As a member of the Black community at Old Dominion University, it is imperative that the university support cultural understanding of Black students. As of now, institutional funding for Black programming is low and there is no central safe space for Black students to commune while accommodations for other marginalized groups have been made (i.e. the Women's Center, the Safe Space Committee, Lavender House -- a living arrangement for LGBT students, the Confucius Institute to promote understanding between US citizens and Chinese culture, and the Filipino American Center). The university is 22% Black in total and 46% Black on campus -- the time is now for Black students to be made an institutional priority. TO VIEW THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR THIS PROPOSAL, PLEASE VISIT: http://bit.ly/BSUatODUExecutiveSummary **When signing please comment whether you are a current student, alumni, staff/faculty, or other (parent of student, community member, etc.). If applicable, please also comment with any organization affiliations.

The 'Fairness Doctrine' is necessary to encourage unbiased information and diversity of editorial comment and to identify editorial comment as such as opposed to news. Recent studies have shown an unacceptably large percentage of inaccurate and misleading content in news/editorial broadcasting. Though there are alternative means of getting the news and commentary, none are as powerful as television and radio which are, for all intents and purposes, the sole domain of corporate owned entities. Corporate consolidation of media is having a chilling effect on diversity of opinions represented and the selection of news stories covered. Last but not least, these airwaves belong to the people of the United States and should be the most inclusive in diversity of viewpoints and free of bias in any news coverage. The Fairness Doctrine was a policy of the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), introduced in 1949, that required the holders of broadcast licenses to both present controversial issues of public importance and to do so in a manner that was, in the Commission's view, honest, equitable and balanced. It was ruled on and upheld as constitutional by the Supreme Court in 1969. It was deregulated in 1987.

I am doing this because I hear stories about kids and inexperienced firearm users/owners getting hurt or killed by guns every day. I know that if there is training for gun owners and some children, there will be fewer gun accidents in the state Maryland. Guns may not be the number one cause of death in Maryland, but it is still a very important issue and I think it is a perfect time for Maryland to change.

Anyone who is a State of IL employee or retiree, senior citizen, teacher, fire fighter, police officer, or a taxpayer has heard about the dire state of the State. There is the pension "crisis" as well as threatened cuts to Medicaid and the list goes on. People don't want or can't afford tax increases but drastic cuts in programs is not acceptable either. The legalization of marijuana would alleviate the tax burden on Illinois citizens and avoid the need for drastic cuts. I am a retiree who spent over 34 years working for my pension and our governor and others would like to see my benefits cut. Whether you like the idea of smoking marijuana or not, those who smoke it do so even though it is illegal. Those who don't, are not likely to start if it becomes legal. Colorado is rolling in profits from the huge increase in tax revenue.. We need to send a message to members of the IL House & Senate that we, the citizens of IL, would welcome the legalization of marijuana for recreational use to help unburden the tax payers, fix the pension crisis, and avoid cuts to Medicaid and social programs in the State.

During the Reagan Administration means tests were added, so that any veteran could obtain assistance through the VA Medical System. Myself, my son, and many other veterans are being denied admission to VA Psychological System when suffering from severe PTSD

I used to work at a local humane society. The organization would raise funds for free spay and neuter vouchers, but the money that was raised did not come close to meeting the demand. The coffers were almost always empty. Most people I spoke with stated that the only reason that they did not spay or neuter was the cost of the service (generally $75-$100). If the cost of spaying and neutering was 100% tax deductible, I believe it would benefit shelters that are overwhelmed by the number of animals in need and it would also make communities safer.

I love Chicago. I grew up here, and I'll always fight for what's right for our city. Ms. Kramer made a number of offensive posts to Twitter that were laced with racism and homophobia. I don't think there should be a seat in our City Council for a candidate who is unwilling to recognize that those posts offend the very people they're seeking to represent. I think that if Ms. Kramer considers herself a viable candidate she should apologize immediately.

WE DESPERATELY NEED PEOPLE WITH REAL CHARACTER IN POWER IN OUR GOVERNMENT TO RESTORE LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL AMERICANS !

Elephants are one of the most incredible creatures. They, like humans, remember the deaths of their family members and are extremely traumatized by it. We must stop this atrocity from occurring each day! We must save the African Elephants from inevitable extinction! As citizens of humanity, it is our job to carry out our function on earth: to be humane. Not only this, but the money earned from selling ivory goes to support terrorist organizations. Basically, the State of California is helping terrorism by standing by and doing nothing to enforce the already existing ban on ivory. So, we must bring attention to this issue, and pressure the governor of California to enforce the law! Once California strictly prohibits the selling of ivory, then the poachers won't earn as much money for ivory because there isn't a market for it. Once this occurs, elephant deaths will hopefully decrease! Support this effort to help African elephants by signing my petition.

Over 75% of monarch butterflies essential to pollinate our food supply have disappeared, along with the milkweed they need for their own survival, due to the widespread use of toxic agricultural chemicals. Nobody seems to have put forward the idea that state highway departments, at little extra cost, could plant milkweed instead of grasses, providing the little beasties with nourishment along their entire incredible migration route. It's not rocket science, folks. --- I am a member of the Conservation Commission for the City of East Providence, Rhode Island and we are looking into doing just that on some public properties along our waterfront, and I am sure that in addition to state highways there are many cities, towns, and counties that could replace weeds and grasses on a variety of public properties with milkweed and an admixture of native plants

This law is a travesty and will only undermine Michigan's progress.

To abolish the death penalty, since it is inhumane and does not represent our country in a very good light. The death penalty isn't helping anyone and only hurts our country and our people.