October 16, 2012

Chris Kluwe sends debate challenge to 10 Minnesota Republicans

http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2012/10/chris_kluwe_sends_debate_invites_to_everyone.phpBy Andy Mannix
Oct. 16 2012

Chris Kluwe just can't find a sparring partner.
A couple weeks ago, the Vikings punter tried to bait Rep. Mary Franson, R-Alexandria, into a debate over her opposition to gay marriage. When Franson didn't bite, Kluwe made a similar offer to ex-Viking Matt Birk, who recently came out against same-sex marriage in an op/ed published by the Star Tribune.
Now, Kluwe has sent out formal debate challenges to 10 Republicans, including Michele Bachmann, Kurt Bills, and Mike Parry. He's he's even set a time and place -- 5 p.m. this Friday at the Brave New Workshop -- and KQRS host Tom Barnard has agreed to moderate. An additional letter went out to Andy Parrish and John Helmberger of Minnesotans for Marriage, the group pushing the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

"I would like to debate any and all politicians who are interested in passing the Minnesota marriage amendment so I can finally get a logical reason why we should discriminate against American citizens," says Kluwe in a statement.

So far, no one has taken up Kluwe on his offer.

Here are the 10 he invited to the debate the Internet so badly wants to happen: Mary Franson, Keith Downey, Kurt Daudt, Mary Kiffmeyer, Steve Drazkowski, Steve Gottwalt, Mike Perry, Kurt Bills, David Hann and Michelle Bachmann.

Ever since laying out his gay marriage views in a colorful letter to Deadspin last month, Kluwe has become the unlikely spokesman for the opposition to the amendment. The punter also appears in ad released this week encouraging Minnesotans to vote no this November.

October 15, 2012

Romney's Legacy of Worker Abandonment

by Gary Cohn

Pulitzer Prize Winning Investigative Journalist


Romney’s Legacy of Worker Abandonment - Asbestos-Sickened Workers Left Gasping for Breath
Bain reneges on benefits, pensions, investigation uncovers human cost.

(PRWEB) October 15, 2012

In early 2012, reports began to surface about Bain Capital’s acquisition and handling of GS Industries, a steel manufacturer operating out Kansas City, MO. Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Gary Cohn, in partnership with the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance (MCA), digs deeper into a truly harrowing story involving Republican Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, Bain Capital and the human casualties of the private equity profit model.

In his vivid and comprehensive report, Cohn outlines how Romney's then-controlled Bain Capital acquired Kansas City based GS Industries, a steel company, promising worried workers that their pensions and health insurance would remain intact, regardless of company's future and status.

In 2001, Bain changed its mind. Pensions were cut. Health coverage for the plants 750 workers, many of whom had begun showing signs of asbestos-related disease from decades of service to the mill, was also no longer their responsibility. They were on their own.

This eye-opening and compelling report outlines how Mitt Romney's Bain Capital systematically dismantled hardworking American lives while toeing the line between morality and profit.


For the full story, including disturbing testimonies of the plant's workers and their families, visit "A Promise Not Kept: Profits Over People".

http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/gary/a-promise-not-kept-profits-over-people.htm

October 15, 2012

From UK press: Mitt Romney's Bain Gain China Syndrome

(WOW this guy is taking no prisoners!!)

http://www.ukprogressive.co.uk/the-monday-line-mitt-romneys-bain-gain-china-syndrome-part-one/article20403.html

The Monday Line: Mitt Romney’s Bain Gain China Syndrome (Part One)

Politics | Denis G Campbell | October 15, 2012 2:00 am

By Denis G. Campbell

Governor Romney campaigning in Ohio attacked President Obama for not going after China’s currency manipulation. He will “fix that on Day 1.” Aside from being cut short by about 19 hours with a noon inauguration and 10 balls, he has a lot to do in the remaining 5 working hours of that day. And he’d be wise to look in the mirror because HIS manipulation of his currency stake in Bain’s Chinese investments, whilst (“running for office for Pete’s sake”) for maximum personal profit give a clear indication of how he would govern the USA for personal gain.

It deserves a very close look prior to the election. But the American people are being bombarded senseless by stupid racist, code word adverts as the Republican Party seems to be ready to do whatever it needs to win and take the US back to the 1950’s, a time when, in their legislative opinion, blacks and women ‘knew their place.’

This week, we’ll look at Mitt Romney’s duplicity on China, He seems to have no problem investing in and moving companies there, but is quick to rile up the base with raw, fact-free red meat on the campaign trail. Just as his cronies on the Hill this week outed a training base for the CIA in hearings for election gain, he will do and say whatever is needed to win.
(much more at link)

October 15, 2012

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin to visit ‘Bainport’ Oct. 16

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin to visit ‘Bainport’ Oct. 16, Al Sharpton to visit Oct. 20
http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/10/15/u-s-sen-dick-durbin-to-visit-%E2%80%98bainport%E2%80%99-oct-16-al-sharpton-to-visit-oct-20/


FREEPORT, Ill. — U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., will visit “Bainport” in Freeport, Ill., at 9:45 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 16.

Bainport is an encampment set up at Stephenson County Fairgrounds, 2250 S. Walnut Road, Freeport, by workers facing outsourcing at the Bain Capital-owned Sensata Technologies plant.

Created in 2006, Sensata develops, manufactures, and sells sensors and controls for major auto manufacturers such as Ford and General Motors.

Workers at the plant have been training their Chinese replacements, who have been flown to Illinois by the company. The final layoffs are expected to be made in November. The plant employs 170.

October 15, 2012

Jim Graves/ Michele Bachmann debates

http://www.sctimes.com/article/20121013/NEWS01/310130037/Bachmann-agrees-three-debates-Graves

12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Oct. 30, River’s Edge Convention Center, sponsored by the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, the city of St. Cloud and Rotary Club of St. Cloud. The event is open to the public, according to Chamber President Teresa Bohnen.

• 11 a.m. to noon, Nov. 1, MPR.

• 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Nov. 4, KSTP-TV’s At Issue


(Even if you are not in the MN 6th, please come and show Jim support on Oct 30th. You know the Chamber of Commerce will have it packed with Republicans.)

October 14, 2012

Sensata drip...drip...drip

http://www.inquisitr.com/362821/sensata-technologies-scandal-could-be-brewing-for-mitt-romney/#9AAKYCR2JbooGAWv.99

October 14, 2012

Sensata Technologies: Scandal Could Be Brewing For Mitt Romney

Sensata Technologies workers have been protesting outside the company’s Illinois plant against a decision to send 170 jobs to China, but the protest could end up as much more than just a local movement.

The auto parts company is controlled by Bain Capital, a company once led by Mitt Romney, and some online publications are starting to link the job outsourcing to the GOP candidate.

The ties between Mitt Romney and Sensata Technologies are not strong. In fact, Romney was gone from Bain Capital by the time the decision was made to send jobs overseas. But as Romney has become more aggressive in calling out President Obama for not taking a harder line with China, especially the country’s accused manipulation of currency, many publications are using Sensata Technologies as an example that Romney himself has a complicated relationship with China. According to The New York Times, Romney still stands to profit off of the Sensata outsourcing:
“In addition, Mr. Romney’s generous retirement agreement ensures that he continues to profit from the deals and decisions that Bain makes. He owns about $8 million worth of Bain funds that hold 51 percent of Sensata’s shares. If Sensata saves money by closing the Freeport plant, that could add money to Mr. Romney’s trust accounts, now or after the election.”

Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/362821/sensata-technologies-scandal-could-be-brewing-for-mitt-romney/#JEcL6x9wDfsB6Lja.99

October 14, 2012

Mitt Romney's Bain/Sensata Funds Hiding in Cayman Islands

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1477294/000119312512061420/d298270dsc13ga.htm

October 13, 2012

Topics for third debate announced

The 5 topics:

The Changing Middle East and the New Face of Terrorism
Our longest war – Afghanistan and Pakistan
Red Lines – Israel and Iran
The Rise of China and Tomorrow’s World
America’s role in the world


http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/13/topics-for-third-debate-announced/comment-page-1/

(CNN) - Topics for the third and final presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney were announced by the moderator and debate commission on Saturday.

Moderator Bob Schieffer of CBS News has selected five topics, though the Commission on Presidential Debates said those topics could change depending on news developments

October 13, 2012

Ted Kennedy had targeted pharmacies involved in meningitis outbreak

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1061167341&srvc=rss

Ted Kennedy targeted pharmacy
But lobbyists killed ’07 bill

Saturday, October 13, 2012

U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy pushed for tighter regulations that may have prevented the nationwide deadly meningitis outbreak tied to a Framingham compounding pharmacy but was stopped cold by a well-financed industry group.

“The reaction of the compounding pharmacy group was to mount a very aggressive lobbying campaign,” said a former Kennedy staffer. “They identified pharmacists in key districts and sent them to lobby members.”

The industry group shunned requests to shape legislation and waged an “unprecedented” campaign to kill the draft bill, the former staffer said.
The late senator’s bipartisan legislation, the Safe Drug Compounding Act of 2007, would have given the federal Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate compounding pharmacies, which are now monitored by states, and to require sterile drug mixing.

Framingham-based New England Compounding Center, which federal officials said is the source of fungus-contaminated steroids that have killed 14 people and sickened 184 in 12 states, was only inspected after complaints, according to officials.

Compounding pharmacy groups opposed the legislation to give the FDA wider authority, according to a 2007 letter the groups sent to Kennedy and two Republican co-sponsors.

“We strongly urge you to reconsider introducing this draft legislation,” stated the letter from the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists and eight other trade organizations.

The academy has spent more than $1 million lobbying lawmakers in the past decade, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
<more>

October 13, 2012

House committee seeks briefing from meningitis-linked pharmacy

.

(The fox will be investigating the hen house. In other words, a Republican led commitee, who have fought against oversight and FDA regulations, bought and paid by lobbyists, will hold a hearing on the deaths of 14 by contaminated drugs by the company owned by Republicans, who have held Republican fundraisers for candidate Scott Brown who VOTED against further regulation in the compound drug industry. This whole story needs an investigative journalist. The company has been implicated in needless deaths since 2004, from contaminated drugs. We need to make the Republicans OWN this tragedy.)