Lobbying Blog Post 2: Clean Chemicals Act

I am lobbying for the Clean Chemicals Act of 2011. Currently, the bill is in the Senate, in committee. With a bit of research, I found out that my bill is currently in the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. None of the representatives from my state are in this committee. The chair is Barbara Boxer, a democrat from California. I looked at her voting record, and it was clear she would be for the bill. Right now, the bill is in the subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics, and Environmental Health. Luckily for my bill, the chair of that subcommittee is Frank R. Lautenberg, the New Jersey representative who first introduced the bill. The minority "ranking members" of committee and subcommittee are republicans from the midwest. Generally, their voting histories make me think that they will be against a powerful bill to control chemical production because it could affect industry. They have no reason to listen to me, because I am not a constituent – nor do I have any ties to their states. Because they are the minority, however, I still hope that my bill can make it to Senate.


My representatives in Senate are Bob Casey and Pat Toomey.

Bob Casey, on his website, states that "as a Senator from Pennsylvania, I am committed to protecting the environment, preserving our natural treasures, and safeguarding the health of our families," and states that energy and the environment are among his priorities. He says that he is strongly against fracking, and has cosponsored one bill that would "close big oil tax loopholes". However, based on the list of legislation he has sponsored and cosponsored, his priorities seem to lie much more with veterans and education. He has four daughters, all of whom are around my age, and he plays basketball – so I would definitely be able to start a conversation with him.

Pat Toomey, on the other hand, will certainly not want the bill to be passed. One of his slogans is "More Jobs, Less Government" (see image below). Because of this, he will certainly not want more restrictions on companies that could be producing more and hiring more. He even introduced the Employment Protection Act of 2011, which would make the EPA "consider the impact on employment levels and economic activity" before any regulatory action. The Clean Chemicals Act is certainly in conflict with this bill. I looked for interests he and I might share, and found nothing. I am uncertain how I will be able to argue for this bill against someone who so clearly is opposed to anything of the kind.

If the bill gets through Senate, it will go to the House of Representatives. There, my representative if Chaka Fattah (see district map below). Looking through his legislative record, it is clear that his priority lies with education – from early childhood care to college funding. Howeve, he also sponsored the Clean Energy Act of 2010, which would have supported research into nuclear energy and other forms of renewable power. Based on this, I think he is highly likely to support the Clean Chemicals Act of 2011. Because of his interest in education, especially public education, I would definitely try to start a conversation by talking to him about my school.

For the post part, my representatives and the people on the bill's committee look like they'll support it. However, the opponents of the bill look quite immovable: Toomey, with whom I have very little in common, and the various Senators who are strongly opposed to the bill and do not have any reason to listen to some girl from Pennsylvania.

Screen Shot 2011-10-21 at 11.35.29 AM
Screen Shot 2011-10-21 at 11.35.29 AM

(from Toomey's campaign website)


Fattah District Map
Fattah District Map
(from www.house.gov, representative search by zip code.)

Class assignment 10/21 - 25

School District of Philadelphia AUP

Science Leadership Academy AUP

Work with your group to find the following things....

Name three major differences between the SLA AUP and the SDP AUP

What is the most unfair rule from both AUPs

With your group come up with three changes for both AUPs to make the policies better.

Now imagine you have children write an AUP for your home network with your group.

Upload your answers to Moodle - every student must upload their groups reactions. The assignent link is below -  AUP group activity - Due Tue 10/25Assignment 


Learning The Days of the Week (Los Días de la Semana)

Never capitalize days of the week because it'll have another meaning. You can ask what todays date is by saying ¿Qué dia es hoy?. To learn the days of the week you must practice the days of the week by memorizing them in order and listing to the days of the week song. This link will take you to a video about how to learn the days of the week.  

Screen Shot 2011-10-20 at 10.26.02 AM
Screen Shot 2011-10-20 at 10.26.02 AM
In this video, Leah asks Emmanuel what his favorite day of the week is.

¿Qué tiempo hace?

Before you can answer to questions like ¿Qué tiempo hace?, you need to learn how to say weather and season in spanish. Therefore, below here is a chart that can help you.
Screen Shot 2011-10-28 at 10.34.22 AM
Screen Shot 2011-10-28 at 10.34.22 AM
Screen Shot 2011-10-28 at 10.34.37 AM
Screen Shot 2011-10-28 at 10.34.37 AM
Real life situation 

So you in mexico, and everybody in mexico only speak spanish. So someone ask you ¿Qué tiempo hace?, now your learning skill come in handing. Here is a video:
Here is Amy's Blog Post for Time
Here is Amy's Blog post for greeting
Here is Amy's Blog post for alphabet 

Scotus Blog Case Judulang v. Holder

The case I am talking about today is Judulang v. Holder. In this case the United Stats wants to remove a lawful permanent resident who has lived here since 1974, because he was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in 1989. The main thing they reference is the former section 212© of the Immigration and Nationality Act 8, which allows a noncitizen to come into the country even with a criminal conviction. But ever since a case called Francis v. INS made section 212© able to be used for lawful permanent residents and non citizens trying to get into the country. But when congress felt that they needed change, in 1996 they repealed section 212© but made it so that anyone who would've been able to get it at the time can still use section 212© to their advantage. Since Judulang was convicted in 1989 and he met the requirement for section 212©.  For some reason the immigration denied the wavier and told Judulang he had to leave the country. The board of Immigration and the ninth circuit(which also handles immigration) agreed with the board of immigration. This could mean anybody in Judulangs' situation would not be eligible from removal when convicted.

The constitutional question that comes into play here is one that it seems like a lot of people in the court and outside of the court are confused about and that is the tenth amendment. The tenth amendment is the amendment that so closely deals with immigration but when I researched more the constitution never discusses immigration it brings in the concept of immigration. Also to clarify the tenth says that this would be a state problem to deal with so I don't entirely know why this case is being challenged on the grounds of the constitution.

The main argument that Judulang had was that before the ruling by the BIA in 2005 in Matter of Blake and Matter of Brieva-Perez, he or any lawful permanent resident could apply for relief for any conviction even one such as voluntary manslaughter. He tried to get the law rationally reviewed under the Equal Protection clause but could not. He also says that when they ruled and change their practices it was contradictory and represents a retroactive change in the law.

The only real arguments that the U.S. made in this case were that section 212© relief is only available when there is a similarity between the reason they are being deported and the reason they are being removed. They also tried to invalidate his case against the board showing a change in law and that it should be reviewed.

I am almost sure that this case will go in favor Judulang because the U.S. has minimal success in convincing the supreme court justices of anything and also the supreme justices seem to ask questions that seem look in favor of Judulang.

Alfebeto en Español (Spanish Alphabet)




Alexander Held

Alfebeto Pronunciation Key and Alfebeto


A a (ahh)

B b (beh)

C c (sey)

D d (they)

E e (eh)

F f (efeh)

G g (hay)

H h (ache)

I i (ee)

J j (hota)

K k (kah)

L l (eleh)

M m(emeh)

N n (eneh)

Ñ ñ (enyay)

O o (oh)

P p (peh)

Q q (koo)

R r (ereh)

S s (eseh)

T t (teh)

U u (oooo)

V v (beh)

W w (doble beh)

X x (equips)

Y y (eegriega)

Z z (seta)



 

 Yellow Boxes- Vowels

Blue Boxes- Constonants

The letter G has the sound hey!

The letter V has the same sound as the letter B, “beh”

The letter I has the sound of a long E, “eee”

The “ ˜ ” over the N makes the N sound like “enyay”

The Months Of The Year

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

 

enero

febrero

marzo

abril

mayo

junio

julio

agosto

septiembre

octubre

noviembre

diciembre      Common mistakes in spelling of the months:

agosto

septiembre

octubre

noviembre

diciembre

 

Do you want to learn more Spanish?




http://www.scienceleadership.org/users/wgearyTime, Weather, and Numbers

Why I Write

Why do I write?
Is it to tell my story?
Or to reveal the story of another?
I write to show the fantasy
And the writing on the walls
The stories of the bloodstained hands
And the bullets flying through castle walls
I write to show the truth
And see through murky lies
Recalling the horrors of a war
And the bullets that grazed my head.
The collapse of the U.S and the U.S.S.R. alike
The fall of the Berlin Wall to the great Stock Market Crash
And even the plague and famine
That spread across all lands.
I write to show the story
Of the conquered and the desolate
The stories of the many
While I live on through them

Antigone Feature Article

Gossip Column:

 

“Creon’s ideas may go against the ethics of the society. It may even go against some of the bases in our religion. The simple fact it that Creon is king and has the right idea about how kingdom should be run.” – Rich Man

 

“Creon has taken it upon himself to go against the gods those who’s power and authority surpass his own. Showing such an act of dishonor to the gods will bring about their wrath on the city.” – Peasant

 

“Antigone took a stand by burying the body of Polynieces when everyone else fold under the Kings commands. Honestly in a day or two I myself was planning to go out a burry a few bodies. If no other took up the job, I feel I would as if it were my duty to.” – Anonymous

 

 

The Weather.

Ever feel like saying the weather in english is too easy? Want to teach some of your friends another language?  Have you ever had the dream to be a bilingual weatherperson? Use this chart to help you memorize the language (and your secret dream).  


For more info: http://www.scienceleadership.org/blog/Los_Dias_de_la_Semana--days_of_the_week

http://www.scienceleadership.org/blog/alfabeto

Screen Shot 2011-10-21 at 8.49.18 AM
Screen Shot 2011-10-21 at 8.49.18 AM

Tu vs. Ud

​The words Tú and Ud mean the same thing; "and you". The difference between them is one is for a formal situation and the other for an informal situation. 
Tú= informal (eee-to)
Ud= formal (oo-sted)
These terms are used for the fowling phrases and more;
¿Cómo estás tú?

¿Cómo está ud?
¿Cómo te llamas tú?
¿Cómo se llama ud?
¿De dónde eres tú?
¿De dónde es ud?

How to Ask and Tell the Weather.

In order to ask and tell the weather you have to know the basics. 
The way you ask the wether is:  ¿Qué tiempo hace hoy?
(kay- tee-im-po-acce-hoy)

These could be the fowling responses

Before you say any of the responses you say hace

(Mucho) Frio 0°

(Mucho) Calor 100°

Fresco 50°

(Muy) Buen tiempo :)


(Muy) Mal tiempo :(

(Mucho) Sol

(Mucho) Viento

Está Nublado

Está Lloviendo

Está Nevando


This is an online resource to help you: 
http://quizlet.com/3260667/e1-u1-el-tiempo-y-la-hora-flash-cards/

the spanish alphabet

example: if some one from cuba ask for your name you can spell it out for them.

you: hóla
¿friend: hóla cómo te llámas? 
you: me llama Will 
¿friend: cómo?
you: me llámas doble ve - e - elle - elle 
friend: Gracias Will 
this one
this one

Pacific Operators Offshore, LLP v. Valladolid

​The constitutional issue is workers compensation law based off of The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, 43 U.S.C., §§ 1331-1356 (OCSLA). So the question that is basically presented is that person:

(1) always eligible for compensation, because his employer's operations on 
the shelf are the but for cause of his injury (as the Third Circuit holds); or

(2) never eligible for compensation, because the Act applies only to injuries 
occurring on the shelf (as the Fifth Circuit holds); 

(3) sometimes eligible for compensation, because eligibility for benefits 
depends on the nature and extent of the factual relationship between the injury and 
the operations on the shelf (as the Ninth Circuit holds)


Essentially what had happened was a man was crushed in a forklift accident. The widowed wife is seeking workers compensation under the OCSLA act. The problem with the OCSLA act is it only covers accidents that happens on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). This accident happened at an on shore location. The counter arguement to that is that the worker spent 98% of his time on the OCS, however the accident still ahppened on land. OCSLA doesn't cover land accidents because that has its own workers compensation solution.


In the case the Pacific Operations attorney had some key points and highlighting key components of the case. He emphasized the wording of the OCSLA workers compensation act which states that the accident was to happened on the OCS. The rest of the speakers basically try to dump off the compensation to different acts.

My opinion is, this case shouldn't be a case. OCSLA is pretty clear and simple. However the way that all the Justice are handling it, it makes it seem like Pacific Operations will lose. They seem to be over-sensitive and they just shoot down what the speakers say by bringing up irrelevant points.OCS_2006_MMS
OCS_2006_MMS
OCS_2006_MMS

Courtesy Phrases

​Example:
Say you are walking down the street and you accidentally bump some one,you would say
you: por favor pedón      
person: no hay problema

you: gracias 

person: de nada 
Screen Shot 2011-10-20 at 11.21.15 PM
Screen Shot 2011-10-20 at 11.21.15 PM

Quater to SPANISH

Half-Past Learning In Spanish!

 

Telling time is an important part of life, if you go to Peru, or any other Spanish speaking country and say “What time is it” they will look at you like you have 3 heads. You need to say;

 

·      ¿Qué hora es? à ((Ke - Orra – ssss)) this means What time is it.

·      The appropriate response would be Son Las à It is followed my the time.

 

Son las dos

Son las tres

Son las cuatro

Son las cinco

Son las sies

Son las siete

Son las ocho

Son las nueve

Son las diez

Son las once

It is 2 o’clock

It it 3 o’clock

It is 4 o’clock

It is 5 o’clock

It is 6 o’clock

It is 7 o’clock

It is 8 o’clock

It is 9 o’clock

It is 10 o’clock

It is 11 o’clock

 

When it is 12 o’clock we don’t say Son las doce, even thought that IS an option. A lot of Spanish speaking people just use medianoché or medîodia. Medianoché for 12AM and medîodia for 12AM.

 

Media

Cuarto

menos

Half an hour

A quarter

minus

 

When you see any of the previous ^^^ in a time telling sentence like the following:
Son las media ocho. It means
à It is 8 thirty

Son las nueve menos cuarto à It is minus 15 of nine. Meaning is 8:45.

If you see cuarto in a time telling sentence WITHOUT menos in front of it that just means its 15 minutes after ___Blank___

Ex: Son las cuatro y cuarto à It is 4:15

NOTE: how 4 is CUATRO and a quarter is CUARTO ..do not confuse to two!

 

CompuCredit Corp. v. Greenwood - Shelby Harcher

CompuCredit promised to repair consumer's credit cards without charging any deposit. Wanda Greenwood is suing because she claims that she was charged almost $300 in fees before receiving her card. Under the Credit Repair Organizations Act, or CROA, prohibition was set on charging fees. Also, under this act, consumers are given the right to sue for any violations. CompuCredit wanted to get someone to come and look over Greenwood's contract with them, and settle the dispute. Settling the problem informally would have stripped the consumers from their rights (to a jury, access to all documents etc.) Arbitrators, the people who come in and settle the dispute, are usually hired by the people who made the contracts. 

The main issue in this case is that, under the CROA, consumers are allowed to sue, but forced arbitration was usually used. The National Senior Citizens Law Center and AARP claim that CROA is protecting it's costumers and that they know that they can sue and take the steps necessary to do so and that the document itself prevents companies from being able to force arbitration. However, others feel differently. Credit repair scams happen all the time. High fees are usually charged and arbitration is usually used. I'm not sure what's going to happen with this case, but I believe that companies are going to be looked after more, making sure that they follow the CROA and don't force arbitration. Under the 
Constitution, it states that all people have the right to a jury of their peers, and being forced to have an arbitrary, doesn't seem fair at all. I believe that the Supreme Court will rule in the favor of the consumers. 

Months, Dates

​TITILE:
English
When is your birthday?
Spanish
Cuando es tu cumpleanos?


IN ORDER TO ASK SOMEONE FOR THE BIRTHDAY 


YOU NEED TO KNOW:
How to ask for someone birthday"
The numbers to say the date"
The month to tell when your birthday is"

Months, Dates TITLE

​IN SPANISH
Lo que son las cuatro estaciones del ano?

IN ENGLISH
What are the four seasons?

LESSONS:
In order to ask someone for tell someone the four seasons and what the seasons are in spanish.


YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The seasons of each month
What are the seasons, when the environment change like winter, spring, summer and fall.

Cloudy with a Chance of Spanish

Cloudy with a Chance of Spanish.

Lesson:

·        *In order to be able to survive in a Spanish speaking country one of the MAIN things you’re going to NEED to know and do is ask about the weather.

1. ¿Qué tiempo hace?  =  What’s the weather today?

Que (KAY) tiempo (Tee-EM-PO) hace (A-se)

**Today answer people respond by saying Hace, which means “it is” followed by the weather.
 Look at the picture below, and say the sayings above to see what each weather term means!


**watch this video on a stopping a friend from carrying an extra unnecessary item!
              *Hace Sol  

sol


       Hace Calor

 

calor

 

            Hace Frio 

frio

 

               Hace fresco  

fresco


           Hace viento 

viento

               Hace buen tiempo 

tiempo


              Hace mal tiempo 

mal tiempo

 

           Esta nevando   
nevando

         Esta lloviendo 

lloviendo

                Esta nublado

nublado

 

¿Qué Tíempo Hace? (What's the weather like?)

You are in Mexico on vacation but you need to know what the weather is going to be like in order to plan your clothing ahead of time for the week you'll be there.... Here is a simple way to learn these spanish weather words and phrases.
Here are my partner's (Thomas) lessons
 

Alphabet

Asking and telling time
Screen Shot 2011-10-28 at 8.34.08 AM
Screen Shot 2011-10-28 at 8.34.08 AM

Los Meses del Ano...... the months of the year

Tired of always saying the months in english, only to get corrected by Señorita Manuel or your Spanish speaking friends?  Well I was too until i created a chart to better understand the names of the months. So create a chart, sing a little song, or make some flash cards on quizlet.  Whatever floats your boat will help you get better.

REMEMBER THEIR ARE NO CAPITALS IN SAYING THE SPANISH MONTH NAME. THAT IS ONLY FOR ENGLISH SILLY GOOSE!

watch our little video for our special song to memorize because we were studying!

If you want some more spanish info, go to my Pareja's pages! http://www.scienceleadership.org/blog/Los_Dias_de_la_Semana--days_of_the_week

http://www.scienceleadership.org/blog/alfabeto



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Screen Shot 2011-10-19 at 12.40.27 PM

Why I Write

I write because I am told to
I write because I like to pass my classes
I write because I am graded on it
I don't write to express my feelings or to feel better
I write to ensure my high school success
I write to ensure my diploma
I write to be sure that never or ever will I have to say I received an F
Or a D
Or even a B
I write because I am told to
Not for freedom or expression
I write because I am told to

When are you free? The days of the week in Spanish!

In order to make plans, you must know the days of the week! 
Screen Shot 2011-10-20 at 8.13.40 PM
Screen Shot 2011-10-20 at 8.13.40 PM
You might have noticed that Monday is listed first in the list. This is because in Español, lunes, or Monday, is the first day of the week. Another surprising fact you might have noticed is that the letters are not capitalized. In Español, you do not capitalize the days of the week. 

Dial Me Up: Telephone Numbers in Spanish!

In order to know how to get someone’s phone number - or give yours - you need to know the numbers first!

Screen Shot 2011-10-20 at 10.15.05 AM
Screen Shot 2011-10-20 at 10.15.05 AM
Now that you know the numbers, it’s time to lean the question. 

There are a few ways to ask for someone’s phone number.

One is: ¿Cuál es tu número de teléfono? 

This should be used amongst friends and peers. 

To ask someone with higher authority than yourself their phone number, you should change the “tu”, to “su”. So it is now “¿Cuál es tu número de teléfono?”

If someone asks you your number, you should respond with “Mi teléfono es...” or “Es el...”