In 2005, I was one of the founding educators of Validus Preparatory Academy in Bathgate, Bronx, New York. Not long after the Academy opened, two of my students were shot in random acts of violence. They were promising young people who had overcome huge hurdles to attempt what is almost impossible in the South Bronx--a lifestyle of success, of raising a family, of living a good life. They didn't get the chance. Nadairee Walters, age 17, and Martin Jackson, 18, lost their dreams for no good reason except that guns on the street are the norm in too many communities. Additionally, I'm also an educator who frequently works with children in the early grades. They are so full of life and promise, love and laughter. It is no cliche that they are our future—and in caring and protecting these young lives, we show the best part of who we are as a people. For months after December 14, 2012, I was haunted by the vision of some of my little students being cruelly slaughtered and dying in fear, pain, and without the comfort of their parents' love. We owe it to our children and ourselves to do everything possible to truly make sure our saying "never again" is a solemn vow rather than an aspiration. Please add your name to this petition urging Governor Cuomo to make sure New York state has no investments in the gun industry.

This initiative is introduced EVERY session, and dies in committee before ever making it to a vote on the floor. Stop playing politics. We do not want Daylight Savings anymore.

Gun violence in Kansas City alone has tripled in 2013. My godson was gunned down for no reason. My neighbor's two sons were shot and one died. Our communities need to feel safe. Our young people deserve better and should be our top priority before our future slips away, right before our eyes.

Too many innocent people have been killed by gun violence. Why should New York State have to depend on gun sale profits to fund pensions? As a Registered Nurse with a background and a degree in public health, I can tell you that gun violence is one of the biggest public health problems in our country. My pension comes from New York State and I have a stake in this.

To keep the Mt. Soledad cross. Why dishonor the majority to please a few intolerants? To protect our rights. To stop the stripping of the rights of Christians.

The North Central district of Hollywood, FL needs a large, safe park that 1) Children can walk or bike to 2) That native species can breed in 3) That water can drain in when it floods. 4) That bikers can pedal in. The fifty acres of Sunset Golf must remain green space , not have more concrete poured on it. If it changes to anything, that should be a public park.

Councilmember Elle Cochran is listening. She has concerns (as I do!) about the deal and was hoping to go the condemnation route. Remember that she is our most ethical and well-informed Councilmember - so just ask her with respect because she is truly trying to represent us to the best of her abilities. Sadly, she may be counting on others having her same high standards towards developers and development which is why this petition was started. We do not share Elle's confidence that others will put politics aside and condemn the land. Nor are we confident that after a protracted lawsuit, that the judge would set the value of the land lower than what the owner is currently offering.

The Blockley is the by far the most intimate and enjoyable music venue in Philadelphia. The closing of its doors will personally affect A LOT of live-music supporters in the area. This may be a long shot, but I will do all I can to keep my favorite Philadelphia music scene ALIVE!

This is an issue that we all care about. If Ms. Langenburg were to move to NC, I think we can all agree it would be a better place.

Mr. Jones, You have been the CHAIRMAN of the Board of Directors for GMAD for more than three years but your leadership speaks of a lack of positive change and development for the organization. The budget of the agency has substantially decreased during your tenure, departments are without viable resources and sustainable needs, and the organization's mission is no longer being met at the highest standards. Projects such as Pulse Magazine were given vast amounts of funding under your oversight. But not only did they fail to come to overall fruition, they negatively affected the availability of funding for the rest of the agency. Further, to date, there has not been an official bylaws fortified and enacted! Your representation as the agency's leader has also been looked upon by a considerable number of constituents of the Black LGBTQ community as mediocre at best. We, the signed constituents and allies of this agency and community, graciously thank you for your service. But it is now time for a new, more responsible and determined leader for the GAY MEN OF AFRICAN DESCENT. SO, HELP US MAKE GMAD A PASSIONATE CROWN OF THE COMMUNITY ONCE AGAIN BY FIRST RESIGNING IMMEDIATELY FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF GAY MEN OF AFRICAN DESCENT!

Animal cruelty is abhorrent and unacceptable. Pigs are smarter than a 3-year-old human child and do not deserve to be banished to small gestation crates for their entire lives. S.1921 is a bill that would ban the use of pig gestation crates in NJ. The pigs are kept in barren metal stalls, often smaller than the sows themselves, which measure a mere 6 ft x 2 ft. The sows, some of whom can weigh up to 600 lbs, can't even turn around in the stalls. In May, the New Jersey legislature voted overwhelmingly to ban these crates. The bill passed the Assembly by a margin of 60-5 votes, and by the Senate 29-4. In June, Governor Chris Christie vetoed the legislation. It's been speculated that perhaps the Governor was thinking more about an Iowa presidential primary, and his friendship with US Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), rather than the welfare of these animals. Iowa is, after all, the largest pork producer in the nation. In November, a veto override vote was attempted in the Senate, but it had to be withdrawn because it turned out that it was 2 votes shy of the two-thirds majority needed for the bill to override the veto. Six Republican senators, who originally voted "YES" in support of the ban, reversed their votes to "NO" in order to stay in lockstep with the Governor. Our District 8 Senator Dawn Marie Addiego was one of the Republicans who changed her vote to "NO." The other Republican senators who changed their votes to "NO" included: Jennifer Beck (Monmouth), Tom Kean, Jr. (Union), Christopher Connors (Ocean), Jim Holzapfel (Ocean), and Robert Singer (Ocean). It has been argued that New Jersey doesn't have the massive number of hogs that other states have, so the vote is irrelevant here. However, this argument doesn't hold water. We shouldn't tolerate cruelty whether it's inflicted on hundreds of thousands of animals or just one. Others have argued that the intensive confinement is not inhumane, and they cite "experts" that will attest to that. However, those "experts" have conflicts of interest associated with their close connections with the industry (lobbyists, researchers accepting industry grant money, etc.) Impartial animal behaviorists have advocated for the ban. But it doesn't take a degree in animal science to see that the crates are inhumane. Pigs are sentient beings. They suffer as we do: pain, boredom, fear. It's also well-documented that they are highly intelligent. To subject an animal to this extensive confinement during their several years of continuous breeding (until they are slaughtered), is simply wrong. Most people recognize this. Nine other states have banned the crates. The European Union has banned them. Australia and New Zealand will phase them out over the next two years, and Canada has moved in that direction as well. And many corporate pork purchasers are no longer allowing their suppliers to use the crates. Here in the Garden State, the pig gestation crate ban has garnered widespread support from farmers, veterinarians, and the public. Polls show that nearly 90 percent of New Jersey residents would like to see the gestation crates abolished. Please sign the petition and urge your New Jersey legislators to vote their conscience and their constituents' wishes, and once again vote "YES" on the upcoming veto override vote.

Jay Estanislao is a great Karaoke host and we want him back in Texas on a Carnival ship .He has made thousands of great memories for your guest both on and off the Karaoke floor. He is a very caring and talented young man and we want him back.