Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Leaders Reid and McConnell Debate the Filibuster
Air date: November 26, 2012
Leaders McConnell and Reid spoke on the chamber floor about possible changes to Senate filibuster rules.
R.I.P: Bruce Lee, King of Kung-Fu
Martial Arts Icon Would Have Been 72 Today
He has been called the "King of Kung-Fu", the "Little Dragon", and the "Chinese Superman", and there is no doubt that Bruce Lee's remarkable impact is still resonating in the world of film and martial arts. From the shores of America to Zimbabwe, people continue to not only watch his films and replicate his moves, but register in martial arts academies in the hope of becoming the next Bruce Lee.
Millions remember Lee as a gifted student of Grandmaster Yip Man, a devotee of the Wing Chun system, and the founder of Jeet Kune Do. However, it is equally important to remember that Lee was not embraced by the masses, including the Hollywood community, when he first set foot on American soil because he was Chinese. Additionally, members of the Chinese martial arts community turned their backs on Lee after he opened a school in Seattle, Washington, and refused to heed commands to stop teaching "Chinese secrets" to Americans, who were considered "foreigners".
Bruce Lee battled racism on a number of levels, but he never lost sight of his goals or stopped believing that we are all the same regardless of skin color. As a former student, I salute Bruce Lee's monumental contribution to martial arts. As a Black man that has battled racism on a number of levels, I salute Bruce Lee's compassion and love for those who were not of Chinese origin.
Happy Birthday in heaven, Sifu Lee. The mark you've left on the world will continue to be as powerful as your legendary fists of fury.
This commentary is from the heart and.....from "The G-Man".
Video uploaded to YouTube by meatpuppet76 on May 3, 2007
Today in History: November 27th
San Francisco Mayor shot to death; Gerald Ford named as Richard Nixon's Vice President; Doctors perform world's first partial face transplant; Playwright Eugene O'Neill dies.
Yasser Arafat's Body Exhumed in Ramallah
A planned military funeral was cancelled, and Arafat's remains were quietly returned to his tomb later on Tuesday morning. The whole process took about 10 hours. Al Jazeera's Jamal Elshayyal reports.
Dual-Currency Policy Divides Cubans
Cuba's two-currency system - the Cuban peso and the CUC, which is also known as the "convertible currency" - has economic benefits. But the only way Cubans can earn in CUCs is by working in sectors that are connected to the outside world, such as tourism. The disparity is tempting many medical professionals to change careers. Al Jazeera's Teresa Bo reports from Havana, Cuba.
Russia's Biting Cold Takes its Toll
Extreme temperatures in Russia take a toll on almost 100,000 homeless people who struggle to survive winter in the streets of Moscow. The government says the cold has killed at least 15 people in the last two weeks in the Russian capital alone. Despite the efforts of both government and voluntary shelters hundreds more homeless men and women are expected to perish in the freezing months ahead. Al Jazeera's Charles Stratford reports from Moscow.
Thai Inventors Try to Clear the Air
As Thailand's economy booms, so does the number of vehicles on their roads and pollution in the air. However, Thai inventors have modeled a small device that can be attached on any vehicle's exhaust pipe - helping the vehicles to reduce emissions. Al Jazeera's Wayne Hay reports from Bangkok, Thailand.
Monday, November 26, 2012
DR Congo Crisis Dominates Airwaves
The ongoing tension is making many people in Kinchasa nervous - and it's dominating debate in the media. Radio airwaves across the Democratic Republic of Congo are full of talk of the crisis and how best resolve it. Haru Mutasa is in Kinchasa, where opposition politicians are using talk shows to push for President Kabila's resignation.
Cobell Settlement Approved
Statement by President Obama
"I welcome the final approval of the Cobell
settlement agreement, clearing the way for reconciliation between the trust
beneficiaries and the federal government. While Elouise Cobell, the named
plaintiff in this case is no longer with us, her legacy will be a renewed
commitment to our trust relationship with Indian Country. I thank her for
her honorable work, and also want to thank the leaders at the Departments of
the Interior, Justice and Treasury who helped reach this conclusion."
Information concerning the origin of the case and the new agreement is available by clicking here.
Hurricane Sandy Damage Assessment Meeting Held
Participants Included Governor Cuomo, New York's Congressional Delegation, Mayor Bloomberg amd Regional County Executives
Governor Andrew Cuomo today
held a briefing with New York State's Congressional delegation, New York City
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and County Executives from Nassau, Suffolk and
Westchester Counties to review a detailed assessment of the damage and future
mitigation/prevention costs as a result of Hurricane Sandy, as well as discuss
the state's approach to seeking supplemental federal assistance to help cover
the repair and restoration costs.
The cost of the storm, as estimated in consultation with private firms
including PricewaterhouseCoopers and the PFM Group, as well as the city and the
counties, includes:
$32.8 billion in repair and restoration costs
$9.1 billion in mitigation and prevention costs
"The devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy is of unprecedented
proportions, ranking among the worst natural disasters in our nation's history
in terms of loss of life, property damage, and economic impact," Governor
Cuomo said.
"Today's meeting with our state's Congressional delegation builds upon the close cooperation between local, state, and federal partners that has existed throughout Hurricane Sandy and in the storm's aftermath. Working together, we will rebuild stronger and better than ever before, so New York State is better prepared and has the infrastructure in place to handle future major weather incidents."
The focus of the delegation meeting today was on the $32.8 billion in repair
and response costs and the need for $9.1 billion in mitigation/prevention
expenses, which break down into the following categories:
Recovery
and Prevention Costs ($ in millions)
|
|
New York City
|
$15,045.10
|
Nassau County
|
$6,602.60
|
Suffolk County
|
$1,784.90
|
Westchester County
|
$527.80
|
Rockland County
|
$143.70
|
Other Counties
|
$18.10
|
Utilities
|
$1,504.00
|
New York State Agencies
and Transit Authorities
|
$7,177.90
|
Total Recovery
|
$32,804.10
|
Total Prevention and
Mitigation
|
$9,080.80
|
TOTAL RECOVERY AND
PREVENTION
|
$41,884.90
|
Recovery
Costs ($ in millions)
|
|
Government Response
|
$1,627.30
|
Individual Assistance
|
$913.30
|
Housing
|
$9,672.00
|
Business Impact
|
$6,000.00
|
Health
|
$3,081.00
|
Schools
|
$342.70
|
Transit, Roads and
Bridges
|
$7,348.10
|
Parks and Environment
|
$793.90
|
Water, Waste and Sewer
|
$1, 060.3
|
Utilities
|
$1,504.00
|
Government Operation
Revenue
|
$461.50
|
TOTAL
|
$32,804.10
|
In
Comparison to Katrina
|
||
Sandy in
New York |
Katrina & Rita in
Louisiana
|
|
Housing units damaged
or destroyed
|
305,000*
|
214,700
|
Power outages (peak)
|
2,190,000
|
800,000
|
Businesses Impacted
|
265,300
|
18,700
|
*This number only
includes assessment to date; the number is anticipated to grow
|
||
The delegation and the Governor discussed seeking supplemental federal
assistance to meet the repair and restoration costs.
The $9 billion in mitigation/prevention costs include "common sense"
mitigation actions, such as flood protection for the World Trade center site
and vulnerable road and subway tunnels, fuel supply system power generation,
sewage treatment plant flood protection, and secondary power supply systems for
health care facilities.
The damage estimates have been developed in consultation with
PriceWaterhouseCoopers and the PFM Group.
PFM's review notes that the estimates are generally conservative and some areas, including housing, may understate the degree of impact.
Goldfeder, Addabbo Take Action to Help Sandy-Ravaged South Queens
"FEMA is Now Here in Howard Beach Seven Days a Week"
Queens, NY – In response to their November 20
storm-related Town Hall held at P.S. 146 by New York State
Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Far Rockaway) and New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach), they announced today that the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has now set up a local office at
159-55 102nd Street, Howard Beach, to assist the devastated
community, nearby Hamilton Beach, and other South Queens areas where
home and business owners are still reeling in the aftermath of Superstorm
Sandy.
Goldfeder and Addabbo wasted no time in responding
to the concerns and needs of their constituents by bringing in FEMA
representatives and having them set up a base of operations next to Addabbo’s
Howard Beach district office, which is in the process of being rebuilt after extensive
flood damage.
The office has remained open for business since
the day after “Sandy” hit. FEMA representatives will be at the new Howard Beach
office seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., to answer any storm-related
questions from South Queens residents.
SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro to Leave Post
Statement by President Obama
Today, the President issued the following statement on the announcement by Mary
Schapiro, the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, that she will be leaving her post. The President also announced that he intends to designate Elisse Walter, a current Commissioner, as Chair upon Ms. Schapiro’s departure next month.
President Obama said, "I want to express my deep gratitude to Mary Schapiro for her steadfast leadership at the Securities and Exchange Commission. When Mary agreed to serve nearly four years ago, she was fully aware of the difficulties facing the SEC and our economy as a whole. But she accepted the challenge, and today, the SEC is stronger and our financial system is safer and better able to serve the American people – thanks in large part to Mary's hard work.
"I am also pleased to designate Elisse Walter as SEC Chairman after Mary's departure. I'm confident that Elisse's years of experience will serve her well in her new position, and I'm grateful she has agreed to help lead the agency."
More information on Schapiro's career and departure is available in this Los
Angeles Times article.
'Morning Joe': One Month to Go to Solve Fiscal Cliff
Editor's note: The video may take a few seconds to load.
Bill Moyers Essay: The Cowardly Lions of ‘Free Speech’
Following a Supreme setback, Bill Moyers exposes the ‘hoax’ of Citizens United. The segment was originally broadcast on July 6, 2012.
Newsmakers with Mary Kay Henry
Air date: November 20, 2012
Mary Kay Henry, President of SEIU, Mary Kay Henry talks about being at the White House for meetings that President Obama held over three days with labor and progressive groups, business leaders and members of Congress about the “fiscal cliff.”
The Future of the Republican Party
Air date: November 26, 2012
Matt Lewis talked about the future of the Republican Party and steps the party might take to appeal to key voter blocs it lost in the 2012 elections. He also addressed ongoing “fiscal cliff” negotiations in Congress, and he responded to telephone calls and electronic communications.
Al Jazeera Talks to M23 Spokesperson
Al Jazeera's Nazanine Moshiri talks to Amani Kabasha, the deputy spokesperson for M23 in Goma, as the Congolese army and the rebel fighters, M23 reach an uneasy stalemate.
DR Congo Conflict Creates Refugee Crisis
The African Union has called on M23 rebels to lay down their weapons and to leave the regional capital of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. But the rebels say they will remain in Goma until they start direct negotiations with the governement and the government refuses to start the talks before M23 pulls out. Meanwhile, the UN says there are now 140,000 internally displaced people in and around Goma. Al Jazeera's Nazanine Moshiri reports.
U.S. Climate Policy in Focus After Storms
Severe storms like Hurricane Sandy have forced Americans to investigate possible links to global warming. This summer, a record-breaking drought ravaged the Midwest, destroying crops and boosting food prices. Yet, efforts to enact a national climate policy remain stagnant. Al Jazeera's Rob Reynolds reports from Washington.
U.S. Army and NFL Promote Awareness on Traumatic Brain Injuries
The U.S. Army and the National Football League have joined forces to promote awareness about traumatic brain injuries, or TBI. The initiative came after an increased number of soldiers and football players were diagnosed with TBI. Rosiland Jordan reports from Washington.
Egyptians Polarised Over President Morsi's Decree
The decree to extend Mohamed Morsi's presidential powers has polarised opinion and caused violence to erupt in various parts of Egypt amid protests. Al Jazeera's Sherine Tadros reports from the capital, Cario.
Thousands Mourn Bangladesh Fire Victims
The Bangladeshi garment factory that burned down on Saturday was given a 'high risk' safety warning by U.S. retailer Wal-Mart last year. The plant made clothes for the supermarket giant and other big western chains. Thousands of people have gathered outside the factory to mourn for the estimated 110 that died. Al Jazeera's Nicolas Haque reports.
China Lands Jet on First Aircraft Carrier
China has successfully landed a fighter jet on its first aircraft carrier, which entered service two months ago, the country's official news agency confirmed. Xinhua News Agency said the landing exercise on the Liaoning carrier marked the debut of the J-15 fighter jet, a fighter-bomber developed by China from Russia's Sukhoi Su-33. Al Jazeera's Khadija Magardie explains what makes the event a significant milestone for China.
Progress Still Elusive for Many Philippine Families
Two years after President Benigno Aquino took office, the Philippines has developed into one of the fastest growing economies in Asia. But how much of that success is filtering down to ordinary people? Al Jazeera's Jamela Alindogan went to re-visit a family we first met four years ago.
Catalan Poll Results Point to New Coalition
The results of the Catalan polls aren't as definitive as leader Artur Mas had hoped, although his alliance did win the majority of parliamentary seats. Now, Mas will likely have to form a coalition government and the leftist ERC - which doubled its number of seats - could make a powerful coalition partner. Al Jazeera's Barnaby Phillips reports from Barcelona.
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