Xenophobia as Excuse to Do Nothing

Saving Lake Olmstead

Georgians Ready for Immigration Reform

Diplomacy of drones and American Amazons

“American foreign policy is not defined by drones and deployments alone,” Senator John Kerry told before a Senate committee on his nomination to become secretary of state, reading from prepared remarks. “We cannot allow the extraordinary good we do to save and change lives to be eclipsed entirely by the role we have had to play since September 11th, 2001, a role that was thrust upon us.”

Farmworkers and ObamaCare

There are an estimated 600,000 crop workers, and an additional 20,000 livestock workers, in California at any given time. Theirs are physically demanding jobs that carry a high risk of occupational injury – yet the vast majority of these workers lack health insurance. That could change in 2014 when the Affordable Care Act is fully implemented, although significant barriers will need to be overcome between now and then, if most farmworkers are to benefit. 

What can you do?

• "The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it – and the glow from that fire can truly light the world. And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country." U.S. President John F. Kennedy inaugural address January 20, 1961.
• Today's teen to the parent or guardian: Ask me what else you can do for me. 

A Day of Service at the Harrisburg Garden

US should lead Arms Trade Treaty

The National Rifle Association (NRA) wants to make a "meaningful contribution" to prevent gun violence? Here's one idea: the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). The United Nations is preparing to finalize the treaty, which would help stem the flow of weapons to human rights abusers. And world leaders will negotiate and vote on it in March.

Obama's déjà vu

If you’re having political déjà vu as Obama’s second term in the White House gets underway, you’re not alone. The supposedly populist candidate — who won re-election promising to tax the rich, protect Social Security, and make the economy fair — has morphed back into an invaluable ally of the economic elite. Yet again, he’s willing to let you fall under the bus.

Arizona keep control of Medicaid expansion

Arizona’s Jan Brewer became the third Republican governor to accept the Medicaid expansion offered through Obamacare on Monday, accepting one of the key components of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul plan after spending months reiterating her “unwavering” opposition to the law.

Is the opposition dead in Georgia?

ATLANTA, GA - Georgia lawmakers begin a new legislative session Monday. They will wade through hundreds of bills over the next three months. But there’s only one thing they are required to get done. By state law, legislators must pass a balanced budget.

Military guns save us from coyotes

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro has introduced legislation aimed to curb gun violence by creating a tax credit to encourage people to turn-in assault weapons to state or local police. But the Augusta Chronicle reported today coyotes are being blamed for decline in deer donations. The Richmond County Democratic Party also sent a request to Georgia's lawmakers to ban military guns.

A victim of prosecutorial 'bullying'?

Aaron, Manning, Assange, Kyriakoy, Occupy, all persecuted, hounded, some tortured. For what? For speaking truth to power, for revealing corruption, war crimes. For liberating information. 

Medical records go unhealthy online world

With all the cyber attacks going on the Obama administration should be careful to implement the medical records system online. The latest cyber attack involving more than 3 millions accounts from South Carolina IRS server should be a big red flag to review the Affordable Care Act in that area. Contrary to those voices supporting the idea of digitalizing even the currency system, is not hard to imagine what could happen to people in case of disasters, when only cash is accepted for purchasing water or food; what to expect if hackers manipulate your medical history?

Sheriff Roundtree stumbling beginnings

Embedded media? I don't have friends in the law enforcement circle, the military or any Homeland Security Agency in the country. Maybe is a good thing not to have or probably is good to have one just in case, like some media personality like to brag about in Augusta. Nevertheless, to be ignored by the Richmond County Sheriff Office (RCSO) is not good, especially when we have the first minority person elected in office.

Criminal case against Mexican graduate dismissed

ATLANTA (AP) — The criminal case against a young woman from Mexico whose 2010 arrest for a traffic offense in suburban Atlanta nearly led to her deportation has been dismissed, according to a court document.

Tributes to Martin Luther King in Augusta

Augusta will have two Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Programs:  one observed January 21 at the Paine College Chapel at 11:30am; and the second one on Tuesday 15, at the First Baptist Church at 7:00pm.  Both programs are designed to appeal to the greater human responsibility to each other.  

The Fiscal Nightmare of Aging

SAN DIEGO (Eileen Beal) --Keeping older people healthy so they can be independent and productive well into their 70s – and even 80s – isn’t just a medical challenge, it’s also an economic challenge, said Michael W. Hodin, executive director of the Global Coalition on Aging at a recent Gerontological Society of America workshop.

What to expect from Congress 113

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10) released the following statement after voting against the deal to avoid the fiscal cliff which passed the House tonight 257 to 167 votes: