Because Jerry, homie. Jerry.

We are launching this position because we believe the actions of the DNC are a blight on and an affront to Democracy itself. We should be working to mobilize and turning out voters. We should not be working to act like Republicans in 2002 who jammed phone lines in an attempt to stifle voter turnout.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who heads the Democratic National Committee, undoubtedly made the call to suspend Bernie Sanders' access to the DNC's 50-state voter file in the wake of a software glitch that a Sanders staffer had previously reported on multiple occasions. With just 6 weeks to go before the Iowa caucuses and less than 2 months before the New Hampshire primary, the Sanders campaign needs this voter file more than ever to reach a maximum number of voters. Withholding access to this critical information at such a critical time for the campaign is equivalent to sabotage.

The Confederate Naval Jack flag hangs in Summerall Chapel-- a church-- on the campus of The Citadel. We, the members of the Take It Down Now Campaign are calling for its immediate removal. It has no business in a house of worship-- a sacred space. Further, we are also calling for the establishment of a Commission on Racial Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity to address the ideology of the flag and the way that it negatively influences the campus experience for African American cadets, others at the school, graduates, and the larger Charleston, S.C. community. #TakeItDownNow!

The proposed change in hours will force pedestrians and joggers off the safe zoo paths onto the streets. The change in hours will have a direct negative impact on working professionals, women, senior citizens, and school-age children. It is now possible to enjoy the zoo before and after work. With new hours most professionals will be unable to enjoy the zoo at any time during the week. Women are primary users of the zoo as a safe and secure place to exercise. Changing zoo hours will force women to choose between unsafe paths in Rock Creek or not exercising at all. Senior Citizens are able to walk in a pedestrian-friendly environment. School-age children are able to enjoy the zoo after school hours. The change in open hours would make all these activities impossible.

To save an entertainment medium from vanishing.

Many cities across the country and our own state have changed local laws and ordinances to allow for the raising of a small flock of hens. It is time for Cicero, NY to join this movement. With proper education and a little research it is very easy to raise chickens in an urban setting without fear of noise, smell or disease. At the same time you can provide your family with a very healthy choice in home grown eggs. Factory farming is failing us in many ways. This will relieve the pressure on factory farming, while giving residents the right to provide a much more humane, and safe environment for backyard chickens. Let's join cities like New York, Baltimore, Rockville, Silver Spring, Bethesda, Potomac, and many more to put food production into the hands of city residents.

Americans already know we have a big money problem. In a recent WSJ/NBC poll, 69% of respondents said they “feel angry because our political system seems to only be working for the insiders with money and power, like those on Wall Street or in Washington, rather than working to help everyday people get ahead.” This sentiment is backed up by research showing that when the preferences of the wealthiest 10 percent of Americans conflict with that of the rest of the population, the 10 percent trumps the 90 percent. Despite this, big money interests have continued to dominate our elections and in turn, our national agenda. All of the Democratic presidential candidates have acknowledged the problem of big money in politics. But acknowledging the problem is the easy part. That’s why we need to hear what specific actions these candidates will commit to taking to get big money out of politics, and on what timeline.

I have repeatedly reported Donald Trump and those on his page on FB for hate speech. His posts insight rhetoric that is a catalyst for violence against Muslims. One reader even suggested they should all be killed. Even this was rejected by FB as hate speech. Enough.

Decent and innocent people are being attacked in part because of reckless rhetoric in the name of shameless self promotion of people like Donald Trump. It must end now. Donald Trump owes it to all Americans and all Muslims to help put an end to this type of ugly violence here in America and all Americans(including those in Washington and on every major news network) need to stand up and put immense pressure him to do so.

In the state of Kansas, under the Personal and Family Protection Act, it is legal to concealed carry a handgun without a permit or training. Under a state or municipal building exemption, public universities and colleges are not currently required to allow firearms in campus buildings, but this exemption expires on July 1, 2017. After that date, concealed carry will be allowed in campus buildings unless “adequate security measures” are put in place. Considering the costs and planning required to implement “adequate security measures”--there are over 800 buildings on Kansas public university campuses--there is no practical way to maintain gun-free campuses without amending the law. The Kansas Coalition for a Gun Free Campus and the undersigned university affiliates and other concerned citizens believe that the presence of firearms on our campuses fundamentally alters the nature of the work we do at institutions of higher learning. Numerous Kansas college affiliates have already voiced their concerns, including University of Kansas Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little, KU Senate President Michael Williams, and forty Kansas State University distinguished professors. Among the reasons cited for prohibiting the possession of firearms on college campuses are: 1) More accessible weapons means more opportunities for intentional gun violence and accidental discharge. 2) Students, faculty, and staff of color will be disproportionately affected and will be especially vulnerable. The LGBT community, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups will also be disproportionately affected. 3) There will be a greater risk of successful suicide attempts, especially in student dormitories and private offices. 4) The presence of firearms limits academic freedom by creating an environment of intimidation and fear. These are just a few of the many reasons guns do not belong on college campuses. Kansas gun laws allowing concealed carry on campuses will also discourage highly qualified prospective students and faculty from considering our colleges and universities for study or employment; as such, the quality of education will suffer. We disagree with the notion that arming our colleges will protect us in the event of an active shooter, as it would create confusion and potentially undermine the efforts of law enforcement. Since Kansas does not require permit or training, the chances of successful civilian intervention are even more unlikely. Additionally, as indicated in the arguments above, active shooter situations are far from our only concern. It is clear to us, the undersigned, that firearms should not be allowed in our classrooms and other campus buildings. We will not rest until Kansas legislators amend the law to address our concerns. Further reading: The Kansas Personal and Family Protection Act: https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/concealed-carry-statutes.pdf?sfvrsn=24 Kansas Board of Regents Weapons Fact Sheet: http://www.kansasregents.org/resources/PDF/FACT_SHEET-2105_weapon_possession_on_university_campuses_in_Kansas.pdf Chancellor Gray-Little speaks: http://www.kansan.com/news/ku-chancellor-bernadette-gray-little-weighs-in-on-campus-climate/article_7aa86e14-9d21-11e5-8c6f-f34d00a8f27c.html?mode=story KU Weapons Information Session: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2015/dec/08/fear-unanswered-questions-dominate-guns-campus-inf/ Forty Kansas State Distinguished Professors speak out: http://www.k-state.edu/today/announcement.php?id=23727&category=news&referredBy=email#.Vl72_2j7j-8.twitter

One in 4 kids in Maine is food insecure--but Shaw's Supermarkets has announced it is ending its food donation programs in Maine, just as the cold winter and holiday season is approaching. The Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program in Brunswick, Preble Street shelter in Portland, and Good Shepherd Food Bank are just a few of the agencies that have relied on Shaw's donation. By donating food that is not selling well or nearing the expiration date, grocery chains can help alleviate hunger and reduce food waste at very little cost to the company. Local Shaw's employees have expressed interest in continuing these programs—but to convince the corporate higher-ups, we all need to speak out. For more information: http://www.pressherald.com/2015/12/10/loss-of-shaws-donation-hits-food-bank-a-key-time/