Tag Archives: white people

Thursday thoughts and news … CSPAN.org live-stream


Just one week after getting HC and education reformed, a shift in energy needs was not a popular move but strategic and contrary to what is being stated; not drill baby drill as a McCain/Palin ticket would have you know or do if they were in office, a treaty with Russia, China is now on board possible sanctions on Iran and more; the President will be in Maine continuing to explain what health care reform will do for you, your family and your neighbor.  It’s important to get the facts, block out the Republican noise because if it’s anything like what Congress already gets we will all benefit.

I believe in freedom of speech until it becomes words of hate and promotion of violence.  The signs of hate and racial commentary about or against anyone let alone the President of the United States is a hate-crime and should be treated as such; the behavior is not funny, it’s not expressing what the President is doing to our country as reported in several interviews.  It is obvious people in the CBS13 news report are not being completely truthful; and while calls were made to the owner of the lot; which were not responded to the news reports that the question is what to call the action.  That is obvious, it’s needs to be dealt with as a hate-crime and lawmakers from Cali need to deal with it.

I wonder if anyone else found it interesting that the 14 AG’s think they can repeal the mandates; when in fact the President was constitutional lawyer and though im not; i think that aspect of the bill probably was research and determined valid; it was being touted as something Republicans would run on but repealing a mandate would again take a majority vote not to mention the President’s signature … not going to happen.

Other News …

**Shahram Amiri, an award-winning Iranian nuclear scientist, “who disappeared last year under mysterious circumstances, has defected to the CIA and been resettled in the United States.” Officials called the defection an “intelligence coup” in the CIA’s effort to spy on and undermine Iran’s nuclear program.TP

**Though the union for Garbage removers have voted no strike; talks continue seattlepi.com

**Washington DC will hold a nuclear summit later this month April 12-13

watch Discussion on the Future of Journalism

and Cspan.org live-stream

Offshore Drilling Plan Reignites Energy Debate. Pres. Obama unveiled a new offshore drilling plan yesterday that has considerably politicized his agenda on energy and climate change. The new policy seeks to reduce dependence on foreign oil, protecting natural resources while gaining GOP support for upcoming energy and climate change legislation. Today, a panel discussion on ways to move away from dependence on fossil fuels

watch Energy Independence Panel: C-SPAN2, 9am ET
read LA Times: Plan Aims to Win Climate Votes

Leaders to Sign Nuclear Arms Pact Next Week. Pres. Obama and Russian Pres. Dmitry Medvedev will meet April 8th in Prague to sign the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). Today, Dr. Alexei Arbatov, the Russian member of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament, shares his views on the state of U.S.-Russian security relations and how the new treaty may shape international policies.

Mail-in Census Forms Due; Agency Prepares to go Door-to-Door. Today is “Census Day,” the designated date to return 2010 Census forms and for which the official population count is measured. The Census Bureau reports that 52 percent of Americans have already returned their forms. The agency will now begin door-to-door visits to residents who failed to reply, collecting missing information and answering questions.

Census Bureau Director Robert Groves recently discussed the process on C‑SPAN’s Washington Journal.

a Message from OFA …


“It’s because of you.”

That’s what President Obama said before he took the stage in Iowa City right after health care reform passed. And I couldn’t agree more.

We’ve put together a quick video that highlights the incredible work you did over the last year, to honor and thank you for the history you made.

Please watch the video, then pass this email along to friends and family so they can co-sign historic health care reform legislation with the President.

It's Because of You: Watch the Video

Health care reform was a monumental achievement, and it would not have happened without you.

Check out the video, and pass it along to anyone else who is passionate about reform:

http://my.barackobama.com/ThisIsChange

Thanks for everything,

Jeremy

Jeremy Bird
Deputy Director
Organizing for America

P.S. — Great news: In addition to health and student loan reform, there’s even more change happening.

Thanks in large part to tax benefits in the Recovery Act, average tax refunds are up by almost 10 percent from last year.

And President Obama announced a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia, calling it “the most comprehensive arms control agreement in nearly two decades.”

Under The Radar … thinkprogress.org … must read info


HEALTH CARE — HEALTH INSURERS WILL FOLLOW NEW REGULATIONS MEANT TO CLOSE LOOPHOLE ON INSURING CHILDREN: Despite trying to take advantage of loopholes in the new health care law that may allow insurers to deny coverage to uninsured children with pre-existing medical conditions, health insurers said Monday that they would accept new regulations that dispel any uncertainty that “children with medical problems can get coverage starting this year.” Insurers had previously said that the new law “does not require them to write insurance for the child and it does not guarantee the ‘availability of coverage’ for all until 2014,” when the majority of law’s provisions come into effect. In a harshly-worded letter, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius criticized insurers for seeking loopholes “that preserve a broken system” and do not “follow the spirit of the law.” To clarify the intent of the law, Sebelius will issue regulations “making it clear that the term ‘pre-existing exclusion’ applies to both a child’s access to a plan and to his or her benefits once he or she is in the plan.” The health insurance industry’s announcement appears to lessen the risk that new regulations will be challenged under the so-called Chevron test, which was named for a Supreme Court decision that found that federal agencies hold broad authority in interpreting statues as long as that interpretation is found to be reasonable. But at the same time, the decision was expected because as the Wonk Room’s Igor Volsky noted, the insurers will “simply increase premiums as a result.”

News on Tuesday … and education reform bill


Today, the President will sign the reconciliation part of HCR and the education reform bill into law; I am hopeful that when people actually read both bills instead of listening to the noise that Republicans are hoping will block out the facts… like, this Bill could possibly help more than 32million people because HCR is also a Jobs Bill; it’s not talked about but the number of people needed to handle all the people who will now be eligible for coverage will increase our labour force.  As far as the education reform bill ? What person would think saving money is a bad thing; the money from the educational reform bill will be re-invested and more Pell grants given instead of becoming bank merit raises.   I don’ t know anyone sane who would vote or be against that, who would be against students being covered by their parents insurance until 26, who in their right mind doesn’t want what our Congress is already getting? the plans might be a little different but ask any former state, city or federal worker and you will see that HCR is in fact similar.  There is also news that repeal/replace is just another smokescreen Republicans plan to feed Americans.  Repeal/Replace can not be done without a majority vote in Congress to help bring it down; people need to do more fact-checking for themselves before assuming leaders in the Republican Party truly are telling the … truth. Our Congress is still on Easter Break, though cable coverage of right-wing behavior toward representatives and their reactions have been in the news quite often.  Is it just me or does it appear as if cable prefers to cover not only the negative side of Democrats but it also has been questioning just exactly what is the meaning behind the protests, the nasty signs, and word or spitting and name-calling instead of doing what might seem like a common-sense approach … question is what is the common sense approach.

 

Monday mad weather News …&cspan.org live stream


Easter break has both Chambers of Congress a little more quiet than usual.  I can’t lie the heat in both Chambers was exciting, irritating and anyone watching has to admit seeing our Political process at work or being abused was upsetting.  The crap that was done to Americans 8years ago led to a change we can all believe in and voted for.  Republicans keep saying the people don’t want this; actually, change is just what this country needs and again, 53% voted for.  It is with great pride to see Democrats finally act like Politicians trying to do the work of the people while Republicans continued to use procedural moves to block or stall the governing party and that was  sad… The process was just getting fun, what with all the fighting or debating as the Politicians like to say.  The break will be a time for Democrats to be with family and sell health care reform; as a good thing for all of us and why.  It was a good Month;there will be many more to come with the help of all Americans who so want to get back on track and be number one in the nation again.

Other News … Cspan.org live-stream

watch State Briefing on START Treaty

**Pres. Obama met with U.S. troops after an unannounced visit to Afghanistan that included a meeting with President Hamid Karzai. The two met briefly at the Presidential Palace in Kabul to discuss “benchmarks for progress” during Mr. Karzai’s second term.

watch Pres. Obama Greets Troops in Afghanistan watch Pres. Obama & Pres. Karzai Speak to Press

**reports are that female bombers kill 37 innocent people in Moscow injuring 65

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Think tanks Host Event On The Future Of Nuclear Weapons. After Friday’s announcement of a new U.S.-Russia arms reduction treaty, the Brookings Institution and American Enterprise Instit. present findings from a report examining the future of nuclear weapons. They will discuss the Administration’s goal to reduce nuclear weapons, as well as the strategies employed for their use.

Commission looks at Iraq contracting drawdown. At a hearing held by the Commission on Wartime Contracting (CWC) in Iraq and Afghanistan, witnesses will discuss plans to reduce the workforce of nearly 100,000 contractor employees in Iraq as part of the U.S. agreement to draw down its military forces. In particular, the hearing will look at Texas-based KBR, Inc, which has reported 2009 revenues of $4.8 billion from the contract with the military.watch Hearing: Panel 1 watch Hearing: Panel 2

U. S Treasury Holds Symposium On Women in Finance.  Treasury Sec. Tim Geithner speaks at a forum recognizing the contributions of women in the financial sector. The event also includes two panel discussions focusing on the economic recovery and the challenges women face in the financial community. Participants will include FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair and the heads of the Small Business Administration and Securities and Exchange Commission.