Tag Archives: United State

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

a message from … Jeremy Bird, BarackObama.com


Exactly one year ago, millions of Americans will head to polling places all around the country.

We’ve been reminding you of that a lot lately because so much is at stake.

And it’s time to kick up our organizing efforts, no matter where you live.

Today, we’re rolling out an interactive campaign calendar that’s going to play a crucial role in keeping us all looped in on the organizing we’re doing. It’s got it all — from upcoming primaries and debates to neighborhood canvasses and trainings happening in your community.

We’ll be updating this calendar regularly — and you’ll know about changes as soon as we do, because it can sync with your Outlook and Google calendars online. So important campaign dates, like the last day you can register to vote where you live, will be in the same place with your all your other to-dos.

If you want to be a part of all the building we’re going to do together in the next year, let us know by making a commitment to volunteer in this campaign — then download the calendar to stay in the loop. www.BarackObama.com

Here’s what I think is really cool about this calendar: It doesn’t just keep you up to date on the campaign’s day-to-day activities. It actually maps out our organizing for the next 12 months — lets you know what phase we’re currently in, what that means for your community, and how the work we’re all doing is connected to the bigger picture.

Right now, we’re in the team-building phase — honing in on growing neighborhood teams of supporters in communities across the country. This is the phase that lays the foundation for the four phases to come. Click on one of the links in this message, and have a look for yourself.

When you do, you’ll see a number — 365 — the number of days we have to build teams and reach out to voters between now and Election Day. That time is a gift — but only if we use it. Let’s go.

Commit to volunteer for 2012, and stay up to date by downloading our new interactive calendar:

WWW.BarackObama.com

Thanks,

Jeremy

Jeremy Bird
National Field Director
Obama for America

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Commit to Volunteer … Jeremy Bird, BarackObama.com


A little more than one year from now, we’ll all be doing one of two things.

We’ll be celebrating the President’s re-election, and our renewed opportunity to keep moving this country forward. Or we’ll be wondering whether we could have done more — reached out and talked to more people, helped register more voters — when we still had time.

I plan on waking up on the morning of November 7th, 2012, knowing that President Obama was re-elected and I did everything I could to make sure of it. We have a lot of ground to cover between now and Election Day — and we can’t wait until next year to get started. That’s why this week — one year out — we’re ramping up the volunteer push that’s going to get this president re-elected.

Today, say you’re ready to be a part of it — whether that means you make phone calls next week, go canvassing early next year, or take on a leadership role in your neighborhood team in the months to come.

Commit to volunteer for 2012 today.

Thousands of supporters are already at work on the ground, talking to their neighbors, pitching in however they can. But none of us can sit back on the sidelines and hope that work alone will be enough. It won’t.

There isn’t going to be another November between now and the election: The twelve months we have left are all we’re going to get. Right now, we all have the time, and the opportunity, to step up and make a commitment to be a part of the work that we know will be the difference between winning and losing next fall.

The reality we’ll all face when the dust settles after the 2012 elections is something we can affect with the actions we decide to take today.

It’s time: Say you’ll help shape the outcome of 2012 by committing to volunteer:

www.barackobama.com

Let’s get out there,

Jeremy

Jeremy Bird
National Field Director
Obama for America

~ Recent Post

Congress: – the Republican led House – the Senate – H.R.2112 passes 69-30, the Agriculture, CJS and Transportation/HUD Appropriations bill.


 the Senate Convened at 10AM ET November 1, 2011

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of H.R.2112, the Agriculture, CJS and Transportation/HUD Appropriations bill.
  • At approximately 10:15am, there will be up to 7 roll call votes in relation to the following:
  • Coburn #800 (rural development agency);
  • Paul #821 (TIGER grants) (60-vote threshold);
  • DeMint #763 (epinephrine);
  • Crapo #814 (Dodd-Frank WSR – derivatives) (60-vote threshold);
  • Lee Motion to Recommit (FY11 levels);
  • Coburn amendment #801 (Small Community Air Service Development Program);
  • Passage of H.R.2112, as amended.
  • Following disposition of H.R.2112, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 4:30pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
  • The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

ROLL CALL

10:16am The Senate began a roll call vote on Coburn amendment #800 (Rural Development Agency) Not Agreed To: 13-85

10:45am The Senate began a Roll Call Vote on Paul amendment #821 (TIGER Grants); Not Agreed to: 38-60

11:04am The Senate began a roll call vote on the DeMint amendment #763 (epinephrine); Not Agreed to: 44-54

11:25am The Crapo amendment #814 (WSR-derivatives) was withdrawn

11:27am The Senate began a roll call vote on the Coburn amendment #801 (Small Community Air service Development Program) Not Agreed To: 41-57

11:45am The Senate began a Roll Call Vote on the Lee motion to recommit (FY11 levels) Not Agreed To: 39-60

12:00 noon The Senate began a Roll Call Vote on passage of HR 2112, as amended (Agriculture/Commerce, Justice, Science/Transportation-HUD) Passed: 69-30

12:20pm LONG VERSION of HR2112 -votes

The following amendments have been considered  to H.R.2112, the Agriculture, CJS, and Transportation/HUD Appropriations bill:

  • Cornyn amendment #775, as modified (Operation Fast and Furious); Agreed to: 99-0
  • McCain amendment #740 (eliminate TAA funding for firms); Not Agreed to: 44-55
  • Collins amendment #804 (vegetables in school meal programs); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • McCain amendment #739 (critical surface transportation); Tabled: 59-39
  • McCain amendment #741 (ethanol blender pumps and storage facilities); withdrawn
  • Sanders amendment #816 (energy efficiency programs for small businesses); Agreed to by Unanimous Consent
  • Coburn amendment #793 (transparency in federally attended and funded conferences); Agreed to by Unanimous Consent
  • Coburn amendment #798, as modified (prohibit funds for purchase of new passenger motor vehicles); Agreed to by Unanimous Consent
  • Murray amendment #772 (reconstruction of highway facilities damaged by natural disasters or emergencies); Withdrawn
  • Vitter amendment #769, as modified (drug reimportation) Not Agreed To: 45-55 (60-vote threshold)
  • Webb amendment #750, as modified (National Criminal Justice Commission)  Not Agreed To: 57-43 (60-vote threshold)
  • Merkley amendment #879 (freight and rail products made in the US) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 55-44
  • Brown (OH) amendment #874, as modified (Fair Housing Initiatives Program); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Moran amendment #815, as modified (spending levels for Watershed Protection); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Grassley amendment #860 (DOJ Federal Grants)(60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 46-54
  • Landrieu amendment #781 (farmer program loans); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Kohl amendment #755 (spending plan); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Vitter amendment #917 to Menendez #857 (Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 41-57-1(present)
  • Menendez amendment #857 (extend loan limits for FHA, VA and others) (60-vote threshold); Agreed to: 60-38-1 present
  • Gillibrand amendment #869 (increase funding for emergency conservation/emergency watershed protection programs); Agreed to: 58-41
  • Lautenberg amendment #836 (Economic Development Assistance Program); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Bingaman amendment #771, as modified (funds to investigate trade violations); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Sessions amendment #810 (prohibit funds to allow categorical eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 41-58
  • Coburn amendment #791 (prohibit funds for direct payments to individuals with income over $1M); Agreed to: 84-15
  • Coburn amendment #792, as modified (end payments to slumlords) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 59-40
  • Coburn amendment #796 (end lending schemes) (60-vote threshold); Agreed to: 73-26
  • Ayotte amendment #753 (prohibit funds for prosecutions of enemy combatants in Article III Courts) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 47-52
  • Portman amendment #859 (beam rail elements and terminal sections); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • McCain amendment #892 (Rural Development offices); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Cantwell amendment #893, as modified (infectious salmon); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Cochran amendment #805, as modified (Fossil-fueled electric generating plants); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Burr amendment #890 (transparency of FDA); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Inouye amendment #918 (strike provisions re: Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Latin Americans of Japanese Descent); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Kyl amendment #912, as modified (US Marshals Service & courthouse security upgrades); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Rubio amendment #898 (Evaluation of Gulf Coast Claims Facility); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Thune amendment #809 (reimbursement for expenditures made in reliance of a grant erroneously awarded); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Hutchison amendment #806; Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Brown (MA)-Kerry amendment #889 (Audits of Fisheries Enforcement Asset Forfeiture Fund); Agreed to by Voice Vote
  • Inouye substitute amendment #738 (text of the 3 appropriations bills); Agreed to by Unanimous Consent
  • Coburn amendment #800 (Rural Development Agency); Not Agreed to: 13-85
  • Paul amendment #821 (TIGER grants) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed to: 38-60
  • DeMint amendment #763 (epinephrine); Not Agreed to: 44-54
  • Crapo amendment #814 (derivatives – Dodd-Frank); withdrawn
  • Coburn amendment #801 (Small Community Air Service Development Program); Not Agreed to: 41-57
  • Lee motion to recommit H.R.2112 (FY11 levels); Not Agreed to: 39-60
  • DeMint amendment #764 (eliminate increase in funding); fell on point of order
  • Coburn amendment #794 (government programs annual report); withdrawn
  • Coburn amendment #795 (collect more than $500M from deadbeat developers); withdrawn
  • Coburn amendment #797 (Federal buildings construction/purchase/lease/renovation); withdrawn
  • Coburn amendment #799 (Rural Energy for America Program); withdrawn
  • Coburn amendment #833 (end direct payment program); withdrawn

The Senate will recess from 3:30-4:30pm for a members only briefing on national security issues.

2012 Calendar – 112th Congress, Second Session

Convene – January 23, 2012 (Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday January 16)

4 weeks

February 20 – 24 State Work Period (Presidents’ Day February 20)

5 weeks

March 5- NO VOTE (Monday)

March 12 – NO VOTE (Monday)

March 19 – NO VOTE (Monday)

April 2 – April 13 State Work Period (Passover April 6-7; Good Friday April 6; Easter April 8)

2 weeks

April 30 – May 4 State Work Period

3 weeks

May 28 – June 1 State Work Period (Memorial Day May 28)

4 weeks

July 2 – July 6 State Work Period (Independence Day July 4)

4 weeks

August 6 – September 7 State Work Period (Labor Day September 3)

Target adjournment – TBD

During Tuesday’s session of the Senate, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to S.1769, the Rebuild America Jobs Act. Unless an agreement is reached, this vote will occur Thursday morning.

WRAP UP

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.308, designating November 27, 2011 as “Drive Safer Sunday”.

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed the following:

EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF THE UNITED STATES

#412 Patricia M. Loui – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2015

#414 Larry W. Walther – to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a term expiring January 20, 2013

———————————————–

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on November 1, 2011.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF NOVEMBER  1, 2011

 112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.7:05:57 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.7:00:51 P.M. -S. 1280Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.7:00:50 P.M. -S. 1280On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 406 – 0 (Roll no. 817).6:54:23 P.M. -S. 1280Considered as unfinished business. S. 1280 — “To amend the Peace Corps Act to require sexual assault risk-reduction and response training, the development of sexual assault protocol and guidelines, the establishment of victims advocates, the establishment of a Sexual Assault Advisory Council, and for other purposes.”6:54:10 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 13Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:54:10 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 13On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 396 – 9, 2 Present (Roll no. 816).6:30:45 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 13Considered as unfinished business. H. Con. Res. 13 — “Reaffirming “In God We Trust” as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions.”6:30:35 P.M. -UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.6:30:22 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 1.6:06:24 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for  6:30 P.M. today.6:05:54 P.M. -S. Con. Res. 31Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.6:05:39 P.M. -S. Con. Res. 31On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.6:05:30 P.M. -S. Con. Res. 31Considered by unanimous consent. S. Con. Res. 31 — “Directing the Secretary of the Senate to make a correction in the enrollment of S. 1280.”6:05:29 P.M. -S. Con. Res. 31Ms. Ros-Lehtinen asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker’s table and consider.6:05:09 P.M. -S. 1280At 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.5:41:18 P.M. -S. 1280DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1280.5:41:16 P.M. -S. 1280Considered under suspension of the rules.5:41:01 P.M. -S. 1280Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. S. 1280 — “To amend the Peace Corps Act to require sexual assault risk-reduction and response training, the development of sexual assault protocol and guidelines, the establishment of victims advocates, the establishment of a Sexual Assault Advisory Council, and for other purposes.”5:40:37 P.M. -H.R. 1002Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.5:40:33 P.M. -H.R. 1002On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.5:25:34 P.M. -H.R. 1002DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1002.5:25:32 P.M. -H.R. 1002Considered under suspension of the rules.5:25:14 P.M. -H.R. 1002Mr. Franks (AZ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1002 — “To restrict any State or local jurisdiction from imposing a new discriminatory tax on cell phone services, providers, or property.”5:24:33 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 13At 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.4:48:52 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 13DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Con. Res. 13.4:48:50 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 13Considered under suspension of the rules.4:48:07 P.M. -H. Con. Res. 13Mr. Forbes moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution. H. Con. Res. 13 — “Reaffirming “In God We Trust” as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions.”4:47:54 P.M. -The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. today.4:47:48 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 1.2:12:28 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for approximatley 4:45 p.m. today.2:11:50 P.M. -The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President transmitting a notification of the continuance of the national emergency with respect to Sudan – referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed (H. Doc. 112-69).2:10:41 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 sealed envelope from the White House on November 1, 2011, at 12:19 p.m., and said to contain a message from the President whereby he submits a copy of the notice filed earlier with the Federal Register on the national emergency with respect to Sudan.2:09:00 P.M. -The House received a message from the Clerk. Pursuant to the permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II of 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 November 1, 2011, at 9:44 a.m. stating that that body had passed H.R. 394, with amendments, H.R. 368 and S. 1637.2:02:44 P.M. -ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches.2:02:16 P.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Schilling to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.2:02:12 P.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal.  Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.2:00:40 P.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.2:00:26 P.M. -The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of November 1.12:02:37 P.M. -The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for  2:00 P.M. today.12:01:50 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.12:01:37 P.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable John Campbell to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.12:00:26 P.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

a message from Nancy Pelosi


If we continue to stand together, I believe this moment will mark the turning point on the road to a Democratic victory in 2012.

The American people are rejecting the Tea Party Republican agenda that puts tax breaks for the wealthiest people in our country ahead of creating jobs.

Now, it is up to us to seize this moment.

That’s why the looming October 31st FEC fundraising deadline is so critical. This is the last fundraising deadline before the one year out to Election Day marker and House Democrats must have a strong showing.

Please contribute $3 or more to our Million Dollar Match Campaign before October 31st and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar by a group of House Democrats.

The world will be watching to see if Democrats can maintain the momentum and exceed our million dollar goal. Our results will be closely scrutinized by the media and political pundits as an indication of our strength and determination to take the fight to the Republicans.

With just 25 seats standing between us and a new Democratic Majority, we can’t wait for tomorrow.

Contribute $3 or more to our Million Dollar Match Campaign before Midnight Monday >>

Let’s stand together for a new direction that places creating jobs over reckless tax breaks for billionaires and Big Oil.

Thank you for your support,

Nancy Pelosi

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Happy Halloween &some News


The weather, wicked as it is being reported for the mid-west and east coast has been life as per usual here in the NW- rain, with snow if it’s falling is in our mountains and will hopefully stay in the higher elevations for a while because some reports say Washington will get record amount of snow this year…ugh

The last few weeks of campaigning by Teapublicans have made me absolutely sick what with the loony tune behavior and racist comments by folks who are not qualified to be representing anyone let alone the people of America …

“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” –George Orwell

i personally do not want to go back to colonial days  …it controlled  my grandparents past &the future of my parents and now a group on the hard right are  determined to repeal the 14th amendment the civil rights … we must move  forward stay in the present so discrimination fails …the past fails

A year ago yesterday Restore Sanity and or Fear Rally was held and though we have OWS now the cliché …same BS different day still applies just change the names/dates and we still have a whole lot of BS that needs to get kicked to the curb … #VOTE4BarackObama2012

10-30-10 Restore Sanity and or Fear was fun to me and while some seemed confused over what the point the message the obvious silliness of it all i for one felt it was a moment to gather at the National Mall either physically or online like me and apparently there were 4 million of us online while 250thousand were at the Mall to say to America look the rhetoric is getting crazy, people are not just engaging in silly fear mongering the engagement has become physical people are getting hurt and this bullying has got to either take a more moderate tone or nothing will get accomplished at all and i don’t exactly remember what Jon Stewart said …something like we are in the hard times but it is not the end of times.  If you listen to in my opinion the right they have led people to believe that the boogey man is out to take theirs away from them and they have to take back their country in whatever form that takes even if they have to use 2nd amendment remedies and to me that is just insane and stirs fear which gives people cause to become what paranoid which then makes them act out and believe me i am fearful each time i hear Palin, Beck, Limbaugh or even Breitbart make comments that seemingly cause folks to commit crimes,  possible death or at least caused a lot of people to be fired, lose business and lately death threats.  This rally was diverse had great music by the Roots, Ozzy osborn, Mavis Staples,Tony Bennett, Yusef, the OJays,Kid Rock plus cutie pie John Legend and I was totally impressed by the not so R&B instrument, the Tuba. It looked like they had enough potties though rumors were they did not and yes, there were many miscues. There were many people different from themselves standing together without violence, some may have even agreed to disagree but i saw no one being taken down because of it or stomped on or put in handcuffs, not too many offensive signs and actually, some were quite clever. The crowd definitely leaned left of center there were 250thousand people so we know they couldn’t have all been lefties though some in the media might have you believe that. By the end of the day, reports and or stories started being blasted and one in particular grabbed my attention because i question the reasons lady had for being at the rally or even her sanity a bit but hey, she was there expressing or doing their own thing though strange in my opinion. The AP interviewed and gave this lady major attention and while we all have the 1st amendment to fall back on she stated she and the 400 she brought there voted for Obama but will not again. This woman stated she not just wanted to wipe the slate clean she admitted to having dreams of Jon Stewart as a candidate but as she describes her dream, it became violent and well, something awful happened. I have to say all i could think of was insane in the membrane when i read it and boy it was definitely symbolic of what is going on today. When people are angry and in that anger if poked prodded and protesting just is not enough comes reactions by folks who need to take it down a notch … who knew it would take a comedian to say this is how i feel do you feel this way too! ok so let’s take it to our National Mall and show our Politicians and their cronies whoever that may be and tell them we want debates we want discussions but the crap that is going on right now is not acceptable …in my case the Republican Tea Party is at fault …done and period. The provocateurs know who they are and i don’t know about you but having some or quite possibly a lot of them are folks running for Public Office possibly getting paid by our tax dollars,  that is just not right or acceptable to me let alone having to hear what they plan to do if elected.