CARE2


                                    Despite the fact that Obamacare has been in place for over three years at this point, a lot of Americans still remain confused about the specific nature…
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                                    Apparently, some conservatives hate treehuggers so much, they are willing to kill the environment just to piss us off.
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                                    During an appearance on a local radio show this week, Corbett sought to explain away Pennsylvania’s less than stellar job performance.
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What limited access to safe affordable health care Choice means …


Keep Abortion Safe, Legal & Accessible

Keep Abortion Safe, Legal & Accessible (Photo credit: World Can’t Wait)

Keep Abortion Safe and Legal

Keep Abortion Safe and Legal (Photo credit: World Can’t Wait)

Why We Need to Talk About the Horrifying Gosnell Abortion Trial

By  Katie  J.M. Baker, Jezebel

His business was able to thrive because of limited access to reproductive choice, not because of reproductive choice itself. READ MORE»

My 4yo daughter shakes when she sees police


 

Change.org
My 4-year-old daughter was traumatized when police simulated a hostage crisis in our housing complex without warning residents. Tell HUD to stop allowing military-style trainings in public housing.
Sign My Petition

On March 21, my four year old daughter and her babysitter were trapped in our apartment in Albany, New York in the middle of a police drill to simulate a hostage situation. She woke up to flash grenades, assault rifles and real tear gas being used in our home. The police threatened my neighbors with arrest if they tried to leave.

I don’t disagree with the police providing training to their officers, but nobody in the complex, not even the tenants’ association, was warned about this drill. People thought it was real.

Last week, the Albany police department apologized for holding the training so close to occupied residences. But my daughter still shakes with fear when she sees the police and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which actually allowed the police to conduct the training in our community, hasn’t said anything.

I started a petition calling on HUD to pass a national policy to prevent public housing communities from being used as military-style training grounds. Click here to sign my petition now.

The Albany police department says that they chose our neighborhood, which is lower-income and mostly African American, for their training because they wanted it to be “more realistic.” I don’t think this ever would have happened in one of Albany’s wealthier neighborhoods.

This isn’t the first time this has happened, either. Similar exercises have happened in public housing in Illinois, Connecticut, Kentucky and Pennsylvania in the past two years and have even included fake bombs and helicopters.

Public housing is meant to help hardworking people like me build better lives for ourselves and our families through safe and stable communities. Allowing our homes to be used for war games is completely counter to HUD’s mission. That’s why I’m confident that HUD will tell local housing authorities not to allow trainings like these on HUD property — if the department hears from you and many others.

Click here to sign my petition now, calling on HUD to prevent public housing from being used for police or military trainings ever again.

Thank you.

Lauren Manning

manic March Monday … madness


just another rant …

Phil's Burrow

Phil’s Burrow (Photo credit: Heather Culligan)

On a cold February day, people on the east coast put on top hats and tuxedos while Woodchuck weatherman Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring, but as the days passed record warmth as well as tornadoes rain and winter storms interrupted the living caused the deaths of many.

No one really had to tell us but as meteors flew by en masse, several trained meteorologists set out to dash our hopes for an early spring in strange and wonderful ways. I have to say it seemed as if most laughed it off at first but as we slid into the first day of spring those weather people confirmed that we will indeed have two more weeks of cold weather. In fact, just days from rain a snowstorm made itself known on the first day of spring. It was is sunny and or hot in parts of the country, mostly on the left coast while others are getting up to 30 inches of snow reminding us not only of that natural disaster Katrina but that climate change is no joke . The winter cold snap is still plaguing the Mid-West and East Coast while spring like weather tries to break out on the West Coast as cold morning’s move into afternoon warmth that dips into lower temperatures when the evening rolls back around. I will say it again, talk about some useless prairie dogs ok, they are from the woodchuck, whistle pig,  land and beaver family … whatever, Punxsutawney Phil was wrong !

Grand Theft Election II: Keystone State Stories


By ThinkProgress War Room

GOP Plan to the Steal the White House is Back

Earlier this year, Republicans in several swing states unveiled sore loser plans to allocate their electoral college votes by congressional district or in some other proportional manner rather than the current winner-take-all system in place in 48 states. This would result in votes that would likely go to the Democratic nominee being pushed over into the GOP column. Tellingly, the GOP is not proposing to split the electoral votes of red states.

Had such a plan been in place in every swing state last year, Mitt Romney would most likely be president right now despite having lost the popular vote by nearly 5 MILLION votes.

Fortunately, massive outcry quickly killed this plan in Virginia, Florida, and other states where it reared its head.

Unfortunately, this GOP plan to steal the White House is now back in two key swing states:

  • Pennsylvania: 13 GOP state senators, including the senate majority leader, have formally introduced their electoral college rigging bill. Republicans need a total of 26 votes to pass the bill. They currently control the chamber and hold 27 seats total. As they also control the state house in Pennsylvania, the GOP could theoretically ram the bill through in as little as 4 days as soon as they have the votes to pass it.Pennsylvania has been at the forefront of recent efforts to rig the electoral college, with Republicans from Gov. Tom Corbett on down first considering this scheme way back in 2011.
  • Michigan: On Saturday, Republicans gathered for their state convention voted overwhelmingly (1370-132) to back a scheme to divide their state’s electoral votes by congressional district. For his part, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) has opposed the scheme, saying it’s not the “appropriate time” to consider it. This, however, is cold comfort, as Snyder once said the exact same thing about an anti-union bill that he later signed after it was rammed through the legislature with little debate.

BOTTOM LINE: If the GOP wants to win elections the old fashioned way — by winning more votes — then they should change their unpopular policies instead of trying to change the rules in the middle of the game.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

The sequester cuts will be painful for the home states of the Congressional GOP leadership.

The virtues of a financial transactions tax.

Shock election result leaves Italy in gridlock.

The GOP’s war on Planned Parenthood marches on.

The sequester will harm border security and our ability to stop a terrorist attack.

The Supreme Court made a good decision on campaign finance.

GOP senator with an “A” rating from the NRA is open to background checks.

POLL: voters prefer military spending cuts to reduce the deficit.

Why Seth MacFarlane and The Onion’s jokes about Quvenzhané Wallis are so gross.

“Best of the West (Wing Week)”


West Wing Week: 12/28/12 or “Best of the West (Wing Week)”
Welcome to the “Best of the West (Wing Week)!” That’s right, folks, West Wing Week took some time over the holidays to reflect on a busy year in video, and to bring you some highlights from the archive. But first, a quick wrap up of the President’s week.

A look back at what you built in 2012


Obama - Biden

When we launched the campaign in April 2011, I hoped to be able to send something like this.

Enjoy this compilation of some of our finest moments together:

http://my.barackobama.com/Our-Journey

I can’t wait to see how much more we will accomplish. Our next chapter is just beginning, and President Obama is counting on us to help finish what we started.

Thank you for an amazing 2012 — and have a very happy new year.

Messina

Jim Messina
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

Take Action 2013


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With the encouragement and support of friends like you I founded the Black Institute, a think tank that takes action, purposed to shape intellectual discourse and dialogue and impact public policy uniquely from a black perspective in the US and throughout the Diaspora.
I am pleased to share that 2012 has proven to be just that – a year of action, filled with exciting campaigns and movements that have brought about change in our communities and cities, and have put our brothers and sisters at the forefront of issues such as immigration, worker rights, consumer rights, and voter suppression.
The contributions that we received from you and other generous supporters have made an incredible difference in our efforts to:

  • Create and implement our first research, data, and training projects
  • Assist in leading the Walmart Free NYC Coalition in its victory to keep Walmart out of East New York
  • Stand in solidarity with local unions, elected officials, and community groups to demand fair labor practices for Cablevision workers and fair consumer practices for Verizon and Cablevision consumers
  • Elevate the profile of Black immigrants by organizing recruited Caribbean professionals and their aged-out children, launching a campaign for these Caribbean Dreamers, and publishing a report on this topic
  • Organize a clergy social justice network that has been instrumental in the support and advocacy of low wage workers and the movement for low wage workers rights that is now taking this country by storm
  • Start our Adopt A Dreamer Sponsorship Program

Though we have accomplished much in 2012 there is still much more to do. The generous gift that you give today will make it possible for us to continue our work to shed light on the various issues that plague our Black communities, and to help empower our men, women and children to speak out against maltreatment, injustice, ineffective government, poor public policy, and inadequate and inefficient social service programs.
Please make a tax deductible donation or become a monthly Sustainer TODAY. https://theblackinstitute.nationbuilder.com/make_a_donation

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Weekly Address: Urging Congress to Extend the Middle Class Tax Cuts


President Obama speaks to the American people from a busy factory floor in Pennsylvania about the urgent need to pass the middle class tax cuts, which will give families and businesses preparing for the holidays the certainty they need going into the New Year.

Democrats and Republicans must come together to pass one thing that everyone agrees on—extending income tax cuts for 98 percent of American families and 97 percent of small businesses, and there is no reason to wait. The President urges Congress to take action to help grow our economy and strengthen the middle class.

Watch President Obama’s weekly address.

Tell us what #My2K means to you.

President Obama delivers the Weekly Address

In Case You Missed It

Here’s a quick glimpse at what happened this week on WhiteHouse.gov:

#My2k: This week, President Obama called on the American people to speak out in favor of keeping taxes low on the middle class. He explained:

If Congress does nothing, every family in America will see their taxes automatically go up at the beginning of next year. A typical middle-class family of four would see its income taxes go up by $2,200. That’s $2,200 out of people’s pockets. That means less money for buying groceries, less money for filling prescriptions, less money for buying diapers. It means a tougher choice between paying the rent and paying tuition. And middle-class families just can’t afford that right now.

The President asked the American people to speak loudly by sharing what $2,000 means to them online on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #My2k. Here’s how to get involved:


Holidays at the White House:
Earlier this week, the First Lady previewed the 2012 White House holiday decorations, showcasing this year’s theme: “Joy to All.” The decorations embrace several beloved White House traditions, including 54 decorated trees throughout the residence and a White House gingerbread house. The First Lady explained that this year’s theme “celebrated the many joys of the holiday season: the joy of giving and service to others; the joy of sharing our blessings with one another; and, of course, the joy of welcoming friends and family as guests into our home over these next several weeks.”


President Obama Welcomes Mexico President-Elect:
On Tuesday, President Obama welcomed President-elect of Mexico Enrique Peña Nieto to the Oval Office. They discussed the close relationship between Mexico and the United States, and the President noted that President-elect Enrique Peña Nieto’s reform agenda is one that Americans will watch closely.

Cabinet Meeting: On Wednesday, the President held a Cabinet meeting—the first one since the election. He first thanked Cabinet members for doing “a remarkable job on behalf of the American people,” and reminded them there’s still much work to be done.

Vice President Biden Goes to Costco: On Thursday, the Vice President visited the newly opened Costco in Washington, DC. After picking out a few Christmas presents and other items, he spoke about the importance of extending tax cuts for middle-class families.

World AIDS Day 2012: Today, to commemorate World AIDS Day, the White House hosted a special office hour session with Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett and Gayle Smith, Senior Director, National Security Council, to answer questions on Twitter about the Obama administration’s role in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. Learn more about how the White House is honoring World AIDS Day 2012 here.

West Wing Week: 11/16/12 or “That’s Who We Are”


 

 
whitehouse has uploaded West Wing Week: 11/16/12 or “That’s Who We Are”.
 
 
 
 
 
Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that’s happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President invited fourteen middle-class Americans to stand with him as he spoke on next steps for our continued economic recovery, honored Veteran’s Day with veterans, service members and their families at Arlington National Cemetery, held a news conference in the East Room and traveled to New York to continue to work on recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy.