Several environmentalists expressed disappointment and dismay Wednesday over President Obama's decision to open key Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico waters to oil and gas drilling. They believe that it is a danger to the ecosystem and tourism. Another environmentalist praises protection for sensitive areas on West Coast. Obama proposal would keep offshore drilling 125 miles from Florida coast. Florida senator says the plan is better than others proposed.

Divided on Repealing Health Care Law

Most Americans disapprove of the health care reform law, but that does not translate into majority support for the "repeal and replace" strategy backed by most GOP leaders, according to a new national poll.

The Results
56 percent of the public disapproves of the new legislation, with 42 percent approving of the bill that President Obama signed into law last week. More than three in 10 questioned say they dislike most of the bill, with one in four saying they oppose all the proposals in the new law. Fifteen percent say they approve of the new law without reservation, with another one in four saying they support the new reforms but feel they didn't go far enough.

"The new law seems to have riled up Republicans without really getting Democrats fired up. Half of Republicans are angry about the new health care law; most Democrats favor the law but only one in three are enthusiastic about it," adds Holland.

Time To Reload

Sarah Palin was the star speaker at this weekend's Tea Party rally in Nevada. She attacked the 'big three democrats', saying: "We're sending a message to Washington. It's loud and it's clear, and in these upcoming elections we're saying that the big-government, big-debt, Obama-Pelosi-Reid spending spree is over. You're fired!"

Along with repeating familiar tea party themes--government is too big, the healthcare overhaul is socialist--the protesters pointedly answered critics who say the group's rhetoric has fueled violence and threats against Democratic lawmakers. Palin encouraged them with: "Don't ever let anybody tell you to sit down and shut up, Americans!"

They have been accused of doing some of the vandalism, threats and slurs reported by Democrats. Palin’s site used the image of a rifle scope and told her supporters via Twitter, "Don't retreat, instead - RELOAD." She then, at the Tea Party Rally, said that she was not supporting violence.

Saturday's group quickly packed a dirt lot the size of a football field and spilled onto a nearby hill topped with an abandoned mine shaft.
Interspersed were Revolutionary War re-enactors, plastic pitchforks, cut-out torches and skull-and-cross-bones flags with Obama's face superimposed over the skull.
"The real pirates are in Washington," said Judy Hoelscher, who sold the flags for $10 each.
Fred Kubitz of San Diego carried a sign branding Obama, Stalin and Hitler "three socialists."

Immigration Rally

An immigration rally is set at Washington for a Sunday rally demanding immigration reform. The nation will be focused largely on a more immediate debate, the health care votes, the march on the National Mall will be setting the stage for a fight over another issue facing the country.

RIFA:The organization Reform Immigration for America, which supports a path to citizenship for those in the United States illegally, says the changes it wants to see will help bring about "economic justice for all Americans."

FAIR: In response, the Federation for American Immigration Reform -- which staunchly opposes amnesty -- called on Americans to contact their representatives and demand tougher borders and an end to illegal immigration. FAIR says it seeks "effective, sensible immigration policies that work for America's best interests."

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, lay out broad ideas for fixing a "badly broken" system:

• Requires biometric SS cards to make sure illegal workers can't get jobs.


• Fulfilling/Strengthening commitments on border security.


• Creating a process for admitting temporary workers.


• Implementing a tough, but fair path to legalization.

Insurers get Attacked

Obama made a final, urgent public plea for health care reform Friday, slamming private insurers and accusing his plan's opponents of spreading lies and distortions. Time for reform is "right now," he says. If the Senate bill passes the House, Obama will sign it into law. If the package of changes is passed, it will be taken up by the Senate. Obama warned that if Congress rejects his plan, "the insurance industry will continue to run amuck."
Nancy Pelosi is struggling to round up 216 votes from her 253-member caucus to pass the plan. No Republicans are expected to back it. Twenty-eight House Democrats have indicated to CNN they will join Republicans in opposing the Senate plan. That leaves opponents of reform 10 votes shy of defeating the measure.
They start the voting on Sunday.

Kucinich

Rep. Dennis Kucinich said Wednesday that he will continue to work toward a single-payer program, despite his decision to reverse course and support President Obama's health care plan. "I'm not a 'my-way-or-the-highway' kind of guy," Kucinich says. Kucinich has been a strong proponent of what he calls "Medicare for all," but said he was willing to settle for something short of that -- at least in the short term. He predicted that if the plan fails, the ramifications will reverberate for years and ge also predicted that the House vote, which could come this weekend, would be close.

Politician? or Comedian?

Sarah Palin went on a late night show to display her...comedian side. She started out with a few political jokes, "The truth is I am glad I am not vice president. I would not know what to do with all that free time," and some others like, "Alaska is so different from Los Angeles. Here, when people have a frozen look on their face, I find out it's botox."

She then talks to Leno about how the media has unfairly targeted members of her family and the notes on her palm during her speech. "Yes, a line was crossed," she said. "I'm still waiting for that line to be uncrossed" she said about how the media targeted her family.

So what exactly is Palin, a politician or a comedian?