Sula Costa Daily NYC

Some members of Congress have been talking about repealing Obamacare since the day it became law -- for nothing but political reasons. Because here's the truth: In the six years that have passed since then -- and even as the House and Senate voted to advance Obamacare's repeal this week -- they still haven't come up with a realistic plan to replace it with something better. Obamacare's impacts are clear. More than 20 million people have gained coverage, many for the first time. It's driven the uninsured rate to an all-time low, and it has held the growth of health care costs to the lowest levels in 50 years. So when these members of Congress talk a big game about repealing Obamacare, they have some tough questions to answer. Unprecedented chaos in the health care system -- which is what doctors' and hospitals' associations are warning will happen if repeal goes through -- is not a plan. We need to stand up and stop the rush to repeal -- we can't trust that suddenly, magically congressional leaders will come through this time. Take a stand to stop the rush to repeal Obamacare, and we'll follow up with more actions you can take to stop this irresponsible scheme. These people bent on repeal will undoubtedly come up with something in the coming days that they're going to call a plan. But with so much at stake, we can't take it at face value -- we need to take a good, hard look. Before tearing anything down, Congress should show us their plan to replace our health care, including how they lower costs, keep people covered, and protect people with pre-existing conditions. We won't let them get away with hand-waving and distraction, and we won't let them change the subject. We're going to be saying loud and clear: Calling it a plan doesn't make it one. Let's keep holding their feet to the fire. Sign the petition. Thanks, Katie Katie Hogan Executive Director Organizing for Action Sula -- Saumya's message below from earlier this week is all the more urgent today. Congressional leaders continue to take steps toward dismantling Obamacare -- last night, the Senate voted to advance its repeal. We cannot sit by and let that happen. Right now, pick up the phone and let elected officials know that you will not stand for the repeal of a law that's saving lives and helping millions of Americans get the quality, affordable care they deserve. Rushing to repeal is irresponsible and heartless -- it's up to all of us to speak up. Thanks, Jack Jack Shapiro Director of Policy and Campaigns Organizing for Action FUNAG held the seminar "O Palácio Itamaraty: do Rio de Janeiro a Brasília", in Rio de Janeiro, on 29 and 30 November. As part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Itamaraty Palace inauguration, on 14 March 2017, and of the transference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Brasilia, on 21 April 2020, the event focused on the architectural, strategic, historic, and artistic aspects of the Palace. It followed and carried on the works of the seminar “A certain idea of Brazil” held by Alexandre de Gusmão Foundation, in Brasilia, on 1, 2, and 3 June. Access Ambassador Sérgio Eduardo Moreira Lima’s (President of FUNAG) – speech at the seminar opening. Access the event’s full program.  More information: http://funag.gov.br/index.php/en/news/1374-seminar-itamaraty-palace-from-rio-de-janeiro-to-brasilia Cecilia Zabala & Philippe Baden Powell: Fronteras About the artists Guitarist, singer, and composer Cecilia Zabala (b. Buenos Aires, 1975) creates original compositions that blend sensitivity, emotion, technique, and intuition throughout her rich career. Her music draws upon a diverse mixture of influence, from Argentine folklore to the contemporary language of the twentieth century to jazz, tango, and Brazilian music. Zabala frequently performs as a soloist and has been a member of several chamber ensembles, including the guitar quartet Cuatro en punto, the tango group Mala Junta, and the duos Las Morochas and Alvarezabala. Her first solo recording, Aguaribay (2007), mixes Argentine folklore repertory with original instrumental and vocals compositions, with guest artists Juan Falú, Quique Sinesi, and Silvia Iriondo. Zabala released her second solo album, Pendiente, in 2008, featuring original compositions and arrangements of works by contemporary composers, moving away from pure folkloric roots towards unusual rhythms and unique melodies with contemporary compositions by Regina Spektor, Marcela Biasi (Brazil), David Aguilar (Mexico), and Diego Penelas (Argentina). Special guests included Marcelo Moguilevsky (bass clarinet), César Lerner (accordion), Luciano Dyzenchauz (double bass), and Rodrigo Quirós (percussion), among other instrumentalists. She recently released a solo CD of original music, El color del Silencio, which she celebrated with a series of concerts in Buenos Aires in June 2016.  Son of Baden Powell and brother of the guitarist Louis Marcel Powell, Philippe Baden Powell (b. 1978) began his classical piano studies at age seven in Baden-Baden, Germany. He later relocated with his family to Rio de Janeiro and began performing as a pianist at age 15 both in Brazil and abroad, with his father and brother and also in solo acts. He studied at the Conservatório Brasileiro de Música and the École Normale de Musique Alfred Cortot (Paris). As a sideman, Powell has performed with Seu Jorge, Maria Bethânia, Flor Purim, Airto Mreira, Roberto Menescal, MarceloD2, Wagner Tiso, Victor Biglione, and Carlos Malta, among others. He was one of the winners of the 2005 Montreux Jazz Piano Solo Competition, and relocated to Europe to begin his career. He released his first album, Estrade de Terra (Dirt Road), on the AdventureMusic label in 2006, featuring mandolinist Hamilton de Holanda and saxophonist Carlos Malta; recorded Um Rio with Márcio Faraco’s ensemble in 2008; co-produced Afrosambajazz for big band with Mário Adnet in 2010; recorded a solo album for AdventureMusic on their Piano Masters series in 2012; and most recently recorded Ludere with trumpeter Rubinho Antunes, bassist Bruno Barbosa, and percussionist Daniel de Paula.  More information:http://www.as-coa.org/events/cecilia-zabala-philippe-baden-powell-fronteras “Jonathas de Andrade: O Peixe” is the first solo museum presentation in the US of the work of Jonathas de Andrade (b. 1982), one of the most promising Brazilian artists of his generation." Jonathas de Andrade was born in Maceió, Brazil, and lives and works in Recife, Brazil. Recent and forthcoming solo exhibitions include the Power Plant, Toronto (2017); Museu de Arte do Rio, Rio de Janeiro (2015); Bonnefantenmuseum, Maastricht (2014); and Kunsthalle Lissabon, Lisbon (2013). He has exhibited in the São Paulo Biennial (2016), SITE Santa Fe Biennial (2016), Performa 15 Biennial (2015), the Gwangju Biennial (2014), the Dakar Biennial (2014), the Lyon Biennial (2013), and the New Museum Triennial (2012), among other major exhibitions. His work has also been included in recent group exhibitions at the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis (2016); the Logan Center for the Arts, Chicago (2016); and the Guggenheim Museum, New York (2014). Sponsors This exhibition is made possible through support provided by the Toby Devan Lewis Emerging Artists Exhibitions Fund and the generosity of Andrea and José Olympio Pereira. Jonathas de Andrade: O Peixe” is the first solo museum presentation in the US of the work of Jonathas de Andrade (b. 1982), one of the most promising Brazilian artists of his generation. Over the last decade, de Andrade has developed works in photography, video, and installation that stem from observations of everyday life in Brazil and what he regards as its “urgencies and discomforts.” In particular, many of de Andrade’s works consider how Brazilian national identity and labor conditions have been constructed against a backdrop of colonialism and slavery. More information: http://www.newmuseum.org/exhibitions/view/jonathas-de-andrade-o-peixe “Jonathas de Andrade: O Peixe” is curated by Natalie Bell, Assistant Curator.