Tag Archives: Voting

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

thirsty Thursday &some News

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Today  has an air of sadness in it because of the events in Japan as well as the uprisings in various parts of the Middle East these days. The impact on our family friends are both sad and rude realities of our lives today but as we all know life goes on so take some time to kiss , hug and love your family, tell them how you feel.

 – take time to reach up to the sky slowly while breathing in deeply through the nose and hold and while lowering your arms to your sides exhale through your mouth and roll slowly your head, neck, shoulders torso …. repeat when needed.  The weather on the other hand has gone from the upper 50’s back to the cold 30’s and that is maddening to me because spring officially starts this weekend but as we move into the last week of March college Basket Ball or March Madness is now in full effect and will play itself out to its final push toward the big dance in April.

My rant this week, well the last few weeks have been filled with crazy talk from some freshman tea party members and it definitely has driven many mad as the final push toward getting the budget for FY2011 finalized. We all have to wonder at what point do these amateurs of politics and governing understand the words negotiate and compromise. It is disturbing to watch folks from the right play with the rights and lives of Americans by offering up deep budget cuts in spurts let alone anything-long term. What we Americans have seen on the floor of the Republican led House is one after the other of many acts of calamity by Congress and includes DEFUNDING the following: BIG BIRD, Families, volcano and tsunami warning centers, Women ,Children oh and do not forget you old people or anyone else that is in need. The fact is Public Broadcasting only costs around $1.50 per person and as a parent watching Sesame Street with my child was just a great addition to learning … and it’s from home. Americans constantly need reminding that elections have consequences. The party of no plans, cohesiveness, and or experience is itching for a government shutdown, and seemingly wants to force Americans back into the 50’s living in my opinion.

Though both Political Parties support the “stopgap bill”, which is only a temporary solution ;who would have thought that keeping the Government in biz for 2-3 weeks at a time is acceptable let alone and I say that again, let alone have the Democratic Party be the ones who keep the absolutely unacceptable 2012 spending bill alive. This whole thing is offensive to Working Families. I will admit I was not happy that 85 left of centers voted with Republicans to make sure that the latest deal …a 3-week stopgap passed on the floor of Congress. It would have been great if our Democratic party could have said look you do not have the votes let’s negotiate a real CR a good compromise and permanent budget. I don’t know about you but the lack of leadership and or control Boehner has over his freshman tea members is hilarious. It should also be a warning and enlightenment to rightwing backers to see Speaker Boehner is an epic failure. The number of bills that the new members of Congress has blocked, stalled, or voted down by their members of the Tea Party is beyond funny; at least it is funny to this voter.

The great debate or debates among members of Congress, talking heads, so-called journalists and us civilians about WHO WILL VOTE NO on the floor of Congress on any given day and why or do Democrats really want to support the President’s agenda or save themselves has gotten way too much media play for my taste. It has changed my thoughts and opinions on how honest certain reporters and the cable stations they work for are. Most of us have to question just what side of the aisle they represent on any given day or hour in the day. There used to be a time when most maybe not all but most talking heads in “the media” actually did subscribe to “fair and balanced news”. Now, given the rhetoric no one should be representing a side whatsoever but then again we have FOX as an example, who has some sort of pass to all things considered compassion, equal rights, discrimination and just plain ole human being type behavior. Well, let’s remember it is FOX.

The President subjected himself to a FOX interview for the Super Bowl and though he was unable to respond to Fox host Bill O., who clearly was hostile toward the President, butted in, kept asking questions, and seemed to think that interview was all about him. The behavior by the host should have been quite an embarrassment for fox management; actually, for anyone who works for “the Media” and calls themselves a reporter and or journalist who intentionally acts with such bad manners but there were no reports suggesting he was held accountable, which is so typical and offensive.

Other News …

**Dozens of nuke plant workers injured,exposed

**ok, yes low radioactivity heads for N.America

**Senate sends 3wk funding bill to President Obama

**Four NYT journalists reported missing in Libya

**Gahadfi pounds “rebel” his own people -US hints at air strikes

**House is set to vote on defunding BIG BIRD

*Another Earth Quake rocks Japan 6.0

**  DEA takes lethat drum from GA dept of Corrections

**Republican led republicans want to cut tsunami warning centers .. odd

**RNC will sell tv rights of republican presidential primary debates

**Diplomats discussing “range of options” beyond no-fly zone

**Mexico confirms presence of the US drones

**The NRA will not talk gun control with Obama ..ask yourself why

**

CSPAN …

 Capitol Hill

Is U.S. Prepared for Next Big Disaster

Also a look at earthquake monitoring

http://c-span.com/Events/Is-US-Prepared-for-Next-Big-Disaster/10737420262/

House To Vote To Defund NPR

http://c-span.com/Events/House-To-Vote-To-Defund-NPR/10737420260/

Republicans Push Drilling to Offset Rising Gasoline Prices

http://c-span.com/Events/Republicans-Push-Drilling-to-Offset-Rising-Gasoline-Prices/10737420263/

Senate Hearing on Winding Down of TARP

http://c-span.com/Events/Senate-Hearing-on-Winding-Down-of-TARP/10737420261/

Press Secretary Jay Carney conducts a daily briefing at the White House. Questions were mostly about the safety of Japan’s nuclear plants, in the aftermath of the recent earthquake and tsunami. Mr. Carney also responded to questions about the unrest in the Arab world.

http://c-span.com/Events/White-House-Briefing-with-Press-Secretary-Jay-Carney/10737420233/

Elizabeth Warren, Assistant to President Obama & Special Adviser to the Treasury Secretary on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) said she thinks the President will nominate a director for this new agency soon and added that if it was operational years ago “we won’t be in the mess we’re currently in.” She also said she’s only been offering advice to the Obama Administration involved in a formal settlement with mortgage servicers, but may participate in these discussions when the CFPB becomes operational in July.

http://c-span.com/Events/Warren-Defends-Consumer-Financial-Protection-Bureau/10737420228/

Representatives from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), joined by health and security experts, responded to concerns raised by the use of body imaging technology and other airport security measures at a House Oversight & Government Reform Subcommittee hearing.

http://c-span.com/Events/Congress-Hears-Publics-Concern-with-Full-Body-Scans/10737420257/

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

did Your Representative stand with Planned Parenthood?


Congress voted to bar Planned Parenthood from federal funding — but your representative stood with us.

Thank Rep. McDermott for voting against the bill to strip funding from Planned Parenthood health centers.

http://www.ppaction.org/site/VoteCenter?page=voteInfo&voteId=11567&scid=1028&pw_id=2964&s_src=istandwppfeb2011thanksppoltaf

Last week, the House of Representatives passed the most outrageous — and dangerous — legislative attack on Planned Parenthood in our history.

It was a frightening show of just how far extreme anti-choice members of Congress are willing to go in their effort to eliminate Planned Parenthood health centers as a source of primary and preventive health care. While this bill poses an incredible threat to women’s health, and must be stopped in the Senate, it’s good to know that we have true allies in the House.

Your representative, Rep. McDermott , was one of the leaders who stood with us by voting against this horrific legislation. Please, take a moment to thank Rep. McDermott for voting to protect women’s health.

As we continue to fight against this and other attacks on Planned Parenthood, we need members of Congress to maintain their steadfast support. It’s important to show our allies that we appreciate their efforts to stand up for Planned Parenthood.

Click here to send your representative a quick note of thanks. http://www.ppaction.org/site/VoteCenter?page=voteInfo&voteId=11567&scid=1028&pw_id=2964&s_src=istandwppfeb2011thanksppoltaf

You know it as well as I do: this push to bar Planned Parenthood from federal funding is not an isolated incident. Planned Parenthood has been the target of persistent attacks for 95 years, and nothing — nothing — has stopped us from fighting to protect and promote women’s health every day. The only way we’ve been able to stand strong is with the unwavering support of people like you — and with the help of allies like Rep. McDermott .

Please let your representative know how much you appreciate this vote to protect Planned Parenthood and women’s health.

I want you to know that we are not done fighting this outrageous bill. We’ll be looking to you in the days ahead as this legislation moves to the Senate. I know we can stop it — and we must.

Thank you for your support and your determination, and for everything you do for the women, men, and teens who rely on Planned Parenthood every day.

Sincerely,

http://www.ppaction.org/site/VoteCenter?page=voteInfo&voteId=11567&scid=1028&pw_id=2964&s_src=istandwppfeb2011thanksppoltaf

~ my 2cents ...

whacky Wednesday &some News …


President and Mrs. Obama are hosting the president from China in a State visit and a dinner scheduled for tonight though some are not happy but if we want to move forward this might be the way to do it and maybe use this as a template for dealing with Cuba.

Word of the day is all about the act of Observation …maybe for the next few weeks, months and years

In November I asked —at what point will the various cable, radio and main stream stations do the right thing and stick to the truth instead of skewing it to keep their ratings high, to tell me you did not agree that partisan behavior on what is supposed to be “the place to get real news” seems to be siding with the extreme right. It was definitely offensive on so many levels and hard not to be outraged by but now these same stations, well except the obvious ones seemed to have moved to the center on most News topics but not enough to sedate this viewer and voter. I gotta say the more recent News source: “Politico” has been a new right of center challenge to me as a reader and or tv viewer, though i am sure there are more moving to the right as the 2012 elections gain more interest.  The overt bad behavior by current and or new Republican members of Congress who are supposed to represent all of the people in their respective States has gotten even worse, have either acted or stated for all to hear and see that special interest groups can kiss their butts. The only solution that seems rational going forward is putting democrats back in power in 2012.

Observe …stop and think about all the things that the Obama admin as well as our Democratic led Congress managed to achieve despite the Republican Tea Party. Observe and analyze who what when and why things have not improved as some out there on the left want and then remind them that a President that goes too far left of center is not representing all Americans. The truth is …most people use to be moderate and expect the President to be not just moderate but bipartisan; people have got to realize he tried leaning left and while folks on the right said one thing and did another we all know this is going to be standard behavior no matter what but a President who leans too far left gets a shellacking…right. If you were watching it makes you wonder if taking a hard left is the only way to solve the gridlock. Then reality comes back and we have to remember the Democratic Party has a huge tent with various degrees of democratic ideology and while the Republican Tea Party is united no matter what their colleagues say or do Dems on the other hand fight each other to get legislation on the floor of the Senate debated let alone get a vote and move toward the 21st Century. We all know our ability to move forward is being held hostage by the Republican Tea Party until they ruin our barely recovering economy. I wonder what will happen if in fact we fall into a deep recession due to an insufficient amount of dollars and or voted down raising the debt ceiling. Just a reminder; Republicans are to blame for any lack of progress made thus far.

I have to say my Observation of “the Media” which seemingly is not just giving Republicans more airtime but is defending them in some cases and while it is obvious those folks know who is buttering their paychecks …the fair and balanced slogan when describing the news process has become a bad joke. I wonder many others have been watching and listening to political shows with well-educated people making comments about how much of a disaster the mid-term elections were for President Obama’s future. The fact is that Congress goes through change and this year is really no different than any other but the combination of the failure of the last guy, the deficit he left and finding out that Wall Street, Oil and the Banks as well as AIG made bets not only with the people’s money but against us as well – you would think some would understand that after years of corruption it might take a minute to make all the corrections given the fact that some of the parts needed to make the fix are not cooperating. I am no expert but people need to observe, compare and contrast their own lives to what happened and times that by a trillion and realize the correction will take a long time especially since folks on the right were able to downsize/block and or stall most of the financial fixes in the Senate for the last two years. The 60 vote rule and the filibuster definitely are not positive tools in the Senate thus the need to make sure our voices as Democratic voters are heard more often.

I do feel this is a pivotal moment and if we really want change folks we need to participate in the change when 53% voted for Senator Obama to be President Obama. We all need to understand why the process of change cannot only be done by the President; that Congress in both Chambers need to do the work of the People too and now after the midterms the House of Representatives is representing the Republican Tea Party, the Senate faces obstacles so, the only solution is getting truer Dems in both Chambers of Congress in 2012. I know that was such a simpleton statement right, had folks listened and voted left of center for the midterms elections- what if …sigh

President Obama is doing the best he can with what the last admin gave him and again it took a long time for all the dominos to fall and while there are those on the right who choose to provoke fear; lately that has turned into action by those feeling certain TV or radio personalities were giving them subliminal instructions to act against those who support the President or the Democratic Party.

It would be great if “the Media” would stop giving folks on the right passes when they make outrageous, racist, and often incendiary comments…we hear it from Fox News but now the new move from other cable stations taking a hard right has this viewer wondering where the money is coming from supporting the more extreme view on air. What we saw before and or during the midterm elections by so-called reporters or talking heads was the dance of News manipulation which is a sad representation of what real journalists, reporters and commentators use to be.

Other News …

**Congresswoman Giffords continues to improve

**say what you want about Gervais the Globe viewer numbers …17 million

 **President from China is here on a State visit and dinner with President and Mrs. Obama

**Baby doc Duvalier escorted from hotel – i would like all young Haitians to look his name up…and his families history

**Arab Leaders watch Tunisia

**129million have health conditions

**President Obama orders regulation review

 

 

CSPAN …

White House Briefing

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said President Obama will confront Chinese President Hu Jintao on issues such as human rights and currency values. At this daily briefing, reporters questioned the decision to hold a formal State Dinner for the Chinese leader. We also hear about a new executive order calling for a government-wide review of federal regulations. more >> http://c-span.com/Events/White-House-Briefing-with-Press-Secretary-Robert-Gibbs/10737418992/ 

Right of Center organization:  National Center for Policy Analysis

As the House prepares to consider a bill to make changes to the health care law known as the Affordable Care and Patients Protection Act, the National Center for Policy Analysis released its recommendations to Congress on 10 proposed changes to the law and discussed why it should be repealed. Speakers included health care analysts from the Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, Cato Institute, and the American Action Forum – all who support NCPA’s recommendations. more >> http://c-span.com/Events/Nat39l-Center-for-Policy-Analysis-Discussion-on-Changes-to-Health-Care-Law/10737419010/

 House Democrats hearing on GOP legislation Repealing Patient Rights

House Democrats assembled a panel of Americans opposed to repealing the 2010 health care law. They include the mother of two girls with leukemia, a former student receiving insurance through his parents’ plan, and the owner of a small pediatric practice. This event began shortly before House Republicans brought their repeal legislation to the floor. more >> http://c-span.com/Events/House-Democrats-Hearing-on-GOP-Legislation-Repealing-Patients39-Rights/10737419015/

State Department Press Briefing

Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Philip Crowley conducts a daily briefing at the State Department. Topics discussed include Chinese Pesident Hu Jintao’s arrival and scheduled private dinner with President Obama,Tunisia’s transitional government and the Sudan referendum. Mr. Crowley then responded to reporters’ questions. more >> http://c-span.com/Events/State-Department-Press-Briefing/10737418993/

R. Sargent Schriver 1915 – 2011

R. Sargent Shriver passed away at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland today. He was 95 years old.more >> http://c-span.com/Events/R-Sargent-Shriver-1915–2011/10737418971/  

U.S. Conference of Mayors 79th Annual Winter Meeting

More than 220 of the nation’s mayors, led by U.S. Conference of Mayors President Burnsville, MN Mayor Elizabeth Kautz, convene for the 79th Winter Meeting of The U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C. >>   http://c-span.com/Events/US-Conference-of-Mayors-79th-Annual-Winter-Meeting/10737419027/

 

House Republicans Move to Cut Spending Levels

Updated 3 hr., 18 min. ago

U.S. House of Representatives (C-SPAN)The House Rules Committee will take up a resolution today aimed at reducing spending to 2008 levels for the remainder of fiscal 2011. The resolution directs House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) to cut around 20 percent of non-security, discretionary spending. The House may act on the resolution as soon as next week.

Earlier this month, the House of Representatives passed a Republican plan to cut Congress’ budget by 5 percent. The resolution, introduced by GOP Transition Team Chairman Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), will require House members to reduce their budget to 95 percent of their 2010 allowance. The plan also calls for greater transparency regarding bill creation and actions taken by House committees. more >> http://c-span.com/Events/House-Republicans-Move-to-Cut-Spending-Levels/10737418996/

 

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

First Test …


One week from today, the new Republican House Majority will attempt to take a giant step backwards for our nation by holding a vote to repeal the health reform law that protects Americans from insurance company abuses.

This is our first test of how grassroots Democrats will respond to the Republicans’ disgraceful attempt to roll back our progress for America’s middle class families. We must hold House Republicans’ feet to the fire for taking government funded health care for themselves while voting to deny it to American families.

That is why we urgently need your support to raise $100,000 in grassroots contributions to hold Republicans accountable before their shameful vote on Wednesday.

Contribute $5, $10 or more today to help us respond to the Republicans’ shameful vote to take away quality, affordable health care from the American people and put insurance companies back in charge.

In the weeks since last November’s election, grassroots Democrats have not missed a beat in our effort to regain the Majority in 2012. Thanks to you, we surpassed our December grassroots goal by raising over $250,000. I cannot thank you enough.

Now we need your continued support to hold Republicans accountable for their misplaced priorities by voting to repeal health care reform rather than focus on creating jobs for America’s middle class. Every dollar you contribute will be used to keep the pressure on Republicans through hard-hitting ads, fact-checks, petition drives, Rapid Response efforts, and so much more.

Contribute $5, $10 or more today to help us respond to the Republicans’ shameful vote to take away quality, affordable health care from the American people and put insurance companies back in charge.

The world is closely watching our commitment to protecting all of our historic progress for America’s middle class families. Let us begin right now by holding the new Republican majority immediately accountable for trying to repeal health care reform.
Nancy
Nancy Pelosi
Democratic Leader

P.S. We cannot remain silent as Republicans shamefully vote to take away quality affordable health care from the American people. Please urgently contribute before our Wednesday deadline to hold them accountable and send a powerful message of strength to the media.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Hold Republicans accountable for their health care repeal vote.


 

CREDO Action | more than a network. a movement.
Make Republicans own their opposition to popular health care reforms.

Tell Dems: Use the repeal vote to send a strong message.
Take action!
Clicking the text below will add your name to this petition to your Democratic Representative.

The health care repeal vote is an important opportunity to frame Republican extremism and opposition to popular health care reforms.

Please fight this repeal effort and force Republicans to go on the record against reforms that help millions of Americans.

Click to sign.

Click here to add your name

In a tip of the hat to radical Tea Party extremists who helped elect them, Republicans in the House will vote next Wednesday to repeal President Obama’s Affordable Care Act.

This symbolic vote has virtually zero chance of success, as it is unlikely to pass in the Senate. And even if it does, there’s no way Republicans could overcome Obama’s veto.

House Democrats should use this opportunity to send a strong message.

Click here to automatically sign the petition asking your representative to fight the health care repeal effort and force Republicans to publicly oppose popular reform provisions.

If Dems fight back fiercely against this inane repeal vote, they can force Republicans to publicly oppose the bill’s broadly popular reforms. Republicans who support repeal should be forced to vote in favor of denying insurance to children with pre-existing conditions or expanding health care coverage for young adults.

Republicans are already trying to shut down debate, and prevent Democrats from offering amendments to protect popular provisions of the bill. Republicans used such amendments successfully when they were in the minority, and now Democrats should follow suit and do everything they can to force Republicans to take painful votes.

At CREDO, we worked hard for a stronger health care bill and fought to the end for the public option. Our position has always been in favor of single payer health care and our members were deeply disappointed when Democrats caved on the public option, essentially compromising on a position which was already a compromise.

But repealing the bill won’t do anything to make it stronger — in fact it will reverse provisions that help tens of millions of Americans get affordable health insurance. And it will actually increase the size of the deficit.

If Dems fight back, they can seize the opportunity they failed to embrace before — clearly and powerfully framing this issue, as, in the words of Rep. Anthony Weiner:

“Republicans are against a lot of things, but they are for kicking young Americans off their parents’ insurance plans, for reinstating copayments for preventive measures like cancer screenings, and for denying children coverage based on preexisting conditions.”1

If Republicans want shine a spotlight on their rejection of these popular health care reforms in order to pledge allegiance to Tea Party extremism (to say nothing of Big Pharma and the health insurance giants who would profit from repeal), that’s their problem — or it will be, if we make sure our Democratic representatives stand up and fight back against the health care repeal vote next Wednesday.

Click here to automatically sign the petition asking your representative to fight the health care repeal effort and force Republicans to publicly oppose popular reform provisions.

Thank you for fighting for affordable health care.

Elijah Zarlin, Campaign Manager
CREDO Action from Working Assets

1 The Washington Post, January, 3, 2011