On August 9, Governor Kitzhaber committed to protected the 13 species of salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River Basin that are listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. He pointed out that the use of non-tribal commercial gill nets in the mainstem of the Columbia is inconsistent with the long term goal of protecting the recovery of these endangered fish. This proposal is a win for endangered species; conservationists; and for commercial, sports and recreational fishers. Gill nets are an outdated fishing method, indiscriminately killing marine mammals, birds, and endangered native fish alongside hatchery-reared fish targeted for harvest. The Governor has proposed eliminating gill nets from the mainstem of the Columbia River while allowing their use in off channel sites like Young’s Bay. Under the Governor’s proposal, any commercial fishing in the mainstem would have to rely on selective fishing methods that minimize mortality to ESA-listed fish. Too many times before, special interests have undermined common-sense reforms for Columbia River fisheries management. Now, those same special interests are continuing to fight progress by misleading the public about this proposal. This isn’t about river access, harvest allocations or a battle between jobs versus the environment. This is a proposal to protect wild and endangered fish. We applaud Governor Kitzhaber for recognizing this key conservation issue and for initiating much-needed action to ensure a balanced and sustainable future for the Columbia River. Take action now and sign the petition.

For the senators who didn't work for the U.S.A. but tried to make sure Obama was a 1 term president; I suggest they be tried for treason.

My heart has been personally affected by the treatment of the animals in Circuses. Elephants are highly social,intelligent animals.The babies are stolen from their protective mothers in the wild. Their spirit is broken by electric prods,whips and chains. The public is totally unaware of the abuse-Ringling Bros has been fined hundreds of thousands of dollars for abuse. If we stop and think about it-have we ever seen tigers jumping through hoops of fire in the wild or elephants standing on their heads?The methods used to make these wild animals do such unnatural acts is horrifying in its cruelty. In chains they live and in chains they die. A former elephant trainer, Carol Buckley, realized the cruelty and opened the now famous Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. The only animals that should be in a circus are those on 2 legs,until then we are all guilty of endorsing cruelty. We must expose this cruelty to an uniformed public.

Key GOP-controlled states such as Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida, and Ohio are using questionable methods of preventing probable democrat voters--young people, old people, minorities--from voting. This is un-Amarican and the press is not on top of it. Why not? They should be.

The Homeless Advocacy Project, a Philadelphia-based non-profit, runs a nationally acclaimed program to help obtain federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for disabled and/or mentally ill homeless people. The Corbett administration just slashed state funding to this program by $722,000, ostensibly to "redirect" funds to other Department of Public Welfare programs. Cutting a well-run program that brings in federal funds to help the homeless stay off the streets makes no sense...Philadelphia residents (but also others in the state) will end up paying more in crime, incarcerations, and hospitalizations, to say nothing of the human costs. See Philadelphia Inquirer article 8/24/12 for more information

Zoo World is an extremely small "zoo" located in the tourist destination of Panama City Beach. The "zoo" is much too small for large animals, the enclosures are extremely small, and the animals look miserable, depressed and bored. Recently I pushed for the giraffe, Sydney, to have a larger enclosure. I discussed the issue with numerous people at Zoo World. One of which was the project manager and designer of the enclosures, he laughed stating "Animals do not need to move!! They move only for food and sex. Do you think they would run if they didn't have to?" They expanded the poor giraffe's enclosure by 600 square feet. The giraffe died recently and now Zoo World is raising money from the public to purchase TWO baby giraffes. This needs to stop. Zoo World is too small and doesn't have enough funds to offer this herd animal a good environment. Animals DO need exercise to stay healthy, both physically and mentally. Join us on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zoo-World-is-Too-Small-for-Another-Lonely-Giraffe/407840125944961?ref=hl

Preventing gun injuries and deaths is a public health issue. We have enacted food safety, traffic safety, seat belt and helmet rules, and yet we do nothing to prevent the 82 daily deaths from gunshot wounds. I don't have any personal experience of gun violence but I could, at any time. We do our best to protect people from bad drugs to choking hazards, but we allow them to buy and use guns which are designed to do one thing--kill people.

The president of the US. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, has just agreed to offer the benediction on the night Mitt Romney accepts his party's presidential nomination. Cardinal Dolan says he's going to the convention to pray, not to campaign, but that's not how it'll look to reporters and voters who've heard him and other bishops repeatedly criticize President Obama's policies. However, there is still a way for Cardinal Dolan to demonstrate clearly that he's not endorsing the Romney-Ryan ticket: By using his benediction to pray for the millions of vulnerable Americans who'd be harmed by Paul Ryan's draconian budget plan. The bishops have already condemned the Ryan budget as inconsistent with Catholic teaching because of its "unacceptable cuts" to "essential programs that serve poor and vulnerable people." A prayer for those threatened by these cuts would be perfectly in line with the bishops' stated position and would send a powerful message that the Roman Catholic Church will never be captive to either political party. But to get the attention of Cardinal Dolan and the media before the convention begins next week, we've got to act right away. Sign the petition: Cardinal Dolan, use your benediction at the GOP convention to pray for the least of these who'd be hurt by the Ryan budget.

This bill is skewed towards the wealthy white male. It impedes on the judges ability to use his discretion in deciding the awards of alimony on a case by case basis. Because of this bill obligors (payers) are whafting into courtrooms all over the state after whittling their incomes down to nothing and demanding their alimony be eliminated. This is clogging up the courts and devistating single parent families. If this bill is knocked off of its high horse families will benifit and children will be more secure.

Congressional Office Term Limitation

An Elected official should be setting the best possible example at all times. Delegate Don Dwyer, an Anne Arundel County Delegate said that he regrets his actions, adding that no one should ever drink and operate a motor vehicle or powerboat. This is what he has admitted to; having a blood alcohol content of .2. That is more than 2 times the legal limit. Is this someone we want our children to emulate? Del. Don Dwyer needs to resign!

Many aspiring students from the last decades were saddled with heavy student loan debt loads with high interest rates. Some continue to try to pay off loans incurred as early as the Reagan years when interest rates on some loans were as high as the double-digits and continue to pay interest on capitalized interest on those early loans.They are still trying to pay off their debt, even as they approach or enter into retirement. They deserve the same 3% rate that current new borrowers receive.