The WSJ reports that a final settlement could be reached as early as the week of Dec. 18! Along with sharing this petition, please contact AG Gansler directly: (410) 576-6300 or 1 (888) 743-0023 toll-free in Maryland TDD: (410) 576-6372 email: [email protected] The size and scope of the proposed "settlement": Fraud and illegality lie at the heart of the mortgage and financial crisis. The list of questionable practices by banks and mortgage servicers is long: Risky subprime loans were issued without proper documentation or underwriting; subprime loans were "bundled" and sold to institutions in securities designed to conceal their high risk; land registry records were manipulated to avoid paying taxes. After the crash, many mortgage servicers failed to help homeowners receive government mandated loan modifications. There have been widespread cases of fraudulent foreclosure, using unverified mortgage documents (so-called "robo-signing"). The FBI found that ‘mortgage fraud is a growing crime threat that is hurting homeowners, businesses, and the national economy.’ The FBI and other law enforcers have increased resources to address these crimes, focusing on fraud related to loan origination, mortgage loan securitization, and mortgage servicing. Multiple Federal and State investigations and lawsuits are just now beginning to connect the dots in the mortgage fraud picture. Unfortunately, this drive for justice may be thwarted. A proposed settlement between the State attorneys general, the Federal Government, and mortgage servicers may put a halt to State investigations and prosecution in this area. It could also hinder individuals and institutions hurt by fraud from uncovering the truth and getting their day in court. Current reports mention a $20 billion settlement pool for compensating fraud victims. If true, the amount is laughably inadequate- victims of such widespread fraud have surely lost much more than this. And, while compensation is important, so is accountability. As Representative Tammy Baldwin (WI) puts it: "This entire tragedy reinforces the perception for average Americans that they play by one set of rules and everyone on Wall Street plays by another. While banks and other financial institutions were deemed too big to fail, they are now seen as too big to prosecute. If blanket immunity is granted to mortgage servicers their appalling behavior goes unpunished and they will continue to behave as if they are above the law. The American principle of equal justice under the law must apply to all, not just to some." Our petition to Attorney General Gansler is simple: Investigate fully, prosecute where appropriate, and do what is possible to see that victims are compensated fairly. Any settlement that hinders these goals is no settlement at all, and should be rejected. Thanks for signing!

Warren Buffett, in a recent interview with CNBC, offers one of the best quotes about the debt ceiling: "I could end the deficit in 5 minutes," he told CNBC. "You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election"

The cost of attending institutes of higher education has grown to be prohibitively expensive. By eliminating just the interest on loans, the repayment time could be reduced by up to 10 years in certain cases. Lets stop crippling our young people with debt for pursuing their dreams!

A systemic pesticide moves inside a plant following absorption by the plant. Systemic insecticides, which poison pollen and nectar in the flowers, kills bees and other needed pollinators. Please pass legislation to ban system pesticide use NOW!

Senior Taxpayers must slog through more than 100 pages of incomprehensible 1040 long form instructions or hire professional help,even if they do not claim any itemized deductions. THIS IS A TOTALY UNNECESSARY !! THE IRS SHOULD FOLLOW THE LEAD OF 15 STATES which allow seniors to use their short tax form when filing state income taxes. FIVE OF THESE STATES distribute free software for these simple state income tax forms, that can be used on any computer which automatically performs all mathematical functions, and compute the taxes due the state or the rebate due the taxpayer; _________________________

Recently, a California State University at Channel Islands student called AAA to tow his car after it crashed. Immediately, AAA responded by sending Eddie’s Towing truck driver, Bobbie, to the scene. Bobbie’s behavior towards the student was hostile. Bobbie verbally bashed him stating, “the world f****** hates you” and took pictures of the student with his cellular phone while continuing to yell homophobic comments. The AAA dispatcher could hear all of the abuse because the student was on his cell phone. The dispatcher said he would contact the supervisor and asked Bobbie to stop. Soon after this request, a furious Bobbie left the student at an IHOP parking lot in Newbury Park, roughly fifty miles short of his destination in Los Angeles. Before agreeing to unload his vehicle, Bobbie verbally threatened the student and refused to give him his car if the student did not give him any money. Furthermore, Bobbie’s behavior towards the student’s vehicle was violent as he was unloading it from the tow truck, until he realized the student was trying to record this on his now dead cell phone.

Carmensville park located on 152nd Amsterdam in New York,Ny have always been known as"The Battlegrounds" since the late 60's until this present day.We the community want the name of this park to change from Carmensville park to Battlegrounds Park.

Roadside are some of the last places for honeybees and other insect life to forage in this age of mono culture a flower can be hard to find. A pesticide free plant is getting harder to find in a field or along rail roads or even in parks. A road side covered in flowers would be a joy to behold for bees and people. It would save money in the long run as well as make job now, cleaning and planting the roadsides. Then we would save fuel and labor by only mowing once. A lot of plants make better ground cover then grass. Our road sides should be in bloom from spring to fall. If we wait till spring to mow the plant life hepl hold snow and give wild life a place to forage.

Incremental but unrelenting encroachment upon and development of the stream banks and flood plains following the devastating flood of 1927 has unnecessarily put human lives and property in harms way. The best interests of citizens and property owners, our communities, soil preservation, and the ecological integrity of Vermont rivers, streams, lakes and ponds demands that meaningful state wide riparian buffer zone legislation be drafted, approved and implemented as soon as possible.

My mother was murdered Aug. 29 2007 in Fairview Park and she was strangled and her head and kitchen lit on fire to cover up evidence. Tim had been arrested for having her rental car and her credit cards after her death and he was one of the last people with her that day. He has a 34 yr criminal history which includes arson,attacking a police officer,possessing bombs and forgery,grand theft,the list goes on. He pretended to be a caring neighbor and handyman all the while to rip my mom off blind. I found forged checks from him out of my mothers checkbook whcih he has not been arrested for. I want the book thrown at him,he is obviously a danger to society and does not deserve to be out of jail on March 14th 2012. If you agree that people like Tim should be kept out of society please sign.

Budget cuts in Washington, D.C. will eliminate the funding for the doctor, Su Young Kim, who is the principal researcher into pediatric gastrointestinal stromal cancer (GIST).The rarity of this tumor, combined with biological differences between children and adults with GIST, have made it difficult to study the natural history of this disorder and to determine the best therapy for pediatric patients. Pediatric GIST research at the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health in Maryland, is conducting a clinical studies of the disease, working with patients from across the country. It's an effort to better understand the disease and develop better treatments for the children afflicted by it.

Pomona College's recent work authorization document check has sent fear throughout this campus considering that the already racist, anti-immigrant climate of the US is at its worst yet. As students, faculty, staff, and supporters, we cannot watch as our fellow community members are intimidated by an action meant to silence us. We must take action immediately and call for at least a minimum of pushing back the December 1st deadline for documents, if not a complete moratorium on the document check. Workers have called for a boycott of Frank and Frary dining halls on Wednesday, November 30th and it is our time now to support them!