Moving.

Dearest Readers,

I just wanted to officially announce that I am moving. I decided to transfer this entire blog from Blogger to Tumblr.

Visit the new home of “Life of a Politicista” at http://politicista.tumblr.com/

To my readers across the world, “Life of a Politicista” will remain available so you can browse through the past entries!

Thank you for your continuous support and love!

Hello. Bonjour. Hola. Konnichiwa . Buon Giorno !

"Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber." – Plato

I know I've been missing in action for quite some time, but have no fear!

Life of a Politicista™ will be up and running soon! Follow me on Twitter for 24/7/365 political updates - https://twitter.com/Politicista or @Politicista !

Thank you for your continuous support! xoxo; -Martika Marshall

VOTE 2010!

You have seen the campaign ads, received numerous robocall, etc. That can only mean ONE thing. MIDTERM ELECTIONS! 

On November 2, 2010, America will decide.  Unlike the 2008 election, the midterm election focuses solely on State Legislatures, Gubernatorial and Congressional races. 

Important Links

Register to vote: http://bit.ly/akviLj

To see voter registration deadlines by state visit: http://www.register-vote.com/

Daily election news and statistics: http://bit.ly/daZF01

 

In 2008, we voted for CHANGE! What will 2010 be? If you complain on November 3, 2010 about the results of the 2010 election (in your state) and did not VOTE, hold yourself accountable! Numerous polls have proven that every vote counts!

Senate Blocks DADT Repeal

We live in a world where being apart of the LGBT is completely normal. However, members of the LGBT community still face discrimination in the military. These men and women (regardless of their sexual orientation) have made a promise to “serve and protect our nation.” In 1994, the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 (Pub.L. 103-160) which enabled this policy. 

For nearly 17 years, openly gay men and lesbians in our military have been silenced. Over the last couple of months an “Anti-DADT” movement has been sweeping across the nation. President Barack Obama along with Democratic members of Congress and even Lady Gaga asked for this policy to go! 

On September 21, 2010, 56 Senator rejected change and voted against S.3454 (http://bit.ly/cFlECR) . In order to break the filibuster and invoke cloture 60 votes were needed to proceed. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (S.3454) contained both the DADT repeal amendments and the DREAM act. Joining the Republicans in their filibuster efforts were Democratic Senators Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln, both from Arkansas. According to Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) this is the first time that the Senate has filibustered a defense authorization bill.

  So what happens now? 

During the vote, Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) voted against the bill (a procedural tactic). This enables him to recover the bill at another time. More than likely, S.3454 will be brought up after the midterm elections or better known as “Lame Duck Session.” 

 

2010 Pakistan floods

Within a blink of an eye, over 17 million acres of land have been destroyed in Pakistan. But why? Due to unprecedented monsoon rain, the country has been covered in water for months. The flooding has affected the lives of 20 million people and has killed over 2,000.

 Affected areas as of August 26, 2010

Approximately $687 million dollars has been donated in humanitarian assistance. The United States has donated $150 million dollars, 56,000+ ready meals and CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters to help in the relief effort.

How YOU can help:

Simply text Text "FLOOD" to 27722 or “SWAT” to 50555. The text messages will contribute $10 or visit state.gov and make a reasonable size donation!

Blogoversary Winner!

Congratulations to Kenny, the winner of my Blogoversary contest. Contestants were asked to tell me their political icon and why, his response was:

"My political icon is @donnabrazile because she is from my hometown NOLA, and she is a wickedly intelligent political analyst!" -cosmoalien (Kenny Davis)

 Blogoversary Winner: Kenny Davis

Once again, Congratulations darling!

Happy Blogoversary to Life of a Politicista! (Plus Giveaway)

  I’m ONE! (throws confetti)

To the 9000+ people who visited, read, commented, shared my blog with others, retweeted my twitter updates, words cannot express my gratitude. I thank you for the constant support, motivation, insightful opinions, and LOVE!

To my Mum, Grandmum, Auntie Veronica and Lynn, Uncle Roy, Marcus, Tomica, E.J, Dominique, Robert, Alicia – I love you.

To my Twitter, Blogger and Facebook followers, THANK YOU.

A special thanks to my fellow Politicista’s- @thatpala1 @Cecelie08 @Complex_Smplcty and @Passport83Moda .

In honor of my blogoversary, I decided to have a giveaway. Many of my twitter followers know that C-SPAN, Starbucks and shopping are my addictions.

Prize: $25.00 gift card to Starbucks. Everyone likes free coffee, right?

Giveaway Starts: Thursday, August 12, 2010 – Now

Giveaway Ends: Friday, August 20, 2010 – 11:59pm EST

How to win:  Follow @Politicista on twitter and tweet the following:

“My political icon is ______ because____.”

It's that simple.

Extra entries:

1. ) Follow Life of a Politicista on Facebook and post your comment there - http://bit.ly/4yuMGP

Good Luck darlings!

What Recess? Emergency Session!

Nancy Pelosi summoned members of the House of Representatives from their August recess to vote on H.R.1586 “Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act”. This bill (now a law) authorized funding for state education and Medicaid programs.  The $26 billion jobs bill will PROTECT approximately 300, 000 teacher and nonfederal government workers from layoffs. 

The final vote was 247-161 (mostly along party lines)

President Barack Obama immediately signed it into law on 08/10/10.

Thank you Congress and Mr. President! 

Three out of work teachers , Amanda VanNess,  Shannon Lewis and Rachel Martin look on as President Barack Obama signs  H.R.1586 (AP Photo)

Clip Of The Week: The Last Frontier

"My motto has always been 'to hell with politics, just do what's right for Alaska.' And I've tried every day to live up to those words." - Former Senator Stevens

On August 9, 2010, former Senator Theodore Fulton "Ted" Stevens lost his life in a tragic plane crash, which claimed four other lives. 

Stevens’s legacy is tangled with controversy, corruption and indictments. However, Alaskans view Stevens as a hero for his constant devotion to The Last Frontier. His congressional career spans over 38 years.

The “Clip of the Week” is Senator Stevens’s final speech on the Senate floor on November 20, 2008, which received a standing ovation! (a rare occasion in the Senate) 

Note: Stevens is the longest serving Republican senator in history

America's First Daughter Get Married!

Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is officially a married woman. On July 31, 2010 at the Astor Courts Estate in Rhinebeck, New York Chelsea exchanged vows with American financier Marc Mezvinsky.

 

NOTE: Vera Wang, Burberry, and Oscar de la Renta provided dresses and the Grooms tuxedo for the lavish affair. 

(Images Copyright: Reuters)