenk you would be quite disappointed, he was so bold to say he supported Hillary and moved on from there. There quite a few folks on twitter were not happy and hopefully his guest appearances will be less and less maybe reduced to YouTube again. Hey, that is where he belongs. In other rants of mine includes the right promoting presidential candidates that have now decided to come to national TV and state the 14th Amendment needs to be looked at and because of what it represents i personally became very concerned and so should most people of under-represented groups. The notion that SB1070 was suppose to enhance the federal laws has been challenged and is in the appeal process which also brought out the anchor baby clause… how awful does that sound? It is a terrible comment that was coined by someone on the right i guess but buried in SB1070 and now has become a topic, a tool to scare people into voting for Republicans. I say it goes against what Americans stand for and those who choose to represent this ugly side of America should not be holding any type of Political office.

Now, sadly AG McCollum and Senator Snyder of Florida, which has a rich history of immigrants are trying to continue the effort to round-up illegals with a Papers Please legislation. I have to suggest reading the article by the CNN Wire Staff …the proposal is def offensive and compares the undocumented to gangs and is using a gang statue these men worked on and passed in 2008. Cheryl Little stated, “This bill would hurt our economy, public safety and individual rights, adding chaos instead of working on realistic solutions for our broken immigration system.”

To continue my rant; how could anyone promote and vote for a person to be the President of the free world who clearly  feels they could only represent a select few, a specific people. My only conclusion is that it could be and would be truly an un-American thing to do… We the People should always be aware of that when voting for the President of the USA, because they represent all Americans not a few, some or a select group.

A person who believes and practices exclusion, discrimination, sexism, racism should never be allowed or considered the leader of the free world unless of course they want to be dictators and maybe that is what Republicans want who knows because they keep saying wow wait until 2weeks and we will tell you what we stand for? that is joke, offensive and helps no one ..will Republican constituents  Please open up their eyes!!!!

The only thing i see, hear, or understand about people in this so-called tea party movement is anger, fear mongering, and hate. I have not heard anyone from the movement be specific about what big government means to them and when they try to explain it the only information they  have, has been personal issues that have impacted their entire lives by our crashing economy, which, if anyone has common sense? The crash affected all of us not just the Democratic Party.

I watched the marches with nasty words about the President, signs with nasty pictures of the President, as well as people dressed in costumes that represented a time when both women and minorities were not treated well, i saw mostly white faces angry about the country being taken over by a Black man who quite possibly could be a socialist. These ideas were implied, promoted, and provoked by Sarah Palin several times during the 2008 campaign for President. The right and or extreme right is definitely upset they are not in charge, they also feel a personal threat over the fact that our population in the United States is growing in numbers for minorities. The notion that Republicans want to bring in more people into their base definitely is not an invitation to minorities. Even with Michael steele as RNC chair it is obvious his party, who gives purity tests is a party of exclusion, only accepts a select few and if you pay attention to the words of Republicans do not believe in compassion for others. We could really use a little social-ism right about now.

I still do not understand what Republicans stand for. How can a group of people promote exclusion when it is obvious they prefer the elite, have said no to both the middle and lower class, which are also of varying racial backgrounds. They want the government out of their lives but feel they have a right to tell women what they can do with their bodies, have said no to Teachers, First Responders, Native Americans and Black Farmers yet they think the Bush Tax cuts should not be allowed to expire. The question for them is who and how will these Tax Cuts be paid for and if you watched David Gregory last week not one Republican was able to respond directly to his question. The cost of the Bush Tax Cuts is over 700billion dollars and if you ask me, they would be glad to have tax payers keep them in the elite category. Hey, no one is perfect but the C’street group should not have members that are serving in Public Office, if for nothing else than for the Separation of Church and State, which, obviously they are not adhering to. Just ask the people of Uganda, maybe in other countries as well. I would call for an investigation into just what are Public Servants doing in Uganda promoting religious exclusion and or something even more sinister.

Most conservative and or tea party members want to get rid of Medicare, Medicare, Social Security, which are all entitlements; my question is how would most of their parents or grandparents live if not for these programs? I just do not understand. Now, the voices of or from tea party members are said to be from a wide range of people. I have to be honest, the tent of democrats is a lot larger, and when people say there are extremes on the left as well? I wonder what kind of extreme are they talking about. Socialism? The fact is … for me the last ten or so years of the bush White House has been life on the sidelines, working and not getting wage increases, that was during the Bush years, even then corporations were flexing their muscles, no increases but you can keep your health care…if you don’t have this that or the other. I do not think tea party folks truly understand what they want, if it’s what Republicans stand for then, at least for me, we are in great trouble.

The Bush administrations gave 2tax cuts to the wealthy and did not pay for it, he committed to two wars, and these were not paid for. The spending the last guy did absolutely drained the government surplus, which was left to him by a democratic President. Bush had 2terms and i still cannot think of anything positive this man did while in office for eight years for All Americans. I am not in the top 2% so i definitely did not enjoy the wealth. The wars did not make sense to me, 9/11 still makes no sense to me.

We have a President who has changed the way the world sees us, he has extended a hand of peace, a willingness to talk. Not-    my way or no way as our previous one did; this is a good thing but that would be eliminated if Republicans and or their fringy element called tea baggers get into office. The Democratic Party needs to unite against the crap that the right is offering up and it is clear to me that it is not anything that will help ALL Americans …that is un-American.

Other News …
**The BP oil disaster drilling resumes after 96hrs of storms
**Jurors deadlock on some counts in the blogojevich trial
**A vote in San Fran will determine if folks can marry while prop8 is in the appeal process
**Obama signs bill to help US manufacturing
**Florida Senator AG proposes immigration legislation
**GM posts a 1.33Million dollar profits

Senior voters

Senior voters

Several senior citizens from Auburn and Enumclaw explain what issues will influence their votes in the upcoming elections.

watch State Dept. Briefing

watch Pres. Obama Bill Signing Manufacturing Enhancement ACT

watch White House Briefing

Senate Convenes to Pass Border Security Bill, Honor the Late Ted Stevens

The Senate will convene this morning for a short session to consider two items. Picking up after the House passage of the border security bill (H.R. 6080) on Monday, the Senate is set to approve the legislation by unanimous consent. The chamber will also take up a resolution in memory of former Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK), who died Monday in an plane crash in southwest Alaska.

Washington Journal looks at Wind Technology as an energy resource

The Washington Journal continues its week-long series focusing on energy issues. Virginia Tech’s George Hagerman, who conducts research on wind energy, will join us to talk about the industry. The Energy Department has earmarked $5 million this year for wind research and development with a $45 million increase in 2011.

Friday the series will conclude with a conversation about solar power.

Earlier this week, the Washington Journal looked at various ways to construct energy saving homes and buildings, explored how public policy regarding electric vehicles affects the industry and the distribution of natural gas and the impact of public policy decisions on the utility industry.

Educational Summit Aims To Stop Bullying Nationwide

As a new school year begins, the Department of Education is hosting its first ever summit on preventing bullying. Today’s discussions will focus on policy efforts at the local level to prevent bullying.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan stressed the importance of the topic, saying that children can’t learn in an environment in which they feel threatened. “Every child is entitled to feel safe in the classroom or in the hallways of school and on the playground. Children go to school to learn, educational opportunities must be the great equalizer in our country,” he said.

Duncan went on to announce that his department is launching a pilot program granting federal funds for intervention proposals at schools with the greatest bullying problems.

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Washington State …mail in your Ballot and VOTE for Patty Murray!


Organizing for America

The primary election here in Washington ends on Tuesday, August 17th — but in most parts of the state every day is Election Day because mail-in ballots have already been sent.

When you cast your ballot, be sure to vote for Patty Murray. She has been a strong ally of the President, fighting for health insurance reform, Wall Street reform, and more. She’s fought for Washingtonians, now we need to make sure she can continue to represent us in the Senate.

If you are submitting your vote by mail, you have until Election Day to send in your ballot. In order to be counted, your ballot must be postmarked by Tuesday, August 17th.

In Pierce County, you can either request an absentee ballot, or vote at your polling place between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 17th.

Check here for more information about mail-in ballots and polling locations.

Washingtonians will cast their votes for candidates who will represent them in state and local government and in the halls of Congress — so it’s crucial that as many voters as possible make their voices heard.

Vote by mail is available to all voters, so be sure that you return your mail-in ballot. You can find more information about early voting and find polling locations and times here:

http://wa.barackobama.com/WashingtonVotes

Thanks,

Dustin

Dustin Lambro
Washington State Director
Organizing for America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

3,300 teachers in Washington


Organizing for America

I want to thank the OFA supporters who stood with House Democrats as they raced back to Washington this week to cast a vote on a state assistance bill. I’m proud to say they passed the bill yesterday and the President immediately signed it into law.

And, because of it, hundreds of thousands of jobs will be saved — including an estimated 3,300 public school teachers across Washington.

Republicans called this bill a “bailout” and a “handout.” They called the police officers, firefighters, and teachers whose jobs were on the line “special interests.” And nearly every House Republican voted no.

But Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats did the right thing, reminding us again of what we’re fighting for in the upcoming elections. When voters cast their ballots in November, it’s up to us to make sure they remember who’s fighting for them.

Thanks for all you do,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

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Congress in Session -The House of Representative is


CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF AUGUST 10, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

The procedural vote on HR1586 in the House of Representatives is taking place right now ..a Vote to help Teachers, Govt workers, Firefighters and 1st Responders..it extends the stimulus money to help states pay Medicaid and is a 26Billion dollar Bill. I have to say how distasteful it is to know that even 4 in the Democratic Party felt bold enough to vote against HR1586 the vote moves it forward and a vote to debate is now on the floor as well as a possibility that they may have to come back another day…following that if HR1586 passes the bill goes to President Obama asap.

HR1586 passes 247-161 vote with the ugly truth that 3 in the Democratic Party voting No and will go to the desk of the President. The House also passed the 600million for security on the border and now are adjourned until Sept 14th

.

3:26 P.M. –

The House adjourned pursuant to H. Con. Res. 308. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on September 14, 2010.

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Hastings (FL) moved that the House do now adjourn.

H.R. 1586:

to impose an additional tax on bonuses received from certain TARP recipients

3:25 P.M. –

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

On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 247 – 161 (Roll no. 518).

3:01 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

1:49 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to H.Res. 1606, the House proceeded with one hour of debate, equally divided and controlled, on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1586.

1:48 P.M. –

Mr. Obey moved that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment.

H. Res. 1606:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 1586) to modernize the air traffic control system, improve the safety, reliability, and availability of transportation by air in the United States, provide for modernization of the air traffic control system, reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, and for other purposes

1:46 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 229 – 173 (Roll no. 517).

1:39 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

1:38 P.M. –

MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in memory of the brave men and women in uniform who have given their lives in the service of the United States in Iraq and in Afghanistan and their families, and all who serve in our Armed Forces and their families.

H. Res. 1606:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 1586) to modernize the air traffic control system, improve the safety, reliability, and availability of transportation by air in the United States, provide for modernization of the air traffic control system, reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, and for other purposes

1:37 P.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 244 – 164 (Roll no. 516).

1:18 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

1:17 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on ordering the previous question and adoption of H.Res. 1606, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

12:39 P.M. –

POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE – Pursuant to clause 1 of rule IX, Mr. Rangel rose to a point of personal privilege and was recognized by the Chair to proceed for one hour.

On motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 236 – 163 (Roll no. 515).

12:13 P.M. –

Mr. Polis (CO) moved to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair.

12:12 P.M. –

The Chair announced that the pending question is will the decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the House?

Mr. Price (GA) moved to appeal the ruling of the Chair.

11:59 A.M. –

Pursuant to a previous special order, Mr. Price (GA) rose to a question of the privileges of the House and submitted a privileged resolution. The Chair directed the Clerk to report the resolution. The Clerk completed the reading of the submitted resolution and upon examination of the resolution, the Chair announced that the resolution did not constitute a question of the privileges of the House.

H. Res. 1606:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 1586) to modernize the air traffic control system, improve the safety, reliability, and availability of transportation by air in the United States, provide for modernization of the air traffic control system, reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, and for other purposes

11:58 A.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 1606, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Dreier demanded the Yeas and Nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on ordering the previous question on H.Res. 1606 until a time to be announced.

10:55 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1606

Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 6080:

making emergency supplemental appropriations for border security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

10:54 A.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.

10:15 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6080.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Price (NC) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

10:14 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.

10:02 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Kagen 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.

10:00 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Charles Gallagher, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Washington, DC.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of August 10.

9:24 A.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. today.

9:00 A.M. –

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

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.