Congress ushering in new members, with old divide

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., front row, center, poses with other female House members on the steps of the House on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, prior to the official opening of the 113th Congress . (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., front row, center, poses with other female House members on the steps of the House on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, prior to the official opening of the 113th Congress . (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Retiring Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass. talks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, prior to the start of the 113th Congress. Joseph Kennedy III is scheduled to be sworn in Thursday, replacing Frank. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Rep.-elect Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill. is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, as she poses with other female House members prior to the official opening of the 113th Congress. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif. is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, as she poses with female House members prior to the officially opening of the 113th Congress. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., front row, center, poses with female House members on the steps of the House on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, prior to the officially opening of the 113th Congress. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? The House and Senate ushered in a new Congress Thursday, hewing to tradition and hailing one its own who returned a year after being felled by a stroke.

The 113th Congress convened at 12 noon EST, the constitutionally mandated time, with pomp, pageantry ? and of course, politics ? on both sides of the Capitol.

In the Senate, Vice President Joe Biden swore in 12 new members elected in November, lawmakers who won another term and South Carolina Republican Tim Scott. The former House member was tapped by Gov. Nikki Haley to fill the remaining term of Sen. Jim DeMint, who resigned to head a Washington think tank.

Applause from members and the gallery marked every oath-taking. Looking on was former Vice President Walter Mondale.

Shortly before the session, Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., who had been absent for the past year while recovering from a stroke, slowly walked up the 45 steps to the Senate, with Biden nearby and the Senate leaders at the top of the stairs to greet him.

"A courageous man," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. Members of the Illinois congressional delegation and senators stood on the steps.

As he entered the building, resting on a cane, Biden and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., helped Kirk take off his coat. The senator said he was glad to be back.

In the House, members were electing the speaker, with John Boehner poised to win another term. The speaker will then swear in the lawmakers in the afternoon.

While the dozens of eager freshmen are determined to change Washington, they face the harsh reality of another stretch of divided government. The traditions come against the backdrop of a mean season that closed out an angry election year.

A deal to avert the "fiscal cliff" of big tax increases and spending cuts split the parties in New Year's Day votes, and the House's failure to vote on a Superstorm Sandy aid package before adjournment prompted GOP recriminations against the leadership.

"There's a lot of hangover obviously from the last few weeks of this session into the new one, which always makes a fresh start a lot harder," Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, said.

For all the change of the next Congress, the new bosses are the same as the old bosses.

President Barack Obama secured a second term in the November elections, and Democrats tightened their grip on the Senate for a 55-45 edge in the new two-year Congress, ensuring that Reid will remain in charge. Republicans maintained their majority in the House but will have a smaller advantage, 233-200. Former Democratic Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s Illinois seat and the one held by South Carolina Republican Tim Scott, the state's next senator, will be the two vacancies.

Boehner, R-Ohio, has faced a bruising few weeks with his fractious GOP caucus but seemed poised to win another term as speaker. He mollified angry Republicans from New York and New Jersey on Wednesday with the promise of a vote Friday on $9 billion of the storm relief package and another vote on the remaining $51 billion on Jan. 15.

The GOP members quickly abandoned their chatter about voting against the speaker.

The new Congress still faces the ideological disputes that plagued the dysfunctional 112th Congress, one of the least productive in more than 60 years. Tea party members within the Republican ranks insist on fiscal discipline in the face of growing deficits and have pressed for deep cuts in spending as part of a reduced role for the federal government. Democrats envision a government with enough resources to help the less fortunate and press for the wealthiest to pay more in taxes.

"We can only hope for more help," said Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who was re-elected in November. "Any time you have new members arriving you have that expectation of bringing fresh ideas and kind of a vitality that is needed. We hope that they're coming eager to work hard and make some difficult decisions and put the country first and not be bogged down ideologically."

The next two months will be crucial, with tough economic issues looming. Congress put off for just eight weeks automatic spending cuts to defense and domestic programs that were due to begin with the new year. The question of raising the nation's borrowing authority also must be decided. Another round of ugly negotiations between Obama and Congress is not far off.

There are 12 newly elected senators ? eight Democrats, three Republicans and one independent, former Maine Gov. Angus King, who will caucus with the Democrats. They will be joined by Scott, the first black Republican in decades, who was tapped by South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to fill the remaining term of Sen. Jim DeMint. The conservative DeMint resigned to lead the Heritage Foundation think tank.

In a sign of some diversity for the venerable body, the Senate will have three Hispanics ? Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and one of the new members, Republican Ted Cruz of Texas. There will be 20 women in the 100-member chamber, the highest number yet.

At least one longtime Democrat, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, will be departing in a few weeks, nominated by Obama to be secretary of state. That opens the door to former Republican Sen. Scott Brown, the only incumbent senator to lose in November's elections, to possibly make a bid to return to Washington.

Eighty-two freshmen join the House ? 47 Democrats and 35 Republicans. Women will total 81 in the 435-member body ? 62 Democrats and 19 Republicans.

In the Senate, Reid and Republican leader Mitch McConnell are negotiating possible changes in the rules as lawmakers face a bitter partisan fight over filibusters, according to a Senate Democratic leadership aide who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about private matters.

Reid has complained that Republicans filibuster too often and has threatened to impose strict limits with a simple majority vote. That step could set off retaliatory delays and other maneuvers by Republicans, who argue that they filibuster because Reid often blocks them from offering amendments.

The aide said Reid was preserving the option of making changes with a simple majority vote.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-01-03-New%20Congress/id-58ce0975321c414e8f6768d4badb4b49

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Poll: Obama begins second term facing pessimistic public

President Obama delivers remarks alongside Vice President Joe Biden Jan. 1 (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)As President Barack Obama heads into his second term, he faces a pessimistic and weary public, according to a USA Today/Gallup poll released late Tuesday.

The percentage of Americans satisfied with the direction of the country stands at a paltry 23 percent in a poll taken Dec. 14-17. By a margin of 50 to 47 percent, respondents said the country's best years are over.

Fifty percent of respondents said it is somewhat or very unlikely that today's youth will have a better life than their parents.

That pessimism and negativity extends to the president, according to the poll.

When respondents were asked to choose adjectives to describe their feelings about the president's re-election, the poll showed that the excitement and pride many Americans felt about the president's first term has diminished.

Sixty-seven percent of respondents in November 2008 said they felt optimistic about the president's election and the same percentage said it made them feel proud. Last month those numbers fell to 52 percent for optimistic and 48 percent for proud. Forty-three percent of Americans surveyed also said they feel pessimistic about the president's re-election and 36 percent said it made them feel afraid?both increases from 2008.

The president's approval rating, however, hovered at the 50 percent threshold in the USA Today/Gallup survey. This is one percentage above George W. Bush as he headed into his second term, but below the 58 percent rating held by Bill Clinton and 59 percent held by Ronald Reagan.

The poll's margin of error was plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/poll-obama-begins-second-term-facing-pessimistic-public-132253142--election.html

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Iraqi Shiite cleric lends support to Sunni protest

Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr speaks during a press conference in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Jan 1, 2013. The anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr voiced support for Iraqi Sunni protesters who have been rallying against the country?s Shiite-dominated central government and said the demonstrators have the right to demonstrate as long as they are peaceful. (AP Photo/ Alaa al-Marjani)

Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr speaks during a press conference in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Jan 1, 2013. The anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr voiced support for Iraqi Sunni protesters who have been rallying against the country?s Shiite-dominated central government and said the demonstrators have the right to demonstrate as long as they are peaceful. (AP Photo/ Alaa al-Marjani)

Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr speaks during a press conference in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Jan 1, 2013. The anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr voiced support for Iraqi Sunni protesters who have been rallying against the country?s Shiite-dominated central government and said the demonstrators have the right to demonstrate as long as they are peaceful. (AP Photo/ Alaa al-Marjani)

Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr speaks during a press conference in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Jan 1, 2013. Anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is voicing support for Iraqi Sunni protesters who have been rallying against the country?s Shiite-dominated central government. (AP Photo/ Alaa al-Marjani)

BAGHDAD (AP) ? A top anti-American Shiite cleric lent support Tuesday to Sunni protesters who have been rallying against Iraq's Shiite-dominated central government, increasing pressure on the leadership in Baghdad.

Hard-line religious leader Muqtada al-Sadr told reporters in the Shiite holy city of Najaf that the demonstrators have the right to protest as long as they are peaceful. He stopped short of calling for a wider uprising like those that have rippled across the region over the past two years, but warned of further unrest if demands on the street are not met.

"Beware of the Arab Spring in Iraq," the firebrand cleric said in a warning to the power-sharing government led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite.

Thousands of protesters have been holding rallies in the western desert province of Anbar and other Sunni strongholds for more than a week.

The demonstrations follow the arrest of bodyguards assigned to the Sunni finance minister, Rafia al-Issawi, though they tap into deeper Sunni grievances of perceived discrimination by al-Maliki's government. The protesters' demands include guarantees of better government services and release of prisoners in Iraqi jails.

Al-Sadr has a complex relationship with Baghdad and with Iraqi blocs outside his conservative Shiite power base.

He grudgingly backed longtime rival al-Maliki following elections in 2010, then last year joined Iraq's minority Sunni Arabs and Kurds in calling for al-Maliki to resign. Al-Sadr's loyalists hold 40 seats in parliament and retain control of several government ministries.

He said Tuesday that al-Maliki "bears full responsibility" for the discontent among Iraqis calling for change.

Still, the cleric's backing is not unequivocal. He expressed hope that protesters would not advocate a return to dictatorship or pursue a sectarian agenda.

Iraq's majority Shiites, including al-Sadr and al-Maliki, rose to political prominence following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that ousted dictator Saddam Hussein's Sunni-dominated regime.

"As long as the demonstrations are peaceful and don't seek to dismantle Iraq ... we are with the protests, and parliament should be with them, not against them," he said. "The demands of demonstrators are legitimate and popular, so they should be met."

The staying power and level of anger among the Anbar protesters in particular appears to have caught Iraqi leaders off guard.

At least two people were wounded on Sunday when bodyguards and security forces protecting a senior Sunni politician opened fire to disperse protesters, marking the first casualties since the demonstrations began. The politician, Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlaq, blamed the incident on "rogue elements" within the crowd.

The unrest comes as Iraq struggles to maintain its security and stability a year after the last U.S. combat troops left.

British monitoring group Iraq Body Count said in its annual report Tuesday that it recorded 4,471 civilian deaths from violence in Iraq during 2012, up from 4,136 in 2011. The non-governmental organization has consistently attempted to record Iraqi civilian casualties since the invasion in March 2003.

A wave of attacks that primarily targeted Iraqi Shiites and the ethnically disputed city of Kirkuk killed at least 26 people on Monday.

___

Associated Press writer Qassim Abdul-Zahra contributed.

___

Follow Adam Schreck on Twitter at http://twitter.com/adamschreck

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-01-01-Iraq/id-c7bde68886f942f3883bebada77b2709

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Emotional Freedom Technique Believed Field Therapy - Life Coaching

By Administrator on Jan 1, 2013 in Self Improvement

EFT or Emotional Freedom Technique is considered one of numerous methods familiar with achieve relatively speedy breakthroughs for a wide selection of not only emotional but both mental and physical states of thoughts. Air Hogs Hover Assault Radio Control Helicopter ? Red. EFT is a kind of acupuncture exactly where many main points, or tapping points, apparently cause a cascade of your energy who have the effects of cleaning and eliminating the cause of the challenge with no need to realize it.

Dr Callaghan was following a newly recognised Increased exposure of Energy medicine in contrast to allopathic (drug primarily based) medication.
Should you be questioning whether your close friendship using a an affiliate attractive potential partners has you committing emotional infidelity, you are not alone. barbie sisters cruise ship commercial. Certainly with most marriage counsellors who advise towards cross-gender platonic relationships. Below are some signs that your particular buddy and you?re simply committing emotional infidelity.You think more to do with your buddy than your partner.In case you fantasize typically of your pal you will be in trouble.

Even when your fantasies are nonsexual, if they are in regards to you possessing a sturdy emotional connection, you will be emotionally cheating in in your partner.If you lean on your friend and divulge heart?s contents to them above you need to do your spouse, you will be committing emotional infidelity.
More often than not infidelity starts off innocent ample: co-workers share their lunch hour discussing their marriage complications. However, if you will be acquiring marriage woes, you have to be listening to your wife or husband or a experienced therapist, not really a ?friend? from operate. You will find why you should give your buddy thoughtful presents.
Thoughtful, meaningful gifts that is included in intimate cards are not acceptable in cross-gender friendships. It?s been handed down if you are investing a longer period, money, and on gifts for your friend than your husband or wife.

You lie about your friendship on your spouse. cara meningkatkan kecerdasan emosional When you?ve got someone who your wife or husband does not want in your own life, yet you are nevertheless friends with this particular individual, you happen to be lying to by yourself about how exactly important she or he is to your heart.

Source: http://www.mylife-coach.net/6775/emotional-freedom-technique-believed-field-therapy/

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Vacation Rental Property Owners And Pet Friendly Properties

Within the Vacation Rental property sector there are many market segments. Many vacation rental providers ignore them and simply treat the market as a whole. An attitude of ?here is a property, rent it?. In theory that is ok, but when everyone is doing it, you need to find a way to stand out from the crowd. If you are lucky enough to have an amazing property then it may speak for itself but those who are trying to rent an ?average apartment or condo? may need to try harder.

All over the world human beings have one thing in common, their love of pets. Of course this does not apply to everyone but many, many people own at least one. They provide pleasure, security and many other rewards but most pet owners also accept the responsibility that goes with them. When they go on holiday they need to do something with their pet(s).

For some, that might mean leaving their pet in a suitable establishment. Many exist for cats and dogs but even that does not suit everyone. Some people simply do not want to be separated from their pet and where they go ?they go?. Dog ownership in different countries varies. In Spain there are huge numbers of dog owners with small breeds. Their dogs travel with them, most travel domestically so air travel is no barrier. Refusing pets in Spain will close the door to many bookings.

This can be good or bad news depending on the property owner. There is furniture, carpets, rugs, linen etc to think about and the idea of someones fluffy pooch leaving its hair everywhere might seem bonkers. But for others who may have furnished their property in a more practical manner there is an opportunity.

Pet friendly properties are no different than non-pet friendly ones with respect to ?type? of property. It is more of an attitude and thought about practical considerations. Anyone?s property can be pet friendly you just need to give it some thought. Basics like suitable drinking dishes for a cat or dog. Welcome packs can include a tin of cat or dog food. Cat litter tray and cat litter. Plastic bags so that owners can clear up excrement from outside areas. How about providing a dog or cat bed? Maybe include information in your ?information pack? about good walks for dogs and also contact details for the local vet as well as the local doctor. The more care you provide for the pet the more likely the same guest will return again.

Make sure you tell people. Good vacation rental agents will have their websites and computer systems setup so that pet friendly properties are clearly identified. This is not just a ?yes or no? setting. It should include the size of pet. There is a big difference between a small dog and a big one.

Size matters especially with dogs. You must specify in advance the size of dog you will accept and make sure that you include in your terms and conditions, relevant information relating to compensation for damages caused by a pet. Check insurance terms and conditions too. When a small terrier jumps on a sofa not a lot happens. It is slightly different when an old english sheepdog does the same.

Length of stay is important too. If someone is going to stay for a month or even two (very common in southern Europe) then their pet can become a big issue. To put them in kennels will cost a lot of money and it is for a long time. You can charge a premium for accepting a pet so this is not a ?cost? issue.

Community rules need checking before you take the plunge. Does the community permit pets? Some do not. This maybe a rental property but the same rules usually apply to guests as well as to the property owner.

More savvy vacation rental agents will include pet friendly sections on their websites or even specialised mini-websites with only their pet-friendly properties. Find one covering your area and see if they have any specific requirements.

Don?t forget pets are not just cats and dogs. Occasionally parrots, hamsters, snakes and reptiles will travel with the family on holiday. For some a pet is just like a child and they will move heaven and earth for them.

So if you want to stand out from the crowd consider pets and make your property ?pet friendly?. You may find it already is and you just need to tell people.

Source: http://www.streetarticles.com/vacation-rentals/vacation-rental-property-owners-and-pet-friendly-properties

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Forum Jump

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Speaking at the Alameda Writers Group January 5, 2013 ...

Speaking at the Alameda Writer?s Group January 5, 2013

I will be speaking at the Alameda Writers Group on January 5th at 10:00 on Know Your Writer?s Rights, a one hour presentation where I give screenwriters everything (well, almost everything) they need to know about the legal issues affecting writers. ?Will cover copyright infringement, registrations, options agreements, collaboration agreements, Libel & Slander, Titles, and a host of other topics. ?It?s free, so come on out and begin the year by learning something new.

For more information, visit?http://alamedawritersgroup.ning.com

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Source: http://zernerlaw.wordpress.com/2012/12/27/speaking-at-the-alameda-writers-group-january-5-2013/

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