Tag Archives: Congress

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

trying to swift boat John Kerry again!

11/15/2012 Nativegrl77

They’re at it again.

If you saw the President’s press conference today, it’s become clear that the right-wing noise machine has chosen to start to launch smears against potential Obama administration nominees, before they’re even nominated. Senators John McCain and Lindsay Graham are already smearing Ambassador Susan Rice, who might be a nominee for Secretary of State.

And now, the right is even raising old, debunked Swift Boat attacks against Senator John Kerry.

On his FOX News show, last night, Sean Hannity (who never served a day in his life) promised an “investigative” report into Senator Kerry, a decorated Veteran, who volunteered for the war in Vietnam. Let’s put an end to this now.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION TO FOX NEWS AND SEAN HANNITY

According to Hannity, Senator Kerry needs to be “vetted,” and he’s just the guy to do it.

In reality, Hannity’s just planning to rehash the Swift Boating that occurred in 2004 – a blatant smearing of a Veteran who served our nation with honor. It’s disgusting.

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT SENATOR KERRY AGAINST RIGHT WING ATTACKS

Let’s stop this all of this smearing before it starts. Click here to sign our petition, today.

Thanks for your support.

Sincerely,
Jon Soltz
Iraq War Veteran
Chairman, VoteVets.org
@JonSoltz

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

No Faking it

11/15/2012 Nativegrl77 2 Comments

By ThinkProgress War Room

Obama Rejects Fake Tax “Compromise”

As the fiscal showdown begins in earnest, Republicans have been trying to at least sound like they’re open to a real compromise on taxing the wealthy. But a closer look at what they’re actually proposing shows that it is no compromise at all. In fact, it’s almost identical to the tax plan none other than Mitt Romney just ran on — and lost.

Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) said the president should find common ground by adopting policies “just like Romney suggested.” This ridiculous argument has been echoed by numerous other Republicans, including Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

What Republicans are proposing is to lower tax rates for the wealthy, close some unspecified loopholes, and then through magic expect to get more revenue. Republicans relied on this same sort of magic math to suggest that the Bush tax cuts would result in massive job growth and enough revenue to completely pay off the national debt by 2010. Instead we got massive deficits and the worst job growth in decades.

During a White House press conference today, the president rejected this kind of magical thinking on taxes. Obama derided “dynamic scoring” — the revenue increases that conservatives claim will occur after tax cuts — saying he would oppose any efforts to only “sorta-kinda raise revenue”:

What I will not do is to have a process that is vague, that says we’re going to sorta-kinda raise revenue through dynamic scoring or closing loopholes that have not been identified. And the reason I won’t do that is I don’t want to find ourselves in a position six months from now or a year from now, where low-and-behold, the only way to close the deficit is to sock it to middle-class families.

Watch it:

BOTTOM LINE: We have to address our fiscal problems using math, not magic. President Obama received a mandate from voters to ask the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share. Instead of trying recycle and repackage their failed plans, it’s time for Republicans to stop holding middle class tax cuts hostage and start making a deal.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

Romney tells donors that Obama only won because of “big gifts” to blacks and Latinos.

UN declares access to contraception a “universal human right.”

Is it game over for Grover Norquist?

Weeks after giving $100,000 to American Crossroads, coal company lays off workers.

Failure to extend unemployment insurance could cost 400,000 jobs.

Nancy Pelosi might be Speaker Pelosi again if not for the GOP’s extreme gerrymandering.

Romney co-chair says he would’ve “absolutely” won Wisconsin if the state’s voter ID law hadn’t been struck down.

How the tragic death of an Irish woman who was denied an abortion could become the norm in the U.S.

Most Americans support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

People Power vs Big Oil

11/14/2012 Nativegrl77

Pascal V – Avaaz.org

In days, Nigeria’s Parliament could approve a $5 billion fine against giant oil polluter Shell and set in motion a law that would hold oil companies to account for the first time ever. The President endorses the penalty, but Big Oil are lobbying MPs like crazy to vote against reform. Our voices can drown them out to win justice for Nigeria’s people. Join the urgent call now!

In days, Nigeria’s Parliament could approve a $5 billion fine against giant oil polluter Shell for a spill that devastated the lives of millions of people, and pass a law to hold all oil companies to account for polluting and plundering. This is a watershed moment, but unless we all speak out, oil giants will crush it.

Finally, Big Oil is having to pay for the wasteland and violence that they’ve created. President Jonathan supports the Shell fine, and progressive Senators are pushing for strong regulations, but oil companies are slick, and without huge international support MPs could buckle under the pressure.

Politicians are deciding their positions right now — sign the urgent petition for the Nigerian Parliament to fine Shell and support the bill, and then forward this to everyone — when we hit a million signers we’ll bring our unprecedented global call to the steps of Nigeria’s Parliament:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/make_shell_pay_b/?biEWLbb&v=19059

Experts say that every year Big Oil spills as much crude into the Niger Delta as an Exxon Valdez, but as it is Africa, it gets little media play. After a leak occurred at Shell’s Bonga oil facility last December, millions of gallons poured into the ocean and washed up on the densely populated coast — resulting in one of the largest African oil spills ever. The fine and bill on the table are a once in a lifetime chance to stand up to Big Oil.

Oil companies have made $600 billion in the last 50 years in Nigeria, but locals don’t see the benefits. Their land, drinking water and fishing grounds are ruined. And Shell has spent hundreds of millions of dollars a year on security forces, repressing protest against its harmful practices.

The oil industry is crucial to the economy, but companies have never been held to account for the devastation of drilling. Now, the Nigerian President and a few brave MPs are speaking out and they could finally slam the oil giants with tough fines and give fair pay outs to the victims. If we show MPs that the world supports these crucial steps, we can literally change the lives of millions. Click below to sign the urgent petition:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/make_shell_pay_b/?biEWLbb&v=19059

Avaazers have stood up to Big Oil all over the world, from Chevron in Ecuador, to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, to ending fossil fuel subsidies at the Rio Summit. Now let’s do it for Nigeria too. Make sure the politicians send a message to Big Oil: your days of impunity are over.

With hope and determination,

Pascal, Patricia, Alex, Ricken, David, Rewan, and the Avaaz team

Shell Faces $5 Billion Nigeria Fine (Wall Street Journal)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303933704577532723563488122.html

Shell urged to pay Nigeria $5bn over Bonga oil spill (BBC)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18875731

Shell’s grip on Nigerian state revealed (The Guardian)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/dec/08/wikileaks-cables-shell-nigeria-spying

U.N. slams Shell as Nigeria needs biggest ever oil clean-up (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/04/us-nigeria-ogoniland-idUSTRE7734MQ20110804

Nigeria: Oil spill investigations ‘a fiasco’ in the Niger Delta (Amnesty International)
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/nigeria-oil-spill-investigations-fiasco-niger-delta-2012-08-02

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

So Who Were Those 14 People Standing Behind the President?

11/14/2012 Nativegrl77

The White House

On Friday, President Obama laid out his strategy for moving our country forward and reducing our deficit in a balanced way. Speaking from the East Room of the White House, the President was joined by Vice President Joe Biden – and 14 others stood behind him at the podium.

So who were those 14 people anyway? One was Pam, a school administrator. Another, Sara, is a veteran recovering from open-heart surgery. Barry has six children and Steve is an orthopedic assistant. Estela recently became an American citizen and voted in a U.S. election for the first time on Tuesday.

What they all have in common, however, is an interest in helping find answers to some of the big questions we face as a nation.

Find out more about the 14 people who stood behind the President.

President Barack Obama delivers a statement to the press on the economy, in the East Room of the White House, Nov. 9, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Sonya N. Hebert)

CONGRESS: the House Republicans – the Senate Democrats

11/14/2012 Nativegrl77

the Senate Convenes at 2:30pmET November 14, 2012

Following the prayer and pledge, the first hour will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half.
The filing deadline for first degree amendments to S.3525, the Sportsmen’s Act is 4:00pm on Wednesday.
During Tuesday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on S.3525. Under the rule, that cloture vote will occur on Thursday morning.

The filing deadline for first degree amendments to S.3525, Sportsmen’s Act of 2012, is 4:00pm today. If your senator has a germane amendment and would like to preserve their ability to offer, please send a signed copy of the amendment to the cloakroom prior to the deadline so that we may file it at the desk for you.

The Senate has reached an agreement that at 4:30pm today the motion to proceed to the motion to reconsider the vote by which cloture was not invoked on S.3414, the Cybersecurity Act of 2012, be agreed to; the motion to reconsider be agreed to; and that there be 60 minutes for debate divided between the two Leaders, or their designees, on the motion to invoke cloture on S.3414; and that upon the use or yielding back of time, the Senate will proceed to the cloture vote on S.3414, upon reconsideration.

As a result of this agreement, at approximately 5:30pm today the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.3414, Cybersecurity Act of 2012, upon reconsideration.

5:36pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on S.3414, Cybersecurity Act of 2012, upon reconsideration;

Not Invoked: 51-47

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Motion to invoke cloture on S.3414, the Cybersecurity Act of 2012, upon reconsideration; Not Invoked: 51-47

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.6118, the Taking Essential Steps for Testing Act of 2012 (TEST Act).

Passed H.R.6131, a bill to extend the Undertaking Spam, Spyware, And Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers beyond Borders Act of 2006, and for other purposes (SAFEWEB Act) by voice vote.

Adopted S.Res.596, a resolution permitting the solicitation of donations in the Senate buildings for the relief of victims of Superstorm Sandy.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

—————————————————————————

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on November 14, 2012.

Watch Live House Floor Proceedings

10:00:12 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:18 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:08 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
10:16:49 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:50 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 14.
12:00:58 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Donna Kafer, Arizona Legislative Chaplaincy, Peoria, Arizona.
12:02:21 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:03:26 P.M.		Walz of MN to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:03:49 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.
12:27:20 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
12:28:11 P.M.	H.R. 2606	Mr. Amodei moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.
12:28:27 P.M.	H.R. 2606	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2606.
12:33:54 P.M.	H.R. 2606	On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
12:33:55 P.M.	H.R. 2606	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:34:19 P.M.	H.R. 6570	Mr. Garrett moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 6570 — “To amend the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to consolidate certain CBO reporting requirements.”
12:34:35 P.M.	H.R. 6570	Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:34:38 P.M.	H.R. 6570	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6570.
12:41:30 P.M.	H.R. 6570	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
12:41:33 P.M.	H.R. 6570	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12:42:24 P.M.	H.R. 2453	Mr. Luetkemeyer moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments.
12:42:36 P.M.	H.R. 2453	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 2453.
12:48:33 P.M.	H.R. 2453	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
12:49:17 P.M.	H.R. 6116	<MR. class=hiddenSpellError pre=”Mr ” Coble moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 6116 — “To amend the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands to provide for direct appeals to the United States Supreme Court of decisions of the Virgin Islands Supreme Court.”
12:49:50 P.M.	H.R. 6116	Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:49:55 P.M.	H.R. 6116	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6116.
1:04:35 P.M.	H.R. 6116	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
1:04:38 P.M.	H.R. 6116	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:04:41 P.M.	H.R. 6116	The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
1:05:03 P.M.	H.R. 5934	Mr. Coble moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 5934 — “To amend title 18, United States Code, to include certain territories and possessions of the United States in the definition of State for the purposes of chapter 114, relating to trafficking in contraband cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.”
1:05:21 P.M.	H.R. 5934	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:05:23 P.M.	H.R. 5934	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5934.
1:17:16 P.M.	H.R. 5934	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
1:17:18 P.M.	H.R. 5934	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:17:51 P.M.		that that body had agreed to the House amendment to S. 743.
1:18:16 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
1:18:35 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

2:58:44 P.M.		Mr. Paul moved that the House do now adjourn.
2:58:58 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
2:58:59 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on November 15, 2012.