Tag Archives: MJ

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Big News …JustSayNow.com


Since I wrote you last week, more than 45,000 people have signed on to our petition to President Obama to end the war on marijuana.

But it’s not just us: in that same time, two Catholic cardinals in Mexico and current Mexican President Felipe Calderon called for a debate on legalizing drugs. Then former Mexican President Vicente Fox said that we should regulate marijuana, after his country announced that more than 28,000 people have been killed in the war with drug cartels.

Legalizing marijuana is a moral issue. While our government continues to waste billions every year fighting an unwinnable war on cartels funded by marijuana prohibition, thousands more will needlessly die.

The movement to legalize marijuana is real. Will you join us? Please click here to sign our petition to end the war on marijuana:

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/endthewaronmarijuana

The media is paying attention to our campaign. Here’s just some of what the press has said this week about our petition to end the war on marijuana:

Huffington Post: “‘Just Say Now’: Left-Right Coalition Launches Campaign to Legalize Pot”
The Guardian: “Liberals and libertarians pressing for an end to prohibition”
Willamette Week: “Want to End the War on Marijuana? Sign this Petition”
NBC News: “Just Say Yes – to Marijuana Legalization”
The Atlantic: “A new, and potentially quite significant, arm of the [marijuana legalization] movement”

Momentum is on our side – can you please join us?

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/endthewaronmarijuana

My email to you from last week is below.

Thanks for all you do.

Best,

Jane Hamsher
JustSayNow.com


Subject: Big news

Click here to say Just Say Now!

The war on marijuana is a complete failure.

Billions of dollars are wasted every year. Police officers’ lives put at risk daily. Out-of-control Mexican drug cartels have ravaged our borders, killing thousands of people every year. It’s so bad, even Mexico’s President called for a debate on legalizing marijuana this week

Our government needs a reality check – it’s time to end the war on marijuana.

So we’re launching a massive campaign to fight for legalizing marijuana that we’re calling “Just Say Now.” With the support of the grassroots group Students for Sensible Drug Policy, we’ll organize thousands of people to support legalization at the ballot box.

To kick off our campaign, we’re bringing attention to the unjust, unpopular, and racist reality that is the war on marijuana. It’s a war that must end now.

Ask President Obama to help end the war on marijuana. Click here to sign our petition.

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/endthewaronmarijuana

We’re organizing our Just Say Now campaign to put a stop to the federal government’s war on marijuana. To do that, we’ll organize activists to identify and turn out supporters in states to vote for marijuana in the 2010 and 2012 elections.

This campaign will be a game-changer. Our partners at Students for Sensible Drug Policy have already organized 150 campuses and thousands of student activists. We’re poised to make a huge impact to legalize marijuana.

This November, California will vote to legalize marijuana, and 3 other states will vote on medical marijuana regulations. Thirteen states and DC have already legalized medical marijuana. Poll after poll shows huge majorities in states and the country support legalizing marijuana.

Despite this popular support, the federal government’s war on marijuana continues. Just last month, federal agents raided several completely legal medical marijuana farms and dispensaries.

Join us in calling on President Obama to help end this war. He should join the debate to legalize marijuana.

Click here to add your name to our petition to President Obama to end the war on marijuana:

http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/endthewaronmarijuana

We’re excited to Just Say Now to legalizing marijuana. Thanks for all you do.

Best,

Jane Hamsher                        Aaron Houston
Founder, Firedoglake              Director, Students for Sensible Drug Policy

P.S. We have an online store with great items using our Just Say Now logo – t-shirts, stickers, buttons, and more. All proceeds will go towards our campaign to legalize marijuana. Check out our store!

http://firedoglake.com/justsaynow/store/


~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress in Session -The House of Representative is


CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF AUGUST 10, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

The procedural vote on HR1586 in the House of Representatives is taking place right now ..a Vote to help Teachers, Govt workers, Firefighters and 1st Responders..it extends the stimulus money to help states pay Medicaid and is a 26Billion dollar Bill. I have to say how distasteful it is to know that even 4 in the Democratic Party felt bold enough to vote against HR1586 the vote moves it forward and a vote to debate is now on the floor as well as a possibility that they may have to come back another day…following that if HR1586 passes the bill goes to President Obama asap.

HR1586 passes 247-161 vote with the ugly truth that 3 in the Democratic Party voting No and will go to the desk of the President. The House also passed the 600million for security on the border and now are adjourned until Sept 14th

.

3:26 P.M. –

The House adjourned pursuant to H. Con. Res. 308. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on September 14, 2010.

On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Hastings (FL) moved that the House do now adjourn.

H.R. 1586:

to impose an additional tax on bonuses received from certain TARP recipients

3:25 P.M. –

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

On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 247 – 161 (Roll no. 518).

3:01 P.M. –

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

1:49 P.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to H.Res. 1606, the House proceeded with one hour of debate, equally divided and controlled, on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 1586.

1:48 P.M. –

Mr. Obey moved that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment.

H. Res. 1606:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 1586) to modernize the air traffic control system, improve the safety, reliability, and availability of transportation by air in the United States, provide for modernization of the air traffic control system, reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, and for other purposes

1:46 P.M. –

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

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 229 – 173 (Roll no. 517).

1:39 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

1:38 P.M. –

MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in memory of the brave men and women in uniform who have given their lives in the service of the United States in Iraq and in Afghanistan and their families, and all who serve in our Armed Forces and their families.

H. Res. 1606:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 1586) to modernize the air traffic control system, improve the safety, reliability, and availability of transportation by air in the United States, provide for modernization of the air traffic control system, reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, and for other purposes

1:37 P.M. –

On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 244 – 164 (Roll no. 516).

1:18 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

1:17 P.M. –

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on ordering the previous question and adoption of H.Res. 1606, which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

12:39 P.M. –

POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE – Pursuant to clause 1 of rule IX, Mr. Rangel rose to a point of personal privilege and was recognized by the Chair to proceed for one hour.

On motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 236 – 163 (Roll no. 515).

12:13 P.M. –

Mr. Polis (CO) moved to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair.

12:12 P.M. –

The Chair announced that the pending question is will the decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the House?

Mr. Price (GA) moved to appeal the ruling of the Chair.

11:59 A.M. –

Pursuant to a previous special order, Mr. Price (GA) rose to a question of the privileges of the House and submitted a privileged resolution. The Chair directed the Clerk to report the resolution. The Clerk completed the reading of the submitted resolution and upon examination of the resolution, the Chair announced that the resolution did not constitute a question of the privileges of the House.

H. Res. 1606:

providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill ( H.R. 1586) to modernize the air traffic control system, improve the safety, reliability, and availability of transportation by air in the United States, provide for modernization of the air traffic control system, reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, and for other purposes

11:58 A.M. –

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.Res. 1606, the Chair put the question on ordering the previous question and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Dreier demanded the Yeas and Nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on ordering the previous question on H.Res. 1606 until a time to be announced.

10:55 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H. Res. 1606

Considered as privileged matter.

H.R. 6080:

making emergency supplemental appropriations for border security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes

10:54 A.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.

10:15 A.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6080.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Price (NC) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

10:14 A.M. –

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

10:02 A.M. –

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Kagen 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 Reverend Charles Gallagher, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Washington, DC.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of August 10.

9:24 A.M. –

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

9:00 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.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

NATIONAL SECURITY The Right’s Shameful Muslim-Bashing


Six days after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, President Bush delivered a speech at the Islamic Center of Washington, DC, making clear his belief that the Islamic radicals who attacked America did not represent all Muslims. “The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam,” Bush said. “That’s not what Islam is all about.” In recent months, however, Bush’s message of tolerance has been increasingly rejected by key conservative leaders, many of whom have begun to irresponsibly cultivate fear and hostility toward American Muslims. Journalist Michelle Goldberg wrote that “the hysteria over the Cordoba Initiative” — the Islamic cultural center to be built in lower Manhattan — “has marked a tipping point. Recently, conservatives, including conservative politicians, have indulged in the sort of full-throated, shameless anti-Muslim prejudice more typical of the European far right.” While it was tasked with protecting the country, the Bush administration seemed to recognize that alienating Muslims worldwide was a bad idea, even if its actual policies of war and occupation ended up doing just that. Now, however, unmoored from the responsibilities of governance, the American right is unabashedly embracing a platform of blatant fear-mongering and Islamophobia, and promoting a deeply divisive discourse of war between America and Islam.

NATIONAL OUTBREAK OF ANTI-ISLAMIC PROTEST: Driven by the rhetoric of leaders like Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin, controversy over the so-called “Ground Zero Mosque” has spilled over into conservative protests against Muslim places of worship elsewhere in the country. The Atlantic’s Max Fisher notes that “crowds of protesters, sometimes aligned with the conservative Tea Party movement, are now rallying against proposed mosques in such locations as Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Sheboygan, Wisconsin; Bridgeport, Connecticut; and Temecula, California.” The New York Times recently reported that “local skirmishes make clear that there is now widespread debate about whether the best way to uphold America’s democratic values is to allow Muslims the same religious freedom enjoyed by other Americans, or to pull away the welcome mat from a faith seen as a singular threat.” Examining recent conservative rhetoric against both Muslims and immigrants, the Center for American Progress’ Matthew Yglesias wrote in the Washington Post, “Politicians are making hay out of the mosque only because public opinion seems to oppose it. They are reflecting, as well as stoking, a groundswell of public hostility toward outsiders.”

THE ISLAMOPHOBIA NETWORK GOES MAINSTREAM: For years, a network of well-funded right-wing organizations and individuals have been peddling a false vision of Islam as irretrievably hostile to the United States and modernity, and of American Muslims themselves as a potential fifth column. Since 9/11, pundits like Daniel Pipes, Frank Gaffney, and Andrew McCarthy have made a fine living trafficking in anti-Muslim invective, but have mostly remained on the margins of the debate. Now the adoption of this anti-Islamic discourse by an ostensibly “serious” conservative leader like Newt Gingrich represents a significant escalation. Speaking at the American Enterprise Institute on July 29, Gingrich used a series of discredited anecdotes to argue that Islamist radicals are infiltrating America’s legal system, and declared that Cordoba House represented “an act of triumphalism,” because “Cordoba is the city in Spain where a conquering Muslim army built a mosque on top of a church.” Echoing Gingrich, and expressing his willingness to join “a mass demonstration in front of [New York Mayor Michael] Bloomberg’s office,” former CIA head and Saddam-Al Qaeda conspiracy theorist James Woolsey insisted, “There is absolutely no reason to put [an Islamic cultural center] there except triumphalism.” In a detailed post correcting Gingrich, scholar Carl Pyrdum noted that this argument “elides three hundred years of Christian and Muslim history.” Far from “symboliz[ing] their victory,” Pyrdum wrote, “the [Cordoba] Mosque was held up by Muslim historians a symbol of peaceful coexistence with the Christians” of Spain.

TIME FOR PROGRESSIVES TO STEP UP: Analyzing the upsurge in anti-Islamic rhetoric among conservatives, George Washington University’s Marc Lynch wrote that “the progressive side bears some of the blame” in having failed to offer a coherent counter-narrative to the right-wing’s “war of civilizations.” Slate’s Will Saletan wrote, “If the prospect of losing our Constitution to religious government frightens you, don’t worry about the tiny Muslim-American minority. Worry about the anti-mosque majority Gingrich is working to mobilize.” Defending Cordoba House, the Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg wrote that Imam Rauf, the leader of the Cordoba Initiative, “represents what [Osama] Bin Laden fears most: a Muslim who believes that it is possible to remain true to the values of Islam and, at the same time, to be a loyal citizen of a Western, non-Muslim country.” Goldberg continued, “Bin Laden wants a clash of civilizations; the opponents of the mosque project are giving him what he wants.” “America has real enemies in the world — forces that want to kill us and destroy our democratic values,” wrote the CAP’s Sally Steenland. “We would be smart to refute their claims by more forcefully declaring and acting on what we know to be true — that Islam and democracy are wholly compatible, that Muslims were part of America before we were a nation, that they have fought alongside their fellow Americans in every war we have endured, and today are helping to strengthen our national security and fulfill our country’s promise of equality, liberty, and justice for all.”

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Sunrise on the Gulf …


Help us kick-off the Arctic Sunrise’s expedition of the Gulf by telling Congress “No New Drilling!”
Take Action button

Latest news and action alert from Greenpeace
Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser

White House energy adviser Carol Browner has recently been making the talk show rounds and telling the public about a new government assessment that shows that 75% of the oil from BP’s drilling disaster has either been captured, burned off, evaporated or broken down in the Gulf. As she puts it, “Mother Nature did her part….”

You’re not alone if you think that sounds too good to be true.

That’s why we’ve sailed the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise to the Gulf and are embarking tomorrow on a three-month expedition to provide independent scientific analysis of the impacts of both the oil and chemical dispersants on the Gulf ecosystem. We have to know the truth about the damage that was done.

Relying on BP and federal officials to do that job for us would be foolish at this point. From day one, BP was doing everything in its power to hide the true extent of the disaster and they often had the help of a federal government who seemed more concerned with maintaining its public image than addressing the problem. The Gulf deserves better. We deserve better.

But we don’t have to run a single test to prove that oil drilling is dangerous and deadly. BP has done that work for us. And we don’t need any elaborate solutions to solve the problem either. What we need is to put an end to all new drilling and to transition to clean, renewable sources of energy.

Help us kick-off our tour of the Gulf by taking action and telling Congress “No New Drilling!” today.

Over the course of the next three months we’ll be telling you all about what we find in the Gulf on our website, in our blogs, through videos and photos and more. We’ll also be giving you opportunities to help make the clean energy future we all know is possible a reality by stopping upcoming drilling projects, confronting the fossil fuel industry in your community and joining with people globally for a day of action. You can start right now by telling Congress “No New Drilling!”

Sincerely,

Dan Howells
Greenpeace Deputy Campaign Director

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

From Gallup.Com: Americans’ Confidence in the Medical System on the Rebound …


Forty percent of Americans now express “a great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in the U.S. medical system, the third consecutive year confidence has increased since the all-time low of 31% in 2007. Americans’ confidence in HMOs is higher than in recent years but still low, at 19%. Read more at GALLUP.com.