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G_j
G_j's Journal
G_j's Journal
July 9, 2012
Euro crisis: Another day, another flirtation with disaster
Rising yields, rising ire in the world's largest trading bloc. It must be Monday in Europe.
Thomas MuchaJuly 9, 2012 14:09
For those with the stomach to watch it unfold, Europe's debt crisis has assumed a sickeningly familiar pattern.
It goes like this:
European leaders talk.
The markets force government borrowing costs higher.
European leaders talk again.
Repeat.
That scenario played out yet again today as 10-year yields on both Spanish and Italian bonds rose to dangerously high levels. Meanwhile, European finance ministers prepared to meet again to discuss the latest problems.
Spanish debt costs topped 7 percent Monday, while Italian yields rose to more than 6 percent, after falling to about 5 percent last week.
..more..
Euro crisis: Another day, another flirtation with disaster
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/macro/europe-another-day-another-flirtation-disasterEuro crisis: Another day, another flirtation with disaster
Rising yields, rising ire in the world's largest trading bloc. It must be Monday in Europe.
Thomas MuchaJuly 9, 2012 14:09
For those with the stomach to watch it unfold, Europe's debt crisis has assumed a sickeningly familiar pattern.
It goes like this:
European leaders talk.
The markets force government borrowing costs higher.
European leaders talk again.
Repeat.
That scenario played out yet again today as 10-year yields on both Spanish and Italian bonds rose to dangerously high levels. Meanwhile, European finance ministers prepared to meet again to discuss the latest problems.
Spanish debt costs topped 7 percent Monday, while Italian yields rose to more than 6 percent, after falling to about 5 percent last week.
..more..
July 9, 2012
Jul 9 2012
'Poor People Haven't Lost Their Voice — They Can't Afford A Voice'
Super PACs have some terrifying plans for the United States. Bill Moyers explains.
http://www.upworthy.com/poor-people-havent-lost-their-voice-they-cant-afford-a-voice?c=upw1
For a quick refresher on what super PACs are and how much money they throw around, check out the excellent work of the Center for Responsive Politics here,
http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/superpacs.php
Bill Moyers explains: Super PACs have some terrifying plans for the United States
http://www.upworthy.com/poor-people-havent-lost-their-voice-they-cant-afford-a-voice?c=upw1Jul 9 2012
'Poor People Haven't Lost Their Voice — They Can't Afford A Voice'
Super PACs have some terrifying plans for the United States. Bill Moyers explains.
http://www.upworthy.com/poor-people-havent-lost-their-voice-they-cant-afford-a-voice?c=upw1
For a quick refresher on what super PACs are and how much money they throw around, check out the excellent work of the Center for Responsive Politics here,
http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/superpacs.php
July 6, 2012
Wed Jun 27, 2012 at 09:00 AM PDT.
The firefighters trying to save Colorado homes don't have health insurance
by Joan McCarterFollow .
While Colorado goes up in flames, and the Republican wing of the Supreme Court writes the dismantling of Obamacare, the men and women hired by the federal government to fight wildfire are risking life and limb. Many of them are doing it without health insurance.
Of all the jobs where you might want health insurance, firefighting near certainly ranks near the top of the list. Firefighters spend two-week shifts working 18 hour days in dangerous conditions. Some develop breathing problems due to smoke inhalation.
But many federal firefighters are temporary employees, who only work six months out of the year. [...] Under federal regulations, temporary employees of the Forest Service do not receive benefits. That means no health care and no retirement pension.
“A lot of them are not making a lot,” says Bill Dougan, president of the National Federal of Federal Employees. “The only way they can afford insurance is if they have a spouse that might be able to get coverage under an employer. In some places that’s not an option.”
This is the status quo Republicans have been fighting for for the past two years. If the Affordable Care Act survives the Supreme Court Republican five tomorrow, it could help. Many of the firefighters make little enough to qualify for the subsidies to purchase insurance, making the premiums in reach. They'd also be guaranteed access to affordable health insurance, something that can be a problem for people in high-risk jobs.
If the Supreme Court five make the ACA go away tomorrow, nothing changes for these wildfire fighters in the immediate term, but they'll be denied those near-future benefits and the hope that they could continue to do this critical job and protect themselves a little bit. Their hopes go up in smoke, and Republicans will cheer.
The firefighters trying to save Colorado homes don't have health insurance
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/06/27/1103586/-The-firefighters-trying-to-save-Colorado-homes-don-t-have-health-nbsp-insurance?detail=hideWed Jun 27, 2012 at 09:00 AM PDT.
The firefighters trying to save Colorado homes don't have health insurance
by Joan McCarterFollow .
While Colorado goes up in flames, and the Republican wing of the Supreme Court writes the dismantling of Obamacare, the men and women hired by the federal government to fight wildfire are risking life and limb. Many of them are doing it without health insurance.
Of all the jobs where you might want health insurance, firefighting near certainly ranks near the top of the list. Firefighters spend two-week shifts working 18 hour days in dangerous conditions. Some develop breathing problems due to smoke inhalation.
But many federal firefighters are temporary employees, who only work six months out of the year. [...] Under federal regulations, temporary employees of the Forest Service do not receive benefits. That means no health care and no retirement pension.
“A lot of them are not making a lot,” says Bill Dougan, president of the National Federal of Federal Employees. “The only way they can afford insurance is if they have a spouse that might be able to get coverage under an employer. In some places that’s not an option.”
This is the status quo Republicans have been fighting for for the past two years. If the Affordable Care Act survives the Supreme Court Republican five tomorrow, it could help. Many of the firefighters make little enough to qualify for the subsidies to purchase insurance, making the premiums in reach. They'd also be guaranteed access to affordable health insurance, something that can be a problem for people in high-risk jobs.
If the Supreme Court five make the ACA go away tomorrow, nothing changes for these wildfire fighters in the immediate term, but they'll be denied those near-future benefits and the hope that they could continue to do this critical job and protect themselves a little bit. Their hopes go up in smoke, and Republicans will cheer.
Please sign this petition demanding that Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid introduce legislation to make these and other wildfire fighters eligible for federal health insurance.
http://campaigns.dailykos.com/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=170
To Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid:
It is outrageous that firefighters battling the blazes in Colorado and around the country are not eligible for federal health insurance. Pass legislation to rectify this immediately.
July 5, 2012
Stop the killing of 1,800 whales and dolphins and the deafening of 15,900 more
(Dear MoveOn member,)
According to the U.S. Navy's own estimates, the use of high-frequency underwater sound for testing in Hawaii, off the California and Atlantic Coasts, and in the Gulf of Mexico will deafen 15,900 whales and dolphins and kill 1,800 more over the next five years.
Whales and dolphins depend on sound to navigate and live. The Navy is required to include comments from the public on their Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), so your signature and comment on my SignOn.org petition could help stop this naval program and save the lives of these ocean creatures.
My petition says:
Stop the killing of 1,800 whales and dolphins and the deafening of 15,900 more by ceasing the operation of the Navy's underwater sound system in the Hawaiian Islands, the California and Atlantic Coasts, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Will you sign the petition? Click here to add your name, and then pass it along to your friends:
http://signon.org/sign/navy-under-water-sound.fb11?source=s.fb&r_by=1565992
Thanks for your help.
–Lyndia Storey
PS: The comments must be in by July 10, 2012, so please sign my petition today.
This petition was created on SignOn.org, the progressive, nonprofit petition site that will never sell your email address and will never promote a petition because someone paid us to. SignOn.org is sponsored by MoveOn Civic Action, which is not responsible for the contents of this or other petitions posted on the site.
July 2, 2012
When millions of Internet users unite, big things happen.
Earlier this year, we stopped SOPA and fought the powerful interests that sought to limit online innovation and free speech. And for years we’ve worked together to protect Net Neutrality and fight for universal access to an affordable, high-speed and open Internet.
These battles remind us how fragile the free and open Internet is — and make it clear that if we don’t fight to protect it, no one will.
Something big is happening again. Today Free Press and a coalition of more than 100 organizations, academics, startup founders and tech innovators are launching a Declaration of Internet Freedom — five principles outlining the basic freedoms that all Internet users should enjoy.
The Declaration is meant to spark a passionate, global discussion among Internet users and communities about the Internet and our role in protecting it.
Please take a moment to read the Declaration of Internet Freedom, sign it and add your comments.
The release of this document is just the beginning of a movement to secure these five principles — Expression, Access, Openness, Innovation and Privacy — all over the world. We encourage you to respond to this document — you can agree or disagree with it, debate it, translate it, make it your own and broaden the discussion. No platform other than a free and open Internet allows this kind of interaction.
sign: http://act.freepress.net/sign/internetdeclaration/?source=website_sti_front
Declaration of Internet Freedom
http://act.freepress.net/sign/internetdeclaration/?source=website_sti_frontWhen millions of Internet users unite, big things happen.
Earlier this year, we stopped SOPA and fought the powerful interests that sought to limit online innovation and free speech. And for years we’ve worked together to protect Net Neutrality and fight for universal access to an affordable, high-speed and open Internet.
These battles remind us how fragile the free and open Internet is — and make it clear that if we don’t fight to protect it, no one will.
Something big is happening again. Today Free Press and a coalition of more than 100 organizations, academics, startup founders and tech innovators are launching a Declaration of Internet Freedom — five principles outlining the basic freedoms that all Internet users should enjoy.
The Declaration is meant to spark a passionate, global discussion among Internet users and communities about the Internet and our role in protecting it.
Please take a moment to read the Declaration of Internet Freedom, sign it and add your comments.
The release of this document is just the beginning of a movement to secure these five principles — Expression, Access, Openness, Innovation and Privacy — all over the world. We encourage you to respond to this document — you can agree or disagree with it, debate it, translate it, make it your own and broaden the discussion. No platform other than a free and open Internet allows this kind of interaction.
sign: http://act.freepress.net/sign/internetdeclaration/?source=website_sti_front
Declaration of Internet Freedom
Tired of fighting bad bills like SOPA, PIPA and CISPA? Want to stand up against those who are trying to control what we do and say online? Let's do something different. Add your name below and join the global movement for Internet freedom.
We stand for a free and open Internet.
We support transparent and participatory processes for making Internet policy and the establishment of five basic principles:
Expression: Don't censor the Internet.
Access: Promote universal access to fast and affordable networks.
Openness: Keep the Internet an open network where everyone is free to connect, communicate, write, read, watch, speak, listen, learn, create and innovate.
Innovation: Protect the freedom to innovate and create without permission. Don’t block new technologies, and don’t punish innovators for their users' actions.
Privacy: Protect privacy and defend everyone’s ability to control how their data and devices are used.
Tired of fighting bad bills like SOPA, PIPA and CISPA? Want to stand up against those who are trying to control what we do and say online? Let's do something different. Add your name below and join the global movement for Internet freedom.
We stand for a free and open Internet.
We support transparent and participatory processes for making Internet policy and the establishment of five basic principles:
Expression: Don't censor the Internet.
Access: Promote universal access to fast and affordable networks.
Openness: Keep the Internet an open network where everyone is free to connect, communicate, write, read, watch, speak, listen, learn, create and innovate.
Innovation: Protect the freedom to innovate and create without permission. Don’t block new technologies, and don’t punish innovators for their users' actions.
Privacy: Protect privacy and defend everyone’s ability to control how their data and devices are used.
June 29, 2012
The Supreme Court has upheld the Affordable Care Act, President Obama’s signature bill, clearing the way for the largest revamp of America’s healthcare system since the 1960s. We get reaction from acclaimed filmmaker Michael Moore, whose 2007 documentary, "Sicko," tackled many failures of the U.S. healthcare system. "This really is a huge victory for our side, in spite of all of my concerns with this law," Moore says. "We have to work toward Medicare for all, so that everyone’s covered ... We can’t allow private insurance — people making a profit off of people getting sick." [includes rush transcript]
Michael Moore: Supreme Court Healthcare Ruling a Victory on the Path to Single Payer
http://www.democracynow.org/2012/6/29/michael_moore_supreme_court_healthcare_rulingThe Supreme Court has upheld the Affordable Care Act, President Obama’s signature bill, clearing the way for the largest revamp of America’s healthcare system since the 1960s. We get reaction from acclaimed filmmaker Michael Moore, whose 2007 documentary, "Sicko," tackled many failures of the U.S. healthcare system. "This really is a huge victory for our side, in spite of all of my concerns with this law," Moore says. "We have to work toward Medicare for all, so that everyone’s covered ... We can’t allow private insurance — people making a profit off of people getting sick." [includes rush transcript]
June 25, 2012
June 25, 2012
Amnesty International Responds to Supreme Court’s Decision on Arizona Law on Immigration Enforcement (SB 1070)
Contact: Sharon Singh, [email protected], 202-675-8579, @spksingh
(Washington, D.C.) – Frank Jannuzi, the head of Amnesty International’s Washington office, issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down major provisions of Arizona’s controversial immigration enforcement law, commonly known as SB 1070:
“Amnesty International welcomes the Court’s decision that the ‘right to work’ and possible criminal penalties for not carrying immigration documents provisions of SB 1070 are invalid because they encroach on federal responsibilities on enforcing immigration laws."
“However, we are disappointed that the Court failed to draw a clearer line in the sand against racial profiling. This leaves the door open for continued challenges as ambiguities in implementation still exist.”
Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.
Amnesty International Responds to Supreme Court’s Decision on Arizona Law on Immigration Enforcement
http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/news-item/amnesty-international-responds-to-supreme-court-s-decision-on-arizona-law-on-immigration-enforcementJune 25, 2012
Amnesty International Responds to Supreme Court’s Decision on Arizona Law on Immigration Enforcement (SB 1070)
Contact: Sharon Singh, [email protected], 202-675-8579, @spksingh
(Washington, D.C.) – Frank Jannuzi, the head of Amnesty International’s Washington office, issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down major provisions of Arizona’s controversial immigration enforcement law, commonly known as SB 1070:
“Amnesty International welcomes the Court’s decision that the ‘right to work’ and possible criminal penalties for not carrying immigration documents provisions of SB 1070 are invalid because they encroach on federal responsibilities on enforcing immigration laws."
“However, we are disappointed that the Court failed to draw a clearer line in the sand against racial profiling. This leaves the door open for continued challenges as ambiguities in implementation still exist.”
Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.
June 22, 2012
Wolf removal from endangered species list is official
by: Steve Waters June 14th, 2012 | 7:02 PM
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in March affirmed the constitutionality of Congress’ removal of wolves from the federal endangered species list. The deadline to appeal that decision passed quietly this week with no action from animal rights and anti-hunting groups.
Attorneys representing the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation said that means the case will not advance to the U.S. Supreme Court, and that the litigation has ended in favor of science-based, state-regulated management and control of wolves.
“A lawsuit that began in 2011 in Judge Donald Molloy’s courtroom in Missoula, Mont., following the Congressional delisting is finally over — and conservation has prevailed,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “No appeals paperwork had been filed by end of the day on June 12, so the Ninth Circuit’s decision is absolutely final.”
Allen said RMEF applauds the development because it helps clear the way for continued work to balance wolf populations with other wildlife and human needs.
Attorneys representing RMEF and other conservation groups in the Ninth Circuit hearing had presented oral arguments supporting the Congressional action.
RMEF has pledged to continue to fight wolf lawsuits and support delisting legislation at both federal and state levels.
````
http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Wolf-hunt-opponents-forgo-appeal-to-Supreme-Court-3636597.php
Wolf hunt opponents forgo appeal to Supreme Court
Updated 05:14 a.m., Friday, June 15, 2012
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Wildlife advocates say they decided not to appeal to the Supreme Court to keep wolves on the endangered list in Idaho and Montana after their arguments were rejected in lower court rulings.
Congress ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to take gray wolves off the endangered species list last spring. That triggered lawsuits from wildlife groups and environmentalists who argued state-sponsored hunts could again drive wolves towards extinction.
But after two lower courts sided with the government, the plaintiffs let the 90-day deadline for appeal to the Supreme Court pass this week without action.
Representatives of the groups involved in the case say they did not expect to prevail before the high court.
There were an estimated 1,774 wolves in the Northern Rockies at the end of last year.
Wolf removal from endangered species list is official
http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/outdoors-fishing-boat/2012/06/14/wolf-removal-from-endangered-species-list-is-official/Wolf removal from endangered species list is official
by: Steve Waters June 14th, 2012 | 7:02 PM
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in March affirmed the constitutionality of Congress’ removal of wolves from the federal endangered species list. The deadline to appeal that decision passed quietly this week with no action from animal rights and anti-hunting groups.
Attorneys representing the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation said that means the case will not advance to the U.S. Supreme Court, and that the litigation has ended in favor of science-based, state-regulated management and control of wolves.
“A lawsuit that began in 2011 in Judge Donald Molloy’s courtroom in Missoula, Mont., following the Congressional delisting is finally over — and conservation has prevailed,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “No appeals paperwork had been filed by end of the day on June 12, so the Ninth Circuit’s decision is absolutely final.”
Allen said RMEF applauds the development because it helps clear the way for continued work to balance wolf populations with other wildlife and human needs.
Attorneys representing RMEF and other conservation groups in the Ninth Circuit hearing had presented oral arguments supporting the Congressional action.
RMEF has pledged to continue to fight wolf lawsuits and support delisting legislation at both federal and state levels.
````
http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Wolf-hunt-opponents-forgo-appeal-to-Supreme-Court-3636597.php
Wolf hunt opponents forgo appeal to Supreme Court
Updated 05:14 a.m., Friday, June 15, 2012
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Wildlife advocates say they decided not to appeal to the Supreme Court to keep wolves on the endangered list in Idaho and Montana after their arguments were rejected in lower court rulings.
Congress ordered the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to take gray wolves off the endangered species list last spring. That triggered lawsuits from wildlife groups and environmentalists who argued state-sponsored hunts could again drive wolves towards extinction.
But after two lower courts sided with the government, the plaintiffs let the 90-day deadline for appeal to the Supreme Court pass this week without action.
Representatives of the groups involved in the case say they did not expect to prevail before the high court.
There were an estimated 1,774 wolves in the Northern Rockies at the end of last year.
June 21, 2012
Lawyers for NATO Protesters Charged with Terrorism Obtain Copy of Indictments
By: Kevin Gosztola Wednesday June 20, 2012 12:50
Lawyers representing three individuals who came to Chicago in May to protest at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit and who were indicted just over a week ago on terrorism-related charges have obtained a copy of the indictments.
The lawyers from the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) had expected to see official indictments when the three were formally indicted in court, but prosecutors declined to provide a copy of the indictment to the defense, a decision the judge presiding over the hearing called “a little strange.”
The judge had the power to compel state prosecutors to hand over the indictment to the defense, but did not make such an order. The judge instead made it clear the prosecutors had to provide the indictment to the defense by July 2, when the three are scheduled to be arraigned.
The National Lawyers Guild obtained the indictment from the Clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court. What the indictment shows is the three —Brian Church, 22, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Jared Chase, 27, of Keene, New Hampshire, and Brent Betterly, 24, who lives in Massachusetts—are not just facing charges of material support for terrorism, possession of an incendiary device, and conspiracy to commit terrorism, which were previously known to the lawyers and the public. The three also face charges of “possession of an incendiary device, attempted arson, solicitation to commit arson, conspiracy to commit arson and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon.” That brings the total number of charges the men face to eleven.
..more..
Lawyers for NATO Protesters Charged with Terrorism Obtain Copy of Indictments
http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2012/06/20/lawyers-for-nato-protesters-charged-with-terrorism-obtain-copy-of-indictments/Lawyers for NATO Protesters Charged with Terrorism Obtain Copy of Indictments
By: Kevin Gosztola Wednesday June 20, 2012 12:50
Lawyers representing three individuals who came to Chicago in May to protest at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit and who were indicted just over a week ago on terrorism-related charges have obtained a copy of the indictments.
The lawyers from the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) had expected to see official indictments when the three were formally indicted in court, but prosecutors declined to provide a copy of the indictment to the defense, a decision the judge presiding over the hearing called “a little strange.”
The judge had the power to compel state prosecutors to hand over the indictment to the defense, but did not make such an order. The judge instead made it clear the prosecutors had to provide the indictment to the defense by July 2, when the three are scheduled to be arraigned.
The National Lawyers Guild obtained the indictment from the Clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court. What the indictment shows is the three —Brian Church, 22, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Jared Chase, 27, of Keene, New Hampshire, and Brent Betterly, 24, who lives in Massachusetts—are not just facing charges of material support for terrorism, possession of an incendiary device, and conspiracy to commit terrorism, which were previously known to the lawyers and the public. The three also face charges of “possession of an incendiary device, attempted arson, solicitation to commit arson, conspiracy to commit arson and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon.” That brings the total number of charges the men face to eleven.
..more..
June 12, 2012
Find out where things come from .. fascinating
Find out where things come from.
Sourcemap is the crowdsourced directory of product supply chains and carbon footprints.
http://sourcemap.com/
Profile Information
Gender: MaleCurrent location: NC
Member since: 2003 before July 6th
Number of posts: 40,367
