As an American reading "Guantanamo Diary," I was sickened by the accounts of US-inflicted torture on Slahi and his fellow prisoners. I asked myself: "Why is he still there?' and "Why is Guantanamo still there, shaming us all?"

I remember when the I-35 bridge in Minnesota collapsed, killing 13 people. Minnesota is my state of origin, and I had driven over this bridge a number of times. Our country used to be #1 in infrastructure - no longer. If we put our federal dollars toward new infrastructure, it will prevent future tragedies, and also create many new jobs.

Two Giant Pacific Octopi were removed from a fisherman's prawn trap and stuck into a fish tank at a small aquarium with close ties to Morro Bay Aquarium and Diablo Nuclear Power Plant. It is wrong for Pacific Gas & Electric or the Central Coast Aquarium to exploit these Octopi for public relations. Please release them back into Morro Bay where they came from, start by designating an official release date as you promised us you would almost two years ago!

Without continued funding of the child care assistance program, families will be unable to work, or if they continue to work, will have to depend on inconsistent arrangements or children may be left home alone. In addition, late payments are making it even more difficult for child care providers to make ends meet, pay staff and overhead costs, forcing them to possibly close their doors. FAMILIES NEED CHILD CARE TO WORK. THEY NEED AND WANT TO WORK TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES. AS A REGION, CHILD CARE IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR CONTINUED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT!

Discrimination of anyone is wrong. Transgender people using single-sex public facilities (including restrooms in public, workplaces, and schools) that correspond with their gender identity should not be criminalized. Guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail or a $1,000 fine for using a restroom. The bill would also empower people in a single-sex restroom during any “unlawful entry” to sue the alleged interloper and owner of the facility for attorneys fees and damages. Discrimination is wrong. Let's stop this bill.

The people deserve sober, lucid legislators. These individuals have no right to be exempted. Drug testing of citizens applying for benefits and private sector employees should also apply to those proposing this legislation as well.

This petition is about starting the process of building and upgrading our infrastructure here in America. We presently have bridges, railroads, electrical grid systems and other structures in need of improvement or rebuilding. The process of building the much needed infrastructure will also create thousands of jobs for Americans, which are sorely needed.

Washington is an open carry state. The only public institutions where firearms are prohibited are schools, courthouses, jails, mental hospitals, and bars. Washington Courts ruled that public institutions, like libraries, may not ban guns. Courts also ruled that the only way to ban firearms at facilities in which children gather is through legislative action. The purpose of this petition and campaign is to demand Washington state legislators amend RCW 9.41.300 to add public libraries to the list of institutions where firearms are prohibited.

I am a registered nurse and Montana resident. As a nurse, I care deeply for my profession and for my patients. I take pride in the care I give patients and am proud of the reputation Montana healthcare has because of the work I do as a nurse. On Friday, the MNA executive director and the MNA RN continuing education specialist delivered testimony on why H.B. 147 is not the right answer for Montana patients or Montana nurses. I wish I could have been there, but as RNs who work on the frontline—in Montana’s ERs, psych wards and critical care facilities, to name a few—we rely on our voice in MNA to speak for us when we are caring for Montana’s patients. That’s why I am speaking up through this petition to let you know that we fully stand behind MNA’s opposition to H.B. 147. I know there were points both in favor of and opposition to H.B. 147. I’d like to bring your attention to these points: 1. There is substantial disparity among the compact states in regard to continuing education and competence assessment, just as there is with the non-compact states. Without ensuring that all nurses practicing in Montana are held to the same high standards, we put patients at risk and undercut the hard work our nurses do to stay at the forefront of our field. 2. This nursing compact does not solve staffing issues around the state. If nurses can easily be transitioned into Montana, being in the compact, our Montana nurses can just as easily be transitioned out. In addition, many of the compact states—especially those bordering Montana—are facing similar nursing shortages, so the likelihood of a significant recruiting increase is low. I support and encourage the ongoing discussions with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and Tri-Council for Nursing to address these issues with evidence and standardization that ensure public safety and safe patient care. Until these issues are ironed out, I urge you to stop H.B. 147. As a Montana RN, I work hard to improve my skills and provide high-quality care to Montana patients. There is substantial disparity among compact states in regard to competence assessment. I know that H.B. 147 raises more questions than it provides solutions. Reject H.B. 147, and let’s continue productive discussions that will benefit Montana patients.

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.”"