I file complaints daily as these illegal calls ring my phone. I've been on the Do Not Call list for many years yet it's being ignored. Telemarketers argue with me over not seeing my name. Some simply hang up and call again in an hour. If politicians expect anyone to take them seriously, they should back up the laws they pass.

Education is critical to the long-term success of Texas, but for too long political motivations have held back students and teachers. In 2011, the state education system saw billions of dollars cut from programs, costing schools and teachers in a big way. What’s more, the Texas school finance system was recently ruled unconstitutional, and is caught in a legal battle that could drag this fight out beyond the legislative session. That’s why we’re calling on the Texas State Legislature to stop the political games and get serious right now. Add your name and call on them to restore funding to our schools and fix the system. We need your voice!

Dear Friends, The newly formed Ann Arbor Green Burial Network (A2GBN) needs your support. The Network strives to educate our selves and others about natural burial with the goal of increasing natural burial options in our local area. We are collecting signatures of those who support this goal. (Please note that we encourage you to sign this petition no matter where you live--this is a movement that has no boundaries and if natural options are offered in one place, the more likely other places will do the same.) A2GBN grew out of two recent events -­‐ the Michigan Green Burial Conference in October 2014, and an interfaith clergy presentation on natural death care options in June 2014. The group is made up of members of the clergy and the general public (listed below). These are the basics of why we endeavor to expand local natural burial options: • Burial without embalming and without a vault was the tradition throughout history until only very recently, and is still the tradition in many cultures and religions. • Currently in the U.S., coffins are required to be encased in concrete vaults by most cemeteries nationwide. • Vaults use several tons of concrete, and concrete manufacture is a global leader in contribution to climate change (adding more CO2 to the atmosphere than the airline industry). • Vaults are not required by any laws or health codes, they are only a matter of cemetery policy. • Cemeteries that require vaults do so because they simplify maintenance duties. • Cemeteries that do not require vaults usually charge extra to cover the additional maintenance costs, thus, offering this option need not be a hardship to cemeteries. • Cremation is on the rise, partly because people are not comfortable with the environmental impacts of conventional burials. • Like concrete vaults, cremation also uses significant amounts of fossil fuels. • The perpetual care of a cemetery plot that requires mowing, fertilizing, and pesticides adds up over time to a very significant environmental footprint. • Cemetery plots that are landscaped naturally can provide crucial habitat for wildlife. • Ann Arbor prides itself in being a leader in environmental sustainability, but we have no cemeteries that allow any form of natural burial. • People like to be buried near their homes and families. The closest cemetery that offers natural burial is in Milan. • Those who desire to reduce their environmental footprint in both life and in death would like more options in their local area, whether it be a burial without a vault, a burial plot that is landscaped naturally, or both. To reach our goal of expanding natural burial options in our area, we plan to: 1. Educate the public about green burial, its benefits and where it is available currently. 2. Approach local cemeteries about offering natural burials (plots without a vault and/or plots that are naturally landscaped). 3. Assist local congregations that have land to begin offering green burial or other natural memorial options. 4. Approach city, village, township and county governments about the possibility of utilizing conserved land for natural burial. 5. Investigate opportunities for green burial in rural, abandoned or unclaimed cemeteries. Our first task is to collect names of individuals and organizations that support our goals. A long list of supporters will demonstrate to cemeteries, congregations and local government entities that there is a growing number of people who desire these options. By signing this petition, you will add your voice to the myriad of local residents who have told us that they want green burial options for themselves and their loved ones. If you would like to join the Network or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact one of us. Sincerely, Merilynne Rush and Rev. Melissa Anne Rogers [email protected] Some of the other members of the A2 Green Burial Network: Rev. David Bell, Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth Karlin Danielsen, In Sacred Balance John Erdevig, 1st Unitarian Universalist Congregation George Lambrides, Interfaith Round Table Rabbi Robert Levy, Temple Beth Emeth Barbara Lucas, Journalist Catherine McClary, Ann Arbor Friends Meeting Rev. James Rhodenheiser, St. Clare’s Episcopal Church Phil Selden, retired business owner, Toledo, OH Edward Vielmetti Lauren Zinn, ZinnHouse Please like the "Ann Arbor Green Burial Network" Facebook page and ask others to do the same. This will also show support, help us grow the Network and assist in publicizing our progress and upcoming meetings and events. 

Two banks with troubled histories of foreclosures and squandered public bailouts are now asking the Federal Reserve to merge, making them “too big to fail.” OneWest Bank moved to foreclose on Myrtle Lewis, a 103-year-old Texas widow, because she forgot to pay her house insurance. Public pressure stopped this foreclosure, but OneWest has one of the worst records in the industry when it comes to mortgage modifications. CIT Group bank received $2.3 billion in taxpayer funds in 2008 during the bank bailout, so they could help small businesses with loans. Instead, CIT Group filed for bankruptcy in 2009 while serving very few small businesses. Now, these two banks are seeking permission from the Federal Reserve to merge into a $70 billion “too big to fail” mega-bank. And they are even pressuring the Fed to not hold a hearing. Sign the petition to Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen: “Say No to the merger of OneWest and CIT Group.”

We begin this petition to honor the La Conner Town Counsel's respectful request to show support for renewing the lease of the lot which holds the town's baseball field.

America’s immigration system is severely broken. The story of Angelo Cabrera is exactly what is wrong with our system and a perfect illustration of why we need immigration reform. In the 24 years Angelo Cabrera lived in New York State as an undocumented person, he earned two university degrees and worked tirelessly in the community. Cabrera founded a social service organization-the Mexican-American Students Alliance (MASA)—which promotes education and civic engagement projects in New York. Angelo’s civic engagement earned him numerous commendations from New York elected officials and organizations. Last year, Angelo was offered a position at Baruch College, but before he could accept the job, he needed to fix him immigration status. Mr. Cabrera, wanting to do the right thing, returned to Mexico to try to legalize his status. Now, Angelo Cabrera is stuck in Mexico— the Customs and Border Protection Admissibility Review Office denied his petition to return to the US. And in a cruel twist of fate, under President Obama’s immigration initiatives, had he stayed, he would have been allowed to remain and work legally in the US. Mr. Cabrera is a shining example of the American dream and the important role immigrants play in making this country a better place. His story is exactly why our system is broken and needs reform. There is hope—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services can reconsider his case. It takes a request from a high-level member of the government—New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand could ask USCIS to reconsider his case. Please, sign the petition asking Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand to request USCIS to reconsider the case of Angelo Cabrera.

The Smithsonian employs a notorious climate change denier — who was just caught concealing substantial funding from the fossil fuel industry. Tell The Smithsonian: Drop Dr. Willie Soon now.

This petition is to keep offender Raymond Culp A270120 in prison. We as a community do not want this man out. By signing this petition I agree with the family members that this evil needs to stay where he is so he is not capable of doing such a tragic crime again! Please take into consideration of the following signatures on this petition and keep offender A270120 in the Belmont County Correctional Institution. The family members of the victim are very thankful for the support from all of you and taking time and signing this. Our mother was only 42 years old and lived a life of hell and abuse from day one of being with this convict. Kandy Sue Van Dyke (Culp) will be remembered by her children and grandchildren of being the fun loving lady she was. This convict may have taken her life but he will not take the memories! Nor will he get the freedom that he so doesn't deserve! Next parole hearing is May 2015

When you work in an Emergency Room, you see a lot. I’ve been a nurse in an ER in Riverside, CA for over 25 years, and I’ve developed pretty good instincts. One night, I had a young patient who was clearly in some mental distress. My gut told me that I was in danger. I called security, but because of our hospital’s policies, they wouldn’t even come in the room, since the patient hadn’t actually attacked me. Yet. I listened to my instincts, and asked two coworkers to come in the room with me for my protection while I continued to attempt to treat the patient. I was standing close enough to draw blood, and turned to my workstation for just a moment. Out of the corner of my eye I could see him coming at me, and that was the last thing I saw for about ten minutes. The patient had punched me in the back of the head, slamming my head into the concrete wall. I was temporarily blinded, but I could hear the sounds of the patient’s father and one of my coworkers subduing him. This whole time, security did nothing. The police wouldn’t take down a statement. There was nothing they could do, they said. I was badly injured, and out of work for several weeks recovering. If it hadn’t have been for the two coworkers that I brought into the room for my protection, I shudder to think of what could have happened. I don’t think I’d be writing this today. I was traumatized by the experience, but sadly I was not surprised. Ask any health care worker you know and they are bound to have a story about violence in the workplace. Too often, hospital management does nothing to respond to these recurring incidents, preferring to cut corners and increase profits, leaving workers in danger. I don’t blame the mentally unstable young patient who hurt me. I was injured by my hospital’s policies, and by the fact that there is currently no system in place to address issues of workplace violence. Nurses, med techs, and other health care workers are on the front lines every day keeping all of our loved ones safe. We shouldn’t have to put our own lives at risk to care for the lives of others. Every hospital and medical facility should have a task force in place that makes sure hospital policies keep *both* health care workers and patients safe. Please join me in urging the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) and the California Hospital Association to take immediate steps to address the crisis of workplace violence by requiring that every medical facility have a workplace violence prevention plan that that puts the safety of patients and health care workers first.

YOU, AND MY FAMILY AGREED JOVANI MUNIZ WILLFULLY AND WANTONLY, MURDERED ANOTHER HUMAN BEING...MY SON...ELOY CONRAD DURAN III. JOVANI WAS CONVICTED OF MURDER. THEN YOU PROCEED TO SENTENCE JOVANI TO A MERE 7 YEARS AT THE YOUTHFUL OFFENDER SYSTEM. WHERE JOVANI MUNIZ'S "SO=CALLED" PUNISHMENT AT THE Y.O.S. IS TO GET HIS HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA, AND PROCEED TO GET HIS ASSOCIATES DEGREE IN ECONOMICS, UNLIMITED VISITATION FROM HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS, THE BEST HEALTH CARE IMAGINABLE, THIS IS NOT THE DEFINITION OF JUSTICE !!! HOW CAN I CONSIDER THIS JUSTICE !!! IF EVERY JUVENILE HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF "JUSTICE" WHAT IS TO STOP THEM FROM MURDERING SOMEONE. KNOWING THEY WILL GET A FREE EDUCATION !!! UNLIMITED VISITS FROM HOME !!!! THE BEST HEALTH CARE IMAGINABLE !!! THEN BE RELEASED INTO SOCIETY ......SCOTT FREE !!! NO THIS IS NOT JUSTICE, THIS IS INJUSTICE...AND YOU AND I BOTH KNOW IT !!! WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT THIS ....I PATIENTLY AWAIT YOUR RESPONSE...ELOY CONRAD DURAN II ...THE DAD OF AN ANGEL NO LONGER ON THIS EARTH....BECAUSE OF JOVANI MUNIZ

Corporate lobbyists have been pushing for special rules in order to rush the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal through Congress. If they succeed, it will mean a loss of U.S. jobs and pressure to hold wages down for those that remain. The Trans-Pacific Partnership is being negotiated in secret, but negotiators are making big claims about boosting U.S. exports. We've been down this road before. The reality is that deals like this make it easier for corporations to keep wages low by trading U.S. jobs to the lowest bidder. Now corporate lobbyists want Congress to help speed things along by authorizing Trade Promotion Authority, a special set of "fast-track" rules for the deal so that it can be pushed through without allowing time for close review, debate or amendments, and guaranteed a quick vote in both the House and Senate. It's no wonder the corporate lobby doesn't want Congress to take a close look at what's been going on behind the closed door of the negotiations. The deal gives special rights and benefits to companies that offshore investment and jobs and allows multinational corporations to sue governments if they legislate improvements in environmental, labor, consumer or health standards that might impact future corporate profits. Please take action today and tell your member of Congress to stand up to this corporate power grab and vote NO on fast track authorization for the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that teens start school no earlier than 8:30 AM. Schools that have met this standard are already enjoying the benefits of decreased rates of teen car accidents, substance abuse, obesity, depression, and anxiety – and better academic performance. All Massachusetts schools could enjoy similar success. Statewide support in the form of legislation will help Massachusetts communities mobilize to meet the goal of healthier school start times – and will help coordinate across-town scheduling for academic, athletic, and other competitions and events, which otherwise can be a logistical roadblock. Statewide legislation also avoids the barriers inherent in a piecemeal town-by-town effort, to ensure that the health and well being of our children remains paramount.