Good morning!

From Think Progress:

American Indian Tribe Calls Keystone XL Vote An ‘Act Of War’

Indigenous groups from across the US and Canada converged on DC in April to protest against the Keystone XL pipeline.

CREDIT: ALICE OLLSTEIN

As the U.S. Senate prepares to vote this week on a bill to force approval of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, which the House of Representatives already passed on Friday, American Indian groups who would be directly impacted by the tar sands project are converging on Washington D.C. to voice their opposition.

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe, whose territory in South Dakota lies along the proposed route of the pipeline, released a statement last week calling Congressional approval of the project an “act of war against our people.”

In a call with reporters on Monday, President Cyril Scott of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe vowed to fight back should the pipeline win government approval.

“Did I declare war on the Keystone XL pipeline? Hell yeah, I did,” said Scott. “I pledge my life to stop these people from harming our children and grandchildren and way of life. They will not cross our treaty lands. We have so much to lose here.”

Scott arrives in D.C. on Tuesday and plans to “rattle the doors” on Capitol Hill ahead of the evening vote. He said he hopes to draw special attention to the fact that the pipeline would cross one of North America’s largest fresh water sources, an aquifer that provides water for a full quarter of the nation’s farmland.

“I’m going to talk to every senator and anybody who will talk to me,” he said. “I will tell them, ‘It’s not a matter of if the pipeline will contaminate the Ogallala Aquifer, but when. And if you contaminate the aquifer, we can’t drink, we can’t grow crops. Where are we going to get our water, from Congress?’”

Besides the environmental threat of the pipeline, which Scott called an “atrocity against all humans,” the Rosebud Sioux say the U.S. government has not met its treaty obligations to ask the tribe for approval of projects that cross their territory. “The U.S. government does not consult us,” he said, noting that concerns brought to the Department of Interior and to the Department of State have been so far ignored. “We have a sovereign nation. We have our own constitution and laws here. But they violated my people’s treaty rights once again.”

Scott emphasized that the “war” he is declaring is a legal one, not a physical one. To bolster his tribe’s efforts, he is calling for a meeting of all the tribes in the Great Sioux Nation in the coming weeks. “When I was elected and took my oath of office, I said I would protect the next seven generations,” Scott told reporters. “I have that obligation not only as president, but as a warrior of the tribe.”

Native American activists across the US and Canada have been organizing for years to oppose the Keystone XL pipeline and other fossil fuel projects that threaten their land, air and water. O.J. Semans, a Rosebud Sioux tribal member with the voting rights group Four Directions, credits concern about the pipeline for boosting voting turnout by 5 percent this year compared to the last midterm election. “By participating in the process and electing individuals that understand our culture and protect our sacred land and water, natives can make a difference,” he told ThinkProgress.

But while tribal members make up 9 percent of South Dakota’s population, Semans acknowledged that they’re a constituency often ignored. “A lot of the voters in tribal country became a little upset because candidates don’t come around here until there’s an election,” he said. “They don’t work with us when they’re in office, just when they’re running for office.”

The Senate is scheduled to vote on the Keystone XL pipeline Tuesday evening. Party leaders note that the bill is just 1 vote away from the 60 votes needed to pass. John Thune (R-SD) is one of the sponsors of this week’s Senate bill to build Keystone XL and the state’s senator-elect Mike Rounds (R-SD) is a vocal supporter of the pipeline.

Semans said tribal members opposed to the pipeline have options both inside and outside the political process, including testifying before the state’s public utilities commission “about how destructive it is to our water,” suing the federal government for violating its treaties with tribe, and directly petitioning President Obama to reject the pipeline.

President Obama has suggested, but not confirmed, that he would veto the bill, but even federal approval could be stymied by courts and commissions in the states along the pipeline’s route.

Should all else fail, the Rosebud Sioux and eight other tribes in South Dakota have set up a “Spirit Camp” directly in the proposed path of the pipeline.

“We are using every alternative to protect Mother Earth,” said Semans. “We have been camped there for 6 or 7 months, and will stay until we get this resolved.”

When ThinkProgress asked about the difficulty of maintaining the camp through an abnormally frigid winter, Semans replied: “We’ll survive.”

*****

Readers: The Senate votes on this today. I’m not for it. The pipeline would pump oil from Canada, across American soil, and down into the gulf where it will be sold –  it will have no affect on our gas prices. Yes, the pipline would create jobs but only temporary ones until it is complete. And then only 50 people would be employed permanently. That’s not much job creation.

“If my Republican friends really want to focus on what’s good for the American people in terms of job creation and lower energy costs, we should be engaging in a conversation about what are we doing to produce even more homegrown energy? I’m happy to have that conversation.” – Obama

I feel for and support the Rosebud Sioux. The Rosebud Sioux are not giving up. If you’re against this pipeline too, now is the time to voice your opinion and support the Sioux. They cherish their land and the health of the environment, and their people.

Unfortunately, like so many OTWs, they too are pushed aside and given little time until their votes are needed or until they want something for them…like the land they (whites) gave back to them, after they (whites) stole it from them. So much for a Treaty that really doesn’t mean anything, when it’s not being honored.

What else is new from the repubs? And it isn’t just the repubs. Some Dems are for this too. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) is facing a re-election runoff against her repub rival in Louisiana in a few weeks. Funny thing is Landrieu is championing a Republican bill written by her Senate runoff rival!

Can it get any more crazy around here? Don’t answer that.

Thoughts? Blog me.

Howie: I apologize. You have shared personal information about you and Carr before – how you met, his two brothers etc. I was just curious, but it seems I may have offended you or was asking questions that were too personal. I understand. Please accept my apology. I HOPE you and Al are well.

Peace & Love…

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008-2014

“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – William Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream 

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Good morning!

Hi, Howie: Hey there – How are you? I am always into the stories that you post. Your last one was certainly fascinating. However, my questions and curiosity has to do with Carr. I am just wondering how often you talk or see each other. And is there ever or has there ever been a time where you were not in communication? I mean if a God lives forever, even if you didn’t speak to him for years at a time, which would be significant for any human, would it only feel like seconds to him?  And since the Gods do not want to know everything all of the time, has Carr ever forgotten you because he has removed you from his mind temporarily for any particular reason? And what about his two brothers…are you in communication with either one of them as well, or have you ever been with Carr and one of his brothers together? Since if I recall, one is always missing, and the two are forever looking for the third.

I am fascinated by your stories but it has been awhile since you shared your personal stories. Do you mind?

Victoria: Don’t be surprised, it’s probably in the works.

Hey, Mike, TM: Yeah, me too. Obama is still getting stuff done. Some of that includes taking executive actions. I’m liking it. The repubs will be busy in the new year trying to undo everything. :)

Speaking of taking executive action…

From Think Progress:

No More Waiting

President Obama Is Moving Forward On Executive Action That Could Halt 5 Million Deportations

President Obama will disregard Republican complaints and sign an executive action that could shield up to five million immigrants from deportation, the New York Times reports. The official announcement would “significantly refocus the activities of the government’s 12,000 immigration agents,” and could be made as early as next week.

The first piece of the order, according to White House officials, will be to protect the parents of children who are American citizens or legal residents from deportation by allowing them to obtain legal work permits. Depending on whether the order is limited to parents who have been undocumented and living in the United States for five years or for ten years, it could affect between 2.5 million and 3.3 million people. The President is reported to be considering a second piece to extend protections to immigrants who came here as children, and to their parents. This could affect up to one million or more additional undocumented immigrants.

The action will also clarify who should be high priority and low priority for deportation, in order to focus enforcement on violent criminals instead of breaking up families. Finally, it will also enhance border security and expand opportunities for immigrants with high-tech skills.

It’s not the comprehensive immigration reform that the Senate passed and the American people support, but it’s a very important step. And it upholds President Obama’s promise last week after the midterms that he won’t “just wait” for Republicans to stop stalling on the issue.

BOTTOM LINE: President Obama’s commitment to move forward with an executive action to halt deportations is an important step toward helping to fix our broken immigration system. But it does not remove the pressure from Congressional Republicans to do what the American people want and pass comprehensive immigration reform.

*G*O*B*A*M*A*

Readers: Lots going on. What’s on your mind? Blog me.

Irene, Brenda: Exactly. Well…we’ll see how they like it when the repubs try and take it away, and we’ll certainly hear them bitch if they get away with it. Me…I’m looking forward to it.

Hey again, Carla: That’s a hoot. It seems my legs are spreading too. :) Thanks again for the kudos and for the heads up. I really never know if readers click over, but yes, it appears they do. It’s fixed now.

Before I sign off…Another American, Peter Kasig, was executed by ISIS:

GAZIANTEP, Turkey — Islamic State militants released a chilling videotape on Sunday showing they had beheaded a fifth Western hostage, an American aid worker the group had threatened to kill in retaliation for airstrikes carried out by the United States in Iraq and Syria.

President Obama on Sunday confirmed the death of the aid worker, Peter Kassig, a former Army Ranger who disappeared more than a year ago at a checkpoint in northeastern Syria while delivering medical supplies.

May he rest in peace.

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008-2014

“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – William Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream 

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Good afternoon!

Yes, what can I say…I am running late today. If you haven’t already signed up for Obamacare, now is the time. The repubs of course want to repeal it, even though so many Americans want it and are on it. I’m looking forward to this 51st time…or is it 52? I’ve lost count. However, now that the repubs are in control, politics are getting even more interesting.

Nancy Pelosi: Thanks for the reminder.

The write from Think Progress:

Open Enrollment Starts Tomorrow!

It’s that time of the year again! Open enrollment starts tomorrow and consumers can once again shop for health care coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Using the call center, in-person assistance, or the improved HealthCare.gov site, consumers are also able to renew or make changes to existing plans. As open enrollment begins, here are a few key facts on how the Affordable Care Act is doing:

• 7.1 million people enrolled in the marketplace: During open enrollment last year, more than 7 million people purchased insurance through the exchange.
• The number of uninsured Americans fell by 25 percent this year: An estimated 10.3 million fewer people are uninsured this year, reducing the amount of Americans without health coverage by 25 percent.
• On average, tax credits reduced the cost of premiums by 76 percent: Last year, the average person who received financial assistance for coverage paid a monthly premium of $82, which is 76 percent less than the average price before credits.
• More insurers are offering plans for 2015: 25 percent more health insurers are expected to offer plans this year, creating competition that drives down prices for consumers.

With an increasing amount of data to prove the Affordable Care Act is working,a few million more people are expected to enroll in the exchange this year. Here are a few important things to know going into open enrollment:

• Open enrollment dates: Open enrollment starts on November 15th and lasts until February 15th. For coverage that starts January 1st, the deadline to enroll is December 15th.
• People with existing plans should shop around: People who already have insurance will need to renew their plans during open enrollment by December 15. But with the addition of more insurers in the marketplace, those with current plans should shop around on HealthCare.gov to make sure their current plan is still the best fit for them. Customers who don’t renew their coverage will likely be automatically enrolled again, but they could miss out on savings.
• Financial assistance is available: An estimated 8.7 million people could qualify for tax credits to help pay for their insurance. Last year, 85 percentof people who enrolled in insurance on the marketplace qualified for federal subsidies.

BOTTOM LINE: The Affordable Care Act is working — it has largely succeeded in bringing affordable, quality healthcare to millions while significantly shrinking the number of uninsured Americans. During open enrollment, consumers can shop for a health coverage plan that works for them, and financial assistance is available. The millions more expected to enroll this year, as well as the millions who have already taken advantage of the law, stand to benefit greatly from this open enrollment period. But it only lasts for three months, and if you want coverage that starts January 1, the deadline is December 15th. So get shopping!

*****

Readers: Don’t be lazy…get on it.

Ron: Simply ridiculous. This is a knock not only against black people (again!) but women (again!). If Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges (D) was a man, or the man she was posing with was a white man, people would say that it was a sign of solidarity “with  the community” not “…with the gangs.” And really, I doubt it would even be brought up at all.

This is what happens when you’re “living black,” and if you’re a woman standing up in support of those “living black.” The racists are not going to like it and will do whatever they please to put you down and make you look bad. Really?

Really. And worth a re-post:

From the Huff Po.

Jon Stewart Adds ‘Pointing’ To List Of ‘Innocent Things Black People Do That Look Suspicious‘

Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges was recently accused of making “gang signs” when she posed for a photo with a get-out-the-vote volunteer, who was African-American.

The sign? The two simply pointed at each other.

“That’s a gang sign?” Jon Stewart asked on “The Daily Show” on Wednesday night. “All this time, I’ve been the lead-in to a notorious gang member.”

He then showed a photo of Stephen Colbert of “The Colbert Report” pointing at Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

But in Hodges’ case, the simple act of pointing led to a report on local news claiming she was flashing the “gang sign” and, according to one law enforcement official, “showing solidarity with the gangs.”

The station had been tipped off about the photo by local police shortly after Hodges publicly called on the department to root out bad officers.

That led Stewart to conclude that the issue wasn’t about the mayor using her index finger to point, which has since been dubbed #pointergate. It was about the police pointing a different finger at the mayor.

Yes… the middle one.

Stewart concluded that pointing has to be added to the already long list of “innocent things black people do that look suspicious.”

*****

Comments? Thoughts? Rants? Anything…blog me. 

Carla: Words I would expect to hear from a hot mama like you. :) Those two things will most definitely keep you busy. Hugs to your mother for embracing change. Awesome.

Jorge: No doubt! Happy for all of you that life is good.

Hmm…not sure how I feel about your comment. Delighted that you like my blog, of course! Not so great that it reminds you daily of the hatred that some harbor just because I have a different skin tone. I would like for that to change, and yes as everyone says, it will, when the demographics change, it still doesn’t feel good that racism is so blatant that I have no problem finding writes to support it. Today is no exception.

On a upwardly note, I like your attitude. And thanks for the sweet compliments.

Liu: The bigots can’t see past their racism to truly appreciate what the rest of the world sees.

Jay, Helen: You’ve got my backing.

And now it is time for me to sigh off..I mean sign off, and your turn. You know what to do.

Peace out. 

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008-2014

“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – William Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream 

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Good morning!

I know it’s Saturday and I usually post about Wonderful Women Of The World, but today I just didn’t get it together. So this is what you’re getting…

From Think Progress:

‘Ready For War’: 1,000 Police Officers Mobilized In Advance Of Grand Jury Ruling In Ferguson

Missouri National Guard

CREDIT: AP IMAGES

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon said that he will call the Missouri National Guard, should violence erupt after the grand jury decision in the case of Darren Wilson. During a press conference on Tuesday, Nixon also said that more than 1000 law enforcement officials have completed 5,000 hours of specialized training over the past two months, in preparation for the verdict, which will be announced any day now.

In addition to the use of the National Guard, three police agencies including St. Louis County Police, city police, and highway patrol will follow the same command, if Darren Wilson is not indicted and protesters take to the streets. Many departments have invested in new riot gear.

Nixon also said that law enforcement officials have been in talks with “churches, schools, [and] businesses” to “listen to people’s concerns and develop strategies to specifically address them.”

“These measures are not being taken because we believe violence will occur but because we have a responsibility to plan for any contingency,” Nixon said during a press conference on Tuesday. “Violence will not be tolerated. Residents and businesses of this region will be protected.”

He also explained that he wants to maintain public safety while allowing people to speak peacefully.

But members of the community are interpreting a different message. According to Michael Brown’s cousin, Ty Pruitt, “The police are getting ready for war when they should be getting ready for a trial. That to me means they’ve already made their decision. We still feel terrible. Right now we feel about the same way we felt when [Brown] was lying dead in the middle of the street for four and a half hours.”

Activist Ashley Yates of Millennial Activists United also expressed concernswith Nixon and his plan. “Until the governor chooses to truly address the systemic issues that the murder of Michael Brown brought to the surface for many Americans, no press release or commission board will truly help this community move forward from this tragedy.”

Meanwhile, Brown’s parents, Michael Brown Sr. and Lesley McSpadden, spoke before the U.N. Committee Against Torture on Tuesday, calling for global intervention in America’s policing tactics. The couple asked a panel to recommend that “racial profiling and racially-biased police harassment across the jurisdictions surrounding Ferguson” stops, and for the Department of Justice to “conduct a nationwide investigation of systematic police brutality and harassment in black and brown communities, and youth in particular,” adding that the “methodology and findings of this investigation must be made publicly available.”

“Whatever the grand jury decides in Missouri will not bring Michael back,”Brown said. “We also understand that what you decide here may save lives.”

*****

Readers: So…what do you think of the write? Thoughts? Blog me.

No time this morning to check in but I’m looking forward to catching up. Happy Saturday!

Peace Baby. 

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008-2014

“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – William Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream 

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Good morning!

From Think Progress:

What You Should Know About Obama’s Leading Candidate For Attorney General

CREDIT: AP PHOTO/SETH WENIG

CNN reports that President Obama is “expected to nominate Loretta Lynch,” the top federal prosecutor in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, to serve as the next Attorney General of the United States. If confirmed, Lynch will be the first African American woman to lead the Justice Department.

Much of Lynch’s appeal to Obama may stem from the fact that she is removed from many of the political battles that would render a nominee who has often been at odds with Republicans unconfirmable in a GOP-controlled Senate. Lynch has a distinguished, but relatively apolitical, career as a prosecutor. After earning both her undergraduate and law degrees from Harvard, Lynch was an associate at a large law firm before joining the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Eastern District of New York in 1990. There, she rose to hold several senior career roles, including Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney from 1998 to 1999, when she was confirmed to lead the office at U.S. Attorney during the Clinton Administration. Shortly after President Clinton left office, Lynch became a partner at another large law firm until President Obama reappointed her as U.S. Attorney in 2009.

Yet, while Lynch’s career has kept her more distant from Washington, DC’s increasingly contentious politics, she is not entirely removed from them. Lynch’s office is currently prosecuting Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY), a former FBI agent charged with 20 counts of fraud, perjury and other alleged crimes related to allegations that he hid more than $1 million in gross receipts while he ran a New York restaurant.

Lynch’s biography resembles that of the current attorney general, Eric Holder, in at least two respects. Like Lynch, Holder spent many years as a prosecutorbefore his nomination to the Justice Department’s top job. Holder also frequently functioned as the Obama Administration’s truth-teller on issues of race, often speaking eloquently about his personal encounters with racism. “I am the attorney general of the United States. But I am also a black man,” Holder told an audience in Ferguson, Missouri shortly after the racially charged police shooting of Michael Brown, before he recounted a time when he believes he was racially profiled while walking in an affluent neighborhood in Washington, DC. After the killing of Trayvon Martin in 2012, Holder recounted that the incident “caused me to sit down to have a conversation with my own 15 year old son, like my dad did with me” about “how as a young black man I should interact with the police.”

It remains to be seen whether Lynch will take on a similar truth-telling role should she be confirmed to lead the Justice Department, but there is little question that she will have stories to tell about her own experiences with racism should she choose to do so. Lynch was born in Greenboro, NC a year before a series of lunch counter sit-ins in that town helped trigger a wave of similar protests across the country.

Lynch also has personal experience confronting police brutality and other abusive behaviors by police. In 1997, a police officer sodomized a handcuffed Haitian immigrant named Abner Louima with a broken broomstick in the bathroom of a police station. Louima suffered a ruptured colon and bladder from this incident, and he spent two months in the hospital. According to one witness, the cop bragged to other officers about how he had tortured Louima, at one point pointing the stick that he inserted in Louima’s rectum at another police officer’s face and saying “Smell this. Smell this.”

The case quickly became a national symbol of police brutality generally, and of brutality against the African American community in particular. Lynch, who was then a senior career prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s office that she currently leads, supervised the successful prosecution of the officer who assaulted Louima. The officer was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Should she be confirmed, Lynch will take over a Justice Department that, under the leadership of Attorney General Holder, has confronted police misconduct on a much grander scale. Under Holder, the Justice Department doubled its investigations into police departments, uncovering numerous examples of policy brutality, abuse of people with mental illnesses and excessive use of deadly force.

*****

Readers: I don’t know much about Lynch, but from what I have read, she is a highly qualified woman with lots of experience – A tough, fair, woman who is highly respected, and knows how to hold her own under pressure. Love that Obama picked a woman…I do think she is our girl. What do you think?

Jorge H: Aww…happy to hear you and Carla are still together and going strong. How sweet that you have two babies. Congratulations! Hey Carla: Delighted the both of you are still reading even if you can’t comment as much as before. No doubt you both have your hands full. Peace & Love to all of you. 

Thanks to all for being here with me! Happy Friday! – Blog me. 

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

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