The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States consisting of two houses:
the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The Congress meets in the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Both senators and representatives are chosen through direct election, though vacancies in the Senate may be filled by a gubernatorial appointment.
Members are usually affiliated to the Republican Party or to the Democratic Party, and only rarely to a third-party or as independents.
This Thanksgiving, No Place for Refugees at the American Table
Posted on Nov 18, 2015 By Amy Goodman and Denis Moynihan
In the wake of the horrific attacks in Paris on Nov. 13, there has been a crushing backlash against refugees from the wars in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. As Americans prepare for one of the most popular national holidays, Thanksgiving, which commemorates the support and nourishment provided by the indigenous people to English refugees seeking a better life free from religious persecution, a wave of xenophobia is sweeping the country.
In the U.S. Congress, no less than six separate bills have been put forward to block any federal funding to resettle refugees from Syria or Iraq and to empower states to deny entry into their “territory.”
Imagine if all of a sudden we had 50 “statelets” creating their own border checkpoints, stopping all travelers, looking for anyone suspicious, i.e., any and all Syrians.
So far, 31 state governors have essentially demanded this.
Republican Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback issued an executive order forbidding any agency of state government from cooperating in any way with Syrian refugee support efforts. House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have called for a pause in the Syrian refugee program, with the support of Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer.
(all so called Chrstians)
It has been almost 400 years since that first, fateful Thanksgiving feast in Massachusetts.
Xenophobic policies like those threatening to shut out refugees from these wars, if allowed to stand, should serve as a shameful centerpiece at every Thanksgiving table this year.
At least 81 transgender people were murdered worldwide this year — and those are just the victims whose deaths were reported.
BY SUNNIVIE BRYDUM
NOVEMBER 20 2015
Today marks the 16th annual Transgender Day of Rememberance, after the first event was organized by Gwendolyn Ann Smith in Allston, Mass., to memorialize Rita Hester — a trans woman of color killed in 1998.
Every year since, growing numbers of trans people and advocates worldwide take a moment to pause and remember the countless lives lost around the globe to transphobic violence.
The somber occasion serves as a memorial event in which trans people and allies can mourn their dead, celebrate the lives they lived and as a popular hashtag in the wake of unabated anti-trans violence proclaims, #SayHerName.
~~GRAPHICS SOURCE~~
Facebook Timeline
Google Images
Human Rights Campaign
The Advocate Magazine
~~GALLERY~~
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As the names listed in the graphics demonstrate, certain nations — the United States and Brazil — have particularly acute problems with fatal transphobic violence. The number of trans women killed this year in the U.S., for instance, is nearly double that of the total killed last year.
But it’s also worth noting that in many countries around the world, no formal system exists to report the deaths of trans people, and repressive societies combined with oppressive policing worldwide often give trans people good cause to be wary of law-enforcement officials.
So while we mourn those whose names are listed below, take a moment to memorialize those whose names we will never know — because they, too, had lives, and loves, and passions that were extinguished because of hate.
Friends that are loyal are always there to make you laugh when you are down, they are not afraid to help you avoid mistakes and they look out for your best interest. This kind of friend can be hard to find, but they offer a friendship that will last a lifetime.
~~GRAPHIC SOURCE~~
Facebook Timeline
~Poem For A Friend~
If I could write a poem.
I would write it just for you.
But I can not write a poem.
So what am I to do?
If I could write a poem.
I would tell you lots of things.
Of love and happiness.
and the Joy your friendship brings.
But I can not write a poem.
So you will never know.
Just how much I love you.
“IOTD” is image of the day, a concept I came up with. I teach visual meditative therapy – or in easy terms – a mini mental holiday. For some people it is very difficult for them to get their image right. I post an image a day for people to use in their mini mental vacay. Some are serious, some are silly, and some are just beautiful!”’
Pentatonix Covers Daft Punk Hits in Stunning A Cappella Medley
Pentatonix, the a cappella group that recently brought us a beautiful rendering of Beyonce’s greatest hits, has set its sights on the French electronic duo Daft Punk.
In a little over four minutes, Pentatonix’ new medley covers an impressive array of Daft Punk hits, including “Get Lucky,” Celebrate,” “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” and “One More Time.”
Angelika, is my oldest grand-daughter, you may have seen her here a few times. She just turned 10 years old this month.
She loves music, as much as I do. She’s been keeping me up to date with some of the new songs that are coming out. She knows the songs but doesn’t know the performer most of the time. I’ve trying to teach her it’s important to also know who is singing. Very frequently, we use the “Shazam” app to identify the singer/band.
Last night, we were looking at a YouTube video by Pentatonix that she had found on her own. Her music teacher at school showed the class another one of their videos. And we went searching!
As we were browsing and trolling through YouTube, we found this one. Both of us were enthralled by the presentation, the colors, the talent.
The five singers of Pentatonix — Scott Hoying, Kirstin Maldonado, Mitch Grassi, Avi Kaplan and Kevin Olusola — have won the third season of NBC’s “The Sing-Off,” and have released several medley covers of popular songs since.
This latest single, titled simply “Daft Punk,” coincides with the release of their new album, PTX, Vol. 2.
Pentatonix (often abbreviated as PTX) is an American a cappella group of five vocalists originating from Arlington, Texas. Their work, which is mostly in the pop music style, consists of covers of existing songs, sometimes in the form of medleys, along with some original material. Their music is defined by their own arrangement style, a strong presence of low bass vocals, and a diverse range of vocal percussion.
Forget Mark Ronson’s ‘Uptown Funk‘ – It’s All About ‘Oldtown Funk‘ Now!
Seeing the ‘Uptown Funk‘ video recreated by some SERIOUSLY cool old people will make your day.
THIS IS FOR FUN
Just when you thought ‘Uptown Funk’ couldn’t get ANY better … someone got a bunch of AMAZING seniors to recreate the now iconic music video by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars, and there aren’t enough words to describe how good it is.
Everything from the outfits to the locations have been painstakingly recreated, as the seniors dance and jive their way through the Vodafone Big Top 40 number one hit.
Made up of the Genesis Band and the Dancing Grandmas from Utah, who’s ages range from 65 to 92, things have been taken SERIOUSLY old school with this one.
Extra points go to the ninety plus year-old woman who drops down to do the splits halfway through.
Uptown Funk “Oldtown Cover” ft. Alex Boye’, & The Dancing Grannies
~~Published on Feb 24, 2015~~
Many Thanks to my funky seniors!
All the Grandmas and Grandpas in this video did their own stunts. They range in age from 65-92! Between them, they have raised 500 children, 1,200 grandchildren, and 250 great grandchildren!!
~Genesis Band~
Dennis Pegues Don Harwell James Shepphard Natalie Shepphard Eddie Gist
Featuring : Jean Elliots “Golden Girls” (The Dancing Grandmas)
These beautiful ladies are well known in the Utah area for performing popular dance routines at Half-time Basketball games.
Thanks so much for everybody involved in this video, even those who came to just hang out and give moral support …. I had SO much fun doing this one.
I’m dusting off an old post that I prepared more than one year ago. I find it relevant today in light of the reported events which occurred in the one year celebration of Michael Brown’s shooting death in #Ferguson.
It’s been reported that the group was seen there during the memorial.
Their presence lead to chaos, intimidation, trouble and “persecution” of those who were present trying to remember these sad events one year prior.
I find them to be intimidating and overbearing.
I strongly believe in the 1st amendment and the right to bear arms for those who feel that need.
Yet, I’m not for an armed militia who has military training and god knows what’s in their (maybe twisted) minds.
I WENT TO A LOCAL ESTABLISHMENT TODAY AND FOUND THIS BROCHURE IN THEIR LOBBY.
THIS IS COPIED WORD BY WORD.
YOUR THOUGHTS???
Needless to say, I haven’t returned to said establishment.
Oath Keepers is a non-partisan association of currently serving military, reserves, National Guard, veterans, Peace Officers and Fire Fighters. Members will fulfill the oath we swore, with the support of like-minded citizens who take an oath to stand with us, to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, so help us God.
Our oath is to the Constitution, not to the politicians and not to any political party. In the long-standing tradition of the US military, we are apolitical. We don’t care if unlawful orders come from a Democrat or Republican or if the violation is bipartisan.
We will not obey unconstitutional (thus unlawful) and immoral orders such as orders to disarm the American people or to place them under martial law. We won’t “just follow orders”.
Against all enemies …..
PRINCIPLES OF OUR REPUBLIC WE ARE SWORN TO DEFEND
As our Declaration of Independence states:
All men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, To secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men. Governments derived their just powers from the consent of the governed. Whenever any form for Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it and to institute new Government Governments long established should not be charged for light and transient causes.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce then under absolute Despotism .. … it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government
Each of you must remind yourself of those hard earned lessons, renew your understanding of the principles of American liberty and how those principles are reflected on the Constitution and Bill of Rights you swore an oath to defend.
And then you must search your soul and arrive at your own personal line in the sand.
REMEMBER YOUR OATH
If you are in military service or are a peace officer, remember your oath. We hope for a return to the Constitutional Republic free from fear and hatred. We hate only tyranny. You may someday find yourselves as the last bulwark against that tyranny.
We are not advocating or promoting violence or acts of aggression towards any person, group or organization or government, whether local, state or national. We simply want all public servants to live up to their oath to “support and defend the Constitution” as it is written.
At all Oath Keepers gathering, we provide an opportunity for those who have taken the oath to renew their oath and for those who have never sworn the oath to do so for the first time, all standing together and repeating the following:
I, ___________________ , do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, pledging my life, my fortune and my sacred honor. So help me, God.
Become an official member of Oath Keepers. Join our national forum and your state’s official Oath Keeper group and get active locally Subscribe to our free email alerts. Download free PDF format fliers, business cards, brochures and other outreach material. Submit a testimonial of what your oath means to you. Donate to support our efforts.
You have the option to remain anonymous for all of the above.
Even if you have never served, you may join us as a Citizen Associate Oath Keeper and support our mission to defend our Constitutional Republic.
Oath Keepers logo ….
TEN ORDERS WE WILL NOT OBEY:
We WILL NOT obey orders to disarm the American people. We WILL NOT obey orders to conduct warrantless searches of the American people.
We WILL NOT obey orders to detain American citizens as “unlawful enemy combatants” or subject them to military tribunal. We WILL NOT obey orders to impose martial law or a “state of emergency” on a state. We WILL NOT obey orders to invade and subjugate any state that asserts its sovereignty. We WILL NOT obey any order to blockade American cities thus turning them into giant concentration camps. We WILL NOT obey order to force American citizens into any form of detention camps under any pretext. We WILL NOT obey orders to assist or support the use of any foreign troops on US soil against the American people to “keep the peace” or to “maintain control”. We WILL NOT obey orders to confiscate the property of American people, including food and other essential supplies. We WILL NOT obey orders which infringe on the right of the people to free speech, to peaceably assemble and to petition their government for a redress of grievances.
Honor yours …..
NOT ON OUR WATCH!!!
Oath Keepers National Leadership
~~Stewart Rhodes~~
Stewart is the founder and President of Oath Keepers. He served as a US Army paratrooper until disabled in a rough terrain parachuting accident during a night jump.
He is a former firearms instructor, former member of Rep. Ron Paul’s DC staff and was a volunteer fire fighter in Montana.
He graduated from Yale Law School in 2004, where his paper “Solving the Puzzle of Enemy Combatant Status” won Yale’s Miller prize for the best paper on the Bill of Rights. He assisted teaching US military history at Yale and was a Yale Research Scholar.
Stewart has written the monthly “Enemy at the Gates” column for S.W.A.T. Magazine, for The Warrior, the journal of Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyer’s College, for www.moreliberty.org and for JPFO.
Stewart Rhodes ….
We ALL are ONE!!
~Oath Keepers: American Revolution Started Over Disarmament~
~Published on Jan 23, 2013~
The American revolution started on April 19, 1775, after the British regulars came to disarm the militia of their stockpiles in Lexington. It became the shot heard ’round the world.
Today, the same establishment that has openly violated much the Constitution and Bill of Rights, wantonly spied on communications and staked TSA agents at airports despite the 4th Amendment, and much more in a long train of abuses, is now seeking to dismantle the 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms.
Right now there are a lot of people looking for a revolutionary leader; they are looking for someone to step up and organize a resistance against the government and the bankers. This is creating a vacuum of power. One that could be filled by someone who doesn’t have your best interests at heart.
It Is What It Is 