We, meaning me and the people of Massachusetts, need to rally around the Pelletier family, and make sure Justina Pelletier is rightfully returned to her family.

Vladimir Spivakov, a leading Russian conductor, has signed a public letter pledging a full support to President Putin’s aggression toward Ukraine. Now Spivakov is coming on tour to the US and Canada. We do not welcome Spivakov here!

The House is moving on a terrible new bill that will effectively say: No new national parks. The vote is Wednesday -- and if you don't raise your voice today, it could actually pass! Here are the facts: This bill, H.R. 1459, would gut the historic Antiquities Act, undermining the president's power to create national monuments -- but nearly half of our national parks started out as monuments. The bill's author is named Rep. Rob Bishop, whose biggest contributor in the last election was the oil and gas industry. Bishop even says national parks are unconstitutional! This is about so much more than oil profits -- this is about our American legacy. Without the Antiquities Act, we might never have had the Grand Canyon or Acadia National Parks. We certainly wouldn't have Muir Woods or President Obama's brand-new Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument!

Keystone Progress has learned that a backroom deal by Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey may result in President Obama appointing a Tea Party lawyer to serve as judge on the Western Pennsylvania District Court in Pittsburgh. The nomination of David J. Porter is working its way to the White House as part of a deal between Pennsylvania’s two United States Senators. Senators Casey and Toomey are expected to jointly present Porter to President Obama any day now as part of a deal that will allow Casey to nominate people for 3 other vacancies. Insiders say Toomey and the Republican Party are willing to make any deals necessary to get Porter on the bench. He represents the type of jurist the GOP hopes to place on the bench across the country. Porter is not just a lawyer with a right-wing point of view. He is a right wing activist and leader in anti-choice, anti-marriage equality, pro-gun movements in Pennsylvania. He is not just a member of the Republican Party. Porter is well-known in legal circles for being part of the Rick Santorum wing of the Republican Party. In fact, he has served as Santorum’s counsel. See more at: http://keystoneprogressblog.blogspot.com/

The people of the state of Alabama elected you to do the will of the people. The people of Alabama deserve affordable health care. The fact that there is a monopoly in the state by BC/BS leaves a lot to be desired. Stand up and do the right thing.

We know that if immigration reform were put up for a vote in the House, it could pass -- but Tea Party obstructionists like Steve King are doing all they can to keep that from happening. Nearly 30 Republicans have said they support immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship, but these Republicans have done little to pressure Republican leaders standing in our way. But now we finally have a way to push these Republicans into action. After pressure from immigration activists all across the country, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi initiated a legislative procedure called a "discharge petition" to try and force action on immigration reform. If these 30 Republicans join with House Democrats and sign the discharge petition, we can force John Boehner to bring immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship up for a vote.

I am a victim of this country's corrupt family law system and the so-called "child support" program. I feel my case is somewhat extreme and I am hoping my case will help shed some light on what is being done to non-custodial parents all across the Globe! According to the corrupt family court system, the Non-Custodial parent is presently only good for MONEY! We need to change this NOW!!!!!!

Its time for staff and MHAs to take charge. I have stood by and watched patients and staff be abused by administration's corrupt policies and procedures too long. Medicare and Insurance company's are being defrauded. The children do not know thier doctors and they rarely see the few therapists S.M.T.C. The patients assault peers and staff with little to no consequences. Staff are overworked, underpaid and not given respect by all administrators and managers. Even with the great deal of effort maintainance and housekeeping put forth, the facility is in poor condition and falling apart . Most of the buildings have mold and generally reek of a bodily function. It is time for something to change! Please sign and share! These children deserve a fair chance at a decent future. All therapy should not just be documented, but also monitored to ensure that it is being done. Patients mattresses have holes and some have become saturated with urine. These should all be replaced. Patients need more structured theraputic activities and supplies to complete such activities! Several activities scheduled every week are either unrealistic or there is a lack of supplies. Rules and regulations should be consistent across units! Corporate and licensing should not announce inspection visits in advance! Training should be thorough and focused on content and not just providing answers! The people (MHAs) that spend the most time working with the children are paid wages that are the same or less than fast food and convienence store workers.

We do not denounce the Koch brothers because their wealth of more than $50 billion exceeds the combined wealth of the bottom 40 percent of all the citizens of the United States, or because they run and own one of the largest petrochemical businesses in the world, or because of their right-wing views. The Koch brothers are entitled to their wealth and to their opinions, but when they use their vast wealth to overpower the voices of average Americans, that is unfair and they should be held accountable. They've established a political front group, Americans for Prosperity, and are building their own permanent political machine, including hundreds of full-time staff in at least 32 states. They are pouring money into federal and state races—including more than $30 million already to help Republicans win the Senate this year. The Koch brothers are thereby using their vast wealth to undermine and corrupt our democracy—a shameful betrayal of our nation for which they deserve to be widely denounced. It's time we join our voices together to publicly denounce the Koch brothers and their dangerous, corrupting influence. They may not be swayed by our voices, but when enough of us condemn what they're doing, taking their money will become a political liability.

My grandson who is 5 y/o was tongue kissed by his father's family when he was 3 y/o. The police and CPS did not charge anyone with a crime. Family Court Judge Anthony McGinty said noone is allowed to French kiss my grandson anymore. There was no penalty. This is wrong and has to be changed.

This Wednesday Senate Bill 1464, companion legislation to Representative Jimmy Patronis’ House Bill 703, will be heard in the Senate Environmental Preservation & Conservation Committee. Conservation groups, local governments and newspaper editorial boards have all expressed opposition to what has been called “the worst bill of the legislative session” by the Gainesville Sun, “toxic” by the Martin County Times, and a “bill (that) would harm Florida” by the Lakeland Ledger. This legislation poses a direct threat to the health of Florida’s springs, rivers, estuaries, and natural lands by undermining the authority of local governments to make land use decisions, rolling-back springs and wetlands protections, and allowing for long-term consumptive use permits. In some cases consumptive use permits could be granted for up to 50 years, essentially removing this water from the control of the public and its elected and appointed representatives for a half century during a time when we know certain areas of our state will be unable to meet water demands in the near future. Among the most environmentally damaging aspects of this legislation are provisions which: •Preempt local government authority to protect wetlands and springs and regulate stormwater runoff on agricultural lands. •Preempt local government authority to require a supermajority vote on comprehensive plans and amendments. •Allow 50-year consumptive use permits for dispersed water storage projects. • Allow 30-year consumptive use permits for water projects associated with Developments of Regional Impact.

This petition is for the voices of community members to be heard.