UPDATE: Abortion ban subcommittee hearing today

20 Week Abortion ban gets Congressional Hearing Today, Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) is holding a hearing in his subcommittee on legislation that would take away women’s constitutional rights and put women across America in danger. Ironically, Franks‘ panel is called the “Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice,” neither of which Mr. Franks seems very interested in using to protect women. This is incredibly dangerous legislation. It’s a blatant attempt to roll back a woman’s right to choose. We need to fight it every step of the way. People need to know this is happening. People need to know what’s in store if these anti-choice zealots have their way. Please make an emergency gift to stand against this bill and to stand up for women. Yesterday, the radical anti-choice group Susan B. Anthony List stood with Rep. Franks and declared their support for this terrible bill. Anti-choice activists want to drag us back to the days when abortion was illegal and desperate women had nowhere to turn. I won’t go back. Will you? Ilyse G. Hogue President, NARAL Pro-Choice America

Every 11 hours

Ilyse G. Hogue President, NARAL Pro-Choice America

Every 11 hours we move closer and closer to a world without the rights we’ve fought so hard to preserve. That’s because every 11 hours, another piece of anti-choice legislation is introduced somewhere in America. Nearly 300 anti-choice legislative attacks have been introduced in Congress and in states across the country this year — and the year isn’t even half over. That’s more than two anti-choice bills for every single day of the year so far. But, before the next anti-choice legislative attack is introduced, you have time to make a difference by helping NARAL Pro-Choice America track and defeat anti-choice legislation — protecting women’s reproductive rights across the country. Please make an urgent contribution to NARAL Pro-Choice America before another 11 hours pass. We’re watching every single one of these legislative attacks. We’re fighting them in Congress. We’re fighting them in the states. We’re fighting for women. But the clock is ticking. Before extreme anti-choice politicians have time to make another move, please stand with us. Together, we can make choice real for all women. Are you with us? Tick, tock, tick, tock … Ilyse G. Hogue President, NARAL Pro-Choice America

Friday hypocrisy

112th Congress Tea Party membership map. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So, Today is a day to close your eyes breathe in through your nose slowly and deeply then release your breathe slowly exhale through your mouth … be still stay calm  repeat when needed

 just another rant …

It has been a big week for members of the tea party, getting a lot of airtime. I have to say that most of the interviews on the airwaves spewed pushed a conspiracy theory about not only who should get 501c(4) status, but also how the IRS’s association with the Affordable Care Act is now tainted. I guess this should not surprise anyone but the paper trail or digital one just seems too coincidental for me.  I want to know what if any association do these folks have to republican members of Congress if as the media states this “scandal” will bring back the tea party. Fact is, only 18% of the public identify themselves as members of the tea party, but seem to show their true colours very loudly and it’s confusing to some because they don’t seem like a legitimate organization to even get this much notice or camera time

 This is also a week, a month, no, years of Republicans coming out of the woodwork that apparently still believes or wants voters to believe the BS about the President and as the mid-terms of 2010 move into 2013-2014, these kooks who were voted into office now appear unqualified and need to be voted out.  The notion that any member of Congress received or backed the tea movement is offensive. It also makes you wonder given the information regarding how many did not meet the threshold requirements just how the Tea Party folks paid for the various rallies not to mention did TV stations help, but have not admitted to sponsoring these so-called rallies.  The Tea Party is not just angry they are misinformed about where the President was born, say, he is a socialist, he favors the poor and because he is Black, he seems to be giving them the advantage.

 My question … are all these people actually buying this or is something else going on.  I understand being upset about the IRS, policy issues and politics in general but the signs at those rallies were telling. The fact is some really are mad that 53% voted an African American into office for a 2nd term and this still upsets folks while others continue to incite fear, promote exclusion and have crossed the lines of sanity

 Yes, I will say it again …  most if not all are misinformed some are racists and then there is a small group who are violet.   There are quite a few solutions, but the best is getting out the vote , remember that the mid-term elections have always been a no big deal vote  and last…   gerrymandering has made them critically important since 2010.

CBO ~

CBO To Release Analysis of the President’s FY 2014 Budget and Updated Baseline Projections in May

In mid-May, CBO will issue two reports: one showing its projections of federal revenues and spending over the next 10 years if the President’s proposals are adopted; and the other providing updated 10-year baseline projections.

H.R. 1422, EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2013

As ordered reported by the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on April 11, 2013

H.R. 875, a bill to provide for a comprehensive assessment of the scientific and technical research on the implications of the use of mid-level ethanol blends, and for other purposes

As ordered reported by the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on April 11, 2013

CBO: Unemployment ~ 2013 and Beyond

The Unemployment Insurance System

Annual outlays on UI increased from an average of $33 billion from 2004 through 2007 to $119 billion in 2009 and $155 billion in 2010; they dropped to $93 billion in 2012 and we expect them to decline further over the next few years.

Unemployment Insurance  in 2013 and Beyond

CBO Analyst William Carrington’s Presentation to the Winter Policy Forum of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies

West Wing Week: 03/08/13 or “Jedi Mind-Meld”.

This week, the President urged Congress to resolve harmful budget cuts and reduce the deficit in a way that helps grow the economy and strengthen the middle class, held his first Cabinet meeting of the second term, announced three key Cabinet nominations, and signed the Violence Against Women Act.

“Best of the West (Wing Week)”

West Wing Week: 12/28/12 or “Best of the West (Wing Week)” bywhitehouse 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

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

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

First Lady Honors National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award Recipients.

 

Twelve exemplary after-school and out-of-school arts and humanities program are honored by FIrst Lady Michelle Obama as recipients of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards. November 19, 2012.