Charter Communications has a dangerous plan to merge with Time Warner Cable, consolidating the two companies into a massive cable and Internet conglomerate. The proposed deal would further reduce competition and choices for consumers — likely leading to higher prices, less diversity, and poorer service. The cable industry already has a horrible record of diversity in ownership and programming, and this deal would make things even worse. If approved, the new monster corporation, “New Charter” would also increase the threat to the open Internet, which has created so many new opportunities for Latinos to organize our communities, create our own media, and start our own businesses.

As an Iranian-American, I will be affected in this new law. As a lawful citizen of United States who has established my life in the USA I find this law very offensive and unjust.

These beautiful trees are part of a symmetrical planting that greatly beautifies the neighborhood. Our tax dollars should not be wasted on cutting down or moving healthy, beautiful trees and then re-planting new ones! An appeal of the tree removal will be heard at Miami City Hall in Coconut Grove on Thursday, January 28, 2016, exact time unknown but certainly after 3 pm; it is agenda item number 19.

block stomp for trump! Vote people!

The New York Times reported that Jake Sullivan, a Clinton campaign senior policy adviser, has attacked Bernie Sanders for supporting efforts to establish normal diplomatic relations with Iran. "'Normal relations with Iran right now?' Mr. Sullivan says. 'President Obama doesn’t support the idea. Secretary Clinton doesn’t support that idea. And it’s not at all clear why it is that Senator Sanders is suggesting it.'" [1] The New York Times merely has to compare Sullivan's statements with the debate transcript to show how misleading Jake Sullivan's attack was. Sanders was responding to a question which cited President Obama saying that the U.S. should re-establish normal diplomatic relations with Iran; and while Sanders agreed with President Obama that the U.S. should work towards normal diplomatic relations with Iran, he did not say that the U.S. should do so "right now." Here is the debate transcript, according to the Washington Post: [2] MITCHELL: Senator Sanders … The president said today, "it's a good day. It's a good day for diplomacy. It's a time now to restore diplomatic relations for the first time since 1979 and actually re-opened a U.S. Embassy in Tehran." SANDERS: I think what we've got to do is move as aggressively as we can to normalize relations with Iran. Understanding that Iran's behavior in so many ways is something that we disagree with; their support [of] terrorism, the anti-American rhetoric that we're hearing from of their leadership is something that is not acceptable. On the other hand, the fact that we've managed to reach an agreement, something that I've very strongly supported that prevents Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and we did that without going to war. And that I believe we're seeing a fall in our relationships with Iran is a very positive step. So if your question is, do I want to see that relationship become more positive in the future? Yes. Can I tell that we should open an embassy in Tehran tomorrow? No, I don't think we should. But I think the goal has go to be as we've done with Cuba, to move in warm relations with a very powerful and important country in this world. "Normal diplomatic relations" and "opening an embassy" are the same thing. That's what "normal diplomatic relations" means. It doesn't mean you're best buddies. It means you have embassies and ambassadors. It's like saying hi to your neighbor when you pass them in the street. You're not necessarily best buddies; you have normal relations. You're on regular speaking terms. That's what we have with Cuba now: embassies and ambassadors. Urge the New York Times to correct the record on normal diplomatic relations with Iran by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/01/21/hillary-clinton-knocks-bernie-sanders-on-foreign-policy-experience/ 2. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/01/17/the-4th-democratic-debate-transcript-annotated-who-said-what-and-what-it-meant/

Netflix is planning on taking the popular BBC series off beginning February 1st, 2016. With this petition, I am demanding that Netflix keep the intelligent and creative show for us to binge watch at our leisure.

I started this petition not because of my own interests, but because of those around me who are directly impacted by the ongoing budget crisis that Rauner has perpetuated. The state can't pay it's bills. Tax refunds won't process until March (if they actually do process) which negatively impacts the people who count on those refunds to help pay bills. We voted for the right to recall our Governor and it a think it is high time we exercised that right. Here are the details of the vote below. The Illinois Governor Recall Amendment, also known as House Joint Constitutional Amendment 31, was on the November 2, 2010 ballot in Illinois as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment where it was approved. The proposal allowed voters to recall the governor and required that at least 20 state representatives and 10 state senators, equally balanced from each party in each chamber, sign a notice of intent to recall the governor before a petition can begin to be circulated. So contact your state Senator and state Representative and ask them to create and sign the required notice of intent to recall the governor. I don't want to wait an additional three years to see what kind of mess our state is in should Rauner serve out his term.

For months, a gas leak at SoCalGas’s Aliso Canyon storage facility has been spewing 1,200 TONS of methane gas into the air in Los Angeles’ Porter Ranch neighborhood every day. The gas leak is emitting as much global-warming pollution as six coal-burning power plants and seven million cars.(1) Local residents are suffering from nosebleeds, migraines, and dizziness.(2) Pet dogs, cats, and fish are dropping dead.(3) Now so much gas has leaked that the authorities are warning that one small spark could cause a massive explosion.(4) And SoCalGas just got caught lying to the public about the amount of cancer-causing benzene that's leaking into the environment.(5) This is being called the worst environmental disaster since the BP oil spill, yet SoCalGas just abandoned their plans to stop the leak, and local officials are still scrambling to figure out what to do.(6) Our national authorities must step in now before it’s too late! 1. http://www.marketplace.org/2015/12/14/world/gas-leak-0 2. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/07/us/california-governor-declares-emergency-over-los-angeles-gas-leak.html?_r=0 3. http://www.dailynews.com/social-affairs/20160116/pet-deaths-illnesses-evoke-concern-amid-porter-ranch-gas-leak 4. http://www.readingeagle.com/ap/article/explosion-risk-stalls-plan-to-capture-and-burn-gas-from-porter-ranch-leak 5. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/01/15/an-oversight-calif-utility-understated-levels-of-cancer-causing-chemical-in-l-a-gas-leak/ 6. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-porter-ranch-leak-stopped-late-february-20160118-story.html

In the 2008 presidential primary, 18 debates were held before the Iowa caucus, the 2016 primary season only allows for 4 debates. Debating is a critical aspect of the democratic processes. Sanders, Clinton, and O’Malley have all called for more debates. The petition by Robert Reich calls for more debates and has nearly 120,000 signatures: http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/DNCdebates Debbie Wasserman Schultz has claimed that the reason more debates cannot be held is because the three candidates Sanders, Clinton, and O’Malley have very busy schedules. Despite their busy schedules, they have agreed to a Town Hall on January 25. http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/20/politics/hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders-martin-omalley-town-hall/ However, Town Halls have much lower viewership and contrived structures difficult for viewers to appreciate. In Town Hall settings, candidates are not allowed to respond to the accusations of their opponents. However, a debate allows for such lies to be called out for what they are. As a debate is no more demanding on candidate schedules than that of a town hall, we urge the DNC to declare January 25th a debate!

Please help get wood stoves and furnaces banned. Stop the burning of wood. Wood smoke pollutes the air. The particulates from wood smoke and soot get trapped deep in the lungs. The smoke can make asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung issues worse. It can also raise the risk of heart diseases, stroke, and death. Wood smoke is 12 times more toxic than second hand cigarette smoke. We should not be forced to breath in wood smoke. There are at least 10 to 12 homes in my neighborhood that burn wood in the winter. The whole area is covered with this smoke. I am a prisoner in my own home all winter long. No one can go out side without being forced to breath in this smoke. I do not want to be forced to breath in some one else's pollution. We need to start helping the environment on both the small and large scales. This toxic health hazard has to stop. We need to get burning wood for heat banned. Montreal and another city already have made it illegal and New York City and San Fransisco have banned new wood burners and are phasing out the old ones. Please stop the wood smoke pollution and poisoning.

Courthouse Annex Building, Room #B102, 1 N.E. 6th St. Coupeville, WA SAVE THE WONN ROAD PUBLIC BEACH ACCESS Why you should be concerned: Wonn Road has been a public access to the water for over 100 years. In 1944, when Greenbank Beach was plotted, the road was dedicated to the public forever. In 2008, the Montgomerys, owners of the lots on either side of the road, built a stone wall across the road, claiming the land at the end of the road was theirs. In 2013, the County sued the Montgomerys to remove the wall. Island Beach Access (IBA), an all volunteer, grassroots organization, joined the lawsuit soon after. In response to the lawsuit, the Montgomerys have provided no evidence, documents or surveys that show they own the land between the wall and the tidelands. On Friday, January 8, the County revealed that they are considering a settlement with the Montgomerys. The settlement was negotiated between the County and the Montgomerys, without the knowledge or participation of IBA. The settlement would close the Wonn Road access at the wall for the rest of the Montgomerys' lives. Those in favor of settling say that the access will return to the County after both Montgomerys are dead, perhaps 30 or more years from now. The County Commissioners will be deciding whether or not to accept this settlement at their meeting on Tuesday, January 26. THERE IS STILL TIME TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD: Sign the Request to the Commissioners. Write or call your Commissioner. Let your friends and neighbors know about this egregious taking of public lands. From Commissioner Helen Price-Johnson: PROPOSAL DOCUMENTS CHANGED This message is to give you the latest information on the important public beach access issue before the Commissioners on Tuesday. There have been changes made to a settlement offer. Here is a link to the new document being considered. Public beach access is a high priority for me. My position has been consistent since 2008. I promised to fight to preserve Wonn Road for all citizens. I don't support this proposal because I think it conflicts with state law, sets a terrible precedent, and more. Montgomerys' settlement offer drops alternative properties At Tuesday's Board of County Commissioners' meeting at 11 am, Prosecutor Greg Banks will be back to present his edited version of a settlement agreement on the beach access at Wonn Road. In exchange for $50,000 for beach park improvements, a beachfront lot at Ledgewood Beach and a release of public records requests, the Montgomerys gain title to the 40 foot strip of uplands and tidelands next to their vacation home for the rest of their lives, or if sometime during the next 10 years a majority of the Island County Commissioners accept an alternative property in exchange. Also in the agreement is a "gag order" of sorts restricting any employee or elected official from "directly or indirectly" assisting in a future legal action. The four listed properties in the previous version of the proposal have been deleted. There are criteria suggested in an attached resolution, but it is important to note that the document is not legally binding to a future decision. This all began in 2008 when the Montgomerys built a stone wall across the end of Wonn Rd. cutting off historic public access to the beach near Greenbank Farm, claiming it was their private property. In 2009 the (then) Board of Commissioners voted to defend the public's right to beach access at a county road end terminating at the shoreline as per state law (RCW 36.87.130). A group of local citizens organized as Island County Beach Access (IBA) joined the County in the effort and began doing extensive research in support of the County's action. The Prosecutor's office finally filed the lawsuit in 2013, adding tidelands access to the suit, and IBA was given permission by the court to join in the action. IBA also argued that historic prescriptive easement should preserve public use at this beach property, even if the quiet title action is unsuccessful. In August 2014, Montgomery, IBA, the Prosecutor and Commissioner Jill Johnson met with a mediator to seek a resolution to the dispute. The Prosecutor negotiated a settlement agreement without IBA's involvement, and against my objection. When it was revealed, IBA urged the Commissioners to delay action until a thorough legal analysis can be done on the offer. The Prosecutor refused this request and so a restraining order has been requested from the Court. That hearing is scheduled for Friday, January 29, 2016. It is my belief that this proposed settlement conflicts with the state law noted above, does not resolve the issue of prescriptive easement, restricts First Amendment rights of those covered by the "No Assistance" section (2.g) and exposes the County to future litigation. The proposal is on the Tuesday, January 26 agenda, scheduled for 11 am public comment. Many constituents have already expressed concern about the proposal. Emails and phone calls, even an online petition of over 500 signatures opposing the settlement show the overwhelming public support for having the court decide this issue. Your input is welcome too. Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson (360) 679-7353 [email protected] www.islandcounty.net

I depend on watching Bernie2016TV to stay informed about and involved in the Bernie Sanders Democratic Presidential campaign. Our democracy is harmed when grass-roots political movements are censored, and our constitutional rights to freedom of speech and assembly are violated.