Haiti sees aid boost from Bill Clinton appointment « Wyclef Jean’s Blog

Haiti sees aid boost from Bill Clinton appointment/Project Outreach

Bill Clinton named envoy 10 min–>

UN Chief Ban Ki-moon (right) named Bill Clinton, (who visited Haiti while president in 1995) as his special envoy to Haiti. — PHOTO: REUTERS

UNITED NATIONS – UN CHIEF Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday named Bill Clinton as his special envoy to Haiti, a choice immediately hailed by the former president’s wife, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

WE DID IT. SustiNet Passes the Senate 23-12 Saturday May 30

At approximately 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May30th, HB6600 AAC SustiNet Plan passed the Connecticut Senate 23-12. This is historic.

Call to Action: Drown out the Nay-Sayers, the Swiftboat Ad Attacks, Help Pass SustiNet

To all readers of this post, thank you all for continuing to keep your voices raised high to bring about change! Over the past few months, Connecticut has witnessed unity like we have rarely seen, on health care reform, on education, on green jobs, energy and the environment. Side by Side, we continually stand united to bring about change in our communities and on the federal level in support of our President’s agenda.

Gov. Rel – Still Snipping Away

I have never been one to fully support the concept of Charter Schools or Magnet schools. I am not fully in support of the Sheff decision either. Go figure. I still believe in community and that students should be able to learn within their community. When the schools flourish, the community thrives and unites around common goals for its residents. But until we all come to the table to sit down and flesh out the best practices to ensure that every child in our state has access to quality education, we cannot do away with the Charter Schools that have begun — especially those that are enjoying success.

STAND WITH JUDGE SOTOMAYOR

The airways are filled with attacks from Gingrich, Limbaugh, Cheney and more. Judge Sotomayor’s record is impressive with years of experience on the bench — more than any other Supreme court Nominee in recent history. So why the personal slurs and base attacks? That’s all the likes of Gingrich, Limbaugh and Cheney have. Remember, they are the party of “no” for the sake of “no.”

Election Day Voter Registration Bill Passes the House

Another perfect example of the power of our voice united, many in body/one in mind! After a six hour grueling debate last night (May 27th), Connecticut’s House of Representatives voted to pass Election Day Registration in Connecticut. The next stop is on to the Senate.

Carmina Burana. Not for Scarey Movies or Swiftboat Ads

Carl Orff is one of my favorite composers. I have performed Carmina Burana, and Catulli Carmina, many times. These two works are from a trilogy (Trionfi meaning “triumphs) written by Orff in the early 1930s, and is comprised of songs about lust and unrequited love, religious hymns and plays, about gambling and games, about the life of vagabonds and life’s tribulations in general. Orff describes his trilogy as “the celebration of the triumph of the human spirit through sexual and holistic balance.” For this reason, Orff’s trilogy is often considered, and performed during, a “summer” or “spring” work.

Round Two for SustiNet

Congratulations! SustiNet has taken a major step forward to becoming implemented in Connecticut. Yesterday, SustiNet passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 107 Yea to 35 Nay; a vote along party lines. The passage of the bill is something to be proud of, but also shows us that we have some work to do before it is voted on in the Senate.

Gitmo Fear Spreading Faster than H1N1

As soon as the torture at Guantanamo Prison was revealed, many of us voiced our indignation and disgust that such deplorable acts were taking place at the hands of Americans. When President Obama signed an executive order to close Guantanamo and publicly stated that America does not torture, we all breathed a sigh of relief — the voice of reason had returned to the White House and was embarking on restoring our moral standards.

The Guys Behind The Door – Video Blog

Last night, I departed from seeking out my usual fare of social issues and political righteousness and tracked down The Guys Behind The Door, J. Stan McCauley, playwright of The Door, owner/found of AccessTV and Light Source Productions, and Marcus A. Jarvis, director of The Door, and composer of The Door’s musical score and songs.

SustiNet Being Voted on Today. You Can Still Take Action

Over the last week, we’ve worked with House leadership to refine a SustiNet bill that sets Connecticut on the road to quality, affordable health care for everyone while navigating the challenges of the 2009 Connecticut legislative session. Please email your State Representative one last time! 

Disparities in Health Care and Beyond

A couple of weeks ago, a relative of mine slipped and fell on their head. Naturally, this person went to the hospital to be checked by a doctor to insure no unforeseen internal injuries existed. This relative was released from the hospital the same day, and to the best of my knowledge, was told to get some rest and take an over-the-counter pain medication when needed. A couple of days later, my relative returned to the hospital in a comma and died shortly thereafter at the age of 52.

Support The Youth Promise Bill

Gangs have plagued Black communities across the country for decades, but we’ve seen few large-scale efforts that go to the root of the problem. Thanks to Congressman Bobby Scott of Virginia, that could change. Now he needs our support.

SUSTINET Day @ The Capitol

Hi folks, Wednesday was a fabulous day at the Capitol in Hartford. Hundreds of us wore our red Healthcare4every1 tee shirts and had a fab time. I spoke w/several Reps from NW CT. Most were pro HB6600; however, Craig Miner from the 66th district is totally against this bill. I asked him directly why and his reply was “We can’t afford it”. I replied that “We can’t afford NOT to pass this bill”. He then tried to dismiss me, but I managed to ask him “Mr. Miner, would you be interested in trading your health care package for mine?”, at which point he walked away. I did hear very positive responses from Roberta Willis and Joe Taborsak. Also got the opportunity to testify at Sen. Andrew Roraback’s office. He has indicated that he is embarrassed by his coverage and is also for passage of this bill. We must continue the fight and bring it all the way to the White House.
Lois Pike