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totally Tuesday &some News


Yesterday, we heard reports that Boehner said that if he had to vote only for giving the Middle Class the tax cuts he would and then maybe a few hours later Cantor and Mitch McConnell both stated No way;  they would filibuster the tax cuts unless the Bush tax cuts were extended. Will someone please tell what do folks need to hear to understand that Republicans are not acting in the best interest of their own constituents let alone the Democratic Party!

Today, the President will give a stay in school speech that still has some school districts avoiding the speech and or parents who are just not willing to accept Obama as our President of the United States and for me it comes as a surprise and is definitely offensive. It clearly is wrong how this man …President Obama helped Teachers keep their jobs …he pressed folks to vote for HR1586. I remember the days when such speeches from the President were definitely mandatory…no question no whispers and certainly no group of people linked to school districts put up walls -is this element of discrimination acceptable?

I do not know if the reports that he would not filibuster are true, if he meant he wanted the bush tax cuts temporarily as reported or that he was willing to give up the millionaire tax cuts to help the middle class. I do know just hearing them whine about big government, how the upper 3% creates the jobs and letting the bush tax cuts would be a job killer is almost embarrassing. It is obvious to most Americans …I hope, that Bush gave 2huge tax cuts to the wealthy a long with waging 2Wars and neither one was paid for but the expect the Democratic Party to stick with paygo when it comes to their fellow Americans… Uh what is that about because they want special treatment when it comes to the Bush tax cuts for them? The facts are that everyone will get a tax cut… the rich will get a tax cut on their first 250thousand people. It is beyond offensive that Americans still want a group in office willing to vote against the People they represent? It is not sane behavior. Primaries matter because the change 53% of us voted for will be determined by who gains control. Those more left of center need to vote like this is a national event. The media has already written off the Democratic Party the question is why? My take is that most if not all reporters, host and commentators are getting paid by major corporate players and their futures may change once folks get it…The changes we need means getting more seats in Congress in November.

How often do we all hear how the GOP will be picking up a significant amount of seats in Congress?  The Democratic Party needs to get out in front of any primary election, plan for transportation and do whatever helps to GOTV, which goes without saying but then it was sort of disappointing to hear that money shared by Democrats is not always available for every State and is just the way it is but folks on the local level probably need to get more involved on a year around basis. The reports are that Democrats get involved in major elections but it’s a new day, now everyone should get involved at every level to keep Democrats in office and back on track to getting our broken down system back on track.  We all know what happened and who shoved us toward an enormous ditch; they bet and spent, spent, spent money without enforcing regulations.  While it’s possible a lot of people saw the problem no one did a thing until it was too late and passed it on to the next Administration.

So, what’s my point to Primaries matter? This is not the time to move away from Democratic ideology, move away from getting things done unlike Republicans; it’s not the time to give up. We have to demand action from Congress.  We need to move into the 21st Century; while Republicans fight to keep us from progressing into a country that has health care for all, climate change because we care about our earth, our children.  We need to demand regulations and financial reform for a failed financial system that they took advantage of. Congress needs to make a good faith effort to reform the way people come into the US … immigration is not going away and the Arizona laws definitely are a catalyst for change.

Other News …

**President Obama will again offer a do well in school speech today as schools all over the US begin…while many will not show the speech

**The Middle east talks :core issues are being talked about -settlements and no agreements as of yet

**Hurricanes Igor/Julia are churning and are Cat4 but far from land

**The French passes ban on full Muslim veil

**BP resumes the relief oil drilling

**100 tons of diesel oil was spilled into

**Cuba to lay off over 500 thousand of its workers

**The female hiker of 3hikers was let go w/a 500thousand bond

**There are Primaries in 7 States …be sure to vote today

**

CSPAN …

Senate Impeachment Proceedings for Judge Thomas Porteous - Day 1 Senate Impeachment Proceedings for Judge Thomas Porteous – Day 1

Pres. Obama Back Yard Town Hall on the Economy Pres. Obama Back Yard Town Hall on the Economy

Fmr. Pres. Bill Clinton Presents 2010 Liberty Medal to Fmr. British P.M. Tony Blair Fmr. Pres. Bill Clinton Presents 2010 Liberty Medal to Fmr. British P.M. Tony Blair

Discussion on Islamic Community Center and Mosque Controversy with Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf Discussion on Islamic Community Center and Mosque Controversy with Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf

State Department Press Briefing State Department Press Briefing

NPC Luncheon with Rev. David Beckmann, Pres. of Bread for the World NPC Luncheon with Rev. David Beckmann, Pres. of Bread for the World

~ Recent Post

Congress:the Senate/House debates & votes today!


The Senate Convenes: 10:00amET September 14, 2010

Resume consideration of H.R.5297, the Small Business Jobs bill with the time equally divided and controlled between the two leaders or their designees.

At 11:00am, the Senate will proceed to a cloture vote on Johanns amendment #4596 (1099 reporting). If cloture is not invoked, the Senate would proceed to a cloture vote on the Nelson (FL) amendment #4595 (1099 reporting). If cloture is invoked, there would be up to 30 hours for debate. If cloture is not invoked, the Senate would proceed to a cloture vote on the substitute amendment #4594 to HR5297, Small Business Jobs.

The Senate will recess from 12:30pm – 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

By unanimous consent, the filing deadline for second degree amendments to the substitute amendment #4594 and HR5297 is 12:00 noon today, Tuesday. September 14.

Votes:
231: Cloture on Johanns #4596 (1099 reporting);
Not Invoked: 46-52

232: Cloture on Nelson (FL) #4595 (1099 reporting);
Not Invoked: 56-42

233: Cloture on Substitute amendment #4594: to H.R.5297, Small Business Jobs bill;
Invoked: 61-37 <<- this means that HR5297 will now move forward to a final vote this week; Reid tweets dadt may get a vote as well this week

There will be no further roll call votes.

Unanimous Consent:
Adopted S.Res.597, a resolution designating September 2010 as “National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month”

Adopted S.Res.603, a resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the National Council for International Visitors, and designating February 16, 2011, as “Citizen Diplomacy Day”

Adopted S.Res.607, a resolution recognizing the month of October 2011 as “National Principals Month”

Adopted S.Res.620, a resolution to designate September 12, 2010, as “National Day of Encouragement”

##########################################################

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 2:00pmET September 14, 2010

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

7:00 P.M. –

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

6:59 P.M. –

Mr. McClintock requested the following general leaves to address the House on September 21: Mr. Jones for 5 min.

Mr. McClintock requested the following general leaves to address the House on September 16: Mr. Poe of TX for 5 min, Mr. Jones for 5 min, Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, and Mr. Bishop of UT for 5 min.

6:57 P.M. –

Mr. McClintock requested the following general leaves to address the House on September 15: Mr. Poe of TX for 5 min, Mr. Jones for 5 min, Mr. Gohmert for 5 min, Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for 5 min.

6:45 P.M. –

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

H. Res. 1571:

acknowledging and congratulating Miami Dade College on the occasion of its 50th anniversary of service to the students and residents of the State of Florida

6:43 P.M. –

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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 378 – 0 (Roll no. 520).

6:32 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 1052:

honoring the members of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard of the State of Oklahoma for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States since September 11, 2001

6:31 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): 378 – 0 (Roll no. 519).

6:01 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

6:00 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of September 14.

3:50 P.M. –

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

H. Res. 1611:

expressing support for designation of the week beginning September 19, 2010, as “National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week”

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.

3:40 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1611.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1480:

commending the University of Southern California Trojan men’s tennis team for its victory in the 2010 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men’s Tennis Championship

3:39 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.

3:29 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1480.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1564:

commending and congratulating Michigan Technological University on the occasion of its 125th anniversary

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.

3:18 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1564.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1571:

acknowledging and congratulating Miami Dade College on the occasion of its 50th anniversary of service to the students and residents of the State of Florida

3:17 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.

3:04 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1571.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Ms. Watson moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.

H.R. 6102:

to amend the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 to extend the authority of the Secretary of the Navy to enter into multiyear contracts for F/A-18E, F/A-18F, and EA-18G aircraft

3:03 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.

2:53 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6102.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1251:

recognizing and honoring the United States troops who gave their lives on D-Day at the Battle of Normandy

2:52 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.

2:45 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1251.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1052:

honoring the members of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard of the State of Oklahoma for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States since September 11, 2001

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.

2:38 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1052.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1610:

expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the terrorist attacks launched against the United States on September 11, 2001

2:37 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.

2:13 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1610.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Connolly (VA) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

2:12 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:00 p.m. today.

2:04 P.M. –

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

2:03 P.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 House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on September 14, 2010 at 9:21 a.m.: That the Senate agreed to H.Con.Res. 292, without amendment.

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 House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on August 12, 2010 at 12:04 p.m.: That the Senate agreed to S.Res. 617.

2:02 P.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 House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on August 12, 2010 at 10:37 p.m.: That the Senate passed H.R. 6080, without amendment.

2:01 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Poe of TX 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 Speaker designated the Honorable Laura Richardson to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ Recent Post

RADICAL RIGHT Rallies of Misinformation


In the months leading up to the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, conservatives, right-wing media, and Republican lawmakers have led a campaign of misinformation, paranoia, fear, and anger toward Muslims, sparked by the recent hysteria over a hate pastor’s plan to burn the Quran (which he thankfully never carried out) and outrage over an organization’s plan to build a mosque and Islamic community center near Ground Zero in Manhattan. A recent Washington Post poll found that a plurality of Americans now have an unfavorable view of Islam, “the most negative split on the question” since Oct. 2001. Commemorating the 9/11 attacks, President Obama urged tolerance toward Muslims. “As Americans we are not — and never will be — at war with Islam,” he said. “It was not a religion that attacked us that September day — it was al Qaida, a sorry band of men which perverts religion.” Yet rhetoric from conservatives who gathered this weekend in New York City to protest the Park51 community center, and in Washington, D.C. for the Tea Party “9/12” rally was steeped in Islamophobia and general misinformation about the President, leading Democrats, and their policies.

‘NO MOSQUE HERE’: The Stop Islamization of America-sponsored rally near Ground Zero in Manhattan against the Park51 Islamic cultural center drummed up fears of Sharia law in America with regular “no mosque here” chants from the Tea Party-esque crowd. As the Wonk Room’s Matt Duss noted, the event stirred “together half-truths with outright falsehoods into a stew of anti-Muslim paranoia.” Speaking at the event, GOP House candidate Ilario Pantano attempted to instill fears that Park51 project leader Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, along with Iran, was responsible for the Gaza aid flotilla this summer that resulted in the killing of nine Turks — including one Turkish American — by Israeli commandos. And the event’s headline speaker, right-wing Dutch politician Geert Welders — who once called Islam “the ideology of a retarded culture” — falsely claimed that the Park51 center would be “a house of Sharia” and that Rauf “refuses to condemn terrorists.” In dozens of interviews with The Progress Report, attendees at the protest espoused similar views. “It’s going to be a Sharia law mosque. They believe in the jihad,” one woman from Long Island said. Another woman associated with the American Congress for Truth said Rauf is “building sharia on Ground Zero.” Echoing former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, one man — not seeming to recognize the freedoms bestowed on the U.S. as opposed to other countries — said, “When they build a church in Saudi Arabia then they can build a mosque” near Ground Zero. Many attendees said that Rauf and his organization wanted to build a mosque near Ground Zero because that’s what Muslims do after a victory in battle — a notion propagated recently by Fox News, and by hate radio hosts Micheal Savage and Rush Limbaugh. “History shows us that they do build where they have conquered,” one woman said. When asked how she knew this, she replied, “On many different shows. … We have historians in our family and they said if you were to research that, that that would right. I don’t know personally myself, I haven’t seen them but they say in history, that’s what they have done.”

THE TEA PARTY IN D.C.: Tea Party members from all over the country gathered on the Mall in Washington, D.C. for their second annual FreedomWorks-sponsored “9/12” rally to protest against President Obama and his purported “socialist cronies.” Many attendees at the 9/12 rally appeared to represent the nearly 20 percent of Americans who believe that Obama is a Muslim. “None of the crowd members I talked to would say that Obama was either Christian or a U.S. citizen (the best I got was ‘only God knows what’s in his heart,’ from a nice woman from Ohio),” reported TPM’s Evan McMorris-Santoro. The rest of the rally — which was considerably smaller in size when compared to last year’s event — consisted of ridiculing taxes and spending and heralding the Constitution with “God repeatedly placed firmly on the conservative side of the political spectrum by speakers and audience members alike.”

SIGNS OF INTOLERANCE: Apart from the divisive and misinformed rhetoric that took place at these rallies, attendees often displayed signs, banners, and other placards displaying symbols and inscriptions of hatred and intolerance. At the 9/12 rally, one attendee held a sign that said “Obama wants to ban pork!” presumably a reference to the false claim that he is a Muslim. Another sign depicted Obama as both a Nazi and a communist while another associated members of Congress with rodents. One man carried a sign that said “Obama, the terrorist from within.” One banner at the New York rally read that the Park51 center is “the monument to terrorism,” while another sign read “no Muslim integration.” Many protesters carried small pieces of cardboard that read “No Obama’s Mosque.” One placard portrayed a cartoonish image of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and read: “‘Sharia’ Pelosi. Implant A Tongue Depressor — Wire Her Jaw.” Others wore t-shirts with an image of an airplane flying into the World Trade Center with the words, “They will teach” imprinted on them. Indeed, one observer at the anti-mosque rally in New York noticed the signs and rhetoric of hatred and intolerance, telling The Progress Report, “It’s so emotional here. It’s really aggressive…it’s all fear and it’s all anger, and it just makes me cry. … What is wrong with a mosque? It’s just the same, it’s a great religion just as all the others.”

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress in Session -9/13/10


The Senate Convenes today at 2:30pmET

following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business until 3:30pm with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

At 3:30pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider the nomination of Jane Stranch, of Tennessee, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit. There will be 2 hours for debate with the time equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Sessions, or their designees.

At 5:30pm on Monday, September 13, the Senate will proceed to vote on confirmation of the nomination of Jane Stranch to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit.

As a reminder, Senator Reid filed 4 cloture motions with respect to the Small Business Jobs bill (HR5297). The filing deadline for first degree amendments to HR5297 and the Reid for Baucus-Landrieu amendment #4594 (Substitute) is 3:00pm on Monday, September 13.
Votes:
230: Confirmation of Jane Stranch to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Sixth Circuit; Confirmed: 71-21

The next meeting in the House will be on September 14, 2010 at 2:30

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

a message from DFA


We face a radicalized Republican Party who wants to take back control of our country and turn it into a Palinesque nightmare. DFA members have chosen John Boehner and Mitch McConnell as the top ‘Villains’ of progressives in 2010. Washington pundits think Democrats could lose the House, the Senate or both in November and then these two Villains will come to power.

We’re not going to let that happen.

With only 51 days left until Election Day, the stakes couldn’t be higher. On Saturday, October 2nd — exactly one month from Election Day — we’re organizing a National Day of Action to volunteer for progressive candidates in your state. We’ll get together for a live nationwide conference call with Jim Dean and other special guests to get fired up and focused on a progressive message for victory. Afterward, we’ll knock on doors, make phone calls, attend a campaign rally… whatever volunteer activity you want to do for the candidate of your choice.

We’re not going to sit around and hope for change, we’re going to keep working to make it happen — but the key to all of it is you. We’ve set a goal of at least 10 Day of Action events in Washington. Can we count on you to host an event?

Sign up to help organize an event in Seattle right now.

All the DC pundits are bleating about our imminent defeat in November. But there’s one thing they don’t see in the polls or hear about in their media bubble – it’s you. It’s because of you that we stopped George W. Bush from privatizing Social Security in 2005, won control of Congress in 2006, and elected Barack Obama in 2008. The pundits got all of these wrong then and they’ll be wrong again this year.

But we’ve just got 51 days to make it happen. Winning means dealing a crushing defeat to the tea party crowd and emboldening those Democrats too afraid to stand on progressive principles. Losing means saying goodbye to progressive Heroes like Barbara Boxer, Russ Feingold and Alan Grayson… and all we’ll have left will be Villains like John Boehner and Mitch McConnell.

The stakes couldn’t be higher and we’re counting on you to step up and make a difference once again.

Sign up to help organize an event today and one of our National Field Organizers will contact you next week to work with you on your event.

Working together, we’ll win in November.

-Matt

Matt Blizek, Field Director
Democracy for America