 |
|
President Obama urges Congress to stop the sequester — the harmful automatic cuts that threaten thousands of jobs and affect our national security from taking effect on March 1.
|
Tag Archives: Amy Klobuchar
VAWA passes in the Senate 78 – 22 : We ALL need to Stand UP and Speak Out
and Men
April is known as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” … Help break the accepted cycle and culture of violence -
Tell Congress to do what is right for ALL victims of Domestic Violence.
What better way for members of the House of Representatives to show ALL victims of domestic violence that as Public Servants, they support and protect the right to live a decent life which includes the pursuit of happiness by passing the Senate version of VAWA S.1925.
The fact is the Violence Against Women’s Act has always passed in both Chambers without a problem is well known, though the Republican led House chose to show overt prejudice against Native Alaskan, Native Americans, Undocumented and LGBT Americans when it rejected VAWA on March 30, 2012.
However, Republicans have yet another opportunity to do what is right. Tell your Republican member of Congress to be on the right side of History and pass the Senate version of #VAWA that protects all victims of these crimes, regardless of their age, gender, race, sexuality, or faith. The mission to continue that conservative party line lives on and seems to insist on taking, stripping, yanking, cutting, slashing away personal power while yelling that they want smaller Government and it defies what Americans are about . Teapublicans in Congress, a small coalition, have made a choice to attack social issues, the decision to go out of their way to filibuster the economy is beyond my understanding.
If you believe Americans have A RIGHT to experience equality in all its forms: voter, union, women’s, gender, minority, and gay RIGHTs -along with more than a splash of compassion for the poor think about the Violence Against Women Act and how it might be affecting your family friends neighbors or co-workers.
on Apr 25, 2012 by SenateDemocrats
Democratic Senators Barbara Boxer (CA), Amy Klobuchar (MN), and Patty Murray (WA) stress the importance of reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act to protect victims of domestic violence, regardless of sexual orientation or background.
President Obama and his administration changed the definition of rape to help more people
Please show support for S.1925, Call your member of Congress Tell them to PASS #VAWA -
A lot of misinformation is being circulated by the bills detractors about S. 1925, the real #VAWA.
Read below for the facts !
(1) Since #VAWA first passed, the number of individuals killed by an intimate partner has decreased by 34% for women and 57% for men. #VAWA has saved lives while saving money, saving $12.6 billion in its first 6 years alone.
(2) S. 1925 saves money by consolidating and repealing more than 15 programs, ensuring more funding will go directly to needed victim services rather than grant administration.
(3) S. 1925 adopts almost word-for-word the accountability measures developed by Senator Grassley for the Trafficking Victims Reauthorization Act.
(4) S. 1925 does not create “new victims” or support “special interests”. The real #VAWA protects all victims of these crimes, regardless of their age, gender, race, citizenship, sexuality, or faith.
(5) Our nation must not say, “There are too many victims” or “You are not the ‘right’ kind of victim”. All victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking deserve help. That is what S. 1925, the real VAWA, does. It’s time – way past time — to do much more to stop this violence, and to protect victims from all walks of life including:
- Lack of services available to LGBTQ victims;•
- Barriers to services for undocumented victims; and•
- Continuing high levels of violence against Native American and Native Alaskan women.
- Please support VAWA’s Reauthorization.
- Domestic violence affects all of us.
- Congress should reauthorize the VAWA and provide funding.
Be a Seed for Change
tax deal … By the Numbers
What’s in the Tax Deal
After weeks of tense negotiations and drama (a detailed blow-by-blow can be found here), Congress finally managed to solve at least part of its latest manufactured crisis. After the country had technically already gone over the so-called “fiscal cliff,” the Senate overwhelmingly passed a compromise tax plan early Tuesday morning and the House followed suit late Tuesday night after a rebellion by rank-and-file House Republicans petered out.
Here’s some numbers to know about the deal (officially called the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012):
– 2: The number of decades since there has been a major tax increase on the wealthy.
– 39.6: The rate those earning more than $400,000 ($450,000 for a couple) will pay, the same as under President Clinton.
– 99 percent: The percentage of taxpayers who will keep Bush-era income tax rates.
– $73,633: The additional taxes to be paid by the average member of the top 1 percent.
– 77 percent: The percentage of household who will see a tax increase thanks to the expiration of the payroll tax holiday in place over the past two years. The expiration of the payroll tax cut and failure to replace it with something similar will deal a significant blow to the economy.
– $600 BILLION: The amount of new revenue raised by the deal after accounting for money saved by decreased borrowing costs. An additional approximately $130 BILLION is saved through decreased interest on the debt.
– $1.8 TRILLION: The amount of spending cuts put in place by President Obama so far, resulting in a roughly 2.5:1 ratio of programmatic spending cuts to revenue.
– 2 MILLION: The number of unemployed Americans whose extended unemployment benefits will continue.
– 20+ MILLION: The number of people who benefit from vital tax credits for students and both poor and middle class families that were extended for five years.
– 37,000: The number of jobs saved by the extension of wind energy tax credits.
– 3,730: The number of households that will be subject to the estate tax, the rate of which was increased slightly to 40 percent with a $5 million exemption. Without a deal, the rate would’ve reverted to 55 percent with a $1 million exemption. As the Atlantic’s Matt O’Brien noted, “Only 3,730 households will pay the estate tax next year if the exemption is set at $5 million, versus 47,170 if it’s set at $1 million.”
The deal also many other provisions, including help for underwater homeowners. Another element of the deal prevented a huge spike in the price of milk that would’ve occurred because House Republicans refused to pass a Farm Bill. Numerous special interest tax provisions, including for NASCAR and rum, also made it into the final package.
The deal also puts off automatic spending cuts known as a sequester for an additional two months. The president and Congress must now identify hundreds of billions of dollars in additional savings and revenues in order to cancel the remainder of these across-the-board spending cuts. While Republicans are once again likely to demand massive cuts to programs like Medicare and Social Security, the president reiterated that the next phase of deficit reduction must also be balanced.
Separately, we officially reached the nation’s borrowing limit on December 31 and extraordinary measures will only prevent the nation from defaulting on its obligations for approximately two months. Congress must do its job and raise the debt ceiling in order to make good on the cost of tax cuts, wars, and other spending Congress has already authorized. As the president noted last night, raising the debt ceiling is not up for debate and we will not repeat the debacle Republicans caused in 2011 when they nearly forced the nation into a default that would’ve triggered a global economic calamity.
Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed
Filibuster reform may be delayed a few weeks.
Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) savaged Speaker Boehner (R-OH) for dropping a bill to aid Hurricane Sandy victims.
Boehner may have dropped the Sandy aid bill in order to spite Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA).
House Republicans also blocked the Violence Against Women Act.
How gerrymandering is keeping Democrats from controlling the House.
Arizona’s anti-immigrant law is costing it millions.
Long lines in Florida caused by GOP changes to election laws cost Obama more than 10,000 votes.
District court denies request for “kill list” disclosure.
Despite the drilling boom, U.S. gas prices hit a record high in 2012.
Reid Statement On Disabilities Treaty
posted 12/4/2012
Washington, D.C.—Nevada Senator Harry Reid issued the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked a treaty to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities around the world. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was modeled on U.S. law, considered the gold standard on equal opportunity laws for the disabled. It failed by a vote of 61-38. A two-thirds vote is required in the Senate to approve treaties.
“It is a sad day when we cannot pass a treaty that simply brings the world up to the American standard for protecting people with disabilities because the Republican party is in thrall to extremists and ideologues. The United States is seen as a leader around the world. Today, we had a chance to lead, and we failed because a small group of Republican senators fear the Tea Party more than they care about equality for people with disabilities.
“Today’s vote wasn’t about Republicans or Democrats. It was about standing up for our heroes – men and women who risked their lives on the battlefield for the United States of America. This treaty was about 57 million Americans who live with a disability. Republicans such as former President George H.W. Bush, Senator McCain and former Senator Bob Dole called on their Republican colleagues to support these Americans. I am saddened those Senators did not listen. Their arguments against the treaty had no basis in fact – the treaty does not change United States law. That is why I plan to bring this treaty up for a vote again in the next Congress. Our wounded veterans and millions more around the world deserve better.”
Harry Reid Senate Dems and the Headlines : January 2013
Reid Statement On January Employment Report
Reid
Statement On The Appointment Of Denis McDonough As White House Chief Of
Staff
Reid
Statement On Senator Harkin’s Decision Not To Seek Re-Election
Reid
Statement On Rules Reform
Reid
Statement On House Vote To Decouple Debt Ceiling From Spending Cuts
Reid Statement on White House Proposals to Protect Our Children and Communities from Gun Violence
Senate Leaders Urge President Obama To Consider “Any Lawful Steps” To Avoid Default
Reid Statement On Sen. Jay Rockefeller’s Announced Retirement
Reid Statement On President Obama’s Nomination Of Jack Lew To Head The Treasury Department
Reid Statement On President Obama’s Nominations To Head The Pentagon And CIA
Reid Statement On Disaster Relief
Reid Announces Updated Committee Assignments For 113th Congress
Republicans object to confirming Medine to be Chrm Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board
Diplomatic Corps Holiday Reception
 |
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
a recognition of rebirth,holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations
The winter solstice is the solstice that occurs in winter. It is the time at which the Sun appears at noon at its lowest altitude above the horizon. [2] In the Northern Hemisphere this is the Southern solstice, the time at which the Sun is at its southernmost point in the sky, which usually occurs on December 21 to 22 each year
Just another rant… more like a response
I ,like everyone else left of center, have been receiving several emails with an urgency to jump on the wagon to fight President Obama’s new tax deal. Honestly, I have not heard enough that would make me sign a petition stating my President is wrong, loony or just does not know what he is doing. There are strong feelings, passions and possible misunderstandings by rwnj’s but this new panic button lefties seemingly have called it game over, yet the game of negotiating clearly is just beginning. Again, I have strong opinions post other folks opinions and views, but I don’t always side with all of them. The point to my blog; is to blow off steam … offer up some info from those who know, maybe question and challenge some who think they know and ask plead or yell for a call to action with signatures that can create change … Words do Matter contrary to how most conservatives seem to feel.
I thank everyone who even takes the time to visit my blog let alone read and respond to the articles blasts and even some actually sign petitions … I thank you … much gratitude.
The Fiscal Cliff, the end of days, gun control legislation, Christmas and what life will look like for the middle class after the New Year is still filled with the Audacity for Hope and Change.
Happy Holidays
Official Google blog – African entrepreneurship
Cloud computing enabling entrepreneurship in Africa
Posted: 20 Dec 2012 09:30 AM PST
In 2007, 33-year-old Vuyile moved to Cape Town from rural South Africa in search of work. Unable to complete high school, he worked as a night shift security guard earning $500/month to support his family. During the rush hour commute from his home in Khayelitsha, Vuyile realized that he could earn extra income by selling prepaid mobile airtime vouchers to other commuters on the train.
In rural areas, it’s common to use prepaid vouchers to pay for basic services such as electricity, insurance and airtime for mobile phones. But it’s often difficult to distribute physical vouchers because of the risk of theft and fraud.
Nomanini, a startup based in South Africa, built a device that enables local entrepreneurs like Vuyile to sell prepaid mobile services in their communities. The Lula (which means “easy” in colloquial Zulu), is a portable voucher sales terminal that is used on-the-go by people ranging from taxi drivers to street vendors. It generates and prints codes which people purchase to add minutes to their mobile phones.
Today, Vuyile sells vouchers on the train for cash payment, and earns a commission weekly. Since he started using the Lula, he’s seen his monthly income increase by 20 percent.
In rural areas, it’s common to use prepaid vouchers to pay for basic services such as electricity, insurance and airtime for mobile phones. But it’s often difficult to distribute physical vouchers because of the risk of theft and fraud.
Nomanini, a startup based in South Africa, built a device that enables local entrepreneurs like Vuyile to sell prepaid mobile services in their communities. The Lula (which means “easy” in colloquial Zulu), is a portable voucher sales terminal that is used on-the-go by people ranging from taxi drivers to street vendors. It generates and prints codes which people purchase to add minutes to their mobile phones.
Today, Vuyile sells vouchers on the train for cash payment, and earns a commission weekly. Since he started using the Lula, he’s seen his monthly income increase by 20 percent.
Vuyile prints a voucher from his Lula
Nomanini founders Vahid and Ali Monadjem wanted to make mobile services widely available in areas where they had been inaccessible, or where—in a region where the average person makes less than $200/month—people simply couldn’t afford them. By creating a low-cost and easy-to-use product, Nomanini could enable entrepreneurs in Africa to go to deep rural areas and create businesses for themselves.
In order to build a scalable and reliable backend system to keep the Lula running, Nomanini chose to run on Google App Engine. Their development team doesn’t have to spend time setting up their own servers and can instead run on the same infrastructure that powers Google’s own applications. They can focus on building their backend systems and easily deploy code to Google’s data centers. When Vuyile makes a sale, he presses a few buttons, App Engine processes the request, and the voucher prints in seconds.
Last month, 40,000 people bought airtime through the Lula, and Nomanini hopes to grow this number to 1 million per month next year. While platforms like App Engine are typically used to build web or smartphone apps, entrepreneurs like Vahid and Ali are finding innovative ways to leverage this technology by building their own devices and connecting them to App Engine. Vahid tells us: “We’re a uniquely born and bred African solution, and we have great potential to take this to the rest of Africa and wider emerging markets. We could not easily scale this fast without running on Google App Engine.”
To learn more about the technical implementation used by Nomanini, read their guest post on the Google App Engine blog.
Posted by Zafir Khan, Google App Engine
President Obama’s weekly address
The President says the nation’s thoughts and prayers are with those who lost a loved one during Friday’s tragic shooting in Newtown, CT.
Watch President Obama’s weekly address.
President Barack Obama tapes the Weekly Address in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Dec. 14, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
Defend Science
Facts matter. Don’t let media pundits subvert science.
Chip in and become a member to defend science.
As Hurricane Sandy was wreaking havoc on the East Coast, commentators on Fox News repeatedly claimed that the storm had “nothing to do with climate change.”1
Hurricane Sandy’s impact was undeniably worse because of rising sea levels caused by global warming—but because our opponents are desperate to keep science out of our political discourse, they tried to hide this fact from you and me. That’s not just misleading. It’s dangerous.
Fox News is willingly, and with full knowledge of their errors, denying science. We don’t say things like that lightly. We’re scientists, so we ran the numbers and found that 93 percent of Fox News Channel’s coverage of climate science was misleading or outright false.2
We need you to help set the record straight. Your support will allow us to reach out to reporters and editors across the country in 2013, so we can share the scientific facts and advance policies that will help protect and prepare our cities and states for the impacts of climate change.
Don’t stand by while science is under attack by the likes of Rupert Murdoch, Bill O’Reilly, and Sean Hannity. Become a UCS member today, and together we’ll show the media and policy makers that facts matter.
Sea levels could rise up to 3.3 feet in the next 80 years.3 Most Americans are connecting the dots between our changing climate and the extreme weather we’ve seen in recent years—from forest fires to flooding from intense storms—and this is our moment to make sure the conversation continues.4 But very powerful and cynical interests are trying to keep the public in the dark.
Many Americans unquestioningly accept what they hear on TV or through the internet as undisputed fact. That’s why we’re out there fighting misrepresentations of global warming in the popular media. We have relationships with reporters from New York City to Toledo to Sacramento, and they look to us as a trusted source of facts to counter the distortions and hysteria whipped up by climate deniers.
It’s also why we’re leading the charge on some of science’s most promising solutions to the challenges of our time: cutting harmful pollution, investing in the rapid expansion of renewable energy, and protecting our cities from sea level rise.
Pitch in to become a UCS member today and stand up for science-based solutions to our planet’s most pressing problems.
Together, we are very publicly taking on the media moguls and pundits who spread misinformation. Our groundbreaking report about Fox News and the rest of News Corporation was picked up by outlets across the country, and we backed it up with tens of thousands of signatures calling them out for their distorted coverage. Members of the UCS community power these kinds of campaigns—and we can’t win without you.
The fact that you’re reading this email means you aren’t afraid to take on powerful interests when objective science is on our side. A healthy planet, a safer world, the wellbeing of our families—that’s what’s at stake here. Thank you for your support.
 |
Sincerely,  Kevin Knobloch President |
1. http://mediamatters.org/research/2012/10/31/fox-hurricane-sandy-has-nothing-to-do-with-glob/191018 2. http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/global_warming_contrarians/news-corporation-climate-science-coverage.html 3. http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0625/Sea-levels-rising-on-US-East-Coast-much-faster-than-global-average-video 4. http://www.forbes.com/sites/eco-nomics/2012/04/19/poll-most-americans-now-link-extreme-weather-to-climate-change/
