michelle
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Post by michelle on Sept 20, 2005 2:50:32 GMT 4
SENATE TO VOTE IN NEAR-TOTAL SECRECY, TOMORROW, TUE, SEPT 20, 2005 ACTION ALERT!!! JUST IN The Organic Consumers Association [OCA] needs your immediate help to stop Congress and the Bush adminstration from seriously degrading organic standards. After 35 yrs. of hard work, the US organic community has built-up a muti-billion dollar alternative to industrial agriculture, based upon strict organic standards and organic community control over modification to these standards. Now, large corporations such as Kraft, Wal-Mart, and Dean Foods----aided and abetted by the US Dept. of Agriculture [USDA] are moving to lower organic standards by allowing a Bush appointee to create a list of SYNTHETIC ingredients that would be allowed in organic production. Even worse these proposed regulatory changes WILL REDUCE FUTURE PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND INPUT and take away the National Organic Standards Board's [NOSB] traditional lead jurisdiction in setting standards. What this means, in blunt terms is that the USDA bureaucrats and industry lobbyists, not consumers, will now have more control over what can go into organic foods and products. TOMORROW, TUE, SEPT 20, ACTING IN HASTE AND NEAR-TOTAL SECRECY, the US Senate will vote on a "rider" to the 2006 Agricultural Appropriations Bill that will reduce control over organic standards from the NOSB and put this control into the hands of federal bureaucrats in the USDA [remember the USDA proposal in 1997-98 that said that genetic engineering, toxic sludge, and food irradiation would be OK on organic farms, or USDA suggestions in 2004 that heretofore banned pesticides, hormones, tainted feeds, and animal drugs would be OK?] For the past week in Washington, OCA has been urging members of the Senate not to reopen and subvert the federal statute that governs US Organic Standards [the Organic Food Production Act---OFPA], but rather to let the organic community and the Nation Organic Standards resolve our differences over issues like synthetics and animal feed internally, and then proceed to a open public comment period. Unfortunately MOST SENATORS SEEM TO BE LISTENING TO INDUSTRY LOBBYISTS more closely than us. We need to raise our voice. In the past, grassroots mobilization and mass pressure by organic consumers have been able to stop the USDA and Congress from degrading organic standards. This time WASHINGTON INSIDERS TELL US THAT THE "FIX IS ALREADY IN" WE need you to call your US Senators today. We need you to sign the petition and send it to everyone you know. Thank you for your support. Together we will take back citizen control now. Send a quick letter to your Congressperson online here: www.organicconsumers.org/sos.cfmCall the Capital Switchboard: 877/762-8762 You know, this is exactly how CAFTA was shoved down our throats and secretly voted on in the House and Senate at 1:00 in the morning. Our voices mean nothing if we do not pay attention to legislation and act where appropriate. Please act today or tomorrow morning ASAP. Sincerely, Michelle
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michelle
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I have broken any attachments I had to the Ascended Masters and their teachings; drains your chi!
Posts: 2,100
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Post by michelle on Sept 20, 2005 19:57:15 GMT 4
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michelle
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I have broken any attachments I had to the Ascended Masters and their teachings; drains your chi!
Posts: 2,100
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Post by michelle on Sept 23, 2005 22:15:13 GMT 4
LEGISLATION FOR A CABINET LEVEL DEPARTMENT OF PEACE: H.R. 3760 H.R.3760 now has 60 co-sponsors. Senator Mark Dayton [D-MN] has expressed his support and will help us move this legislation forward. Senator Boxer has also expressed interest. "If we are to remain the world's leader, and if we are to lead the world into a more secure and prosperous future, we must become better known and more respected for our peacemaking successes than for our military force. Peace, to have any lasting value, must be advanced, expanded, and strengthened continuously. Doing so requires skill, dedication, persistence, resources, and, most importantly, people." SENATOR MARK DAYTON Go to the Peace Alliance to learn more, to contact your representatives, and urge them to support H.R. 3760: www.thepeacealliance.org
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james
Full Member
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Post by james on Sept 23, 2005 22:47:34 GMT 4
Thank you for the post Michelle it is very informitive I have booked marked both sites and have forworded your posts to all. It is through the exchange these important resorces we can make a difference, Thank you agian. James
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michelle
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I have broken any attachments I had to the Ascended Masters and their teachings; drains your chi!
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Post by michelle on Sept 23, 2005 23:59:31 GMT 4
You're welcome James. We may eventually rid the White House and the halls of Congress of those who do not hold and support the interests of the American people and the rest of the world. However, legislation is being passed daily which sets up greedy and anti-American agendas of those very same people and the corporations and outside interests they are beholden to. Our voices mean nothing if we do not pay attention to legislation being introduced and passed, and contact our reps to voice our concern or approval.
Marianne Williamson, author and spokesperson for the Peace Alliance, said something to this effect: What the demonstrations were to the 60s and 70s, walking through the halls of Congress are to today.
Peace, Michelle
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michelle
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I have broken any attachments I had to the Ascended Masters and their teachings; drains your chi!
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Post by michelle on Sept 24, 2005 4:18:29 GMT 4
9/23/05: THE PEACE DEPARTMENT UPDATE Yesterday, Senator Mark Dayton introduced the Department of Peace legislation into the U.S. Senate [S.1756] calling for an elevation of the Regan-established "Institute of Peace" to a Cabinet-level position. Appropriately, Dayton's legislation coincides with the 44th anniversary when President Kennedy signed legislation that created the Peace Corps on September 22, 1961. TAKE ACTION: CALL YOUR SENATORS: Please continue the momentum by calling your Senators and urge them to support Bill# S.1756. Contact your Senator at the U.S. capital switchboard [202] 224-3132 To find your representative, visit: www.vote-smart.orgTell the staffer who answers that you want your Senator to sign on as a co-sponsor of the Department of Peace legislation. Request a written response explaining your Senator's position and the reason behind it. It is most effective if you call first, then follow up with a fax or e-mail. To write your representative, click below to get started. This will allow you to send an e-mail or a fax to your Congressperson: www.thepeacealliance.org/actionPlease, for all that we believe in, help make history and create a Department Of Peace Sincerely, Michelle
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michelle
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I have broken any attachments I had to the Ascended Masters and their teachings; drains your chi!
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Post by michelle on Sept 29, 2005 2:55:09 GMT 4
MORE DESTRUCTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND LET'S SELL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE'S PUBLIC LANDS TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER. WHEN DID PROGRESS BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH DESTRUCTION?!!!! Michelle[/color] Congress Poised to Gut Environmental Laws By Chris Baltimore Reuters
Wednesday 28 September 2005
Washington - House Republicans on Wednesday will launch a rapid-fire assault against environmental protections on the pretext of helping the US oil and gas industry recover from hurricane damage, environmental groups charge.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Resources Committee are holding separate meetings to finalize legislation Wednesday, with the aim of combining them into a single energy bill for the full House to debate next week.
The resources panel, led by Richard Pombo of California, wants to lift a ban on Florida offshore drilling, promote oil shale and sell a dozen national parks for energy development.
"This really has very little to do with the hurricanes or relief efforts or even refiners. This is deregulation pure and simple," said John Walke of Natural Resources Defense Council.
Texan Joe Barton's energy committee wants to expand US gasoline production by loosening federal rules that limit pollution when refineries or coal-fired power plants are expanded. US gasoline supplies have tightened since hurricanes Katrina and Rita roared across the US Gulf Coast, closing up to one-fourth of the nation's refining capacity.
House Republicans received a thumbs up from President Bush Monday when he said environmental rules and paperwork are obstacles holding up US refinery expansions.
Bush specifically criticized the relatively obscure "new source review" rule administered by the Environmental Protection Agency as part of the Clean Air Act. It aims to protect public health by ensuring that refinery expansions do not increase acid rain and smog.
Environmentalists perked up their ears at Bush's remarks, noting that he rarely mentions the program.
"You know darn well that the president doesn't have a clue what new source review is," said Frank O'Donnell of Clean Air Watch. "It's clear that there's a coordinated effort between the White House and Congress to put key environmental protections on the chopping block."
Barton said his bill would help US refiners gird against another natural disaster like the recent hurricanes, which highlighted the US dearth of refining capacity.
In an interview, Barton said new source review "was a tool to blackmail industry" into deferring plant upgrades.
"We don't want more emissions but we do want to give existing industrial facilities the ability to retrofit and modernize without going through a laborious permitting process," Barton said.
A draft copy of Barton's bill would codify an EPA proposal that allows plants to expand their facilities without triggering anti-pollution rules, NRDC'S Walke said. That proposal was frozen by a federal judge in a lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.
"If the new Barton rule were adopted it would set us back 40 or 50 years," said Judith Enck, a Spitzer aide.
It would also adopt a utility-friendly strategy that says the anti-pollution rules only apply if expansion projects boost hourly emission rates, not overall plant emissions. Using that test, a federal appeals court in June ruled that Duke Power did not violate the law by expanding eight North Carolina plants without adding expensive anti-pollution devices.
Pombo's separate bill would open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling as well as letting states opt out of an offshore oil leasing ban. He also wants to sell 15 national parks for energy or commercial development, including the Mary McLeod Bethune House in Washington, D.C.
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michelle
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I have broken any attachments I had to the Ascended Masters and their teachings; drains your chi!
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Post by michelle on Sept 30, 2005 18:23:25 GMT 4
WHY ARE WE EVEN TALKING ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT FOR BODY ARMOR? WHY ISN'T IT STANDARD ISSUE?!!!!!! Dodd Reimbursement Amendment TimelineThe timeline below tells the story of how Secretary Rumsfeld and the Department of Defense have repeatedly failed to comply with Section 351 of Public Law 108-375, which requires the implementation of a reimbursement program for members of the United States Armed Forces who have been forced to purchase their own body armor or other protective, safety or health equipment for use in Iraq or Afghanistan. Read At: dodd.senate.gov/body_armor/timeline.htmlHave you bought Body Armor for use in Iraq or Afghanistan? Tell us your story!
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Post by Puzzled on Sept 30, 2005 20:46:32 GMT 4
What does providing body armor have to do with peacemaking and a nonviolent world? Next will we have to make sure all our soldiers have the best ammunition?
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michelle
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I have broken any attachments I had to the Ascended Masters and their teachings; drains your chi!
Posts: 2,100
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Post by michelle on Sept 30, 2005 20:53:12 GMT 4
Hi Puzzled, Good point. However, many of our young people have been sent to war who did not choose to go, such as the National Guard. If they must be there why won't the government who sent them, provide protection?
By the way, I am against all war, period. Michelle
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michelle
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I have broken any attachments I had to the Ascended Masters and their teachings; drains your chi!
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Post by michelle on Oct 8, 2005 17:29:13 GMT 4
This is the Bush view of democracy? We have to write to people and stop this thing! This is a clear attempt to muzzle the press! I want to know about what happens at the GITMO Gulag!Is it the “Abu Ghraib Protection Act?” Senate Measure Could Restrict Access to Crucial Information About Abu Ghraib Scandal in DIA FilesWashington, D.C., October 6, 2005 - After failing in 2000, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) is again seeking an exception from disclosure of vast quantities of important Defense Department records currently available under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The exception would render records that document “the conduct of foreign intelligence or counterintelligence operations” of the DIA Directorate of Human Intelligence (HUMINT) unreachable to the public. The provision currently is included in the Defense Authorization Bill (S. 1042) and the Intelligence Authorization Bill (S. 1803). The provision would allow the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency to place the DIA’s “operational files” completely outside the purview of the FOIA. “The DIA tried this before and failed because it would protect records about death squads. Now it looks like the DIA wants to cover up records about Abu Ghraib,” commented the Archive’s director Thomas Blanton. Would The Operational Files FOIA Exception Sought By The DIA Cover Up Records About Interrogation And Detention Practices At Abu Ghraib? The DIA has produced many records in the FOIA law suit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other organizations concerning detention, interrogation and alleged torture at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. Some of these records concern DIA involvement in and witnessing of interrogation practices, i.e. “foreign intelligence [] operations.” Would these records become operational records if the FOIA exception sought by the DIA is enacted into law? Take a look: www.aclu.org/torturefoia/released/120704.html (includes records concerning threats to DIA personnel who objected to abuse) www.aclu.org/torturefoia/released/042005/ (records about DIA interrogation policy and investigation of allegations of abuse) The Central Intelligence Agency Tried To Use Its Operational Files FOIA Exception To Indefinitely Delay Disclosure Of Records About Abu Ghraib. After Federal District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein issued an order in the ACLU law suit requiring government agencies to search and review their files for records, the CIA sought to indefinitely postpone search of its operational files for relevant records. Judge Hellerstein rejected the effort because the CIA Inspector General itself already had commenced an investigation into wrongdoing and thus the administrative burden of searching operational files would not be too significant. www.aclu.org/Files/OpenFile.cfm?id=17434 (Decision of Judge Hellerstein) The DIA Asked Congress In 2000 For Operational Files FOIA Exception; It Was Rejected By Congress Because It Would Shield Important Records Concerning Human Rights Practices Abroad. The DIA releases under FOIA many important operational records, which are either unclassified to begin with or have been declassified. For example, the DIA service provides the defense attaches stationed in U.S. embassies around the world. Like Foreign Service officers at the embassies, these military attaches operate openly and collect and report foreign intelligence information. They do not operate undercover like overseas CIA employees. The Defense HUMINT Service, unlike the Directorate of Operations at the CIA, collects much of its information through open sources rather than through the kind of clandestine intelligence sources which must be so closely guarded at the CIA. Indeed over the years, the DIA has routinely declassified and released hundreds of documents including intelligence reports, which have been important to public debate and the historical record. (Of course, sensitive information that must be protected for national security reasons is already exempt from the disclosure requirements of the FOIA.). Because these records include crucial information about human rights violations committed by foreign military and intelligence units and other important information about political and military developments around the world, Congress rejected DIA’s effort in 2000. Nothing has changed that would justify the exception today. www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB34/index.htmlOperational Files Exceptions Have Been Abused By Agencies to Shield Non-Sensitive Information. The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) received an operational files exception in 2002 (without any public hearings or debate) that exempted from disclosure and review only files “that document the means by which foreign intelligence or counterintelligence is collected through scientific and technical systems.” (50 U.S.C. § 432a.) Although a plain reading of the statutory exception would suggest that it would be limited to those files that detail the technical means through which the NRO collects foreign intelligence or counterintelligence, the NRO has broadly interpreted the exception to include “overall program management, policy, and analysis files,” “budget and finance records files,” “contracting, procurement and logistics records files,” and “legal files,” among others. (NRO Operational File Designation List). This certainly cannot be what the Congress intended when it granted the exception. For other examples of abuse of operational file exceptions see “Spy Agencies Abuse Freedom of Information Act Exemptions, But Congress May Grant New One to Intercepts Agency.” www.gwu.edu/%7Ensarchiv/news/20030611/
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michelle
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I have broken any attachments I had to the Ascended Masters and their teachings; drains your chi!
Posts: 2,100
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Post by michelle on Oct 8, 2005 19:25:35 GMT 4
Republicans Twist Arms on House Floor to Pass Energy Bill t r u t h o u t | Press Release
Friday 07 October 2005
Washington, DC - Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D - NY), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, responded today to the Republican Leadership's deliberate attempt to thwart the will of the American people and to undermine the democratic process during a vote on the Gasoline for America's Security Act.
"Once again, on an issue of critical importance to the American people, the Republican Majority has chosen to trample the democratic process and manipulate the outcome of a vote on the Floor of the House of Representatives, after the vote was completed."
"This is an unethical subversion of our democracy. The Republican Leadership has brought shame on themselves and the House of Representatives."
"Today, we all see how the Republican culture of corruption has destroyed the credibility of this government and directly impacts the lives of each and every American."
Rep. Mike Simpson (R - ID), Speaker Pro - Tempore of the House, held open a five - minute vote on HR 3893, the Gasoline for America's Security Act, for over forty minutes. For nearly all of that time, Republicans were unable to produce a majority vote in favor of the bill. Rep. Simpson repeatedly stated that he was using his discretion to hold the vote open until all Members had voted. But as soon as Republicans had gained the needed number of votes to pass the Act, he closed the vote. The final vote total was 212 to 210.
Background:
The Republican Leadership abuses its power in the chair, and holds votes open for the sole purpose of reversing the outcome of the vote on a regular basis. On five separate occasions in the 108th Congress alone, votes were held open beyond the traditional 17 - minute limit in order to overturn the will of the majority. These votes include the infamous 3 - hour Prescription Drug vote in November 2003, which went far beyond any previous vote and broke all records in the history of electronic voting. By comparison, in 1987, the Republicans excoriated the Democratic Leadership for holding a vote open for only 30 minutes.
Before the Republican Leadership took over in 1995, votes were usually held open simply to decide what the next business should be on the House floor. This occurred after the outcome was already determined. Below is a chronological record of lengthy votes going back to 1987, and the time each vote was held open. "Arm - twisting" votes are noted by asterisks.
109th Congress
October 7, 2005 H.R. 3893 - Gasoline for America's Security Act vote began at 1:57 pm (a five minute vote) and was gaveled down at 2:43 pm) vote #519. 46 minutes (for a 5 - minute vote)
July 27 & 28, 2005 (legislative day of July 27, 2005) H.R. 3045 - CAFTA the vote started at 11:00 pm on the 27th and went on until 12:03 am) Vote #443. 63 minutes
Previous Congresses
July 8, 2004 Sanders amendment on PATRIOT Act to FY 2005 Commerce - Justice State Appropriations bill. 38 minutes.
March 30, 2004 Motion to instruct conferees on PAYGO on the FY 2005 Budget Resolution. 28 minutes (on 5 - minute vote).
November 22, 2003 Final Passage of the Conference Report on HR 1, the Prescription Drug bill. 3 hours. (during this time frame, former Rep. Nick Smith claimed to have been offered a bribe by then Majority Leader Tom DeLay, which ultimately lead to DeLay's formal admonishment by the Ethics Committee)
June 26, 2003 Final Passage of HR 1, the Prescription Drug bill. 50 minutes.
March 20, 2003 Final Passage of Budget Resolution. 26 minutes.
July 12, 2001 Campaign Finance bill. This was a "time out" to determine what was to occur next on the floor. 130 minutes.
October 9, 1997 Passage of FY 1998 DC Appropriations bill. 33 minutes.
Longest Votes Prior to the Republican Majority in the House
October 3, 1994 Time out to accommodate numerous changes in the floor schedule. 44 minutes.
August 19, 1994 Time out to determine what to do next on Crime bill. 73 minutes.
October 14, 1993 Time out to determine floor schedule after rule on unemployment was defeated. 65 minutes.
October 29, 1987 Final passage of Reconciliation bill. 30 minutes.
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Post by jebeltariq on Oct 9, 2005 3:43:43 GMT 4
Hello all!
It seems the American goverment will soon be requiring soldiers to purchase their own weapons and ammunition in order to more effectively carry out their duty. Failiure to do so may be result in court martial.
This is currently being debated in the senate and a bill rushed through congress in the wee hours of the morning morrow.
chuckle, chuckle jebeltariq
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element
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All of us, children of nature, paint our own portraits!
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Post by element on Oct 9, 2005 5:59:00 GMT 4
Yea, this is due a chuckle...drip drip drip...(drips wtih sarcasm). It'll be really 'funny' to lose MORE innocent men. We lost all innocence the day diebold made us partake in the deception of truth. We shall, indeed, lost MORE with the powerful and wel thought out decisions of this mighty Supreme Court...I always make great decisions when 'rushed to the table'. hhhmmm
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michelle
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I have broken any attachments I had to the Ascended Masters and their teachings; drains your chi!
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Post by michelle on Oct 9, 2005 6:39:59 GMT 4
Hey jebeltariq, Do you have a link on that legislation [purchase own weapons, ammo]? Michelle
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