UPDATE: We are heartbroken to inform suporters of Bill and Lou that Green Mountain College has issued a letter stating that they have "euthanized" Lou, who, as many of you are aware, had sustained an injury to his leg. Please know that this petition will continue in support of Bill, the remaining ox who is still at Green Mountain College (GMC). GMC President Fonteyn's letter included the following: "Bill will not be sent to a sanctuary but will stay on Cerridwen Farm and will be cared for in a manner that follows sustainable, humane livestock practices, as is the case with all of our animals." Given all that has taken place up to now, we find this position neither encouraging nor acceptable. We believe that the most compassionate and appropriate outcome for Bill will be retirement to one of the sanctuaries that is eager to accept and care for him. We have genuine concerns about having him remain at GMC with those who have clearly indicated that providing for his ongoing care on a longterm basis is inconsistent with their ideology and "philosophy." Supporters of Bill and Lou are planning a demonstration for November 18. Please visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/410758268995319/ Thank you for your continuing activism and advocacy for Bill. He needs your help. (Following is the text of the original "Background" information for this petition) Despite the global outpouring of support for two oxen who have devoted their lives to the service of Green Mountain College in Vermont, the college has persisted in its decision to slaughter the animals rather than permit them the dignity of retirement. The school, a sustainable agriculture college, has tried to justify its decision with references to 'sustainability' and participation in the 'local food community.' But people around the world, as evidenced by thousands of petition signatures in protest, have perceived this decision as inappropriate and unjustifiable utilitarian disregard for the dignity of sentient animals. Traditional farming practices have permitted the dignity of retirement to working farm animals who have provided a lifetime of service, and this should be the outcome for Bill and Lou. They should be permitted to retire at one of the animal sanctuaries that have offered to take them and provide for their lifetime care, at no cost to the college. Urge President Obama to issue an emergency pre-Thanksgiving pardon to spare the lives of these wonderful animals.

The Ontario County Board of Supervisors will vote to accept or reject the Final Environmental Impact Statement on November 15. Acceptance of this measure clears the way for landfill expansion and removes the leverage needed to address unmet environmental management concerns with Casella Waste Management. Finger Lakes Zero Waste and other concerned residents are urging the Board to slow down and require a Supplemental Environmental Assessment Statement. Sign this petition to urge them to vote no and pass the link on to others who care more about long-term impacts than short-term gain.

"Horse slaughter is the way by which irresponsible people get rid of their unwanted horses quickly and for a profit. Every year, well over 140,000 equines from the United States are slaughtered for human consumption to satisfy the taste for horsemeat in Europe and Japan where it is considered a delicacy. Currently, these equines are being transported across the Canadian and Mexican borders where they are slaughtered and their meat is then exported overseas selling for between $15 and $25 per pound. While there are no horse slaughterhouses operating in the US now, that could easily change due to a movement by the small, but powerful special interest groups that have successfully blocked passage of federal legislation banning horse slaughter for nearly a decade. " http://www.equineadvocates.org/issueDetail.php?recordID=2#

The shortened number of days for early voting caused unusually long waiting period, some for as long as six to eight hours. This prevented voters the opportunity to vote. Extending another day for early voting will provide voters an opportunity to exercise their right to vote.

Dear Pennsylvania SignOn member, We've recently heard from folks in Pennsylvania who condemn American Apparel for trying to cash in on the devastation of Hurricane Sandy with a 20% "Sandy Sale" to customers living in storm ravaged states on the East coast. This to me is despicable.

IT IS A RIGHT FOR AMERICANS TO VOTE. PLEASE KEEP EARLY VOTING OPEN AND DO NOT CLOSE POLLS UNTIL EVERYONE ON LINE HAS VOTED

My wife waited in line to vote at early voting and the burden on the state economy and poll workers will be crushing.

The cost of continuing of Daylight Saving Time at the expense of the needs of our bodies is high. Studies have shown that early sunrise is vitally important to mental, physical, and spiritual health. These same studies have also shown that early sunrise benefits many people such as commuters, families, schools, farmers, people sensitive to depression and other mental health fluctuations, people with cardiovascular issues, and people with sleep issues. Daylight Saving Time takes the benefit of early sunrise away from the majority of the people who need it. Additionally, by beginning DST in March, sunrise is pushed even farther back than on the shortest day of the year, December 21. For anyone living on the western-most edge of a time-zone, this later sunrise can be even more detrimental for Americans. As studies have shown, Daylight Saving Time is unnecessary for the average citizen. Let us increase the quality of our lives by honoring our bodies' need for early sunrise and eliminating Daylight Saving Time.

In a last-minute directive issued Friday night that could disenfranchise thousands of Ohioans and tip the outcome of the election, Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted changed requirements for submitting provisional ballots on Election Day. The directive requires voters, not election officials, to fill out a confusing form listing the type of ID they provided to vote. This new directive is a clear violation of Ohio law and puts even more votes at risk of not being counted. Secretary Husted has also instructed election officials to not count ballots where that part of the form has not been correctly filled out by the voter.

I have watched during the past 40 years as the Republicans have used their influence to tilt the playing field toward the upper 1% and it has worked. It is time to realize that it is immoral to vote Republican when the future of our planet is riding on this next election. It is immoral to put more power into the hands of the very wealthy and it is immoral to expect the 99% to pay for the mistakes and risk taking of the 1%.

Emergency Service workers on the East Coast have been working non-stop to help families get their lives back in order after the devistation of Hurricane Sandy. Mayor Bloomberg would like the NYC Marathon to go on as scheduled, but that would divert resources from the NYPD and FDNY that are needed in hurricane clean-up efforts.

So many people in the tri-state area have been impacted by the devastation of hurricane Sandy. Let's use our resources to help those in need, instead of having a marathon.