I believe that the solution to violence is compassion and connection, which can be taught through the Nonviolent Communication system of Marshall B. Rosenberg, which teaches us to explore our feelings and needs. When we have human needs that are not being met this leads to hurt feelings which, if not understood and accepted, can lead to conflict. I know that through mandatory classes that teach empathy and empathic listening skills, nonviolent solutions that acknowledge feelings, provide acceptance, and satisfy our joint needs can be discovered. I know from personal experience that this form of communication is powerful and transformative - it is an avenue that will lead to peace - personal, national, and global.

Newspapers need to stop publishing letters that deny climate change. Other newspapers have adopted this sensible policy. The Buffalo News should also.

Let's keep UCI racing in Southern California. We need West Coast UCI cyclocross representation let alone UCI cyclocross racing in California!

In the past 2 years, we have been given additional duties/tasks resulting from the closure of positions, creation of management positions, and the updating of systems. We are protesting these actions, as well as, the duplication of work caused by these additional duties. We are asking for the following: 1. AESOP Reconciliation be eliminated from our duties until it is determined that AESOP will result in payroll completion (currently we are duplicating our efforts with this system). 2. The Substitute Recap/Absence Log should be eliminated from our duties (This is another duplication of the above and payroll). 3. We were recently given the duty of completing the mileage for all staff at our sites. This as well, should be eliminated from our duties. Each person should complete their own mileage in PeopleSoft (it was designed to operate this way). 4. We would like to be represented on the committees/teams that decide the systems and/or tasks that pertain to our duties/desks and workload. Thank you in advance for your action to this urgent matter!

Newspapers need to stop publishing letters that deny climate change.

It is important to me that if our government is going to give tax breaks to "job creators" that they actually are job creators.

Newspapers need to stop publishing letters that deny climate change.

Unless Congress acts, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program ends between Christmas and New Years for 1.3 million jobless Americans. Unemployment benefits will be cut from as much as 73 weeks to 26 weeks after December 28. EUC should continue until the economy picks up and jobs are available again (There are still 3 jobless for every job in the US). The state of Rhode Island has the second highest unemployment rate in the country. Rhode Islanders deserve to have this help.

Newspapers need to stop publishing letters that deny climate change.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch needs to stop reprinting misleading letters that deny climate change.

Newspapers need to stop publishing letters that deny climate change. In South Florida, we are particularly vulnerable to the effects of the warming oceans. Our future depends on recognizing and addressing this. The Miami Herald needs to stop publishing letters that deny climate change.

Dear Board members: America thrives on diversity and is a synthesis of varied races, religions, and cultures. The fusion of cultures here is so exceptional that citizens can be just as proud of their original cultural heritage as they are to be an American. In our own town of Millburn, the escalating influx of Indian Americans in the last five years has dramatically changed the demographics. There are thousands of Indian Americans in town. Hindu students are a significant presence in our township schools. It is thus critical to recognize this religious and cultural diversity. Hinduism is a major religion in the world, next only to Christianity and Islam. And Diwali is the biggest festival for Hindus – it is the Hindu version of Christmas and Hanukkah. But it also has significance for other religious groups such as Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists. Diwali is a celebration of good over evil, a value that has such universal appeal that even the White House has been celebrating it for the past five years. Observing one day school holiday for Diwali, a festival which is in fact celebrated over five days, would make a meaningful difference to the scores of people celebrating it in town. It would allow them time to celebrate as the holiday is meant to be celebrated: by going to the temple, exchanging gifts, calling relatives in India or simply celebrating with immediate family and friends throughout the day. It would impress upon children, who soak up values from the surrounding culture, that different heritages are celebrated by all. Creating awareness about other religions and cultures would make Millburn students well-nurtured, well-balanced, and enlightened citizens of tomorrow. This request to recognize one of the major festivals celebrated in town is neither radical nor unreasonable. It is going to take all of us, working together, to embrace, enrich and celebrate the American diversity in our own community. Please support the movement and declare Diwali a school holiday in Millburn. Sincerely, Padmaja Chinta Millburn, New Jersey December 18, 2013.