I work for the VA treating our veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many of the vets I see are from the Vietnam War, and they were treated quite badly when they got back to the US, and have suffered in silence for decades. Sudden loud noises are still triggers for their nervous systems, and can bring on panic. So when July 4th comes around and most of us are saying "oohh!!...ahhh!!" when the fireworks go off, they are struggling to hang on, wishing desperately for the noises and the terribly hard memories they bring to stop. Declaring July 4th as PTSD Awareness Day can raise public awareness of this condition, inviting more public dialogue, supporting research for treatment, and educating the public to understand some of what our vets struggle against every day. We need to support our ALL our veterans as they struggle to heal, both from conflicts decade past, and our new generations of vets from the current wars, many of whom have not yet returned home. This is also fitting as our nation began with a war, and those who survived fighting it likely held a similar burden until they too passed away in time.

Previously, all North Carolina teachers with five years of experience were eligible for tenure, which granted them a right to due process before dismissal. Now, longer-term job security will be limited to the 25 percent of teachers who are ranked most effective, based on yet-to-be-determined criteria. The changes, part of a $20.6 billion budget that Republican Gov. Pat McCrory signed recently. The new North Carolina budget also ends a 10 percent salary increase for teachers with master’s degrees, although those who already receive the pay bump will be grandfathered in. North Carolina is projected to rank 48th among the states in teacher pay next year. This is devastating to the educators and the profession itself. It sends the message to people throughout the state of North Carolina that educators aren’t valued for what they do. Sign this petition and let politicians know our kids education is top priority and we value our teaching professionals.

Recently, Crestline Public Schools have enforced a new dress code that involves a full uniform. I believe that this dress code is a violation of rights. My friends are no longer allowed to exercise self-expression freely and I believe that they should. It is also making them not want to go to school. I think that everyone should be comfortable when in a learning environment. The parents of my friends are upset as well, because they have to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. To me, school should not cost large amounts of money. I would like to get this new dress code repealed. If not repealed, at least loosened up.

This petition aims to make SchoolLoop available to students at University Preparatory Academy once again. SchoolLoop, to the ultimate disappointment of the student community, has been replaced by Powerschool. In contrast to SchoolLoop, Powerschool poorly communicates assignments, grades, and special events to students. Students without an Apple computer or handheld device experience trouble viewing their 'assignment calendars', which are packaged in the .ics file format. These files may be opened by Google Calendars, however the title of the assignment is often cut short, and no description of the assignment is included. The class that the assignment belongs to is not displayed either. Together, these factors make using Powerschool a very confusing and frustrating process.

Our economy continues to suffer due, in part, because the US Senate refuses to vote on bi-partisan jobs bills that have been passed by the US House. It's time for the Senate Majority leader to allow those jobs bills to come to the Senate floor for a vote.

I would like for my representative to Congress, Howard Coble, to support bringing comprehensive immigration reform to a vote. I believe all human beings should be treated in a decent manner and should not be exploited. The current situation is indecent and leaves immigrants vulnerable to exploitation.

Every year my own biorhythms get fouled-up by the twice a year changes to and from daylight to standard time. And in winter, when there's so little light compared to summer, why not save what little there is?! Let's eliminate standard time and save daylight all year long! The only argument I've ever heard for switching from daylight to standard is that schoolchildren need the extra daylight on winter mornings to be safe walking to school... Well, maybe it's time to start school an hour later and end an hour later instead. Schoolkids have biorhythms too; so, let's be kind to theirs as well to grownups and let them sleep an hour later.

As a long-time and regular customer of Chipotle, I have always appreciated the fact that they strive to provide customers with delicious food that is of high quality. One example of this is the fact that all of their meat is raised "without the use of antibiotics or growth hormones". This is what truly sets Chipotle apart from its other fast food counterparts. However, when I learned of the news that Chipotle is now considering changing their policy on selling only antibiotic-free meat, I grew very deeply concerned. I understand that beef prices have increased due to the shortage. However, I urge Chipotle to find alternative suppliers and continue to strive for a higher quality of meat...not supplying us with animals who are so sick that they require antibiotics!

Sonoma County Judge, Nancy Case Shaffer, forces 63-year-old women, with Tramatic Brain Injury, and Cognitive Delays, to represent themselves against their self-dealing, and money hungry court appointed fiduciaries. We believe that Judge Shaffer is unethical, uncaring, unkind, and unprofessional, therefore we demand that Judge Shaffer should step down as a Superior Court Judge within the State of California . . .

In many ways, Wood River Valley Residents are more food conscious than the average U.S. population, and more affluent, and yet our school district is lagging behind in implementing nutrition education, school garden programs, comprehensive Farm to School programs, and preparing fresh meals from scratch on premises.

Marijuana is not a dangerous substance. It could actually be very beneficial for our economy now that there is NO MORE COAL MINING. Lets legalize or at least decriminalize. A lot of good people smoke it. Everything about it reminds me of the alcohol prohibition days.

The land behind BAC is very scenic and natural, but a lot of it is unused and goes unappreciated by Juniata Students. Help us get this land to be used to benefit students to its fullest potential.