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Black History

Congress …debates &votes on Tuesday


The Senate Convenes: 10:00amET July 27, 2010

Following any Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the time until 12:30pm equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. The Majority will control the first 30 minutes and the Republicans will control the next 30 minutes.

The Senate will recess from 12:30 until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

The republican Leader or this designees will control the time from 2:15pm until 2:30pm and the Majority Leader will control the remaining time until 2:45pm. At 2:45pm, the Senate will proceed to a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to the consideration of S.3628, the DISCLOSE Act.
Votes:
220: Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to proceed to the DISCLOSE Act (S.3628)
Not Invoked: 57-41

Unanimous Consent:
Adopted H.Con.Res.304, a concurrent resolution directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to correct the enrollment of H.R.725, the Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act of 2010.

Passed H.R.5610, Independent Living Centers Technical Adjustment Act (with Harkin technical amendment)

Passed H.R.4380, the United States Manufacturing Enhancement Act.

Passed H.R.5849, an Act to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act (to September 30, 2010).

Adopted S.Res.595, a resolution designating the week beginning September 12, 2010, as “National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week”.

On Wednesday July 27, 2010 expect the following  – the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.5297, Small Business Jobs bill. Cloture was filed on the substitute amendment #4519 and the underlying bill and expect more votes

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CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JULY 27, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

41 P.M. –

SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

H.R. 5827:

to amend title 11 of the United States Code to include firearms in the types of property allowable under the alternative provision for exempting property from the estate

7:39 P.M. –

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.

7:21 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5827.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 5662:

to amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to the offense of stalking

7:20 P.M. –

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

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

7:10 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5662.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 2780:

to correct and simplify the drafting of section 1752 (relating to restricted buildings or grounds) of title 18, United States Code

7:09 P.M. –

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

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

7:04 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2780.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 5281:

to amend title 28, United States Code, to clarify and improve certain provisions relating to the removal of litigation against Federal officers or agencies to Federal courts, and for other purposes

7:03 P.M. –

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

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

6:55 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5281.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Johnson (GA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 5143:

to establish the National Criminal Justice Commission

6:54 P.M. –

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

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

6:34 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5143.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 2765:

to amend title 28, United States Code, to prohibit recognition and enforcement of foreign defamation judgments and certain foreign judgments against the providers of interactive computer services

6:33 P.M. –

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

On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.

6:23 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to supend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 2765.

Mr. Cohen moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.

6:22 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until July 28.

6:21 P.M. –

COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM – Pursuant to section 201(b) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 USC 6431), and the order of the House of January 6, 2009, the Speaker appointed Ms. Nina Shea of Washington DC for a two-year term ending May 14, 2012, to succeed herself.

6:20 P.M. –

COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM – Pursuant to section 201(b) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 USC 6431), and the order of the House of January 6, 2009, the Speaker appointed Mr. Ted Van Der Meid of Rochester, NY for a two-year term ending May 14, 2012, to succeed Ms. Felice Gaer.

H.R. 4748:

to amend the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2006 to require a northern border counternarcotics strategy, and for other purposes

6:18 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 – 0 (Roll no. 475).

6:11 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 4899:

making emergency supplemental appropriations for disaster relief and summer jobs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

6:10 P.M. –

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

On motion that the House suspend the rules and recede and concur in the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 308 – 114 (Roll no. 474).

6:00 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinshed business was the question on adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

H. Con. Res. 301:

directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Pakistan

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

On agreeing to the resolution Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 38 – 372, 4 Present (Roll no. 473).

5:32 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

4:22 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Con. Res. 301.

Rule provides for consideration of H. Con. Res. 301 with 1 hour of general debate. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1556.

H. Res. 1366:

recognizing and honoring the freight rail industry

4:19 P.M. –

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

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

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 411 – 0, 2 Present (Roll no. 472).

4:12 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 5730:

to rescind earmarks for certain surface transportation projects

4:11 P.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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 394 – 23 (Roll no. 471).

4:05 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1556:

providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution ( H. Con. Res. 301) directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Pakistan

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 222 – 196 (Roll no. 470).

3:32 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of H.Res. 1556 and motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

3:31 P.M. –

Mr. McGovern filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 1559.

H. Res. 1556:

providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution ( H. Con. Res. 301) directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Pakistan

3:30 P.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair put the question on adoption of the resolution and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Dreier demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until later in the legislative day.

The previous question was ordered without objection.

2:44 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1556

Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 4748:

to amend the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2006 to require a northern border counternarcotics strategy, and for other purposes

2:43 P.M. –

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.

2:33 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4748.

2:32 P.M. –

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 3040:

to prevent mail, telemarketing, and Internet fraud targeting seniors in the United States, to promote efforts to increase public awareness of the enormous impact that mail, telemarketing, and Internet fraud have on seniors, to educate the public, seniors, their families, and their caregivers about how to identify and combat fraudulent activity, and for other purposes

2:31 P.M. –

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.

2:16 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3040.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 5810:

to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide penalties for aiming laser pointers at airplanes, and for other purposes

2:11 P.M. –

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

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

2:02 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5810.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 415:

to provide Capitol-flown flags to the immediate family of fire fighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians, and other rescue workers who are killed in the line of duty

1:55 P.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.

1:52 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 415.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Brady (PA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 5682:

to improve the operation of certain facilities and programs of the House of Representatives, and for other purposes

1:51 P.M. –

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

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

1:49 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5682.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Brady (PA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 5681:

to improve certain administrative operations of the Library of Congress, and for other purposes

1:48 P.M. –

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

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

1:45 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5681.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Brady (PA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H.R. 5849:

to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes

1:44 P.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.

1:39 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5849.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Velazquez moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 5138:

to protect children from sexual exploitation by mandating reporting requirements for convicted sex traffickers and other registered sex offenders against minors intending to engage in international travel, providing advance notice of intended travel by high interest registered sex offenders outside the United States to the government of the country of destination, requesting foreign governments to notify the United States when a known child sex offender is seeking to enter the United States, and for other purposes

1:38 P.M. –

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

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

1:15 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House continued with further debate on H.R. 5138.

The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 304 and passed H.R. 5610 amended.

H.R. 5138:

to protect children from sexual exploitation by mandating reporting requirements for convicted sex traffickers and other registered sex offenders against minors intending to engage in international travel, providing advance notice of intended travel by high interest registered sex offenders outside the United States to the government of the country of destination, requesting foreign governments to notify the United States when a known child sex offender is seeking to enter the United States, and for other purposes

1:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5138.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Berkley moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

H. Res. 1538:

condemning the July 11, 2010, terrorist attacks in Kampala, Uganda

1:11 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

1:01 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1538.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Berkley moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Con. Res. 266:

expressing the sense of Congress that Taiwan should be accorded observer status in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

1:00 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Ms. Berkley objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

12:40 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 266.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Berkley moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 5825:

to review, update, and revise the factors to measure the severity, magnitude, and impact of a disaster and to evaluate the need for assistance to individuals and households

12:39 P.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.

12:27 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5825.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Costello moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H. Res. 1366:

recognizing and honoring the freight rail industry

12:26 P.M. –

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.

12:16 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1366.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Costello moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1401:

expressing gratitude for the contributions that the air traffic controllers of the United States make to keep the traveling public safe and the airspace of the United States running efficiently, and for other purposes

12:15 P.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

11:58 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1401.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Costello moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Con. Res. 258:

congratulating the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy and its staff for 100 years of operation of the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, and for other purposes

11:57 A.M. –

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

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

11:35 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 258.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Cummings moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H.R. 5730:

to rescind earmarks for certain surface transportation projects

11:34 A.M. –

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.

11:20 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5730.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

11:19 A.M. –

Ms. Markey (CO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H.R. 4899:

making emergency supplemental appropriations for disaster relief and summer jobs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

11:18 A.M. –

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.

10:42 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to recede and concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 4899.

Mr. Obey moved that the House suspend the rules and recede and concur in the Senate amendment.

10:41 A.M. –

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

10:03 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

10:02 A.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Poe of TX 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 the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of July 27.

9:13 A.M. –

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

9:02 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.

9:01 A.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Paul Tonko to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

9:00 A.M. –

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

ENVIRONMENT: Meet The New Boss…BP boss


Over the weekend, news broke that three months after his oil company’s rig set off the largest oil spill in American history, BP CEO Tony Hayward would be stepping down. Dispatched to a non-executive position at BP’s Russian venture, the embattled CEO will be replaced by BP managing director Robert Dudley, an American who grew up in Mississippi. BP Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg explained on MSNBC this morning that Dudley is simply a fresh face to help BP rebuild “our brand.” The oil giant is, no doubt, hoping that replacing Hayward will convince the public that the company is getting its act together in response to the Gulf oil spill. Yet the fact remains that Hayward’s replacement is little more than a new face on the same old ideology that places profits over safety.

HAYWARD’S CATASTROPHIC TENURE: Hayward’s departure will mark the end of a disastrous legacy that was spent botching the company’s response to its oil spill in the Gulf. Almost a month after the gusher released 32 million gallons of toxic oil into the surrounding ocean, Hayward told Sky News that “the environmental impact of this disaster is likely to be very, very modest.” Since that time, an additional 60 million gallons of oil have poured into the Gulf of Mexico. Yet the executive hinted that he feels most sorry for himself. In May, Hayward told a reporter who asked him about the victims of his company’s oil spill, “We’re sorry for the massive disruption it’s caused their lives. There’s no one who wants this over more than I do. I would like my life back.” Unfortunately, as thousands have been put out of work by the oil spill, Hayward will continue to rake in a hefty amount of cash from his company. He is slated to “receive an immediate £600,000-a-year ($930,000) pension when he leaves the firm in October.” Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA), Chairman of the House Energy and Environment Subcommittee, sent a letter to BP’s chairman decrying Hayward’s oversized compensation. “BP should be dedicating its resources to compensating the residents of the Gulf Coast who are victims of this tragedy, not handing out multi-million dollar golden parachutes. BP has an obligation to the residents of the Gulf that it must meet. Therefore, BP’s board of directors should not approve any compensation package for Mr. Hayward until every resident of the Gulf Coast has been fully compensated,” he wrote.

MORE OF THE SAME: Hayward will be replaced by Dudley on Oct. 1. Dudley, a “chemical engineer by training,” is “now in charge of BP’s Gulf Coast response.” While BP is likely hoping that replacing Hayward with Dudley will boost the company’s image with the public, the Wonk Room’s Brad Johnson writes, “There is little reason to expect that the incoming BP CEO will change anything other than the accent.” In his public appearances, Dudley has defended Hayward, minimized the toxic threat from BP’s dispersant Corexit, and greenwashed BP’s awful environmental record. During an appearance on PBS’s Newshour last May, Dudley described Corexit as “essentially like soap. It’s like dish soap.” In July, he once again returned to Newshour to say Corexit’s toxicity is “not far off of the toxicity levels of dish soap.” Additionally, he downplayed the threat of oil to the Gulf Coast, telling host Judy Woodruff that “we’re not seeing anything like what you see in Louisiana in any of the other states. … I don’t think that’s going to happen.” Dudley also praised Hayward’s stewardship of the company, saying, “I think he’s done a great job of leading a company to stand up and do the right thing. … I think Tony’s doing a fantastic job.” When pressed about BP’s enormous profits and why it should continue to make them despite the devastation in the Gulf, he compared the oil giant to a dog gratefully returning a bone to its owner: “I think I would look at some of the process today as just making sure that through that sentiment we don’t actually shoot the dog who is trying to bring home the bone.”

BP’S CONTINUED MALFEASANCE: By replacing its CEO, BP is simply putting a different face on the same old corporate malfeasance. Alabama’s Mobile Press-Register finds that BP has hired scientists from Louisiana State University, Mississippi State University, and Texas A&M to “work on behalf in their Natural Resources Damage Assessment process” that determines how much ecological damage the Gulf of Mexico region is suffering from BP’s toxic black tide. Alarmingly, the contract the scientists are signing “prohibits [them] from publishing their research, sharing it with other scientists or speaking about the data that they collect for at least the next three years.” “It makes me feel they were more interested in making sure we couldn’t testify against them than in having us testify for them,” said George Crozier, head of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, who was approached by BP. Despite the commitments it made in a deal struck last month with President Obama, BP has so far failed to deposit any money into the $20 billion escrow fund it promised to create, despite the fact that its profits are up $2.9 billion from the same period last year. Ken Feinberg, who is in charge of administering oil spill claims, told reporters that he would like to start paying out claims from the fund, but he doesn’t “want the checks to bounce.” To add insult to injury, BP “plans to offset the entire cost of its Gulf of Mexico oil spill against its tax bill, reducing future contributions to U.S. tax coffers by almost $10 billion.” Unfortunately, the oil giant’s malfeasance doesn’t end at the Gulf Coast. Evidence has surfaced that BP lobbied the British government to release Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, who was convicted of terrorism, to Libya in order to win lucrative oil contracts. Additionally, BP has paid a million dollars per quarter to the American Petroleum Institute, which is actively involved in lobbying the government to limit the liability from current and future oil spills. While one would imagine that the disastrous result of the drilling at the Deepwater Horizon would make BP think twice about the benefits of offshore drilling, the company continues to drill all over the world. It is readying or commencing deepwater drilling off the coast of Libya, just three miles away from the environmentally fragile coast of Alaska, and extracting oil from Canadian tar sands, which produces four times the amount of carbon dioxide as conventional drilling and has been called “the biggest environmental crime on the planet” by representatives from the indigenous Cree population.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Afghanistan …thinkprogress.org


UNDER THE RADAR

NATIONAL SECURITY — REPORT LINKS CIVILIAN DEATHS AND RECRUITMENT FOR INSURGENCY IN AFGHANISTAN: The WikiLeaks disclosure of thousands of pages of military documents dealing with the war in Afghanistan highlights, among other things, “how coalition forces have killed hundreds of civilians in unreported incidents.” This is a particularly important disclosure in light of a report released earlier this month by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). NBER’s report, “The Effect of Civilian Casualties in Afghanistan and Iraq,” concludes that blowback in the population from civilian casualties caused by international forces in Iraq and Afghanistan is a considerable problem the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) faces in Afghanistan. It finds “strong evidence for a revenge effect in that local exposure to ISAF generated civilian casualties drives increased insurgent violence over the long-run.” The BBC notes NBER’s findings that “in areas where two civilians were killed or injured by Nato…there were on average an extra six violent incidents between insurgents and US-led troops in the following six weeks.” NBER observed how, “when Isaf units kill civilians, [it] increases the number of willing combatants, leading to an increase in insurgent attacks,” and “[l]ocal exposure to violence from Isaf appears to be the primary driver of this effect.” The report also concludes that Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s new rules of engagement imposed upon soldiers under his command in Afghanistan “led to a decline in attacks by insurgent fighters.” Gen.l David Petraeus, who has just taken command of American forces in Afghanistan, is currently reviewing McChrystal’s rules and is considering altering them.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Monday mashup &some News


Today the President will host an event at the White House with members of Congress, Grassroots leaders and Americans with disabilities to recognize the Americans with Disabilities Act on its 20th Anniversary.

The end of July is quickly coming and as we, all wait for the judge in Arizona to decide against the DOJ or for it,  people who might be undocumented or have family that are have joined what is being called in the News as a massive exodus out of Arizona. The Governor portrays SB1070 and others are pushing it as a safe neighborhood thing allowing the police to stop people based on “reasonable suspicion” which is also something that is so vague that it can be interpreted in many ways. The people against SB1070 have planned rallies, protests, and a march well ahead of this highly questionable move to get what some call illegal immigrants out of Arizona. The law if implemented will be legal and scheduled to take effect July 29, 2010 and we can all say let the legal racial profiling begin. If anyone has heard driving while black, walking etc… it happens, we all know someone who has experienced it and bad things can happen when  assumption or biased feelings take over… the undocumented will be thrown in jail and deported, hopefully without violence… people who have been here for decades should have the right to that path to citizenship McCain use to talk about.

Other things that should have a person say what? are reports that people on the Gulf Coast are on the one hand extremely upset about the BP disaster, upset they are not getting their money, upset that eleven people died when the Deep Horizon oil rig exploded but on the other hand people are even more mad at President Obama, why? in his administrations attempt to make sure they were pro-active by placing a moratorium on deep oil drilling which was overturned by a judge who has investments in oil stock himself are still upset with the President because of the moratorium. It is me or does this give you the creeps? I have the creeps just thinking about the various people listed saying one thing on the various interviews a couple of major people who are actually saying very bad things about our President behind the backs of Americans. I am not happy about what i heard though it would be a great thing if the right people heard the story that i heard and do more research because the people in Louisiana specifically that leader in Plaquemines Parish, somebody needs to be talked to. Its one thing to be a conservative but the story reads like a bunch of people who feel safety is just a cliché, Profits before the People is definitely their way of life, and no one should stand in the way of that. I wonder if anyone else hears this stuff and understands it as crazy logic or maybe it is just a bunch of ungrateful people willing to take a risk, a bet against safety for profits or as this one group seems to think jobs. It is beyond me to understand how safety should be put on the back burner. It is even more confusing that the behavior of these people who this President tried to help out clearly lack adult behavior or maybe they are under conservative brain-washing by some in my opinion stupid Republican politicians or people on the right stirring up trouble. The quiet storm of people on the right who need the governments help, who need this Administrations help have been outed by a couple of people and hopefully someone will find the big guy from Plaquemines Parish and grill him. The idea of a Republican or conservative smiling at the President while talking smack about him behind his back is not new but what is disturbing is the nonsense coming from the people who live on the Gulf Coast. Is it so hard to understand that safety should be first, that people died and that information regarding any contingency plans, emergency plans just were not good enough and or failed to be implemented because oilrig workers stated reports of problems were ignored.

The race-baiting ways of folks like Breitbart or fox news and others like them probably will continue but it is in all of our best interest to see it, report it and make sure the correct people take responsibility for their actions. I do not feel Andrew or Fox News has taken enough responsibility for what happened to the following:  ACORN, VannJones, ShirleySherrod, and the new BLK Panther story…the facts are out there and in this year of an unstable financial system a Senate of Republicans stalling and blocking legislation that will help all Americans not just a select few… race has been a tool of ethnic division by folks on the right willing to bring down the governing party. While some are gullible those of us who tune into the nonsense everyday will see the logic through the trees of noise to vote and continue to keep Republicans out of office so that America will have a chance to get back on top again.

Other News …

**Hundreds of native Indians took Brazilian workers hostage

**JKUSA will be live in Arizona on Wednesday

**Obama will be on The View on Thursday

**Tancredo will run for Governor in Co

**Iran sends letter to nuclear watchdog group to restart talks

**Protests are planned ahead of SB1070 decision

**Seattle, WA A week after passing a measure that would allow voters to decide in November whether they want to pay a higher sales tax to support public safety, the Council passed an amended ordinance that would include funding for replacing the aging juvenile facility.By CHRIS GRYGIEL SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

**Wyclef Jean considers running for President of Haiti

**New homes sales rebound 24%

**President Obama would veto legislation to suspend the “EPA’s plans to write new climate change rules,” a White House official said Friday. Led by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), the coal-state proposals would “block the EPA’s authority for two years” and would “undercut what is widely seen as Obama’s alternative climate policy.”

**

C-SPAN …


Sen. Harkin Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) is holding a series of events to mark the 20th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The historical measure is a wide-ranging civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability, signed by Pres. George H. W. Bush in 1990.The Senator will moderate two panel discussions looking back at the law’s original passage and looking forward to initiatives that fulfill the promises of the ADA. He joined C‑SPAN’s Washington Journal this morning and discussed his reasons for supporting the law.

Also today, President Obama hosts an event at the White House with members of Congress, grassroots leaders and Americans living with disabilities.

Documents Detail Afghan War, Allege Pakistan Aiding Insurgents

More than 91,000 leaked military records and diplomatic reports appear to detail U.S. operations in Afghanistan since 2004, including covert missions and indications of support for al Qaeda and the Taliban by Pakistan’s intelligence services. The documents were released Sunday by WikiLeaks.org and had been previously shared with the New York Times and newspapers in Britain and Germany. The White House condemned the release as “irresponsible”and said it could “put the lives of Americans and our partners at risk.”

Cmsn. Looks to Solve Challenges with Subcontractors

Today, the Congressionally-mandated Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan examines the risks of relying on subcontractors in combat zones. Commission Co-Chairman Christopher Shays is specifically focusing on “weak oversight by prime contractors, abuse of unskilled foreign laborers, excessive costs,” as well as other ethical and security concerns.

Co-Chairman Michael Thibault points to the lack of knowledge of the amount of subcontractor employees as a sign of a much larger issue.

“Without good subcontract control by prime contractors and good oversight by the government, we risk not only wasting money, but also depriving our troops of support they need,” said Thibault.

Subcontractors, those who enter a contract to perform duties of federally-hired contractors, make up at least a third of the roughly 200,000 contractor employees in Iraq and Afghanistan. The federal government has faced challenges with subcontractor employees because it has no direct contractual relationship with them, leading to inadequate federal oversight of who they are and what they do.
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Rebuilding Haiti, rebuilding hope


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Together, we can make a positive impact in the lives of poor people around the world -- Make a gift today.

When the massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti last January, Jacques Wilkens’ 2-year-old son became a prisoner of his own home.

Using a sledgehammer and his bare hands, Jacques was able to free his frightened son, found lying next to his grandparents — both killed when the house caved in.

In the span of a minute, the quake affected not only the Wilkens’ family, but three million people — destroying homes, cutting off food supplies and safe water and shutting down hospitals and other public services.

Fortunately, the outpouring of public support for relief and recovery efforts was immense, and CARE is proud to be a part of a response that has helped alleviate suffering for hundreds of thousands of people.

But even before the quake, the people of Haiti were among the poorest people in the world. For so many Haitians, every day is a struggle to survive.

The earthquake in Haiti reminds us all of the challenges that poor people all over the world face with hunger, job security, health care and schooling.

CARE works to help empower poor families to build better lives for themselves. This is no easy task — especially in a country as poor as Haiti. Today, one of the most pressing needs is to help families secure a sturdy roof over their heads as the hurricane season is upon them. At the same time, we are looking ahead to the future — reopening schools, helping children traumatized by the disaster, creating jobs and supporting the health of expectant and new mothers.

The forces of nature are out of our control, but we hold the power to strike at the causes of poverty that amplify disasters like the one in Haiti. When you make a gift today, we can help people all over the world get a basic education, earn an income to support their family, prevent gender-based violence, access quality health care and so much more. CARE partners with local families and communities to help them create sustainable solutions to poverty.

While we can’t stop disasters like the Haiti earthquake from happening again, we can join together to help build a brighter future for all. Today, you can make a world of difference with your gift to CARE.

Sincerely,


Melanie Brooks
Emergency Communications Coordinator