Shame on all 46 Senators--including 4 Democrats--who just voted against requiring background checks for gun purchases--something 90% of Americans support. Four months after the Newtown massacre, they are still kowtowing to the gun lobby instead of protecting our kids and families. Right now, we need to send a loud message to let these 46 senators know just how disgusted we are with their inability to put our children and families ahead of the NRA. Champions in the Senate are going to keep fighting for this bill and we need put every senator who voted "No" on notice: We're here, we know what you did, and we're going to hold you accountable. Can you sign our "Shame on you" petition?

This affects all Americans

The FAA can grant no-fly zones to ensure safety for clean up efforts after environmental disasters occur, such as oil and other hazardous material spills. Granting control to private companies, or individuals employed/contracted by private companies: - Creates an unchecked information funnel that potentially puts local residents at risk; - Restricts access to important early disaster impact data; and - Allows the right to free and independent press to be regulated by a democratically unaccountable entity. According to Federal Aviation Regulations members of accredited news organizations are allowed access to these sites within certain guidelines. When a company causes a disaster they should not be able to control our right to information. Support loosening current restrictions to media and end transferring control of no-fly zones to private entities. Here is some background on the Mayflower, AR no-fly zone at the time of the incident: http://j.mp/Z19fS6 (Copy and paste link into your browser if needed).

Shareholders and stakeholders of Advanced Cell Technology would request that the Board of Directors investigate certain events related to management at the company.

We need to fix the parking lot/road leading into the learning center at the YMCA.

Countless scores of people have sought higher education and have come away with nothing more than a bill of sale after attending a for-profit instituition. Their financial futures are mortgaged and they are enslaved to a debt that they will never be able to repay, their credits won't transfer to other institutions, but it wouldn't matter because for-profit colleges have enslaved them with massive debts which exclude them from further assistance to better their futures. The for-profit college industry needs to be held accountable, and all of those affected should be freed to pursue their dreams without the specter of a debt that can't ever be repaid hanging over their heads until the day that they die.

We, constituents of Pacific Union College Church: students, alumni, community members, faculty, staff and other concerned individuals urge the Northern California Conference and the PUC Church to hire Ryan J. Bell as senior pastor of the congregation. By offering Dr. Bell the open position of senior pastor, the PUC Church can continue its legacy of commitment to reaching every member of our diverse community in an effective and inclusive way.

Every where I go, there are folks worried about the rising cost of fuel, CO2 emissions, global warming, and depleting fossil fuel. My friends from Denmark and Germany commented that there are far more installations of solar panels in their countries (with less sunshine) than here in Florida (the Sunshine State). The reason is: they have FIT (Feed-In-Tariff) for renewable energy and we, the Floridians, do not.

For too long Senate Republicans have threatened to filibuster legislation that the majority of Americans are in favor of. Rather then calling them on this threat Senate Majority leader has given in repeatedly. This weeks vote on Universal background checks is the last straw. We need a new Democratic Majority Leader in the Senate.

We applaud the Senate "Gang of Eight" for their tireless work in negotiating and drafting immigration reform legislation and we welcome the introduction of a realistic common-sense Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill.

House Bill 3371 is an extremely well-written cannabis legalization bill, but it is currently sitting in the Revenue committee in the House with no scheduled work sessions or hearings. We need to show our legislators that this is important to the people of Oregon and needs to move forward.

Polystyrene foam, sometimes incorrectly called Styrofoam, is incredibly wasteful. It is made from petroleum, breaks into tiny pieces that are very hard to clean up, and never biodegrades. It litters our beaches, streets and parks, and is detrimental to aquatic life and land animals that mistake the pieces as food. Many cities in California have already banned plastic foam, and it is one step that we can take to make the earth a better place for our future generations. Many restaurants have taken the initiative to use alternatives such as durable food ware, paper, cardboard and certified biodegradable plastics instead of polystyrene foam. If we have the option to make better choices, why not make those choices? Earlier this month I attended the San Diego Green Students Youth Forum where I proposed banning plastic foam. At that time, District 9 Councilmember Marti Emerald told me that the best way to get started is to begin a petition. Mayor Bob Filner told us that it is up to us, the younger generation, to make a difference in our city! Help us make a difference!