Natural vanilla flavor comes from a vanilla bean, right? Maybe not for long -- a new genetically engineered ingredient, straight out of a petri dish, is about to enter our favorite foods, from ice cream to birthday cake. Synbio vanilla -- produced by a form of extreme genetic engineering called “synthetic biology” -- is stranger than science fiction, but regulators will still let food companies call it "natural". So we're asking major ice cream companies like Haagen Dazs, Dreyer’s, Edy’s, Baskin Robbins and others not to use this experimental genetically engineered vanilla in their products. The truth is, this new vanilla doesn’t even come from a plant. Instead, it is made in labs using synthetic DNA and genetically engineered yeast that exists nowhere in nature. What’s worse, the FDA hasn’t even bothered to test this laboratory creation as a new product. Instead the agency will likely approve it as “Generally Regarded as Safe”. As the first major use of synthetic biology in our food, synbio vanilla could set a dangerous precedent and open the floodgates to allow more synthetic, genetically engineered ingredients labeled as “natural”. And if all of this wasn’t bad enough, this new synbio vanilla could speed rainforest destruction, and harm sustainable farmers and poor communities that rely on rainforest-raised vanilla beans to survive. Ice cream companies are one of the biggest purchasers of vanilla flavoring and we need your help to send them a strong message: don't use this unnatural “synbio vanilla” in your ice cream.

I love Yuengling beer, but I can't buy it anymore. Dick Yuengling, Jr., the head of the Yuengling beer company, has continued his attacks on workers. This time, he has declared that Pennsylvania should restrict the right of workers to organize unions. Yuengling is a supporter of "Powerless Union" laws, which they cynically call "Right to Work." Powerless Union laws allow unions to organize, but render them so weak that they can't effectively represent workers. There are lots of good beers brewed by companies that treat their workers with respect. It's time for us to stop drinking Yuengling until they change their attitude about workers' rights.

Fluoride in drinking water causes thyroid disease, bone disease, kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer and more. Fluoride is toxic waste from aluminum and fertilizer factories and contains a high concentration of toxins and heavy metals such as arsenic, lead and chromium. All proven to be carcinogens. The fluoride used for water fluoridation does not have FDA approval and is considered by the FDA as an "unapproved drug". Fluoride has long been used in rodenticides and pesticides to kill pests like rats and insects. Why do we need such poison in our drinking water? When fluoride enters the stomach it turns to hydrofluoric acid, the most corrosive substance known to man, Let's protect our health and reduce these diseases that are becoming so prevalent in our society. Remove Fluoride from our drinking water!

Everyone has the god given right to defend himself, his family, and his property against the malicious and evil acts of others. We as a community are stricken by the chain of events that have occurred. We are frightened to know that we can be the target of a armed robbery as we leave our places of business. What also alarms us is the fact that this innocent man who defended himself against two long standing criminals is now labeled as the criminal. We, the undersigned, are concerned Business Leaders who are subjected to criminal acts within and around our stores. We work hard day and night to not only survive but support our families. We pay our fair share to the system of taxes. We urge our Business Leaders and American Citizens to act now in the support of Kahmen Abdul-Raquib Saleh. We want to show the DA Robert Dempsie that the charges posed on Kamhen Saleh are not right. We want justice for Kamhen Saleh. Email: [email protected]

Currently, we are not permitted to wear workout pants or shorts shorter than our middle fingers. (arms must be relaxed and placed on thighs) We want to be able to wear yoga and workout pants as long as they aren't see through We also want to shorten the required length of shorts to thumb length. The shorts however, must be appropriate for school with no rips/tears. etc. Kahuku is a very hot place and we dont want to wear jeans every day to confided in the dress code.

A brave U.S. Marine Officer makes the right combat call and immediately advises his fellow Marines that they're in danger of an insider attack from a Taliban insurgent police commander located right inside their forward operating base. Sounds like the kind of American we all want standing the watch for us at night, right? Well, the thing is that he made a mistake and sent that info over an unclassified computer system. You're probably thinking, "oops, he'll probably get a counseling statement for the mistake... And, oh I dunno, maybe a MEDAL FOR SAVING PEOPLE'S LIVES?" Well you would be wrong. THE U.S. MARINE CORPS WANTS TO END HIS CAREER INSTEAD! Major Brezler stood up for us and his fellow Marines in combat, now it's our chance to stand up for him. Sign this petition and send it to all of your friends. Together let's tell the President that we want more brave, common sense people just like Major Brezler standing watch for America at night -- and that as the President, he shouldn't let Maj. Brezler’s good-faith effort to warn his fellow Marines, of what sadly proved to be mortal danger, to derail his career. Read more about this incredible story here at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20130825/NEWS/308250008/Marine-who-warned-insider-attack-threat-facing-career-s-end

Many people miss the site. And the American version NOT the Taiwanese one.

If the state of Georgia turns down the Medicaid expansion, while millions of uninsured Americans will finally be able to receive affordable health insurance in the states that join the expansion, the poorest citizens of Georgia and of all the other states opting out (including my son and myself) will be left without any affordable options for health care. This expansion of Medicaid is heavily subsidized at federal level and is a critical opportunity to raise the fundamental quality of life in America. I am a single mother of a college student and we are both uninsured. Like millions of other poor working-class citizens, I work full time, do not receive health benefits through my job or from my employer and cannot afford health insurance for my son or for myself. Please join me in asking Governor Deal of Georgia to take this opportunity to give millions of families the basic necessity of health care so that we may all be enabled to have a quality of life that every human being deserves.

I was a student leader against the war on Iraq and then was the coalition coordinator of Win Without War. I learned that military engagement rarely results in Hollywood endings—and that the people who lobby for military intervention rarely see the battlefield. Everyone wants Syrians to be safe and secure, with the ability to resume their lives. Assad is a horrible leader, and the people there are suffering too much. But Syrian civilians will not benefit from a rushed U.S. military engagement. Nor do the American people benefit when we engage in military action without proper authorization. Let's put the people of Syria ahead of hawkish desire for wars, and other geopolitical considerations. We need to double down on diplomacy and intelligence. If the President is convinced of military actions, he needs to send a bill to Congress. By doing both diplomacy and Congressional approval for military action, we can do right by Syrians and Americans.

WE NEED TO BREAK THE STRANGLE-HOLD THAT BIG OIL AND BIG NATURAL GAS HAVE AS FOSSIL FUELS ON OUR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS AND THIS WILL ALSO HELP TO PUT AN END TO THE DEMANDS MADE BY BIG OIL AND NATURAL GAS FOR HORIZONTAL DRILLING AND "FRACKING" - THAT MANY FEAR WILL CAUSE UNDERGROUND WATER POLLUTION AND ALSO CAUSE ADDED EARTHQUAKES! THERE ARE INNOVATORS HERE IN AMERICA - WHO ARE DEVELOPING ALTERNATIVES THAT WILL COMPETE AND BRING DOWN TRANSPORTATION ENERGY COSTS AND FREE US FROM OUR INVOLVEMENT WITH HOSTILE NATIONS FOR OIL. THESE INNOVATORS NEED ACCESS TO THE SAME CAPITAL MARKETS IN ORDER TO HAVE THE MONEY TO EXPAND. Here is some current information about one of these innovators: ALGENOL - located in Ft. Myers, Florida - showing its Founder & CEO: Paul Woods. http://www.youtube.com/user/AlgenolBiofuels/videos?sort=da&flow=list&view=0 On April 24, 2013 bills were introduced in both the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, seeking to “establish a level playing field” so that innovators [that aspire to provide us with clean and renewable energy sources] gain access to the same capital markets and sources, as are enjoyed and used by established oil and coal and natural gas providers and their pipeline transit servicers, and to thereby finance a significant expansion of competing and lower-cost clean energy products. No bill numbers are yet assigned to them. THESE TRULY BIPARTISAN BILLS NEED OUR SUPPORT AND OUR DEMAND OF OUR ELECTED CONGRESSIONAL OFFICIALS TO FIRST OF ALL CO-SPONSOR, AND THEN TO BRING THE MEASURES TO AN UP AN DOWN VOTE – IN FAVOR OF THEIR IMMEDIATE, UNFETTERED, UNLADEN AND UNMODIFIED ADOPTION - TO BRING ALTERNATIVE LOWER COST CLEAN AND GREEN ENERGY TO AMERICA. THEY MUST NOT DIE IN COMMITTEES! Sponsoring Senators and Representatives commended by us are: UNITED STATES SENATE: Chris Coons [D – Delaware] Co-sponsors were: Jerry Moran [R – Kansas] Debbie Stabenow [D – Michigan] Lisa Murkowski [R – Alaska] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: Ted Poe [R – Texas] Co-sponsors were: Mike Thompson [D – California] Peter Welch [D – Vermont] Chris Gibson [R – New York] Cory Gardner (R – Colorado] We need you to SIGN THIS PETITION and if you agree with the urgency of this, to personally contact your Senators and your Representative and to urge them to co-sponsor and to vote for passage of this vital measure. America is sick and tired of DC’s partisan politics! We need a Congress that works for us - not for Big Oil and Big Money interests. http://energypolicy.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MLP-Brief-Sheet_Final.pdf

As parents and teachers struggle to start a new year in Philadelphia’s crippled school system, we call on you, ASPIRA’s leaders, to stop spending taxpayer dollars in your effort to silence teachers and staff. ASPIRA teachers and staff deserve a respectful, professional and collaborative learning environment – the kind of work environment found in every high-performing school system in the world. This high standard can only be met when teachers have a voice and a seat at the table.

People should be concerned about this issue because it affects entire families. To give birth to a child with disabilities due to a medication taken during the pregnancy; carries a particular guilt on the mother's behalf, while forcing the child to undergo numerous surgical procedures to correct the wrongs of the medication Zofran, which has been and continues to be prescribed to pregnant women. If we cannot eradicate the use of this drug, can we all work together to warn mother's of the potential side effects? My daughter is 13 and has had 12 surgeries thus far, won't you help us to prevent this in the future?