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 One of them is a critical bill to protect Narragansett Bay by finally phasing out cesspools, an outdated septic method that pollutes the environment.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.

They may not be able to make the Redskins team change it name, but they can hit the owner where it hurts: his wallet.

"Cities think by cutting off the food source, it will make the homeless go away," NCH community organizing director Michael Stoops said. "It doesn't."

The tragic accident in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, Canada could have been avoided if two people were working on this train. Two crew members are IMPERATIVE for safe train operation; 47 lives were lost because of corporate greed.

Under current Delaware law, possession of any amount of marijuana is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,150 and up to six months in jail. “Nobody should be saddled with a criminal record simply for possessing a substance that is less harmful than alcohol,” said Rachelle Yeung, a legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), “A marijuana conviction can haunt individuals for the rest of their lives, depriving them of educational opportunities, employment, and public housing. "Law enforcement officials’ time would be better spent addressing serious crimes instead of arresting and prosecuting adults for marijuana possession,” Yeung said.

Gus Morales was a highly rated teacher for two years. Then on February 3 he spoke out to the School Committee about data walls, many of which listed students by name along with their scores on standardized tests and many of which were posted in areas accessible to the public (illegal under FERPA). After speaking out at the School Committee meetings, Gus was observed and given his first problematic evaluation. These observations and negative evaluations escalated after Gus was elected president of his local. Gus grew up in Holyoke and graduated from Holyoke High School. He is a veteran, bilingual, and a teacher who has the support of students and parents. He is one of the few Puerto Rican teachers in Holyoke even though the student body is over 75 percent Hispanic. Gus is a male role model for many students. In May, Gus was elected president of the Holyoke Teachers Association with overwhelming support from his fellow teachers. Gus is being non-renewed because he is a leader in the union and a leader in speaking out in support of students and the schools they deserve.

Extreme violence is occurring at an alarming rate throughout our nation’s schools and campuses. We need to rise together as one nation and protect our children and the very future of this country. As a result, we’d see less shootings, stabbings, and acts of violence in general, as well as less bullying, and less alcohol and drug abuse.