Tag Archive for Congress

Who is “Buying” that Law?

February 11, 2020 Comments Off on Who is “Buying” that Law?

Wonder about the status of a bill in Congress or who’s paying to push it through? Go to www.MapLight.com.  There you’ll find out about bills in the news recently and read a snippet of what they’re about.  Click on the “Interest Groups” or “Companies” tab to see a chart of contributors and amounts they’ve paid. The “Contributions” page lets you find out how much a particular group has contributed to a specific legislator.

There’s a wealth of information on this website.  It’s one all voters should take a look at, especially before the elections.

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When Congress Plays (Foot)Ball

January 7, 2020 Comments Off on When Congress Plays (Foot)Ball

All the members of Congress should be part of the NFL.  I’ve watched two warring factions–management and/or referees and/or players–hold onto their stubborn stands for awhile.  Finally, both sides come to realize that they’ve been causing hardship, turmoil, financial woes, and potential harm to the game and all people involved with it, plus unpopularity toward themselves.  They see that the people are upset, believing that both sides are being pig-headed and unreasonable.

Sort of like what goes on and on and on in our nation’s legislature.

But unlike our warring lawmakers, the NFL and referees have shown that can come to a settlement.  They can meet in the middle.  It isn’t a compromise of values (listen up, Dems and Reps) but a realization that reasonable people will disagree, and all views must be taken under consideration if the greater good for the people is to be achieved.

If our lawmakers were part of the NFL, then, I’d hope they’d be dragged into a state of reason–or be benched if they didn’t cooperate.

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An Overlooked Group of WWII Vets

April 18, 2018 Comments Off on An Overlooked Group of WWII Vets

[Today I have a guest blogger, Justine Wong.  She presents what I think is a wonderful idea.]

The United States has acknowledged other marginalized groups that served in WWII including African Americans, Native Americans, Japanese Americans, women, and most recently Filipino Americans. The S.1050 and H.R.2358 seeks to recognize the Chinese Americans who fought in the war. As of May 4th, 2017 it has been introduced in the House of Congress. If Congress were to pass these bills the medal would be displayed in the Smithsonian Institution.

Read about this overdue honor at Recognize Chinese American Veterans with the Congressional Gold Medal. And while you’re at that web page, sign the petition so we can get this going!

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How Computers and Phones Kill Wildlife

May 13, 2017 Comments Off on How Computers and Phones Kill Wildlife

Move over, conflict diamonds.  Now we’re aware of conflict minerals.  Here’s what’s happening (from the Wildlife Conservation Society):

Gorillas and other wildlife are being killed and trafficked as a source of food for miners and militia members in conflict zones including the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The devastation is so great that Grauer’s gorillas were recently listed as critically endangered.

So-called “conflict minerals” – tin, tantalum, and tungsten – are used in common products in the U.S., like smartphones and jewelry. In 2010, Congress included a provision in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act requiring the Securities and Exchange Commission to shine a light on American businesses sourcing precious minerals from armed mines contributing to violence, human trafficking, and wildlife slaughter. So far, the evidence shows that U.S. efforts are making a difference and weapons and violence are being eliminated from more mining sites in the DRC. Now, Congress is considering repealing this law.

TELL THE CONGRESS: PROTECT WILDLIFE AND KEEP ARMED GROUPS OUT OF DRC MINES!  Go to the Wildlife Conservation Society’s website to learn more and sign a petition to Congress.

 

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Irish, Congress, Trump, and History

March 23, 2017 Comments Off on Irish, Congress, Trump, and History

U.S. Presidents or Congress have been doing it for years, and this year President Trump did it: declared March Irish-American History Month to honor the contributions to our country by Irish immigrants and their descendants who are living here.  Today’s Thursday Thought, then is in honor of them.

“Well, it takes all kinds of men to build a railroad.”
“No sir, just us Irish.”
–Railroad barons in “Dodge City,” Warner Bros., 1939

 

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Zika Virus and Abortion

August 5, 2016 Comments Off on Zika Virus and Abortion

No, they aren’t that closely related. Yes, some women may abort if they discover their child  would be born with the conditions that that Zika-infection causes.  Actually, abortion is getting in the way of funding research to fight Zika.

Both Houses of Congress, after compromise (yes, Dems and Reps can compromise when they really try), a funding bill was agreed on–until one side of the aisle added some changes.  The main change, the main sticking point keeping that bill from passing and research flowing is one that blocks money from going to a Planned Parenthood affiliated clinic in Puerto Rico, supposedly to stop the spread of Zika. (I can only guess that the logic is that women are so happy to have abortions available to them that they have more unprotected sex, knowing that they can always get rid of their little “mistakes” growing inside them. !!!!!!)

I don’t understand a legislative system that can tack on semi-related–or totally unrelated–amendments and details. Roberts, of Robert’s Rules of Order, would be horrified.

And I can’t understand how our legislators can be off on vacation when they can be taking g measures to stop a disease that not only affects people in other countries but also is creeping into our own.

Come on, people!  Do the job we elected you to do!

 

 

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A Lesson for Congress…and for Us All

June 23, 2016 Comments Off on A Lesson for Congress…and for Us All

Today’s Thursday Thought is Pope Francis’ advice to Congress…and to us:

“[If] we want security, let us give security; if we want life, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities. The yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us.” – Pope Francis in his 9/24/15 address to the U.S. combined Congress

 

 

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20,000 of Our Military Sexually Attacked? Who Cares?

May 20, 2016 Comments Off on 20,000 of Our Military Sexually Attacked? Who Cares?

“There were more than 20,000 cases of sexual assault, rape, and unwanted sexual contact in the military in 2015.1 It’s an epidemic of sexual assault that is made even worse because the assaults are under-reported and under-prosecuted, with victims often facing devastating retaliation.

“The Pentagon has repeatedly claimed that it can handle this problem – and repeatedly tried to thwart or water-down Congress’ efforts to intervene. It’s clear that the military is failing to protect victims of sexual assault and punish perpetrators. Of the incidents in 2015, around 6,000 were reported and 543 proceeded to trial.2 And according to the Pentagon, somewhere between 40 and 60 percent of women who report being sexually assaulted experience retaliation.3″

Read the read the rest of this report (including documentation for the footnotes) at Credo’s The Military Assault Epidemic.  While you’re there, consider signing their petition to the Senate seeking justice for these victims.  The situation should not be tolerated!  We must care!

 

 

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Vote with Me

February 29, 2016 Comments Off on Vote with Me

After living through this past week, I’ve decided how to vote.  Maybe not the specific person yet.  But I know for sure that the person I decide to vote for will NOT be one who is acting like a spoiled 6-year-old.

I fear a President who deals with foreign heads of state–especially, say, North Korea or Russia–or represents the U.S. in settling the Israeli/Palestinian conflict–or decides how to handle Isis and other terrorist groups.  I fear a person who says to Congress-members, “It’s my way or the highway” rather than promoting thoughtful discussion of all sides of an issue and working toward a more unified, effective Congress.  I fear a President who engages in personal attacks rather than meaningful dialog, thus treating us citizens as though we don’t have a brain or know what’s good for us.  Yes, I fear a spoiled brat, egotistic, self-important 6-year-old President.

Now, although you don’t know who I’ll vote for in this coming Primary and General elections, I bet you can guess who WILL NOT get my vote.  And I urge you to vote with me.

 

 

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Pope Francis “Rules”

September 24, 2015 Comments Off on Pope Francis “Rules”

Who better to provide today’s Thursday Thought than Pope Francis in his 9/24/15 (this morning) address to the U.S. combined Congress? It’s an extension of the Golden Rule, which appears in some form in the holy books of all major world religions.

“[If] we want security, let us give security; if we want life, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities. The yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us.”

 

 

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