Black bears are peaceful, shy beings who live in harmony with nature, but the state agencies are killing brokerages. Wholesale destruction of the natural world and other species is the really important issue now. The slaughter, over packs of dogs and bait, and 20,000 hounders and their dogs, starts Sept. 5 - Oct. 9, 2012. The DNR is promoting running packs of dogs on bears starting July 1 through the kill - for 15 weeks of disruption of all ecosystems. Bears need to put on fat for winter hibernation to take care of their babies. We must ORGANIZE for change now.

Local TV news is dominated by sensational, police scanner news. How relevant are beatings, gang brawls and crime stories to the news we can actually USE? Consumer, health, events, festivals, and other significant stories are displaced by the concept "if it bleeds, it leads." Isn't it time for a positive constructive change?

With all the talk about cutting practically every social program that works, we hear nothing from Congress about cutting their salaries or benefits. Seniors are suffering the most. We've had no increase in Social Security in three years while our expenses skyrocket. No cuts to our programs until Congress cuts their salaries and pensions at least 25% including their summer vacations. Our Country is on the brink of collapse, unemployment, in reality, is more like 18% when counting everyone who has given up and they have six weeks vacation. Congress works for us not the other way around!

Our health and safety are at stake. Police and Fire (include EMS) department have not receive a pay raise for about five years. Quality police, Fire and EMS personnal are leaving our city for higher pay.

In Ohio if you contribute to SERS (School Employee Retirement System) you are not eligible to collect social security. Ohio considers this double dipping, because if you worked for a school system you do not contribute to social security. Which is fine but there is one problem! What about the employee’s like my mother who worked 20 years before she became a teacher’s aide? She paid money into social security but because she decided to work for the school system she is forced to forfeit the 20 years she did contribute. This is simply not right. Would you want 20 years of saving for your retirement to disappear because you took another job? Ohio is the only state to have this Law.

With only days remaining until the August 9 recall elections, right-wing groups are on overdrive trying to steal the election with shady and potentially illegal tactics. We have seen numerous accounts of voter suppression and confusion by groups such as Americans for Prosperity, We're Watching Wisconsin Elections and Right to Life.

Social Security is not an 'entitlement' program. It is an insurance program, and citizens have been paying its premiums all along. Social Security is money owed to all Americans who are elderly, disabled, orphaned, widowed with small children. Social Security is money from Americans which is being held in a fiduciary account for the time when citizens are not able to earn money due to old age or unfortunate circumstances. Social Security is an insurance program that helps protect us from severe hardship, hunger, undue suffering.

The Town of Wise has in place an ordinance which restricts the "brandishing" or "showing" Greek letters in/on which may be viewed from outside of the residence/domicile/home. That is to say, that if a house occupied by a member (either current/alumni) of any organization which affiliates itself with Greek lettering...that individual resident/homeowner etc... would not be allowed to place lettering representational of their affiliated organization on their property which could be seen from the outside i.e. someone walking down the street looks at said house and can identify whatever material used which would symbolize "Greek Letters". The purpose of this petition is to illicit the Town of Wise's Zoning/Planning Department in addition the Town Manager of Wise in either one of two actions: One-The removal of the ordinance in question thus allowing residences/homes/domiciles the ability to place Greek letters within the boundaries of their property apart from the interior of the residence/domicile/home. Two-The ordinance in question limits the restriction of the placement of Greek letters within the parameters of the domicile/residence/home. This option would lend itself to a collaborative measure between the Administration of the Town of Wise and it's citizenry to negotiate measures in which Greek lettering could be permitted to be placed on the domicile/residence/home of the property owner.

The Tea Party has taken America hostage by refusing to negotiate on raising the debt ceiling. Tell them to "Let My American's Go."

nasty slurs being published in such magazines as GQ pointing at people with Down Syndrome and other people with disabilities.

Max misses all of his friends in Northampton. This summer now marks 2 years that he haven't seen them in person. He also know that his friends in Northampton miss him very much too from the various comments and messages he gets from his friends online. I'm asking you (his parents) if you can please let him visit Northampton for one week and he will pay for all expenses. This will mark the start of his independence and going into his adulthood and showing you that he can take care of himself and look after his needs that you have looked after for the past 14 years. You are great parents and I know you will have enough trust and faith in him to take on this adventure in his life that gives him the experience of being on his own and of having a fun time away from your watch. Thank you for your consideration.

In the battle for the Debt Ceiling vote, President Obama is offering to put Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid on the table for cuts. He campaigned and received support from the American people for his stance to protect the Big 3 at all costs. If he waivers in this battle and sides with Republicans, then Democrats should find another nominee in 2012. We need a Democrat in the White House who acts like a Democrat. The poor and the vanishing middle class in America have taken the brunt of this bad economy started by George W. Bush while the top 2% enjoy their lowest tax rates in 50 years. Shared sacrifice means shared by all, not just a few. The poor, elderly and disabled can no longer afford any more cuts. It is time for President Obama to draw a line in the sand and stand firm.