Tag Archives: New Orleans

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

First, they attacked PBS and NPR. Now this?

02/21/2011 Nativegrl77

First, they went nuclear on PBS and NPR. Now, they have voted to totally shut down AmeriCorps — the groundbreaking national service program that has transformed the lives of millions of Americans.

In the dead of night on Saturday, a Tea Party-driven group of House members voted to kill AmeriCorps, completely eliminating all funding. With a potential government shutdown looming on March 4th, the fate of 85,000 AmeriCorp community organizers, teachers, and tutors will now be decided by the U.S. Senate.

Here is the heart of the matter: AmeriCorps volunteers help and protect our country’s most vulnerable. Every day, AmeriCorps organizers work in many of the poorest communities in America, lessening the pain of those suffering in this brutal economy. As their work rebuilding New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina exemplifies, these organizers are the backbone of our country’s service community — a Peace Corps for our own country.

After hearing the shocking news, former AmeriCorps volunteer Caleb Jonas decided he had to do something. From a coffee shop in Massachusetts, Caleb logged in to www.Change.org from his laptop and created a petition asking Congress to “Save AmeriCorps.” Caleb’s inspiring action has already been signed by 17,266 Americans — without significant promotion from any major organization. Until now. http://www.change.org/petitions/save-americorps?alert_id=NNHcGQVECl_XoMYVCMMAM&me=aa

Click here now to quickly sign your name to Caleb’s “Save AmeriCorps” petition to the Senate. Your signature will help Caleb reach his personal goal of 85,000 signatures — one signature for every AmeriCorps member currently serving their country. DEADLINE: Thursday, 5 p.m.

Why does Caleb care so much about AmeriCorps? Because he spent a year improving the quality of tutoring programs for low-income kids in Minnesota — and witnessed AmeriCorps members build houses for Habitat for Humanity, help political refugees start new lives, improve reading test scores for elementary school students, and help disadvantaged high school students get into college.

As Caleb told us over the phone, it breaks his heart that this vital national service program could be shut down at a time when people in the most marginalized communities in America need it the most. That’s why Caleb was inspired to start his “Save AmeriCorps” petition from a coffee shop — and why AmeriCorps supporters are sharing it on Facebook and forwarding messages like this to their friends around the country.

With AmeriCorps on the chopping block, it’s time for us to stand up for Caleb and thousands of other volunteers who have committed years of their lives to community service. Will you click here now to sign your name and tell the Senate not to kill AmeriCorps?

http://www.change.org/petitions/save-americorps?alert_id=NNHcGQVECl_XoMYVCMMAM&me=aa

Thank you for joining Caleb and Change.org members across our country fighting to save AmeriCorps before it’s too late.

— Patrick and the Change.org team

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress is in Session -today 12/7

12/06/2010 Nativegrl77

The Senate Convenes: 10:00amET December 7, 2010

At 10:00am there will be a live quorum to begin the Court of Impeachment for the trial of G. Thomas Porteous. Senators are asked to be on the floor at 10:00am.

At 12:30pm, the Senate will proceed to legislative session for a period of morning business with Senator LeMieux recognized to speak for up to 15 minutes. Following his remarks, the Senate will recess until 12:45pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

There will be two additional live quorums with respect to the Court of Impeachment, one at 2:30pm and another at 5:30pm.

Court of Impeachment:
At 10:00am on Tuesday, December 7, the Senate will resume consideration of the articles of impeachment against Judge G. Thomas Porteous, Jr. of the Eastern District of Louisiana for the commencement of arguments by the House Managers and counsel for Judge Porteous on motions filed by Judge Porteous with regard to the impeachment articles. The Secretary is instructed to notify the House of Representatives.

Each side will be permitted no more than one hour for arguments on all motions, counsel for Judge Porteous will be permitted to open and close the motions argument, and the parties are permitted to divide their arguments on the motions as they wish.

After recessing for the weekly party caucuses (12:45pm until 2:30pm), the Senate will reconvene on the articles of impeachment at 2:30pm for the parties’ final arguments on the merits of the articles. There will be a live quorum at 2:30pm to resume the Court of Impeachment. Each party will have 1 ½ hours to present argument on all four articles, which, under the impeachment rules, will be opened and closed by the House Managers, with no more than two individuals speaking for each side.

At the conclusion of the three hours allotted for final arguments, the Senate shall immediately meet in closed session to begin its deliberations on the articles of impeachment and the related motions in accord with impeachment Rule XX.

Senators are encouraged to be in the Senate Chamber tomorrow at 10:00am when a live quorum will begin, just prior to the commencement of the impeachment proceedings. This is an important constitutional part of each Senator’s responsibilities, and each Senator has an obligation to the participants in the case and to his or her office to be present and informed and participate.

Unanimous Consent:
Passed S.3199, the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act.

Passed S.3984, the Museum and Library Services Act of 2010.

Passed H.R.2480, Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2010.

Passed H.R.6184, a bill to amend the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to extend and modify the program allowing the Secretary of the Army to accept and expend funds contributed by non-Federal public entities to expedite the evaluation of permits, and for other purposes.

Adopted S.Res.696, a resolution making minority party committee appointments.

************************************************************

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 12:30pmET December 7, 2010

. 7:08 P.M. –

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

7:07 P.M. –

Mr. Jones requested the following general leaves to address the House on December 14: Mr. Poe of TX for 5 min and himself for 5 min.

Mr. Jones requested the following general leaves to address the House on December 13: Mr. Poe of TX for 5 min and himself for 5 min.

Mr. Jones requested the following general leaves to address the House on December 9: Mr. Garrett of NJ for 5 min, Mr. Paul for 5 min, and Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min.

Mr. Jones requested the following general leaves to address the House on December 8: Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for 5 min, Mr. Garrett of NJ for 5 min, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Lincoln of FL for 5 min, Mr. Paul for 5 min, and Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min.

6:54 P.M. –

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

6:49 P.M. –

NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO OFFER RESOLUTION – Ms. Waters notified the House of her intent to offer a privileged resolution. Ms. Waters was recognized to notice the form of her proposed resolution.

H. Res. 1264:

expressing support for the designation of March as National Essential Tremor Awareness Month

6:47 P.M. –

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 387 – 1 (Roll no. 610).

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

6:38 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1642:

recognizing the centennial of the City of Lilburn, Georgia and supporting the goals and ideals of a City of Lilburn Day

6:37 P.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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 379 – 0 (Roll no. 609).

6:30 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H.R. 6400:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 111 North 6th Street in St. Louis, Missouri, as the “Earl Wilson, Jr. Post Office”

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): 382 – 0 (Roll no. 608).

6:02 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

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

6:01 P.M. –

Mr. Perlmutter filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 1752.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 7.

5:19 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:00 P.M. today.

H.R. 6412:

to amend title 28, United States Code, to require the Attorney General to share criminal records with State sentencing commissions, and for other purposes

5:18 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Scott (VA) 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.

5:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6412.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H.R. 3353:

to provide for American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas to be treated as States for certain criminal justice programs

5:11 P.M. –

5:02 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3353.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

S. 3998:

to extend the Child Safety Pilot Program

5:01 P.M. –

4:51 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3998.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1540:

supporting the goal of eradicating illicit marijuana cultivation on Federal lands and calling on the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to develop a coordinated strategy to permanently dismantle Mexican drug trafficking organizations operating on Federal lands

4:50 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.

4:31 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1540.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Scott (VA) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

S. 3987:

to amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act with respect to the applicability of identity theft guidelines to creditors

4:30 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.

4:24 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3987.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Adler (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

H. Con. Res. 267:

congratulating the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the 20th anniversary of the reestablishment of their full independence

4:23 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 voice vote.

4:16 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 267.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Klein (FL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1751:

mourning the loss of life and expressing condolences to the families affected by the tragic forest fire in Israel that began on December 2, 2010

4:15 P.M. –

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

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

4:08 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1751.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Klein (FL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 1717:

congratulating imprisoned Chinese democracy advocate Liu Xiaobo on the award of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize

4:07 P.M. –

3:27 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1717.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Klein (FL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1402:

recognizing the 50th anniversary of the National Council for International Visitors, and expressing support for designation of February 16, 2011, as “Citizen Diplomacy Day”

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Klein (FL) 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.

3:15 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1402.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Klein (FL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1704:

honoring the 2500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon

3:06 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1704.

3:05 P.M. –

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Klein (FL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H. Res. 1531:

expressing support for designation of 2011 as “World Veterinary Year” to bring attention to and show appreciation for the veterinary profession on its 250th anniversary

3:04 P.M. –

At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Clay 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.

2:53 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1531.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1264:

expressing support for the designation of March as National Essential Tremor Awareness Month

2:47 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1264.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1727:

recognizing Rotary International for 105 years of service to the world and commending members on their dedication to the mission and principles of their organization

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.

2:38 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1727.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1642:

recognizing the centennial of the City of Lilburn, Georgia and supporting the goals and ideals of a City of Lilburn Day

2:37 P.M. –

2:26 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1642.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H.R. 6400:

to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 111 North 6th Street in St. Louis, Missouri, as the “Earl Wilson, Jr. Post Office”

2:25 P.M. –

2:18 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6400.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1687:

recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Runaway Prevention Month

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.

2:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1687.

2:11 P.M. –

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

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

2:05 P.M. –

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II 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 December 7, 2010, at 9:50 a.m., stating that that body had agreed to H.Con.Res. 259 and passed S. 4010.

2:04 P.M. –

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II 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 December 6, 2010, at 1:24 p.m., stating that that body had passed H.R. 6399, S. 3860 and S. 3817.

The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II 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 December 3, 2010, at 4:15 p.m., stating that that body had passed H.R. 3237, H.R. 5281 with amendments, S. 1774 and S. 124.

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

2:03 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Wilson of SC 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.

2:01 P.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

2:00 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 7.

12:50 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

12:31 P.M. –

MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.

12:30 P.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Sam Farr to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day

~ my 2cents ...

thrumming Thursday &some News

10/07/2010 Nativegrl77

i hope that people who have yet to decide who they will be voting for understand the need for a change in the way the mid-term elections are viewed in the year 2010. The idea that the midterms are no big deal is just old school politics because the end result or impact was usually in your own particular state. We all have to accept that the mid-terms are a beacon of the change some of us voted for in 2008 because the fact is …what happens on Nov. 2 will determine our future and could move us forward into the 21^st Century or the middle and lower class could continue living with the status quo. It will be the difference between moving stem cell research along, standing up and speaking out for the current Hyde amendment, agreeing to move immigration reform to the table and keeping laws like SB1070 and the birther law out of the hands of states willing to engage in racial profiling to control their reasonably suspicious people, btw the idea that being undocumented here in the US refers to Hispanics only is absurd. The US is going through non-partisan realities that need to be handled by people(All of Congress) who care about health care reform and all the corrections that are needed, equal wages for equal work, maintain religious freedom as well as the separation of church and state, a woman’s right to choose, oil prices, our environment,education, local and national disaster response time improvements. We are ten years out and parts of New Orleans still look like such a disaster. We told Haiti we would help but not only is that not moving forward quick enough there are reports that money donated have yet to become a reality. It is obvious we all need to be watchdogs of our own destiny, vote out Republicans who have a history of definitely making bad decisions or things will get worse. We have people who claim to be lobbying when in fact they are bribing officials and embezzling funds not just from Wall Street, Main Street or even Average Joe but from 1st nation people and Black Farmers, we have sexual predators who are in charge of and who make laws that will guarantee the safety of our kids, government officials making passes at young men in what should be safe environments for anyone while at work. We have candidates from the right who clearly are on the extremist side of the issues trying to get into positions of power who obviously only plan to represent only a select few and will repeal, replace and eliminate as soon as they grab power. If you listen to both sides of any political debate, interview or panel discussion it all seems extremely simple to me… a change has to be made and yes, I definitely am biased. I believe for change, positive change for All Americans is to get truer Dems on the floor of Congress… our vote on November is the way to start showing our power as Americans… Vote Dems November 2nd

im just sayin

Other News …

**Jobless claims fall below 450thousand

**CO’Donnell complains the media is assassinating her

**President Obama will be in Maryland and Illinois to do some campaigning

**Today is the annv of the Afghanistan war

**Apple will be making their version of the iPhone

**October is Breast Cancer awareness month

**Reports are that Karzai and Taliban have been meeting

**The NRA will endorse 58 Democrats stating it’s useful and good practice to support those politicians that support them no matter what side of the aisle

**Insurance companies are by passing HCR rules

**Desmond Tutu retires

CSPAN …