"Feeling your Presence"

This post is from Rosemarie Sanchez and has nothing to do with the Democratic Party but something we believed to be just that a "magnificent" piece of video. . . Hope you enjoy the scenic presentations . . .

http://www.andiesisle.com/creation/magnificent.html

Kucinich Statement on the Announcment to Bring our Troops Home from Iraq

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Press Release




October 21, 2011
For Immediate Release
Nathan.White@mail.house.gov
(202)225-5871
Kucinich Statement on the Announcement to Bring Our Troops Home from Iraq
Washington D.C. (October 21, 2011) – Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today released the following statement after the President announced that the United States will bring home our troops stationed in Iraq.
“As one of the first Members of Congress to oppose the war in Iraq, I welcome the President’s announcement that he will withdraw all U.S. troops from Iraq at the end of the year. The U.S. has spent over $806 billion on a war that was based on lies. The war in Iraq has cost the lives of over 4,421 U.S. troops and an estimated 1 million innocent Iraqis.
“Yet today’s announcement fails to acknowledge that we will simply be replacing one U.S. occupation with another. Under the State Department’s current plans to take the place of the Department of Defense as the main U.S. force in Iraq post-military withdrawal, we are still maintaining a massive presence there, now with the State Department and its heavily armed private security contractors. And it is the presence of armed U.S. contractors that is the problem. It will continue to foment instability and violence in Iraq and the region. We need to get out now, not just trade uniforms and personnel. It is reasonable to ask whether the people of Iraq will notice any change.
“We are also guaranteed to continue to see billions of dollars go unaccounted for. According to the Commission on Wartime Contracting, Congress will need to dedicate even more resources to support State’s increased contracting and personnel costs. At the same time, the Commission warns that the U.S. has already lost between $31-60 billion in Iraq and Afghanistan. At an absolute minimum, Congress must heed the warnings of the Commission and implement significant reforms to the U.S. government’s acquisition process to ensure proper oversight of U.S.-taxpayer dollars and the 8,000 – 17,000 private security and service contractors that will be operating in Iraq.”
###

Ellen Brown and Alan Jackson

Good Morning,

Well Ellen Brown is "in the house" and back from her "Asian trip and lecturing":

Hi here is my latest article, posted on Asia Times –

"QE4 - forgive the students"
http://atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/MJ21Dj01.html

Best wishes,
Ellen Brown
http://webofdebt.com
http://publicbankinginstitute.org
http://Telaranadedeuda.com

We are happy to hear you are back. Saw you at the Alan Jackson introductory campaign.
This is definitely a campaign to watch for 2012 . . . Comments always welcomed . . . Minerva

"CONSUMING KIDS"

Brand loyalty for life is a matter of getting children to recognize from cradle to grave and turn them into life long consumers. But have we taken the time to understand the long range effect on our children's self esteem and understanding of who they are?

With their leniency with the Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act, ipods, cell phones, computer games, DVD's, text messaging, lunch boxes, back packs, dress appliques, discount coupons, comic books, media literature band items, school walls, school busses, soft drinks, field trip classes, zoos, bathroom mats, towels, pillowcases, sleeping bags, hats, shirts, tee-shirts, bus radio, skateboards, DVD's in cars (to calm them down), Channel One in classes, chat lines, web kids and games sites, advanced academic research projects (in the classrooms), preliminary advertising before movies, magazines, television commercials, focus groups, ethnographic research (filming children as they are eating breakfast, in the grocery stores, wathcing children experience health and beauty products), talking to their friends, friendship circles, classrooms products, Girls Intelligence Agency/"slumber products in a box", other children, friends, and going to the mall exploded the gallant in advertising to children.

My friend forwarded this little nugget on how marketers try to make parents absolutely miserable when children can not have what they need:

"Consuming Kids throws desperately needed light on the practices of a relentless multi-billion dollar marketing machine that now sells kids and their parents everything from junk food and violent video games to bogus educational products and the family car.

PG-13 or R has a whole line of toys for elementary school children, what is wrong with this?

Drawing on the insights of health care professionals, children’s advocates, and industry insiders, the film focuses on the explosive growth of child marketing in the wake of deregulation up to 30% a year or $40 billion dollar a year. Youth marketers have used the latest advances in psychology, anthropology, and neuroscience with "high test blinking tests" to transform American children into one of the most powerful and profitable consumer demographics in the world."

IS THIS BECAUSE OF THE INTERVENTION OF BIG GOVERNMENT?

OR IS THIS ETHICALLY SOCIALIZING AND MOBILIZING CHILDREN into accept brand name items or none at all?

"Some behavioral scientists argue that anti-social behavior in the event of getting to the product" is really desireable and adds to the increase of symbolic advertising. Symbolic advertising leads to social "coolness". And socialized "coolness" define who you are, is what you wear, what you own, and what you require leading to values.

brands can not make us happy but this is the message that is being conveyed.

Self indulgence and self gratification becomes "me", "me now" and "me and these things".

This is a deservice to children. Because children mistake the items for whom you are.

Early 50's the child wanted to be like their mother and father or other role models.

Early 70's the children were beginning to change regarding their psyche and growing up fast with desires to be older than they were. By the late 80's children started answering the question with "being rich, having a lot of stuff " and being mature faster.

Children 10 and 12 years old are reading Seventeen Magazine.
Belly shirts are seen as "being like" Brittany Spears.

Boys emerged into destruction, shooting, images of power, domination, and virtual reality games. Children learn fighting is needed to resolve differences and watching violence is fun and entertaining!?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL2BE2F38D58B82410&feature=player_embedded&v=kKHwZPwI-WQ#!

Now we may have to start seeing this as rights for children to grow up. Parents, Grandparents and guardians must learn to raise their children appropriately instead of selling products and services.

Life should be about human relationships and how we identify our caring for one another . . . wonder why corporations are picking on children to buy their products?

Your comments welcomed . . .

PUTTING THEIR MONEY WHERE THERE MOUTH'S ARE . . .

FROM Matthew Barzun
National Finance Chair
Obama for America

October 18, 2011 3:38PM . . . .
Friend --If you've been able to sit through any of the Republican presidential debates so far, I commend you for your patience and commitment to the President.With all the talk about "class warfare," "Obamacare," "9-9-9," and how Social Security is a "Ponzi scheme," the Republican candidates have tended to leave very little time to discuss constructive solutions to the actual challenges facing our country.Well, there's another Republican debate tonight in Las Vegas. And if we can't convince the candidates to talk about jobs or how to provide economic security for the middle class, we can hold them accountable for what they choose to talk about instead.The campaign has put together a debate watch game to make sure there's a real cost to all the attacks and nonsense. Here's how it works: You pick a word or phrase from the list below to sponsor, and pledge to give $3 or $5 (or however much you'd like) for each mention. So tonight, as the Republican candidates prattle on about defunding Social Security, ending Medicare as we know it, and everything else they support, they will literally be building this campaign.Check it out, and get your guesses in now before the debate starts at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.Don't worry, you can set a cap on how much you want to give, in case someone (not saying who) says "9-9-9" two dozen times. -- Class warfare -- Repeal -- Obamacare -- Fence -- (De)regulation -- Amnesty -- Socialism -- Romneycare -- 9-9-9We have to assume that the Republicans in this race are sincere about wanting to be President. But when so much of the discussion is about rolling back protections put in place by the Affordable Care Act and Wall Street reform, and instituting a tax plan that would mean middle-class families pay thousands more every year, we can question how sincere they are about helping to solve the very real problems millions of people confront every day.Americans deserve a leader who takes the job seriously.So I'm looking forward to seeing what you think they'll say this time. We should have some fun with this -- it's Vegas, after all.But we're not just doing this for our own entertainment. We're building a campaign that can withstand a barrage of special-interest funded attacks from the other side, and make sure President Obama can continue the important work we have left to do.Any donation you end up making tonight will be put to work right away to that end.So what do you think? Class warfare? Socialism?Make your best guesses here:www.gopdebatewatch.comThanks for playing,
Friend --If you've been able to sit through any of the Republican presidential debates so far, I commend you for your patience and commitment to the President.With all the talk about "class warfare," "Obamacare," "9-9-9," and how Social Security is a "Ponzi scheme," the Republican candidates have tended to leave very little time to discuss constructive solutions to the actual challenges facing our country.Well, there's another Republican debate tonight in Las Vegas. And if we can't convince the candidates to talk about jobs or how to provide economic security for the middle class, we can hold them accountable for what they choose to talk about instead.The campaign has put together a debate watch game to make sure there's a real cost to all the attacks and nonsense. Here's how it works: You pick a word or phrase from the list below to sponsor, and pledge to give $3 or $5 (or however much you'd like) for each mention. So tonight, as the Republican candidates prattle on about defunding Social Security, ending Medicare as we know it, and everything else they support, they will literally be building this campaign.Check it out, and get your guesses in now before the debate starts at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.Don't worry, you can set a cap on how much you want to give, in case someone (not saying who) says "9-9-9" two dozen times. -- Class warfare -- Repeal -- Obamacare -- Fence -- (De)regulation -- Amnesty -- Socialism -- Romneycare -- 9-9-9We have to assume that the Republicans in this race are sincere about wanting to be President. But when so much of the discussion is about rolling back protections put in place by the Affordable Care Act and Wall Street reform, and instituting a tax plan that would mean middle-class families pay thousands more every year, we can question how sincere they are about helping to solve the very real problems millions of people confront every day.Americans deserve a leader who takes the job seriously.So I'm looking forward to seeing what you think they'll say this time. We should have some fun with this -- it's Vegas, after all.But we're not just doing this for our own entertainment. We're building a campaign that can withstand a barrage of special-interest funded attacks from the other side, and make sure President Obama can continue the important work we have left to do.Any donation you end up making tonight will be put to work right away to that end.So what do you think? Class warfare? Socialism?Make your best guesses here:www.gopdebatewatch.comThanks for playing,MatthewMatthew BarzunNational Finance ChairObama for America
Contributions or gifts to Obama for America are not tax deductible.
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The Employment Bill

FROM JIM MESSINA:

Friend --
Last night, the American Jobs Act was filibustered by Senate Republicans. There was no vote on the actual bill.
But it would have succeeded: the American Jobs Act has at least 51 votes -- a clear majority -- to pass the Senate. And a new poll shows that 63 percent of Americans support it, too.
Today the President recorded a message he wants you to see, laying out where we go from here in the fight for jobs.


http://my.barackobama.com/page/share/president-on-jobs?source=20111012_jm_act&utm_medium=email&utm_source=obama&utm_campaign=20111012_jm_act

The Republicans who voted yesterday to block this bill weren't thinking about middle-class families. In fact, at last night's GOP debate, one of their leading candidates actually refused to say he'd extend a payroll tax cut that puts more than $1,000 in the pockets of everyday working Americans.

They might believe it's in their political interest to oppose whatever the President proposes for the next 13 months, but we know that when it comes to jobs and restoring economic security, Americans can't afford to wait.

The American Jobs Act would get to work now, providing incentives for businesses to hire unemployed veterans, helping hire tens of thousands of teachers, cops, and firefighters, and rebuilding and modernizing our schools, railways, bridges, and airports. Even though it's fully paid for and made up of proposals both parties have supported, Republicans yesterday said no.

Now the President wants you to hear directly from him about what's next.

Watch the video -- and make sure your friends do, too:

http://my.barackobama.com/President-on-Jobs

Thanks, Messina

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
I was penned with the pink ribbon in Macy's last Thursday.

If you have every had a family member or friend suffering from breast cancer you know how important it is to assist someone and being there for an individual who is told that they will loose a breast, loose their hair, loose their self esteem,and be mentally challenged with serious contemplation in the will to live.

Yes, it is an ugly wake up call if you take life for granted.
It is also "a true friend tester" when you get the news from a family member or a friend.

This is the advocacy site, which sends updates and news releases on the truth of what breast cancer is and preventative measures:

http://www.breastcancerdeadline2020.org/know/31-truths-2011/email-signup-ty.html

Here is the progress report, which gives you information on how we are progressing in ending the disease with a noble goal of 2020 . . .

http://www.breastcancerdeadline2020.org/2020/progress-reports.html

But the reality is in 2011 alone, "39,840 women and 390 men
will die of breast cancer. While a slight decrease in mortality is an accomplishment, it is far from success". The disease on an average is diagnosed at age 61. The rate is decreasing in white women. It is still very high for urban women and women of color.

Look to our calendar of events for "Breast Cancer Awareness" activities, discussion groups, physical running and walking races in the Los Angeles County region designed to raise funds, awareness, and to build sisterhood networks on breast cancer.

And at your earliest convenience get a mammography exam, become aware of those foods we gorge on that increase cancerous tissues, wear and make your own pink ribbons, learn as much as you can, write a check to a breast foundation, be there for a friend or family member who needs support while going through chemotherapy or other wranglings with cancer. Read a white paper on the features and facts of breast cancer. Volunteer at your local hospital or out clinic and inform others on what you learn. If you have long hair contribute it to a service that makes wigs for patients who loose their hair during treatment, do so and challenge your other acquaintances to do the same. Familiarize yourself with The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (Komen), The American Cancer Society (ACS), the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) to name a few.

Bottomline, do something . . . Peace out, Minerva

Affordable Care Act known as Obamacare

Healthcare Reform is one of the topics that have been vollied back and forth by both parties. The accusations on what is in place and what is being proposed are worlds apart from what is "REALLY" going on . . .

We encourage you to read the following information directly from the White House on what the Affordable Care Act involves. It is not just "Obamacare", it is People Care and the care we need to keep our nation progressing requires a healthy nation able to take care of its young and its elder populations. We still believe the mark of a nation is how it caters, cares, and communicates to the entire population.

Comments are welcomed as always . . .

Get the Facts Straight on Health Reform
There's a lot of misinformation out there. For too long, too many hard working Americans paid the price for policies that handed free rein to insurance companies. President Obama’s health reform law gives hard working families the security they deserve. The Affordable Care Act holds insurance companies accountable, lowers health care costs, gives Americans more freedom and control in their health care choices and improves the quality of care. Here are some of the myths that the White House provides:

l.) Healthcare reform will not use your tax dollars to pay for abortions.
2.) Healthcare reform will not be taken over by the government. The insurance companies are in partnership to strengthen laws, create exchanges, and to assist employees and employers to receiving tax credits to help the insured.
3.) Companies will stop offering healthcare insurance. Companies do offer healthcare to attract talent, however many companies are hiring more individuals as contractors to also diminish paying insurance, even insurance companies are doing this. However healthcare insurance discounts are being offered if employers work for certain companies as an incentive.
4.) "The individual responsibility provision also enables us to finally ban discrimination against individuals with pre-existing conditions. Without the individual responsibility provision, people could wait until they’re sick or injured to apply for coverage since insurance companies could no longer say no or charge more. That would lead to double digit premiums increases – up to 20% – for everyone in the individual insurance market".
5.) For more details and statistical backup, please see the following link:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform/myths-and-facts#healthcare-menu

This Week at the White House

Updating what is happening at the White House . . .

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/10/07/west-wing-week-why-white-house-pink?utm_source=100711&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=daily

Cornell West and Tavis Smiley and The Poverty Tour

Speaking truth to power and speaking the truth to the powerless!

Professor Cornell West and Radio and Television personality Tavis Smiley and the Poverty Tour discuss the challenge of President Obama's not addressing the dignity of poor and working people. Is it a declaration of war? Please review the following video. War is the enemy of the Poor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQJu7ldorbg&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL7AE9F5230AF208D9

LIBRARY BILL IS SIGNED . . .

October 8, 2011

Wonderful news from Favel Jens:

Thank you for all of your help...emails, phone calls, letters, speaking at meetings, collecting petitions.... YOU DID IT!

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California released the following statement from Cindy Singer, Community Library Manager for LA County Public Library System, upon the Governor's signature on AB 438 [Williams]:

"Librarians and library patrons applaud Gov. Brown for signing AB 438 to protect the public and taxpayers as communities consider library privatization.
"Financial pressures created by a stubborn recession have created an opening for corporations to persuade cash-strapped cities to privatize essential public services such as libraries. AB 438 makes sure these companies deliver on their promises to save money without compromising services. That's the least we should expect from a corporation taking over a public service.

"Throughout this recession, libraries have been the places families could turn to for help with everything from applying for jobs, to learning new skills, using the internet, or getting help in school. When times are tough, public institutions such as libraries prove their worth more than ever.

"Thank you, Governor Brown, for putting taxpayers and the public ahead of the profits of privately held corporations."
---end----
-/-/-/-

The Job Bill

Obama pushes his $447 billion jobs plan again
President Obama held a news conference on Thursday to again urge Congress to pass his jobs bill. This is President Obama's first news conference since July. (Oct. 6) (/CBS News)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/class-warfare-gop-style/2011/09/18/gIQAy0OfdK_video.html

Please check out our local listings . . .
http://www.scvyoungdems.org/jobs.htm

Travel during the holiday season?

For friends making travel plans. I ran into this little number I thought you would want to know and ponder . . .

http://away.com/top-ten-travel/away.com/features/travel-ta-top-ten-secrets-of-airline-travel-from-the-pilots-themselves-sidwcmdev_154874.html?page=2