We as a nation are facing a fiscal cliff and our elected officials in both the House and the Senate have refused to work together. The need for bipartisanship is more important than ever and they still refuse to do so. Now the impending deadline is upon us.

In February 2012, the administration of Bryn Mawr College restricted the competitive season of the Bryn Mawr-Haverford rugby team to two matches and an alumnae game during the spring, while requiring the team to complete a training season during the fall (read the full policy at http://goo.gl/Ia5LR). This policy was instituted in response to what the administration deemed to be an excessive number of concussions and was instituted despite strong support for the team from current players, players' parents and alumnae (read the package presented to the administration on behalf of these groups http://goo.gl/rTn0d). This policy is in profound conflict with the traditions and values of the Bryn Mawr College community which, as stated in the student honor code (http://goo.gl/pld1c), seek “to create an environment in which each member is able to realize her full potential — a potential which is realized through intellectual and social growth. . . . Our intellectual and social development requires freedom born from trust.” For the past 26 years, rugby has brought together women from diverse backgrounds in a supportive environment and has helped build strength and confidence in individuals; this contributes to the fundamental mission of the college. The current rugby policy deeply diminishes this athletic experience. Students should be allowed to decide if the social engagement, physical fitness, and personal growth they gain from participating in rugby outweighs the risk of injury.

City of Charlottesville has undertaken a study of human rights protection needs within City limits. Workplace and housing related discrimination have been among the greatest areas of concern. Other violations of human rights have been discussed. More about the City's study process may be found here: http://www.charlottesville.org/index.aspx?page=3223 Human rights concerns are not isolated within City limits. For example, most employment, most housing, and most health services in the area are located in Albemarle County, not in City of Charlottesville; and much or most UVA operations are located in Albemarle County not in the City's jurisdictional limits. Human rights concerns do not and can not stop at City limits in a community that includes the City, the County, and the University so closely associated. Virginia's problematic history of de jure racial discrimination and violence, gender discrimination and violence, abuse or persons with mental illness and developmental disorders, confiscation of Native Virginians' homelands and livelihoods, and other violations of human rights is our common history. And, in the 21st century new concerns for human rights are rising among immigrant and undocumented individuals and families, lgbt individuals and families, persons with HIV and their caregivers, persons with dementia, and others. Only active effort - not denial or neglect of human rights protections - can overcome this problematic history, and guarantee that our communities are open to the world as 'world-class' places to live, work, study, and visit in the 21st century. Concern for human rights protections should not stop at City limits. Albemarle County should demonstrate its commitment to achieving effective protection of human rights in the County. Its a 'world-class' thing to do! Thank you.

People will become homeless after 12/12/12 when FEMA ends TSA for hotel lodging.

A large number of Farmers do not follow good soil conservation practices. Instead, they try to maximize profits by planting from boundary to boundary. The result is often soil erosion and fertilizer run-off that pollutes our rivers. Fisheries in the Chesapeake bay have been adversely affected by such pollution. The Gulf of Mexico is at risk. We should not subsidize such destructive practices, but should reward good farm practices instead. The use of bio-char in soil in soil increases soil fertility and has been shown to sequester carbon for thousands of years. Carbon sequestration can limit or reverse global warming.

We can save billions by having our senators and congressman change the Medicare drug laws and negotiate for drug prices.

As a parent with children in public school, I've watched my town struggle to balance its budget to cope with rising enrollment, health insurance, energy and special education costs. The only options are to cut other services or raise property taxes. Congress passed legislation to mandate special education but never appropriated enough funds to pay the 40% federal share, pushing the cost down to the state and local levels.

From the time I was a child, I can remember visiting relatives in nursing homes on field trips and with family. Perhaps some others can relate to the feeling of helplessness that one always seems to find in these places... I grew up and went into nursing as a career to try to face my fears. I have to say that overall, it really didn't help that much. After having worked in nursing homes, I still had that same helpless feeling...people I couldn't save from falling down, breaking bones, hitting and injuring each other because they had Alzheimer's/other behavior disorders, feeling like there would never be enough minutes or hours in the day to properly care for everyone, hygienic messes left and right, not enough aid staff, not enough coping/communication strategies taught for all staff to work together, etc. I feel there needs to be continued work at all levels to improve these situations, perhaps smaller group homes with plenty of staff..instead of large facilities with skeleton staff in comparison to client work load, (I have heard of small adult foster homes in Michigan that sound much more ideal than what I have encountered in Northeast Indiana). I don't believe an aid should have to take care of more than three or four people on a shift, whether working in a hospital or nursing home...nurses, perhaps not more than six clients. I think the pay rate needs to go up...no way it's high enough for what these people put up with even in the best of conditions. Thank-you for reading.

In 1964, after the release and success of the film, "A Hard Day's Night," it was accompanied by a novelization, written by John Burke and released by Pan Books. However, it has never been re-published, making it a rare and barely-known-of gem.

I was head of a large media company starting in 1955 and am shocked at the disregard of the original intent of the Federal Communications laws. Big money now controls the basic platform of free speech in America.

Increasing Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 67 would cause severe hardship for millions of seniors, who would be forced to deplete their savings or delay health care and suffer permanent damage to their health. This would be a terrible and inhumane price to pay for a barely noticeable decrease in the federal budget deficit. Moreover, individuals and businesses would find their health care costs increasing by more than the government spending would decrease, so any savings would be illusory. Not only would people age 65-66 have to pay for their health insurance, but everyone's premiums would increase as those older, less healthy people were added to the private insurance pool. At the same time, Medicare would lose its youngest and healthiest beneficiaries, so its cost per beneficiary would also increase. In summary, the society would gain absolutely nothing in return for the heavy burden imposed on people age 65-66.

Post offices all around me are scheduled to close, and lots of working class folks are about to lose their jobs. Tell Congress to support the U.S.P.S. - First class mail is the best bargain we have. In addition, pledge to send one card, postcard, or letter a week to support USPS and its workers. Everyone likes "real" mail, and hardly anyone sends it any more. Contact your politicians and also do your part!