Okay, once again, I’ve dropped the ball on my monthly posts of the bills passed by the White House. The purpose for this post is to inform you of the new laws and acts enacted by Congress and President Obama. With the advent of the Internet it’s gotten easier to watch every step our government takes. And President Obama is making some nice moves to make what they do more transparent to the American people. We elect them, so we need to make sure they are doing their job. The laws I list are posted at govtrack.us, which is a nice site for checking laws in any stage their in. As always feel free to leave any additional comments.
On Jan 22, 2010, the President signed the following bill(s) into law: H.R. 4462: Small Business Act Temporary Extension. To accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
On Jan 27, 2010, the President signed the following bill(s) into law: S. 2949: Emergency Aid to American Survivors of the Haiti Earthquake Act. A bill to amend section 1113 of the Social Security Act to provide authority for increased fiscal year 2010 payments for temporary assistance to United States citizens returned from foreign countries, to provide necessary funding to avoid shortfalls in the Medicare cost-sharing program for low-income qualifying individuals, and for other purposes.
It’s amazing how a disaster can bring people together and due to major advancements in technology, it’s easier than every to lend a hand. I’ve received information via email, text and Facebook about Wyclef Jean’s efforts to help those in Haiti. It’s pretty easy to donate and you know the funds are going to be used wisely. To donate via your cell phone text “Yele” to 501501 and $5.00 will be charged to your cell phone bill. To donate online, click here.
The Red Cross also has a text message option and so far has raised over $4 million in mobile donations. To donate to the Red Cross via your mobile phone, text the word “Haiti” to the number 90999. A donation of $10.oo will be charged to your mobile phone bill.
Local Dallas radio host Tom Joyner said in this morning’s show that he and his team have plans to fly to Port-au-Prince to set up an internet cafe for Haitian citizens to contact family in America. In a post at blackamericaweb.com, they list some other things we can do to help out.
I shouldn’t be surprised at the global response to help a country in need, but I would like to end this post with a message from the Villager titled “Haiti Earthquake: Will America Care Next Week?”. Haiti has always been a country in need and I hope America will not forget them or others who need a helping hand.
World AIDS Day, observed December 1 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection.
HIV/AIDS has been a global epidemic for more than 27 years. Most of today’s youth have never known a world without it. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently published national HIV incidence (new infections) that showed much higher numbers that previous estimates. The time is now. Together, we can prevent the spread of this pandemic – through awareness, care, prevention, education and research.
The Red Ribbon is the international symbol of support for people living with HIV. Wearing a red ribbon is a great way to raise awareness about HIV as well as to break down stigma and prejudice, so make sure you get yours in time for World AIDS Day!
Last year I had the opportunity to post about Worlds AIDS Day and found a lot of interesting information about how it affects us on a local and international scale. I was amazed to find out how many black people were infected with the disease. It’s not something that’s always discussed in our community and this is why I appreciate the effort of those willing to blog about this important day.
Don’t forget to turn those clocks back one hour tonight before you go to bed. There’s a lot of debate around daylight savings, so I want to know what you think. Is daylight savings necessary? Do you like getting and losing that extra hour of sleep each year?
Before you vote, here’s some more information regarding daylight savings.
Recorded literally on his way back from the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh, the President uses his Weekly Address to recap the progress made during the intensive discussions with world leaders. From an historic agreement to reform the global financial system, to groundbreaking commitments on reducing subsidies to fossil fuels worldwide, to unity in standing against threats to world peace – engagement produced tangible results in several areas.
Here’s a film recommended to me by @Jchasemusic on Twitter. It shows a tour of Nassau and the island of New Providence in the Bahamas in the 1950s. Not having been alive during that time, I though the commentator was very interesting in his description of the island. I’m not sure if it would have made me want to pack my backs and go on a vacation, but I’m not sure I would have been too welcome anyways. The footage was found on the Travel Film Archive’s Youtube channel.
With high unemployment numbers, a struggling economy and record foreclosures, it’s easy to get caught up in the tough times Americans are facing on a daily basis. That’s why I feel it’s important to every once and a while see what others are facing around the world. In a recent podcast on ghettoGEEK Radio they focus on the current political struggle in IRAN with fellow blogger Sable Verity! Sable discusses the Iranian conflict from a political and cultural vantage point. Utilizing Neda Soltan’s death, Ahmedinejad’s rhetoric, and America’s current strategic posture, Sable provides insights on gender issues, issues of oppression, and implications for Iran’s affect upon the global community.
In a time when jobs are scarce and people are nervous about losing the job they have, networking is becoming all the more important. There was a time when you had to join professional societies (which I still recommend) to get your network on. But now, connections with people all over the world can easily be made from the comfort of your cozy couch.
If you don’t know what LinkedIn is all about I’d recommend starting here first. From there, check out a post shared by Mario Sundar called Ten Ways to Use LinkedIn by Guy Kawasaki. That should get you stared and hopefully will convince you to open up an account. The world of social networking is growing on a daily basis and it’s becoming an easy and affordable way to get attention for a service or product you offer. I started using LinkedIn to keep up with friends and advertise my business. I made some good contacts and my network has grown over the years to include business relationships with people all over the world.
After getting schooled on the world of LinkedIn, here’s the article you came here to see.
Who woulda thunk it! Before he announced he was officially running, I was one of those who thought Obama should have waited to let Hillary get her eight years and then take his after she was done. I figured it would guarantee the Democrats 16 years in Office. I never thought the American people would go for it. Boy was I wrong.
Today is a special day for all people. Whether you voted for him or not, Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States of America and is in need of your help to set this country back on track. I was never one to think he would come in a fix everything with a magic wand, but I am one who believes Obama is the change agent this country needs. I’m hoping he will continue to be open to ideas from other parties and will push all Americans to get involved in making things better for all people. We’ve been selfish for a long time and the problems we are facing today are a result of our actions. It’s time for a change in our thinking and how we view the world around us.
One thing that I’m excited about the most is that my boys will be able to grow up under the administration of a black president. It’s been funny to see him get excited when he sees a picture of Obama and he knows without us telling him who his president will be. There’s a renewed hope in what’s been accomplished and America is a better place because of it. So if you pray, let’s keep him and his family in your prayers. If you don’t pray, then wish him luck. But whatever you do, he’s going to need it because there’s a lot of work ahead of the Obama Administration.
I can’t imagine what it’s like to have people despise you everywhere you go. An Iraqi journalist with al-Baghdadia television network chunked a shoe at President Bush during a press conference. I use the word chunked because this was not your typical throw. He was right on target to clock Bush in the head. If it hadn’t been for the President’s quick reflexes, we would have had an international crisis on our hands. The act of throwing a shoe at someone is considered to be a major insult to a person. That guy will never been seen again. To Guantanamo Bay you go.
Okay, once again, I’ve dropped the ball on my monthly posts of the bills passed by the White House. The purpose for this post is to inform you of the new laws and acts enacted by Congress and President Obama. With the advent of the Internet it’s gotten easier to watch every step our government takes. And President Obama is making some nice moves to make what they do more transparent to the American people. We elect them, so we need to make sure they are doing their job. The laws I list are posted at govtrack.us, which is a nice site for checking laws in any stage their in. As always feel free to leave any additional comments.
