Tag Archives: civil rights

~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Tuesday News tips …&C-SPAN


Clearly, we all have woken up to an even more ugly reality this morning… We the People need to be more community oriented; we need to watch out for each other even more than ever.   Today, We have what might be considered a test terrorist attack and all things being said a man was arrested while on board a plane going to Dubai.

The investigation is ongoing … he is a US citizen from Connecticut; has a family in Pakistan and while the Pakistani Taliban did take responsibility a few days ago; most didn’t believe it … it was amateurish  … it’s just my opinion but we must ask ourselves if this attack was actually meant as a test. The idea that it was a lone wolf, a teabagger and or a mcveigh type  …. has suddenly turned into an international connection; who knows if he was on any passenger list but we all should thank the police and any or all intelligence because  this is not over… stay tuned; oh by the way someone needs to get a couple of great dinners over to the Vendors who were first responder Heros not just the NYPD; without their eyes and common sense; the outcome could have been quite different.


Other News …

**The bad weather continues on in the South, Tennessee in particular and 29 deaths have been reported in 3 Southern States

**The Boil water alert has been lifted in Boston

**More Private Sector Companies are posting profits

**An 6.4 earthquake has happened in Chile

**Studies show that Oregon has the lowest rate of Childhood Obesity

**Reuters reports that the US reveals size of nuclear arsenal…transparency and truth

**Julia louis dreyfus is getting her Star today


C-SPAN …

watch White House Press Briefing

watch Press Conference on Times Square

watch Hearing on Teacher Quality

watch Pres. Obama: From Earlier read The Business Council: Background

watch ADL Conference: Afternoon Session watch ADL Conference: Evening Session /anti-defamation league national leadership conf

AG Holder: suspect provided “useful information”

In a press conference, Attorney General Eric Holder stated that suspect Faisal Shahzad admitted involvement in the failed car bombing of Times Square in New York City. Holder and other officials provided an update on the investigation. Earlier, Pres. Obama stated that “justice will be done.” Later, DHS Sec. Janet Napolitano and Mexican Interior Sec. Fernando Gómez-Mont will discuss southwest border security.

watch Atty Gen. Holder: From Earlier watch Pres. Obama: From Earlier watch Sec. Napolitano: c-span.org at 4:30pm ET

‘Too Big to Fail,’ Consumer Agency Proposal on List of Amendments

The U.S. Senate continues consideration of amendments on financial regulation reform, the Wall St. Reform Bill (S. 3217). Sen. Barbara Boxer’s (D-CA) amendment prohibiting the use of taxpayer funds to prevent the liquidation of a financial company may be voted on today. Reports indicate that Republicans will also submit amendments regarding the proposed consumer protection agency.

Senate Considers New Bank Fee, Wall Street Oversight Rules

Today, the Senate will hold separate hearings on Wall St., TARP funds and financial fraud. First, a Senate Judiciary subcommittee is investigating ways to criminalize Wall Street fraud, looking into the rules and roles for brokers, dealers and investment advisors. Also, Treasury Sec. Geithner goes over President Obama’s plan to recover funds from TARP recipients. The proposed Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee would be applied to financial institutions with over $50 billion in assets.
visit Senate Committee on Finance
watch Sen. Judiciary: NOW on c-span.org
visit Senate Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs

watch Senate Finance Cmte: From Earlier

visit Senate Committee on Finance
read Treasury Secretary Geithner Written Testimony
watch Sen. Judiciary: Morning Session watch Sen. Judiciary: Afternoon Session

President Obama Emphasizes Role of Businesses in Stimulating Economy

President Obama addresses the role the business community plays in the fight to get the American people back to work in remarks before the Business Council. The President will also go over his efforts to spur job creation and rebuild the economy during the association’s annual meeting, which brings together business leaders representing major industries.

watch Pres. Obama: From Earlier read The Business Council: Background

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

500,000 Marched -make Congress hear us


Reform Immigration FOR America

TAKE ACTION
Send a fax:
We cannot wait any longer for immigration reform. Start the debate on the Reid-Schumer-Menendez proposal!

donate
bottom of action box

On May Day, at marches and rallies all over the country, more than half a million people stood up for immigration reform.

  • In Los Angeles, 250,000 people took to the streets to protest family separation
  • In Milwaukee, 70,000 immigration reformers rallied for reforms that would benefit all workers – immigrant and native-born
  • In Chicago, 110,000 activists stood together in Daley plaza to demand a path to citizenship

Your activism is making a difference – last week, the Democratic leadership stood up and introduced an outline for a bi-partisan bill that will pave the road for real reform. There’s a lot in this outline that we support, like family unification and protection for workers. There are also some provisions that we’re going to work to reform. But none of that can happen until they introduce the bill and start the debate in Congress.

That’s why we’ve started an emergency action to Congress – to continue the momentum from this weekend and show our elected leaders that the need for reform is real. Click here to send a fax with this message:

We cannot wait any longer for immigration reform. Start the debate on the Reid-Schumer-Menendez proposal!

Time and time again, our leaders in Congress and in the White House have told us that they understand how important immigration reform is for families and communities across the country. But they still haven’t turned their words of support into action. We don’t need another statement, or another reassurance. We need a bill on the Senate floor.

National comprehensive immigration reform is more than a political catchphrase. It’s standing up for what’s right. And it’s the only way to ensure that more states don’t follow Arizona’s lead in legalizing racial profiling and the politics of fear.

Send a fax to your elected leaders now.

Thank you,
Gabe Gonzalez
Reform Immigration FOR America

p.s. There’s more coverage of this weekend’s marches on our blog – check it out after you send a fax!
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

ThinkProgess …


UNDER THE RADAR

MILITARY — GATES URGES CONGRESS TO DELAY ‘DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL’ REPEAL: In a strongly-worded letter to House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO), Defense Secretary Robert Gates wrote he doesn’t want Congress to take any action on repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) until the Pentagon’s “working group” on the issue has completed its work to determine the impact a repeal would have on the U.S. Armed Forces. Citing the need for a “a thorough, objective, and systematic assessment of the impact of such a policy change,” Gates wrote, “I strongly oppose any legislation that seeks to change this policy prior to the completion of this vital assessment process.” According to Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Gates’ stance “delivered a devastating blow to getting repeal done this year,” which Obama has asked Congress to do. Sarvis called the letter a “joint political decision” by Obama and Gates and and said that it “showed a lack of respect for our LGBT service members who are on the frontlines every day risking their lives for our safety.” There is momentum for a DADT repeal this year as 13 Democratic senators have signed onto an effort to enact a repeal after the Pentagon’s review has completed. One of the bill’s co-sponsors, Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO), responded to the letter by saying, “There is no reason why Congress shouldn’t pass legislation this year that would time the repeal to follow the conclusion of the study.” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has also signaled her support for repeal, saying that Congress should “immediately place a moratorium on dismissals under this policy until the review has been completed and Congress has acted.” Democrats in Congress will have a tougher time attracting moderate and Republican co-sponsors in light of Gates’ letter, and if Congress waits until next year — after the Pentagon review is completed — to move forward on legislation, the make-up of the legislature will be different and could again delay repeal.  White House Spokesman Tommy Vietor said Friday, “The President’s commitment to repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is unequivocal. This is not a question of if, but how. That’s why we’ve said that the implementation of any congressional repeal will be delayed until the DOD study of how best to implement that repeal is completed. The President is committed to getting this done both soon and right.”

~ my 2cents ...

Monday mashup …&c-span


The wind and rain was, is  loud and heavy here in the 206 last night but nothing like what is going on in the mid-west and further south of our country.  All thoughts are on the people along the Gulf Coast, hopefully BP will hire and pay so all those who are losing money everyday the WELL is not capped as the coast remains a mess and threats of damage to shrimping, oyster beds, fish, canneries, restaurants,  sight-seeing tours and everything related is likely to suffer as well.  It’s only right to not only pay up but figure out what the potential loss for the gulf coast economy along with the  fishing industry and prepare to compensate a whole lot of people.

The people  on the Gulf Coast should not be treated as if they don’t know what the future looks like; no deal, no amount of money will  be able to undo what has happened to the area in the long term and after hearing an offer of $5,000 dollars if people don’t sue? uh can we all say class action.  While there are many other issues to stress out on most people are wondering and or thinking about … the attempted terrorist attack in Times Square, Wall Street reform, an Immigration and Climate Change Bill.

Other News …

**Conservative Latinos are rethinking their ties to the Republican Party in the wake of the GOP’s reaction to the new anti-immigrant Arizona law. Massey Villarreal, a past national chairman of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly, said, “It’s insulting to have Republican leaders across the country applauding this racist law. I’m sure this is going to hurt the Republican Party.” WSJ

**Seattle garbage/waste management workers voted 96% on the 5yr contract with yearly increases

**Obama administration officials told Newsweek that the Department of Homeland Security signaled to Arizona police that “it will most likely detain and deport only violent criminals” arrested because of the state’s new anti-immigration law. All others “will get a written notice requesting that they appear for a future hearing — warnings that some immigration officers call ‘run letters’ because recipients so rarely show up.”TP

**Whirlpool, who took about 19million in stimulus dollars; will now outsource jobs to Mexico

C-SPAN …

watch White House Briefing 5/3

At a national conference on intolerance, leaders from across the country gather to hear from key government leaders, policymakers and ambassadors on ways to confront violence stemming from anti-Semitism, incivility in America, the Iranian nuclear threat, and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. The Anti-Defamation League hosts this Shana Amy Glass National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.

watch Conference: C-SPAN2 at 12:30pm ET

Governors Share Solutions to Improve Job Growth

A bipartisan panel of governors, including Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), share the challenges states face in the economic downturn, such as creating jobs and reviving economic growth. He will discuss a recent study on Minnesota’s methods to foster conditions for job growth. Earlier today, Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM) gave a preview of the annual summit, hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber Foundation

watch Panel Discussion: From Earlier

Sec. Clinton: U.S. Committed to Vision of Nuclear Free World

As part of the “irreversible, transparent and verifiable steps” to reduce its nuclear arms, Sec. of State Clinton announced that the U.S. will publicize the number of weapons in its nuclear arsenal. This is one of several actions by the Obama Administration to encourage world leaders to follow its nonproliferation agenda. Sec. Clinton also responded to Iranian Pres. Ahmadinejad’s remarks, saying that Iran has failed to meet its responsibility and is in noncompliance with U.N. safeguard obligations.

Iranian President Resists Non-Proliferation Pressure

In his first remarks in the United States since Pres. Obama began advancing his non-proliferation agenda, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will address a United Nations Non-Proliferation Treaty Conference this morning. Later today, Sec. of State Hillary Clinton also delivers remarks and will likely discuss stalled efforts to pass new sanctions against Iran, as well as international cooperation on nuclear arms control.

watch U.N. Conference: C-SPAN at 10:30am ET
read Reuters: Iran may not get warm welcome at U.N.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress at Work …


The Senate Convenes: 2:00pm

Resume consideration of S.3217, Wall Street Reform.

Votes:
There will be no roll call votes on Monday, May 3.


***************************************************

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 3, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

10:06 A.M. –
The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on May 4, 2010.

10:05 A.M. –
The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h)of Rule II of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the house that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on April 30, 2010 at 11:20 a.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 3714 and had agreed to S.Con.Res. 61, S.Con.Res. 62, and H.Con.Res. 264.