TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR EDWARD SNOWDEN. Edward Snowden’s whistleblowing revealed the NSA’s massive, secret – and unconstitutional – surveillance programs. He took a huge personal risk to bring these programs to light. And his actions launched a vital national debate on whether the NSA should be spying on innocent Americans. But three years later, Snowden is still being forced to live in exile and threatened with likely spending the rest of his life in prison if he ever comes back to the country he loves. We have less than 125 days to push President Obama to officially pardon this important American whistleblower. Presidential pardons are about justice. They are for when the legal system has failed, or the laws are unjust or when our consciences demand it. Snowden made his sacrifice not for personal gain, but because he knew it was the only real way to expose the unconstitutional spying programs he witnessed. So when the White House tries to claim Snowden “is not a whistleblower” because he didn’t follow the "proper" whistleblower process, they’re just playing cynical word games. Intelligence contractors, like Edward Snowden, are NOT protected by the Intelligence Community’s whistleblower protections. The Intelligence Community’s own lawyer, even admits it. Even had Edward Snowden followed the “proper” process, his whistleblowing wouldn’t have been protected. Presidential pardons exist for exactly this kind of extraordinary situation. It’s time that President Obama uses that power to recognize Snowden’s public service. Snowden acted out of desperation and patriotism to inform Americans of the unconstitutional mass surveillance the NSA was conducting. Even former Attorney General Eric Holder agrees: “I think that he actually performed a public service by raising the debate that we engaged in and by the changes that we made.” Snowden stood up for our rights. Now it’s time we stand up for his. Sign the petition: Stand up for Edward Snowden and tell President Obama that three years is enough. Pardon Snowden and bring him home!

As parents, students, teachers and members of the community we are alarmed to learn that a supposedly "final" decision to radically change the Wenatchee High School schedule was undertaken behind closed doors and with zero input from parents and students. This is more than a "schedule change." It is a decision to condense year-long classes into one semester, resulting in 37 fewer instructional hours per class. It's a decision to create potential gaps of 8-12 months between classes in subjects like math and foreign language. It's a decision to disrupt and possibly threaten the viability of year-long programs like Band, Mariachi, AVID, Choir, Orchestra, DECA, Sports Medicine and The Apple Leaf. A decision of this magnitude should not be undertaken by a committee of only teachers and administrators. Such a significant change in the delivery and content of curriculum should instead be implemented only after careful planning and the recommended 1-2 years of staff and curriculum development. The Wenatchee High School should convene a new, well-rounded committee that will represent a broad range of students, parents and teachers and engage in a transparent process to arrive at a solution that is best for our high school.

For years, some small-dollar lenders—offering products such as payday loans, deposit advances, vehicle title loans, and high-cost installment loans—have extracted billions of dollars in abusive fees and high interest rates from the very consumers and communities who can afford it the least. The result has left millions of consumers trapped in an endless cycle of debt. Finally, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is proposing rules that will protect consumers. Ask all Pennsylvania Members of Congress to sign on in support.

One way or the other, Trump MUST release his tax returns before the November election--so the American people can see what shows up that might impact his decisions if he is elected President. Although Obama has the authority to release Trump's tax returns, It is unlikely that he will do so. Our only hope is to raise a hue and cry and CALL OUR SENATORS NOW to demand that they pass S.2979, the Presidential Tax Transparency Act, to force Trump to release them. Sources: Paul Ryan says Trump should release his tax returns http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-trailguide-updates-1473965120-htmlstory.html All the excuses Trump has given for why he will not release his tax returns https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2016/09/15/a-running-tally-of-trumps-many-excuses-for-why-he-wont-release-his-tax-returns/ Yes He Can: Obama Absolutely Has The Authority to Release Donald Trump’s Tax Returns http://reverbpress.com/politics/obama-order-trump-tax-returns-released/ YouTube: Elizabeth Warren on Trump Taxes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSGxnxqAO5w

On average, 20 people per minute are victims of physical violence by an intimate partner in the United States and sixteen percent of mass shooters (2009-2015) had been previously charged with domestic violence. With a database similar to that of Megan's Law, people can see if their partners have domestic violence records and at risk domestic partners could begin protecting themselves by making informed decisions. Identifying domestic abusers, we can make our communities safer.

I proudly served in the United States Armed Forces for 8 years. I was stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. I live by a code of conduct instilled in me through my service, a code that taught me to be selfless, to never leave a fallen soldier behind, to honor the flag, and to honor the Commander-in-Chief. Donald Trump does not share these values. Recently, 50 Republican national security leaders wrote a letter warning that Trump "would be the most reckless President in American history.” But still, Joe Heck says that he would trust Donald Trump with the nuclear codes. It is frankly scary that Joe Heck, who I respect for serving his country, would support such a man to lead the most powerful military on Earth. Anyone who has held the responsibility of a General knows that Donald Trump lacks the judgement to engage our armed forces. Join me in telling Joe Heck that his support for Donald Trump shows a lack of judgement-- judgement we are looking for in our next US Senator. Along with fellow Nevada veterans, I will personally deliver the signatures from this petition to Joe Heck. Heck must listen to the people of Nevada and help keep our country safe by making it clear that Donald Trump lacks the judgement to be Commander-in-Chief. Eric Sutton, E4 Senior Airman USAF Iraq and Afghanistan.

Because I am tired of the side effects and scared of what narcotics are doing to my body. I've had six spine surgeries and have metal holding my lower back together.

Myrna De los Santos struggled with health issues for years – but she simply could not afford the health care she needed on McDonald’s pay. Last week, she passed away. She was 49. Myrna worked at fast-food restaurants in Independence, Missouri outside Kansas City, for over a decade. For the past 4 and a half years, she worked at McDonald’s – until low pay and deteriorating health drove her to quit 4 months ago. McDonald's failed Myrna with pay so low she couldn't afford to go to the doctor – and even though she made only $9 an hour, Missouri's broken safety net was not there to catch her. She never qualified for Medicaid or other help – she was left on her own. To those who knew her personally, she was an inspiration. Full of warmth and joy. Always hardworking despite the odds – even walking to work through rain and snow when she couldn’t afford transportation. To the #FightFor15, she was a leader – inspiring others on strike lines for over 2 years. She is the reason we fight. The reason we will not stop until all people who work can afford to live. Today, we call on McDonald’s to pay employees enough to afford the care they need – and make sure no hardworking person suffers Myrna’s fate again.

MARIA PEREIRA MUST GO was created by myself, with the support of Bridgeport Public Schools Parent and Community Leaders because of MARIA PEREIRA continuous belligerent behavior directed towards collegeaues, PARENTS, BOE member's and ANYONE not in agreement with her bullying tactics She is in violation of the Robert rules of laws in her disruptive behaviors that consists of shouting, name calling, intimidation and unprofessional language. Her HISTORY of violence, criminal record and threats of lawsuits towards the Mayor and ANYONE that doesn't AGREE with her has the 21000 CHILDREN of Bridgeport held hostage. Her history of voting to endanger the welfare of Bridgeport Students and Community makes her unfit to be a BOE member any longer. She has voted to remove imperative staffing, paraprofessional from overcrowded classrooms, school police SRO. She voted to have children walk as young as kindergarten outside of the STATE of CT Guidelines. Her inability to work civilly with the current BOE members has caused a BOYCOTTING. MARIA PEREIRA MUST GO PERIOD! NO OTHER OPTIONS are Warranted! We the PARENTS and Children of Bridgeport Public Schools want HER RESIGNATION!

Since 1990, monarch populations have crashed with nearly 1 billion of the butterflies dying. This decline isn't due to natural causes; The Washington Post has called it “nothing short of a massacre.” How so? Pollution-driven climate change is part of the problem. But we're also allowing the destruction of the monarchs' habitat through the rapid acceleration in use of Monsanto's toxic Roundup and Roundup Ready crops. As the monarchs begin their 3,000-mile fall migration, we’re joining together to call on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to declare the monarch butterfly a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. If we succeed, we'll give the monarchs more than a fighting chance. When it comes to preventing extinction, the Endangered Species Act has a 99% success rate. But we have to act now.

With so much controversy these days over officers who may or may not be abusing their position. We MUST support the cops that are undeniably honorable, like Stephen Mader. For more info, Please Read the Full Story here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2016/09/12/west-virginia-cop-fired-for-not-killing-a-man-with-an-unloaded-gun/?utm_term=.88d8fb3346eb

Two maxims define Ray’s moral compass. West Point's Code of Honor: "I will not lie, cheat, steal, nor will I tolerate those who do." The "Golden Rule" "Do to others what you want them to do to you." Ray Metcalfe was a Delegate for Bernie at the Alaska State Convention and is now a candidate for the US Senate seat now filled by Republican Lisa Murkowski. Whom is the GOP Chair of the Senates Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Ray Metcalfe is a former member of the Alaska Legislature, and was the Whistle Blower who got Former US Senator Ted Stevens, along with Alaska's Governor's Chief of staff, six State Legislators and four Lobbyists indicted and helped the US Attorney's office convict ten of them. Ray is well known state wide for repeatedly exposing the kinds of corruption Bernie is talking about when he says the system is rigged. The last US Senate election was won with 135,000 votes. Ray was able to win the primary by 20 points without a single ad – relying on name recognition from his anti corruption work. We believe that for $1 a vote we could make a compelling grassroots campaign for the US Senate this November. There is an independent in the race with GOP ties that is likely to split the republican vote. While Ray has nearly three times the support in the latest polls. In Ray’s tenure as a State Lawmaker he authored the original Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) Investment Plan (the annual check Alaskans get from resource royalties.) A roll that should allow him to find a special place in every Alaskan’s heart. If Elected to US Senate Ray will fight tooth and nail to restrict the flow of money into politics here is an excerpt of the solution for legislation We support legislation that requires elected officials to declare a conflict of interest and recuse themselves from voting on legislation appropriating cash, resources, or competitive advantages, to themselves, their family, their employers, their business partners, or their contributors. Ray Began pressing for the above proposed legislation when the US Supreme Court ruled on a Nevada conflict of interest statute, clarifying that recusal can be required by state and/or federal statute under the circumstances defined in the above 38 words.  Support for Policy: End Pay to Play Politics. End Corporate Welfare. Tuition & Debt Free College Education. Expand Social Security by lifting cap. Healthcare as a Right! (Single Payer). Protect Reproductive Rights, Civil Rights, Privacy Rights, Workers Rights. End Energy Poverty in Alaska. Modernizer Infrastructure: Transportation & Communications. Adequate funding for Arts, Science & NASA. Ending the War on Drugs. No for Profit Prisons. Revise and Simplify the Tax Code. Keep Promises to Vets. Fair trade as opposed to free trade. Retraining for displaced workers. Science Based Decisions. Act on Global Warming. Gun Rights with Responsible Safeguards. A judicial system that values getting it right over convictions at any cost.