While Secretary Chuck Hagel insists that he is doing military members and there families a favor by keeping commissaries open; by cutting the tax payer subsidy from $1.4 billion to 4 million you are taking the 30% savings down to nearly nothing. Being a US Marine wife with 4 young children, living in Southern California, I know first hand how helpful the commissary savings is. Everything is being taken from us, and it is time to take a stand. Is this really what our Service Members and there families mean to the government for the continuous sacrifices they make? It is saddening that a California State prisoner gets more than a US marine and his family.

We’re launching a campaign to show grocery chains, like Mariano’s, that their customers want GMO labeling, and persuade them to follow the lead of other grocery stores like Whole Foods. We have a right to know what’s in the food we buy, so we can make healthy, responsible, and informed choices about what we’re eating. Sign this petition to Roundy’s CEO Bob Mariano and ask him as a customer to label GMOs in store-brand products.

I saw this show years ago when my children were little and was upset about the horse diving. That wasn't what drew us into the park. It was horrible to watch unless you're a child and have no idea that the horse has no choice but to jump. Whoever says that "the horse likes it" never asked the horse. This horse must perform. It doesn't matter whether the horse is treated well when not performing. He still must perform and this is animal cruelty. I can't believe they're still doing this after all these years!

I am an animal welfare activist who cannot bear what industrial agriculture has become. We no longer care for animals as if they are living, breathing beings with feelings, able to experience pain and terror just like humans. Animals have become units, and we have become monsters. I want to help prevent the burning alive of thousands of animals every year because they are confined and unable to save themselves. The requirement for sprinklers and smoke control is a small step toward that end. A small step that big business opposes, because it would cost them dollars, and it is all about dollars to them.

Dear Dr. Michael Kirst, Many of us send our children to school every day with the hope that they will be in a safe and secure environment. We send them to school thinking that the best for them is waiting behind school doors, but what if it wasn’t? Sometimes, outgoing and happy children come home feeling sad, irritated, and miserable. And, they tell their parents that they don’t want to go to school anymore and won’t say why. Parents are left guessing what is going on? Indeed, children who fear going to school maybe reacting to being bullied at school. There are several reasons why children get bullied. Sometimes, children are victims of bullying because they are smart and dedicated to their schoolwork. Other times children get bullied because of their personal appearances (too skinny, overweight, and obese). There is also bullying due to racism. Minority children who speak very little English are targeted as well. Some children even end up committing suicide due to bullying that wasn’t able to be stopped. As concerned parents we would like to know why our child is frightened and refuses to go to school. We are proposing that cameras be installed in classrooms and on elementary school campuses throughout California. With evolving technology, security cameras are able to capture both video and audio feed, so no one will be left guessing about who the aggressor is and the number of students who are being targeted. As children are being bullied and victimized by their fellow students, and in some cases teachers and school employees, no person can keep constant watch. As classrooms grow larger, and staff numbers decrease, security cameras within the schools provide the additional sets of eyes that are needed to help protect children while in school. According the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in elementary schools, twice as many ethnic minorities report being bullied because of their ethnicity. While video cameras cannot stop the racism that a person holds inside, these cameras will hold students accountable for their bullying actions. When non-English speaking students are harassed or bullied, they will not have to rely solely on translators to relay the story of what has occurred. These cameras will be the eyes and the ears of the school. These cameras will provide an accurate translation of day’s events, and provide comfort and solace to students and parents who most likely are the victims of school bullying. While no amount of video surveillance can prevent every instance of bullying and harassment in schools, providing these cameras in schools will be a monumental step towards significantly decreasing the harassment and violence that does occur in schools. This is an opportunity for California schools to provide a safer environment and enhance the educational experience for students, educators, and administrators. Sincerely, Alivia, Lindsay, Margot, Kristy and Jessica

Too many people are being brutalized and worse by the militarization of departments that are supposed to protect society and the rights of citizens.

I disagree with the NFL banning only certain racial ethic and gender slurs, they need to deal with all of them as a whole and actually encore the rules that they all ready have in place concerning all racial, ethic, and gender slurs

A provision that defines boycotts against Israeli policies towards the Palestinians as anti-Semitism (1) was inserted into the House version of the Maryland budget bill without any vote or public hearing (2). This language is not in the version of the budget passed by the Senate. The two versions of the budget bill will go to a conference committee which will decide the final language. The Maryland Senate and House will then vote on the bill, but no further changes will be allowed. A similar resolution has been defeated in Illinois. (3) Similar legislation is pending in New York, Florida, Kansas, and the U.S. Congress. (4) South African Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, a leader in the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement that helped overthrow apartheid in South Africa, has challenged the Maryland provision and similar legislation as an attack on free speech in support of justice in Israel and Palestine. (5) Maryland legislators and Governor Martin O'Malley should insist that the offensive anti-boycott language in the House version of the budget bill be removed. References: 1. “Amendment to senate bill 170, as amended,” http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2014RS/amds/bil_0000/sb0170_92322801.pdf 2. “New Developments on Anti-Boycott Efforts in MD State Legislature: Immediate Action Needed,” http://www.freespeechfreestate.org/final_action 3. “Anti-Boycott Resolution Rejected in Illinois State Senate Committee,” Center for Constitutional Rights, http://palestinelegalsupport.org/2014/04/02/anti-boycott-resolution-rejected-in-illinois-state-senate-committee/ 4. “Questions about free speech, anti-Semitism roil debate on academic boycott of Israel,” Renee Schoof, McClatchy, March 17, 2014, http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/03/17/221495/questions-about-free-speech-anti.html 5. “Statement from Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu on US anti-BDS legislation,” http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/node/1502

WITH COP21 taking place shortly (this update is Nov 19, 2015, basically 10 days ahead of this monumental environmental event in Paris, bringing all world leaders to take their boldest actions on ensuring we have a livable planet)... WE NOW FEATURE A NEW PETITION-WITHIN-A-PETITION, going specifically to all mayors and their city councils in the East Bay, who have NOT signed on to a CCA. Here is the petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/mayors-and-city-councils With congressional gridlock on our climate threat, it is becoming clear that cities, counties and states now have the power to take significant action that is tremendously effective. It is clearly time to accelerate the country's 100% renewable agenda, now that the global mark of 400 parts per million of atmospheric carbon has been reached. With blueprints now published by Jacobson et al. for all 50 states to go 100% renewable, now is the time for action. See www.theSolutionsProject.org for details. (Note: you will probably need to copy all links to your own browser). Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Energy is a local energy solution that allows for the rapid switch to clean power sources. Besides Marin and Sonoma counties, other California cities and counties are investigating CCA for their communities: Monterey Bay region, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, and the cities of San Luis Obispo and San Diego, and others, now including Lancaster CA. Nearly 1,000 communities in five other states legislated for these CCAs have chosen Community Choice Aggregated Energy. See www.LeanEnergyUS.org for more details. To see what a CCA looks like in Marin county, see www.MCEcleanenergy.com. Here is the link to an introductory study on how feasible this is for the East Bay: http://ecologycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Concept-Paper_CCE-in-East-Bay.pdf The white paper indicates there is available capacity within the boundaries of these two counties to build solar and small wind farms on industrial wasteland, meaning little if no renewable energy would need to be imported, that it could all be locally provided - an ideal situation. ADVANTAGES A CCA will not raise taxes. It will work in partnership with PG&E, reducing the cost of energy, as proven in Marin county, and the other states that have them. UPDATES - in Alameda county, in June 2014, all 5 Alameda county supervisors voted 5-0, to approve $1.3 ML towards a feasibility study to create a CCA in the county. CCA legislation is in process in Hawaii and Utah, also Delaware and Minnesota. New York is now the 7th state with CCA legislation. In late July 2014, we learned about a new small wind company called PRIMO Wind, based in San Diego CA, that has created a non-turbine style fixture for accessing wind, that is silent, doesn't kill birds and can be applied to buildings or designed into small wind farms. Its footprint is smaller than solar, and is more cost-effective. See www.PrimoWind.com and this 2-minute video - http://youtube.com/watch?v=21HRjjLLjpg&feature=youtube PLEASE NOTE, those signing: we want to ensure signatures represent where you live. Mayors want to know who their constituents are. By signing, you are asking your elected officials to give setting up a CCA, a good look. EXCEPTIONS of cities not involved: The city of Alameda has its own utility and is already over 80% renewable. The city of Richmond has already joined MCE, along with El Cerrito and San Pablo.

Such democracy-destroying rulings as "Citizens United" and "McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission" have made it abundantly clear that those who consistently put the money of a few above the will of the many must be replaced before they can render even greater harm to the majority of Americans and the very principles they've courageously fought and died for during the past 238 years.

The Indiana Farmers' Market has run out of space in its Wednesday evening location in the S&T Bank parking lot. It would like to move to Downtown Indiana's IRMC Park on Wednesday evenings. Since it's had to turn away vendors due to its limited space, the market may be forced to seek alternative locations outside the Borough if Council doesn't approve the use of IRMC Park.

Over a million Americans have lost their unemployment insurance and despite applying for jobs every day, are unable to find a job. The longer a person stays unemployment, the less likely a company will hire them. I've heard of too many families losing their homes because of this. Too many people who were productive citizens are struggling to feed their own. If the government pays millions to sit at home why can't they help those who are looking for work. As a requirement of unemployment everyone must show proof of job search and job search related activities. It will take 1 minute to sign this. And that 1 minute will provide millions of families with basic necessities.