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Segami
Segami's Journal
Segami's Journal
October 19, 2012
This thug needs to be charged.
Rep. Walsh speaking at a campaign event in Bloomingdale, IL on Saturday 10/13/12 told business owners in the audience to threaten their employees jobs and health insurance to get them to vote Republican.
Walsh to Employers: THREATEN Your Employees Jobs, Health Insurance to GET THEIR VOTE!
This thug needs to be charged.
Rep. Walsh speaking at a campaign event in Bloomingdale, IL on Saturday 10/13/12 told business owners in the audience to threaten their employees jobs and health insurance to get them to vote Republican.
October 18, 2012
The Canadian government said recently that former TransCanada engineer Evan Vokes was right to raise alarms about inspectors not being trained well enough to spot shoddy work that’s not up to code. Speaking to CBC News, Vokes said he was fired after repeatedly raising concerns that some of the company’s welders were taking shortcuts that could lead to future accidents. He claims to have alerted all levels of company management about the problem before filing a report with Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB).
That board admonished TransCanada last week for lax pipeline inspection policies, sending an open letter warning that future lapses will not be tolerated. The letter explained that an investigation was launched after an employee reported the noncompliance in May. TransCanada, the company behind the ambitious Keystone XL project that would send Canada’s tar sands to oil refineries in Houston, Texas, saw an application for the northern leg of the pipeline denied by the Obama administration after environmental impact studies were not completed before a deadline imposed by Republicans in Congress.
The State Department invited TransCanada to apply again, and said the company was free to move ahead with the pipeline’s southern leg. Despite government approval, construction of the pipeline in Texas has faced growing opposition by local land owners and environmental activists, some of whom have taken up residence in trees and forcing crews to work around them.
Whistleblower forced investigation of TransCanada pipeline
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/10/16/transcanada-whistleblower-neb.html
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/10/18/former-transcanada-engineer-warns-of-widespread-safety-violations/
Former TRANSCANADA Engineer WARNS Of Widespread Safety Violations
The Canadian government said recently that former TransCanada engineer Evan Vokes was right to raise alarms about inspectors not being trained well enough to spot shoddy work that’s not up to code. Speaking to CBC News, Vokes said he was fired after repeatedly raising concerns that some of the company’s welders were taking shortcuts that could lead to future accidents. He claims to have alerted all levels of company management about the problem before filing a report with Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB).
That board admonished TransCanada last week for lax pipeline inspection policies, sending an open letter warning that future lapses will not be tolerated. The letter explained that an investigation was launched after an employee reported the noncompliance in May. TransCanada, the company behind the ambitious Keystone XL project that would send Canada’s tar sands to oil refineries in Houston, Texas, saw an application for the northern leg of the pipeline denied by the Obama administration after environmental impact studies were not completed before a deadline imposed by Republicans in Congress.
The State Department invited TransCanada to apply again, and said the company was free to move ahead with the pipeline’s southern leg. Despite government approval, construction of the pipeline in Texas has faced growing opposition by local land owners and environmental activists, some of whom have taken up residence in trees and forcing crews to work around them.
Whistleblower forced investigation of TransCanada pipeline
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/10/16/transcanada-whistleblower-neb.html
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/10/18/former-transcanada-engineer-warns-of-widespread-safety-violations/
October 18, 2012
Bill Clinton in Parma, Ohio
Bill Clinton: Obama's PLAN Is Working, Don't Go Back To Bush
Bill Clinton in Parma, Ohio
October 18, 2012
Rep. Peter King (R-NY) managed to contradict two right-wing attacks on President Obama’s handling of last month’s assault in Libya within less than two minutes.
The major Republican talking points are that the Obama administration waited 14 days to refer to the attack in Benghazi as terrorism and that the President did not specifically describe the attack in Benghazi in his Sept. 12 address in the Rose Garden.
On CNN last night, King both stuck with those talking points and undermined them. The New York Republican acknowledged that Obama referred to the Benghazi attack as “an act of terror” on Sept. 12. But now, King is incensed that Obama waited 4 minutes to say it (thus, a significant step back from the previous 14 days GOP talking point). King then said the whole thing doesn’t matter anyway because he wouldn’t “expect” Obama to have a totally informed assessment of the incident as soon as Sept. 12, the day after the assault:
KING: I’m going to use my words very carefully. I think the president’s conduct and his behavior on this issue has been shameful. And — first of all, as far as it being an act of terror, the president was almost four minutes into his statement on September 12th before he mentioned an act of terror. It followed a paragraph in which he was talking after September 11th.
When he — earlier in his statement, when he was talking about the attack in Benghazi, he didn’t say anything about terrorism at all — nothing about an act of terror. It wasn’t until he was well into the remarks and anyone looking at it will be confuse, is he talking about Benghazi or is he talking about September 11th or all acts of terror?
And I don’t expect the president to be able to say on September 12th, this was definitely a terrorist attack. But to deny the fact, to ignore the fact that al Qaeda affiliates from that region, there had been terrorist attacks before, to me, this was politics at its worst, because you’re talking about the loss of American life.
http://thinkprogress.org/security/2012/10/18/1040521/peter-king-obama-libya-4-minutes/
GOP MEATHEAD Peter King UPSET Obama ‘WAITED 4 MINUTES’ To Call Libya Attack An ‘Act Of Terror’
Rep. Peter King (R-NY) managed to contradict two right-wing attacks on President Obama’s handling of last month’s assault in Libya within less than two minutes.
The major Republican talking points are that the Obama administration waited 14 days to refer to the attack in Benghazi as terrorism and that the President did not specifically describe the attack in Benghazi in his Sept. 12 address in the Rose Garden.
On CNN last night, King both stuck with those talking points and undermined them. The New York Republican acknowledged that Obama referred to the Benghazi attack as “an act of terror” on Sept. 12. But now, King is incensed that Obama waited 4 minutes to say it (thus, a significant step back from the previous 14 days GOP talking point). King then said the whole thing doesn’t matter anyway because he wouldn’t “expect” Obama to have a totally informed assessment of the incident as soon as Sept. 12, the day after the assault:
KING: I’m going to use my words very carefully. I think the president’s conduct and his behavior on this issue has been shameful. And — first of all, as far as it being an act of terror, the president was almost four minutes into his statement on September 12th before he mentioned an act of terror. It followed a paragraph in which he was talking after September 11th.
When he — earlier in his statement, when he was talking about the attack in Benghazi, he didn’t say anything about terrorism at all — nothing about an act of terror. It wasn’t until he was well into the remarks and anyone looking at it will be confuse, is he talking about Benghazi or is he talking about September 11th or all acts of terror?
And I don’t expect the president to be able to say on September 12th, this was definitely a terrorist attack. But to deny the fact, to ignore the fact that al Qaeda affiliates from that region, there had been terrorist attacks before, to me, this was politics at its worst, because you’re talking about the loss of American life.
http://thinkprogress.org/security/2012/10/18/1040521/peter-king-obama-libya-4-minutes/
October 18, 2012
The Associated Press is reporting that the U.S. housing starts have jumped to their highest level since July 2008.
http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20121017/US.Housing.Starts/
According to Commerce Department figures released on Wednesday, home construction was up 15 percent in September with a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 872,000. The construction of single family homes was up by 11 percent, the fastest pace in four years, and there was a jump of 25.1 percent in the construction of apartment buildings. Additionally, applications for new construction, a harbinger of things to come, was up almost 12 percent to an annual rate of 894,000, making it the fastest pace in the past four years as well. Over the past 12 months, construction has increased by more than 38 percent.
Dan Greenhaus, chief global strategist at BTIG, a corporation specializing in global trading and fund services for hedge funds, mutual finds, separate accounts and family offices, said, “If there was any doubt that the housing market was undergoing a recovery, even a modest one in the face of the terrible 2008 decline, those doubts should be erased by now.” The low hit in April of 2009, in the immediate aftermath of the economic meltdown experienced in the U.S., saw only 478,000 units under construction. While housing starts are now 82.5 percent above that rate, they are still well below the peak of more than 2 million starts in 2007. However, the upward trend has been steady, leading builders to believe that the rebound is sustainable and will continue to grow.
Several factors have fueled the comeback, including record low mortgage rates, population growth and a limited supply of previously owned homes. Aggressive action taken by the Federal Reserve to keep long term interest rates low make buying a home more affordable, fueling home purchasing activity. Patrick Newport, U.S. economist at HIS Global Insight said, “This is a good report. It is telling us that the housing market is improving and there is no reason to think that this will not continue going forward.” He estimates that new home construction should total 750,000 units this year and expects that number to increase to 950,000 in 2013 and continue to rise, reaching 1.5 million by 2015.
Newport predicts that new housing starts will add 0.25 percent to the overall growth of the economy this year and if so, it will be the first time in 5 years that housing has been a boost to the economy.
cont'
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/10/18/it-just-keeps-on-getting-better-housing-starts-at-four-year-high/
.
It Just Keeps On Getting Better! Housing Starts At FOUR YEAR HIGH
The Associated Press is reporting that the U.S. housing starts have jumped to their highest level since July 2008.
http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20121017/US.Housing.Starts/
According to Commerce Department figures released on Wednesday, home construction was up 15 percent in September with a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 872,000. The construction of single family homes was up by 11 percent, the fastest pace in four years, and there was a jump of 25.1 percent in the construction of apartment buildings. Additionally, applications for new construction, a harbinger of things to come, was up almost 12 percent to an annual rate of 894,000, making it the fastest pace in the past four years as well. Over the past 12 months, construction has increased by more than 38 percent.
Dan Greenhaus, chief global strategist at BTIG, a corporation specializing in global trading and fund services for hedge funds, mutual finds, separate accounts and family offices, said, “If there was any doubt that the housing market was undergoing a recovery, even a modest one in the face of the terrible 2008 decline, those doubts should be erased by now.” The low hit in April of 2009, in the immediate aftermath of the economic meltdown experienced in the U.S., saw only 478,000 units under construction. While housing starts are now 82.5 percent above that rate, they are still well below the peak of more than 2 million starts in 2007. However, the upward trend has been steady, leading builders to believe that the rebound is sustainable and will continue to grow.
Several factors have fueled the comeback, including record low mortgage rates, population growth and a limited supply of previously owned homes. Aggressive action taken by the Federal Reserve to keep long term interest rates low make buying a home more affordable, fueling home purchasing activity. Patrick Newport, U.S. economist at HIS Global Insight said, “This is a good report. It is telling us that the housing market is improving and there is no reason to think that this will not continue going forward.” He estimates that new home construction should total 750,000 units this year and expects that number to increase to 950,000 in 2013 and continue to rise, reaching 1.5 million by 2015.
Newport predicts that new housing starts will add 0.25 percent to the overall growth of the economy this year and if so, it will be the first time in 5 years that housing has been a boost to the economy.
cont'
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/10/18/it-just-keeps-on-getting-better-housing-starts-at-four-year-high/
.
October 18, 2012
Chief Judge Dennis Jacobs is a very conservative judge. He joined a court decision effectively declaring corporations immune to international human rights law — even when they “trade in or exploit slaves, employ mercenary armies to do dirty work for despots, perform genocides or operate torture prisons for a despot’s political opponents, or engage in piracy.” And he once gave a speech to the conservative Federalist Society decrying the “anti-social effects” of attorneys providing free legal services to the less fortunate.
And yet, this severely conservative judge is also the author of an opinion striking down the unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act. Even more significantly, Chief Judge Jacobs’ opinion concludes that any law which discriminates against gay men and lesbians should be treated very skeptically under our Constitution:
We conclude that review of Section 3 of DOMA requires heightened scrutiny. The Supreme Court uses certain factors to decide whether a new classification qualifies as a quasi-suspect class. They include: A) whether the class has been historically “subjected to discrimination,”; B) whether the class has a defining characteristic that “frequently bears [a] relation to ability to perform or contribute to society,” C) whether the class exhibits “obvious, immutable, or distinguishing characteristics that define them as a discrete group;” and D) whether the class is “a minority or politically powerless.” Immutability and lack of political power are not strictly necessary factors to identify a suspect class. Nevertheless, immutability and political power are indicative, and we consider them here. In this case, all four factors justify heightened scrutiny: A) homosexuals as a group have historically endured persecution and discrimination; B) homosexuality has no relation to aptitude or ability to contribute to society; C) homosexuals are a discernible group with non-obvious distinguishing characteristics, especially in the subset of those who enter same-sex marriages; and D) the class remains a politically weakened minority.
This is a Really. Big. Deal. Jacobs is not simply saying that DOMA imposes unique and unconstitutional burdens on gay couples, he is saying that any attempt by government to discrimination against gay people must have an “exceedingly persuasive” justification. This is the same very skeptical standard afforded to laws that discriminate against women. If Jacobs’ reasoning is adopted by the Supreme Court, it will be a sweeping victory for gay rights, likely causing state discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation to be virtually eliminated. And the fact that this decision came from such a conservative judge makes it all the more likely that DOMA will ultimately be struck down by the Supreme Court.
cont'
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/10/18/1040901/breaking-federal-appeals-court-strikes-down-doma-in-opinion-by-republican-appointed-judge/
BREAKING: Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down DOMA In Opinion By Republican-Appointed Judge
Chief Judge Dennis Jacobs is a very conservative judge. He joined a court decision effectively declaring corporations immune to international human rights law — even when they “trade in or exploit slaves, employ mercenary armies to do dirty work for despots, perform genocides or operate torture prisons for a despot’s political opponents, or engage in piracy.” And he once gave a speech to the conservative Federalist Society decrying the “anti-social effects” of attorneys providing free legal services to the less fortunate.
And yet, this severely conservative judge is also the author of an opinion striking down the unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act. Even more significantly, Chief Judge Jacobs’ opinion concludes that any law which discriminates against gay men and lesbians should be treated very skeptically under our Constitution:
We conclude that review of Section 3 of DOMA requires heightened scrutiny. The Supreme Court uses certain factors to decide whether a new classification qualifies as a quasi-suspect class. They include: A) whether the class has been historically “subjected to discrimination,”; B) whether the class has a defining characteristic that “frequently bears [a] relation to ability to perform or contribute to society,” C) whether the class exhibits “obvious, immutable, or distinguishing characteristics that define them as a discrete group;” and D) whether the class is “a minority or politically powerless.” Immutability and lack of political power are not strictly necessary factors to identify a suspect class. Nevertheless, immutability and political power are indicative, and we consider them here. In this case, all four factors justify heightened scrutiny: A) homosexuals as a group have historically endured persecution and discrimination; B) homosexuality has no relation to aptitude or ability to contribute to society; C) homosexuals are a discernible group with non-obvious distinguishing characteristics, especially in the subset of those who enter same-sex marriages; and D) the class remains a politically weakened minority.
This is a Really. Big. Deal. Jacobs is not simply saying that DOMA imposes unique and unconstitutional burdens on gay couples, he is saying that any attempt by government to discrimination against gay people must have an “exceedingly persuasive” justification. This is the same very skeptical standard afforded to laws that discriminate against women. If Jacobs’ reasoning is adopted by the Supreme Court, it will be a sweeping victory for gay rights, likely causing state discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation to be virtually eliminated. And the fact that this decision came from such a conservative judge makes it all the more likely that DOMA will ultimately be struck down by the Supreme Court.
cont'
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/10/18/1040901/breaking-federal-appeals-court-strikes-down-doma-in-opinion-by-republican-appointed-judge/
October 18, 2012
Politicususa:
Binder Blunder continues.
Obama for America Senior Strategist David Axelrod told Piers Morgan Wednesday night that under Governor Romney, “The percentage of women in senior state government positions declined.” But what about the binders!? Axelrod explained that the binders were also nowhere to be seen at Bain, “If you look at the business that he ran before he was Governor, they had no women at a senior level, they had no women partners.”
Romney said the reason there were no women at Bain is because,’It’s a profession that has yet to attract many women and minorities’ but at the time (in 1995), almost 30% of the Harvard Business School were women.
http://www.politicususa.com/romney-binders-women-bain.html
AXELROD: Romney's Record Of Hiring Women At Bain, As Governor Was POOR
Politicususa:
Binder Blunder continues.
Obama for America Senior Strategist David Axelrod told Piers Morgan Wednesday night that under Governor Romney, “The percentage of women in senior state government positions declined.” But what about the binders!? Axelrod explained that the binders were also nowhere to be seen at Bain, “If you look at the business that he ran before he was Governor, they had no women at a senior level, they had no women partners.”
Romney said the reason there were no women at Bain is because,’It’s a profession that has yet to attract many women and minorities’ but at the time (in 1995), almost 30% of the Harvard Business School were women.
http://www.politicususa.com/romney-binders-women-bain.html
October 18, 2012
"Can You Say That A Little Louder, Candy" rant begins at about 6:11
DailyKos:
Rachel Maddow is angry. One doesn't often catch Ms. Maddow in a moment of anger; she is calm, deliberate, and thoughtful at all times, even when an asshole like Alex Castellano treats her like crap. But last night, as she closed out her show, she delivered an almost Olbermann-like rant against the right wing closed bubble of disinformation.
The last segment on her program Wednesday evening was called "Can You Say That A Little Louder, Candy?". In the segment, Rachel discusses the closed loop of right wing media and how the disinformation feedback loop can lead a candidate like Romney astray. When you are only trying to appeal to the base, who is also trapped in the bubble, you end up making mistakes like Romney did on the Libya question. After replaying that moment from the debate, Rachel begins her closing.
Best part? She ended the rant by throwing her papers at the camera, perhaps a subtle homage to our friend Keith.
Thanks, Rachel, for telling the truth. Those of us living in the reality-based community appreciate you so much.
cont'
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/18/1146345/-Rachel-Maddow-is-TICKED-OFF
Rachel Maddow is TICKED OFF
"Can You Say That A Little Louder, Candy" rant begins at about 6:11
DailyKos:
Rachel Maddow is angry. One doesn't often catch Ms. Maddow in a moment of anger; she is calm, deliberate, and thoughtful at all times, even when an asshole like Alex Castellano treats her like crap. But last night, as she closed out her show, she delivered an almost Olbermann-like rant against the right wing closed bubble of disinformation.
The last segment on her program Wednesday evening was called "Can You Say That A Little Louder, Candy?". In the segment, Rachel discusses the closed loop of right wing media and how the disinformation feedback loop can lead a candidate like Romney astray. When you are only trying to appeal to the base, who is also trapped in the bubble, you end up making mistakes like Romney did on the Libya question. After replaying that moment from the debate, Rachel begins her closing.
Best part? She ended the rant by throwing her papers at the camera, perhaps a subtle homage to our friend Keith.
Thanks, Rachel, for telling the truth. Those of us living in the reality-based community appreciate you so much.
cont'
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/18/1146345/-Rachel-Maddow-is-TICKED-OFF
October 18, 2012
Obama OUTRAISES Romney With MILITARY DONORS
President Obama has received more than $500,000 in donations from military members, a figure that dwarfs the amount Mitt Romney raised by more than $250,000. That’s according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan election money tracking site, which released a report on October 15th detailing the political spending habits of military personnel.
Here’s the Open Secrets chart for total donations:
The trend has stayed consistent throughout the campaign. By September 2011, military members donated $13,000 to the Romney campaign; in contrast, his opponent Ron Paul had received more than $90,000. President Obama out gained Romney by more than $50,000 during that same time period.
Months later, after Romney all but secured the nomination, more of the military donations started moving toward Obama, who raised $184,000 from military members from January 2011 to March 2012, and away from other candidates. Romney’s total only went up $32,000 to a paltry $45,000 in total by that same point.
cont'
http://thinkprogress.org/security/2012/10/17/1031031/obama-outraises-raises-romney-with-military-donors/
.
October 18, 2012
Next week's final debate between President Obama and Mittens will be on ' Foreign Policy. ' Obama needs to call Mittens onto the carpet for his ' take advantage of an opportunity ' comment.
Mitt Romney will stop at nothing — including the detriment of his country and the possible deaths of American citizens — to achieve his political goals.
As you watch the video, notice the man (is that a British accent?) asking Romney how he can “duplicate” an Iran hostage type scenario. Instead of dismissing the question as going against American interests, Romney agrees that the strategy would be beneficial. The entire video is worth a listen but at the end, Romney says, “if something of that nature presents itself, I will work to take advantage of the opportunity.”
cont'
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/10/17/new-revelation-at-47-dinner-romney-was-hoping-for-something-like-iran-hostage-video/
.
New Revelation At ’47%’ Dinner – Romney Was HOPING For Something Like IRAN HOSTAGE (VIDEO)
Next week's final debate between President Obama and Mittens will be on ' Foreign Policy. ' Obama needs to call Mittens onto the carpet for his ' take advantage of an opportunity ' comment.
Mitt Romney will stop at nothing — including the detriment of his country and the possible deaths of American citizens — to achieve his political goals.
A donor asks Romney how he could duplicate the Iran hostage scenario to push for war. Mitt responds that he would "take advantage" of an "opportunity" like that.
As you watch the video, notice the man (is that a British accent?) asking Romney how he can “duplicate” an Iran hostage type scenario. Instead of dismissing the question as going against American interests, Romney agrees that the strategy would be beneficial. The entire video is worth a listen but at the end, Romney says, “if something of that nature presents itself, I will work to take advantage of the opportunity.”
cont'
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/10/17/new-revelation-at-47-dinner-romney-was-hoping-for-something-like-iran-hostage-video/
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