The State of California cares for its prisoners so badly that in 2005, a judge mandated federal oversight of their prison healthcare system after it was documented that one person dies in California prisons every day from extreme medical malpractice or neglect. But as horrific as these crimes of neglect are, it shocks the conscience anew to hear that the medical care that was provided to prisoners included forced sterilization as recently as 2010. [1] Eugenics is a word that sounds to too many of us like it belongs only in the history books, but the eugenics programs started in California in the 1920s were found still alive and kicking in its prisons until very recently. While mainstream, and mostly white, women's rights advocates celebrated and defended legal abortion, too little attention has been paid to genocidal medical violence practiced against members of society deemed 'unfit' parents due to poverty, mental health, or non-white ethnicity. As Loretta Ross, an African American victim of forced sterilization at the age of 23, wrote recently, "After my sterilization, I felt empty, lost, and butchered. I was in shock and felt powerless." [1] There is no justification for an atrocity like this and the State of California must immediately act to ensure that state power is never again abused to deprive people of their right to parent and make their own decisions about their family size. Tell Governor Brown to ask the California legislature to act immediately to pass SB 1135 and safeguard against forced sterilization of vulnerable populations. [1] - "Eugenicists Never Retreat, They Just Regroup: Sterilization and Reproductive Oppression in Prisons," Loretta Ross, RH Reality Check, June 12, 2014. http://rhrealitycheck.org/article/2014/06/12/eugenicists-never-retreat-just-regroup-sterilization-reproductive-oppression-prisons/

For a long time I have witnessed the flybys that leave chemicals. These chemicals sit in the sky and spread out and as a result the morning blue sky turns grey. We need our sun. You are killing this planet. Why? You make claims that other countries have weapons of mass destruction. My view is this is the greatest weapon of mass destruction.

The Houston Rockets have a rich culture that is not portrayed in their current brand. Bringing back our Championship color scheme and style pays homage to the past so we can continue to build our legacy.

According to National Geographic explorer-in-residence Enric Sala, "It's the closest thing I've seen to the pristine ocean." Tuna are in trouble and have been unable to get protection. The loss to the U.S. tuna fleet will only be 3%. And sport fishing removes the largest specimens that tend to be the last breeding stock for the future. Along with no energy exploration, there must also be no extraction of fish. Joey Racano, Director www.OceanOutfallGroup.com On Facebook: Ocean Outfall Group

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, would threaten our waters. Toxic chemicals can leak into aquifers that feed springs and wells, and fracking waste water spills can pollute rivers and lakes. The methane gas stirred loose during the drilling process can end up in tap water, causing it to ignite. My community and I depend on individual wells to provide our water. The drinking water for at least 2.4 million people in North Carolina, including more than 400,000 well-users, is at stake. Special thanks to WNC Frack Free (wncfrackfree.org) for helping out.

ive just been disappointed that Illusion software allows these relationships but totally doesn't include them to be acted out on screen, just darkens the screen and cuts to after whats going on. its a disgrace and there is to reason why we cant have trap/crossdressing characters too!

I have family members who live in Detroit who are suffering from this horrifying deprivation. They expect to lose their electrical service as well. Familes are suffering while delinquent corporation water users continue to plunder taxpayer funds. All of our cities are at risk from carpetbaggers like these. Learn more at: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2014/06/18-7

Rhode Island's legislative session ends this week. Environmentalists have already won exciting victories to expand solar energy, implement first steps of a state composting program, fund public transportation, and more. However, there are some final bills that need final approval. One of them is a critical bill to protect Narragansett Bay by finally phasing out cesspools, an outdated septic method that pollutes the environment.

Why is a home improvement store interested in spreading climate change denial propaganda? The store itself sells things to make homes more energy efficient (doors, windows, insulation, even solar panels), and should be capitalizing on the "green movement", so the only possible explanation is the owner trying to protect his personal investments in fossil fuels. I work part time at the country's third largest home improvement retailer, Menards. We receive a monthly newsletter called, "Menards Memos." The current issue features a climate change denial article, and when I saw it, my jaw dropped in disbelief. (This is the article reprinted in the newsletter: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/04/17/chicken-little-science/ ) I've posted this petition anonymously because I fear retaliation for speaking out, but It isn't right to use power and influence to force personal opinions on employees and try to protect polluting industries for personal profit. As a citizen, I am angered that people spread misinformation that harms our health and the environment just to hoard more money. As an employee, I'm confused as to why you would support misleading information that fights against many of the efficiency improving products we sell.

We need to put a stop to this pattern, whereby our hard earned money is spend, not to make it easier to conduct our business, but to make it harder instead! Last year we had the Fusion fiasco, now it is Matrix, a system that has compatibility issues with major programs. We don't have time for this. If it isn't broke, don't fix it!

Damion Hayes is a mentally ill young man who was sentenced to life in prison after assaulting a neighbor without provocation during a mental health crisis. Damion was wrongfully convicted of premeditated attempted murder although he had no animosity toward his neighbor, did not plan the assault, and caused no lasting damage. Hayes was refused mental health treatment before the incident. Hayes is not guilty due to his mental illness. He should not be held criminally responsible for behavior caused by a mental health crisis after being denied treatment. Hayes has been incarcerated for roughly 14 years, mostly in solitary confinement. That is longer than some people were incarcerated for manslaughter. Please replace imprisonment with treatment for Damion Hayes. Nobody should be punished for having a common, treatable health disability. Fred Hayes, Damion's father, invites you to hear his radio interviews and read more about Damion's case at http://dogjusticeformentallyill.blogspot.com/2014/06/mental-illness-made-damion-hayes-fl.html . Damion's father and mother are retired professionals, and his brother works with the Sheriff's Department. The family will provide a good support network for Damion Hayes if he is given a chance to leave prison and finally get the psychiatric treatment he needs and deserves. The U.N. determined that long-term isolation in solitary confinement is torture. Americans with disabilities deserve protection and treatment, not prison torture. Taxpayers are sentenced right along with Damion if they must pay possibly millions of dollars to imprison this young man who had no prior offenses. Hayes was overly sentenced for behavior caused by deprivation of psychiatric treatment. Therefore, we respectfully request the White House and/or Florida's governor to please pardon Damion Hayes.

We don't want a sexist on the federal bench, and we sure as hell don't want one who's dedicated to getting guns into bars, denying us healthcare and pushing LGBT rights back to the Stone Age.