Marcus Brandon has crossed the line. In today’s Charlotte Observer, Marcus is quoted calling me “a cheerleader instead of a legislator.” Comments like Marcus’ are paramount to the sexist culture I’ve dedicated my life to beating back. We cannot let this slide by unnoticed.

The "Possession of Dangerous or Wild Animals" bill would trump the certifications that Catoctin Zoo has attained and maintained over its 50+ year existence. We would be unable to contribute to the critical breeding efforts of endangered Snow Leopards, Amur Leopards, Jaguars, Tigers, Lions, Ochreata Macaques, Squirrel Monkeys, Patas Monkeys, Sun Bears, Foosa, Tamarins, or any other monkeys, lemurs or marmosets. Such a ban would force us to STOP educating and spreading conservation to tens of thousands of school children with hands on learning tools – experiences that lead to lasting connections with animals. Deadline Wednesday Feb 26th. More info at cwpzoo.com.

Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, North Carolina and Louisiana top the USA in Cancer Deaths and Asthma because of lightly regulated pollution from dirty fossil fuels ... especially natural gas fracking, coal & petroleum diesel. Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, North Carolina and Louisiana are not alone. This is a national problem. We need leaders at National Public Radio who firmly debate, with utmost honesty and integrity, issues including natural gas fracking and today's poorly built, poorly maintained and lobbyist-friendly Toxic Coal Ash Dumps. Diane Rehm: Toxic Front Groups Should Not Be Given A Hall-Pass on National Public Radio.

A college education today is no longer a guarantee into the job market but is considered mandatory by many employers so it is of utmost importance that we provide the new generation with the necessary tools to make college more of a reality. Almost every accredited university requires an applicant to take either the ACT or SAT tests, sometimes both, yet preparation classes for these exams are time consuming and costly, presenting an injustice when students are not able to afford these extracurricular luxuries. Currently there is a problem of systemic discrimination in college admittance processes, specifically to do with standardized aptitude testing. This petition for in-school mandatory SAT/ACT and college preparatory classes is not about catering specifically to the entrance exams. More than that, it is about preparing disadvantaged, low-income, and minority students for whatever exams, essays, and applications that they will need to have an in-depth understanding in order to compete for college entry. The test prep industry rakes in $1 billion annually with expert classes, such as Kaplan, offered at $300. If a student cannot afford to pay for test prep books and classes that are privately offered, then they cannot equally compete with other students who have a leg up on the competition. The purpose of this petition is to help level the playing field and give every student an equal opportunity to be prepared for the college application process. This is not to say that every student be required to enroll in these prep classes, but that each public high school be required to at least offer the course as an elective so that each student may choose if they wish to enroll or not. Please join us in signing this petition to promote educational equality and give the future generation the resources they require to make a difference.

Clean Water Action of Pennsylvania, in alliance with other citizens, demand that the Governors of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York order the Susquehanna River Basin Commission to institute a multi-state, comprehensive environmental study of the water quality effects of drilling/fracking operations in the Susquehanna watershed. For more information about this campaign, please contact Nathan Sooy of Clean Water Action at 717-233-1801 or at [email protected].

The Arizona state legislature just passed a horrific "religious freedom" bill that would allow businesses to discriminate against whoever they wish, so long as they claim a religious motivation. Unless Governor Jan Brewer vetoes this hateful legislation, "no gays allowed" signs could start going up in businesses across the state. The bill's religious-right backers -- including the state's Catholic bishops -- claim to speak for Christians. But the gospel of Jesus Christ doesn't offer any justification for hatred and discrimination. Just last week, a national backlash helped stop a similar bill in Kansas. But with just a few days left to veto the bill, we need to speak up immediately.

Since taking office in 2011, Gov. Corbett has expanded tax breaks for corporations and the energy industry while cutting $1 billion from education statewide. Under his leadership alone, 24 schools have been closed, and 4,000 teachers and school support staff have been laid off. Take a stand right now and send a letter to the governor demanding that he restore and protect public education for all.

I used to hear Thom Hartmann, Norman Goldman, Stephanie Miller, Ed Schultz, etc. five days a week. Now all we have in San Francisco is 2 (not 3) hours of Randi Rhodes. There's a big audience here! Where are OUR voices?

My name is Beverly, and I have Stage 4 breast cancer. Medical marijuana could help me manage the symptoms of my chemotherapy, but the New York State Senate Co-Leaders are blocking a vote on legislation that would allow me and others the relief we need. I’m spending what are probably the last years of my life fighting for the Compassionate Care Act because I know that thousands of patients could benefit from medical marijuana – cancer patients like me, and people with multiple sclerosis, severe seizure disorders, HIV/AIDS, and other serious, debilitating conditions. Please join me in calling on the New York State Senate to support patients and caregivers by passing the Compassionate Care Act. It’s time to provide compassion for those who are sick and suffering.

Every One Has The Right To Practise Their Faith And Lead Their Life Independently,,,,,

The over reliance on standardized test has reached the point of ridiculousness and I believe it is depriving our children of the best possible education. Our children are the future of this country and if we do not educate them properly this country is certain to fail.

We give lip service to LBGT rights being abused in Russia and civilian casualities in Syria, yet say absolutely nothing about Israel's whole sale destruction and confiscation of Palestinian land and brutalizing and killing of her citizens.