Tag Archives: reviews

Last September, in the midst of a stunning attack on an organization dedicated to organizing working people to act on their own behalf, the US Congress approved the Defund ACORN Act. It did this without investigating the charges leveled against us and in response to what was, above all, an enormous propaganda campaign. Congress’ move, singling out one organization for sanctions without investigation, is called a “bill of attainder” and it is expressly prohibited by the Constitution of the United States.

We have fought this miscarriage of justice from the beginning and from the beginning we’ve had success, including winning a preliminary injunction against it. Now our appeal is speeding through the courts, with the next hearing scheduled for this Thursday, June 24th. This fight is no longer about ACORN – as you know, we’ve ceased all field operations – it is about the Constitution itself. If this attack is allowed to stand, then any other organization that displeases those with power in the United States can be similarly attacked and, potentially, destroyed.

That’s why I’m asking you to stand up for justice, for the Constitution, and against Congress’ action by sending your members of Congress an email demanding they go on record opposing the defund ACORN act and the continuing efforts of the Administration to defend it in court.

ACORN has been investigated by four separate, independent, sources – former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbarger, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, the California Attorney General, and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) – and each of them has cleared ACORN of any wrongdoing. Three investigations reviewing the videos used to attack ACORN determined that they were “splice jobs” in which “the truth is on the cutting room floor”. The fourth, from the GAO, concluded that ACORN had not misused any of the Federal funds it had received. In other words, the entire set of attacks was a witch hunt driven using modern propaganda techniques and with millions of dollars in dedicated air time on a “news” channel and talk radio.

And you know why. We were simply too good at what we did – engaging low- and moderate-income families and families of color in America’s democratic system. If we hadn’t helped 860,000 new voters get on the voter rolls since 2004 (we believe this is the largest non-partisan voter registration effort ever carried out by a single non-profit organization), if we hadn’t helped raise the minimum wage in seven states, if we hadn’t blown the whistle about predatory lending in the sub-prime market back in 1999, and if we hadn’t brought in over $15 billion in direct benefits to America’s low- and moderate-income neighborhoods from 1994 – 2004, then we wouldn’t have been the targets of smears and attacks going back to the 2004 election. Smears that were exposed during the height of the scandal surrounding the firing of US Attorneys like David Iglesias in New Mexico, who refused to trump up phony voter fraud charges against ACORN.

You can stand up to these smears and for justice for working people by telling Congress to finally do the right thing. Frankly, if the attacks leveled against ACORN had really been about misusing taxpayer dollars, you can bet that defense contractors like Xe (formerly Blackwater), Halliburton, and Kaman Dayron, all of whom have been found guilty of either committing actual crimes or of collectively defrauding the American people of hundreds of millions of dollars, would have been the subject of their own Defund Corporate Criminals Act.

But, of course, they aren’t. Because, unlike ACORN’s low- and moderate-income membership, these corporations can buy influence in the highest levels of political power in the United States. So, our lawsuit against the unconstitutional Defund ACORN Act is not about ACORN and its past federal funding. It is about justice for all organizations that fight for the interests of regular folks against the most powerful interests in America. You can remind Congress that people expect them to tackle the difficult issues facing our country and its working families, not engage in political grandstanding at the expense of constitutional guarantees.

Thank you for all your past support and for taking a stand to make America a fairer and more equitable place for all of us.

In solidarity and strength,

Bertha Lewis
ACORN CEO and Chief Organizer

PS. For those of you living in New York City, we’re inviting you to attend the Thursday hearing with me and other allies. Click here for more information about the hearing and the entire ACORN v USA case prepared by the Center for Constitutional Rights.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Cardin, Casey, Hagan Join Education Advocates And Firefighters To Discuss Why FMAP Funding Is Important For Our Communities And Schools

06/22/2010 Nativegrl77

June 22, 2010

Washington, DC— Senators Ben Cardin, Bob Casey and Kay Hagan joined Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and Kevin O’Connor of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) at a press conference this morning to call on Republicans to stop blocking critical state funding. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, actions needed to close state budget deficits could cost the national economy 900,000 public- and private-sector jobs, including teachers, police officers and firefighters. In recent weeks, Republicans have blocked several efforts by Senate Democrats to pass this legislation, leaving our communities vulnerable and depriving our schools of much-needed resources to educate our children.

“If we do not extend these funds, the states like Maryland will hit a fiscal wall that will have an immediate impact on our most vulnerable citizens. It also will cost us jobs as local governments are forced to make painful cuts just at the very time we were beginning to feel the positive results of our recovery,” said Senator Cardin. “This is critically important for our nation as a whole and should not be a partisan issue.”

“Continued obstruction in the Senate could lead to 20,000 layoffs in Pennsylvania alone and poses a threat to public safety and schools,” said Senator Casey. “Despite majority support, states around the country are facing harmful real world consequences because a minority of senators are blocking funding.”

“Extending this Medicaid funding is the key to helping North Carolina and all of our states navigate these difficult economic times,” said Senator Hagan. “Our children’s education and the safety of our communities are at risk. This is an issue too important to fall victim to partisan bickering.”

“Children don’t decide to be born during good times or bad. But we, the adults, decide whether we are going to take care of our children and give them the care and education they deserve,” said Randi Weingarten of the AFT. “By funding FMAP, we can meet that obligation to our children, and continue the terrific progress we’re making in school districts across the county.”

“It’s time for Congress to stop talking and start acting. It’s time to put our communities and the safety of our citizens first,” said Kevin O’Connor of the IAFF. The price of Congressional inaction will force cities and towns to lay off thousands of fire fighters and jeopardize public safety. Stop the delays, pass the FMAP funding extension immediately.”

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Oil rig worker warned of BP danger

06/22/2010 Nativegrl77

As Americans heard Judge Martin Feldman rule against the President’s moratorium today, one has to wonder why people on the Gulf Coast cannot wait while safety checks are done, possibly demand relief wells be dug and or any 500thouand dollar safety feature be on all questionable wells… why wouldn’t a Judge want these wells checked and or adjusted before letting the lives of workers be at any more risk

the BP whistle blower talks about his experience … we all need to ask ourselves is it possible that Corporations like BP are willing to risk life and the environment against Profits; does this include Judge feldman

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

06/22/2010 Nativegrl77

BUSINESS — BP LAUNCHES ‘AGGRESSIVE’ SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN, BUT RESTRICTS FEEDBACK: Facing public outrage over the devastation its oil gusher has caused in the Gulf, BP has been making a major public relations push over the past few weeks to burnish its image. The company began buying space on search-engine results pages for oil-related search terms, and it earned criticism for lavishing $50 million on radio, TV, and print ads featuring CEO Tony Hayward pledging to “do everything we can so this never happens again.” Now, BP is launching an “aggressive” social media campaign employing Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Flickr. A BP spokesperson boasts of how the social venues are “more direct than other channels.” BP’s sophisticated campaign “would make most social media strategists proud,” but the AdWeek report reveals the hollowness of the outreach. On Facebook, the company only accepts comments from people who “like” BP, and the “extensive commenting policy…warns that any ‘ad hominem attacks’ will be removed.” Meanwhile, comments are disabled completely on the company’s YouTube channel. BP shutting down feedback is ironic considering the oil giant claims to be actively soliciting ideas from the public on how to help resolve the crisis in the Gulf. Although BP has received tens of thousands of ideas, it quickly became clear that the company was ignoring the suggestions and that the effort was largely a PR stunt. Many inventors who have submitted suggestions complain BP “isn’t taking their suggestions seriously enough,” and overall, BP has been widely denounced for spending millions on advertising to rehabilitate its image while it should be spending that money to rehabilitate the Gulf.

Black History

it’s Tuesday -Congress is in Session

06/22/2010 Nativegrl77

The Senate will convene at 10:00amET June 21, 2010

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will proceed to a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The Majority will control the first 30 minutes, the Republicans will control the next 60 minutes, and the Majority will control the next 30 minutes.

There will be no roll call votes this evening. Morning business has been extended until 9:45pm, with the time equally divided and controlled between Senator Stabenow and the Republican Leader, or their designees. Senator Stabenow will control the first hour, the Republicans will control the next hour, and Senator Stabenow will control the final 15 minutes.

Unanimous Consent:
By unanimous consent, the Senate confirmed the nominations listed below.

Cal. #493 – Brian Hayes – Member NLRB
Cal. #494 – Mark Pearce – Member NLRB
Cal. #556 – Benjamin Tucker – Deputy Director National Drug Control
Cal. #581 – John Laub – Director – National Institute of Justice
Cal. #589 – Anthony Coscia – AMTRAK Board of Directors
Cal. #590 – Albert DiClemente – AMTRAK Board of Directors
Cal. #592 – Mark Rosekind – Member NTSB
Cal. #647 – Jim Esquea – Asst Secy HHS
Cal. #705 – James Lynch – Director Bureau of Justice Statistics
Cal. #722 – Judith Ann Stock – Asst Secy State (Educational & Cultural Affairs)
Cal. #726 – Patricia Hoffman – Asst Secy Energy
Cal. #747 – Ari Ne’eman – Member National Council on Disability
Cal. #783 – David Matsuda – Admin Maritime Administration
Cal. #784 – Michael Tillman – Member Marine Mammal Commission
Cal. #785-786 – Daryl Boness – Member Marine Mammal Commission
Cal. #787 – Earl Weener – Member NTSB
Cal. #788 – Jeffrey Moreland – Director AMTRAK
Cal. #794 – Arthur Elkins – IG – EPA
Cal. #799 – Carolyn Radelet – Deputy Director Peace Corps
Cal. #800 – Elizabeth Littlefield – President OPIC
Cal. #801 – Lana Pollack – Commissioner U.S. Int’l Joint Commission – U.S./Canada
Cal. #824 – Dana Bilyeu – Member Federal Thrift Investment Board
Cal. #825-826 – Michael Kennedy – Member Federal Thrift Investment Board
Cal. #827 – Dennis Walsh – Chairman Special Panel on Appeals
Cal. #828 – Milton C. Lee – Associate Judge Superior Court – D.C.
Cal. #829 – Todd Edelman – Associate Judge Superior Court – D.C.
Cal. #830 – Judith Smith – Associate Judge Superior Court – D.C.
Cal. #836 – Eduardo Ochoa – Asst Secy Postsecondary Education – Dept Education
Cal. #837 – James Taylor – CFO – Department of Labor
Cal. #838 – Robert Wedgeworth – Member National Museum and Library Services
Cal. #839 – Carla Hayden – Member National Museum and Library Services
Cal. #840 – John Coppola – Member National Museum and Library Services
Cal. #841 – Winston Tabb – Member National Museum and Library Services
Cal. #842 – Lawrence Pijeaux – Member National Museum and Library Services
Cal. #844 – Donald Cook – Deputy Adm Defense Programs – Nat’l Nuclear Security Adm
Cal. #845 – Sharon Burke – Director of Operational Energy Plans and Programs – DoD
Cal. #846 – Katherina Hammack – Asst Secy Army
Cal. #847 – Michael McCord – Principal Deputy Under Secy of Defense (Comptroller)
Cal. #848 -Elizabeth McGrath – Deputy Chief Management Officer DoD
Cal. #880 – Jeffrey Lane – Asst Secy Energy (Congressional & Intergovernmental)
Cal. #881 – Cheryl LaFleur – Member FERC
Cal. #882 – Philip Moeller – Member FERC
Cal. #902 – Michael Warren – Member Board of Directors OPIC
Cal. #904 – Adam Gamoran – Member National Board of Education Sciences
Cal. #905 – Deborah Ball – Member National Board of Education Sciences
Cal. #906 – Margaret McLeod – Member National Board of Education Sciences
Cal. #907 – Bridget Long – Member National Board of Education Sciences
Cal. #908 – David Mineta – Deputy Director Demand Reduction – Drug Policy Control
Cal. #916 – Sherry Glied – Asst Secy HHS
Cal. #923 – Daniel Becker – Board Member State Justice Institute
Cal. #924 – James Hannah – Board Member State Justice Institute
Cal. #925 – Gayle Nachtigal – Board Member State Justice Institute
Cal. #926 – John Nalbandian – Board Member State Justice Institute
Cal. #927 – Marsha Rabiteau – Board Member State Justice Institute
Cal. #928 – Hernan Vera – Board Member State Justice Institute
Cal. #930 – Marie Johns – Deputy Adm SBA
Cal. #938 – Thomas Delahanty, II – U.S. Atty – District of Maine
Cal. #939 – Wendy Olson – U.S. Atty – District of Idaho
Cal. #940 – James Lewis – U.S. Atty – Central District of Illinois
Cal. #941 – Donald Cazayoux – U.S. Marshal – Middle District of Louisiana
Cal. #942 – Henry Whitehorn – U.S. Marshal – Western District of Louisiana
Cal. #943 – Kevin Harrison – U.S. Marshal – Middle District of Louisiana
Cal. #944 – Charles Dunne – U.S. Marshal – Eastern District of New York
Cal. #952 – Earl Weener – Member NTSB
Nominations on the Secretary’s Desk at NOAA

Cal. #945 – Cynthia Lamar-Member Board of Trustees, Institute of American Indian/Alaska Natives

Cal. #946 – JoAnn Balzer-Member Board of Trustees, Institute of American Indian/Alaska Natives

Cal. #947 – Tracie Stevens–Chairman-National Indian Gaming Commission

Cal. #940-Pamela Marsh-US Attorney for the Northern District of Florida

Cal. #950-Peter Smith–US Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Cal. #951, Kevin Carr, US Marshal for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

The next meeting in the House is scheduled for 12:30pmET June 21, 2010

7:06 P.M. –

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

7:05 P.M. –

Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on June 29: Mr. Jones for 5 min, and Mr. Cao for 5 min.

Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on June 28: himself for 5 min and Mr. Jones for 5 min.

7:04 P.M. –

Mr. Poe of TX requested that Mr. Burton of IN be allowed to address the House for 5 minutes on June 25.

Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on June 24: Mr. Forbes for 5 min, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for 5 min, and Mr. Gohmert for 5 min.

Mr. Poe of TX requested the following general leaves to address the House on June 23: Mr. Burton of IN for 5 min, Mr. Forbes for 5 min, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for 5 min, and Mr. Gohmert for 5 min.

6:52 P.M. –

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

H. Res. 1407:

supporting the goals and ideals of High-Performance Building Week

6:50 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): 371 – 20 (Roll no. 378).

6:42 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Res. 546:

recognizing the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and more effectively facing the challenges of the future

6:41 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): 390 – 0 (Roll no. 377).

6:33 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

H. Con. Res. 288:

supporting National Men’s Health 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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 388 – 0 (Roll no. 376).

6:02 P.M. –

Considered as unfinished business.

6:01 P.M. –

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

6:00 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 22.

2:58 P.M. –

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

H. Res. 1388:

supporting the goals and ideals of National Hurricane Preparedness Week

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

2:49 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1388.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1407:

supporting the goals and ideals of High-Performance Building Week

2:48 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.

2:42 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1407.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

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

H. Res. 1369:

recognizing the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month

2:40 P.M. –

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

2:35 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 1369.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Davis (IL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Res. 546:

2:33 P.M. –

2:27 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 546.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Davis (IL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

H. Con. Res. 288:

supporting National Men’s Health Week

2:26 P.M. –

2:12 P.M. –

DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 288.

Considered under suspension of the rules.

Mr. Davis (IL) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

2:11 P.M. –

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

2:10 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 U.S. House of Representatives, the Clerk notified the House that she had received a message from the Secretary of the Senate on June 18, 2010 at 2:57 p.m. stating that that body had agreed to S.J.Res. 33 and H.Con.Res. 2424. The message further stated that the Senate passed H.R. 3962 with amendments.

2:01 P.M. –

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

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 Reverend Lane Bemebenek, Joy Lutheran Church, Moore, South Carolina.

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of June 22.

12:32 P.M. –

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

12:30 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 the legislative day.

The Speaker designated the Honorable Henry Cuellar to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day