“Unemployment Bump From Shutdown Hits Many Groups”

November 18, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

“Unemployment Bump From Shutdown Hits Many Groups” — ABC News, 11/8/2013

Dear Ralph,

The consequences of the Tea Party’s government shutdown are becoming clear.

Thanks to the shutdown, unemployment ticked up in October for the first time in months. The shutdown also took $24 billion out of our economy, and brought this nation to the very edge of a catastrophic default on our debt.

And as if playing politics with our economy wasn’t bad enough, they used the same radical partisan tactics to try to blame the whole thing on Democrats like me —including launching a wave of robocalls into my district from the Republican National Committee (RNC).

I’m used to attacks. I can take it because they’re just words. But what the Tea Party and the RNC are doing goes beyond words — they’re doing real damage to our country. And we all need to work together to stand against them.

I need your help to reach our $15,000 goal in November to fight back. Consider giving $5 or more today.

Expand Social Security

November 16, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

Ralph… Senator Sherrod Brown’s email endorsing our campaign to expand Social Security benefits has been covered by Rachel Maddow, TPM, the Washington Post, the Cleveland Plain Dealer, and more.

Join Sherrod Brown and 650,000 others in endorsing our campaign to EXPAND Social Security benefits here.

Thanks. — Kimberly Fountain, PCCC Campaign Director

Talking Points Memo: Dem Senators: We're Doing It Wrong, Let's Expand Social Security

SENATOR SHERROD BROWN’S EARLIER EMAIL TO PCCC MEMBERS:

Dear Ralph,

Social Security is a favorite punching bag in Washington — anywhere you look, someone is trying to privatize the program or otherwise cut it.

There are plenty of ways to improve the Social Security that nearly 2 million people in Ohio rely on — like lifting the income cap, or calculating benefits in a way that better accounts for the expenses seniors face. And neither of those involves cutting benefits.

That’s why today I’m announcing that I’m teaming up with Tom Harkin and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) to grow a progressive grassroots movement devoted to expanding Social Security — and I want you to join us.

Support the expansion of Social Security? Say so. Sign the petition today.

There’s been talk of tying Social Security benefits to a “Chained CPI.” But really, that’s a fancy Washington way of saying “let’s cut into people’s benefits over time.”

We need to expand Social Security, not cut benefits.

Our seniors have paid into Social Security all of their lives. And they deserve to see the benefits they’ve been guaranteed.

This isn’t negotiable. Generations of Americans have had Social Security to secure their retirement. It’s a promise we make — and I refuse to see it end with us.

Join the grassroots movement to expand Social Security. Add your name right now.

Thank you for your support.

— Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)

CSU’s Everitt Real Estate Center Set to Forecast 2014 Residential, Commercial Markets

November 16, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

Friday, November 15, 2013

Contact : Kate Hawthorne Jeracki

FORT COLLINS – Has the Fort Collins real estate market hit the top of its growth in prices and sales? Where are the commercial real estate markets headed in 2014?

Experts from the Everitt Real Estate Center in the Colorado State University College of Business will answer these questions, and more, in the Center’s Northern Colorado real estate forecast for 2014. The forecast, which includes outlooks for residential and commercial markets in Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley and Longmont, will be presented at the Center’s annual event onThursday, Nov. 21, 3:30-7 p.m., at the Embassy Suites Loveland, 4705 Clydesdale Parkway.

According to Eric Holsapple, executive director of the Center, the 2014 forecast will address pressing topics such as whether there will be a shortage of residential building lots next year. Can the market sustain continued cost increases? And what are the major risks and upsides to the area markets?

“We’ve been working with a variety of partners in the real estate profession to put together this forecast,” said Holsapple, a commercial real estate developer for the past 30 years and president of Midtown Homes based in Loveland. “We’ve identified and completed statistical analysis of the best data sources for the last 20 years and worked closely with the cities themselves as well as MetroStudy, CoStar, IRES, and top industry professionals to make the forecasts for next year.”

The Center’s team of researchers includes Holsapple; Sriram Villupuram, assistant professor of finance in the College of Business; CSU economics researcher Chris Hanum; licensed broker Windy Usrey; and top graduates from CSU’s real estate program, who have all been collaborating on the forecast for the past six months.

The team will be addressing the Northern Colorado residential and commercial markets, as well as major developments coming in the next year, economic changes that may impact local and regional businesses, and any trends that will shape the real estate profession.

“We’ll be making some high-level observations about the markets as well as specific forecasts for the areas,” Holsapple added. “No doubt that the information we present will be very useful to anyone working in the real estate profession, investing in real estate, lending on real estate, or those who own homes in the area.”

Up to three hours of Continuing Education credit are available for attendance at the Real Estate Forecast event. To register, go to www.csubz.us/REconf. Registration will be open through the day of the event.

For more information about the event or sponsorship opportunities, contact Ross Hilker at (970) 491-1670.

About the Everitt Center
The mission of the Everitt Real Estate Center is to produce and disseminate knowledge, to provide applied research solutions that address current and future real estate related needs of Northern Colorado, the Front Range of Colorado, and the West. The Center also aims to equip Colorado State University students, Center members, and the local community-at-large by developing real estate educational programs that supplement standard academic and industry training initiatives. The Center is supported solely from membership fees, event profits and donations.

Elizabeth Warren’s Amazing Speech on Abuse of Filibuster

November 15, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

Did you see Elizabeth Warren’s amazing speech on the Senate floor about how Republicans are abusing the filibuster?

President Obama has the constitutional duty to fill vacant judicial seats — an obligation he tried to fulfill earlier this week. Will it shock you to learn that Republicans filibustered these qualified nominees and refused to allow a vote?

During a similar crisis in 2005, senators from both parties agreed to only filibuster judicial nominees under “extraordinary circumstances.” Many of the Republicans who were central to that agreement are still in office — but now they are ignoring it.

On Wednesday, Senator Warren took to the Senate floor and told it like it is: due to repeated Republican abuse, Senators “have a duty” to reform the filibuster to “protect and defend our democracy.”

Watch Elizabeth Warren’s speech and join Daily Kos and Democracy for America in calling on Harry Reid to “go nuclear” on judicial nominations and reform the filibuster.

Back in July, Democrats stood strong together and made their stance clear — if Republicans did not allow a vote on presidential nominees, they would use the “constitutional option” (or, as some have called it, the “nuclear option”). In other words, Majority Leader Harry Reid would change the rules so that presidential nominees can be approved with a majority vote as opposed to a super-majority.

Amazingly Republicans came to their senses, allowed the votes and promised to play by the rules. But a few months later, here we go again. It’s madness and high time for Democrats to stand strong together.

Tell Majority Leader Harry Reid it’s time to “go nuclear” on judicial nominations and reform the filibuster.

Senator Elizabeth Warren and other progressive champions will keep fighting until the Republicans back down. Show your support today and let’s get our government working again.

Thank you for all that you do.

Jay

Jay Henderson, Campaign Manager
Democracy for America

n the Senate floor about how Republicans are abusing the filibuster?

Watch Elizabeth Warren’s speech and join Daily Kos and Democracy for America in calling on Harry Reid to “go nuclear” on judicial nominations and reform the filibuster.

Tell Majority Leader Harry Reid it’s time to “go nuclear” on judicial nominations and reform the filibuster.

Senator Elizabeth Warren and other progressive champions will keep fighting until the Republicans back down. Show your support today and let’s get our government working again.

Thank you for all that you do.

Jay Henderson, Campaign Manager
Democracy for America

HSU Women’s Basketball: Wilcox grabs CCAA Player of the Week acclaim after upset.

November 13, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

Nov. 9, 2013

HSU Women’s Basketball Wilcox grabs CCAA Player of the Week acclaim after upset

WALNUT CREEK – A big upset will have its stars during the course of action and the Humboldt State star which shown brightest picked up an award announced on Tuesday afternoon.

After helping the Lumberjacks score a 77-68 overtime upset of sixth-ranked and defending West Region champion Western Washington on last Saturday night, HSU’s Kersey Wilcox was named the Wilson/California Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Basketball Player of the Week.

The Jacks’ newcomer fueled the strong effort and eventual victory over the nationally-rated Vikings to punctuate a 1-1 weekend over two the best squads in the NCAA Division II West Region.

Over Friday’s season opener, the junior transfer contributed 13 points including seven-for-seven from the charity stripe, while handing out nine assists and pulling in three rebounds when a hard late charge fell short, 71-66, against Seattle Pacific.

The point guard followed with a remarkable second contest in a HSU uniform.

Trailing 49-39 almost 10 minutes into the second half, the court general registered 13 of the HSU’s next 19 points to take the lead. Wilcox netted a total of 19 points in the second half and overtime periods including a driving layup down the left side of the lane to seal the win with 50 seconds remaining in overtime and two final free throws to end the extra period.

The Prineville, Oregon native banked in 23 points, handed out seven assists to only two turnovers with six rebounds and a steal.

For the weekend, Wilcox averaged 18.0 points with 14 of 14 from the foul line, 16 assist and nine rebounds.

HSU will return to action this Saturday and Sunday at the CCAA/PacWest Challenge. The Jacks will face the host Urban Knights starting at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

Filed Under: America Economics, Animals and Protection for them, Colorado State University News, Congress Senate and the House, County Fair, Daily Kos, Food Stamps, Fox NEWS, Fracking up the Earth, Fukushima Radiation, GOP Spin, Gun Violence, Horse Racing, Journalist, Medical care, MSNBC, Nuclear waste!, OIL, People, Planet Earth, SBC CBS NBC Independent New, Social Security, Sports and Academics, Student Loan, Supreme Court, The U.S Senate, The Voice of America, Truthout, U.S. Congress, Uncategorized, Unions, Water, Welfare, White House Journalist, Whitehouse, Women's Rights Tagged With: 16 assist and nine rebounds. HSU will return to action this Saturday and Sunday at the CCAA/PacWest Challenge. The Jacks will face the host Urban Knights starting at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon., 2013 HSU Women’s Basketball For Immediate Release Wilcox grabs CCAA Player of the Week acclaim after upset WALNUT CREEK – A big upset will have its stars during the course of action and the Humboldt S, 71-66, against Seattle Pacific. The point guard followed with a remarkable second contest in a HSU uniform. Trailing 49-39 almost 10 minutes into the second half, Andrew, Bob, Burt, Chris, Christopher, Contra, Dan, Daniel, handed out seven assists to only two turnovers with six rebounds and a steal. For the weekend, HSU, HSU’s Kersey Wilcox was named the Wilson/California Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Basketball Player of the Week. The Jacks’ newcomer fueled the strong effort and eventual victory over the na, Humboldt State Women's Basketball -- Wilcox CCAA PoW -- 11/12/13 Inbox x Chris Myers 4:28 PM (20 hours ago) to Al, J.B., Jan, Jeff, Joddie, John, khsu-tf, KIEM, Kim, KXGO, Kylee, Laurie, Lost, NC Nov. 9, Oregon native banked in 23 points, the court general registered 13 of the HSU’s next 19 points to take the lead. Wilcox netted a total of 19 points in the second half and overtime periods including a driving layup down the left side of, the junior transfer contributed 13 points including seven-for-seven from the charity stripe, while handing out nine assists and pulling in three rebounds when a hard late charge fell short, Wilcox averaged 18.0 points with 14 of 14 from the foul line

Mitchell leads list of GNAC All-Academic selections

November 13, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

Nov. 13, 2013

Dan Pambianco SID Football Humboldt State Football

PORTLAND, Ore. – Humboldt State linebacker Taylor Mitchell has achieved the best great point among the all football players selected to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Academic all-conference football team, the league office announced Wednesday.

Mitchell’s 3.86 GPA in business administration is the top mark established by any player representing the league’s six schools. The sophomore from North Bend, Wash. is joined on the all-conference academic list by teammates Mick Johnson, Casey Mintz and Alex Markarian.

Johnson, a junior from Reno, Nev., carries a 3.65 GPA in business administration, Mintz, a junior from San Jose, has achieved a 3.60 GPA in psychology, and Markarian, a sophomore from Chino Hills, posted a 3.29 GPA.

To qualify for academic all-conference, players must be in their second year competing for their university, achieve a 3.20 or higher cumulative grade point average, and be a projected letterwinner in their sport.

Discrimination is a big deal, right?

November 13, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

Ralph —

Discrimination is a big deal, right?

So how come there’s still no law protecting LGBT Americans from discrimination in the workplace?

And how come Speaker Boehner won’t allow the House to vote on a bill that provides those safeguards – even when the Senate passed it by a big bipartisan margin?

It’s time to end that. Can you click here and demand Boehner bring up the Employment Non Discrimination Act for a vote?

Speaker Boehner is catering to the Tea Party’s hate by preventing this crucial measure from coming up for a vote.

If he continues to dig in his heals like a spoiled 5-year-old, then it’ll remain legal in 29 states to fire someone based on whom he or she loves.

Tell Speaker Boehner to stop thinking about politics and instead put people first. Click here to automatically add your name.

Let’s make sure the Tea Party doesn’t stop this common sense and overdue legislation from becoming law.

Add your name>>>

Thanks for standing up,

Stop The Tea Party

Right now, the EPA is asking for the public’s input on these new limits on carbon emissions

November 13, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

Friend –This may sound crazy, but it’s a fact: Today, there are no emission limits on our nation’s single largest source of carbon pollution.

About 40 percent of all carbon pollution in America comes from our power plants, but we don’t have anything in place on a national level to regulate the amount of carbon they put into the air.

That’s why the EPA announced a new proposal to set carbon pollution standards for power plants, the same way we regulate other dangerous substances, like arsenic and mercury. It’s a common-sense way to start to make a very real dent in reducing carbon pollution.

Right now, the EPA is asking for the public’s input on these new limits on carbon emissions — add your name to show your support, and we’ll pass it along.

Climate change is real — there’s no credible scientific debate anymore. We’re seeing its effects more and more every year. That’s why we need to do something about it — that includes taking action to reduce our carbon emissions.

President Obama knows how crucial this is. The Climate Action Plan he laid out this summer set guidelines for these proposed EPA rules and laid out a roadmap for further carbon pollution reduction, expanded renewables, and more energy efficiency projects.

He’s keeping his word on climate change — and now we need to do our part.

Add your name today to support the EPA’s proposal to clean up our power plants:

http://my.barackobama.com/Support-the-Presidents-Climate-Plan

Thanks,

Jack

Jack Shapiro
Deputy Climate Campaign Manager
Organizing for Action

CREDO action Tell the Washington Post: Disavow your editorial’s offensive, racist, and untrue rhetoric about interracial families The petition to the Washington Post reads: “Publishing a staff-written editorial suggesting that ‘People with conventional views must repress a gag reflex when considering the mayor-elect of New York — a white man married to a black woman and with two biracial children’ is not only offensive and hurtful, it’s wrong given that 87% of Americans approve of interracial marriage. Publicly disavow the column and hold accountable the writer and editors responsible for its publication.” Automatically add your name: Sign the petition ► Dear Ralph,

November 12, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

Tell the Washington Post: Disavow your editorial’s offensive, racist, and untrue rhetoric about interracial families

The petition to the Washington Post reads:
“Publishing a staff-written editorial suggesting that ‘People with conventional views must repress a gag reflex when considering the mayor-elect of New York — a white man married to a black woman and with two biracial children’ is not only offensive and hurtful, it’s wrong given that 87% of Americans approve of interracial marriage. Publicly disavow the column and hold accountable the writer and editors responsible for its publication.”Automatically add your name:

Dear Ralph,

Ever been on food stamps?

November 9, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

Ralph —

There is a reason why people say it is an “invisible” epidemic: chronic hunger in America may be reaching record rates, but we still can’t or won’t talk about it.

More than 46 million people rely on food stamps to feed themselves and their families. They are someone’s parents or children, they are co-workers and friends. Yet, if you ask many Americans, they will say that they don’t know anyone receiving federal assistance. They think that food insecurity is a problem that happens to someone else. Someone they couldn’t possibly know or be.

But here’s the problem: when something like hunger stays invisible, people don’t think about it very much. They don’t connect it to their own experiences.

And when Republicans slash benefits and force millions of struggling families to get by on even less, people don’t get angry when they need to be angry.

We simply cannot afford to allow this crisis to remain invisible anymore — we need your help. If you have received food stamps or know someone who has, please tell us your story. We need to show America that hunger can touch anyone, anywhere. And we need to make them realize that messing with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits is simply unacceptable.

Republicans in Congress know exactly who they are hurting when they cut benefits — often, their own constituents are suffering. But they still think they can get away with doing it. After all, people who need assistance often have too much to deal with to effectively fight back. And most other people think that hunger could never affect them.

Nothing could be further from the truth. In this difficult economy, with its stagnant wages and soaring costs, the vast majority of us are one bit of bad luck away from falling into the federal safety net. We should all be fighting to protect these benefits, because we never know when we ourselves will need them. But people don’t realize that until they can see themselves standing in another person’s shoes.

That is why talking about our experiences of hunger is so important — and why we are asking you to share your food stamp story with us today. Because this fight isn’t about some abstract program that might help someone somewhere else. It is about our neighbors, friends and family. And ultimately, it is about us, too.

Thank you for helping us fight these cuts,

Karli Wallace, Campaign Organizer
Democracy for America

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