Tag Archives: Missouri

~ FDA/USDA ~~ Alerts & Safety, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).


03/06/2013 08:12 PM EST
Tri-Union Seafoods LLC is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of Chicken of the Sea brand 5-ounce cans of chunk white albacore tuna in water. The seams on the lids of the cans do not meet the standard for seam quality.
03/06/2013 01:23 PM EST
Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, has issued a voluntary recall on specific codes of 5-ounce Chunk White Albacore and Chunk Light Tuna products. The recall has been issued because the products do not meet the companies standards for seal tightness.
03/05/2013 12:36 PM EST
The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) Bakery in Clackamas, Oregon is recalling select Wheat Bread products sold at the company’s Fred Meyer Stores in Idaho, Oregon and Washington and QFC stores in Oregon and Washington because these products may contain pieces of plastic. Customers should return the product to stores for a full refund or replacement.
03/05/2013 07:13 PM EST
Cargill’s animal nutrition business today announced a voluntary recall of certain brands of its ruminant mineral products because they were deficient in vitamins A, D and E. The affected products were manufactured at Cargill’s facilities in McPherson, Kansas, and Montgomery City, Missouri, between Dec. 7, 2012, and Feb. 27, 2013.
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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

FYI Republicans : Rape is Rape


Legitimate Rape Is Back

| By ThinkProgress War Room

Republicans Signal New Support for Disgraced Candidate

When Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) made his infamous observation that “legitimate rape” rarely produces pregnancy because “the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down,” his fellow Republicans couldn’t run away fast enough. One after another they denounced Akin — despite the fact that many of them shared his sentiments on the issue if not his extremely poor choice of words. In fact, Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan even teamed up with Akin and other House Republicans in an ill-fated effort to redefine rape. Ryan also worked with Akin on a “personhood” measure that would outlaw abortion in all circumstances and ban common forms of birth control and in vitro fertilization.

The most immediate impact of the Republican effort to distance themselves from Akin (and to try to force him to quit the race) came in the form of declarations from GOP outside spending groups that they would abandon Akin’s campaign and pull their money out of Missouri. For the most part, these groups have kept their word and Sen. Claire McCaskill has surged ahead in the polls.

Now things have changed.

Yesterday was the last day that Akin could pull out of the race and, as promised, he did not do so. So with their chances of taking the Senate looking more and more unlikely by the day, it appears Republicans don’t think Akin and his outrageously offensive comments are so bad after all.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee, the official campaign arm of Senate Republicans, opened the door to getting back into the race on Akin’s behalf:

“There is no question that for Missourians who believe we need to stop the reckless Washington spending, rein-in the role of government in people’s lives, and finally focus on growing jobs in this country, that Todd Akin is a far more preferable candidate than liberal Sen. Claire McCaskill,” NRSC executive director Rob Jesmer said. “As with every Republican Senate candidate, we hope Todd Akin wins in November, and we will continue to monitor this race closely in the days ahead.”

Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), who had earlier called on Akin to quit the race, also voiced his support for Akin:

Congressman Akin and I don’t agree on everything, but he and I agree the Senate majority must change. From Governor Romney to the county courthouse, I’ll be working for the Republican ticket in Missouri, and that includes Todd Akin.

Other prominent Republicans went even further. Former Republican presidential candidates Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum are backing Akin. Gingrich even held a fundraiser for Akin earlier this week. Akin also received the backing of Sen. Jim DeMint’s (R-SC) Senate Conservatives Fund, an influential, well-funded group that has backed the GOP’s most extreme Senate candidates over the past two election cycles.

BOTTOM LINE: The GOP’s apparent re-embrace of Todd Akin tells us what we knew all along: Republicans didn’t really object to Akin’s comments about “legitimate rape,” they just found them to be politically inconvenient. Despite their initial attempt to distance themselves from Akin, it appears that Republicans are going to have to take responsibility for his outrageous comments about women and their bodies.

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Robbing the middle to feed the rich.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

State Tabacco Taxes – done right it can be a win win solution


U.S. State and Local Issues

State Tobacco Taxes

A Win-Win-Win Solution

photo

Tobacco tax increases offer a win-win-win solution for states, especially as they face a severe fiscal crisis and work to balance budgets while preserving essential public services.

Health Win: Tobacco tax increases are one of the most effective ways to reduce smoking and other tobacco use, especially among kids. Every 10 percent increase in cigarette prices reduces youth smoking by about seven percent and total cigarette consumption by about four percent.

Budget Win: Every state that has significantly increased its cigarette tax has enjoyed substantial increases in revenue, even while reducing smoking. Higher tobacco taxes also save money by reducing tobacco-related health care costs, including Medicaid expenses. States can realize even greater health benefits and cost savings by allocating some of the revenue to programs that prevent children from smoking and help smokers quit.

Political Win: National and state polls consistently have found overwhelming public support for tobacco tax increases. Polls also show that, when it comes to balancing budgets, voters prefer raising tobacco taxes to other tax increases or cutting crucial programs such as education and public safety.

Progress, But More Work to Do

In recent years, almost every state and the federal government have increased tobacco taxes. The average state cigarette tax is currently $1.46 per pack, but rates vary widely from 17 cents in Missouri to $4.35 in New York.

On April 1, 2009, the federal cigarette tax increased by 62 cents, to $1.01 per pack.

Every state and the federal government can achieve significant health and revenue gains by further increasing tobacco taxes. Governments can raise even more revenue — and reduce all tobacco use — by increasing taxes on other tobacco products, such as smokeless tobacco and cigars, to parallel the rate on cigarettes. This discourages all tobacco use.

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House passes HR1021,Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension Act of 2011 – the Senate considers S.1925,S.JRes.36,NLRB,Judicial nominees and S.1789


the Senate Convenes at 12:00pmET April 23, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1925, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.
  • At 2:00pm, the Republican Leader or his designee will be recognized to make a motion to proceed to S.J.Res.36, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to representation election procedures with 2 hours of debate, equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.
  • At 4:00pm, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1925, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.
  • At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #528, the nomination of Brian C. Wimes, of MO, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri with 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.  Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), there will be a roll call vote on confirmation of the Wimes nomination.
  • On Thursday, the Senate reached an agreement to complete action on S.1789, the Postal Reform bill.  The Majority Leader announced that the time from 12:00pm-2:00pm, 4:00pm-5:00pm and the time following the vote on Monday evening will be for Senators to debate their amendments to the Postal Reform bill.

5:31pm The Senate began a roll call vote on confirmation of Executive Calendar #528, the nomination of Brian Wimes, of MO, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri; Confirmed: 92-1

The following amendments are pending to S.1789, the Postal Reform bill:

The following amendments to S.1789 have been considered:

ROLL CALL VOTE

1)      Confirmation of the nomination of Brian C. Wimes, of MO, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri; Confirmed: 92-1

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.2327, a bill to prohibit direct foreign assistance to the Government of Egypt until the President makes certain certifications related to treatment of nongovernmental organization workers, and for other purposes. (Paul)

Began the Rule 14 process of S.2338, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2012. (Hutchison, Grassley and Cornyn)

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

——————————————————————————————————–

House Floor Activities                

Legislative Day of April 23, 2012  

-The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on April 24, 2012.11:03:39 A.M. -The House received a communication from Eric With, District Director, Office of Congressman Michael C. Burgess. Pursuant to Rule VIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, Mr. With notified the House that he had been served with a subpoena issued by the 362nd Judicial District Court in Denton, Texas, for testimony in a criminal case and that after consultation with the Office of General Counsel, he had determined that compliance with the subpoena was consistent with the precedents and privileges of the House.11:03:02 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 23, 2012 at 9:15 a.m., stating that that body had passed H.R. 1021 with an amendment.11:02:10 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.11:02:06 A.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.11:01:03 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.11:00:34 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable John Abney Culberson to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.11:00:24 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on April 24, 2012.

Black History

Congress: the Republican led House – Congress takes Friday off – the Senate considers S.1925,Judicial nominees & S.1789


the Senate Convenes at  12:00pmET April 23, 2012

  • Following the prayer and pledge, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1925, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.
  • At 2:00pm, the Republican Leader or his designee will be recognized to make a motion to proceed to S.J.Res.36, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to representation election procedures with 2 hours of debate, equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.
  • At 4:00pm, the Senate will resume consideration of the motion to proceed to S.1925, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.
  • At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #528, the nomination of Brian C. Wimes, of MO, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri with 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.  Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), there will be a roll call vote on confirmation of the Wimes nomination.
  • On Thursday, the Senate reached an agreement to complete action on S.1789, the Postal Reform bill.  The Majority Leader announced that the time from 12:00pm-2:00pm, 4:00pm-5:00pm and the time following the vote on Monday evening will be for Senators to debate their amendments to the Postal Reform bill.

——————————————————————————————-

The next meeting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on April 23, 2012.