Blaming the victims will not bring back those who have died nor will it make us safer. Blaming the victims will create more of the desperation that violent fanatics feed on. Blaming the victims limits our capacity to take thoughtful strategic action to address the real danger.

FIGHT IGNORANT RACISM!!!

I lost my son on November 3, 2015, to a heroin overdose. He was 31 years old with 2 children ages 2 and 3 1/2. He detoxed two weeks prior to his death and was on a waiting list for a bed but overdosed prior to getting one.

UPDATE: Governor Fallin has released a statement urging President Obama to suspend the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the U.S. She has not made a clear statement about whether she will join other governors in attempting to deny all refugee entry into Oklahoma. Legally, governors are not allowed to make this decision but that does not mean they won't try. Keep spreading this petition and let her know that Oklahomans want to welcome the suffering with open arms and help them in the best way that we can. Syrian refugees are fleeing for their lives and the lives of their children. This country 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 Fallin 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.

My child attends White Point Elementary School and walks to school. I already fear for his safety--the increased traffic and speeding cars are already a constant concern. I can't imagine the traffic speeds and volume when Hamilton Street is widened to four lanes- IT'S A SCHOOL ZONE!! Where is the logic??

It's time corporations start allowing their "partners" to have time with their families for the holidays. No more corporate greed!

Presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz jut said, in the wake of last week's attacks, that the United States should admit Christian, but not Muslim, refugees. The idea of placing religious requirements on people fleeing war and persecution is downright ridiculous, and President Obama has already called out the idea as such. Join us in telling Sen. Cruz that his behavior is un-presidential, and un-American and demand he cease pandering to Islamophobes with his offensive rhetoric.

In our area we hold many public events and market our town to retired individuals and visitors as a spa town with healing and mineral waters, and yet hardly any of our walkways are compliant. Our state parks, which serve as venues for some of these festivals, are not compliant and take away from the few handicapped parking spots that are available. The trolley that is available for one of our largest festivals has no wheelchair access whatsoever. These public festivals should be accessible for everyone. Some of these public events must apply for a license. These applications should ask if the venue is ADA compliant and if there is transportation if it has handicapped access. If "No" to either, the application should be denied. Someone should also find out the expected amount of people attending an event and whether the venue is large enough for that amount of people and also what plans there are for overcrowding and traffic because we have a mess going on where I live. You can email me for more information. To business owners: Statistics from the 2009-2013 US Census: Of the estimated 17345 population in Morgan County, 3198 are reported as disabled with the overwhelming majority of their disabilities being ambulatory and/or outpatient. Sign the petition and let those customer's know that you want their business!

Over the last two months, OPWDD has held transformation panel public forums throughout the state. Parents across the state expressed their concerns about their loved ones. There is an obvious need for community services however current community-based programs do not meet the range of services, quality of care and consistent workforce that state run facilities offer. A.7332 / S.4094 would compel OPWDD to show a true commitment to individuals with developmental disabilities by allowing them a list of options that would include state-operated choices in all areas of the state and allocate the necessary resources to help them. Please urge Governor Cuomo to sign the bill.

Treating refugees as enemies plays into the hands of terrorists. The killers behind last week’s monstrous terror attacks were seeking to provoke an overreaction. To reject all Syrian refugees is to give them exactly what they want. The United States is secure and strong enough to vet and safely resettle many thousands of Syrian refugees. We can rise above hate. Our elected leaders should speak out against anti-refugee fearmongering, and show families fleeing terror that our nation stands with them. And the global refugee crisis—the worst since World War II—only fuels the efforts of such terrorists.

We the citizens of the United States of America petition that funding for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development be expanded in the 2016 fiscal year with special consideration being given to Housing First Programs. Housing First is not only the most humane way to eliminate chronic homelessness in this country, it is also the most cost effective in the long run. For every 100,000 people housed through Housing First we can save $1.3 billion dollars according to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. As voting constituents, we urge your implementation of this program to see our tax dollars used in the most efficient manner in the fight to eliminate homelessness. Housing First is the only program proven to both be cost effective and has the housing retention rates reflective of long-term success at getting people housed and keeping them housed. Let's end homelessness in America!

The devastating terrorist attacks in Paris are tragic and heartbreaking. Therefore, we resist the urge to respond by with more terror and tragedy. and move to respond, instead, with mercy and compassion. Refugees in Paris fled their homeland to escape this very violence. Closing the borders will not harm terrorists, only those fleeing from terrorists. Civilians in Syria and elsewhere are suffering under ISIS. Bombing innocent civilians is exactly the act causing this outrage in the first place. Violence, oppression and exploitation started this mess. War will not get us out. Instead, let's launch ground troops of compassion and launch a campaign to destroy poverty.