Fish farms are breeding grounds for viruses, diseases, and parasites that can spread to wild fish. They create fish waste that is contaminated with toxins and creates dead zones. Many times, they are contaminated with dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyl, and persistent insecticides, which are not especially healthy as food. They threaten commercial, tribal, and sport fisheries and related tourism, which are more economically important to Washington.

Since August 2010 I have attended every Town of Hempstead board meeting. During this time I have witnessed the Hempstead Town Board violating the Constitutional rights of residents at Town Board meetings. People critical of Town government are given less speaking time than residents that offer praise. In addition, the press (which is at Town meetings) does not report these violations or other news that may be of interest to residents. I have asked Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and the Town Council members (on many occasions) to broadcast Town Board meetings online and they have refused. I feel it is important to broadcast Town Board meetings online to give residents insight into the workings of their Town government and to prevent their Constitutional rights from being violated.

From coast to coast, church bells rang out to celebrate when the Supreme Court announced its decision overturning the so-called Defense of Marriage Act. But CNN once again turned to a hate-group leader to speak on behalf of America's Christians. Less than an hour after the decision was announced, they interviewed Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, who falsely warned that the court decision would lead to "religious organizations losing their exemption." CNN host Wolf Blitzer failed to challenge Perkins' lies, nor did his segment feature any Christian leaders with a different point of view -- despite polls showing that a majority of Christians actually oppose the Defense of Marriage Act. In fact, CNN has a long history of inviting Perkins to represent the Christian point of view, without disclosing to their viewers that his organization has been officially designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center -- largely because he has falsely claimed that gay men molest children. With America moving decisively towards full equality, it's time for CNN to stop portraying Christians as voices of anti-gay hate.

Pesticides have been shown to hurt people, pets and wildlife. The people of Minneapolis demand safe city spaces free from all pesticides and managed with organic practices.

This has had a negative effect on Lavallette community members who cannot walk or bike to the Ocean Beach facility. It is a serious safety concern for Ocean Beach residents. Also, it is inconvenient for mail carriers, who face hardships and delays in delivering to Brick.

Jerry Ssebugwawo (A#073-676-752) came to the U.S. 22 years ago as a young man looking to build a life free from the violence in his home country of Uganda. Since then, he has accomplished a lot: He worked nights to put himself through school and did so without taking out a single loan. After getting his degree, he started work as a caregiver, helping people’s final days be dignified and comfortable, and he still works there, now promoted to a Unit Manager. He has paid his taxes since 1992 and in 2003, bought a home with his wonderful wife, Lydia. He is the loving father of three American born children -- 6 year old Israel, 4 year old Zion, and 17 month old Judah. He has been an active member of his community, devoting 14 years of volunteer service to the Jubilee Christian Church of Boston. “Having been here for 22 years, I have spent most of my life here. My family is here. This is where I feel like I belong.” Jerry was detained January 5th, 2012 and held in detention for months before being released due to the tremendous community advocacy that set him free to reunite with his family. He is a survivor of detention: during his detention he witnessed and experienced the inhumane treatment of detainees in detention, everything from physical and mental brutality, transferred to detention center to detention center shackled by his hands and feet, allowed only 1 bottle of water during a 14 hour bus ride to a Southern detention center. Unfortunately Jerry’s family is being threatened by separation again! Currently he is released with deportation proceedings still in progress. He has until July 31st, 2013 to put an end to these proceedings or he will be deported. “Knowing that any minute they can pick me up and take me away from my family and my life here, I feel hopeless and powerless. I think all the time: “What can I do?” I was a model citizen. I stayed out of trouble and have always tried to do the right things. I paid taxes since 1992. But if I’m sent home, everything will be gone. Everything I’ve worked for here, I would lose. My whole life: gone.” His deportation will not only negatively impact his community, but also devastate his family. Jerry is the primary earner in his household, working as a nurse to provide for his family. If Jerry does get deported, he would be eligible to come back to the United States under the family reunification plan in the immigration reform bill. Deporting him is a waste of taxpayer dollars. Furthermore, if he gets deported, the Ugandan government would imprison him for leaving without documentation, and Jerry would be unable to work and provide for his kids. “If we are forced to go back to Uganda, we can’t take care of the kids. We can’t send money to them. There is nothing that we could do to take care of our kids. Who will take care of them?” Jerry’s deportation will unjustly cause great financial hardship for his family, sever 21 years of community ties, cause the healthcare workforce to be down one hard-working employee, and leave three young children without a father. Deporting him will destabilize a family and community and leave only a trail of broken hearts. As a community, we must advocate for Jerry and stand up to this unjust immigration system. Please sign and share widely. Jerry and his family need your support!

The practices of Big business and the people they take advantage of, you, me, the everyday hard working customer

The policies and laws from the Republican-controlled N.C. General Assembly and governor’s office have gone too far. The plans to cut unemployment benefits, slash Medicaid assistance, shift taxes toward middle- and lower-income taxpayers, repeal environmental measures, and enact the new voter ID bill are immoral and unacceptable. We stand in solidarity with the thousands who have been protesting on Moral Mondays against the conservatives' takeover in North Carolina. Las políticas y leyes de la Asamblea General de Carolina del norte controlado por republicanos y oficina de Gobernación han ido demasiado lejos. Los planes para cortar subsidios de desempleo, gran cortes a la asistencia de Medicaid, cambio de impuestos hacia los contribuyentes de ingresos medios y bajos, revocar las medidas ambientales y promulgar la nueva ley de identificación de votante son inmoral e inaceptable. Estamos en solidaridad con los miles que han protestado el lunes Morales contra la toma de posesión de los conservadores en Carolina del norte.

As the inequity of personal wealth grows ever wider, more of us are reliant on hourly wages. The current minimum of $7.25/hour, even if one is able to work a 40-hour week, doesn't cover the rent on even a modest apartment in most communities. The minimum wage of the past provided significantly more buying power than it does today. Since 1968, it has suffered a dramatic erosion as Congress failed to adequately correct for inflation over time. Raising the minimum wage to at least $11/hour won't solve everything, but it will bring it in line with inflation and ease a burden that weighs heavily on the shoulders of American families. It's a win-win for both workers and business. It's the least you could do. Really.

Owen Denson needs to be able to come home on Intensive supervision his young son needs him. For the past 4 years Owen has been trying to navigate the system which has punished him for being honest. Now Owen has less than a year left of his sentence. Owen has a job, family and friends waiting. Most importantly his pre-teen son needs him now! Owen has a good support system in place, but the powers that be are still dragging their feet. He is not asking for absolution just to be able to come home on ISP (which for those of you that don't know is an ankle monitor). I want to see how many people we can get to sign before Aug. 17, 2013 and I will present the results to the internal probation officer at the START program where he is currently being held.

Due to the fact that Rick Perry likes to pick and choose what he will "micromanage" and he is trying to push this abortion issue further, maybe it is time we show him who the boss really is.

The utilities companies botched repairs at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. Now the plant is closed, and the utility companies want California customers to pay over $500 million for the ill-fated repairs. We say the utilities companies should pay, not consumers. Las empresas de servicios públicos hicieron reparaciones chapuzas en la Central Nuclear San Onofre. Ahora la planta está cerrada, y las empresas de servicios públicos quieren que los clientes de California paguen más de $500 millones para las reparaciones de la malograda. Decimos que las compañías de servicios públicos deben pagar, no los consumidores.