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Weekend News and Reviews …


Sunday …and it’s Mother Day …

it’s clear BP is having trouble getting the make shift dome into place … which should have been made before drilling … is that a novel idea or maybe just one of many things BP was obviously willing to risk…  maybe a list of things to do or have available if something happens? like an emergency plan? it’s a nice day in the 206… again…drinking coffee watching the screen for our President to announce his Supreme Court Nominee and yes most of us stayed up to watch Betty White; she was great and can’t wait to see her on the new show.

It’s Saturday, the weather here in the 206 is great this morning for shopping antique, thrift and or garage that is …outdoors all the way.  It’s beautiful and hopefully will stay this way.

Apparently, a Ferry in the NYC rammed the Dock … more news to come but looks like engine issues or a stuck throttle  … The BP oil spill has occupied all our minds and has put every thing on hold… the Gulf Coast economy will need major help;  SO… if you live across the country like me and want to help … go to http://www.matteroftrust.org and see if you can do your part… sometimes you just have to.

The move to stop oil drilling; maybe evaluate or even push the need for Wind, Solar and Bio-fuel up to a higher priority and onto a faster track of development in the USA is now; now is the time to stop talking about the plans and start investing in wind,solar and bio-fuel production HERE in the USA .

How tough would it be to see oil cover a beach or lap to shore and have people say that it’s a natural thing ? … it’s not serious and will dissipate …WHAT? clearly the crazies are out in force and hopefully the sane out number them; though is anyone else find it disturbing that those who are pretending to know what is going on or spinning the disaster created on the Gulf Coast as a natural disaster.  These are the same people stating the attempted bombings in NYC are the fault of our current President? uh check your history and admit this started long before the 2008 Presidential campaign and an issue that did not get solved … it’s very disturbing and those who are doing so should stop talking … period.

And just so the Pat Buchanan’s of the world know … The right person is in the office of President … i shudder to think where we would be with a McCain/Palin ticket … think of the flip flop the ex-Maverick has taken think of things he is now walked away from … is it that Purity Pledge that Republicans take ? which includes practicing exclusion? those that sided with the tea party  group who did back McCain are now running from the tea party movement …the tea is not that strong …we have Republicans wanting to strip citizenship away from people, legalize racial profiling give Big Banks more or equal power as an individual and the list can go on.

The Senate vote of  some 27 Democrats against Wall Street Reform is very disturbing; the  financial reform debates are not over and Bernanke stated he is not waiting for Congress; though i am not sure what that means because most talkingheads feel Bernanke was apart of the problem.. is he planning on implementing the reform needed ?  We all know Congress gets paid to work for We the People…& they let us down … ok maybe just me.  While Wall Street Reform is not over yet it is clear that lobbyists and big Corporations have a hold on some on both sides of the aisle and though it does make sense it is disturbing and disappointing … the change that 53% voted for didn’t include those 27 Democrats i guess.

Other News … on Sunday

**Airports in Iceland and nearby are closed due to ash clouds

**

C-SPAN …

Sunday …

Sen. Durbin on Legislative Work of 111th Congress

Joining C SPAN’s Newsmakers, Majority Whip. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) discusses the current debate in the Senate on financial reform legislation. He also looks at the status of other major legislative priorities heading into the 2010 midterm elections.

watch Newsmakers: 10am & 6pm ET    watch Entire Interview
visit Previous Newsmakers

Senate Continues Debate

On Monday, the Senate will begin its second week of work on financial reform legislation. (S. 3217), They are slated to take up Sen. Sanders’ (I-VT) amendment that would allow the Government Accountability Office to conduct limited audits of the Federal Reserve. Last week, Sen. Maj. Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) urged lawmakers to keep debate to a minimum, saying, “I can’t spend 24 hours on one amendment and accommodate people here.” His remarks came after members spent hours debating Sen. Shelby’s (R-AL) amendment on a new consumer protection agency, which was defeated 38 to 61.

Saturday …

watch Pres. Obama’s Weekly Address

watch Entire Interview Sen Durbin and Financial Reform

watch News Conference Rep. Markey trip to Gulf Coast

watch State Department Press Briefing Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Philip Crowley

watch Pres. Obama Remarks on Jobs Report

Sec. Clinton: U.S. Committed to Vision of Nuclear Free World

As part of the “irreversible, transparent and verifiable steps” to reduce its nuclear arms, Sec. of State Clinton announced that the U.S. will publicize the number of weapons in its nuclear arsenal. This was one of several actions by the Obama Administration to encourage world leaders to follow its nonproliferation agenda. Sec. Clinton also responded to Iranian Pres. Ahmadinejad’s remarks, saying that Iran has failed to meet its responsibility and is in noncompliance with U.N. safeguard obligations.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

What is Fox afraid of? Veterans? Clean energy?


There’s an ad that Fox News doesn’t think you should see. The bigwigs at Fox just don’t get it, and they think you aren’t smart enough to get it either — so they’ve refused to run it.

Fox reportedly turned down as “too confusing” an ad from the progressive veterans’ group VoteVets.org — one that explained how passing clean energy legislation is good for our nation’s security. The VoteVets.org ad states that a clean-energy agenda reduces the power oil-producing dictatorships like Iran can exercise over the United States by reducing our dependence on oil.

Confused? Fox News is. It’s absolutely baffled.

Click here to tell Fox: Run VoteVets.org’s ad.

However, Fox hasn’t proved incapable of grasping the arguments of ads funded by right-wing groups, like an ad from the Employment Policies Institute featuring children pledging allegiance to “America’s debt.” And it has no problem running ads arguing that the only defense against “an economic meltdown” is a “Survival Seed Bank,” or offering convicted felon G. Gordon Liddy’s advice on buying gold.

So maybe “too confusing” is a laughably thin excuse for Fox to block a message that contradicts its own political activism. Maybe what it’s worried about is presenting a message that counters its outright political advocacy and the myths it sells every day on foreign policy and energy policy.

So it’s been decided: Fox News just won’t run the ad.

That’s not acceptable. If Fox wants to contend that it’s a news organization and not a political machine, it needs to treat all advertisers equally, not pick and choose based on transparently political motives.

Click here to tell Fox: Run VoteVets.org’s ad.

Thank you for your efforts to hold Fox News accountable.

Eric Burns
President, Media Matters for America

~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Primaries matter … 2010


How often do we all hear how the GOP will be picking up a significant amount of seats in Congress … we have a special election coming up for Hawaii.  And to make it even more complicated, in the Hawaii election not only is there a Republican on the ballot, but Republican voters will be voting too. That means, it’s two Democrats vs. one Republican but only one winner takes it all.

The  Democratic Party needs to get out in front of any election, plan for transportation and do whatever helps to GOTV, which goes without saying but then  …

This morning a Msnbc host stated that his party(Republican)…should do whatever it takes to win but do it quietly and behind closed doors… Dems need to give all the Community Organizers available the tools to win any and all elections …special or not.  My take is that most 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 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

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

it’s Friday and we’re following Congress …


Updates when needed

The Senate will convene at 9:30amET  and will resume consideration of S.3217, Wall Street Reform.

There will be no roll call votes during Friday’s session of the Senate.

Unanimous Consent:
The Senate adopted the following resolutions by unanimous consent:

– Cal. #261, S.Res.297, (Webb-Warner) Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve
– Cal. #262, S.Res.275, (Kerry-Kirk-Brown) Minute Man National Historic Park

The Senate passed the following bills by unanimous consent:

– Cal. #261, S. Res.297 (Webb-Warner) Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve
– Cal. #262, S. Res.275 (Kerry-Kirk-Brown) Minute Man National Historic Park
– Cal. #287, S.1053 (Murkowski) National Law Enforcement Museum
– Cal. #291, S.1405 (Kennedy-Kerry-Kirk-Brown) Longfellow National Historic Site
– Cal. #295, H.R.689 – Administrative Jurisdiction of certain lands (Feinstein-Boxer)
– Cal. #297, H.R.1121 – Blue Ridge Parkway (Burr-Hagan)
– Cal. #300, H.R.1442 – Mount Olivet Cemetery (Bennett-Hatch)
– Cal. #305, H.R, 2802 – John Adams Memorial (Kerry-Brown)

The committee amendments, where applicable, were agreed to, and the bills were passed as amended, if amended.

Passed Calendar #195, H.R.3619: Coast Guard Authorization w/ substitute amendment

Adopted S.Res.480: Burma w. Gregg amendment

Adopted H.Con.Res.247: Use of Capitol Grounds—Soap Box Derby (June 19, 2010)

Adopted H.Con.Res.263: Use of Capitol Ground—D.C. Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run

Adopted S.Res.503: Discharge Judiciary, Endangered Species

Adopted S.Res.515: Physical Education and Sports Day

Adopted S.Res.516: Americorps

Adopted S.Res.517: Train Day

Adopted S.Res.518: Nursing Home Week

Passed S.3333: Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act

The Senate confirmed the following nominations:

– Calendar numbers 849 to and including 879 (all militar promotions), and all nominations on the Secretary’s Desk in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 7, 2010
111TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

10:01 A.M. –
The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on May 11, 2010. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House 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.

Today’s prayer was offered by Reverend Clete Kiley, Faith and Politics Institute, Washington, DC

10:00 A.M. –
The Speaker designated the Honorable Steve Driehaus to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

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).