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Climate Reality …


What I Love -- Share it with your friends

climatereality

“It starts out like a good trip, then ends with a jolt of reality. Warm and fuzzy, beautiful, manipulative, and disconcerting all at once. This is brilliant.”

We launched our new digital experience, What I Love, last week, and within hours, users like the one above were sharing their excitement.

Around the world, thousands of people have been visiting the site to encounter the things they love — whether it’s a steaming cup of coffee to wake you up in the morning … a long walk surrounded by trees in a nearby forest … the smell of a pie or freshly baked cookies — and to learn about their uncertain futures.

Most of all, users keep telling us that the experience transforms how they see climate change. Renee W., a Climate Reality supporter, wrote “this is a very valuable site … to see what you love and how the climate changes are affecting what you love” is so important. Helen D. says that What I Love “brings it all home.”

So many others are discovering the experience … but we noticed that you haven’t quite yet. Perhaps you’ve been outside raking newly fallen leaves, or have had your nose buried in a good book. No matter what you’re up to, something you love is being affected by climate change.

Remember what’s most important and find out how those things are being affected by climate change … and how you can protect them.

It’s not too late. But without you protecting the things you love … one day it could be.

Thanks for your help,

The Climate Reality Team
Black History, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

CONGRESS: Republican led House :::::: the Senate led by Democrats


the SenateConvenes: 10:00amET February 13, 2013

After a conversation with Senator McConnell and Senator Inhofe, it became clear to Senator Reid that Republicans are not willing to enter into an agreement for consideration of Executive Calendar #10, the nomination of Charles Timothy Hagel, of Nebraska, to be Secretary of Defense. In order to move the process along, Senator Reid filed cloture on the nomination. Under the rule, the cloture vote would occur one hour after the Senate convenes on Friday. Senator Reid suggested on the floor that senators should plan accordingly.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Confirmation of the nomination of Executive Calendar #8, William J. Kayatta, Jr., of Maine, to be United States Circuit Judge for the First Circuit; Confirmed: 88-12

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.31, Celebrating Black History Month.

Adopted S.Res.32, Congratulating the North Dakota State University football team for winning the 2012 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision title.

Adopted S.Res.33, Commemorating the 150th anniversary of Emporia State University.

Adopted S.Res.34, Commemorating the 150th anniversary of Kansas State University.

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed the following:

AIR FORCE

Executive Calendar #2 to be Lieutenant General–Maj. Gen. William H. Etter

ARMY

Executive Calendar #3 to be Lieutenant General–Maj. Gen. Kenneth E. Tovo

Executive Calendar #4 to be Brigadier General–Col. Barbara R. Holcomb

Executive Calendar #5 to be Brigadier General–Col. Patrick D. Sargent

Executive Calendar #6 to be Major General–

Brig. Gen. Brian C. Lein;

Brig. Gen. Nadja Y. West

—————————————————————————–

At 4:13:58 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

Last Floor Action:
7:21:54 P.M. – The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on February 14, 2013.

Black History, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

CONGRESS: the House :::::::: the Senate


capitol30

the Senate Convenes: 10:00amET February 12,2013

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.47, the Violence Against Women Act with the time until 11:00am equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees.
  • At 11:00am, there will be up to 6 roll call votes in relation to the following in the following order:
  • The Senate will recess following disposition of S.47 until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings. 
  • The State of the Union will be Tuesday evening. Senators will gather at 8:20pm in the Senate Chamber to proceed together.

The previously scheduled series of votes will now begin at 11:30am. Upon disposition of the Coburn amendment #15, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm for the weekly caucus meetings. At 2:15pm, the Senate will resume the voting sequence. All votes after the vote on the Leahy amendment will be 10 minutes in duration, including the two votes at 2:15pm. The Leahy amendment #21 was modified. Text of the modification and a summary of the amendment, as modified, is attached to this email.

11:30am:

– Leahy amendment #21, as modified (human trafficking);

– Portman amendment #10 (sex trafficking);

– Murkowski amendment #11 (tribal protections);

– Coburn amendment #15 (consolidate DOJ rape programs);

Recess until 2:15 for caucus meetings

2:15pm:

– Coburn amendment #16 (notice to victims);

– Passage of S.47, VAWA, as amended, if amended.

11:30am The Senate began a roll call vote on the Leahy amendment #21, as modified (human trafficking) to S.47, the Violence Against Women Act; Agreed to: 93-5

11:59am The Senate began a roll call vote on the Portman amendment #10 (sex trafficking); Agreed to: 100-0

12:19pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Coburn amendment #15 (consolidate DOJ programs); Not Agreed: 46-53

2:19pm The Senate began a roll call vote on the Coburn amendment #16 (STD testing for sexual assault defendants)

2:39pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of S.47, the Violence Against Women Act

2:39pm The Senate began a roll call vote on passage of S.47, the Violence Against Women Act;

Passed: 78-22

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Leahy amendment #21, as modified (trafficking victims) to S.47, the Violence Against Women Act; Agreed to: 93-5

2) Portman amendment #10 (sex trafficking victims); Agreed to: 100-0

3) Coburn amendment #15 (consolidate DOJ programs); Not Agreed to: 46-53

4) Coburn amendment #16 (STD testing for sexual assault defendants); Not Agreed to: 43-57

5) Passage of S.47, VAWA; Passed: 78-22

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.29, to constitute the majority party’s membership on certain committees for the One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, or until their successors are chosen.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

————————————————————————

Senate panel approves Hagel for Pentagon chief

14 – 11 … goes to full Senate vote

————————————————————————

Last Floor Action:
2:41:26 P.M. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 8:35 P.M. today at which time the House will meet in Joint Session with the Senate to receive a communication from the President of the United States.

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

12:00:40 P.M.   The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
12:01:23 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 legislative business.
12:35:51 P.M.   The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.
2:00:52 P.M.   The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of February 12.
2:01:02 P.M.   Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
2:02:08 P.M.   The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
2:02:11 P.M.   PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Kinzinger of IL to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
2:02:33 P.M.   ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.
2:18:09 P.M.   The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until later in the legislative week.
2:19:06 P.M. H.R. 267 Mr. Whitfield moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 267 — “To improve hydropower, and for other purposes.”
2:19:18 P.M. H.R. 267 Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:19:23 P.M. H.R. 267 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 267.
2:24:58 P.M. H.R. 267 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.
2:25:05 P.M. H.R. 316 Mr. Whitfield moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 316 — “To reinstate and transfer certain hydroelectric licenses and extend the deadline for commencement of construction of certain hydroelectric projects.”
2:25:22 P.M. H.R. 316 Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:25:24 P.M. H.R. 316 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 316.
2:32:25 P.M. H.R. 316 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
2:32:28 P.M. H.R. 316 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2:32:32 P.M. H.R. 235 Mr. Whitfield moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 235 — “To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide grants to States to streamline State requirements and procedures for veterans with military emergency medical training to become civilian emergency medical technicians.”
2:32:49 P.M. H.R. 235 Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:32:53 P.M. H.R. 235 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 235.

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Black History

CONGRESS: Republican led House :::::: Democratic led Senate


UScapitoltakenfromkenschramstory

the Senate Convenes: 2:00pmET February 11, 2013

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S.47, the Violence Against Women Act.
  • The time until 5:30pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with Senator Cornyn controlling 45 minutes of the Republican time.
  • At 5:30pm, there will be up to 7 roll call votes in relation to the following:

Last week the Senate reached an agreement to complete action on S.47, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. At 5:30pm tonight, the Senate will proceed to vote in relation to the Coburn amendment #13 (strikes tribal provisions). Following the vote, the Senate will turn to a period of morning business with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Following any Leader remarks tomorrow, the Senate will resume consideration of S.47 with time until 11:00am equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. At 11:00am, the Senate will vote in relation to the remaining amendments and on passage of the bill, as amended, if amended. The votes will occur in the order listed below. All votes after the first vote will be 10 minutes in duration.

– Leahy amendment #21 (sex trafficking)

– Portman amendment #10 (sex trafficking)

– Murkowski amendment #11 (tribal protections)

– Coburn amendment #15 (consolidate DOJ rape programs)

– Coburn amendment #16 (notice to victims)

– Passage of S.47, the Violence Against Women Act, as amended, if amended.

 In addition to considering the VAWA legislation, this week the Senate may consider the Hagel nomination, a Circuit judge, and any other items cleared for action on the Legislative or Executive Calendars of Business. The State of the Union is at 9:00pm tomorrow, Tuesday, February 12. Next week, February 18, is a State work period. When we return the week of February 25, we will try to confirm the nominations of John Brennan, to be the Director of the CIA, and Jack Lew, to be Secretary of the Treasury, and may consider any other items on the Legislative or Executive Calendar cleared for action.

5:30pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Coburn amendment #13 (Strikes Tribal Jurisdiction)

 
 5:30pm The Senate began a roll call vote on Coburn amendment #13 (Strikes Tribal Jurisdiction
 
 
 
WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1) Coburn amendment #13 (strikes tribal provisions) to S.47, the Violence Against Women Act; Not Agreed to: 31-59

No LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

—————————————————————————–

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

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Weekly Address and more


In this week’s address, President Obama calls on Congress to work together on a balanced approach to reduce our deficit and promote economic growth and job creation.

Watch this week’s Weekly Address.

Watch Presiden't Obama's Weekly Address

In Case You Missed It

Here’s a quick glimpse at what happened this week on WhiteHouse.gov:

Immigration Reform: On Tuesday, President Obama traveled to Las Vegas to present his plans for comprehensive immigration reform. The four parts of the White House proposal call for a strengthening of our borders, cracking down on companies that hire undocumented workers, creating a path to earned citizenship and streamlining our legal immigration system for all.

“Now is the time to do this so we can strengthen our economy and strengthen our country’s future,” said President Obama, urging a bipartisan effort.

  • Speak out to show your support and get the facts on our immigration reform page.
  • Read the President’s remarks on comprehensive immigration reform.
  • Watch the President’s speech on comprehensive immigration reform.

Turning to Law Enforcement: On Monday, President Obama and Vice President Biden welcomed police chiefs and sheriffs from across the country to hear their ideas on protecting our communities from gun violence. The President is seeking to prevent mass shootings like Newton, where 20 young children and six adults were killed by a gunman, and explained, “it’s also what happens on a day-in-day-out basis in places like Chicago or Philadelphia, where young people are victims of gun violence every single day.”

Advancing Gender Equality: On Wednesday, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum to champion gender equality and empower women and girls. While in office President Obama has acknowledged the importance of women in the political and economic worlds. Under the President’s guidance, the White House Council on Women and Girls was initiated and his first piece of legislation was the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which makes it easier for women to challenge unequal pay.

Mama, I Made It: On Monday, the Miami Heat were honored at the White House for their 2012 NBA Finals victory. After President Obama’s remarks, an excited LeBron James candidly described the moment. “We’re in the White House right now,” James said. “This is like, hey, mama, I made it.”

Check out the full ceremony and watch James present President Obama a signed ball and star forward Dwayne Wade give a jersey to the President. Be sure to also take a look at our behind the scenes look on the Heat’s trip to the White House.

Relief for Syria: On Tuesday, the White House released a video message from President Obama announcing an additional $155 million in humanitarian assistance to the people of Syria. The aid provides food, clean water, medicines and medical treatment. The United States and its allies are working together to ensure the aid goes directly to those who need it most. The United States total contribution to the people of Syria stands at $365 million as the aid comes at a critical moment when allies are fighting for an end to the corrupt Assad regime.

Fireside Hangout: On Thursday, the White House continued their series of Google+ hangouts with senior White House officials. Cecilia Muñoz, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, discussed the President’s proposal for comprehensive immigration reform with participants from across America. Follow the White House on Google+ to receive the latest updates and stay in the loop for ways you can be involved for the next hangout.

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