The Sonoma Developmental Center needs to remain open and operating so that the needs of the most severely developmentally disabled citizens are met. There is no other safety net at this time and too many developmentally disabled who have dangerous behaviors are ending up in the prisons and those who are frail with multiple disabilities, many of them are ending up in nursing homes. The board and care homes and the group homes are not equipped to provide this specialized care at this time and until then, the Sonoma Developmental Center needs to remain open and operating and providing the specialized care that so many families have fought for over many years for their beloved severely disabled children.

On March 28, AP and other media reported that under pressure from Saudi Arabia, the U.S. was considering allowing shipments of shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, or “manpads,” to Syrian rebels. (1) These dangerous weapons can be used to shoot down civilian aircraft. While U.S. officials previously ruled out the transfer of manpads to Syria, a senior U.S. official said “it was being considered anew,” AP reported. On March 31, a State Department spokeswoman said that there had been no change in the U.S. position, and that the U.S. had not discussed the issue with Saudi Arabia. (2) Unfortunately, when it comes to CIA “covert” actions, U.S. officials sometimes publicly deny things that they are in fact doing or thinking of doing. And once these actions start, they are very difficult to stop. If President Obama were to approve the supply of manpads to Syrian rebels, he would violate several international antiterrorism agreements that prohibit the supply of manpads to non-state actors. This would put air travelers at risk and destroy the international anti-terrorism norm against supplying manpads to non-state actors. In the past, weapons transferred to “moderate rebels” in Syria have wound up in the hands of Al Qaeda-types. (3) Urge Congress and President Obama to oppose the transfer of manpads to Syria by signing our petition. 1. “Saudi Arabia: Obama seeks to ease backlash over Syria: US president said to be considering sending air defence systems to Syrian rebels following discussion with King Abdullah,” Associated Press/The Guardian, March 28 2014, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/29/obama-king-abdullah-saudi-arabia-air-defence 2. Daily Press Briefing, State Department, March 31, 2014, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2014/03/224211.htm 3. “Obama Approval of Manpads for Rebels Would Violate US Agreements, Policy, and Endanger Airliners,” James McMichael, Syria Comment, March 26, 2014, http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/obama-approval-manpads-rebels-violate-us-agreements-policy-endanger-airliners-james-mcmichael/

I have not been personally affected by this issue, other than to be ashamed that the U.S. is number one in prisoners per capita. Whatever it is we're doing, we're doing it wrong. Let's take the profit out of keeping people in prison.

Over the last three years, students across Pennsylvania have been subjected to deep budget cuts. Families have been forced to pay higher property taxes. School districts are expected to meet higher standards with less funding. Pennsylvania has become one of only three states without a funding formula. Please do everything you can to support Pennsylvania's greatest investment: our children.

Thanks to a state law passed in 2007, Colorado's for-profit utilities, like Xcel Energy, have eliminated energy waste equivalent to 210,000 households, reducing over a million tons of air pollution and saving millions of dollars. Now, however, Xcel wants to roll back their effective energy savings programs by a third, and they’re asking the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to let them do it. Stand up for Colorado energy efficiency: Tell the PUC to stop Xcel's energy savings rollback. Comments are due to the PUC by April 21st, so we need to act fast. And the PUC doesn't get a lot of public comments so trust me: your voice can make a difference. Sign the petition and we'll hand deliver it by the 21st.

I'm nervous that this might not pass again...and upset at the thought that we might lose the House reform of the tip credit.

I am tired of the apathy of this country. The way we see democracy as a "who the ufck cares" issue. This is why we have crazy people in gov ruining "life liberty and the pursuit of happiness" for the masses. To you, the masses, I say PARTICIPATE! If we institute mandatory voting on all levels and for all issues up to and including presidential elections, then we make sure that everyone gets to vote and every vote will be counted.

A traffic accident is a horrible event. Aside from the obvious, this creates a dangerous scenario for the everyday driver. Many passers-by are focused on the accident, and not on the road, compounding the problem, and possibly leading to additional collisions. "Rubber necking" also creates a traffic flow issue, and keeps everyone from getting where they need to be. Let's try implementing a time proven system started in the UK . Responders would erect a temporary fabric wall that blocks the accident from the view of the public. With nothing to look at, the traffic will flow normally, and drivers will remain alert. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120810121037/http://www.highways.gov.uk/business/26118.aspx

I see mile-long Bakken oil trains⎯each carrying approximately 3 million gallons of volatile crude oil⎯roll through my small Skagit Valley community nearly every day. If all oil-by-rail permit requests are approved, many more potentially explosive oil trains will travel through Washington state every day. The dangers to the health and safety of our communities and our environment of transporting oil by rail, given the flammability of Bakken crude oil, the poor safety record of the tank cars currently carrying the oil, and the increased number of derailments as more trains transport oil, need to be studied and addressed before allowing more oil-by-rail trains to travel through Washington state.

Engineering Technologists are sometimes subjugated to the level of Technician in many organizations effectively reducing the salaries of the individuals. This has a profound effect on their livelihoods. This is especially apparent with young graduates. When this occurs it nullifies the junior and senior years of academia and the individuals are left with student loan payments that command a higher percentage of their paycheck. The individuals are paid at the Associate degree level rather than if they have achieved a Baccalaureate degree.

Since September 11, 2011, over 30,000 service members have been discharged for mental conditions that do not amount to a disability. Research supports that some of these conditions can be directly related to their military service. Currently service members discharged for medical conditions not amounting to disability can have their status reviewed. This right should also be extended to those with mental conditions.

I believe that our civil rights are being abused by the "for profit" prisons. We are all personally affected by this issue even if it has not touched us personally.