After resigning from the Police department in the mists of a sexual harassment lawsuit, and after being convicted in Federal Court on extortion, making false statements and violating gambling laws, and being sentenced to 7.5 years, he should have his $10,000 pension removed. It is also important to note, he was convicted for crimes he committed while serving as the Chief of Police of Savannah. "I don't know why, Mr. Lovett, you made a decision to dishonor your badge. Dishonor your name and dishonor your department. That is a decision you made a long time ago and now you are going to have to live with the consequences of that decision," ~Judge John Morse

The cleaners, groundskeepers and other property service workers who keep Pitt clean and safe are in the middle of negotiating a new Union contract. The Pitt service workers are asking for reasonable wage increases to ensure that everyone who works at the University earns a living wage that keeps pace with the rising cost of health insurance, groceries, rent and education. Pitt would not work without these men and women. Imagine the Hillman Library piled high with trash, with weeds growing over the Cathedral and rodents scurrying through the Student Union. Pitt service workers work hard every day to keep the facilities clean and safe. They are part of the Pitt community and deserve family-sustaining wages and affordable benefits. Pitt is a great university with healthy enrollment and top-notch academics that makes our region proud—and stronger. Pitt is thriving and was recently able to raise wages for its top administrators by 3.7%-7%. Pitt has done a lot to provide good jobs to Pittsburghers, but they can do more. Fast food workers, security officers and other low-wage workers all over Pittsburgh are coming together and fighting for good jobs. Pitt has an opportunity to raise up Pittsburgh by ensuring that their employees can continue to support their families and their community. Please take a minute to stand with Pitt workers who are fighting for a better future. Tell Chancellor Patrick D. Gallagher that Pitt can do better.

The CCAP budget for the current fiscal year is underfunded by almost $300 million. For the program to function at its current level, the state would need to identify revenue necessary to pass a supplemental budget to fully fund CCAP through the end of this fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2015. In the state of Illinois there are more than 3000 licensed day care centers, 8000 licensed day care homes and 700 group day care homes with a combined capacity to serve more than 255,000 children. “Many families receive day care subsidies and would be displaced from work if affordable day care is unavailable,” said state Representative La Shawn K. Ford. In his State of the Union address, President Obama discussed the importance of quality and affordable child care. President Obama said “In today’s economy, when having both parents in the workforce is an economic necessity for many families, we need affordable, high-quality childcare more than ever. It’s not a nice-to-have - it’s a must-have. It’s time we stop treating childcare as a side issue, or a women’s issue, and treat it like the national economic priority that it is for all of us. And that’s why my plan will make quality childcare more available, and more affordable, for every middle-class and low-income family with young children in America - by creating more slots and a new tax cut of up to $3,000 per child, per year.” “We must make quality child care learning environments available to every child in Illinois for success in pre K and all of the early education stages,” said Ford. “I call on Governor Rauner to support these programs in Illinois and avoid any future cuts to them. These programs are essential to the development of our youth and their future. I will continue to work with hard-working child care providers, my colleagues in the General Assembly, and Gov. Rauner to protect child care.”"

IT'S FEBRUARY! SWIFT HAS KIDNAPPED MY LIFE FOR A WHOLE YEAR, AND NOW WANTS ME TO PAY THEM MORE MONEY TO RETURN IT! I am a woman left without resources, fighting a corporation. I'm appealing to my community of human beings. Please help me recover my work equipment, my artwork, and the pictures of my children growing up! Last February, I sent my video equipment, my paintings, and home goods from San Francisco to Berlin with Swift Intermove. The goods were supposed to come to the German port of Bremerhaven, and be delivered in maximum 6 weeks. I was going to produce a feature film there, and hoped to have an art exhibit. I paid everything in advance, door to door. Three weeks later, I received a letter from some people from Holland claiming to be their representatives, saying the goods had arrived in Rotterdam, and asking me to pay extra 300 Euros, IF I wanted my goods delivered. They ignored my claim that the contract was paid "door to door", everything included. Not seeing a choice, and trying not to loose work that was waiting for me, I paid the extra money. And waited, and waited, and waited in vain: MY GOODS WERE NEVER DELIVERED. I am a hard working woman, alone, not some trust fund baby. I needed my equipment to be able to work. The people in Holland simply vanished, emails were not answered, calls were not picked up. They did take the money, though. I managed to stay afloat for 7 months, spending money in Euros, and not being able to work; seeing my saving dwindle, and praying that my equipment would be delivered. IT NEVER WAS. Spring led to summer, and I had no summer clothes to wear, no shoes. And I still could not work. Finally, in August, I got an answer from the people in Holland, claiming that Swift International Logistics had stopped the release of my goods!! I wrote to Yaron from Swift who said he was "working on the release". No explanations. In September, I couldn't hold anymore, and had to come back to the states. I could reach Michelle at Swift here in America. She tried to contact her "representatives" without success. She said she didn't understand why they had asked me for more money, or why they hadn't delivered my things. She ignored the fact that the Hollanders claimed Swift had not paid their fees, and had stopped delivery of the goods. (I have emails documenting it all). Otherwise, she said she could not do anything if I didn't pay the same money to bring back the goods to America! When I mentioned their breach of contract, she tried to BLAME ME for it. I never heard a word that said, "we are sorry", "we messed up", "we will repair what we broke". Sometimes S**T happens, I understand that, but then people take responsibility, and work to repair the damage. I took Legal Shield, who sent them a letter telling them they had breached the contract, and needed to deliver my goods. As of today, supposedly my goods are back in the States. Swift wants me to pay for the return shipment, and storage for a year! My business is going bankrupt. After a year, my digital equipment becomes quickly obsolete, and I have not been able to work the money to update it. I really do not know if my goods were even shipped at all, let alone in which conditions they were stored. I have lived for a year from the contents of 2 travel bags, since Swift is withholding ALL what I own! This has left me broke, practically homeless. Please help me! Sign my petition so Swift International Logistics returns my livelihood, and my home goods. Some things are irreplaceable, like the pictures of my children growing up, and those of my late husband. I thank you all for signing this petition, and helping me to fight my own Goliath. Thank you!

The Association of American Indian Farmers (AAIF) strongly supports mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods (commonly called “GMOs”). But in spite of its name, the “Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act” undermines labeling by: • Preempting state GMO labeling laws; • Codifying existing voluntary labeling systems; and • Restricting the Food and Drug Administration’s ability to require national mandatory labeling. As farmers, AAIF members and families know firsthand that consumers are demanding more information about the food they feed their families – not less. AAIF stands with the vast majority of Americans who are in favor of labeling GMOs. Because the “Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act” does not require GMO labels, we urge you to oppose the bill.

I am a mother, a grandmother, a teacher, a senior citizen and a voter. I consider the thought of merit pay for teachers to be appalling. I would find it equally distasteful should it apply to healthcare, public safety, or the military and no one with any sense would consider such a thing, so why is it being considered for children's learning? Politicians should keep the private sector out of public education. Let them start their own private schools, they can well afford it. Public money is for public education. Stop the nonsense, please. There should be some things that money can't buy. This is one of them. TEACHERS TEACH BECAUSE THEY CAN, NOT BECAUSE THEY NEED A MONETARY REWARD.

The Proposed Federal Budget for the next year continues the madness of a bloated monster military taking 55% of total spending by the Federal Government and if you add on the Vet. benefits it takes 61% of all spending. Everything else takes the back of the bus to fight over the scraps remaining. It is time to change this madness and demand that the military stand down from the Federal feeding trough and change the percentage of spending to the vast needs within our nation, for our people and for our future. Limit the current bloated military spending to not more than 50% of the total budget including the vet. benefits and continue to lower the % to reasonable levels in the years to come.

Rather than perpetually being in war against an enemy that seems impossible to defeat, why isn't the US Government using its economic & diplomatic strength to cut the flow of money & arms to "Islamic terror" organizations? Almost all these organizations seem to have a history of getting support from the US Government or governments allied with the United States.

At my school, the school lunches are unhealthy and gross. It's for the whole school county, too! How they are unhealthy is that they aren't fresh. They are shipped from California to here and reheated. GROSS! Also, gross things are in it. Once, my best friend Madison found a bug in her French fry. Also, my other friend Alyssa found blonde hair in her food. And Alyssa is dark haired! That same day, Alyssa found something gross that she hasn't told me yet because then I'd get grossed out. In other words, please sign this petition. We want children to get fresh and healthy food for school lunch, not food shipped from across the country and reheated!

Western Environmental Law Center is a nonprofit, public-interest environmental law firm. Our expert attorneys are ready to use the full power of the law and the courts to stop the Pacific Connector pipeline. Please join us before the February 13 deadline in telling FERC not to prioritize corporate income over the health of our environment and communities.

Oregon law enforcment agencies have obtained over 4,000 military surplus items worth over $10 million since 1997. In the wake of tanks driven by police through the small town of Ferguson, MO, this needs to stop.

The fight for a free and open internet is on, and February is where it all comes down. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler proposed strong regulations this month that will protect net neutrality and preserve the free and open Internet. That’s a big win -- but we aren’t done yet. On February 26, the FCC will vote on the proposal. And you can bet that the big telecoms and their army of lobbyists are lining up to sway the vote. We need a show of strength before February 26. Chairman Wheeler put it all on the line for net neutrality, and now we need to have his back. Sign today and tell Chairman Wheeler that we’re with him!