So good to see the PB Blog returning to it's old vitality! I have been lurking, but have also been overworking a bit, and only have had time for one blog...posting on my O'site, when I can.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/AZKiki
You are all essential - watching the RNC convention was a great picture of what most country clubs, but few communities, look like.
Let's get this done!
The Nation has joined with the ACLU in a lawsuit filed in the US District Court of New York challenging the constitutionality of the FISA Amendments Act of 2008.
Read: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/edcut/336123
Thank you Benny for putting together tomorrow's Unity BBQ, and for reminding us all what it is about:
“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws ofNature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”
“We hold these truths to be self-evident,that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it,and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effecttheir Safety and Happiness.”
“Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
Important: Call your senators today Please Make a Quick Call to Protect Medicare TODAY
Today, the U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote on a Medicare bill (H.R. 6331) that the U.S. House passed earlier this week by an overwhelming bipartisan 355-59 margin. This vote sends a strong message to the Senate that action needs to be taken now. We need to call the Senate and make sure they pass the bill without making compromises that leave seniors citizens out.
What Does the Bill Do? The bill will help more seniors qualify for help paying Medicare premiums by fixing the current personal assets test. In addition, the bill stops scheduled payment cuts to doctors who treat Medicare patients. There are also improvements to Medicare’s preventive benefits such as eliminating several co-payments as well as bringing mental health parity to Medicare benefits.
It’s time to tell the Senate to pass H.R. 6331 for America’s seniors. They need to feel pressure to vote for this bill. Please call your Senators right away.
Time is short, as the vote is scheduled for TODAY. Please call your Senators toll-free at: 866-851-9631 · Ask them to support H.R. 6331. Let them know that you are watching to make sure that they do not settle for a compromise that leaves seniors out. (from USWA alert)
NASA Scientist Calls for Oil Execs to be Tried for Crimes Against Humanity
NASA’s top climate scientist James Hansen warned Monday that the world has long passed the dangerous level for greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and that the earth is nearing a tipping point. Hansen said, “We’re toast if we don’t get on a very different path. This is the last chance.” He also called for the government to block the construction of new coal-fired plants. During an interview on NPR, Hansen called for the chief executives of oil companies to be tried for their role in spreading disinformation on climate change.
James Hansen: “The CEOs of these large energy companies are guilty of crimes against humanity if they continue to dispute what is understood scientifically and to fund contrarians and if they push us past tipping points that end up destroying many species on the planet and having a huge impact on humanity itself.”
It was twenty years ago this week when James Hansen first appeared before Congress to warn that global warming had already started. The year of Hansen’s original testimony, 1988, was the world’s hottest year on record. Since then, fourteen years have been hotter.
Good article this week:
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080630/cavanagh_collins
As for the rest of them ��" well, corporations can’t vote, except for maybe Diebold.
Happy Juneteenth! Not the last to hear anymore :), all my AA friends!
Organizations like ABC (Assoc. Builder's & Contractors) don’t come right out and say support our candidate because he will get rid of corporate regulation, help us bust unions and keep wages and benefits as low as possible. Instead they use words and phrases that are often invented by corporate lobbyists and usually hide their true intention which is just the opposite of the natural meaning of the words.
Below are a few of the deceiving words and phrases they used in the flyer I sent you along with the true meaning they are designed to hide:
Free Enterprise ��" Actually means no government controls that would protect workers or mandate ethical corporate conduct.
Open Competition ��" Actually means no guarantee of union wages on taxpayer-financed building projects.
Secret Ballot Elections for Unions ��" Actually means they want to stop the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) from becoming law so they can continue to delay elections and intimidate and frustrate workers in the interim. The EFCA would mandate that if a majority of workers sign a card requesting union representation, they would have their union immediately ��" no unnecessary delays, no harassment, no intimidation, and no illegal firings.
Health Plan ��" Actually means no national healthcare plan and no health care coverage for all Americans.
Salting Abuse ��" Actually means they want to be free to fire workers when the find out or suspect they have taken a job in order to help workers at a site form a union.
Supports Deregulation to Unburden American Business ��" Actually means supports any law that would weaken restrictions on corporate behavior and/or would weaken protections for workers.
John McCain Supports Workers Rights ��" Actually means he supports the right of corporate executives to aggressively fight the attempts of workers to organize.
Please keep this deceiving language in mind as you read or listen to this corporate doubletalk, especially in the media.
We know it is time for a change. We need a stronger union, more American jobs, a better economy, fair trade and national healthcare! We need Barack Obama as President!
If any one wants to join me with this tribute - post a picture of your dad. And if he wasn't part of your life, and your mom did the Mommy/Daddy gig, then post a picture of her! My youngest's dad didn't like the role, and she celebrates both holidays with me!
Tim Russert's memorials today made me think of how much my better self owes to my father always being there for me, whether it was to get me back on the right path, or to celebrate any achievement.
We are working to bring change to our communities and our country, so we actually have a minute to honor family!
We are the change - it is up to us!
Do read this article and figure out where you stand with the Obama vs the McCain tax plans:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/6/11/141710/932/876/534084
This is a good talking point! Spread the word! Change you Can Believe In!
This may have been posted earlier, but a great video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiQJ9Xp0xxU&eurl=http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/
FIRED UP?
There are two great Texas Democrats, that I suddenly realized I miss this year! Having spent most of my life between Arizona and Oklahoma, with a mother from Texas, these two women have been part of my political landscape for as long as I can remember. They both speak to my Southwestern flavored feminist leanings.
Tribute to Ann Richards: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1onD1p1I2eI
Tribute to Molly Ivins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh5BQiOKTnA
What a loss - but what incredible legacies!
If you, or anyone you know, is thinking of voting for McDinosaur, this video may help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y395Tftgz0E
NOT THIS TIME! NOT THIS YEAR!
There is so much to be grateful for today - Since I first saw this day as possible, some 45 years ago, filled with dreams of a better world by my Nana, a third grade teacher in San Francisco, I have lost faith and hope in future off and on down the road.
Today, I know, that a great human being, who is devoted to family and country, and has faith in the American People, can be the President of the United States, with no bias to gender, color, religion or ethnicity. We have finally begun to fulfull the dreams of our founding fathers.
This video, "Today, I Cried," from right here in McCain's back yard, is testimony to the profound impact of this primary on millions of Americans. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBVKsartJFs
FIRED UP? Let's take the White House! And the Senate with Hillary! and the House - no more distractions. We have work to do!
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