By Kayleigh Harvey – Talk Radio News Service

“Innovation, conservation and production,” were the key messages coming from the Republican Study Committee and the Western Caucus as Congressional Republicans unveiled their alternative energy proposal today.

Congressman Tom Price (R-Ga.) said, “Republican are wholly committed to finding positive solution to the challenges we face. Like with the stimulus, like with the budget and now in contrast to the Democrats national energy tax we are here to offer our vision.”

The American Energy and Innovation Act, as the proposal will be labeled, will create jobs and reduce debt according to Republicans. The main aims outlined in this bill are to, “encourage innovation” by creating renewable fuel options and environmental jobs. “Promote conservation” by “providing incentives for easing energy demand and creating a cleaner, more sustainable environment” and “increase production” by making use of all available technology and resources.

Congressman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) said there were now “two roads” Americans could chose to tackle energy needs. “The Democrat road is saying it can’t work we are not even going to it, our road is saying we have the ideas now is the time to do it, said Bishop.

Adding that “The Democrats have already given us an option on energy issues that will cost individuals up to $3000…the Republican road we want to go down is one that actually grows our energy supply so that no-one is harmed and in fact we have the chance to reduce the cost of energy.”

Bishop compared the two strategies to the movie ‘Back to the Future’ saying, “Remember those sequels to ‘Back to the Future’ where there were the two worlds? Our world is the one where the McFly family is happy, the Democrat version is the one where Biff runs everything.”

Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said the bill would be a “common sense act that is going to use our natural resources and our advanced technology to meet our energy needs and most importantly help our economy grow.”

In closing, Congressman John Fleming (R-La.) added, our vision “creates a vision for jobs, more jobs, not the so called paper mache jobs the green jobs, but real jobs created by industry.”

By Kayleigh Harvey – Talk Radio News Service

The “America’s Funniest Home Videos” television show became part of America’s history today, as creator and executive producer Vin Di Bona donated objects from the 20-year-old show to the National Museum of American History.

First aired in 1989, the show is celebrating its twentieth consecutive season on American television. The show, also known as AFV, has broadcast more than 400 episodes and can be seen in more than 70 countries. There are more than 15 international versions seen around the World.

“The show aired on Thanksgiving weekend in 1989 and there were blizzards on the East Coast, terrible weather in the Midwest and rainstorms on the west coast and everybody was home watching this show,” Di Bona said. “So thank you weatherman, thank you mother-nature.”

The AFV exhibit will join other T.V. artifacts, joining Seinfeld’s puffy shirt, Oscar the Grouch, Kermit the Frog and Archie and Edith’s living-room chairs from “All in the Family”.

“I called my mom and said, ‘I think there’s a good chance we might be donating to the Smithsonian.’ She said to me, ‘You know that star on the walk of fame was very nice, but this is big,’” Di Bona said.

The AFV objects to be displayed include: the camcorder used to shoot the 1989 pilot episode, the winning video from the pilot, Vin Di Bona’s personal script-book, one of the original audience voting instruments, a presentation reel used to sell the pilot to the ABC network, Vin Di Bona’s framed ticket to the first taping, an annotated script from the pilot and an original press kit for the show.

Host Tom Bergeron attributed AFV’s success to “No egos in the staff… This is a collaborative effort of very talented people who work like a finely-oiled comedy machine.”

“We try and adhere to the first rule of comedy, which is, it should be funny, and that’s what we do for a living, and that’s what makes it work for us,” Di Bona said.

The exhibit will be on display for the public in 18 and will be exhibited in the entertainment section of the museum.

By Kayleigh Harvey – Talk Radio News Service

Host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” Tom Bergeron and the shows Creator and Executive Producer, Vin Di Bona, talk about why they think the show has lasted 20-years.
Bergeron said, “This is a collaborative effort of very talented people who work like a finely oiled comedy machine.”

 

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By Kayleigh Harvey – Talk Radio News Service

Senator Tom Harkins (D-Iowa) talks at a press conference about the progress of the “Employment Free Choice Act: Strengthening the Middle Class.”

Senator Harkin’s said: “We are introducing legislation that puts the power back into the hands of the people who are truly the backbone of our country. Today, Congressman Miller and I along with our co-sponsors are introducing the Employment Free Choice Act and we intend to pass this act not in a matter of years, but in weeks or months.”

 

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By Kayleigh Harvey – Talk Radio News Service

Senator Tom Harkins (D-Iowa) and Congressman George Miller (D-Ca) held a press conference to discuss the progress of the “Employment Free Choice Act: Strengthening the Middle Class.”

Senator Harkin’s said: “We are introducing legislation that puts the power back into the hands of the people who are truly the backbone of our country. Today, Congressman Miller and I along with our co-sponsors are introducing the Employment Free Choice Act and we intend to pass this act not in a matter of years, but in weeks or months.”

Senator Harkin’s added: “In 2004 the average CEO made 431 times that of the average worker.

Congressman Miller said: “Under this bill the employees can choose to organize either through the National Labor Relations Board Election Process or through a majority sign up. Under the current law the CEO can veto employees choice when they use majority sign up. Under this bill the employee’s choice will be respected.”

The two said that from discussions they anticipated that the Senate would be first to vote on the Act and Senator Harkin’s said that by the time the vote comes he “believes” that there will be the 60 votes required for the legislation to pass.

The vote in the Senate is expected to take place after Easter recess.

By Kayleigh Harvey – Talk Radio News Service

Senator Tom Coburn (R-Okla) tells the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services and International Security, today, that the 2010 Census will cost more than double the Census conducted in 2000.

 

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By Kayleigh Harvey -Talk Radio News Service

Fred Wertheimer, President and CEO of Democracy 21, made this comment today at a discussion on “Ethics in the Obama Administration – Are Washington’s Rules Changing?”

 

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By Kayleigh Harvey – Talk Radio News Service

In a conference call today, Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack set out the key areas the American people can expect the USDA to focus on, under the new Obama administration.

The top priorities he identified included promoting a sustainable, safe, sufficient and nutritious food supply for all Americans and people around the world. He further stated that combating childhood obesity, enhanced healthy nutrition, and supporting research in the health care debate would be a key focus. Vilsack also announced that the USDA will work on achieving Obama’s target to eliminate child hunger by 2015.

Vilsack identified that another key area the USDA will be working on under the new administration would be research development in additional bio-fuels. The USDA will support the survival of the bio-fuel industry whilst promoting policies that will speed up the development of second and third generation feedstocks for these bio-fuels and in turn increase the potential to secure America’s energy security and independence. He will lead the USDA in it’s efforts to adopt management practices that promote and provide clean air, clean water and wildlife habitat. The USDA aim to support the profitability of farmers and ranchers, developing markets that reward them for carbon sequestration and eliminating greenhouse gases.

Vilsack concluded by stating that: “We have some serious challenges and many opportunities to pursue here at the USDA. I am looking forward to working with the dedicated employees of the USDA and all the departments to fulfill President Obama’s desire of effecting change, promoting a stronger, more vibrant and more economically viable royal America”.

By Kayleigh Harvey – Talk Radio News Service

Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Secretary, tells Talk Radio News Service in a conference call today what the American people can expect from his team. Vilsack today signed an ethics agreement called for by President Obama to ensure that all departments operate under transparent and collaborative government. Vilsack said: “It is vital that we have these standards in place, that they be rigorous and that they meet the expectations of the citizens and taxpayers of this country.”

 

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International Affairs Correspondent Blanquita Cullum talks to Tom Buffenbarger, President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, about Obama, employment in America and the current economical situation. (7:17)

 

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