The San Francisco Bay Area emits 100 million tons of greenhouse gases (GHGs) per year. Scientists tell us that to avoid catastrophic warming and climate change we must cut GHG emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. California aims to reduce GHGs to 1990 levels by 2020. It's a start, but not nearly enough. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) has the power to regulate over 50% of all the GHG emissions in the Bay Area, but they're not doing it yet. They need to lead the way to bring those emissions down to safe levels. If the progressive, environmentally aware Bay Area can't lead the way, who can? Read the RESOLUTION we want them to adopt: http://www.350bayarea.org/baycap_resolution_for_air_district

As a young widow, and single mother trying to complete my degree in order to support my child without my husband, the increases in student loan interest rates will have a huge affect on my future. I am trying to make a decent life for my family, and already have a lot of student debt to pay off. The pending rate increases will keep me, and many others, struggling even after finally getting an education that will lead to a viable career.

Hundreds, maybe thousands of beloved pets have died. Cocoa bean shell mulch can be lethal to animals, but nowhere on it's packaging does it state this, nor do any retailers take it upon themselves to inform their customers. Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey’s. They claim that “It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won’t eat it.” These numbers are quite possibly a gross under estimate because many don't have an autopsy preformed on their pet, even when it's death is sudden and mysterious. IF Hershey's statistics are correct, it adds up to 156 thousand dogs that become ill or die due to ingestion of cocoa bean shell mulch, and that's 156 thousand too many. Most dogs will eat it. Most dogs love chocolate, and many cats will eat it as well. Hundreds of pets have already died from ingestion of this product. Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman’s Garden Supply, Menard’s and other garden supply stores contains an ingredient called ‘Theobromine’. Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker’s chocolate which is toxic to dogs and cats. The mulch is made from cocoa bean shells, which contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. Every pet owner knows not to give their animals chocolate, but they need to know that Cocoa bean mulch, containing the same chemical as chocolate, could potentially kill their animals or neighborhood animals.

The US government has entered into contract with a real estate firm owned by Senator Feinstein's husband to sell 56 former post offices. His firm will earn 6% commission on each sale. Why weren't these buildings being put up for bid as it always has in the past?

This petition is to stop religious practices in state funded shelters in Albuquerque, NM. The First Amendment-Freedom of Religion is violated when homeless and day shelters force the Christian religion onto shelter residents. Some shelter residents are of other religions which do have different practices. Even if only $1 is donated from a government entity, the shelters should recognize the religious freedoms of its habitants.

SNAP effectively and efficiently helps 47 million low-income Americans put food on the table. As unemployment and poverty have remained high, the number of families at risk of hunger has not increased since 2008.

The US Chamber of Commerce is conducting an email survey regarding the role of the IRS in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Senator Bennett from the state of Colorado has re-introduced the (inappropriately named) Growing Excellent Achievement Training Academies for Teachers and Principals (GREAT) Act, a bill to reshape teacher preparation, drastically lowering the standards for those doing this crucial work. This bill would allow anyone to open a "teacher preparation academy", regardless of his or her expertise or credentials and would require states equate this training with a Masters Degree from an accredited institution of higher education. Supporters include New Schools Venture Fund, Democrats for Education Reform, Stand For Children, Teach For America, TNTP, NCTQ and many more "reformers." Stand against S. 1250 (112th): GREAT Teachers and Principals Act- our kids deserve better.

As a former Marine company commander and U.S. State Department official, I have witnessed America’s “War on Terror” from the frontlines. But there's another war going on: a global war that's largely been hidden from our view. It runs rampant with ever-growing kill lists, drone strikes and deadly night raids. Devoid of effective external review, oversight or accountability, it is single handedly executed by the President of the United States. As a result, signature strikes are killing masses of innocent people in the American public’s name. Once a liberal law professor who campaigned against the Iraq war and torture, President Obama personally oversees a rapidly expanding 'Kill List;’ multiplying signature drone strikes in undeclared war zones around the world, from Yemen to Pakistan; and a covert war in Somalia. These signature strikes cannot distinguish between a legitimate terrorist and the many innocent villager bystanders being wiped out – mothers, children, or as we found out last week, American Citizens. That’s why I speak out about it in my friend and colleague, Jeremy Scahill’s, upcoming film, Dirty Wars, in theatres June 7, 2013.

When Exxon merged with Mobil in 1999, the newly merged company ended Mobil's domestic partner benefits program for gay employees. Today, Exxon Mobil denies spousal benefits to all legally married gay employees. The Human Rights Campaign has given Exxon Mobil a score of negative 25 in its Corporate Equality Index -- a scorecard that rates 1000 companies on criteria ranging from diversity training, transgender-inclusive medical coverage to non-discrimination policies. It's the first time they've ever awarded a negative score to a company. It's 2013 and as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on whether the federal government will recognize legal marriages, it's time for Exxon and other employers do the same. Let's tell Exxon Mobil to stop discriminating against gay employees.

All of the politicians are making over 100K a year for working about 5 months a year. They aren't doing their jobs and are collecting more benefits for free than any of us can dream of. These companies that are buying "our" politicians to sway their votes is unconstitutional. Our politicians are all millionaires from these companies, so that do not act in our interests. It should be illegal!

Last month, a group of student activists at Minnesota's Macalester College held a peaceful sit in to demand the school stop doing business with Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo is the bank responsible for the most foreclosures in Minnesota, and Macalester uses the bank for cards that employees use to buy services or supplies for the school. Now the administration is punishing the student activists who took part in the sit-in--saying they aren't allowed to study abroad or participate in student government, sports, or internships. This overly-harsh punishment is out of step with Macalester's long tradition of student activism and free speech on campus. Stand in solidarity with Macalester students and alums and sign this petition telling the administration to drop this punishment and kick Wells Fargo off campus! If you're a Macalester alumni, sign the alumni pledge here: http://usas.org/2013/05/29/macalester-alumni-pledge