At age 11 children can take a babysitting class and get certified to care for other children; at age 12 they can take a gun safety class and legally handle firearms; at age 14, in the state of South Dakota, they can drive a car without an adult present (to certain locations). All these activities put children in the position of making life and death decisions that impact their own well being as well as others, yet they are not considered competent enough to decide which parent they want to live with in custody situations. It is absurd and needs to change. My own children were victims of physical and emotional abuse, and neglect. Their voices were silenced by a system that chose to believe a slick abuser over the voices of the children. I was bullied and intimidated by that same system for trying to speak up for them and protect them. There needs to be a paradigm shift from focusing on parental rights to focusing on children's rights. Abusers shouldn't be able to use the guise of "custody battle" as an opportunity to get away with abuse and not have it be believed. Giving children their own voice and their own choice takes the power away from abusers, and away from judges who all too frequently make bad decisions that cost children something they can never get back -their childhood.

Representative Rodne has received media attention regarding his anti-Muslim comments. (http://www.king5.com/story/news/politics/state/2015/11/19/state-republican-under-fire-for-fb-comments-about-muslims/76082924/) Muslims are being attacked in America on a daily basis due to vitriol and hate after the Paris attacks. We cannot allow politicians or public officials to spread a hateful message without push back. We must demonstrate that only love can conquer hate; we must drown out their hateful messages with statements of love and solidarity for those targeted by racist, xenophobic violence.

Donald Trump is expressing views at a high level of politic that flies in the face of what America stands for. He has to be removed from government and the country.

It is estimated that property rentals will continue to rise as home-ownership is becoming further out of reach. As demand increases, landlords will be given increased opportunity to select their renters from a pool of eligible candidates. It is up to us to show landlords that declining equally qualified minority renters will not be tolerated, instead we demand fairness and integrity.

Syrian families have lost their homes, their relatives, and jobs. Half of the entire country is now displaced. A small fraction have waited up to 3 years to gain entry to the US as refugees. They have passed the most rigorous screening of any immigrants to the US, ever. Now our governor has effectively refused them entry into Indiana. This policy does NOT reflect our values!

Syrian families have lost their homes, their relatives, and jobs. Half of the entire country is now displaced. A small fraction has waited up to 3 years to gain entry to the US as refugees. They have passed the most rigorous screening of any immigrant to the US, ever. Now our governor has effectively refused them entry into Indiana. This policy does NOT reflect our values!

I believe in the importance of offering aid to other human beings in need, regardless of religion or their country of origin.

Mr Trump has made many offensive remarks, but has crossed the line from sensational to outright unconstitutional. He is a candidate for the presidency and should not be supported by any party if he promotes religious registration and discrimination.

As of October 20, 2015, all 10 county supervisors have signed on to seeing how Community Choice Aggregated Energy (CCA, or sometimes called CCE), can be expanded in our 2 counties. WE ASK ANYONE SIGNING THIS PETITION, to be a resident of one of these 7 CITIES REMAINING in the East Bay, that HAVE NOT SIGNED ON WITH A CCA. In ALAMEDA COUNTY, the one city remaining, THAT HAS NOT SIGNED ON TO A CCA is: PLEASANTON In CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, those 6 CITIES that remain, THAT HAVE NOT SIGNED ON TO A CCA are: ANTIOCH, BRENTWOOD, CLAYTON, HERCULES, ORINDA and PLEASANT HILL. There is a white paper on how our 2 counties can procure Renewable Power, which can be seen at www.BeThe100percentChange.vpweb.com We welcome you all on board, who agree to this forward-thinking effort to move Renewable Power to move into the East Bay, bringing ALL 9 COUNTIES in the SF BAY AREA trending towards 100% Renewable Power!

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, let's recognize that Syrian refugees are fleeing for their lives and the lives of their children - just like many of our early settlers did and as our immigrants since have done. This country and the the state of Massachusetts ("the Spirit of America") is a symbol of freedom and hope to those who are suffering, and refusing those who need protection is signing their death warrant. Rather than refuse to accept refugees, Governor Baker and other state governors should be working with the federal government to create efficient and effective screening processes so that our state can welcome those who are suffering. The protection of ALL human life should be our top priority.

Muslims are being attacked in America on a daily basis due to vitriol and hate after the Paris attacks. We cannot allow politicians or public officials to spread a hateful message without push back. We must demonstrate that only love can conquer hate; we must drown out their hateful messages with statements of love and solidarity for those targeted by racist, xenophobic violence.

We cannot stand idly by while bigotry spews out of governors' mansions across the country. Idaho has a large refugee population of taxpayers, teachers, etc. We must stand up for those who are marginalized, we must stand up for American values, and we must use our compassion against the hatred of ISIS.