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TGIF … and the News too


Today, Birth Control Pills turn 50. It’s Friday and the Month of May but it feels more like winter to me.  It’s cold out here in the 206, though the sun is great when it does come out … that will be later today.  It’s another day to be still stay calm …  slowly breathe in through your nose and slowly breathe out through your mouth and repeat …

Hey! don’t forget your MOM this weekend…

There are a lot of strange things going on with not only the weather and it impacts us all.

Yesterday, and i know it will continue because the crazy seems rampant but listening to politicians and lawmakers We the People actually voted into office proposing things like stripping away citizenship, national id’s, no amnesty, complaining about the small things like how potential terrorists almost got away; 9/11 transformed the US a new world and in case people have forgotten we had both international and homegrown terrorists  …where were these folks during all 8 years of the house of Bush and the crap that went on.   The vast conspiracy comments from people in,out or who were in office in the past; like Michael Brown ex-Fema loser… very disturbing.  How many people want a National ID?  i don’t … i still have no idea what Reasonable Suspicion means and what does an illegal look like anyway …

We need comprehensive immigration reform that includes a beefed up border patrol, a way to make Corporations stop hiring undocumented workers but give those who have been here a path to citizenship… whether people will admit it or not the impact on certain parts of our economy will be enormous and deserves serious efforts to finally be reformed.

The jobs numbers came out this morning and while the unemployment rate jumped to 9.9% there was an increase in job gain in the Private Sector by 290thousand, which is definitely a positive considering where we were 2 years ago.  The massive loss of jobs of over 700thousand was stunning and now things seem to be getting better and the over all outlook of our future is on the right track.

Other News …

**Yesterday 2 Republicans voted with Democrats regarding a consumer protection agency

**Airports in Ireland have been closed…the ash plume has grown;western Irish area airports

**New clashes in Greece in response to the austerity bill passing

**Germany to grant credit to Greece almost 29.

**Taylor Swift has donated $500thousand to help with Nashville recovery

**The Obama administration is preparing to revive a civilian nuclear cooperation deal with Moscow that then-President George W. Bush angrily canceled two years ago after Russia invaded Georgia, administration officials said Thursday.

**reports of a money courier is still being sought in the NYC bombing attempt

**Recall on Lettuce in 23 States/19 ill …the recall is for any lettuce from: Freshway Foods of Sydney ,Ohio… lettuce was sold in Alabama, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.



C-SPAN …

5/6

watch Newsmakers: Sen. Durbin

watch Defense Dept. Briefing

watch White House Briefing

watch Panel 1 watch Panel 2 watch Panel 3 read Reuters: U.S. was ill-prepared for crisis FCIC

watch Sec. Napolitano Briefing

watch Spkr. Pelosi Briefing

2010 White House Correspondents’ Dinner

5/7

April Unemployment rises to 9.9%: 290,000 jobs created

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today that the unemployment rate for April edged up to 9.9% but that 290,000 jobs were created. Later today, Pres. Obama will comment on the jobs figures and then the Joint Economic Cmte. will hold a hearing on the employment numbers.

read BLS April: Employment Situation Summary
read BLS April Full Employment Report
watch Jt. Econ. Cmte: c-span.org at 9:30am ET
watch Pres. Obama: C-SPAN at 11am ET
read AP: Economy adds 290,000 jobs

Senate Dems beat back GOP alternative

The Senate continues debate today on amendments to the financial reform bill. No further votes are expected until next week. Yesterday, an amendment by Sen. Shelby (R-AL) was defeated 38 to 61; it would have created a new consumer protection agency within the FDIC. Sen. Maj. Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has urged lawmakers to keep debate to a minimum, saying, “I can’t spend 24 hours on one amendment and accommodate people here.”

hung parliament in U.K., Brown to stay as P.M. for now

BBC exit polls show a hung parliament in the U.K. elections race. Today, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated he is willing to meet with the other two candidates to find “common ground” and form a coalition government. He also called for immediate legislation to have a “fairer voting process.” David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party, says Brown’s Party has lost its mandate to govern. Mr. Cameron will make a statement at 9:30am (ET).

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

ThinkProgress.org …


UNDER THE RADAR

MEDIA — SAUDI-FUNDED FOX NEWS REJECTS AD ARGUING AGAINST MIDDLE EAST OIL DEPENDENCE: Last week, the progressive veterans organization VoteVets released an ad arguing that “a clean energy climate plan would cut our dependence on foreign oil in half and cut oil profits for hostile nations.” The ad features a bedside alarm clock displaying an increasing dollar figure to symbolize the millions of dollars the U.S. spends making hostile countries like Iran “richer selling oil around the world and peddling hate.” While CNN and MSNBC both aired the ad, Fox News refused to, claiming the ad was “too confusing.” There is nothing confusing about the ad. In fact, VoteVets assertion that hostile nations profit from American dependence on foreign oil is based on a Progress Report analysis that finds that a strong cap on carbon would result in Iran losing $1.8 trillion of oil revenue over the next forty years — or more than $100 million a day. “If the world moves away from oil dependence, Iran’s regime will no longer be able to rely on petrodollars to stay afloat,” the Wonk Room’s Brad Johnson wrote. In a statement to The Progress Report, Richard Smith, a senior adviser to VoteVets who served in Afghanistan, said, “The only confusing thing here is why FOX News would reject an ad that calls on Congress to defund our enemies by finding new sources of energy.” While Fox News’ motivation for rejecting the ad is unclear, Media Matters notes that the network has consistently spread misinformation on clean energy reform. Interestingly, the largest stockholder outside the family of CEO Rupert Murdoch is Saudi oil tycoon Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who owns a 7 percent stake in Fox News’ parent company News Corp. But Murdoch himself has supported a mandatory cap on carbon emissions and said he believes Fox News ought to cover the issue differently.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

aflcio.org


Together we’re breaking the powerful grip Wall Street bankers and their high-paid lobbyists have on Washington. Our message is powerful and simple:

Good Jobs Now! Wall Street Must Pay.

Last week, mere hours before we rallied and marched on Wall Street, the Senate overcame Republican obstructionism and brought us closer than ever to meaningful Wall Street reform.

Meanwhile, the most elite Wall Street investment bank of them all, Goldman Sachs, is facing a criminal investigation, compounding its already substantial legal problems. As a result, Goldman stock has plummeted, costing executives millions—small consolation for those out of work, but a start.

The last few months have been amazing, as across the country union members, leaders and allies in the movement have taken our message to the street and to the Wall Street banks that cost us billions of dollars and millions of jobs.

Last week’s rally on Wall Street, with more than 10,000 marching in person and more than 35,000 joining online, was a powerful event, making it clear we will not be taken for granted. Together we are making a difference. What’s NEXT in our fight for good jobs?

1) Text: REFORM to 225568 to join our Wall Street rapid action network. Wall Street must pay to rebuild our economy and create jobs to replace the millions it helped destroy.

2) Ensure the Senate passes meaningful Wall Street reform. We overcame a huge hurdle last week, but many more remain and the next few weeks are critical, as opponents of reform will be fighting with all their power to weaken the Wall Street reform bill on the Senate floor. Contact your senator now and take action.

3) Keep on marching and rallying. Marching and rallying. We can’t slow down. We can’t stop taking our message of Good Jobs Now! Wall Street Must Pay to the rich and powerful. In two weeks we will rally and march here in DC to make sure the banks and their K Street lobbyists hear your message.

For more pictures and stories from our march and rally on Wall Street, visit our blog.

In solidarity,

Marc Laitin
AFL-CIO Online Mobilization Coordinator

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

ThinkProgress.org …


UNDER THE RADAR

RADICAL RIGHT — CONSERVATIVES TOUT CONSPIRACY THEORY THAT OBAMA WANTED OIL SPILL: Yesterday, former Bush-appointed FEMA director Michael Brown — infamous for severely mismanaged the federal response to Hurricane Katrina — accused the Obama administration of playing politics with the oil spill, claiming that the growing catastrophe is “exactly what they want.” Brown said that the President sought to use the disaster to “pander to the environmentalists,” and even suggested  that he intentionally delayed the administration’s response in order to allow the spill to worsen. Brown’s charge, which ignores the fact that every branch of government had been engaged in managing or investigating the crisis for at least a week, follows a spate of similar right-wing conspiracy theories about the incident. As the disaster caused by the explosion became more apparent last week, right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh suggested that someone intentionally blew up the rig in order to “head off more oil drilling.” By yesterday morning the meme had found a home on Fox and Friends, where former Bush press secretary Dana Perino said she was “not trying to introduce a conspiracy theory” before asking, “But was this deliberate?” Later in this show, host Steve Doocy asked Fox Business’ Eric Bolling to respond to people who have suggested that “there’s a possibility this could be sabotage.” Citing Perino, Bolling engaged in conspiracy speculation, asking “did they let it leak a little bit and say, ‘boy I don’t know?’ I mean, the conspiracy theorists would say, maybe they let it leak for a while and then they address the issue.” Until Limbaugh and Fox News’ recent speculation, such oil spill truther theories had appeared only on fringe websites. And while federal investigators are not ruling out any possible causes, the President of BP America himself blamed the disaster on “a failed piece of equipment.”

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Tuesday On the floor of Congress …


UPdates as needed

The Senate Convenes: 10:00amET

Morning Business for 1 hour. The Majority will control the first 30 minutes and the Republicans will control the final 30 minutes.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.3217, Wall Street Reform.

The first votes for Wall Street Reform might happen today

The Senate will recess from 12:30 until 2:15pm.

Pending amendments to S.3217:
Dodd-Lincoln #3739 (Substitute)
Boxer #3737 (no bail outs)
Snowe #3755 (reporting)
#3757 (small business access to credit)

Unanimous Consent:
Adopted S.Res.513, a resolution designating July 9, 2010, as “Collector Car Appreciation Day” and recognizing that the collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.


CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 4, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

7:33 P.M. –
SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

7:32 P.M. –
Mr. Dreier requested the following general leaves to address the House on May 11: Mr. Moran of KS for 5 min, Mr. Poe of TX for 5 min, and Mr. Jones for 5 min. Mr. Dreier requested the following general leaves to address the House on May 6: Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min and Mr. Franks of AZ for 5 min.

Mr. Dreier requested the following general leaves to address the House on May 5: Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Lincoln of FL for 5 min, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for 5 min, Mr. Franks of AZ for 5 min, Mr. King of NY for 5 min, Mr. Paul for 5 min, Mr. Posey for 5 min, and Mr. Thompson of PA for 5 min.

7:19 P.M. –
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

7:16 P.M. –
The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notice stating that the national emergency with respect to the actions of the Government of Syria declared in Executive Order 13338 of May 11, 2004, is to continue in effect beyond May 11, 2010 – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 111-105). ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 111-105). 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 sealed envelope from the White House on Monday, May 3, 2010 at 3:23 p.m., and is said to contain a message from the President whereby he submits to the Congress a copy of a notice continuing the national emergency with respect to the Syrian Government.

H. Res. 1132:

honoring the USS New Mexico as the sixth Virginia-class submarine commissioned by the U.S. Navy to protect and defend the United States

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 378 – 1 (Roll no. 245). Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

7:09 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1213:

recognizing the need to improve the participation and performance of America’s students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, supporting the ideals of National Lab Day, and for other purposes

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): 378 – 2 (Roll no. 244).

H. Res. 1307:

honoring the National Science Foundation for 60 years of service to the Nation

6:59 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): 370 – 2 (Roll no. 243).

6:31 P.M. –
Considered as unfinished business.

6:30 P.M. –
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 were postponed. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of May 4.

3:21 P.M. –
The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. today.

H. Res. 1132:

honoring the USS New Mexico as the sixth Virginia-class submarine commissioned by the U.S. Navy to protect and defend the United States

3:20 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.

3:14 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1132. Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H.R. 24:

to redesignate the Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps

3:13 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.

2:58 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 24. Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1269:

commemorating the 400th anniversary of the first use of the telescope for astronomical observation by the Italian scientist Galileo Galilei

2:57 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.

2:52 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1269. Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1231:

celebrating the 50th anniversary of the United States Television Infrared Observation Satellite, the world’s first meteorological satellite, launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on April 1, 1960, and fulfilling the promise of President Eisenhower to all nations of the world to promote the peaceful use of space for the benefit of all mankind

2:51 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.

2:40 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1231. Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1310:

recognizing the 50th anniversary of the laser

2:39 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.

2:33 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1310. Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1213:

recognizing the need to improve the participation and performance of America’s students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, supporting the ideals of National Lab Day, and for other purposes

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.

2:17 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1213. Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1307:

honoring the National Science Foundation for 60 years of service to the Nation

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.

2:08 P.M. –
DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1307. Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Fudge 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.

2:02 P.M. –
ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.

2:01 P.M. –
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Jackson 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.

2:00 P.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 May 4.

12:40 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 DEBATES – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debates. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of the legislative day