It’s time for us small hilltowns to take a stand against these people that call us haters!!!

Our current tools to keep racism, corruption, and “bad apples” out of our police department aren’t working — as evidenced by the fact that the Jersey City Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit received 206 excessive-force complaints from 2013-2019, but sustained only two. For more than three years, members of the Jersey City Anti-Violence Coalition and other South Side community activists have called for a CCRB. Beginning in June 2020, they met regularly with neighborhood residents, law enforcement representatives, Councilmember James Solomon (who agreed to introduce this legislation), the ACLU-NJ’s attorneys (who helped write it), and hosted a citywide August 19th town hall attended by over 100 people. They’ve created a community-driven, thoroughly researched, powerful ordinance providing Jersey City residents the authority to track, investigate, and create consequences for police misconduct in Jersey City, and to do so in a transparent way that builds community trust. Jersey City can model a Civilian Review system that works. We’re inviting you to do better than the Minneapolis officials who would not empower their own CCRB — which, despite no fewer than 17 misconduct complaints about Officer Derek Chauvin before he killed George Floyd, could do nothing to investigate, discipline, or stop him. We cannot allow a similar situation to occur in Jersey City.

As residents of a severely fire-affected region in Oregon, we are concerned that transitioning work to online during the pandemic crisis is enabling some incredibly irresponsible behavior from schools, agencies, and employers during this absolutely unreal forest fire crisis. The fact that some families can work from home does not make it a reasonable expectation for students and employees to work from home when the air quality is in the hazardous zone. ALL activities that are not essential for basic infrastructure and survival should have been shut down. There is no excuse for school, even online school, to be open today; it is irresponsible. We are ALL emotionally, intellectually, and physically impaired right now. PPS needs to halt classes IMMEDIATELY until air quality improves. According to NASA the ground-level carbon monoxide concentration in this region reached OVER 126,000 PPB this weekend. Other days, the CO concentration was recorded as high as 86,000 ppb. Obviously, these concentrations are not sustained for prolonged periods at ground level, but these are shockingly, horrifying above unsafe concentrations, which OSHA identifies as as above 50 ppm (50,000 ppb). We are certainly breathing sustained elevated concentrations down here on the ground, and what it means is that even those of us with robust respiratory systems that are not sensitive to the high levels of particulate matter in the air are suffering from chronic low-key oxygen deprivation. Feel like you can't think? Have no energy? Can't stay awake? That's why. Teachers need to be supported in order to support students. Their health and well-being matters, as well as that of the greater community. There can be no such thing as “getting behind”, when the neurological capacity for growth and learning are limited due to the nature of the current environment. Teaching to the ideal conditions is a fool’s measure; we must adapt to the conditions that exist. Just as you close schools for unprecedented weather systems that disrupt daily activities, it is appropriate to close schools for unprecedented environmental health threats that disrupt daily activities. Students, teachers, and staff need to focus on health, safety, and self-care during these hazardous air quality days. We cannot evacuate Portland; there is literally nowhere for Portland to go. But we are facing unprecedented and unelucidated health risks, and that PPS is expecting employees and learners to proceed as if it were business as usual is absolutely irresponsible, negligent, and untenable. Please shut it down. Sincerely, Mxm Bloc

The USA Fleamarket was a staple in the community for over 40 years. When the USA Fleamarket closed a few years ago, hundreds of vendors were effected. Many small businesses that were once located inside of the fleamarket were forced to relocate out of our community or close down completely. Surrounding businesses also relied on the influx of customers attracted due to the flea market. Allowing the USA Fleamarket to reopen will not only allow hundreds of small businesses to reopen within our county but also provide a safe place for our community to enjoy their weekends. Supporting local business is extremely important during this difficult time. We are urging Pasco County Zoning and NAIDIP to allow us the opportunity to begin rebuilding the USA Fleamarket not only for Pasco County's benefit but also for the neighboring communities to have a place to visit.

On September 11th, Amazon appointed General Keith Alexander to their board of directors. Gen. Alexander headed up the NSA when they secretly built a massive domestic surveillance system, the same system to which we were alerted by Edward Snowden, who risked his life to bring this operation to light. General Alexander headed up U.S. Cyber Command along with the NSA during the Obama Administration. Alexander retired in 2014 and went on to found the private cybersecurity firm IronNet. Last week the US Court of Appeals ruled the NSA surveillance program built under the directorship of General Alexander was unlawful .

These fire crews work tirelessly to serve and save our state when we're at our most vulnerable. Yet, they are denied access as they re-enter into society. They put their lives on the line for us, let's give them the opportunity to start new, serve the community, and create a new life with the skills and experience they possess.

Safety of our children, pets and ourselves.

Not only is Rochester police union president Mike Mazzeo wrong to defend the officers who killed Daniel Prude – it’s his behavior and way of thinking that makes accountability for police and necessary reform impossible in Rochester, and across the country. Rochester’s Mayor, Lovely Warren, is calling on Mazzeo to resign. Please add your voice to this petition to help us broaden the pressure for his removal. Here is Mayor Warren’s statement: “For 30 years, the problem with policing in Rochester are cops like Mike Mazzeo that watch the video of Daniel Prude’s death and see nothing wrong. Who believe there is nothing wrong with driving Mr. Prude’s head into the street. Who believe there is nothing wrong with other officers standing by, joking and failing to intervene while Mr. Prude is dying. Who think it’s fine to just casually ignore him as he takes his last breath, and then callously and falsely inform his brother who begged for him not to be harmed. Mike Mazzeo and his ilk exist only to protect and serve themselves, and certainly not the people of the City of Rochester. It is time for Mike Mazzeo to resign, because his archaic ways of policing are no longer wanted in the City of Rochester.” Mike Mazzeo is doing everything he can to confuse the story about what happened and shift blame away from the officers responsible for Prude’s death. In a lengthy press conference, Mazzeo repeatedly insisted that these officers followed their training “to a T,” saying that if there’s a problem it’s not with the officers but with their training. Mazzeo didn’t explain if it’s part of protocol for officers to kneel on the neck of a handcuffed man, to never check on his condition or give him medical aid, or to laugh and mock at him as he is in clear distress. Mazzeo deflected criticism by telling reporters and the public they don’t understand police training, but when pressed, he admitted he doesn’t know the details of the training himself. Mazzeo claimed that he hadn’t seen the video of Prude’s death until it became public -- but city officials provided emails showing that he’d received the footage via email months ago, in April. Mazzeo has attempted to shift blame by going on the attack against Mayor Warren, calling on her to resign and saying that her administration is undermining the police response to protests in response to Prude’s death. It’s a textbook example of the playbook police unions use to shield violent and dangerous cops who are caught abusing their power and breaking the law: - When police are caught doing something that is clearly wrong, say they were following protocol and blame their training - Deceive and lie to obscure and confuse the truth about what happened - Attack city officials, activists, and others in a position to hold police accountable After blaming the system, politicians, and the public – everyone but police officers themselves – police unions will do everything they can to block meaningful changes to the system, and attack the leaders pushing for those changes. Police unions play a key role in maintaining the broken system that puts officers above accountability and endangers the lives of Black people, other people of color, and entire communities. If we want to transform policing in any meaningful way, it’s time to stand up to police union heads like Mike Mazzeo. Join us in broadening the call for his resignation.

When the punishment does not fit the crime: Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) wastes money; wastes lives, and spends $22,620 to kill a young dog. MCAS will immediately kill this young dog as soon as all legal deadlines end in mid-September. Protest this politically motivated action and support the rescue, adoption, and foster offers that have been made to allow him the life he has never had. Blaze, a young American Pit bull impounded at 10 months of age, has been held in maximum security at Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) since May 19, 2017. Over 3 years have gone by. He is not a “dangerous dog.” Blaze has not caused a “serious physical injury.” He was never used as a weapon and has caused no one ‘s death. The bite incidents (2) that resulted his incarceration in 2017 were well within the range of incidents that occur throughout the community, were preventable, and situational, secondary to living in a chaotic multi occupant household. There is no need to kill him to keep society “safe.” MCAS’s plans to kill him are retaliatory, driven by a need for absolute control and a commitment to the idea that killing is the best way of teaching a lesson to those with the courage to a challenge MCAS’s authority. The fundamental policy at MCAS is that that no one may ever question the validity of their decisions or offer alternative solutions. The rejection of public input and inclusive thoughtful solutions began with a regime change five years ago when the newly hired director began to systematically re-write all policies to exclude all professional consultations, rescue and public input, once important parts of decision making. It was in fact a hostile takeover, unfettered by oversight targeting removal of the public from its own government. The immediate escalation in killing that followed has been covered up, disingenuously explained away way as “socially responsible,” when no data has been presented that the community is “safer” with more killing. Killing just requires less effort. The agency, not the homeless animals unfortunate to be there, is “unhealthy and untreatable.” No questions are asked by government. Complacency and collegiality trump fact finding every time. The agency requirement that Blaze be killed when safe humane alternatives exist is a continuing pattern at Multnomah County Animal Services and is about vengeance, a revenge for which MCAS as of September 07, 2020 has willingly incurred boarding costs of $22,620. Blaze’s exemplary behavior under stressful agency generated circumstances has been extraordinary. Nearly all of Blaze’s life has now been spent in solitary confinement where he is only permitted visits behind a kennel door without contact allowed for 15 minutes or less, with those closely supervised by an animal control officer. The goal to discourage visitors has succeeded. But despite the fact that nearly all of his life has been spent in solitary confinement, Blaze has survived. His daily kennel monitor reports document a cheerful welcoming behavior and efforts to seek out positive attention from other animals and people passing by the outside of his cell. MCAS refuses to allow him to be evaluated by an expert professional with a diplomate in veterinary behavior medicine and rejects the opportunity to create a behavior plan and allow him to go to a 501(c)(3) placement partner as did previous administrations. This resort to autocratic rule is occurs because MCAS can simply run out the clock. MCAS’s deliberate refusal to acknowledge and respond to consultation and rescue offers from volunteers, community professionals, and rescues in all cases now is unconscionable. “Winning” by deliberately shutting out the community has led to increased killing throughout the county without any safety agenda served. Please contact the listed responsible parties in charge of this agency where every democratic principle has been removed. Ask that Blaze be permitted to live and help us in this county advocate for a humane democratic shelter, one that does not kill arbitrarily when safe and humane options exist and partners with the community that pays its way. Documents available upon request. Gail O’Connell-Babcock, PhD [email protected] Foster Pets NW Citizens for Humane Animal Legislation/Watchdog --- Contact list for responsible parties: Wade Sadler, MCAS Director: [email protected] Phone: (503) 988-6233; (503) 988-7387 Jamie Waltz: Interim Director Dept.Community Services: [email protected] Phone: (503) 988-7968 Interim Chief Operating Officer Peggy Brey: [email protected] Phone: (503) 988-2999. -- The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners County Chair Deborah Kafoury: [email protected] Phone: (503) 988-3308 Sharon Meieran, Commissioner District 1: [email protected] Phone: (503) 988-5220 Susheela Jayapal, Commissioner District 2: [email protected] Phone: (503) 988-5219 Jessica Vega Pederson, Commissioner District 3: [email protected] Phone: (503) 988-5217 Lori Stegmann, Commissioner District 4: [email protected] Phone: (503) 988-5213

According to recent reports from the Washington Post, the U.S. military has quietly stepped up airstrikes in Afghanistan — increasing civilian casualties and harm — while weakening its own requirements for transparency and accountability. This has meant a lot more people have been hurt or killed. A 10-year old boy lost a hand; a family left impoverished by the killing of its principal breadwinner. The U.S. military denies its role in these devastating incidents, despite clear evidence to the contrary. Endless wars are possible when people refuse to reckon with and account for the suffering they’ve inflicted. The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) holds the power to investigate and expose the truths of this endless military occupation. As we come up on the 19th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, it’s beyond time for the committee to do its job and hold hearings on any U.S. military cover up of civilian casualties in Afghanistan.

Trump’s Acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Chad Wolf reportedly told intelligence analysts to downplay assessments on Russian election interference because they were making the President "look bad." Wolf’s politicization of the most fundamental and non-operations operations of government is the stuff of authoritarian regimes — twisting basic information used to make life or death security decisions just to appease Trump’s vanity. Incredibly, Trump wants to nominate Wolf as DHS Secretary and put him in this role permanently. But no one who believes this is acceptable behavior for the head of a government agency should have the job.

Because no one should lose their Condominium because the Manager of the Association loses entire year history and hires an attorney when they had no proof to pursue in court and add up excessive fees. The attorney uses his connection with the court to win a judgement and 4 Judges are protecting the 1st Judge. The manager failed to record payments made toward the judgement. The Condominium Board member who is a lawyer uses his law firm and connection with Cook County Sheriff office to remove me from my home of 13 1/2 years. Stating falsely that no payments were made when in fact payments were received and the manager never recorded and denied receiving them. The Sheriffs acted on this false information and showed up and remove me from my home. The association changed my locks and I have been fighting them ever since. They have removed all my earthly belongings I am homeless. November 14, 2019 Judge asked the board members partner only $89.00 is due? He said yes. I paid $90.00 on December 3, 2019 in front of the new judge. Now this judge has stated I can’t get a satisfaction of judgement paid and don’t ask any more. I pay the mortgage, taxes and insurance every month. This association, President the crooked accountant and Board member lawyer with his conflict of interest are determined to take my unit. Illegally renting it out without permit from the village of Glenwood, Illinois. I purchased my property and my mortgage company and I own my unit. No unit homeowner should have to endure homelessness because of unscrupulous attorneys and unethical judges.