A new day dawnedExactly one year ago tomorrow.His critics see a glass half emptyBarack sees a good beginning.The road ahead is hard and longThe BushMess will not yieldIn a day or month or year.Those of us with BarackShould stop from time to timeFor a bit of fun and to survey the pathHow far to go and how far we have come.The Right may raise their voicesBut that is all they raiseEverything else they lowerHopes, expectations and results.The BushMess is their doingAs much as it was George W.'s.BushMess, BushMess go awayDon't return another day.Wishing will not prevent a repeat.Only hard work and constant vigilanceWill preserve our freedoms and our democracy.
Just follow this link to down load a pdf of the sign: http://www.trivediforcongress.com/window_sign1.pdf
Life is always full of surprises. Two months ago I was informed my husband has Stage 4 Cancer. His life expectancy is between one and six months. My husband worked delivering newspapers at the Ground Zero Area before and after the disaster. Three years ago he had skin cancer removed from his face. Due to No Insurance this went undiagnosed for a long time. The skin cancer appeared almost as soon as he become disabled and stopped working in 2003. My Husband began his career delivering newspapers to the offices in the World Trade Center in 1973, he is also a Veteran.
I have been married to him half of my life. We have raised our three children together. I am so angry over his impending death. I feel so ashamed at myself for believing our Government that the Ground Zero Area was safe for workers to return. I am furious over the lack of Special Services available to former area workers for Ground Zero. He told me the dust was so thick it effected his vision and slowed down. I washed his clothes everyday to get rid of the smell. I encouraged him to return to work and forge a living for us. Now I am helping him to prepare to die. Here is a letter I have emailed to Senator Bob Casey. Whether or not I receive any help is a mystery.
Carolyn Waugh-Tandy
8552 Bumble Bee Way
Tobyhanna, PA 18466
October 23, 2009
Dear Senator Casey:
Three years ago my husband had skin cancer removed from his face. My husband was a worker from the Ground Zero area in New York City. He had always delivered the New York Daily News to the Twin Towers and continued to service the area after the disaster. My husband became disabled in 2003 and stopped working. He was collecting a Veterans Pension for a couple of years before Social Security declared him disabled and awarded him full Social Security Disability Payments. I had contacted you when this Pension was terminated because the Veterans Administration wanted reimbursement of six months of benefits- We paid the $6700 from money awarded through Social Security. My husband was stationed in Germany during 1970-1972 and has an honorable discharge. He is from a family of Veterans: 2 brothers & a Father who served in WWII.
Currently my husband is in Stage 4 preparing to die from cancer. There is no Chemo that will help him. There is no cure since he was diagnosed with this in August 2009. His body is riddled with tumors including giant tumors in his lungs. I still do not know how I will pay his medical bills and afford to give him the Funeral he wants. I am asking for help from your office- 4 yrs ago I attempted to sign up for the Medical watch group in New York for 9-11 workers. I missed the sign up date by one day.
It seems so unfair we were told the air was safe & the workers should return. The dust was so thick my husband couldn’t see thus slowing his delivers. His clothes reeked of foul odor - I washed them every day! I sent off to work - I encouraged him to move forward and provide a living for us. I now must have the courage of my decisions and ask for financial help during this most difficult time.
My husband is Thomas Tandy
Thank You-
Respectfully;
We need your help on Election Day to keep PA Blue!
Download the PA Democratic Statewide Judicial Candidates Voter Guide at this link:
http://www.padems.com/Officials/Candidates/PA_Dems.pdf
Since dialogue and negotiations are working with Iran, then why all those threats of sanctions? Some politicians are trying to look hawkish and tough on Iran and are saying: “If there were no threats of further sanctions, then Iranians would not be willing to compromise?!” To those types of exaggerated comments I would like to reply; that type of attitude is furthest from the truth. If threats could work against Iran, then 8 years of threats and a few sanctions would have worked on Iranians during the previous administration.
However, the only thing that has worked with Iranians is the positive attitude of President Obama as well as his Excellency’s mostly objective and visionary approach to international affairs. So if such a positive approach and vision for CHANGE works, then why ruin a good thing with threats? Just to look tough?! Please DO believe it, friendly is much more effective than tough with Iranians. I would like to reemphasize this previously made point; if tough talk and threats could work, then they would have worked in the past. President Abraham Lincoln: “Believing everybody is dangerous, but believing nobody is more dangerous”
So last night I set out organizing a meeting of local community democrats to sit down and talk about local issues, national issues, the upcoming elections, and how we want to try to organize. So far the response has been minimal. That's ok though! I'm not giving up yet, I promise this much. I am the currently the communications director for the Shippensburg University chapter of College Democrats. This morning I spoke with the president of the group and he let me know we're planning on having a health care rally next week! Very exciting stuff. We'll be meeting this weekend to workout the details and paint some banners. We're going to search for some information to print and make plenty of copies to hand out. I plan to tell the students to e-mail and write their senators and representatives to say we want healthcare reform now! Should be an exciting event.
-Joshua
US national interests go far beyond some network news propaganda games. If the US wanted to promote ties based on human rights, then it would NOT have a single Arab 30% ally in the Persian Gulf region... AND since a country can NOT play by double standards, then the US can not hold Iran to highest standards of human rights and ignore unlimited human rights atrocities and lack of democracy in some other Persian Gulf countries, also known as (A.K.A.) 30% allies.
On the other hand I would strongly recommend that a Certain International News Network would separate its News Division from the Propaganda and Advertising Division. Such a well known international news network should not let an advertiser dictate news policy! Because once a news network sells it sole which is independence and objective journalism, then it is no longer called a news network but a… who sells to the highest bidder.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/09/24/President-Obama-Meets-the-Peacekeepers/
President Obama convened an unprecedented meeting with the leaders of countries who contribute troops and police to peacekeeping operations around the world. On the rare occasions when UN blue helmets have made the news in the past, it has unfortunately too often been in the context of situations where peacekeepers have failed to shield civilians, or even when the peacekeepers themselves have been involved in abuse. But every day more than 113,000 peacekeepers around the world go unrecognized as they put their lives on the line to patrol tense front lines, assist the delivery of humanitarian aid, and protect civilians in harm’s way. In light of his administration's commitment to global burden sharing and to peace and security, President Obama felt that it was important to gather those who have put troops in the line of fire to express his appreciation for their sacrifice, and to solicit their views on how best to strengthen peacekeeping, a vital instrument for U.S. security and global stability.
Shortly after noon today President Obama sat down with Heads of State from Bangladesh, Rwanda, Italy, Pakistan, Ghana, Senegal, Nepal, Uruguay on the challenges faced by peacekeepers in the field. Observers to the gathering of Heads of State included Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice, and Foreign ministers and/or UN permanent representative from other leading contributors, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Jordan, Nigeria. [Prime Minister Singh of India, the second largest troop contributor to UN peacekeeping, sent his sincere regrets, as he was unable to attend the 64th UN General Assembly.] The meeting included lively interventions from each of the assembled heads of state. A few highlights: President Obama thanked President Kagame of Rwanda for the fine service of his forces in Darfur, and the Rwandan President expressed the hope that the United States and other UN member states would help reenergize political processes so that peacekeepers would in fact have "a peace to keep." President Zadari of Pakistan, the UN's leading troop contributor (with more than 10,000 soldiers active around the world) expressed tremendous pride in his country's forces and emphasized the salutary effect of UN missions of so many nationalities mingling in service of a common cause. Prime Minister Nepal of Nepal – a country active in peacekeeping for more than five decades -- stressed the peacekeepers' need for greater logistic support, and greater clarity in Security Council mandates. [He also said he had brought President Obama the gift of a large Gurkha knife, to symbolize Nepal’s commitment to peace – a knife that the U.S. secret service could not allow him to deliver!] And President Vasquez of Uruguay declared peacekeeping a bargain investments, as its benefits to all countries dramatically outweigh its financial costs. He also said that President Obama’s attention to the issue "had not gone unnoticed" around the world. President Obama, who listened and took notes during much of the meeting, concluded by summarizing what he took to be the key message from the troop contributing countries represented: UN member states needed to work together to: ensure that the resources provided to peacekeepers are sufficient to enable them to carry out the mandates given to them; improve and expand the training, equipping, and transporting of peacekeepers; invest in prevention and conflict resolution so that peacekeeping is not simply what he called a "band-aid for where there is insufficient diplomatic attention;" support, listen to, and, above all, protect local populations. The President pledged to those gathered that his administration "would follow up on a bilateral as well as a multilateral basis so that you receive the support, respect, and thanks that you deserve." Samantha Power is the Senior Director for Mulilateral Affairs.
A simple resolution to recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives was halted by Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, a Republican representing Butler. Why? Because, he said, “It has a homosexual agenda.”
On the same day, also on the House floor, he made matters worse. The House was about to vote on increasing marriage license fees from $3 to $28, with the increased amount going to a fund for victims of domestic abuse. Metcalfe opposed the measure, calling the funding a domestic violence programs “a slap in the face to family values.”2 The bill passed despite his outrageous claim.
More information at this link:
http://keystoneprogress.blogspot.com/2009/09/rep-metcalfe-domestic-violence-family.html
Metcalfe information:
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/house_bio.cfm?id=13
While reflecting on the tragic events of September 11, 2001, I couldn't help but miss the "We're All Americans" spirit. There's a noticeable void, where once was a sense of unity and pride. Hence, I have made a a cognizant decision to rethink my support for various organizations, causes and charities.
I have sent notice, to many charities, of my decision to discontinue any further support. If people elect to act like "animals", then that's exactly how I'll view and treat them. After some forty years of monthly support for such organizations as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the American Red Cross, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and various local churches and charities, (just to mention a few that I've been extremely loyal to) each has been notified of my decision and all automatic monthly contributions have been discontinued immediately.
When we can once again come together as "Americans", as a respectful society, then and only then will I reconsider my position.
Regretfully,
Peter
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/The-Presidents-Remarks-and-a-Letter-from-Ted/
"I suffer no illusions that this will be an easy process. It will be hard. But I also know that nearly a century after Teddy Roosevelt first called for reform, the cost of our health care has weighed down our economy and the conscience of our nation long enough. So let there be no doubt: health care reform cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another year."
– President Barack Obama, February 24, 2009
President Obama spoke to a special joint session of Congress and the American people to outline his plan for health insurance reform. The core of his plan: provide more security and stability for people who have insurance, provide quality, affordable care to those who don’t, and rein in skyrocketing costs that are crushing American families, businesses and the government itself.
If You Have Health Insurance More Stability and Security Ends discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions. Limits premium discrimination based on gender and age. Prevents insurance companies from dropping coverage when people are sick and need it most. Caps out-of-pocket expenses so people don’t go broke when they get sick. Eliminates extra charges for preventive care like mammograms, flu shots and diabetes tests to improve health and save money. Protects Medicare for seniors. Eliminates the "donut-hole" gap in coverage for prescription drugs. If You Don't Have Insurance Quality, Affordable Choices for All Americans Creates a new insurance marketplace – the Exchange – that allows people without insurance and small businesses to compare plans and buy insurance at competitive prices. Provides new tax credits to help people buy insurance. Provides small businesses tax credits and affordable options for covering employees. Offers a public health insurance option to provide the uninsured and those who can’t find affordable coverage with a real choice. Immediately offers new, low-cost coverage through a national "high risk" pool to protect people with preexisting conditions from financial ruin until the new Exchange is created. For All Americans Reins In the Cost of Health Care for Our Families, Our Businesses, and Our Government Won’t add a dime to the deficit and is paid for upfront. Requires additional cuts if savings are not realized. Implements a number of delivery system reforms that begin to rein in health care costs and align incentives for hospitals, physicians, and others to improve quality. Creates an independent commission of doctors and medical experts to identify waste, fraud and abuse in the health care system. Orders immediate medical malpractice reform projects that could help doctors focus on putting their patients first, not on practicing defensive medicine. Requires large employers to cover their employees and individuals who can afford it to buy insurance so everyone shares in the responsibility of reform.
What price efficiency? How much is efficiency in financial markets worth? How much is it worth to you or to me? The hedge fund owner/manager who clears $billion in a single year, $500,000 per hour, thinks he/she is worth the price. If we put the job out for bids, I am sure that someone would volunteer to do it for $500,000 per day and then someone else would offer to do it for $500,000 per week and then another for $500,000 per month and finally $500,000 per year. I don't care if the financial markets are super efficient or not. I might be willing to pay $500,000 per year or I might not.
The standard argument heard from Wall Street is that huge salaries and bonuses are necessary to keep the talented from joining competitive firms. So what? If the talented were not profitable to an individual firm, it would not matter who they worked for.
Then there is the other false argument thrown out by those who support the present tax structure, that the US has a high rate of taxation. That may be true on paper but it does not reflect the real world of tax loopholes and tax havens. If the hedge fund owner/manager really believes this, let him/her take his firm elsewhere and start paying taxes in a foreign country with a lower tax rate that lacks the tax loopholes that exist here in the US.
The numbers describing the US economy are huge, in the $trillions, but that is not an infinite number. If some pay themselves and friends in the $billions, that leaves less to be divided among the rest of us. How much is enough and how much is too much? We can read about how much is more than enough when we read about Wall Street's greed.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/09/11/A_Legacy_That_Still_Shines_Brightly/
Today marks the eight anniversary of the tragedies of September 11. In a proclamation recognizing the anniversary, the President honored those who lost their lives on that day:
Through the twisted steel of the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the scarred walls of the Pentagon, and the smoky wreckage in a field in southwest Pennsylvania, the patriotism and resiliency of the American people shone brightly on September 11, 2001. We stood as one people, united in our common humility and shared sorrow. We grieved for those who perished and remembered what brought us together as Americans.Today, we honor the lives we lost eight years ago. On a bright September day, innocent men, women, and children boarded planes and set off for work as they had so many times before. Unthinkable acts of terrorism brought tragedy, destruction, pain, and loss for people across our Nation and the world.As we pay tribute to loved ones, friends, fellow citizen, and all who died, we reaffirm our commitment to the ideas and ideals that united Americans in the aftermath of the attacks. We must apprehend all those who perpetrated these heinous crimes, seek justice for those who were killed, and defend against all threats to our national security. We must also recommit ourselves to our founding principles. September 11 reminds us that our fate as individuals is tied to that of our Nation. Our democracy is strengthened when we uphold the freedoms upon which or Nation was build: equality, justice, liberty, and democracy. These values exemplify the patriotism and sacrifice we commemorate today.
Service and Remembrance
Posted by Dr. Jill Biden
I wanted to share some news with you that the First Lady and I are pleased to announce on this National Day of Service and Remembrance.As some of you may know, Michelle and I have been working together to find ways that we can support our military families. We have been meeting with Generals and their spouses, visiting bases, meeting with community and service groups to learn about what they are doing, what is working and how Americans can help. As the mother of a National Guardsman who is serving in Iraq, this is personal for me. I share the concerns, the anxieties, and the pride that come with being a member of a military family.When our troops are deployed, their families are left behind with a completely different set of duties, and I have seen first-hand what a difference it makes when people reach out to show support, whether in school, in the neighborhood, or in the workplace. That’s why Michelle and I are both happy to announce today that we have recorded a public service announcement which will hopefully encourage as many people as possible to join us in taking time to honor those who sacrifice for our nation. We each have the power to make a difference in the lives of service members and their families. Please join us in this effort with your own act of service.
-Jill
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Service-and-Remembrance/
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary _______________________________________________________________________________________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2009
Below is the text of the letter from Senator Edward M. Kennedy referenced by the President in tonight's address to a Joint Session of Congress.
May 12, 2009
Dear Mr. President,
I wanted to write a few final words to you to express my gratitude for your repeated personal kindnesses to me - and one last time, to salute your leadership in giving our country back its future and its truth. On a personal level, you and Michelle reached out to Vicki, to our family and me in so many different ways. You helped to make these difficult months a happy time in my life. You also made it a time of hope for me and for our country.
When I thought of all the years, all the battles, and all the memories of my long public life, I felt confident in these closing days that while I will not be there when it happens, you will be the President who at long last signs into law the health care reform that is the great unfinished business of our society.
For me, this cause stretched across decades; it has been disappointed, but never finally defeated. It was the cause of my life. And in the past year, the prospect of victory sustained me-and the work of achieving it summoned my energy and determination. There will be struggles - there always have been - and they are already underway again.
But as we moved forward in these months, I learned that you will not yield to calls to retreat - that you will stay with the cause until it is won. I saw your conviction that the time is now and witnessed your unwavering commitment and understanding that health care is a decisive issue for our future prosperity. But you have also reminded all of us that it concerns more than material things; that what we face is above all a moral issue; that at stake are not just the details of policy, but fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our country.
And so because of your vision and resolve, I came to believe that soon, very soon, affordable health coverage will be available to all, in an America where the state of a family's health will never again depend on the amount of a family's wealth. And while I will not see the victory, I was able to look forward and know that we will - yes, we will - fulfill the promise of health care in America as a right and not a privilege.
In closing, let me say again how proud I was to be part of your campaign- and proud as well to play a part in the early months of a new era of high purpose and achievement. I entered public life with a young President who inspired a generation and the world. It gives me great hope that as I leave, another young President inspires another generation and once more on America's behalf inspires the entire world.
So, I wrote this to thank you one last time as a friend- and to stand with you one last time for change and the America we can become. At the Denver Convention where you were nominated, I said the dream lives on. And I finished this letter with unshakable faith that the dream will be fulfilled for this generation, and preserved and enlarged for generations to come.
With deep respect and abiding affection,
Ted
