Bringing the Pioneer Amtrak route back, making stops in towns like Hood River, La Grande, Ontario, Boise ID, Salt Lake City UT, and Denver Co would be a major uplifting to potentially 10's of thousands of people who would travel it frequently. Especially during poor weather, and other major events. Bringing the Pioneer back would be a monumental improvement to this region, but would also show that it is needed, by the demand it would have. It would likely be used more in the winter, as the area can see brutal storms. I know many families that would travel it to see other distant family members. Of course you will have a good size of business people riding, but the real benefits will go to people who may not have the ability to drive, seniors who don't like driving long distances, big families with small cars, and much more are possible with this line, and this route.

The Washington Redskins exposed their hypocrisy recently while tweeting out on #BlackoutTuesday in support of #BlackLivesMatter while continuing to profit off of a racist and derogatory name—Redskins—and a caricature logo of Native Americans. Borne out of a genocidal past, the term “Redskin,” is a word dripping with contempt, racism, and a quite literal reference to blood; advertisements were placed in newspapers on behalf of governments and institutions perpetuating the genocide of indigenous peoples using this term—for example, from the The Winona Daily Republican in Minnesota: “The State reward for dead Indians has been increased to $200 for every red-skin sent to Purgatory. This sum is more than the dead bodies of all the Indians east of the Red River are worth.” While the team may claim that the term is used to honor the purported Native American ancestry of its one-time coach William “Lone Star” Dietz, the team knows full well that the name was changed to Redskin to avoid issues with the Boston Braves baseball team. Further, after an investigation, Dietz was found to have fraudulently posed as indigenous—the name of the football team only dishonors in many ways. Snyder argues that the term is one of honor and of benign origins—it is not. Native American leaders and peoples have been fighting to have the name changed across society, and have succeeded but in this one place. Since 1898, the term has been defined as one used contemptuously. If the Washington Football Team had to change the fight song for racist illusions, why not change the name? To claim that the term “redskins” honors Native Americans defies logic—no one would think to claim that, for example, a football team named for the confederacy honors African Americans. Other teams are named after animals (Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears), after numbers (San Francisco 49ers), or after empowering, flattering, mythic characters (New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Houston Texans). In short, a racial slur has no place in the NFL's lineup. Academic studies continue to show that the name and mascot do not honor Native Americans; to the contrary, the term leads to “lower self-esteem, lower community worth, less capacity to generate achievement-related possible selves, and greater levels of negative effect” amongst Native American youth, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and oppression. The term, with its contemptuous nature, further builds a gap between native and non-native cultures, contributing to intergenerational trauma and continued racism. Leaders, historians, psychologists, and social scientists have concluded that “Native mascots are part of a much larger web of phenomena that contribute to oppression faced by Native Americans and thus it seems clear that these mascots should be eliminated.” While it should be clear, some people seem to be unwilling to see the continued consequences. Everytime the Washington team takes the field, the Redskins name conjures images of brutality. The Washington Redskins, the NFL, the media, and sponsors must discontinue profiting off of a racist trope. Native Americans are not mascots, they are people and are still here. Daniel Snyder cannot continue to muzzle and whitewash a people and history. Words have power. Symbols have power. It is time the media and sponsors cease their complicity in this cultural genocide, and stand with justice—boycott the name until the name changes.

With the recent spikes in COVID-19 cases in Florida, the plan to re-open theme parks should be re-evaluated. The state’s proposed plan for re-opening theme parks would start at Phase 2, “after the successful conclusion of Phase 1, which includes a downward trajectory…this will occur when there is no evidence of a rebound or resurgence of COVID-19 cases.” Because of the increase in cases suddenly, it is clear that theme parks – a non-essential business – should not be planning to operate until the cases have gone down again. The recent spike of COVID-19 cases is concerning due to our proposed opening in July. With a record high of 4,049 new COVID-19 cases in a single day on June 20, 2020, we are now backtracking from where we originally were. Retreating back to an earlier Phase in re-opening is our best option at not exposing the virus to thousands and thousands of theme park employees and their families. As individuals who work in the bustling tourism industry in central Florida, we are responsible for ensuring the safety of our guests and our fellow magic makers. Keeping ourselves and our visitors safe is our number one priority, in every theme park. This includes our health and wellbeing. We are encouraged to say something when we see something that we deem is unsafe so we’re speaking up. This virus is not gone, unfortunately it’s only become worse in this state. Having our theme parks remain closed until cases are steadily decreasing would keep our guests, our employees and their families safe. Re-opening the theme parks is only putting our guests, employees, and families at higher risk for contracting COVID-19. While theme parks are a great way to relax and enjoy free time, it is a non-essential business; it is not fair to the people who work there to risk their lives, especially if they are at risk or have family members who are at risk. People are more important than making a profit. Mayors, Theme Park Executives, Government Officials - please hear what we are saying. shorturl.at/bCENX https://rb.gy/limuqd

Survivor has produced 40 successful seasons over 20 years by telling the stories of people who represent a wide array of human experience within the context of a game of social strategy, physical challenges, and survival. Representation matters. One of the most important ways we can embrace our diversity and evolve is to represent that diversity responsibly, equitably and fully. A commitment to the afore-mentioned actions would have a huge impact and move us toward a more fair, just, and equitable society.

This is our taxpayer money, our money funded the program and the program should be accountable to us. Taxpayers are entitled to this public information and Secretary Mnunchin promised full transparency. The Washington Post's Catherine Rampell made a compelling case this morning that with "a half-trillion dollars of our hard-earned cash" in question, taxpayers should be asking, "What are they hiding?"

SARS-CoV-2 is ravaging our communities. It is highly infectious and it is spreading like wildfire. Our hospitals are filling up and resources are scarce. It is our government’s responsibility to ensure our safety, and something must be done to prevent further deaths in our communities.

Because as U.S. citizens we have a right to peaceful protests which can be seen in the wearing of our face masks. In a time of civil unrest, with thousands of people and hundreds of companies speaking out against the racial inequality imposed on African Americans, we as a people should be able to wear what ever kind of mask we so choose as long as it doesn’t go against someone’s religion, ethnic background, and doesn’t have obscene graphics or language.

It’s Important because a lot of us don’t know our history or what Juneteenth is about. I want this to educate my community because I didn’t really know what Juneteenth was about until I was an adult. I want my community to be celebrated because we built this country.

Silence on issues such as racial injustice speaks volumes.

Your signature is powerful! Your experience is powerful! By signing this petition you’re demanding to see real changes at State Farm. By signing this petition you’re taking a stand, letting them know you’re not satisfied. By signing this petition your showing State Farm proof that there has been, and still is racial inequality and inequity within the company. It’s time to hold State Farm accountable. It’s time to demand change. It’s time to unite the company. It’s time for State Farm to be “Like a good neighbor” to ALL their employees & agents. *ALL COLLECTED INFORMATION IS COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL*

If NFL owners want to show they're committed to the fight against racial injustice and police violence against Black people, they can start by apologizing to Colin Kaepernick. In 2016, Colin Kaepernick began kneeling in protest against police brutality and racial inequality. He faced racist abuse online and at games, and President Trump fanned the flames, telling NFL owners to "Get that son of a bitch off the field now." Kaepernick hasn't played an NFL game since that season because NFL owners colluded to follow President Trump's order and keep him off the field "for disrespecting the flag." Now, the NFL is being lauded because its commissioner, Roger Goodell, affirmed that Black lives matter and condemned "the systematic oppression of Black people." That's better than their 2016 response, but it's not enough (and it only came after leading Black players demanded it). Current and former NFL players and sports journalists have responded in unison that an apology to Kaepernick would show that the NFL is serious about its commitment. We can amplify their message to the league commissioner and owners, which include a number of President Trump supporters. The NFL's lack of support for Kaepernick's right to protest is what created space for President Donald Trump and his supporters to bash him for "disrespecting the flag," distorting the truth of his protest. Apologizing to Colin Kaepernick will send a powerful message to the NFL's fan base, especially fans who incorrectly think the protest is about the flag.

OAN frequently runs erroneous and conspiratorial editorials and news stories. They have been rated by All Sides Media as "Low" in terms of confidence in their reporting. They recently aired a story that claimed the 75 year old protester from Buffalo New York was an agent of Antifa, and worked with China. Both claims are false and yet the President still retweeted these claims. He is a big fan of OAN and it is easy to see why when they run sycophantic and adoring stories of his more base and abhorrent actions and policies. It is time to get them out of America's finest city and send them looking for a home.