Nature is lame. Plastic toys are better than science and environmental education. That’s the message conveyed by the new Toys “R” Us commercial about the “best field trip” kids could “wish for.” The ad depicts bored, yawning kids on a school bus labeled “Meet the Trees Foundation” as they begin a nature-oriented field trip. The kids are then showered with confetti as they jump for joy at the guide’s announcement that they’re actually taking a trip to Toys “R” Us — where the fun is, according to the ad. Children are already constantly bombarded with commercial messages suggesting that fun and childhood go hand in hand with an endless supply of plastic toys and violent video games. But we can’t recall an ad that so mocked education and nature in order to promote material consumption. The marketing campaign not only focuses children in the wrong direction, it burdens parents by undermining their efforts to make their children enthusiastic about school activities. The commercial is irresponsible and contrary to American values.

To people who have allergies to mammals who may need service animals, this could be a huge breakthrough for them. It is very uncommon for someone to be allergic to a reptile, and when a service animal is needed for someone with a stress disorder who is allergic to most mammals, a reptile could be perfect for them. This can also help people with epilepsy, because snakes can detect seizures. Due to being cold blooded, they can sense the change in body temperature that happens before a seizure. Please help us spread the word that reptiles can be just as helpful and sometimes even more so than our mammalian friends.

The closing of Janesville Acoustics is going to eliminate 290 jobs in the city of Norwalk. Janesville's parent company Jason Inc., claims that GM has asked them to relocate to be closer to its customers and to grow their business. Help us demand that our local, state and federal representatives step in to try to save the livelihood of 290 Ohio families. Sign this petition to support American families keep their American jobs.

County Commissioner Lawrence Romero introduced a 20-week abortion ban to the county commission and in mid-December they could vote to pass it. Even though the county does not have any clinics performing these services, politicians like Romero are pushing this law to let politicians tell women how to make personal medical decisions.

The Illinois State Board of Education is considering adoption of new, high quality science standards that include climate science. Unfortunately, a network of vocal activists is determined to stop our kids and grandkids from learning the facts about climate change. The Board of Education is expected to vote on the Next Generation Science Standards, including climate science, during their meeting in January. It’s important that they hear from parents, grandparents and science supporters right away to make sure Illinois students gain the foundation in 21st century science that they deserve. At a time when climate-related catastrophes are occurring with greater frequency and intensity — from Typhoon Haiyan to extreme heat, drought and flooding in Illinois — it’s more important than ever for Illinois students to gain a strong understanding of the causes and impacts of climate change. This will better position them to understand and even identify the solutions we need. Let’s send the State Board of Education a strong message that we want our kids to have access to the best possible science education to help them address the challenges and opportunities they will face throughout their lives. Your voice on behalf of all of our students matters, please send a comment!

.If the fuel rods at Fukushima catch fire, Japan and the American West Coast will require evacuation. That will only be the start of our misery.

As ASL interpreters serving the deaf community, we see every day how fatigue hurts interpreting accuracy. Accurate, high-quality interpreting is critically important -- and it can sometimes make a life-or-death difference. No one wants an overworked, injured or tired interpreter for an important call. But driven by desire for higher profit margins, our corporate employers are imposing higher and higher productivity demands on ASL video interpreters -- harming both our health and the quality of service we can give consumers. In response, those of us who work at four Purple Communications call centers formed a union and are now fighting for our first contract. Please join us in our efforts to set new standards to make the VRS industry safe and effective -- for interpreters and for the people we serve.

I am aware of the Son of Sam Law which is to stop people from financial gain murdermablila. However, this law is really not specific enough for this case of Jodi Arias. I understand she has not depicted Travis Alexander whom she viciously murdered and was found convicted of premeditated murder one with especially cruel aggravator then when sentencing phase was hung we are still awaiting the redoing of that phase. In the meantime Jodi is still doing her art and selling it from jail and gets to keep the money. Everyone says they can't do anything about it. I believe no one wants to make the effort to do anything about it. Jodi may not be depicting Travis in her art or the manner of his death but she is still making money off her infamy because of this high profile case. She is getting a bought and paid for defense by the state of Arizona. She has delayed this trial many times wasting even more money. Don't you think it would be fitting if the money from her sales should go to pay back something to state of Arizona as well as to Travis's family, the now ever so patient family in which Jodi took the life of their beloved brother.

With school shootings, gang violence and escalated cyber issues to take away our schools Resource Officer is an incredibly bad idea. Our safety should be the schools top priority.

I am a professional biologist and ecologist with a long career invested in environmental conservation.

Don't buy into the hype about letting people keep their functionally worthless, low-cost, low-value health plans. The Affordable Care Act is supposed to make healthcare more affordable for EVERYONE! The President needs to ignore the noise and hang firm for his signature achievement! Keep the individual mandate in place and make insurance companies provide better plans, as the Act directs. We need to fix the rollout & website, and let the process go forward. There are always problems with something big and new. Mr. President, don't give in to these bullies!! You know what's right - let the rollout continue and get the law implemented!!! We need to give it the time it deserves, not kill it in its crib! Republicans are counting on your lack of resolve in the face of pressure. Show them they're wrong! Don't give in to political pressure! Don't let Congress start tampering with this first step toward better healthcare for us all! Do what's right!!

The banksters who created this financial crisis need to be prosecuted and jailed, period. Not coddled and allowed to be above the law.