The Penny Institute on blogtalkradio!!!!

 
 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                CONTACT: Deana Bass
August 24, 2009                                                                                                         202-409-3667
 
 
Brian E. Taylor Founder of The Penny Institute Gives Insight
on Navigating the Political Process
The Penny Institute empowers citizens to get involved and make an impact in their community
 
 
WASHINGTON, DC (August 24, 2009) - On Tuesday, August 25 at 10 am EST Brian E. Taylor founder of The Penny Institute will join Chaos Solutions host Dee Dee Bass-Francis to talk about how citizens can become more involved in the political process.
 
Taylor founded The Penny Institute a nonpartisan-nonprofit organization to teach average Americans how to navigate national, state and local politics.  While working around the country on political campaigns and lobbying for different issues, Taylor identified a need to empower Americans on both sides of the isle.
 
"We're excited to have Brian join us," said Bass-Francis.  "Many Americans do want to get involved in the political process, but because it often appears mysterious and out of reach, they remain stranded on the sidelines.  Brian and his team at The Penny Institute are doing their part to get Americans educated and in the game."
 
Listeners can join the conversation on Tuesday, August 25 from 10 am - 10:30 am by logging on to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chaossolutions. <http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chaossolutions.>   If you have a question for Brian Taylor, you can call the listener line at (347) 637-1355 or email info@yourchaossolutions.com.
 
To learn more about the Penny Institute visit http://www.thepennyinstitute.org/ <http://www.thepennyinstitute.org/> .
 
 
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Been thinking of you all day!!!!

We are only one day away from our coffee date!  Make sure you are at Busboys & Poets (1025 5th St NW (5th & K St.) on August 19th at 6:30, to discuss an important issue affecting us all. We strive to highlight the most impactful issues of our day by bringing Members of Congress, interest group leaders, other experts and YOU to discuss and provide diverse perspectives to important issues. 

The topic of the day: Energy 
 
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
 
Speaker: Edward Hubbard of the Renewable Fuels Association

This is "Conversation and Coffee"!

We need your input to make this event a success! Please me your questions regarding the future of Energy policy in America. Your questions will serve as the fuel behind this fiery topic! Also, bring your pennies for the "Penny Drive" and the "Penny Store"!!!! 

We'll bring the coffee if you'll bring the conversation!!!

"Don't we have a date!!!"

The Penny Institute wants to remind you we have a coffee date!! We look forward to seeing YOU at Busboys & Poets (1025 5th St NW (5th & K St.) on August 19th to engage in important issues of the day. We strives to highlight the most impactful issues of our day by bringing Members of Congress, interest group leaders, other experts and YOU to discuss and provide diverse perspectives to important issues.

The topic of the day: Energy

This is "Conversation and Coffee"!

We want to hear from you! Please provide The Penny Institute with your questions regarding the future of Energy policy in America. Your questions will serve as the fuel behind this fiery topic! Also, bring your pennies for the "Penny Drive" and the "Penny Store"!!!!

We'll bring the coffee if you'll bring the conversation!!

"The Penny Store"

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages it's here--it's finally here!!  I'd like to invite you to the Penny Store!!!! The Penny Store is your official one stop shop for all things Penny!!!! Check out the site and pick up something for a friend, colleague, or yourself!  Enjoy!!

http://www.cafepress.com/ThePennyStore <http://www.cafepress.com/ThePennyStore>

The Penny Institute's New Partner!

                   
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                            Contact: Brian E. Taylor
June 3, 2009                                                                                                  Phone: 202.321.4803
 
The Penny Institute to Receive Pro Bono Representation from International Law Firm Hogan & Hartson L.L.P
 
Washington, D.C. - The Penny Institute, a nonprofit organization that teaches everyday Americans how to navigate the political process, is pleased to announce its pro bono representation from international law firm Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. (Hogan & Hartson). The firm will represent The Penny Institute on general governance matters as well as matter subject to conflicts clearances. Hogan & Hartson is the first law firm to represent the nonprofit, which was founded in 2007.
 
"We are so excited that a law firm with the caliber of Hogan & Hartson has agreed to represent The Penny Institute," said Brian E. Taylor, founder and CEO of The Penny Institute. "Their commitment to pro bono projects and extensive success record with pro bono clients gives us complete confidence that any representation will be extraordinary." Founded in 1904, Hogan & Hartson is one of the largest international law firms with offices around the world.
 
The pro bono relationship between The Penny Institute and Hogan & Harston, which started in May 2009, will be ongoing.
 
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About Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.
Hogan & Harston L.L.P. is a large, international law firm with more than 1,100 lawyers practicing in 27 offices worldwide. In 1970, Hogan & Harston became the first major firm to establish a separate practice group devoted exclusively to providing pro bono legal services. The firm has won several awards for its pro bono projects and numerous cases for its pro bono clients.
 
About The Penny Institute
The Penny Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to teaching average Americans how to navigate the political process. Educating people on how to exercise their fundamental right to participate in the political process makes our country's political process more responsive and our elected officials more accountable.  For more information, visit the web site at http://www.thepennyinstitute.org. <http://www.thepennyinstitute.org./>
 

"Rainbow Justice"

"Rainbow Justice"

Similar to the colors of the rainbow we all learned as children, the United States has evolved from the melting pot of integration into a full spectrum of individual cultures and races all vying for their time in the sun.  No longer content to trade our cultural identity for the greater American melting pot, our individual cultures define who we are as Americans.  That is our America.
 
Since President Obama's announcement of Judge Sonia Sotomayor as his pick for the U.S. Supreme court, there has been a barrage of news coverage, slurs and apologies (See Newt Gingrich).   Republicans and conservatives have been critical of Sotomayor's past statements on how her Latina heritage positively influences her decision-making on the bench.  Democrats have been quick to suggest Sotomayor could have used a better choice of words, but recognize the value her diversity brings to the court.
   
What's the statement creating all of the frenzy?

 I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life. To read the statement in its full context, you can view the entire lecture at <http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2009/05/26_sotomayor.shtml> Berkeley's website.

Much of the discussion has centered around proper representation on the high court.  There's nothing in the Constitution that says the Court should be made up of the largest pockets of the American population.  There is also nothing in the Constitution that says we have to have a court that matches the diversity of the United States (though I imagine our Founding Fathers could have never fathomed the possibility). 

More than two hundred years since its founding, the United States is home to more than 300 million Americans; half of which are women.  African Americans make up 12 to 13 percent of the population with Hispanics estimated to be 13 to 15 percent.   This doesn't include the varying millions of Asian Americans, Indian Americans and those from the African Diaspora. 

True, nominations to the Supreme Court are, and always have been, a political process.  By definition, a President's choice for the Supreme Court represents a convergence of his political and judicial ideology juxtaposed with the realities of the U.S. judicial system. In that vein, presidents have nominated conservatives, African Americans, women and now Hispanics with an eye toward important political constituencies. 

Don't get me wrong, it would be nice to see a Hispanic woman on the Court; it would also be nice to see an African American woman on the court, the most underrepresented group historically in America along with Asian Americans.  Members of the U.S. Supreme Court should be representatives of the country.  This is the goal.  And given the political nature of the process, it is incumbent upon all of us to ensure that our voices are heard and to commit ourselves to learning both the issues and the politics.
   
Although no one constituency has any rights to "one of their own" on the Court, we do have the responsibility to become active citizens of this great country.  This means realizing our power and making a difference in our neighborhoods, our communities, our states and our country - creating a platform to influence the highest court in the land. 

This is the mission of The Penny Institute, to provide community groups with the tools to learn the process, and influence the outcomes. 

"I you give me a penny and I will give you change"

For more Penny Politics follow us on twitter at <http://twitter.com/pennypolitics> http://twitter.com/pennypolitics <http://twitter.com/pennypolitics> !

Is 100 Days Enough??

It's here! It's here!  The day is finally here!!  Ring the bell and sound the alarm!!  Is the war over?  No!  Have we stopped Global Warming?  No!!  Governor Sarah Palin's daughter is getting married?  Hell NO!!!  The 100th day of the new administration is finally here!!!  Now what?  We have been hearing and talking about this artificial time table since November 4, 2008.  The President has been in office for 100 days........so let's recap!  We have seen a date set for the closing of Guantanamo Bay Prison, the passing of the Ledbetter bill for equal pay for women, SCHIP healthcare plan for children, the largest spending bill in this country's history, the G-20 Summit, pirates, a hand shake heard around the world (see Chavez), several bailouts, the word "NO" (see Republican opposition), a couple of memos about torture, and to cap everything off a new member of the Democratic party in the Senate (see Democratic Senator Arlen Specter). 

The first 100 days of a four year terms is hardly an indicator of this President or any President's ability, policy, or promise.   America has always been fascinated with its leaders; especially a new President.  In President Obama's case the curiosity and scrutiny may be a little greater, simply because he is the first minority President.   The fact is we need to not only look at the President's agenda and policies, but also how Congress and our State and local leaders are responding.   We have to remember that all politics is local and the President's agenda, if passed, has to be implemented on the State and local level.  That said citizens have to learn how to connect the dots as it relates to policy and how it affects your community on the local level.  Don't get me wrong, we should all keep an eye and ear on what the President is doing, however whether you are a Democrat, Republican, or Independent your real power is right in your community, town, city and state.

 
After the first 100 days I would give the President a "B".  There is not a job in the world like being the President of the United States.  Former President Bill Clinton said it best, "No one is prepared to be President on day one."  President Obama hasn't been perfect in his first 100 days and he will not be perfect in his last 100 days as President, but what he has been is 100% on the job.  When he has made mistakes he has owned up to them. When he doesn't have an answer he doesn't make up words (see Bush 43) he gets back to you with an answer.  He has shown a great amount of awareness in staying connected with the American people.  As Americans we must do our part by getting involved in our communities and make a tangible difference right at home.  While President Obama is not perfect and neither were any of his predecessors, he has and continues to prove to me and the American people that he is on the job for all Americans.   The Obama's are doing their part, are you?   

Keep up with the latest on Penny Politics at twitter.com/pennypolitics and on The Penny Institute group page on Facebook!
 
"If you give me a penny for your thoughts, I will give you change, in less than 100 days"