Tag Archives: Smithsonian Institution

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

BioMarin said No to her friend with Cancer

10/04/2013 Nativegrl77

The first thing I have to say is thank you. More than 140,00 people — including you — have signed my petition to help save the life of my friend Andrea Sloan.

Andrea is in desperate need of a new cancer drug made by pharmaceutical company BioMarin, but they say she’s “not eligible” for any of their current trials. Andrea needs access to the drug under a “compassionate use” program, and because of our petition, it’s looking like that could really happen.

Just last week, a leaked internal email from BioMarin proved that they are taking this petition seriously and really considering helping Andrea.

Now is the time to turn up the pressure on BioMarin. Can you share my petition on Facebook to help it gain more signatures and momentum?

We are so close to getting Andrea the medicine she needs. She has dedicated her life to helping others — I know we can do what it takes to help her.

Thank you,

Carol Carter
Lake Dallas, TX

P.S. Have you seen this video that Andrea made explaining compassionate use? Click here to watch, and feel free to share that as well!

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 10/3 the House

10/03/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:30am on Thursday, October 3, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 2:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each. The first hour will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees with the Republicans controlling the first 30 minutes and the Majority controlling the second 30 minutes.

Floor Updates

This morning Republican senators asked unanimous consent to take up and pass several individual funding resolutions and one continuing appropriations bill. In each case, there was a Democratic counter offer to modify the request to amend the applicable continuing resolution or bill to include an amendment that would fund the rest of the federal government. Republicans objected to each request to modify and there was an objection to the original request.

Republican unanimous consent requests

Senator Cornyn asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass H.J.Res.70, making continuing appropriations for National Park operations, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Gallery of Art, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum for fiscal year 2014. (Reid counteroffer and objection)

Senator McConnell asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass H.J.Res.72, making continuing appropriations for veterans benefits for fiscal year 2014. (Reid counter offer and objection)

Senator Blunt asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass H.J.Res.73, making continuing appropriations for the National Institute of Health for fiscal year 2014. (Durbin counter offer and objection)

Senator Thune asked unanimous consent that when the Senate receives H.R.3230, the Senate take up and pass and H.R.3230, making continuing appropriations during a Government shutdown to provide pay and allowances to members of the reserve component of the Armed Forces who perform inactive-duty training during such period. (Durbin counteroffer objection)

Democratic Counteroffer

I ask consent that the request be modified as follows:

That an amendment, which is at the desk, be agreed to; that the joint resolution, as amended, then be read a third time and passed; and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate. This amendment is the text that passed the Senate and is a clean continuing resolution for the entire government and is something that is already over in the House and reportedly has the support of a majority of the Members of the House of Representatives.

Senator Lee asked unanimous consent the Senate take up and pass H.J.Res.72, making continuing appropriations for veterans benefits for fiscal year 2014. Senator Murphy asked that the request be modified to include a clean continuing resolution amendment. Senator Lee objected to the proposed modification and Senator Murphy objected to the original request.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.228, a resolution authorizing the reporting of committee funding resolutions for the period October 1, 2013 through February 28, 2015.

Adopted S.Res.253, a resolution authorizing expenditures by committees of the Senate for the periods October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014; and October 14, 2014 through February 28, 2015.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

************************************************************************

Last Floor Action:
9:33:32 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on October 3, 2013.

10:00:39 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:47 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Gregg Harper to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:57 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour Debate, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
11:45:58 A.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate passed H.R. 3233.
11:46:11 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House resumed with further Morning-Hour Debate.
11:50:24 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
12:00:18 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of October 3.
12:00:21 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:01:45 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:02:01 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Doyle to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:19 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.
12:42:09 P.M.	H.R. 3230	Government shutdown to provide pay and allowances to members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who perform inactive-duty training during such period.”
12:42:14 P.M.	H.R. 3230	The resolution provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 70, H.J. Res. 71, H.J. Res. 72, H.J. Res. 73, and H.R. 3230. The resolution provides for 30 minutes of debate on each measure and provides for one motion to recommit each measure. The resolution also provides that it shall be in order at any time through the calendar day of October 6, 2013, for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules.
12:42:53 P.M.	H.R. 3230	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on H.R. 3230.
1:14:13 P.M.	H.R. 3230	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
1:14:35 P.M.	H.R. 3230	Mr. Enyart moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.
1:15:01 P.M.	H.R. 3230	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Enyart motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, pending reservation of a point of order. The amendment would replace the underlying bill with the Senate Amendment to H.J. Res. 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014, ending the Republican Government Shutdown, funding the federal government at $986 billion until November 15, 2013, and providing lawmakers the opportunity to reach an agreement on a long-term budget.
1:20:10 P.M.	H.R. 3230	Mr. Young (FL) raised a point of order against the motion to recommit with instructions. Mr. Young stated that the amendment was not germane to the underlying bill. Sustained by the Chair.
1:20:55 P.M.	H.R. 3230	Mr. Enyart moved to appeal of the ruling of the chair.
1:21:37 P.M.	H.R. 3230	Mr. Young (FL) moved to table the motion to appeal of the ruling of the chair
1:50:07 P.M.	H.R. 3230	On motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 228 – 194 (Roll no. 515).
1:59:11 P.M.	H.R. 3230	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 265 – 160 (Roll no. 516).
1:59:12 P.M.	H.R. 3230	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
1:59:59 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 370. H.J. Res. 72 — “Making continuing appropriations for veterans benefits for fiscal year 2014, and for other purposes.”
2:00:04 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	The resolution provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 70, H.J. Res. 71, H.J. Res. 72, H.J. Res. 73, and H.R. 3230. The resolution provides for 30 minutes of debate on each measure and provides for one motion to recommit each measure. The resolution also provides that it shall be in order at any time through the calendar day of October 6, 2013, for the Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules.
2:02:56 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on H.J. Res. 72.
2:22:28 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

« Previous Day

3:30:29 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of October 3.
3:30:30 P.M.		MOMENT OF SILENCE – The House observed a moment of silence in honor of those injured today during the incident near the Capitol.
3:32:18 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	DEBATE – The House resumed with debate on H.J. Res. 72.

3:57:46 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
3:58:15 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	Ms. Duckworth moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.
3:59:28 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	DEBATE – The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Duckworth motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment, pending reservation of a point of order. The amendment would replace the underlying bill with the Senate Amendment to H.J. Res. 59.
3:59:30 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	Mr. Culberson raised a point of order against the motion to recommit with instructions. Mr. Culberson stated that the provisions of the proposed amendment are not germane Sustained by the Chair.
4:05:15 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	Ms. Duckworth appealed the ruling of the chair. The question was then put on sustaining the ruling of the chair.
4:05:24 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	Mr. Culberson moved to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the chair
4:36:12 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	On motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 225 – 193 (Roll no. 517).
4:49:21 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	On passage Passed by recorded vote: 259 – 157 (Roll no. 518).
4:49:22 P.M.	H.J. Res. 72	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4:49:42 P.M.		Mr. LaMalfa asked unanimous consent that when the House adjourns on Thursday, October 3, 2013, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 4, 2013 for Morning-Hour Debate. Agreed to without objection.
4:50:36 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.

6:58:40 P.M.

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.

————————————————————————————————————————

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

TransCanada’s US location and Keystone XL tar sands pipeline (Texas)

09/25/2013 Nativegrl77

Yesterday, a group of courageous people just like you were arrested in the belly of the beast: TransCanada’s U.S. headquarters in Houston, Texas. These were mothers, fathers, grandfathers, great grandmothers, scientists, and teachers who staged a peaceful sit-in with a clear message: No Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.

At RAN we have a policy never to ask you to take an action, online or offline, that we don’t believe will make a strategic difference and have an impact that is worth your time. What I’m about to ask you to do might be one of the most important political acts you take this year.

Right now President Obama and his State Department are weighing their decision on whether this disastrous dirty energy pipeline is in our national interest. Our job must be to show enough opposition to the pipeline to ensure the president stands on the right side of this historical moment. That’s why we need you to join those standing up against Keystone XL in protest.

Will you join more than 75,000 people saying No to Keystone XL? Sign up for an action near you TODAY!

More than 75,000 people, including many of you, have signed RAN, Other 98% and CREDO’s Pledge of Resistance to the Keystone XL pipeline—pledging to participate in peaceful civil disobedience, to risk arrest if necessary, to stop this dangerous tar sands pipeline.

This is our next big step in the Pledge of Resistance together. This summer, after months of hard work and organizing, more than 400 volunteers have stepped up to lead acts of dignified protest in towns and cities across the country.

Will you join them by signing up today to participate in a local protest in your hometown?

To be clear, this is a serious request of your time, your passion and, potentially, your liberty. We’re asking now because it’s critical.

These actions are coming together because of months of work by literally hundreds of people. A group of seasoned direct action organizers built a training curriculum and traveled to cities around the country to teach people like you how to plan and lead a safe, strategic sit-in. Hundreds of activists stepped up to attend these rigorous two-day weekend trainings, and then went home to put that training into action. Now we’re asking: Will you join them?

The dates for these local actions have not been set, but the dates of action trainings have. We’re asking everyone to get in touch with local action leaders so we can prepare for action now and are ready to respond if President Obama signals his intention to approve the pipeline. That is our most strategic window to have the biggest impact.

Find your nearest Pledge of Resistance action and sign up to be a part of it!

Soon after you sign up for an action, you’ll be contacted by your local action leader, who will send out a time for your group to meet in person, get trained up, and move forward to put together everything you will need for a local sit-in action. There will be roles for everyone: those risking arrest and those not risking arrest.

The location for these actions will be relevant to your town. Likely locations will be: Administration buildings like State Department, EPA and Federal offices, oil industry contractor offices, and branches of TD Bank, a major investor in tar sands development.

All that’s missing is you.

		In Solidarity,
		Scott Parkin Senior Energy and Finance Campaigner Twitter:@dirtyenergy

P.S. Got questions? Check out http://nokxl.org/why-pledge-resistance/.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Lonnie G. Bunch at The NMAAHC

09/20/2013 Nativegrl77

Thank you for signing the pledge on Care2 to support the preservation of African American history and culture through the National Museum of African American History and Culture. As the founding director, I want to be the first to welcome you to our online community.

When the Museum opens its doors in 2015, it will be far more than a collection of objects. It will be a place to remind us of where we’ve been, the challenges we still face and point us toward what we can become — a museum for all Americans!

In 2005, we began the journey to create the 19th museum of the Smithsonian family. And in February 2012, we broke ground, which was a major milestone in our development.

Take a moment to watch this short video about the kind of place the National Museum of African American History and Culture will be thanks to the support of friends like you.

As we approach our grand opening in 2015, we’ll be sure to keep you updated on our progress and provide ways for you to get involved in bringing the National Museum of African American History and Culture to the nation and the world.

Thank you for joining us in this truly historic endeavor!

All the best,

Lonnie G. Bunch
Founding Director

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Planned Parenthood ~~ the Other Washington

09/20/2013 Nativegrl77

As a supporter of Planned Parenthood and generally awesome person, we thought you might be interested in these very awesome upcoming events.
We hope that you’ll check out one (or, y’know, ALL) of the events below. While these events aren’t produced by Planned Parenthood, they speak to the work we do and offer new perspectives on the past, present, and future of our movement. Follow the links below for details!

September 26, 2013 – 7:30PM – Town Hall Seattle
Peter Bagge with Cienna Madrid Woman Rebel: The Margaret Sanger Story You might know the story of Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger-but chances are you’ve never heard (or seen!) anyone tell it like Peter Bagge. The Harvey Award-winning author launches Woman Rebel, his graphic-novel biography of Sanger, in a slideshow focusing on her activism and how the book came together. Then, in conversation with Cienna Madrid of The Stranger, Bagge expands on the life of the birth-control activist, educator, nurse, mother, and protofeminist, making Sanger whole and human and showing how her flaws fueled her fiery activism just as much as her compassionate nature did. Tickets are on sale now!
October 10, 2013 – 7:00PM – Town Hall Seattle
Women’s Funding Alliance presents Modern Girlhood Redefined Girls today are constantly faced with newly complex challenges, pressures and opportunities. This quickly evolving, modern era leaves little room for existing feminine archetypes to hold much appeal. Join speakers Robin Held, Executive Director, Reel Grrls; Erin Jones, Director of Equity and Achievement, Federal Way School District; Nan Stoops, Executive Director, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence; and Jessica Willis, Faculty, Women’s and Gender Studies, Eastern Washington University, as they chart important trends for girls in Washington State. The event will feature a series of independent talks, each addressing a timely topic related to healthy girlhood and how investing in girls is key to changing the future for us all. Tickets are on sale now!
October 18-24 – Various Showtimes – SIFF Film Center
Seattle International Film Festival presents After Tiller After Tiller intimately explores the controversial subject of third-trimester abortions in the wake of the 2009 assassination of practitioner Dr. George Tiller. The procedure is now performed by only four doctors in the United States, all former colleagues of Dr. Tiller, who risk their lives every day in the name of their unwavering commitment toward their patients. This film helps illustrate the heart-wrenching decisions that define abortion late in pregnancy for families facing tragic circumstances. The providers featured in the film do not work for Planned Parenthood, nor does Planned Parenthood endorse the views expressed in the film. Planned Parenthood does not provide third-trimester abortions. But, Planned Parenthood does beleive taht abortion is a deeply personal and often complex decision, and that decisions about whether to choose adoption, end a pregnancy, or raise a child must be left to a woman, her family, and her faith, with the counsel of her health care provider. Tickets will go on sale in October – watch the SIFF website for details.