Tag Archives: United States

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Debate, not hate

01/12/2011 Nativegrl77

While we may never know what exactly motivated the shooter in Arizona—and while there are many lessons to draw from this tragedy—one thing is clear: Our country must turn away from the culture of violent, hateful rhetoric that has been pervading our political discourse for too long.

Nearly 200,000 people have signed our “Debate, not hate” petition. It calls on politicians and the media to stop spreading hateful rhetoric and implicit appeals to violence. Can you sign the petition today?

Just click here: http://pol.moveon.org/debatenothate/?id=25774-17809870-vPzuBwx&t=1

And please share this important message on Facebook and Twitter, or just forward this email.

Thanks for all you do.

–Justin

“I call for an end to all overt or implied appeals to violence in American politics. We must debate, not hate.”

Sign the petition

Dear MoveOn member,

The tragedy in Tucson has shaken us all to the core. Facts are still coming in, and we all must be careful not to jump to premature conclusions.

But in the wake of this disaster one thing is clear: We must put an end to the rhetoric of violence and hate that has exploded in America over the past two years.

That’s why we’re launching a petition calling on every member of Congress, as well as the major TV and cable news networks, to put an end to the hateful rhetoric and all overt or implied appeals to violence. Click here to sign the petition:

http://pol.moveon.org/debatenothate?id=25774-17809870-vPzuBwx&t=6

Here’s what the petition says: “I call for an end to all overt or implied appeals to violence in American politics. We must debate, not hate.”

After you sign, please forward this email to the people in your email address book and post on Facebook and Twitter to keep it going. With a large enough response, this petition can help focus the debate on the urgent need to end the rhetoric of violence and hate that has become so widespread over the past two years.

We don’t know what motivated the individual or individuals who committed this atrocity. And, if reports are true, it’s deeply troubling that the suspected shooter displayed so many signs of serious mental illness, and our public health institutions failed to respond.¹

But the terrifying fact is that this act of violence falls into a pattern that has emerged over the past two years in America and in Gabrielle Giffords’ district in particular.

Windows were smashed at Representative Giffords’ district office last March just a few hours after the House vote on health care reform.² At one of the infamous town hall events in August 2009, a man attending the event accidentally dropped a handgun on the floor that he had been hiding under his arm.³

And violent tendencies have been inflamed by the careless and irresponsible rhetoric of certain political leaders. Sarah Palin‘s infamous “target list” displayed Democratic districts, including Rep. Giffords’, in crosshairs, as if viewed through a gunsight.⁴

In addition, violent imagery was prominently featured during the last election. For instance, a rally for Rep. Giffords’ Republican opponent, Jesse Kelly, was promoted with the following notice: “Get on Target for Victory in November. Help remove Gabrielle Giffords from office. Shoot a fully automatic M15 with Jesse Kelly.”⁵

As Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, speaking from the heart at an emotional news conference last night, said:

There’s reason to believe that this individual may have a mental issue. And I think people who are unbalanced are especially susceptible to vitriol… When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous.⁶

Please take a moment to add your voice to this call to end the rhetoric of violence and hate, and then share it with all your friends. Click here to sign:

http://pol.moveon.org/debatenothate?id=25774-17809870-vPzuBwx&t=7

And thanks for all you do.

–Justin, Adam, Amy, Anna, Annie, Carrie, Christopher, Daniel, David, Duncan, Eli, Emily, Gail, Ian, Ilya, Ilyse, Joan, Kat, Laura, Lenore, Mariana, Marika, Matthew, Melanie, Michael, Milan, Nita, Peter, Robin, Ryan, Susannah, Stephen, Steven, Tim, and Wes

P.S. You might also want to check out a video we posted on the petition page of Rep. Giffords herself talking about this issue last year. It’s a powerful reminder not only of how important this issue is, but also what an amazing leader Gabby Giffords has been for America and, we deeply hope, will continue to be.

Sources:

1. “Exclusive: Jared Loughner Radically Changed Before Alleged Shooting, Friend Says,” ABC News, January 9, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205717&id=25774-17809870-vPzuBwx&t=8

2. “Rep. Giffords’ Tucson office vandalized after health care vote,” Arizona Daily Star, March 22, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205718&id=25774-17809870-vPzuBwx&t=9

3. “Gabrielle Giffords Town Hall: Gun Left Behind,” The Huffington Post, August 11, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205721&id=25774-17809870-vPzuBwx&t=10

4. “Tucson rampage casts light on toxic political tone,” Arizona Daily Star, January 8, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205719&id=25774-17809870-vPzuBwx&t=11

5. “Sarah Palin Criticized Over Gabrielle Giffords Presence on ‘Target List,'” CBS News, January 8, 2011
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20027918-503544.html

6. “News Conference with Pima County Sheriff & Others (Courtesy of KVOA TV, Tucson, Arizona),” C-SPAN, January 8, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205720&id=25774-17809870-vPzuBwx&t=12

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Congress holds regular Session -The House of Representatives …updates when needed

01/12/2011 Nativegrl77

The next meeting is scheduled for 10amET on January 12, 2011.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JANUARY 12, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

6:00 P.M. –

Mr. Lungren, Daniel E. moved that the House do now adjourn.

5:59 P.M. –

The House adjourned pursuant to S. Con. Res. 1. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on January 18, 2011.

H. Res. 32:

expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the tragic shooting in Tucson, Arizona, on January 8, 2011

5:58 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.

The previous question was ordered without objection.

1:56 P.M. –

DEBATE – The Chair announced that when proceedings were postponed earlier, 4 hours and 6 minutes of debate remained on the resolution. The House proceeded with further debate on H. Res. 32.

Considered as unfinished business.

The Chair announced that pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule 19, proceedings would resume on H. Res. 32.

1:55 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 12.

12:42 P.M. –

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

H. Res. 32:

expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the tragic shooting in Tucson, Arizona, on January 8, 2011

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – The Chair announced that further proceedings on H.Res. 32 would be postponed.

10:09 A.M. –

DEBATE – Pursuant to a previous special order the House proceeded with 6 hours of debate on H.Res. 32.

10:06 A.M. –

Considered pursuant to a special order.

10:05 A.M. –

Consideration initiated pursuant to a special order.

10:04 A.M. –

ORDER OF BUSINESS – Mr. Cantor asked unanimous consent that it shall be in order at any time on the legislative day of January 12, 2011, to consider in the House without intervention of any point of order a resolution relating to recent events in Tucson, Arizona, if offered by the Speaker or his designee; such resolution shall be debatable for 6 hours equally divided and controlled by the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader or their respective designees; and the previous question shall be considered as ordered on such resolution and any preamble thereto to final adoption without intervening motion. Agreed to without objection.

H. Res. 33:

electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives

10:03 A.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

Considered as privileged matter.

10:02 A.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Kucinich to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

10:00 A.M. –

Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ my 2cents ..., ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

wicked Wednesday &some News

01/12/2011 Nativegrl77

trying to pub since early morn…ugh

The President is in Arizona to talk about the awful tragedy that happened on Saturday and call for a moment of National Unity and Healing.

It is a day to remember the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. It is a time to ask how far they have come and acknowledge how much more work, and funding Haiti needs. The State of Arizona experienced an awful tragedy none of us will truly understand, a number of people gunned down six killed and Congresswoman Giffords shot in the head, she and several survivors are on the mend. The reports are that Gaby Giffords is doing well.

It has been five days since the awful incident in Arizona and while some on both sides of the political aisle are agreeing that, the language used may not be appropriate. There are those long considered leaders in politics, TV, pundits, hosts have chosen to either ignore the obvious opportunity to tamp down the ugly rhetoric or come on national TV to act as if they were the victims. This is unacceptable to me. I am not sure if people will finally come together to tell those on the right by so-called Public Servants throw out violent rhetoric and language; like blood libel, 2nd amendment remedies, do not retreat reload and last… i want everyone in Minnesota armed and dangerous. It is with great sadness to mention one of several Sharon Angle interviews this one with the RGJ in May, Angle said, “We’re called as Americans to be vigilant to protect our liberty. At some point in each of our lives, we’re called to service to defend and protect our Constitution “What is a little bit disconcerting and concerning is the inability for sporting goods stores to keep ammunition in stock. That tells me the nation is arming. What are they arming for if it isn’t that they are so distrustful of their government? They’re afraid they’ll have to fight for their liberty in more Second Amendment kinds of ways? “That’s why I look at this as almost an imperative. If we don’t win at the ballot box, what will be the next step?”

The pledge to America in my opinion seems like a doctrine of what the right(the Republican Tea Party) thinks and says they are all about but in my opinion are definitely without: compassion, any sense of service; community or for helping your fellow American, which, is why Obama was voted in.

The fact is… 53% wanted a huge change in the way thing get done not only in Washington DC but also on a global level, conservatives and their comrades the Republican Tea Party are fighting it. It is a moment when those of us that voted for President Obama need to help make this change a reality in 2012 by getting more true democrats on the floor of Congress. It was with great sadness that this was not accomplished during the 2010 midterms but those easily hoodwinked, fooled or who just did not care voted right of center. In my opinion, any or all things that have been accomplished and will help create positive improvement are at risk because the RTP has a need to not only privatize but ruin the Presidency; which if we all pay attention is a calling to take back their country – I ask what does that mean to you? For me it means there is a group of people afraid of the unknown, willing to use race or those of us that are other because we are brown, black or under the protected classes. I have to say some call it socialism some like me just want the country to stop being self-destructive, be civil, maybe help people by giving them an opportunity to prosper and flourish. I maybe naïve, but doing better than the next generation use to be a dream your parents had for you and you would pass on but if we listen to the right talk at some point these folks were trained taught to think completely differently than the rest of us. Though scary even folks on the right say this is not your fathers Republican Party and the radical right use to be visible but not so many got into public service positions let alone get on the floor of Congress. This has been an outrage for me since before 2008 but in light of the latest incident we have to hold some radio and tv pundits, politicians, tv hosts and bloggers accountable for their lack of self-control.

Other News …

**Haiti and the World remember that 2010 terrible earthquake

**Snow storms in 49 States

**Brazil is hit with rain and mud kills 99

**Riots reach Tunisia’s capital, so they now have a curfew

**Tracking bands hurt Penguin -seabirds

**Our 2010 ended strongly

**Lebanon govt falls Hezbollah pulls out

**Quinn wont say if he will sign off on death penalty bill

CSPAN…

The National Alliance to End Homelessness released its State of Homelessness in America report that found the nation’s homeless population increased by approximately 3 percent from 2008 to 2009 and cited the recession as contributing factor to the increase. The report also showed California, Florida, and Nevada have the highest rates of homelessness. Speakers included the group’s president Nan Roman and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), who is a senior Democrat on the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. The event took place at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

More Info »

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner spoke at John Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Study in Washington, DC. His remarks focused on the U.S. and China’s economic future and what to expect from Chinese President Hu Jintao’s upocming state visit.

More Info »

On the third day of voting in the South Sudan independence referendum, one of the lead U.S. negotiators for Sudan and the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs spoke with reporters at the State Department to provide an update on the vote.

More Info »

The Brookings Institution hosted a discussion on the earthquake in Haiti. Activists who recently traveled there gave an assessment of the current situation, and also their insights on the remaining problems that are hindering reconstruction efforts. Topics of discussion include humanitarian aid concerns, rubble removal efforts, disease response as well as sexual violence and sanitation concerns in Haitian camps. Among the speakers was actor and humanitarian Sean Penn who currently heads a group devoted to providing relief to Haiti.

More Info »

~ Recent Post

The House of Representatives … 112th Congress meets

01/11/2011 Nativegrl77

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS
LEGISLATIVE DAY OF JANUARY 11, 2011
112TH CONGRESS – FIRST SESSION

2:03 P.M. –

The House adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on January 12, 2011. On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.

Mr. Young (AK) moved that the House do now adjourn.

H. Res. 31:: electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives

2:02 P.M. –

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.

Considered as privileged matter.

2:01 P.M. –

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Young of AK to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Daniel Coughlin.

The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.

2:00 P.M. –

The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 11.

12:01 P.M. –

The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today. 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 a pro-forma session.

12:00 P.M. –

The Speaker designated the Honorable Virginia Foxx to act as Speaker pro tempore for today. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Tell Sarah Palin: Renounce violent political rhetoric

01/11/2011 Nativegrl77 2 Comments

CREDO Action | more than a network. a movement.

Violent threats have consequences. And they have no place in American democracy.

Tell Sarah Palin: Renounce violent political rhetoric.

click to see full image

Clicking here will add your name to this petition to Sarah Palin:

“Threats of violence have no place in our democracy. Renounce the use of shooting images in political rhetoric immediately, and stop using your platform to promote and validate violent calls to action on the right.”

Sarah Palin has a special responsibility and opportunity in the wake of the attempted assassination of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. For it was Sarah Palin and Sarah Palin alone who earlier put the crosshairs of a gun on Rep. Giffords. And so far, Palin’s response has been Facebook prayers for the victims and an official denial that her widely distributed map involved gun sights at all. This is obscene duplicity at best.

Let us be clear. We do not know why the shooter targeted Rep. Giffords. Sarah Palin did not arm him or pull the trigger. We do not know if the shooter admired, loathed or ignored Sarah Palin. We will eventually know, and that will be a different accounting.

But only Sarah Palin put 20 Democratic members of Congress in her crosshairs, and only Sarah Palin bragged that 18 are now gone, leaving Rep. Giffords and Rep. Nick Rahall of West Virginia.

Someone has to say it. There has been an astonishing acceleration of violent right wing rhetoric. At the same time, the mainstream media has come to accept armed revolution (second amendment remedies) and violence as legitimate political discourse instead of calling it out as behavior that crosses a very dangerous line. In the past week alone, incendiary devices were received at the offices of the Democratic Secretary of Homeland Security and the Democratic Governor of Maryland.

This is what Sarah Palin and others like her have wrought with their violent and vitriolic rhetoric that literally places gun sights on people who don’t agree with their extreme views.

Apologists on the right are already saying that while tragic, this event was simply the result of an isolated act by a deranged individual. There have always been deranged individuals. But they have not always had easy access to guns nor have they always lived in a 24-hour-a-day media machine that promotes a toxic soup of violent attacks on political opponents.

We are heartbroken by these events and our hopes and prayers are with the victims and their families. But prayers and broken hearts are not enough.

How can anyone not be haunted by the prophetic words of Rep. Giffords herself in March 2010, after her office was vandalized, threats received, and her name and district identified by Sarah Palin in her infamous crosshairs:

“Sarah Palin has the crosshairs of a gun sight over our district and when people do that, they’ve gotta realize there are consequences to that action.”¹

Will there be consequences?

Imagine the consequences if Palin were to apologize for her use of targeting imagery, pledge never to demonize her opponents in such a way again, call on all of her passionate followers to pledge to do the same, and promise that she will call out those in the media who do not follow her lead.

Will Sarah do more than offer her condolences? She might sell fewer books and have fewer Facebook fans. But the consequences would be enormous.

Tell Sarah Palin: Renounce use of shooting images in political rhetoric immediately, and stop using your platform to promote and validate violent calls to action on the right. Click here to automatically sign the petition.

What happened in Arizona yesterday was not an isolated incident, but rather the culmination of a long stream of threats and attacks, most in response to the Congresswoman’s support for health care reform.

In November of 2009, a staffer fearing for Rep. Giffords’ safety called authorities after a visitor dropped a handgun during another “Congress on your Corner” event at a local Safeway in her district.²

And on March 22, 2010, just hours after Rep. Giffords cast her vote in favor of health care reform, a vandal jumped a gate and smashed the glass front door of her Arizona office.³

It was just days later that the now infamous map featuring Rep. Giffords’ district in the crosshairs was posted by Sarah Palin’s PAC. In announcing the map, Palin issued a chilling tweet urging her supporters “Don’t retreat. Instead — reload!”⁴ Incredulously, through a spokesperson, Sarah Palin is denying that the crosshairs on her map targeting 20 Democrats who voted against health care reform represents gun sights.⁵

As if the crosshairs weren’t clear enough, Jesse Kelley, Rep. Giffords’ Republican opponent in a hard fought race for reelection held an event two months later that makes the stakes all too clear. He asked supporters to donate $50 in order to “shoot a fully automatic M16” to “get on target” and help “remove Gabrielle Giffords.”⁶ Sarah Palin subsequently praised Jesse Kelly on Fox Business News saying: “I don’t feel worthy to lace his combat boots.”⁷

Tell Sarah Palin: Threats of violence have no place in our democracy. End the use of shooting images in rightwing political rhetoric and stop validating political figures who use violent metaphors in their political calls to action. Click here to automatically sign the petition.

We agree with Keith Olbermann who said last night that “Violence, or the threat of violence, has no place in our democracy.”⁸

Our hearts are heavy for the victims of this tragedy. We must put a stop to the escalating hate rhetoric of the right and its very specific calls to armed violent action. Lines of decency have been crossed.

Michael Kieshnick and Becky Bond
CREDO Action

¹ YouTube video of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on MSNBC, March 25, 2010.
² “Gabrielle Giffords Town Hall: Gun Left Behind,” Huffington Post, August 13, 2009.
³ “Rep. Giffords’ Tucson office vandalized after health care vote,” Arizona Daily Star, March 22, 2010.
⁴ Sarah Palin’s Twitter feed, March 23, 2010.
⁵ “Palin Aide: Crosshairs On Target List Not Actually Gun Sights,” Talking Points Memo, January 9, 2011.
⁶ “Giffords Opponent, Jesse Kelly, Held June Event to ‘Shoot a Fully Automatic M16’ to ‘Get on Target’ and ‘Remove Gabrielle Giffords,'”, FireDogLake, January 8, 2011
⁷ “Sarah Palin praises Jesse Kelly on Fox Business News,” Tuscon Citizen, August 26, 2010.
⁸ “Keith Olbermann Issues Special Comment On Arizona Shooting: ‘Violence Has No Place In Democracy,” Huffington Post, January 9, 2011