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Weekend Reviews& some News

09/04/2010 Nativegrl77

Wow summer is almost over and though we have moderate heat here it just does not seem like summer anymore. The East Coast is still getting a lot of rain and wind but not the cat3-4 like first estimated though the folks in Nova Scotia need to get prepared for the worst be happy if it turns out to be a wimp.

Does anyone know how big of a deal it is to get the middle east peace talks started let alone getting these men all in the same room and engaged in the move toward the 21st Century. Americans should be proud. i definitely see myself as an American and Proud of the effort made by President Obama -let’s hope they all cooperate with him.

The Political climate is getting heated as the sometimes ugly rhetoric regarding race religion and gender preferences seem to be the big stick Republicans are wielding at those with truly weak minds who seem unwilling to remember what being an American is all about. I know that schools use to teach inclusion but with all that is going on one has to wonder what is being taught at home or at the schools these days. What seems like an overt dogma of exclusion my hope that any sane person would think this attitude is not what Americans are all about. We are a country of immigrants with various types of families that blend and make sense only to them i guess. I don’t understand the attitude and do not subscribe to it because it is un-American.

The video below was created after the 9/11 terrorist attacks … sorry about the sound or clarity

Someone left a comment on my blog about a couple of articles posted which was a great thing in itself but we disagreed about how Muslim Americans are being treated around the US today as well as his personal attitude toward President Obama.

The first comment left asked about an article from media matters asking why so many people believe the falsehoods about President Obama’s birthplace, religion, and ideology. This person said”, what disproven falsehoods would these be. The Obama Regime has disproved none of the allegations against him.” My response was and still is; what you should be wondering is why you feel or need to label President Obama admin. I ask if it racism and fear, or do you just feel like white people should be in charge? I continued by stating it was obvious they were not apart of the 53% who voted for Obama. There is no Regime and to say this is so offensive because if Bush had done the right thing Obama would be working on HCR, immigration DADT, Climate and Clean energy. Instead, the last guy in charge of the White House waited until the very last moment and said whoops we have a problem then hid. He had Paulson tell us that the economy was close or near to collapsing. As everyone hid or tried to keep the public and Congress at bay, we had the McCain campaign deciding to get their own Hillary by hiring Palin as a VP candidate. Then as the News or rumors about our economy came out McCain says our system is fundamentally sound…What? While the shit was, hitting the fan President Obama remained calm cool and stepped up while all the others became afraid. I do not think anyone knew what to do and Bush/Paulsen acted…foolishly, we would be better off had they thrown more money at the right ppl… they did not.

The other comment was about an article that dealt with the current negative talk and behavior toward Muslim Americans. The person is in my interpretation a racist considering he believes all Muslims are either terrorists or complicit by association and in their inaction and their cult’s name. The person stated this is American and you get what you deserve. I have to say it was a strange response. I do not know if this person was young or old but it definitely was a reflection of how a lot on the right feel these days. I responded stating; yes this is America and lumping people into a category is not how right or how most Americans act. It is un-American …Not every Caucasian is a bigot, not every African American is a killer or belongs in a gang and not every Latino American runs drugs or guns and this is the same with Muslim Americans not every Muslim is a terrorist …unless you know more than i are all White People Racists? How do you feel about what G.Bush and his band of Republicans did to our economy and or Boehner and his group of Republicans or Tea Party who have been practicing exclusion overtly? Exclusion, racism, discrimination seems to be what you are suggesting …generalizing is just wrong. I do not know you but i can do you belong to a group that thinks our Constitution means nothing and if so are you un-American? Fear of the unknown begets these feelings about the “Other” or those who do not fit the group they are more comfortable with and that is something that is not only offensive but also a primal reaction that can only be changed if the person feeling it wants to change. I have to say people need to calm down and work together instead of working against each other Whites against People of Colour or Religion. Though i totally disagree with the person who commented on my blog was surprising to hear someone say – that people get treated as they deserve because it just is wrong -try being reasonably suspicious and talk to me again… and what does an illegal look like? The treatment anyone gets is only as pure as the person applying the treatment and please don’t tell me you don’t know anyone who hasn’t been pulled over for driving, walking or just being non-white at any given day. I am only responding to your generalization of Muslims. The problem of how people try to apply the Constitution when it suits them is also confusing offensive and compels me to respond…hey thanks for your input

Other News …

**Middle East peace talks are being held under the org of President Obama and Hillary Clinton

**Photos of Rhianna giving the finger to the paps …all things considered she made a bad choice because she is wearing what looks like an authentic military hat ….very disrespectful on all accounts

**The East Coast had damage from Earl but not as bad as it could have because it lost strength as it rolled on now Canada is on the alert

**President Obama states he is committed to helping the Middle Class

CSPAN …

Panel Discussion on Filibustering and the 111th Congress

Panel Discussion on 2010 Elections

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This is not about Ground Zero …it is about America

09/04/2010 Nativegrl77

Over the last week we’ve heard a lot from DFA members around the country asking for action to protect the rights of religious freedom for all Americans and I couldn’t agree more.

I don’t get upset much. I mean, I get ticked off at Republicans and Democrats (and at really bad customer service!), but that’s why I work with you at DFA. Because when we get upset, we don’t stew in it and hope it goes away. We do something about it.

The controversy around the building of a Muslim Community Center at 51 Park in New York City should upset all of us. It definitely upsets me. Shortly after the tragedy of the 9/11 attacks, much of this country came together. But there were a number of other, smaller tragedies occurring all over the country as a result of the attacks. People who “looked like terrorists” were victims of harassment, intimidation, and outright violence.

That includes me, and every member of my immediate family in different instances. My response was to protest the coming wars. My family did something different, though. They started going to Mosque. It did more than renew their faith — it provided a sense of community and safety during a very dark time for us. But for the last nine years, at least, people have been trying to block the construction of mosques all over the country.

Now, let’s be clear, the subject of the highest profile Muslim structure, 51 Park in New York City, will have a basketball court and a culinary school. Two floors will have a prayer room. The other eleven will host movie nights, performances, group dinners, etc — it’s basically a Muslim YMCA, open to everyone. These moderate Muslims are doing everything we could ask of them. They’re trying to build a bridge in the communities they live in, trying to show the world that Muslims are cool and interesting and diverse, and proving that being a Muslim does not equal being a terrorist.

But they’re being thrown under the bus by our elected leaders, egged on by some of the ugliest elements of the right-wing. Well-intentioned leaders of the Democratic Party are getting caught up in the fray as well, some of them seeking to find common ground with an implacable opposition. It’s not helping.

This isn’t just a Manhattan problem. Right now, there is opposition to mosques in Staten Island, Brooklyn, Southern California, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Illinois, and dozens of other locations across our nation. Where would they move? If public pressure can be brought to bear to take down the most high-profile Muslim community center in liberal NYC, then these other places don’t even have a chance, Ground Zero connection or not.

Frankly, this isn’t about Ground Zero. This is about America. This is about freedom. This is about people and there seems to be no place that Muslim people can go without being harassed.

The harassment has to stop, and that starts with you and me.

I think most people agree that Muslims have the right to worship. But these efforts to harass Muslims are based in fear, prejudice, and ignorance. Removing a community center doesn’t solve these problems. But talking about religious freedom — really engaging people — can open people’s minds, and blunt the prejudice.

I pledge to do it myself.

I pledge today to stand up for religious freedom right now. We cannot wait another day to defend the rights of all Americans to worship if they want, where they want, and when they want. I will not wait for the conversation to come to me; I will start the conversation now. Please join me in making the pledge to fight for our universal American values of acceptance and respect for religious freedom.

I need you, in your community, to have those challenging conversations with people you know.

Take the pledge right now.

It’s time to be pro-active in support of the values that define what we stand for and who we are as Americans. After you take the pledge, please follow up and share the conversations you’ve had. I think we’ll all find them inspiring to share.

-Arshad

Arshad Hasan, Executive Director

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Defend the EPA’s ability to protect our health and environment

09/03/2010 Nativegrl77

Write a Letter to the Editor Today
Please write a letter to the editor
today on the need for Congress to oppose any legislation that would block or delay the EPA from acting on global warming.

Defend the EPA’s Ability to Protect Our Health and EnvironmenYou were probably as disappointed as I was when the Senate failed to pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation before leaving for August recess. While comprehensive legislation remains critical, we now are counting on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to do its job to protect our health and the environment by reducing the heat-trapping emissions that cause global warming. In 2009, the EPA found that global warming emissions endanger public health and welfare. According to the Supreme Court, this finding means that the agency must limit these pollutants under the Clean Air Act

Unfortunately, some members of Congress, with the backing of the coal, oil, and electric utility industries, are attempting to block the EPA from cutting these emissions.

Your senators and representative are home for the next two weeks, and will be reading local newspapers to see what their constituents are talking about. They need to know that you expect them to do everything they can to begin reducing global warming emissions right away. Please write a letter to the editor today on the need for Congress to oppose any legislation that would block or delay the EPA from acting on global warming.

Take Action Today!

Sincerely,

Kate Abend
National Field Organizer
UCS Climate and Energy Program

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What Are You Doing this Weekend?

09/02/2010 Nativegrl77

Watch the AFL-CIO TV ad.

Got plans this Labor Day weekend? With all that’s going on in our lives, it’s easy to forget that honoring America’s workers is what Labor Day is all about.

Here are some ideas on how you can celebrate Labor Day:

Watch the AFL-CIO national TV ad during Major League Baseball games Sunday and Monday, the Sunday NASCAR race and college football on Monday night. The ad will remind television viewers and radio listeners that it’s working people working together who will move our country forward.

Tune in to the Sportsman Channel. In partnership with the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), Sportsman Channel will pay tribute to America’s workers with a continual run of public service announcements over Labor Day weekend featuring Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO president and USA chairman.

Find out which employers are treating their workers well—and what’s going on nationwide and around the world when it comes to workers’ basic freedoms.

Take the next step and become a mobile activist. Get action alerts as part of the AFL-CIO Good Jobs Now team by texting JOBS to 225568.

As AFL-CIO President Trumka says: “Working people working together have always moved our country forward and that’s how we’ll do it again.”

As we celebrate this Labor Day, let’s remember America’s workers built our nation—and America’s workers are what make America strong.

Happy Labor Day from the AFL-CIO!

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

thoughtful Thursday &some News

09/02/2010 Nativegrl77

As we roll into the Labor Day Holiday and hurricanes continue to slam the East Coast. We have News of another oilrig explosion, the Middle East peace talks have started, and many candidate debates for the November election are getting heated and somewhat ugly. The Islamic community center is being used on a daily basis as a tool of fear by folks on the right to scare or put the fear of something in white people. The idea that it is working to some degree is so offensive let alone the relationship to the talk around our Constitution. I cannot help but think these reactions are related to how folks like Gov. Brewer and McCain are projecting onto others regarding SB1070 …the “Other” that somehow someway needs to be controlled and treated differently.

The overt attacks on Muslim Americans who lived worked and died in NYC on that awful day 9/11 continues to happen on an daily basis …fear- any fear mongering of any kind should not be accepted. It needs to stop and while i feel someone in the Republican Party could put a stop to the constant fear mongering. I definitely will not hold my breath. The projection of fear and falsehoods coming from the right still stirred up against President Obama has become an annoying yet effective rouse on the American people. Its starting point is not obvious but the Media on all fronts have given the story legs by the amount of coverage. The coverage in my opinion has now provoked folks into hate and or what seems like actions of hate crimes. The move toward violence is based on the rhetoric coming from the folks on the right. I guess it has always been there but now it seems to be coming to the surface without any editing. The things said, the actions being encouraged against Muslim Americans by people We the People put into public service is offensive and does not represent what my family taught us at home or at school.

I will admit that I find it somewhat amusing to see how easy folks on the right want to throw out labels to describe President Obama’s actions. It does seem to be a nasty primal reaction to the unknown that they definitely are projecting on others who seem weak in a time when the jig is up so to speak. People should respect this President more –respect the office of President more- Joe Wilson’s behavior was unacceptable and seems like just another example of the attitudes seemingly accepted by the right and encouraged by what I definitely feel are people of weak minds acting out. Separate but equal …or are we moving backward to a time when life was separate and definitely not equal.

Albert Einstein said, “Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from weaker minds.”

With Wall Streets creative accounting procedures, this finally came to an ugly head after years of betting against the people. If you need a reminder just watch the show, “House of cards”, by David Faber on Cnbc. It was a cruel and vulgar view but an awakening moment at how greed affects the mind. The movie was a truthful documentation of the nasty journey our economy took devised for who, by who and how it (they) brought all of us down with them. Now, while we all wait for Congress to come back from recess and the November elections we have to wade through the BS currently on the 24/7 News cycle and much of it is just not worth the folks spewing it out. I definitely do not watch faux News and Cnn is becoming more of an issue everyday.

I thought the News was or maybe i am just naive but I feel the News should be balanced fair and truly devoid of all opinions that are not true anymore and the opinions can be very disrespectful of President Obama and that bothers me. I cannot say I felt that way about Bush maybe some with Clinton but the talk seems or is different, the comments are as if they feel they are above President Obama. The President definitely is educated, smart and above the middle class i do not get the impression that most in the Media completely respect Obama
if we have to subscribe to labels … call me a Marxist who believes in Socialism at this time ….. We need someone who cares, who is socially responsible and who believes the gap between the haves and have none needs to shrink … school me …what can be wrong with caring for all the people of the US … not just the one percent… especially since that one percent has been wheeling and dealing starting from the house of bush and trickled down to main street … gotta admit it’s time for a change.
Obama is not a socialist or a Marxist … he is a Christian with centrist behavior as the President of the free world. Though i believe he must move more left of center to get what he needs to be done, I will give my hope faith and trust that he has learned where Republicans stand and what their agenda is moving forward. It is with great hope that everyone comes back to the Peoples business …get the Democratic Party informed on how voting this November will create the change we all voted for in 2008. It is quite sad to watch folks muddy the truth with miss-information about why the economy has not improved, why we needed to make sure teachers, police, firefighters were keep in place and why helping your fellow man is obviously is apart of being a Democrat because Bachmann and other Republicans are calling it a bailout. The notion that we have Boehner saying when will it all end when will the bailouts stop and he was talking about unemployment for All Americans including his own constituents are affected btw. The question is they listening to the rhetoric coming from the mouths of Republicans and or Tea baggers. Republicans want to repeal everything this President has done that will help get us back on track, help get us all back to work yet Republicans by way of saying NO in the Senate because of the 60vote rule. Think about it -Boehner and other Republicans said no to your family friends and associates but want to keep the Bush tax breaks, which btw were not paid for and were scheduled to expire. My question is for anyone to answer …do you realize these actions were not paid for so who will be the ones to pay…obvious answer is the Middle Class. It this what people want? Who out there has a voice of reason telling you that going back to what we had means more trouble more chances of actually falling off that cliff the last administration failed to pull us back from. I still do not understand and want to know when did they actually know there was trouble as well as why did they wait until the last minute …before the 2008 Presidential election? I have my theories, but the whole thing should be a warning for all those wondering just what plan Republicans have to get the US back on track.

Other News

**News of another oil rig explosion though all 13 people have been accounted for

**2nd day of President Obama middle east peace talks

**Officials has formally called for evacuations of the Southern region and the Gulf Coast

In a “bitter debate filled with personal attacks,” Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and challenger Carly Fiorina (R) faced off for the first time during the California Senate election. The debate focused mainly on economic issues, with sharp exchanges also coming over the issue of climate change.

According to a USA Today analysis of government data, “[h]ealth care spending this year has grown at its slowest rate in a half-century, a sign that people are forgoing medical care during the recession.” Medical care spending rose at a 2.7 percent annual rate per person in the first half of 2010, “the smallest increase since the Bureau of Economic Analysis began tracking medical care in 1959.”

Harvard Law School dean Martha Minow told students this week that Elizabeth Warren is no longer teaching a class she was slated to teach, fueling speculation that Warren may be nominated to head the new Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. “Professor Warren regrets that she will not be able to teach you this fall and we regret the last minute change,” Minow’s email read.

Undocumented “immigration to the U.S. has slowed sharply since 2007,” according to data released yesterday by the Pew Hispanic Center. Pew’s data finds that the number of undocumented immigrants coming into the country “plunged to an estimated 300,000 annually between March 2007 and 2009, from 850,000 a year between March 2000 and March 2005.

CSPAN

White House Briefing with Press Secretary Robert Gibbs