Tag Archives: republicans

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Yelp and ALEC are partners ?

12/12/2013 Nativegrl77 2 Comments

Yelp! is silencing thousands of its users who oppose its recent decision to join ALEC.

At our new site TELLYELP.NO, submit your own Yelp! “review” and we’ll deliver it directly to Yelp’s CEO.

Friends ,

According to documents ColorOfChange obtained from the highly-secretive American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) last month, user-review site Yelp! joined ALEC — and gave the group at least $10,000 — during the opening week of George Zimmerman‘s murder trial.

More than 50 corporations have pulled their funding from ALEC over its responsibility for deadly so-called “Stand Your Ground” — or “Shoot First” — laws. It’s due to Shoot First that Zimmerman was not only acquitted of all criminal charges for his confessed killing of unarmed teen Trayvon Martin,¹ but will likely be immune to any civil penalty for wrongful death.²

Pressed to explain the company’s bizarre decision to join ALEC now, Yelp!’s Director of Public Policy admitted he “can’t ignore” the damage ALEC has done.³ But the company is suppressing thousands of negative reviews posted to ALEC’s Yelp! page opposing the move, and Yelp!’s CEO has made every effort to sidestep the growing controversy. To cut through Yelp!’s filter and reach company decisionmakers directly, ColorOfChange is launching a new site — TELLYELP.NO — that drives home the harm Yelp! inflicts on our communities by funding ALEC.

Check out TELLYELP.NO now, and urge CEO Jeremy Stoppelman to withdraw Yelp!’s funding from ALEC.

In the wake of Zimmerman’s acquittal, Shoot First — with its legal presumption that subjective, racist fears are justifiable grounds for vigilante homicide — has served to paint a target on the backs of Black youth.⁴ Shoot First endangers millions of people living in more than two dozen states, and there is now eight years of available data on the laws’ racially-biased outcomes.⁵ But ALEC has taken no steps to repeal Shoot First laws in the states where they’re on the books — nor to stop ALEC legislators from continuing to introduce new ones. Ten Shoot First bills have been introduced so far in 2013, and two have passed.⁶

ALEC is a bill mill that thrives on millions in fungible corporate “membership,” “scholarship” and “sponsorship” monies;⁷ this explicit pay-to-play legislation pipeline ensures that ALEC will continue to produce extreme profit-driven laws⁸ that exploit and endanger our communities. By funding it, Yelp! is directly furthering all aspects of the ALEC legislative agenda, and is responsible for the harms caused by the laws that result.

Join us in urging Yelp!’s CEO to withdraw funding from ALEC and TELLYELP.NO now. And when you do, please ask your friends and family to do the same.

Thanks and Peace,

–Rashad, Matt, Arisha, Kim, Johnny and the rest of the ColorOfChange team
September 26th, 2013

Help support our work. ColorOfChange.org is powered by YOU—your energy and dollars. We take no money from lobbyists or large corporations that don’t share our values, and our tiny staff ensures your contributions go a long way.

References

1. “Fox News Still Denying Role Of Stand Your Ground In Zimmerman Acquittal,” Media Matters for America, 08-20-13
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2975?t=10&akid=3138.1174326.5lrQmV

2. “‘Stand your ground’ law may snarl any civil suit vs. George Zimmerman,” Orlando Sentinel, 07-16-13
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2966?t=12&akid=3138.1174326.5lrQmV

3. “Agree: can’t ignore it,” @lutherlowe (Twitter), 08-15-13
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2967?t=14&akid=3138.1174326.5lrQmV

4. “Open season on black boys after a verdict like this,” The Guardian, 07-14-13
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2969?t=16&akid=3138.1174326.5lrQmV

5. “Uneven application, shocking outcomes,” Tampa Bay Times, 07-03-12
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2970?t=18&akid=3138.1174326.5lrQmV

6. “ALEC at 40: Turning Back the Clock on Prosperity and Progress,” Center for Media and Democracy, 08-08-13
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2971?t=20&akid=3138.1174326.5lrQmV

7. “How the ALEC corporate bill mill works,” Capital Times, 08-16-11
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2972?t=22&akid=3138.1174326.5lrQmV

8. “Big Money, ALEC and the Gun Agenda,” Truthout, 12-16-12
http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2098?t=24&akid=3138.1174326.5lrQmV

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

It’s Redge Ranyard’s story …

12/02/2013 Nativegrl77 2 Comments

VoteVets.org

Last week, John Boehner said that Republicans were locked in an “epic battle” to keep the government shutdown going.

As a World War II veteran, I fought in six epic battles. I helped fight the Nazis in the North African seas, and took part in operations that liberated Italy and the South of France, from Germany.

The Tea Party Shutdown is not an epic battle — it is bad governance.

Americans and veterans like me depend on our entire government being open.

I filmed a television ad with VoteVets, and it’s on the air starting today. I hope you’ll watch it and contribute to help keep it up.

http://action.votevets.org/shutdown-ad

After receiving General Wesley Clark‘s email last week, I responded with my personal story about how the shutdown impacts my life, while expressing my disgust with the Republican Party’s politicization of the World War II Memorial shortly after the shutdown began.

I served this nation with honor. Today, I can’t say the same thing about most Republicans in Congress.

Thank you for standing up for me,

Redge Ranyard
World War II Veteran
VoteVets.org

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Cutting our deficit in half

11/05/2013 Nativegrl77

Cutting our deficit in halfLast week a new report had some big economic news you probably missed: Since 2009, we’ve cut our deficit in half — and it’s falling at its fastest rate since World War II.

Here’s what a milestone like that looks like (in animated form):

In addition to improving our nation’s long-term fiscal security by reducing the deficit, President Obama’s working hard to help strengthen the middle class. And in the past three and a half years, businesses have created more than 7.6 million new jobs.

Take a look and pass it on:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/share/cutting-our-deficit-half

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

$#!^@#%!

09/24/2013 Nativegrl77

CAP Action War Room

GOP Takes Obamacare Meltdown To A Whole New Level

A mere seven days remain for Congress to pass a spending bill in order to avoid a government shutdown. But Republicans are farther away than ever from agreeing to a reasonable plan that would keep the government open.

On Friday, the House GOP continued its march toward shutdown by passing a bill that ties keeping the government open to–surprise!–fully defunding Obamacare. Once again, Republicans refuse to do the hard work of actual governing in favor of playing political games that threaten to sabotage the economy. But while the vote only solidified the GOP’s ideological and dangerous strategy, it opened the floodgates for more infighting among its owns members. Here is what a number of key GOP players and establishment thinkers have to say about the “defund at all costs” plan:

GOP Sen. John McCain (AZ): “I can tell you that in the U.S. Senate, we will not repeal or defund Obamacare. We will not. And to think we can is not rational.”
GOP Strategist Karl Rove: The GOP defunding strategy is “self-defeating…It is an ill-conceived tactic, and Republicans should reject it.”
Fox News Host Bill O’Reilly: Defunding Obamacare is “fanaticism on the right,” O’Reilly says. “There’s no way Obamacare is going to be defunded. It’s not gonna happen.”
GOP Sen. Tom Coburn (OK): “Tactics and strategies ought to be based on what the real world is, and we do not have the political power to do this.”
GOP Sen. Rand Paul (KY): “I’m acknowledging we can’t probably defeat or get rid of Obamacare.”
GOP Sen. Kelly Ayotte (NH): “I don’t believe they should shut down the government to [defund Obamacare], and I don’t think that is a strategy that is good for America.”
GOP Sen. Johnny Isakson (GA): “It’s total atrophy. We’re earning our 11 percent popularity. It’s easier to talk about Obamacare than the major sources of our problems.”
Wall Street Journal Editorial Board: “Kamikaze missions rarely turn out well, least of all for the pilots… The kamikazes could end up ensuring the return of all-Democratic rule.”

Now, they all may just be trying to protect their party’s interests. But they seem to know what most Americans already do: the extreme demands by the GOP to push a narrow ideological agenda are out of touch. A new bipartisan CNBC poll released today proves that point. Almost six in ten Americans oppose defunding the health care law if it means a government shutdown, while just 19 percent support. A poll released last week found that only 23 percent of Americans want to make the health care law fail.

BOTTOM LINE: Republicans’ political games are threatening our nation’s economic recovery. Americans don’t want to shut down the government and want an end to the hostage-taking political tactics that place ideology over practical solutions for stability and growth.

Black History

the Senate S.1392,Energy Savings&Industrial Competitiveness Act CONGRESS the House HR2775,ACA stipulations

09/17/2013 Nativegrl77

Bipartisan Legislation Would Strengthen Background Checks

At a press conference on Thursday, April 11, 2013, Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) unveiled bipartisan legislation to strengthen and enhance background checks for new purchasers of firearms. “Failed”

The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am Tuesday, September 17, 2013. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until noon with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the Majority controlling the first 30 minutes and the Republicans controlling the next 30 minutes.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1392, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act.

At 10:00am there will be a moment of silence to pay tribute to the victims of the tragic mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yard.

At 11:00am today the Senate will turn to Executive Session to consider the following nominations:

– Executive Calendar #175, the nomination of Patricia E. Campbell-Smith, of the District of Columbia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims and;

– Executive Calendar #176, the nomination of Elaine D. Kaplan, of the District of Columbia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims.

There will be up to 30 minutes for debate prior to votes on confirmation of the nominations. We expect a voice vote on the Campbell-Smith nomination and a roll call vote on the Kaplan nomination.

Following the vote on the Kaplan nomination, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

When the Senate reconvenes at 2:15pm we will resume consideration of the S.1392, the Energy Efficiency bill. We are trying to reach an agreement on a finite list of amendments to move forward on that legislation. Senator Vitter has an amendment dealing with the Affordable Care Act and certain congressional and administration staff. We would have a side by side or second degree amendment to his amendment. In order to reach an agreement to vote on Vitter’s amendment we would need a finite list of amendments to complete action on the bill.

12:02pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Elaine D. Kaplan, of the District of Columbia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims;

Confirmed: 64-35

The Senate stands in recess until 2:15pm. Following recess, the there will be a period of morning business to allow Senators Udall (CO) and Bennet to talk about the flooding in Colorado.

At 2:30pm, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1392, Energy Efficiency.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Confirmation of Executive Calendar #176, the nomination of Elaine D. Kaplan, of the District of Columbia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims; Confirmed: 64-35

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.2775, the No Subsidies without Verification Act.

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.2009, the Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act of 2013.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.1513, the High Technology Jobs Preservation Act of 2013. (Wyden/Murkowski)

Began the Rule 14 process of S.1514, the Saving Coal Jobs Act of 2013. (McConnell)

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed the following:

Executive Calendar #175, the nomination of Patricia E. Campbell-Smith, of the District of Columbia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims by voice vote.

Executive Calendar #335 Kenneth Allen Polite, Jr. – to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana for the term of four years.

Executive Calendar #336, Jon T. Rymer, of Tennessee, to be Inspector General, Department of Defense.

Executive Calendar #337, Steve A. Linick, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of State.

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

Last Floor Action: 9/17
7:30:51 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES –
The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded
to Special Order speeches.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on September 17, 2013

Last Floor Action: 9/17 12:03:08 P.M

. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess.

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

Last Floor Action: 9/16
2:02:47 P.M. – The Speaker announced that
the House do now adjourn.

12:00:12 P.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:00:26 P.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable David G. Valadao to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
12:00:42 P.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour Debate, the House will recess until 2:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
12:03:08 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

2:00:10 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 17.
2:00:16 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:01:46 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:01:48 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Sablan to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:17 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:09:28 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 4:00 P.M. today.
4:00:37 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 17.
4:01:48 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
4:02:10 P.M.	H.R. 1410	Mr. Gosar moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1410 — “To prohibit gaming activities on certain Indian lands in Arizona until the expiration of certain gaming compacts.”
4:02:57 P.M.	H.R. 1410	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:02:59 P.M.	H.R. 1410	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1410.

4:39:21 P.M.	H.R. 1410	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
4:40:08 P.M.	H.R. 2449	Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 2449 — “To authorize the President to extend the term of the Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Korea Concerning Civil Uses of Nuclear Energy for a period not to exceed March 19, 2016.”
4:40:14 P.M.	H.R. 2449	Considered under suspension of the rules.
4:40:17 P.M.	H.R. 2449	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2449.
4:59:21 P.M.	H.R. 2449	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.
4:59:42 P.M.	H.R. 301	Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 301 — “To provide for the establishment of the Special Envoy to Promote Religious Freedom of Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia.”
4:59:58 P.M.	H.R. 301	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:00:00 P.M.	H.R. 301	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 301.
5:20:53 P.M.	H.R. 301	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.
5:21:34 P.M.	S. 793	Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. S. 793 — “To support revitalization and reform of the Organization of American States, and for other purposes.”
5:21:54 P.M.	S. 793	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:21:55 P.M.	S. 793	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 793.
5:34:06 P.M.	S. 793	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.
5:35:01 P.M.	H.R. 3092	Mr. Guthrie moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 3092 — “To amend the Missing Children’s Assistance Act, and for other purposes.”
5:35:30 P.M.	H.R. 3092	Considered under suspension of the rules.
5:35:32 P.M.	H.R. 3092	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3092.
5:50:34 P.M.	H.R. 3092	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.
5:50:54 P.M.		The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting an Agreement on Social Security between the United States of America and the Slovak Republic (the “United States-Slovak Republic Totalization Agreement”). – referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 113-62).
5:53:36 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximately 6:30 P.M. today.
6:30:00 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 17.
6:30:04 P.M.		Mr. Bishop (UT) filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 347.
6:30:55 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished 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.
6:31:17 P.M.	H.R. 3092	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 3092 — “To amend the Missing Children’s Assistance Act, and for other purposes.”
6:57:45 P.M.	H.R. 3092	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 407 – 2 (Roll no. 460).
6:57:52 P.M.	H.R. 2449	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2449 — “To authorize the President to extend the term of the Agreement for Cooperation between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Korea Concerning Civil Uses of Nuclear Energy for a period not to exceed March 19, 2016.”
7:04:18 P.M.	H.R. 2449	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 407 – 0 (Roll no. 461).
7:05:00 P.M.		MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in memory of the victims at the Navy Yard in Washington DC.
7:08:15 P.M.	S. 793	Considered as unfinished business. S. 793 — “To support revitalization and reform of the Organization of American States, and for other purposes.”
7:16:18 P.M.	S. 793	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 383 – 24 (Roll no. 462).
7:16:57 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
7:30:51 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.

9:14:52 P.M.		Mr. Johnson (OH) moved that the House do now adjourn.
9:15:08 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
9:15:09 P.M.		The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on September 18, 2013.