JUSTICE — FINANCIAL REGULATION BILL CONTAINS MEASURE TO ADDRESS ‘CONFLICT MINERALS’: Congressional negotiators reached a deal on Friday to reconcile the House and Senate versions of financial regulatory reform. The bill contains an obscure provision “that requires any publicly traded company that uses certain minerals to file reports annually with the Securities and Exchange Commission certifying whether the minerals originated in Congo or neighboring countries.” Many of the minerals used in electronic devices like cell phones and computers are mined in the Congo, a country “plagued by regional conflict and a deadly scramble for its vast natural resources.” The mineral sales finance “multiple armed groups, many of whom use mass rape as a deliberate strategy to intimidate and control local populations.” The provision in the financial regulation bill is designed to, according to its sponsor, Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS), “brings accountability and transparency to the supply chain of minerals used in the manufacturing of many electronic devices.” The Center for American Progress’ Enough Project — an organization “helping to build a permanent constituency to prevent genocide and crimes against humanity” — advocated for the inclusion of this provision. Though industry lobbyists complained about the cost, Enough’s Jenny Russell pointed out that “tech companies have admitted it would cost one penny per product to ensure a conflict-free supply chain.” Reacting to the provision’s passage, Enough’s John Prendergast said, “A year ago most members of Congress hadn’t even heard of conflict minerals.” Now, “in the middle of a turbulent legislative calendar, activists all over the country were heard loudly and clearly.” Private institutions are also joining the effort. Stanford University’s trustees recently considered a resolution “to create a new proxy voting guideline” that would “support shareholders’ efforts to make companies trace the supply chain of the minerals used in their products.” If the guideline is adopted, “it would be the first university in the country to take such action on the issue.”
Tag Archives: Senate
Week -end News/Reviews
Sunday Buzz …The US Soccer Team lost 2-1 on Saturday during extra time and while some people are down it was not enough to turn away from them because they played well and the World Cup was fun to watch on TV and South Africa did a great job hosting it.
The G8/G20 summit ends today and sounds like many ideas are flying around but as the Media has stated no one is agreeing with what the President has said, that we need to continue to stimulate the economy. Far be it from me to say the Media is correct in what they report but they sure do like to report when people seem to be on the opposite side of our President whether the other person or party talking is correct or not. The Deficit will be high but even economists state that stimulating the economy is the way to go but the people we count on are not listening to the President or the economist and that has got end up with a lot of Americans losing out not to mention the people who are governed by G8/G20 countries.
Reports are that the gay-pride marches are set to happen today. I do believe that the future is now but that future also takes time and in a moment when our lives are moving into the 21st Century people need to remember that Congress is the place where these laws are being created and made… lawmakers are where the anger should be not the President because obviously people don’t get it. We need Congress to step up to the plate of courage for not just DADT but immigration and climate change. It takes more than just the President as the votes come from Congress people- change is something we all have to participate in and Congress needs to hear us …that means Democrats and Republicans but as we all know Republicans have been unwilling to move into the 21st Century
Tell Congress to move DADT immigration, climate and clean energy legislation forward
We all need to watch and listen but we do not have to take cable heads very seriously because stations have clearly set out some sort of effort to make this president look vulnerable to his base. While every President should be challenged, this particular President has been put on a pedestal, treated poorly, judged with higher expectations and standards that no person can possibly achieve. The public needs to know that he is not superman and is being judged by how he has had to clean up the mess left by the last guy and not what he has accomplished and what he ran on …and he has…
This President needs our support when good things are done, challenged when the effort is slow …like immigration and or DADT because these are things he ran on and while people out there are impatient, they need to support him as well. All Americans should challenge him even more but in those challenges we also need to help him achieve his campaign promises by calling our representatives because it seems like folks don’t know or understand that he can lead Congress to accept his agenda but he can’t make them create or implement the laws needed to get America back on track.
We also need to see Republicans for what they really are and it ain’t good –who would throw people under the bus just to create chaos that will or could give them power back. Think about what kind of chaos we all will be in if what Republicans have planned actually works. Is it possible that we will find ourselves in another recession or depression…more likely a deep depression.
Because of budget reductions here in Seattle, programs like the Fridge program was suspended for the rest of the year and will not return until 2011 but according to city light people should still unplug your old 2nd or 3rd freezer or fridge and people who have appointments will still get the free pick-up. The domino effect from budgets having to be cut because states will have to cut whatever can be called non-essential will be things that could lead us all into the 21st Century but Congress has said no we cannot help the states we have big deficits. The cuts to our first responders will be deep all over the country and in a time when the gulf coast needs help the failure to pass a jobs bill and tax extenders will increase the problems there as well. The fridge program might seem small but the effort is to bring folks into the 21st Century increase savings by getting old appliances off the grid, apparently the savings can be big. The Cash for Appliances and City light’s WashWise program is still running and people can get up to $200 by buying qualified washers, you can get a $75 rebate for Energy Star refrigerators. These two programs run until 12/31/2011 or until the funds run out.
This is a time when both Political Parties should work together but Republicans just are not willing to be good citizens.
Other News …
**go get the book “The new Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander ..an eye opener that most black people know but will find their beliefs confirmed
**Elena Kagan confirmation will begin on Monday …keep up with this because the Supreme Court impacts all of our lives
**the next job report on Friday will somehow impact the public view according to chucktodd on msnbc
**The gulf coast is being watched for storms hurricanes and some parts have tornados threats or repeat tornados
Summer on Saturday … I’m not feeling it yet here in the 206 though at best it usually is a fleeting feeling… when the sun comes out a mission is definitely put into motion to get ready quick and very much worthy of all the efforts. It is also a time that folks should remember to throw on sun block …especially those of us that use to bask out in the sun …it can be a dangerous even to people of color.
Yesterday, people celebrated the life and legacy of MJ; some were good others were self indulgent prattle from people who will try and try to make money off the man and need to look in the mirror for a moment or two. I would say don’t buy anything that has not been given the estate ok or isn’t giving money to the children; MJ lived his life and had leeches that are still hanging on by the tips of their finger nails; We all need to say it’s time y’all end your money grubbing ways unless you lawyer up. It is time for this family to put their feet down on those so intent on cashing in on the family name and for all those intent on saying this that or the other about the family? this family knows who they are have obviously made their own arrangements and have understood each other all these years though the Media would have you believe otherwise. Families are the only people you can shit on and still be accepted…well most anyway, and the Jackson family is no different. It is nice to see some reporters who obviously made MJ’s life a joke and continued to stir up nastiness with their words now stating they were wrong or at least made more out of the rumors than what may have been the truth. It won’t bring MJ back and like a couple of Entertainment Stars said last night. Look at what we did to him. I would submit..it is what did the Media do to sway public mind and response to MJ and it wasn’t good and there are still people who feel just fine talking BS about his kids their relationship and the list goes on; it is a shame and if it were anyone else no one would care a rats ass. It’s painful to know that the privacy MJ gave his kids with masks …is gone -they cannot go anywhere now and the paps have invaded their privacy…it is offensive to see those photos from Hi because it’s obvious to me what they were up to; if you look close Prince is not happy and if someone in that family is getting paid for those types…any photos somebody better intervene now before it goes any further… having fun at a distance is ok but these were too close and they were shooting to get specific shots… it’s offensive
Today, Soccer will be just one of many games on TV or in your neighborhood, college or professional arena but the World Cup has been a great distraction the US did what it had to and now they play hard or go home … no more ties, hopefully the ref’s will be the best …people expect that in all sports and today will hinge on great strategy skill timing and teamwork -go US
This last week has shown that while our President has gotten some major things done for Americans in 18months; like health-care reform, financial reform working on climate and immigration reform, the Media tells us the public seems to think we are still going the wrong way? Absurd! The poll numbers are subjective. I would need more information about who they polled who they voted for in the 2008 election before I would actually try to believe them. I decide for myself and the more and more I listen to cable -cableheads have more of an impact on people than I like to hear; it is extremely disappointing because the Republican Party is no different then it was when the house of Bush was in charge. They still prefer Wall Street over Main Street and if anyone had enough evidence of that just ask michelle Bachmann, Joe Barton, john Boehner, Sharron Angle oh they have said more than we ever wanted about where they stand and again folks seem to agree? Is it possible that the people being polled on the extreme right of any poll out there? What would any one voter need to know that would help them understand that their Republican representatives not only practice exclusion they would throw their own constituents under the bus to please Wall Street. The problem includes Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, he too is among those who have to go home and tell those who lost their jobs due to a Bush administration who behaved like spending money was and after thought… hey, let the next guy pay for this and deal with the damage? The damage was big and even as I write I still wonder why Bush has not told the public, why his administration did not know what to do to stop it and why they waited so long to let the bad news out of the proverbial bag right before the Presidential Election? I do not expect to ever know the truth maybe someone anyone if there is a reader out there can tell me because the crash still boggles my senses … at what point did Bush say oh it’s bad -what do we do? Okay just keep sending money to Iraq oh say 10million a month and keep the other war in Afghanistan going …that might distract everyone? Wth happened. Why, when and how are still on my lips though the upside could be that we now have this opportunity to change the things; the negative things that have kept us from progressing into the 21st Century have kept us behind in all things innovative, have brought our country down. We now have people in office or running for office who believe not all people are equal that maybe we all should practice exclusion that the government should be easier on Corporations and not We the People hey even the Supreme Court ruled against the people stated companies are equal to any person ? That is still a strange ruling …who in their right mind would vote to equate the two as equal? Individuals …how many of us have enough money to compete with any company? There are how many million and billionaires in the world? The ratio should have tipped off Judge Robert of the insane reality that there is nothing similar let alone equal.
What more do people have to hear for them to know that Republicans and or the teabag groups are not for the people in our 21st Century? We are a people of and with diverse backgrounds, families who have lived side by side, some friendly, some not so friendly but I will tell you that the projected 1.2 million people on unemployment are not all minorities nor are they poor, drug dealers or violent. It is time to realize and accept that Republicans would risk our economy solely to grab control of the office governing our country now is offensive… Think people – Don’t we all deserve both sides of the aisle to fix the BS that happened so that we can get on track and then they can fight. We need Politicians to explain whatever happened to the fact that we are all Americans and the BS that the last guy left us has made an impact on every aspect of everyone’s lives and will not go away until Democrats and Republicans work together. The fact remains; who is to say that if Republicans get into office things would get better because we have heard the agenda of what is wrong but they actually have no solutions to date … if they did wouldn’t they try to help? Instead, they decided to be obstructionists and party of no, even as we all speak the states that need much more than BP money have refused to say Yes to extending ui benefits to them. That is hard to believe that Republicans from the Gulf Coast region were on Capitol Hill and were all willing to throw their constituents under the bus … they need ui benefits now more than ever … The BP spill was not a natural disaster it was from people who made a choice to bet against safety and the environment for Profits. I am still unsure that the money being doled out should be taxed -someone needs to look into the division of folks being hired to help and those whose livelihoods have ended because of the BP disaster who is working…getting paid as part of a claim and or what they would get for that day week month or year. It is yet another task the administration needs to be aware of because a claim and salary seem to have become that thing that gets blurred in translation.
Other News …
Storms are coming toward the Gulf Coast
C-SPAN
Discussion on Energy and Oil Spill
Pres. Obama on Financial Regulations
CAP Discussion on Health Insurance
global economy tops agenda of world leaders
Pres. Obama and other world leaders wrap up a two day meeting of G-8 countries as they move on to the larger G-20 summit. At the meeting, they were to discuss aid to poorer countries and how to provide that aid given current world economic conditions. They also plan to debate economic conditions and steps that can be taken to strengthen the world economy. Following the end the G-8 meeting, Canadian P.M. Stephen Harper will hold a closing news conference. The G-20 meeting will begin later tonight and continue in to Sunday.
G-8 News Conf.: Available Shortly White House: G-8 Muskoka Summit GlobeandMail G-8 and G-20 coverage WaPo: G-20 leaders arrive in Toronto |
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Whaling ban survives
We did it! Thanks to YOU, the Obama Administration kept its promise to save whales at the International Whaling Commission (IWC) talks. As a result, the IWC was unable to lift the ban on commercial whaling!
As I sat in a stuffy meeting room in Agadir, Morocco with delegates and representatives from other nations, I knew I wasn’t alone in working to help save the whales. I had more than 1.5 million passionate people, like YOU, with me there in spirit supporting the whales and standing up to tell the President that they deserve to be saved, not slaughtered.
While the gathering nations failed to implement new plans for whale conservation, I’m pleased that our President and his team stood their ground in the end, thanks to your efforts.
This year, the best we could do was preventing the IWC from rolling back protections for whales. Next year, we need to apply even more pressure so the IWC will close dangerous loopholes that have allowed Japan, Iceland, and Norway to continue killing whales.
Thank you for all your support. The whales are breathing a big sigh of relief!
For the whales,
Phil Kline
Oceans Campaigner
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thorny Thursday &some News
It is a day to take a deep breath and slowly let it out … and repeat if needed.
Tell cable heads to stop saying that Polls matter – they are subjective vehicles that none of us with brains takes too seriously —take that Msnbc and Cnn- people are smarter than this and if there are questions about why our President poll numbers are so low -how about telling your representative to help the President achieve what he campaigned on instead of looking out for their own skins… our President can lead Congress to the well or list of things that need to be reformed on his agenda but Congress has to have the courage to do what’s right, so far CONGRESS has been the let down, not our President. The low numbers are from progressives who are willing to throw someone under the bus when things get tough instead of getting strong tough and making those calls to the various members of Congress to let them know we support the President …it’s time you did as well. Congress is the place where the laws are made people not the President -he has set out his agenda but Republicans have continued to block him; this will continue to happen unless Republican constituents finally see where Republicans stand and it ain’t with the people. Ask yourself why a Politician would bet against the failure of a Democratic Party who is doing the peoples business for an agenda that supports big Banks, Wall Street, most if not all Republicans truly feel BP got the raw deal and that they support BP and not the people of the Gulf Coast. It is a sad state of affairs to know any Republican would say that the spill should be paid by the taxpayers, that this was a Chicago style shake down, ask the families of the 11 men who died, ask all those people who made their living from the beauty and land of the Gulf Coast. I have to say 1st nations people and those who kept the land in a pristine state before oil rigs, big tourism and hotels would be greatly disappointed that this is what progress looks like to the people here today.
The other things that upset me about Republicans? Is that Republicans are hawks, we see them giving President Obama the thumbs up when it comes to fighting Wars and spending money somewhere else instead of on the people in their own country. I am not into fighting any War. I do understand why he is in that area and though it might seem like a move that most folks on the left disagree with they must remember Obama did not start the Afghanistan or the Iraq Wars he does feel the right War was Afghanistan and has pursued it. Only time will tell and possibly We the People will need to march against any Wars in a time when money any money should be spent here in the States. The War is not an issue any President should take lightly, though it might seem the last one did. This President’s decision to pursue War or continue the Afghan assault was not decided on a whim, and the public should understand, have patience, and put themselves in the President’s shoes regarding any decision to put the lives of our men and women in jeopardy. It was something the house of Bush decided quickly and set out on 2Wars and left no real window to leave especially after 9/11, not to mention those imprisoned at Gitmo finding their way back home only to join terrorist groups against Americans.
It is a time to stand with the President not run and or vote to give the President a message – We all need to call our representatives in Congress because they are the ones who create and pass laws people. The President can lead them to the agenda that 53% of us voted for but if they have their own these things will not get done. I have to wonder if people really understand what the process is because to be honest people say the President should use his executive order and do something and maybe he will have to when it comes to the jobs bill but it could be repealed in the future and that is the down side.
If Congress, specifically Republicans would realize that it’s time get our system back on track instead of stalling blocking and hoping the public will become so disheartened they will opt to have Republicans take over.
As Americans we must see through what Republicans have in store for us and vote against the corporatist that they are and call our representatives to make a hard left away from Wall Street and reform all things that have cripple this economy
Other News …
**the judge who overturned the administrations request for a stay for a 6 month moratorium has stated he will not delay his ruling
**a man has been stopped with weapons/tools and a chainsaw in his car near the location of the G20 meeting
Conferees: Part 1 Conferees: Part 2 House/Senate Cmte
Hearing on U.S.-China Relationship
C-SPAN …
Congress focuses on IRAQ as President replaces U.S. commander in Afghanistan
The Senate Armed Services Committee is considering two military nominations regarding the leadership of U.S. troops. General Ray Odierno, who currently serves as the Commanding General of the U.S. Forces – Iraq, has been selected to lead the U.S. Joint Forces Command. Lieutenant-General Lloyd Austin has been tapped to replace Gen. Odierno as the top U.S. Iraq commander. Yesterday, President Obama accepted the resignation of the top Afghanistan war general Gen. Stanley McChrystal over critical remarks he made in Rolling Stone magazine. The President has picked Gen. David Petraeus as his replacement. His confirmation hearing is expected to take place early next week.
Hearing: Live NOW on c-span.org TIME: Obama Changes Generals Pres. on McChrystal (6/23) Statement by Gen. Stanley McChrystalEconomy, iran two issues to be addresed in Obama-Medvedev meeting
Leading into this weekend’s G-8 and G-20 economic summits, President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev hold a bilateral meeting today on U.S.-Russian relations. The two leaders are likely to discuss policy toward Iran and global financial issues. After their meeting, they will hold a joint news conference followed by an address at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to U.S. and Russian business leaders.
News Conf.: c-span.org at 1:45pm ET U.S. Chamber: c-span.org at 3:05pm ET LA Times: DC prepares for Russian presidentConferees to Wrap up Financial regulations legislation
The 43-member House and Senate Conference Committee moves into its final day of deliberations on financial regulation legislation. Members plan to wrap-up the two chambers’ different versions of the regulatory overhaul bill, including work on derivatives, which is one of the biggest components. They’re also expected to have more debate on the Volcker Rule, a proposed ban on some speculative trading by banks with federally insured deposits.
During the meeting yesterday, Conference Chairman Frank (D-MA) told members they would finish work on the bill by the end of the week, even if they had to stay late into the night. The committee hopes to have a bill approved by both chambers of Congress and signed into law by President Obama by July 4th
Conferees: NOW on C-SPAN3 Bill text WSJ: Volcker and Derivatives Reuters: reform bill goes into final hours The Hill: Using Derivatives 
Be a Seed for Change 
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