On September 21, the Senate voted on a resolution offered by Senators Chris Murphy [D-CT], Rand Paul [R-KY], Al Franken [D-MN], and Mike Lee [R-UT] to block an arms sale to Saudi Arabia. The Murphy-Paul resolution was a challenge to U.S. support and participation in the Saudi war against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Saudi war in Yemen has been slammed by human rights groups for causing a humanitarian catastrophe, for violating international humanitarian law, and for violating U.S. laws against targeting civilians with U.S. weapons. Senator Feinstein voted to kill the Murphy-Paul resolution, effectively voting in favor of further arming Saudi Arabia. Senator Boxer voted against killing the resolution, effectively voting against continuing to arm Saudi Arabia. [1] S.J.Res.32, sponsored by Senators Chris Murphy, Rand Paul, Brian Schatz, and Sherrod Brown, would increase Congressional oversight over U.S. weapons exports to Saudi Arabia. [2] Thank Senator Boxer and challenge Senator Feinstein to explain her vote, and urge both to co-sponsor S.J.Res.32, by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=114&session=2&vote=00145#position 2. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/32

On September 21, the Senate voted on a resolution offered by Senators Chris Murphy [D-CT], Rand Paul [R-KY], Al Franken [D-MN], and Mike Lee [R-UT] to block an arms sale to Saudi Arabia. The Murphy-Paul-Franken-Lee resolution was a challenge to U.S. support and participation in the Saudi war against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Saudi war in Yemen has been sharply criticized by human rights groups for causing a humanitarian catastrophe, for violating international humanitarian law, and for violating U.S. laws against targeting civilians with U.S. weapons. Senator Murphy and Senator Blumenthal voted against killing the Murphy-Paul-Franken-Lee resolution, effectively voting against continuing to arm Saudi Arabia. [1] S.J.Res.32, sponsored by Senators Chris Murphy, Rand Paul, Brian Schatz, and Sherrod Brown, would increase Congressional oversight over U.S. weapons exports to Saudi Arabia. [2] Thank Senator Murphy and Senator Blumenthal and urge Senator Blumenthal to co-sponsor S.J.Res.32 by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=114&session=2&vote=00145#position 2. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/32

On September 21, the Senate voted on a resolution offered by Senators Chris Murphy [D-CT], Rand Paul [R-KY], Al Franken [D-MN], and Mike Lee [R-UT] to block an arms sale to Saudi Arabia. The Murphy-Paul-Franken-Lee resolution was a challenge to U.S. support and participation in the Saudi war against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Saudi war in Yemen has been sharply criticized by human rights groups for causing a humanitarian catastrophe, for violating international humanitarian law, and for violating U.S. laws against targeting civilians with U.S. weapons. Senator Franken and Senator Klobuchar voted against killing the Murphy-Paul-Franken-Lee resolution, effectively voting against continuing to arm Saudi Arabia. [1] S.J.Res.32, sponsored by Senators Chris Murphy, Rand Paul, Brian Schatz, and Sherrod Brown, would increase Congressional oversight over U.S. weapons exports to Saudi Arabia. [2] Thank Senator Franken and Senator Klobuchar and urge them to co-sponsor S.J.Res.32 by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=114&session=2&vote=00145#position 2. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/32

SAMHSA initially rejected EEG Biofeedback because brain waves are not behavior, but is now considering reversing this decision. Acceptance on the official list (NREPP) plus the research would mean EEG biofeedback is our most effective tool to treat addictions of all kinds.

Children need our voice. Way too often, when families return to visit our preschool program they are baffled at limited time for play in their current Kindergarten and/or higher grade(s). I am baffled but know together we can stand up for children. Children need to play. It's time that in our country we stand for the rights of children and childhood. We are asking for you to make a promise to ensure children's right to play and developmentally appropriate practice is upheld in schools.

On September 21, the Senate voted on a resolution offered by Senators Chris Murphy [D-CT], Rand Paul [R-KY], Al Franken [D-MN], and Mike Lee [R-UT] to block an arms sale to Saudi Arabia. The Murphy-Paul resolution was a challenge to U.S. support and participation in the Saudi war against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Saudi war in Yemen has been slammed by human rights groups for causing a humanitarian catastrophe, for violating international humanitarian law, and for violating U.S. laws against targeting civilians with U.S. weapons. Senator Murray and Senator Cantwell voted against killing the Murphy-Paul resolution, effectively voting against continuing to arm Saudi Arabia. [1] Thank Senator Murray and Senator Cantwell by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=114&session=2&vote=00145#position

The Libingan ng mga Bayani is for the President and Soldiers who served our country.

Update: (9-28-16) On Tues., Sept., 27th, the Santa Monica City Council unanimously agreed not to appeal the jury verdict, but to instead pay Justin Palmer $1.1 million in damages and $1 million for attorneys' fees. CORRECTION AND CLARIFICATION: Though at first the plaintiff Justin Palmer named the City as a defendant in the case, the City was dismissed as a defendant prior to trial -- this after the City agreed to pay damages in the event the jury issued a judgement against one or both of the officers. While the City was not found legally liable for the one officer's conduct on the job, the City did accept responsibility for paying the judgement against him. We apologize for any confusion. Note, the plaintiff and defendants recounted different versions of the events preceding Palmer's arrest when police asked to see Palmer's identification. ---------------------------------------- The Coalition for Police Reform (CPR) in Santa Monica started this petition to urge the City to respect the jury verdict in the Justin Palmer civil rights trial and to focus on adopting best police practices while addressing issues of racial profiling, racial justice, and excessive use of police force. The Coalition anticipates continued dialogue with the City to promote greater understanding between police and the diverse communities they serve. CPR members responsible for this petition include Julie Alley, Joanne Berlin, Gina Frazier, Robbie Jones, Audrey Lyness, Sheri Walker, Michele Wittig, and Marcy Winograd.

My name is Dewayne Brown and I spent over 12 years in prison, including 10 years on death row, in Texas for a crime I didn’t commit. I was wrongfully convicted because the state hid evidence that supported my alibi and proved my innocence. My conviction was finally overturned and all charges against me were eventually dismissed in June 2015. I was innocent going into prison and innocent coming out of prison. But some innocent people in Texas haven’t been so fortunate. In 2004, Texas executed Cameron Todd Willingham despite new evidence showing that he was innocent. Now, proponents of Prop 66 want to make California law more like Texas law by making it more difficult for death row prisoners to introduce new evidence of their innocence. Prop 66 will increase California’s risk of executing an innocent person! The only way to guarantee that we never execute an innocent person is to get rid of the death penalty altogether, but as long as it exists, we shouldn’t eliminate safeguards! I was almost executed for a crime I didn't commit! California voters should reject Prop 66 and vote Yes on 62.

For natural African-American men and women, dreadlocks are a common hairstyle. For reasons unknown, dreadlocks are seen as unprofessional, and now the US government is allowing employers to discriminate against people who have them. This action displays the failure of the American government to fully accept African-Americans and their culture. It seems that only hairstyles chosen by Caucasians seem never to come into question. Hair has never affected one's work ethic, so why should it affect the hiring process? If equality in the workplace is real, why doesn't that apply to all aspects of a person from race to hairstyle?

Under the “leadership” of Mitch McConnell, the U.S. Senate may be driving our country toward another debilitating government shutdown. Far-right forces in Congress are holding government funding hostage unless corporations are allowed to continue keeping all their political spending secret. Conservatives have turned the budget process into a bonanza for corporate lobbyists and right-wing ideologues. We the People deserve a budget devoid of sneaky giveaways to Corporate America. Tell Mitch McConnell to stop threatening another government shutdown just so Big Business can continue undermining our elections.

Recordings from body cameras and dashboard cameras should be used to make law enforcement more transparent and accountable to the communities they serve. However, North Carolina HB 972 blocks the release of law enforcement recordings.