In addition to being a unique and beautiful place on its own terms, the Arctic has a strong influence on weather worldwide. Protecting it is a matter of survival not just for polar bears, but for all of us.

More and more teens are killed evey year by their own reckless driving. They are too concerned with their cell phones, Facebook, Twitter, etc., and not paying attention to what they're doing and killing innocent people in the process. My 15-year-old cousin was killed recently by a reckless teen driver whom she was in the car with. He was speeding, not paying attention, and lost control. The car was cut in half by a tree; the driver and passenger survived. All three teens in the back died, including my cousin. Also, I want the teens to have their temps for a year before they can get their licenses. So, at age 17, they would get their temps, and at 18, their licenses. All people no mater what age must have their temps for 1 year before obtaining their licenses if they have never had a driver license before.

Big banks like Bank of America helped cause the mortgage crisis that crashed the economy in 2008. Now Bank of America could get a multi-billion dollar tax break for its wrongdoing. Sketchy mortgage practices put hundreds of thousands of American families in dire straits. Bank of America just announced a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice for some of those improper practices that will reportedly include paying $10 billion to the government. But thanks to a loophole, big banks can deduct these payments from their taxes, unless they’re specifically forbidden to do so. Bank of America could get a tax break of almost $3.5 billion in this case, while the rest of us pick up the tab. We don’t get to write off the costs of fines from our taxes. When big corporations do something wrong, they should pay the full price for it. Tell your Senators to support the Government Settlement Transparency and Reform Act (S. 1654), introduced by Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA). This bill would restrict corporations from deducting any of the costs of their settlements for wrongful behavior from their taxes and require greater public disclosure of these write-offs.

ExxonMobil has plans to drill in the Arctic with a Russian partner Rosneft Oil, a target of U.S. sanctions. They have taken 20 billion of our tax dollars to help them. After the Exxon Valdez , Mayflower , Yellowstone River, Brooklyn and Baton Rouge oil spills, ExxonMobil has never demonstrated safety or remorse. I am asking Americans to boycott this dangerous and unconscionable corporation.

According to the North Pacific Research Board, the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas “sustain some of the most productive and highly diverse ecosystems in the world.” In order to maintain the same level of diversity and productivity that we find now, we believe that the Arctic must be protected from rampant development, which will not only degrade the ecosystem but also accelerate the warming of our earth.

The streets were a "river of fire" and "the whole sky was burning." That's how citizens of Lac-Mégantic, Canada described the scene after an oil train derailed and exploded in their downtown last summer. 47 people died that night. The Obama Administration is accepting public comments until September 30 on its new proposed oil train regulations. These new rules are not nearly strong enough and actually protect Big Oil's profits, while sacrificing the safety of threatened communities and the environment. After a record year of oil trains exploding, derailing, and spilling, it's time to stand up to Big Oil before the next disaster strikes.

We are recuperating from a nearly four year struggle against gentrification in my hometown of Peekskill, NY. The all Democratic Party mayor and council completely forgot there was a constitution, appealed to race-based fears and even turned violent as our support picked up. The people of Peekskill deserve fair treatment and decent housing.

If humans continue cutting or removing trees, without replacing them, causing more damage to the already tainted air supply for earth, then humans will eventually be extinct.

Corporations are controlling our government through buying our elections and enough is enough, its is time to call on our State Officials to demand a Constitutional Convention that would result in a 28th Amendment making all elections publicly funded, and over-turn Citizens United.

This is certainly not what we need to be doing. Instead, the administration should be announcing federally subsidized rebates for solar panels and a revenue-neutral carbon tax. Did you ever watch a dolphin as it gracefully arcs in the water, or a whale as it surfaces? Have you ever seen a seal as it swims its way northward? Oil and gas exploration are not the answer. We do not need to rely on oil. Solar energy is a much cleaner, safer solution. Have you ever heard of a solar spill? Will you let your child build a sand castle next to an oil spill? It is time for positive change. It is time to stand up to protect our oceans and our environment. Our children are counting on us. As are the sea mammals.

The gov does not have the power to tell the judicial branch who and when to prosecute, without the facts even being known. He has asked AG Eric Holder and the MO Attorney general to take action, even without the grand jury even hearing the case.

The Roseway neighborhood in Portland, Oregon has recently learned of your plans to build a drive-thru pharmacy at 7040 NE Sandy Blvd. We already have two full-service pharmacies within one block of this location, making this a clear case of market saturation. We are also a growing neighborhood, looking to create a pedestrian, cycling and transit friendly future. Your plans for a drive-thru are contrary to the kind of development that neighbors will support.