Texas Oil Refineries May Be Refunded $135 Million Out Of Public School, Community Funds

Texas Oil Refineries May Be Refunded $135 Million Out Of Public School, Community Funds: "Three commissioners appointed by Gov. Rick Perry may grant some of the nation's largest refineries a tax refund of more than $135 million - money Texas' cash-strapped schools and other local governments have been counting on to help pay teachers and provide other public services."

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Anwar al-Awlaki Is Killed in Yemen - NYTimes.com

Anwar al-Awlaki Is Killed in Yemen - NYTimes.com: A missile fired from an American drone aircraft in Yemen on Friday killed Anwar al-Awlaki, the radical American-born cleric who was a leading figure in al Qaeda’s affiliate there, according to an official in Washington.

Many of the details of the strike were unclear, but the official said that the drone fired a Hellfire missile and killed Mr. Awlaki, whom the United States has been hunting in Yemen for more than two years.

Yemen’s Defense Ministry confirmed Mr. Awlaki’s death, and both Yemeni and American officials hailed the strike as a significant success in the campaign to weaken Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, a group American officials believe to be the most dangerous Al Qaeda affiliate.

The Obama administration has escalated military and intelligence operations in Yemen, and the White House decision to make Mr. Awlaki a top priority to be hunted down and killed was controversial, given his American citizenship. "

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NYT: Cost of Treating Veterans Will

Retiree Benefits for the Military Could Face Cuts - NYTimes.com

Retiree Benefits for the Military Could Face Cuts - NYTimes.com: "As Washington looks to squeeze savings from once-sacrosanct entitlements like Social Security and Medicare, another big social welfare system is growing as rapidly, but with far less scrutiny: the health and pension benefits of military retirees."

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Texas toast? Rick Perry worries GOP

The first line of Rick Perry’s campaign obituary may have been drafted Thursday night: He got in too late.

It’s not quite time for his camp to panic but in his third debate in a month – nearly as many as he’s done in the entire decade he’s served as Texas governor – Perry demonstrated why so few presidential candidates who parachute into the race mid-campaign win the nomination.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/64248.html#ixzz1YoyOtCsm

Obama stands by Netanyahu | POLITICO 44

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised President Barack Obama’s efforts to dissuade Palestinian leaders from pushing for a United Nations vote on statehood, calling Obama’s actions a “badge of honor” for the president.



Obama stands by Netanyahu | POLITICO 44: ""The bonds between the U.S. and Israel are unbreakable," Obama said. "Peace cannot be imposed on the parties. It’s going to have to be negotiated. ... The ultimate goal of all of us is two states side by side, living in peace."

Netanyahu said Obama’s action to block the Palestinian statehood bid was a "badge of honor.""

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Obamacare Vindicated?: Number Of Young Adults With Health Insurance Spikes In 2011

Obamacare Vindicated?: Number Of Young Adults With Health Insurance Spikes In 2011: "According to a survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, nearly one million adults under the age of 26 gained health insurance in 2011. As a result, the percentage of adults between the ages of 19 and 25 with health insurance rose from 66.1% in 2010 to 69.6 this year."

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Texas - Justice Department Rejects Voting Maps - NYTimes.com

Texas - Justice Department Rejects Voting Maps - NYTimes.com: "The agency denied that the Congressional and House plans maintained or increased the ability of minority voters to elect their candidate of choice, as required by federal law. The Voting Rights Act requires map drawers to give special protection to districts that contain mostly minorities. Hispanics have accounted for two-thirds of the state’s growth since 2000. Democrats argued that the new maps simply packed Hispanics and blacks into the same districts."

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Republicans Loved Stimulus When Bush Was in the White House

Republicans Loved Stimulus When Bush Was in the White House: "President Bush lauded the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 for providing “a booster shot for our economy … [putting] money back into the hands of American workers and businesses.” Reps. Eric Cantor (R-VA) and John Boehner (R-OH) as well as Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) all seemed to agree, as did nearly 200 other Republican members of Congress that voted in support of the bill."

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Navy Cross awarded to 2 foreign-born US Marines - National Military Community | Examiner.com

Navy Cross awarded to 2 foreign-born US Marines - National Military Community | Examiner.com: "Birth country of origin had no bearing on the heroics of two Marines when they went against the enemy to save other Marines in an ambush in Afghanistan two years ago."

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Brilliant Strategist Behind Ron Paul’s Online Tactics Died Broke And Uninsured, Friends Couldn’t Raise Enough Donations | ThinkProgress

Brilliant Strategist Behind Ron Paul’s Online Tactics Died Broke And Uninsured, Friends Couldn’t Raise Enough Donations | ThinkProgress: "Politically correct news outlets covering health policy issues refuse to note that the far right and corporate lobbying effort to repeal health reform would restore America’s system where 45,000 Americans die every year because of lack of health coverage. Although CNN scorned politicians in previous years for suggesting that health reform saves lives, Blitzer’s question to Paul has actually forced a discussion of how politics affects every day lives, interrupting an otherwise vapid discussion of horse race presidential reporting."

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VIDEO: Liberty University Students Call It ‘Un-Christian’ To Allow People To Die Because They Lack Health Insurance | ThinkProgress

VIDEO: Liberty University Students Call It ‘Un-Christian’ To Allow People To Die Because They Lack Health Insurance | ThinkProgress: "The most distasteful moment in Monday’s Republican presidential debate was when CNN’s Wolf Blitzer asked whether a 30 year old who gets in a catastrophic accident should be allowed to die if he doesn’t have health insurance and the Tea Party audience cheered in approval, shouting “yes!”"

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Defense.gov News Article: DOD Set for ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Repeal

Defense.gov News Article: DOD Set for ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Repeal: "The repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law is slated to take effect tomorrow, a senior Defense Department official told reporters today.
The repeal of the law will mean gay and lesbian service members may be open about their sexual orientation. The department is ready for repeal, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.
Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will discuss the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law tomorrow at a Pentagon news conference."

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GOP-Led States Move To Change Voting Rules Ahead Of 2012

GOP-Led States Move To Change Voting Rules Ahead Of 2012: "After years of expanding when and how people can vote, state legislatures now under new Republican control are moving to trim early voting days, beef up identification requirements and put new restrictions on how voters are notified about absentee ballots."

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The GOP War on Voting | Politics News | Rolling Stone

The GOP War on Voting | Politics News | Rolling Stone: "As the nation gears up for the 2012 presidential election, Republican officials have launched an unprecedented, centrally coordinated campaign to suppress the elements of the Democratic vote that elected Barack Obama in 2008."

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CAT CEO on economy: Washington lacks honesty

This week, CBS Evening News anchor Scott Pelley is asking some of America's top CEOs how to get the country moving again.

Doug Oberhelman is CEO of Caterpillar, an American powerhouse of manufacturing. CAT builds construction and massive mining equipment.

Rick Perry's HPV mandate returns to haunt him - Alexander Burns - POLITICO.com

Rick Perry's HPV mandate returns to haunt him - Alexander Burns - POLITICO.com: "Rick Perry may not be unassailable on the right after all.

The Texas governor, who seized frontrunner status in the Republican presidential primary on the strength of his conservative views and economic record, is suddenly on the defensive over an unexpected issue: His 2007 attempt to mandate the human papillomavirus vaccine for sixth-grade girls."

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PolitiFact Virginia | Allen says he reined in state spending as governor

PolitiFact Virginia | Allen says he reined in state spending as governor: "A better gauge comes from examining the general fund, which supports public education, health programs and public safety. It’s mostly supported by state income and sales taxes.

The general fund was almost $6.8 billion when Allen took office. At the end of his term, he proposed a $9.9 billion general fund budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1998.

That means Allen endorsed $3.1 billion in additional general fund spending when he was governor -- a 45.6.percent rise.
"

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PolitiFact | Did President Barack Obama "steal" $500 billion from Medicare?

PolitiFact | Did President Barack Obama "steal" $500 billion from Medicare?: "Mostly, the new spending in the health care law comes from tax credits to help people of modest incomes buy health insurance and from expanding Medicaid to offer coverage to the poor. The tax credits and other cost-sharing subsidies are estimated to cost $350 billion over 10 years, while the Medicaid expansion costs $434 billion, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office."

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PolitiFact | Rick Perry says the 2009 stimulus 'created zero jobs'

PolitiFact | Rick Perry says the 2009 stimulus 'created zero jobs': "Separately, the council’s report cited four independent analyses by the Congressional Budget Office and three private economic analysis companies. Here’s what the groups found:

• CBO: Between 1.3 million and 3.6 million jobs saved or created.

• IHS/Global Insight: 2.45 million jobs saved or created.

• Macroeconomic Advisers: 2.3 million jobs saved or created.

• Moody’s Economy.com: 2.5 million jobs saved or created."

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United States: DOE Backs Solar Projects with Nearly $500 Million in Loan Guarantees | Joseph Baker

United States: DOE Backs Solar Projects with Nearly $500 Million in Loan Guarantees | Joseph Baker: "The project, dubbed SolarStrong, is already underway in Hawaii where SolarCity is installing a 4 MW solar system at Hickman Air Force base. When complete, SolarStrong is expected to create 371 MW of renewable energy. SolarCity will sell the power its systems produce to the Department of Defense (DOD) through long term power purchase agreements (PPA).

The DOD, which is the country's largest consumer of electricity, is moving rapidly towards its goal to source 25 percent of its energy's from renewables by 2025. Last week, it selected three companies for a $500 million multiple award contract for the purchase of energy from solar generating systems installed on Naval properties in Hawaii."

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Rick Perry: I am going to be honest with the American people – USATODAY.com

What I never said Ponzi!


The Perry flip-flop!
Rick Perry: I am going to be honest with the American people – USATODAY.com: "The first step to fixing a problem is honestly admitting there is a problem. America's goal must be to fix Social Security by making it more financially sound and sustainable for the long term. But Americans deserve a frank and honest discussion of the dire financial challenges facing the nearly 80-year-old program."

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Obama Just Gave Republicans The Excuse They Needed To Kill His Jobs Plan

Don't take the bait Republicans!!Obama Just Gave Republicans The Excuse They Needed To Kill His Jobs Plan: "President Barack Obama appeared to have GOP lawmakers in a pickle over the weekend — struggling with whether to oppose his jobs plan even though its stimulus measures consist mostly of tax cuts. But his newly-announced tax increases to pay for the bill appears to have given Republican lawmakers the political cover they needed to oppose the plan."

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70 Americans injured

70 Americans injured
http://m.cbsnews.com/storysynopsis.rbml?catid=20104430&feed_id=0&videofeed=36

REAGAN JOBS BILL GAINS MOMENTUM WITH DEMOCRATS - NYTimes.com

REAGAN JOBS BILL GAINS MOMENTUM WITH DEMOCRATS - NYTimes.com: "Congressional Democrats said today that they would accept a $4.3 billion emergency jobs bill proposed by the White House as a starting point in dealing with unemployment. But they said they would try to add about $1 billion to the measure. The Democrats said that the emergency package was only ''phase one'' of their efforts to deal with high unemployment and that they would propose other initiatives in future months. "

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From: http://americaneedsmitt.com/blog/2011/06/27/ronald-reagan-original-rino-braden-pace/

John Boehner Pictures - Bush Signs Economic Stimulus Act Of 2008 - Zimbio

John Boehner Pictures - Bush Signs Economic Stimulus Act Of 2008 - Zimbio: "Surrounded by cabinet and congressional members, U.S. President George W. Bush signs H.R. 5140, during an East Room event at the White House February 13, 2008 in Washington, DC. Bush has signed the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 into law."

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Hunger in Texas increases, latest federal survey shows | Trail Blazers Blog | dallasnews.com

Hunger in Texas increases, latest federal survey shows | Trail Blazers Blog | dallasnews.com: "Over the past three years, an average of 18.8 percent of Texas households couldn't get enough food to meet their needs, at least at times, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest review, released Wednesday."

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Finally, Obama Delivers The Fiery Jobs Speech Everyone's Been Waiting For

Finally, Obama Delivers The Fiery Jobs Speech Everyone's Been Waiting For: "President Barack Obama's Labor Day address in Detroit was short on specifics about his upcoming jobs plan, but the oratorical prowess that propelled him to the White House was on stirring display."

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Marines Ban Noisy Farts in Afghanistan

Marines Ban Noisy Farts in Afghanistan: "As if being separated from their families while they defend their country and having to memorize Britney Spears lyrics weren't stressful enough, Marines serving downrange in Afghanistan can no longer fart loudly anymore. Noisy farts offend Afghans, reports the Marine Corps Times."

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Tropical Depression Lee: A Weakened Storm Still Poses Flood Threat South

Tropical Depression Lee: A Weakened Storm Still Poses Flood Threat South: "The remnants of Tropical Storm Lee dumped steady rain Monday on the already soggy South, causing scattered flooding and power outages and forcing the evacuation of an apartment building in Mississippi's capital city."

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Rep. Joe Walsh Refuses to be "Prop" at President's Jobs Speech: Chicagoist: Chicago News, Food, Arts & Events

Here's Why Black Unemployment Has Gone Through The Roof

Here's Why Black Unemployment Has Gone Through The Roof: "The public sector is the most important source of employment for African Americans and a key source of high-paying jobs, especially for black women, according to a study by the U.C. Berkeley Department of Labor. African Americans are 30% more likely to hold government jobs than other workers; from 2008-2010, 21.2% of black workers were employed in the public sector, compared to just 16.3% of non-black workers."

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Job Growth Halts, Putting Washington Under Pressure - NYTimes.com

Cute.


Job Growth Halts, Putting Washington Under Pressure - NYTimes.com: "The dismal showing, the first time in 11 months that total payrolls did not rise, was the latest indication that the jobs recovery that began in 2010 lacked momentum. The unemployment rate for August did not budge, remaining at 9.1 percent.

As President Obama prepared to deliver a major proposal to bolster job creation next week, the report added to the pressure on the administration, on Republicans who have resisted any new stimulus spending, and on the Federal Reserve, which has been divided over the wisdom of using its limited arsenal of tools to get the economy moving again."

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DoD panel calls for radical retirement overhaul - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

DoD panel calls for radical retirement overhaul - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times: "All troops would receive the yearly retirement contributions, regardless of whether they stay for 20 years. Those contributions might amount to about 16.5 percent of a member’s annual pay and would be deposited into a mandatory version of the Thrift Savings Plan, the military’s existing 401(k)-style account that now does not include government matching contributions."

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Another Republican Rebukes Cantor: Chris Christie Demands Hurricane Aid Without Offsetting Cuts

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie reacted angrily to a fight brewing in Washington over whether Hurricane Irene disaster aid may need to be offset by federal spending cuts. “Our people are suffering now, and they need support now. And they [Congress] can all go down there and get back to work and figure out budget cuts later,” the Republican governor told a crowd in the flood-ravaged North Jersey town of Lincoln Park.

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/09/01/309789/christie-cantor-disaster-aid/

White House Requests $5.2B in New Disaster Funds

The White House told Congress on Thursday there's a need for more than $5 billion in additional disaster relief money, not even counting the billions that probably will be called for to help East Coast states hit by Hurricane Irene.

The administration also says that under the terms of last month's budget deal, Congress can provide more than $11 billion in disaster aid next year without finding offsetting budget cuts as demanded by some Republicans. The budget pact contains a little-noticed provision providing the flexibility in disaster spending.

Many lawmakers were unaware of the disaster aid provision when voting for the budget pact last month. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor has said additional disaster funding should be paid for by cutting spending elsewhere in the budget

Perry's 2001 remarks on study of joint health plan with Mexico get scrutiny | Trail Blazers Blog | dallasnews.com

Perry's 2001 remarks on study of joint health plan with Mexico get scrutiny | Trail Blazers Blog | dallasnews.com: "But some Texas tea party adherents have dusted off the Perry text and found an objectionable reference to a legislatively required study of "the feasibility of bi-national health insurance," or coverage of both U.S. and Mexican residents along the border."

Not to mention some other friendly gestures Perry made that day toward Mexico, including a boast about how he'd just signed a Texas DREAM Act that granted in-state college tuition rates to the children of illegal immigrants who are academic achievers. "Texas took the national lead in allowing such deserving young minds to attend a Texas college at a resident rate," he said. Perry also spoke glowingly of how the Legislature in 2001 passed a children's Medicaid simplification bill and increased funding for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.



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Worst Drought in Texas History Ravages Crops, Livestock - video

Awesome report!

Watch the full episode. See more PBS NewsHour.

Texas is caught in the grip of a devastating heat wave that has created the worst year of drought in the state's history. Gwen Ifill discusses the extreme conditions and their toll on crops, livestock and homes with NPR correspondent Wade Goodwyn.

N.J. floodwaters full of pollutants - video

Patterson, NJ - The flood water Hurricane Irene pushed into New Jersey's neighborhoods is full of industrial chemicals and fertilizer that will leave behind a toxic muck on streets and in basements. Michelle Miller reports.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/?tag=hdr;cnav#ixzz1WghdXU00

Contact voltage: America's unknown danger - video