first time trying out signon.org

As a writer for a local paper, I learned that there is no federal recognition for Abraham Lincoln. An effort to include him in Presidents' Day failed at the federal level and he is only acknowledged by a handful of states. This is a travesty. In this 150th Anniversary year of Gettysburg, I think it's time to hold him in the esteem he deserves and officially include him in Presidents' Day.

After a symposium at the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of the American Indian, this petition was started to urge franchise owner Dan Snyder to change the name of the mascot. In an effort to advocate for this change, we are urging signers to refrain from using the mascot name, and urging the Washington Post to do the same.

"The Atlanta Police Department has asked City Council to enact legislation to amend an ordinance that would mandate banishment of individuals convicted of prostitution from designated “Areas of Prostitution,” increase the mandatory minimum sentence for a first offense from 15 days to 180 days and upholds steep and unreasonable fees for those convicted. Atlanta is known as the city too busy to hate; we should not be also known as the city who banishes citizens, especially the community's most vulnerable members. As a city, we should focus efforts and resources on real solutions that address the underlying causes behind prostitution such as sexual victimization, substance abuse, mental illness and financial desperation. Other cities have developed programs which combine curbing demand with the services and programs which allow for sex workers to leave the streets for good and find legitimate employment. We urge the City of Atlanta to investigate these successful models, and reject the ill-conceived Banishment Ordinance.

Glenda Virgil is a battered woman who is serving a life sentence for killing her abuser although she would never receive such a sentence under California's new laws. She is dying of stage 4 aggressive lung cancer. Only the Governor can free her.

Grandmothers Against Gun violence (GAG)

After Sandy, balancing budgets in New Jersey at the state, county and municipal levels will be challenging. The property tax rebates for seniors and other moderate-income homeowners, and the tax freeze for seniors, have fluctuated in recent years as governors and legislators .look for ways to reduce costs. Those who benefit from these protections need to tell their lawmakers: Hands off!

The State of Illinois is at a crossroads. Our elected officials have the opportunity to assist in all workers and their families; I am a single mother making $4.95. I am not a rich person, nor is that my desire. ALL WORKERS deserve to be able to make ends meet, save, and plan with their wages. I am urging our elected officials to pass a raise to the Illinois' minimum wage bill for tipped workers. We can't survive on $4.95!!!

There is no one who was not horrified by the slaughter of children at Sandy Hook elementary School. But these were the actions of a madman. Restricting the rights of law abiding Vermonters to self defense is not the answer. State Representative Linda Waite-Simpson's legislation, H.124, would ban the sale of magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds of ammunition, and end the long standing Vermont tradition of being able to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. Please urge your Vermont state representative to oppose H.124 and protect your right to defend yourself and your family as you see fit.

California is the only oil-producing state that subsidized oil-extraction companies by not imposing a state wellhead tax. This costs California about $2 billion each year in lost revenue.

I am Hasani Wesley's older sister Halima Wesley , I have started this petition for all of the children that have died or got hit trying to go to school. An aware community can make a difference, and save many lives. My brother was a beautiful spirit and he didn't deserve to die because of failure to abide school laws.My brothers murderer has not been charged.... I got all green lights while driving home yesterday... It was as if riding on the highway but I was on highpoint rd in greensboro..which is a busy street. I realized that even if my brother isn't visual he can be my light when I'm driving or the bird in my window that sings when I wake up to all of my responsibilities he is my everything literally, but for the most part he is my Angel. An 11-year-old boy died Wednesday morning after being hit by an SUV while trying to get on a school bus. Hasani Wesley, 11, died after the collision, which happened around 7 a.m. on N.C. 66 near Shaddowfax Drive. N.C. 66 remained closed until around noon. Wesley was trying to get on the bus just a few hundred feet from his home when the collision with the Jeep occurred, troopers said. The bus's lights were on, and the stop arm was out, troopers said. The driver of the Jeep, Billy Roger Bailey, 47, of Kernersville, was coming from the opposite direction, troopers said. Bailey remained at the scene after the crash, troopers said. Bailey told investigators that he simply didn't see the child crossing the road. He was driving the speed limit, and alcohol wasn't a factor in the crash either, troopers said. Wesley normally caught the bus from the right-hand side of the road, but he missed it Wednesday morning, school officials said. The bus driver saw Wesley when coming back through the area and stopped to pick him up, which is legal, school officials said. Wesley was a sixth grader at East Fosyth Middle School, said Theo Helm, spokesman for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. Wesley had been taken to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center after the collision, Helm said.

I.S. 318's funding for after-school programs, including its national championship chess team, is at risk. After-school programs like these give students the opportunity to explore new interests and receive additional academic enrichment. Sign the petition to urge Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Mullgrav to fully fund these programs in this year's budget.