Tag Archives: United State

mashup Monday &some News


The featured picture is of the I-5 Peace Arch.

  I needed some feeling of peace today. Actually, we probably will all feel the need for some peaceful thoughts as we watch members of Congress play politics with American lives. Congress might have until August to raise the debt ceiling but the evidence is becoming quite clear that Republicans have absolutely no intention of helping their Fellow Americans and or the Economy move toward that path of progress let alone the 21st Century, so the picture on the left is of our I-5 Peace Arch on the Canadian Border.

 In 2010, right around this time a vote was taken and while the Democratic Party was trying to get Americans back to work by introducing legislation to be passed Republicans acted and continue to act as if Corporate America is the only people, they trust and the following was what happened.  Last night, June/2010 the following comments were made after the jobs/tax extenders bill failed in the Senate again 56-40 -”Tonight, every single Republican voted to deny states critical aid that would keep firefighters, police offices and teachers employed,” said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). “And tonight, every single Republican voted to tell the one in ten Americans who have lost their jobs that they are on their own.” Please call your representative in Congress.  The American people are about tired of the BS offered up by both sides of the aisle but after watching  listening to TV and or radio the sad sad reality is that people are willing to vote against their best interest.

Apparently, folks have forgotten that it has been a Republican mission to vote against their fellow Americans calling it unnecessary spending though if anyone recalls that these are the same folks who voted against stimulus money while  taking the stimulus money, shoot every state was going to get it whether they said no because it was an emergency. It was slightly amusing though shortly lived and definitely offensive now that the number of Politicians with negative comments about the stimulus funds even though they held elaborate ceremonies with ribbon cutting, offering huge checks, took responsibility for the effort and some even asked for more money.  I am not sure how anyone else feels but knowing that the number of Governors that took the stimulus money to balance their budgets was disturbing enough. It was not just disturbing but hearing how Republican Governors made a choice of Profits over the People in their states by giving money  to private sector who turned out to be friends like the Koch brothers is felonious at best . It is also quite possible some of those very Republican Governors have businesses that received direct or non- direct advantages sort of like those drug testing clinics that belong to the governor who has decided that all state employees be tested for drug use. I may be wrong but reports are he is the only one with those clinics and this past weekend there were reports that rep. Paul Ryan stands to make a lot of money if his plan is implemented. If all that we have heard about our so-called Public Servants is correct, the stimulus money was obviously misused and some folks in office abused their positions.  We have Governors saying their states are broke though some had surpluses while the private sector being a Republicans best friend is still unwilling to open up the purse strings or stop sending jobs offshore until Americans accept lower wages and or compete for  what used to be Public Service jobs turned private and fee based . The current attitudes coming from Republicans will only drive unemployment up.  The obvious choice would be to place a Public Jobs Works bill on the table that would create jobs that will take care of our crumbling infrastructure, accept that at this moment in time we need everyone to participate. The idea that people are actually against fair share is beyond me but that Republican view currently being forced upon our fellow Americans in some states right this very moment is a reality.  It’s the 21st Century people. We need members of Congress to walk through a feature like our Arch to bring peace over them and maybe they will all come to the same conclusion two and a half years later. That all members of Congress need to participate in fair share as well as vote yes to Jobs bills that include county, state, or federal workers. Since when do we have  to tell companies like BP or other big Corporations that they should be held completely accountable for their errors; let us hope all Americans heard the Barton, Bachmann; cable heads and Boehner comments about a year ago because those- Corporatist-Republicans are still at it. The escrow was for We the People and was not a Chicago style take down as suggested. Republican Congressmen like Barton came out in support and the protection of a company that has ruined not only the Gulf Coast, the livelihoods, the environment the Marshes, Estuaries and now the beaches in Louisiana are suffering, which may affect every aspect of their economy for decades. Barton pulled those comments back but as I have said, those comments cannot be put back into any bottle and hopefully Americans will not forget or forgive.

If you just cannot enjoy our I-5 Peace Arch on the Canadian Border try breathing deeply in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth … repeat as needed

Other News ….

Your tributes to the Big Man, Clarence Clemons

Casey Anthony Trial Update: Defense case continues after dramatic beginning

Protesters take to streets in Syria after Assad speech

Euro, Stocks Recover as Debt Concern Eases

Tunisia’s Ousted President Says He Was Tricked Into Leaving

Is Rick Perry Going to Run for President?

Inappropriate Jokes

CSPAN

Governors Discuss Job Creation

Study released on states and job growth

A Look at “Mystery Phone Fees”

Huntsman announcement, Panetta Vote, Clinton on Capitol Hill

Senate to vote Tuesday on Panetta as SecDef
Issue for Jon Huntsman: His family’s Iran Business

UPDATE: Wisconsin …from BoldProgressives.org


BREAKING: It was just announced in Wisconsin that the unprecedented recall elections of Republicans will take place August 9.

And we’re on offense! If we win, it will be a major defeat for Gov. Scott Walker‘s war on working families — and be seen nationally as a major accountability moment.

Can you help us stay on offense by making calls to key Wisconsin voters soon?

Yes! I’ll make calls from my home — show me the various shifts!

No, thanks — but I’ll donate $3 to support this recall campaign.

Before the calls, we’ll get an insider update from top organizers — including our staffer on the ground in Wisconsin.

Our state-of-the-art calling system is easy to use, and you’ll get all the training you need. Then, we’ll call Wisconsin voters in swing districts.

This is a fight that matters not just in Wisconsin, but for the whole country. Can you sign up to make calls from home?

Yes! I’ll make calls!

No, thanks — but I’ll donate $3 to support this recall campaign.

Thanks for being a bold progressive.

— Michael Snook, Keauna Gregory, Stephanie Taylor, Jeremy Feigenbaum, Caroline Dean, and the PCCC team

wicked Wednesday &some News


Today, as the progress of our Nation seems to be slowing down given our Congress is unable to work in a bipartisan way to get our economy growing and Republicans, though in the minority have managed to do their best to stop any effort to create and pass laws that will. Instead, they work, debate and will finally vote on delaying the debit card usage fee caps or the 10% tax on tanning salons; don’t get me wrong those two pieces of legislation definitely are important but it would it would be nice if Leader Reid would introduce Jobs bills whenever possible. If you are like me it seems like every time a Republican speaks now days i flinch, cringe, or say I told you so. I know that in my resentment for the lack of knowledge in the issues, reality and or trust by my fellow Americans, or from those angry voters, even some Democratic members of Congress in President Obama I am not alone. I have to say that it is important that we remind ourselves why and what some of our so-called allies said about the November Midterm elections and not let this happen again. Yes, we are all suffering on some level because they decided to sit out, vote right of center … whatever. Yep, I was worried and now we are all living with a daily barrage of crap on any given platform confirming the worry with good reason. The week before the midterms, I stated … What worries me, is the possibility that people who have no experience, common sense or clarity may get on the floor of Congress and really ruin what use to be a great country. The fact is this group of Republicans is not our parent’s right of center Political Party. This Political Party of No have not only  proved themselves to be more concerned about those top 2% by repeatedly holding legislation hostage in the name of those job creators and financial backers since the midterms elections. It is more than obvious they do not care about reducing the deficit, climate change, Jobs, fair share or the middle or lower classes whatsoever they have used the race card though hidden or undetected by most. The conversation from pundits, cable heads and others who engage in coded racial talk have an agenda that will hurt us all in the long term. Though Republicans have not introduced one Jobs bill but have btw voted against all the Jobs bills offered up by the Democratic Party because it will give our President a win. They continue to state that giving them control of the House of Representative is what Americans wanted but they have failed to listen and accept the buyer’s remorse screamed at them at town halls, meet-ups, and or calls from their own constituents. We the People on both sides of the aisle want Congress to put people back to work not to touch Medicare, Planned Parenthood, NPR, or anything else related to a social program that is government run. . I have not heard that slogan as much but the Republican Tea Party has acted as if they will “take back their country,” on all levels of government. In October 2010 I said, I guess you can plug in whatever that means for you though it sounded like an awful way to live if you are a minority on any level. Now, it is obvious that it means a vote against all your best interests. If you live on the Gulf Coast or a State with a Republican Mayor or Governor, it is likely you have been asking yourself not only why you were so easily conned but what have Republicans really done for you lately. If you have family, friends and or co-workers who are Teachers, Cops, Emts, Firefighters or any type of Rescue worker you probably are feeling as if your vote to take back your country was one of the last nails that will or could ruin this country as you know it. Yes, that is my opinion but come on, if you have been paying attention or living under a rock, Republican members of Congress, and some so-called dems started working and voting against their fellow Americans since President Obama Admin took office. The main mission as stated by the likes of a Bachmann is making this President Obama’s only term by voting against all of his policies which will invariably takes us all down.

The midterm elections have affected children, friends, families and our own lives, and if we give them our country, they will ruin our futures.

 

Other News …

International Community Turns Up Pressure on Syria

David Cameron: UK will ‘not stand silent’ over Syria

Hundreds in Syria flee to Turkey

Gorgeous, smart Huma Abedin is not hanging around town while disgraced hubby …

OIL FUTURES: Crude Oil Gains As OPEC Leaves Output Unchanged

NATO Defense Chiefs to Discuss Libya Campaign

Salmonella cases rise in United States, federal report shows

US OIL INVENTORIES: Crude Inventories Fall More Than Expected

Michelle Obama To Appear On Nickelodeon’s iCarly

Pawlenty says 5 percent growth is “aspirational”

 CSPAN …

States Go to Court Over Obama Health Care Legislation

Lawmakers Consider Extending the Service of FBI Director Mueller

Nominee to be U.S. Amb. to Afghanistan Discusses Success in Region

BBC News – Libya crisis: Pro-Gaddafi forces attack Misrata
OPEC oil talks collapse, no output deal | Reuters
President Obama Remarks on U.S. Manufacturing

bad weather Wednesday &some News


a few weeks ago i posted an essay by Ron Paul called Rethinking Birthright Citizenship and a few days ago received a response on my blog, which is great but a bit concerning given the person agreed with his views that i feel are beyond extreme anyway here is the last of it i guess …

Comment: I know all about race and the illegal situation first hand.

I don’t think I’ve called Obama anything other than an American.  I may joke about him being a Muslim or whatever but he can thank Heloise and blogcritics articles for boosting him in the polls and helping him get over the racial hump.  Yes, I will take a little victory lap here.  Read ALL of my hundreds of Obama and political articles at blogcritics.org then come back and tell me I don’t know what I am talking about politically.  I think you will see I single-handedly set the standard for a lot of stuff that comes out of the mouth of mainstream media.  Yes, I did.

Heloise

ME: Actually, I went to your site and read your comments or what you call critiques and like i said we live in America and thank goodness freedom of speech is just one great reason to live here. However, I read your comments in a much diff way and will stand firm. I think it’s fun and amusing that anyone would give themselves props for anything the mainstream media says because in my opinion it’s lame offensive and full of lies. If that is what you want props for then sobeit but FYI most people are not happy with the right of center biased comments from “the media” and my President , President Barack H. Obama is not only underesitmated people boost his polls because they are actually comparing and contrasting his comments against what the Republican Tea Party and the folks who control cable news as well as mainstream media thank you very much. I know a lot of folks would love to take the victory lap but he is his own force moving toward that change 53% of Americans voted for – I give any and or all props to this President -full credit for all that he does. – Well, welcome to America and thank you for responding to the rethinking birthrights cititzenship essay that RonPaul wrote though if i read your blog correctly you support his point of view which was why i responded originally. I still am offended by his views in that essay as well as anything else he says when he is on the airwaves about Race, birthright including the 14thAmendment.

Other News …

Next Stop, Atlantis: NASA Readying for
Final Space Shuttle Flight

At White House, Obama presses

Middle East In Transition Yemeni Forces

Crews raise levees to protect South
Dakota town

NJ Gov. Chris Christie uses state
helicopter to catch son’s baseball game

CSPAN

Obama Hosts Budget Talks with GOP Lawmakers

Debt limit, budget plans on agenda

Homeland Security Intelligence Gathering Analyzed

Hearing Examines Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository Program

 

 

 

The World’s Most Senseless War … Alice Jay – Avaaz.org


In days, we could finally see the beginning of the end of the ‘war on drugs’. This expensive war has completely failed to curb the plague of drug addiction, while costing countless lives, devastating communities, and funneling trillions of dollars into violent organized crime networks.

Experts all agree that the most sensible policy is to regulate, but politicians are afraid to touch the issue. In days, a global commission including former heads of state and foreign policy chiefs of the UN, EU, US, Brazil, Mexico and more will break the taboo and publicly call for new approaches including decriminalization and regulation of drugs.

This could be a once-in-a-generation tipping-point moment — if enough of us call for an end to this madness. Politicians say they understand that the war on drugs has failed, but claim the public isn’t ready for an alternative. Let’s show them we not only accept a sane and humane policy — we demand it. Click below to sign the petition and share with everyone –if we reach 1 million voices, it will be personally delivered to world leaders by the global commission:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/end_the_war_on_drugs/?cl=1081433951&v=9209

For 50 years current drug policies have failed everyone, everywhere but public debate is stuck in the mud of fear and misinformation. Everyone, even the UN Office on Drugs and Crime which is responsible for enforcing this approach agrees — deploying militaries and police to burn drug farms, hunting down traffickers, and imprisoning dealers and addicts – is an expensive mistake. And with massive human cost — from Afghanistan, to Mexico, to the USA the illegal drug trade is destroying countries around the world, while addiction, overdose deaths, and HIV/AIDS infections continue to rise.

Meanwhile, countries with less-harsh enforcement — like Switzerland, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Australia — have not seen the explosion in drug use that proponents of the drug war have darkly predicted. Instead, they have seen significant reductions in drug-related crime, addiction and deaths, and are able to focus squarely on dismantling criminal empires.

Powerful lobbies still stand in the way of change, including military, law enforcement, and prison departments whose budgets are at stake. And politicians fear that voters will throw them out of office if they support alternative approaches, as they will appear weak on law and order. But many former drugs Ministers and Heads of State have come out in favour of reform since leaving office, and polls show that citizens across the world know the current approach is a catastrophe. Momentum is gathering towards new improved policies, particularly in regions that are ravaged by the drug trade.

If we can create a worldwide outcry in the next few days to support the bold calls of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, we can overpower the stale excuses for the status quo. Our voices hold the key to change — Sign the petition and spread the word  http://www.avaaz.org/en/end_the_war_on_drugs/?cl=1081433951&v=9209

We have a chance to enter the closing chapter of this brutal ‘war’ that has destroyed millions of lives. Global public opinion will determine if this catastrophic policy is stopped or if politicians shy away from reform. Let’s rally urgently to push our hesitating leaders from doubt and fear, over the edge, and into reason.

With hope and determination,

Alice, Laura, Ricken, Maria Paz, Shibayan and the whole Avaaz team