A new study co-authored by the Friends of the Earth and Pesticide Research Institute found that seven out of 13 samples of garden plants purchased at top retailers in Washington D.C., the San Francisco Bay Area and Minneapolis contain neurotoxic pesticides known as neonicotinoids. Neonics, made by Bayer CropScience and Syngenta, are the fastest-growing class of synthetic pesticides. They’re also linked to the mass die-off of honeybees. How do we get bee-killing plants out of garden centers? We start by asking the CEOs of two of the largest national chains – Home Depot and Lowe’s – to stop selling them. Help us, and our partner organizations, gather 300,000 signatures. When we reach that goal, we will meet with the CEOs of Home Depot (Frank Blake) and Lowe’s (Robert Niblock) and ask them to do what garden centers in the U.K. have done – commit to getting bee-killing garden plants out of their stores. About 100 crop species provide 90 percent of food globally. Of those species, 71 are pollinated by bees. In the U.S. alone, a full one-third of the food supply depends on pollination from bees. Can we afford not to pressure Home Depot and Lowe’s into getting neonics out of our gardens?

The September 11, 2001 terror attacks resulted in 2,996 immediate deaths and 2,977 victims not including the surviving family members of those that died. Everyone probably knows of someone who had a Dad, Mom, Uncle, Aunt, Cousin, friend or neighbor who died that day. The students of Garnet Valley want to have a minute of silence to honor those hero's and victims on September 11th every year.

To prevent unfair electric power rates caused by California Assembly Bill 327. http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news%2Fstate&id=9243600

Shorts are comfortable. I'm tired of wearing pants all the time.

The euthanization of a dog because it is a pitt or rottweiler or otherwise what is known as a so-called aggressive breed is wrong and should be changed. Unless the dog is out of control and is literally just randomly biting people they should have a chance in life just as all people do. I have met plenty of pitts and all of my limbs are still in place. None of them have attacked me, and some of them are trained to protect. Not to kill or harm but to protect the family. If the dog doesnt listen or can not be retrained and is just constantly attacking people or has had the taste of blood then its understandable but to kill an animal just because one has been aggressive due to being trained by its owner that way is just wrong. One bad dog doesnt make the whole breed bad and it is time to stop the animal cruelty.

This is a big moment in our history: This fall, a staggering 40 million Americans stand to gain access to quality health insurance that fits their needs and their budget. This is the largest expansion of essential health coverage in generations. But here's the challenge: Most uninsured Americans don't know they can benefit from the new law. What's more, consumers only have six months beginning in October 2013 to enroll. To make health care reform a reality, all of us have a big job to do in getting the word out. That's where the Get Covered America campaign comes in. Get Covered America is dedicated to building a grassroots movement to maximize the number of uninsured Americans who get covered under this historic new law. Join the campaign today, and become a leader in the push to help as many people as possible find quality, affordable health insurance.

Many Harding, Madera and Portola students who had Mr. Kenneth Brewer as their teacher did not receive any instruction, direction or teacher led discussions while in class with Mr. Brewer. Many students felt unsafe in a confining and fearful classroom atmosphere, while being subjected to unreasonable yelling and bullying by Mr. Brewer. Parents and Students should not tolerate such substandard academic education or treatment.

In a matter of days the new moderate President of Iran, Hassan Rouhani will be in New York to address the United Nations General Assembly. From sanctions that are hurting thousands of Iranians, to the Syrian crisis, millions of people stand to benefit from President Obama meeting with President Rouhani in an attempt to work out differences diplomatically. The last time Iran had a moderate President, George Bush named Iran as part of an axis of evil. Those comments made it even harder for former President Khatami to pursue diplomacy, as conservatives in Iran were able to argue that reaching out to the US would only be met with hostility. We’ve already started repeating the same mistakes again. Congress recently voted to increase sanctions on Iran before the new president was even sworn in. At the moment conservative lobby groups are pushing for President Obama to further isolate Iran. However President Obama has previously said he would be happy to talk to Iran and Iranians. Unless we show the President that such a move would have public support it’s possible that he’ll cave to conservative lobby groups. We saw what happened with Syria. If people stand up and make our voices heard - it can make a real difference in our foreign policy. President Rouhani isn’t perfect - there’s no denying that. However, pushing another moderate President into a corner in Iran, thus limiting their ability to pursue progressive reforms isn’t good for anyone. With economic sanctions that are hurting everyday Iranians and with an increase in rhetoric about an attack on Iran - there’s a lot to be concerned about. There is no guarantee of success by talking, however not trying to broker solutions using peaceful means given the stakes is unforgivable.

From Ken Schramm: "I am writing to ask if some attention can be given to a situation with the TTB that is affecting the burgeoning mead industry. Mead is a small but growing part of the beverage alcohol trade. Having reviewed the TTB’s web site, I have not been able to find mead-specific rules or documented interpretations that address the nature of the mead industry. The areas that create challenges are recipe formulation and label approval. The Formulas tab of the TTB Online “Formulas Online” submission tool requires that all fermentable ingredients be listed as percentages by volume. For every beverage except some distilled products, water is, in fact, the largest volumetric ingredient. For meads made with fruit, however, the largest contributor of extract (honey), and the largest contributor of volume (fruit or fruit juice) are going to be different. Throughout the mead world, if the majority contributor of extract to a fermented beverage is honey, the beverage is mead. This has been the case across many different cultures and for many centuries. Irrespective of adjuncts such as fruit or spices that may be part of the recipe formulation, if more than 50% of the extract in the must is contributed by honey, the beverage is, above all else, mead. For purposes of analysis, the formula would be: G/B ÷ (HV/B) = N Where: G = Original Gravity of entire batch in Brix B = Volume of batch H = Gravity of honey in Brix (Average = 82.8 Brix) V = Volume of honey N = Percentage of extract from sources other than honey To be mead, the quotient N must be less than .49. I am asking that the TTB permit any beverage that comports to this formula to be labeled as “Mead.” Sadly, and quite ironically, the TTB is refusing to allow beverages that comply with this definition to be labeled as mead, saying that such labeling would be misleading. In truth, to allow a beverage which has more than 50% of its extract from honey, and more than 50% of its alcohol produced from the fermentation of honey to not be called “mead” would be misleading. It would also be valuable for mead producers to be able to add descriptors “Fruit Mead” or “Spiced Mead” to mead labels without fear of rejection, in much the same way “Ice wine” or “late harvest wine” are used to describe some grape wines. Implementation of this standard would help in two ways. First, the Bureau would be applying the same nomenclature to label and recipe formulation standards that mead makers do. Secondly, it would permit labeling which would help consumers grasp and understand mead as a beverage. For mead makers and mead-aware consumers, fruit meads (melomels, cysers or pyments) or spiced meads (metheglins) are meads, in the same sense that Port, Sherry and Sauternes are styles of wine, but still wine. This change would also create a fairer, more objective standard. Mead makers who use fruit concentrates currently get an unfair advantage. If you use real fruit, the larger percentage of fruit (volumetrically) may prevent you from labeling the product as mead. Use concentrate - smaller quantities of a lower quality ingredient than those who use real fruit - and honey can appear to contribute quantitatively the greatest volumetric share of the must, and enable the product to be labeled “Mead.” In reality the fruit juice, which is being reconstituted with the addition of water, is contributing the greatest volume in the product. This interpretation tilts the recipe formulation and labeling decision-making process away from conscientious, quality-minded mead makers, and away from the interests of the consumer, both outcomes I do not think the TTB would consider its goals. I am making this plea from two separate standpoints. As a fledgling commercial mead maker, I am seeking to create a playing field that will allow me to do business effectively, compete, prosper and create jobs. I am also a serious mead enthusiast, the founder of the Mazer Cup Mead Competition, the largest mead competition in the world, and the author of “The Compleat Meadmaker”(©2003, Brewers Publications, Boulder, CO), the best selling book on mead making (perhaps ever). It might be immodest, but it is not inaccurate to say that I may be the most widely read authority on mead alive. For more than 25 years I have been studying mead, making mead, writing and speaking around North America on mead. I am deeply committed to the growth of this industry, which supports mead makers, mead lovers, beekeepers, fruit, spice and beverage production equipment manufacturers and wholesalers. It is my intent to make the best meads I possibly can, and meads they are, by the common interpretation of those most familiar with the beverage. It is my hope that the TTB will consider using the same definitions of the beverage that those who know and make it use to define it. These current interpretations by the TTB labeling staff are causing harm to this young and growing industry."

THIS PETITION IS ABOUT US ASKING FOR A NATIONAL 911 WORLD TRADE CENTER MEMORIAL DAY

I am starting this petition because at Sojourner Truth House in Gary, Indiana as a RN volunteering here and seeing many uninsured persons who have no access to a Medical Home and continuing medical care it raises many questions as to why our Governor Pence has no concern for the many with out health insurance.

We are illegally being harrassed and targeted by the CSAC. Our students and children can not compete while other styles of Martial Arts are currently going on with no government regulation. This is hindering our growth and civil rights. We do not allow head strikes and all competitors must wear safety gear unlike the other competive styles of Martial Arts that allow head strikes and do not wear safety gear plus not regulated by CSAC. Another issue that is so unfair is the Kids of Pankration or Light Contact MMA where no head strikes are allowed can not do a pro event where they recieve money. Our Kids are allowed to go pro in all other extreme sports such as skateboarding, surfing, BMX, etc. but not our safe extreme sport. So unfair and unjust.