Until Israel treats Palestinians as equal citizens the U.S. should refuse financial and military support. The United Nations has documented war crime violations against the Palestinians. Violations only go ignored and repeated. Israel continues to take house and land from the Palestinians without allowing return to there homes. These violations can not continue and we should not continue its support. Hasta que Israel trate a los palestinos como ciudadanos iguales Estados Unidos debe rechazar el apoyo financiero y militar. Las Naciones Unidas ha documentado violaciones de crimen de guerra contra los palestinos. Violaciones sólo ir ignorado y repetida. Israel continúa tomar casas y tierras a los palestinos sin permitir volver a casas allí. Estas violaciones no pueden continuar y no debemos seguir su apoyo.

sarah!

Whole Foods suspended two New Mexico employees for complaining when their manager told them they could not speak Spanish on the job. Asked to reverse the decision, Whole Food said no and said their "English-only" policy is here to stay. Whole Foods Market's commitment to organic and natural foods has made it a national leader in responsible food choice, but their policies prohibiting employees from speaking their own language or organizing to overturn these anti-diversity policies directly contradict their commitment to "team member excellence and happiness."

The pending motion #999 in the Wisconsin budget bill includes a provision to reinstate bail bonding for profit. This legislation is written by a corporate bail bond company that sits on the board of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Wisconsin didn't ask for this, Wisconsin doesn't need it, and Wisconsin doesn't want it. It's another example of how members of ALEC are selling Wisconsin out to corporate America. The people of Wisconsin want representation by elected officials who get educated, review data and research, and do informed legislative work - not elected officials who are buying canned versions of laws.

The U.S. policy on Industrial Hemp is to equate it with marijuana. The truth is its impossible to get high on hemp. Canada has a thriving hemp industry and we could too. The economy would get a transfusion, it would create a new job market and most hemp commodities are as Green as it gets.

political parties and the disaster we are steaming towards.

A distressing incident occurred at Meadowlawn Middle School yesterday, when Principal Claud Effiom chose to interpret policy through the lens of his own ignorance, missing an opportunity to teach tolerance by example. My son was penalized for wearing makeup at school by Principal Effiom, who expressed his own belief that boys wearing makeup is ridiculous, unnecessary, and distracting. My son has endured vicious bullying for the last several years, and unfortunately, he is not the only one. These attacks are terribly damaging to young people, who are already struggling to find their identity. Incidents like the one yesterday only serve to further isolate these kids, who feel abandoned by the educators that are charged with their safety and well-being. It is unacceptable that these things should be allowed to occur anywhere, but most especially in a community as diverse and accepting as Pinellas County.

Recently Jeremiah Moss posted a petition to move a Citibike station farther away from Frank's Bike Shop. We are fans of both Jeremiah's excellent blog and Frank's excellent shop, but believe Jeremiah's petition is based on incorrect assumptions about Citibike's and Frank's business models, and will ultimately do nothing to help Frank, because: 1. Frank sells, services and rents bikes and accessories. Those of us who rent from him (including the authors of this petition) do so for a full day (or longer) excursion--to ride with family, or visit Governor's Island, or take a leisurely ride around the city. Frank provides locks, child seats and other accessories that Citibike does not and cannot provide and charges far less than Citibike if you want to keep the bike for the whole day. 2. Citibike provides bikes for point-to-point rides of 30-45 minutes or less from one Citibike station to another. It is intended to replace or supplement walking, mass transit and taxis as a way to get around Midtown and downtown Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn. You can ride a Citibike to work, the store or the movies and not worry about it getting stolen. You can take a different mode of transportation home. But you can't take a Citibike to Governor's Island without racking up massive charges, you can't take a child on a Citibike, and you really shouldn't leave a Citibike anywhere other than a Citibike docking station as the cost to replace a lost or stolen Citibike is exorbitant. 3. Very few people headed to Frank's shop will change their minds about buying, servicing or renting a bike simply because they see a Citibike station nearby. And for the handful of people who might change their minds, moving this particular station away from his shop will not prevent them from encountering a Citibike station, as there are Citibike stations everywhere (including at least one between Frank's shop and each of the nearest subway stops). 4. Frank has the opportunity to capitalize on the nearby Citibike station by expanding his accessory offerings. We hope he will sell more helmets, lights and biking-appropriate bags and clothing as a result. 5. Citibike has the potential to significantly increase the normalcy and safety of biking as a means of transportation in New York City, expanding the pool of people who want to buy their own bikes and who need to get them serviced.

Amid protest Cargill has put a large chemical hog factory in our first National River's watershed, A FLOOD PLAIN ON BIG CREEK SWIMMING HOLE, across the street from an elementary school! Science dictates there will be 100% chance of contamination!

You Promised Generalized Immigration Reform! It is a Necessary and Timely Civil Rights Issue! ¡Promover la reforma migratoria general ahora! ¡Es simplemente correcto!

It must be comprehensive. It must follow the most recent census statistics by race. That premise makes affirmative action live(changes with new census), comprehensive it includes all races, and customized by state !!! Example: Texas: White 45% ,Latino 38%, 4% Asians, Native Americans 1%. That should be Texas affirmative action.

BREAKING: The Guardian's Glenn Greenwald reports that the government is monitoring millions of Americans' phone calls "indiscriminately and in bulk – regardless of whether they are suspected of any wrongdoing."