Petition Tag - state

When the story came on the news, I was appalled: 1 person might keep God out of the pledge of allegiance because he doesn't happen to believe in Him? In fact, Constitutionally, they shouldn't be allowed to abolish it. According to the first Amendment, "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech..." Of course, that didn't stop them from taking prayer out of schools.

Many people today believe in God and if they can't say that this country is under God when they truly believe it, they have taken away their rightof expressing religion. Our nation was founded by people who wanted to worship freely, without the government hanging over their heads. Let everyone know that there is no such thing as separation of church and state and stop this before we can no longer worship God at all!

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The words "under God" were added to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954 to show
the world the stark contrast between the United States of America and the
Communist regime. The words were added because the United States is truly
a nation under God. Our country was built on the principles and foundations
of the Judeo-Christian faith. The men who created our government were men
of strong faith. In establishing this country, they understood the inherent
rights that God, their Creator, gave to all men. The Declaration of
Independence states that certain truths are self-evident. These truths are
"that all men were created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable rights . . . ." The Declaration states very boldly
that the United States of America were appealing to the "Supreme Judge" and
that they had a "firm reliance on Divine Providence."

Why is it that a majority of Americans can grasp this concept but that men
educated in the law of this country, the very law stemming from these
principles, cannot? Throughout our history, this country has turned to
Almighty God, our Creator, for guidance and comfort in times of struggle.
In 1775, the Continental Congress called on the Colonies to pray for wisdom in
forming this great nation. At the close of the War for Independence, George
Washington directed his chaplain to offer a prayer of thanksgiving. In 1863
President Lincoln declared a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer. When
Pearl Harbor was attacked the President called on the country to pray.
During the years following World War II when this country was fighting the
Cold War, "In God we Trust" was adopted as our national motto. When Apollo
13 was disabled in space the President called on the country to pray. In
1988 President Reagan signed a bill declaring a National Day of Prayer. In
Desert Storm every soldier received a copy of the 91st Psalm. President Clinton called on this country to pray when the tragedy at Columbine Highschool occurred. And on September 11, 2001, this country experienced a tragedy that was unlike anything we had seen since Pearl Harbor and it was to God that this country turned. President Bush called on people across this nation to pray, a memorial service was televised across the country including many prayers, and many members of Congress, Republicans and Democrats alike, gathered on the steps of the capitol building to sing, "God Bless America."

But on June 26, 2002, a majority of two judges decided that we are no longer
"one Nation under God." This court action is an outrage. It flies in
the face of our national history and traditions.

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This petition I am writing to to make players of the infamous Graal aware that some wrong has been done in the Graal Classic version of the game. This wrong I speak of is the fact that Graal Classic has been turned into a p2p (Pay-2-Play) game. You may be asking, "What is wrong with that?" I shall tell you. For approximately 3 years Graal Classic has been a free MMOARPG (Massively-Multiplayer-Online-Action-Role-Playing-Game). Out of practically nowhere, this game became p2p just as the game itself came out of nowhere. We, the fans, should not have to pay for something that has been free for so long. It would be a different thing if it where just a beta, but it was always a full game. I know ask of the Graal community, help me, neh, everyone, to relive the the world of Graal Classic as it was meant to be, a free community of fighters, friends, and enemies.

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IF YOU DO ONE THING THIS CENTURY...HELP A FAMILY WITHOUT THE FINANCIAL MEANS TO FIGHT A CRIMINAL SYSTEM!!! As I struggle to understand HOW and WHY a child can be taken from their home, their family torn apart and hands tied by parents who are never told of what rights they have...The research this of story of my friend Lynn, reveals THOUSANDS of victims!! I find more mothers, fathers, families and friends who are in need of that "Someone" who make a difference. I wanted to share her story with you. This will not die or go away until SOMETHING changes it. I hope to be a part of that solution. Writing to 50 Senators, the AZ Attorney General, Hillary Clinton, President Bush, and many others, has been a exhausting waste of time...One person can share this and many MAY make a difference, We must NOT allow CPS and DSS to steal our children unless they are REALLY abused! Our case is one of uneducated medical circumstances. This child, Jeannie Hornsby, had Brittel Bone disease as a baby. Misunderstood by CPs, they charge abuse. Lynn has been my dearest friend since 1979 and has jumped through all CPS lies and deceitful hoops to be tormented and her child legally stolen! My heart breaks every day as I see a family torn apart, a family devesated, and an agency in control of our kids. THEY HAVE NO RIGHT!

These our OUR kids...GOD's Kids...not property of the state. Jeannie was taken, even after a "NOT GUILTY" verdict! The state of AZ severed rights, and Jeannie as put up for adpotion. her two sister were left in the home, and a younger brother ALSO taken two years into the trail, was returned...but Jeannie is missing from this family.Visit our site... http://hometown.aol.com/swak917/myhomepage/personal.html (Cut and paste)

There are literally hundreds of thousands of sites and stories...I feel this has become out of hand...American Families NEED help!
www.hereinreality.com/childprotection/#back /www.megaone.com/protest/links.html
IF YOU READ ONE THING IN THIS LIFETIME THAT MIGHT HELP OINE CHILD...PLEASE READ THIS!!! WE ARE DESPERATE...and out of hopes...MAYBE this one will make a difference!!

We need legistlation to change the law to PROTECT OUR FAMILIES for these VULTURES that USE our kids to boost their strained budget! Yes, they get a financial incentive for each child taken! And guess where it comes from? TRY THE SOCIAL SECURITY FUND!
HELP US SAVE OUR KIDS!
Carol Gell Crowley

Here is Lynn's story.

My story of how many lives have been forever changed, and can healing ever take place? By Valerie Lynn Hornsby 6/2002

I am a heartbroken mother writing this to you in hopes that ANYONE might learn do a about Brittle Bone Disease and the ordeal of my family. NO one seems to care. My friend Carol has written many star, major celebrity hosted shows, and prime time programs who give an automated answer...we had ONE hope with 48 hours...has not materialized...YOU can help us...I BEG you!! I am among the growing number of American Families who have endured a horrific nightmare as a result of CPS making decisions to remove children from homes and charge them with abuse. Their uneducated decision due to lack of knowledge on Brittle Bone Disease is drawing National attention. This case is historical because it is the first case in AZ to win a "Not Guilty" verdict with Brittle Bone Disease as the defense. It has possibly opened doors for other traumatized by CPS. Or has it?? Does anyone care???

My daughter Jeannie was two months old when our horrifying ordeal began back in June of 1995. She was taken from us because we couldn't explain where she received 7 fractures. (See Brittle Bone websites!!) We had taken her to the ER after a shampoo bottle fell on her shoulder in the bathroom. She had been a sickly baby, and her doctor told us to do this to help assist her breathing, as she was very congested. We were told of the shoulder fracture, but the ER kept information from us and called CPS. The other fractures were located in the long bones of her arms, legs, and also some in her ribs. We were informed the next day when the sheriff and CPS workers showed up. It was like a nightmare, these strangers coming to my home, talking about my baby’s safety, and then taking her from us. My two daughters, along with my husband, were mortified, shocked, and torn apart. CPS placed my baby in a home for abused children, Casa De Los Ninos. This is where a Dr noticed she had blue sclera in her eyes; the whites of her eyes were discolored. This is a sign of Brittle Bones.

She was tested for brittle bone disease. The test came out negative. This test has a 20% fail rate. UNDERSTAND this was all a shock to us...we had NO IDEA what would unfold!!! Dr Marvin Miller, at Dayton's children's hospital, stated she was too young for the test. Also kept from us, but later discovered, was that Jeannie got 5 additional fractures while in the care of CPS. She was given to my mother who ultimately could not handle the stress and fear of CPS and this sick child, so she went back in the system.

She was returned to us at 8 months old, and CPS did another set of-rays at 11 months, which -"Showed another fracture" in her wrist area. She was again removed from our home and we were charged with 10 counts or child abuse. These charges carried a 52-year sentence if we were found guilty. We blindly and naively believed that the truth would prevail. As the case progressed, CPS tried to get each of us to say the other did it. I even have a cousin in a wheel- chair who volunteered to lie and say he did it so they would return our precious baby. I could not live a lie and punish an innocent man. They even tried to get the girls to day they did it. At one point, they told me if I would leave and divorce Ron, my husband, they would give me Jeannie. I thought about it just to get her back, but I had faith that the truth would set us all free, and never believed that it would get so out of hand. Well, it did, and now Jeannie is gone forever.

I have two older girls who, by the grace of God, were not taken from us. Kristi, who was 12 when this started, and Kelli, who was 6 when this all started. They were horrified that they would lose their parents. They lived in fear that someone would "steal" them away too. Kristi clung to me, and watched me all the time. Kelli did the same to Ron. They were terrified. Kristi began failing school and became suicidal. Depression and horror affected our lives. I struggled to be strong for my children and husband.


We did win our criminal case, thanks to the extensive research of Alica Cata, my husband’s criminal attorney. She found Dr Colin Paterson, renowned brittle bone specialist at the University of Dundee in Scotland. He testified in our behalf and all indications led to the facts that she has this OI (Brittle Bone Disease!!)Alica also was the one who found that Jeannie received 5 more fracture while at Casa. This was never disclosed to anyone when she was returned to us. They kept it from us!!! WE HAD NO RIGHTS OR SAY about our baby!! The X-rays don't lie. CPS had many lies and cover-ups. The original X Rays were even later questioned by doctors that were NOT affiliated with CPS!!! They could NOT find the original fractures!!! The X-Rays that supposedly had additional fractures were later reviewed by Doctors who said they did not see them. We were never shown the X rays. Additionally, they never
informed me of medical decisions and other decisions affecting MY daughter. I feel certain that I still had rights as a parent, and an American citizen. This was even before the trial. What happened to innocent until proven guilty? Once found "Not Guilty" we are still treated as criminals, and on file on AZ as abusers! When will anyone help stop this insanity? How many more children will be taken, and is it because the government offers money as incentive to CPS to remove children? No one will give us answers.

I have to wonder if anyone even cares. Because I we are working class family who, like many Americans today, lives paycheck to paycheck, does that discount that I am an American who has feelings and emotions? Is our culture so willing just accept that this terrible thing happened, and turn their heads because it did not affect them? It's obvious that people who are wealthy have a different set of rules. It is not fair, but once again, I am helpless.

We also had a son, Brandon, while this was all going on, and he was taken from us at 31/2 weeks old. Due to "imminent danger" because of Jeannie’s alleged abuse. It was like a never-ending nightmare and we could not wake up to get away from it! Once again, we endured the unthinkable...letting these people take our child away. . I was nursing him when they came...A part of me again died forever that day.

My friend Carol Crowley, whom I have known and kept in contact with for over 20 years, had built a web site called "Save Jeannie" to help spread the word. She has e mailed every senator, written Bill Clinton when he was in office, Janet Reno, AZ Governor Hull, Senator John McCain. Hundreds of letters to Clinton were mailed from several different states. His reply was simply that it is not his jurisdiction. Basically, he could have cared less. Senator McCain’s office called Carol, but said that Governor Hull was the point of contact. The senator’s office also told us that IF we were found "Not Guilty" they could help...the fact is they never thought we would, since no other case was won with similar events, and they later said there was nothing they could do. Governor Hull has never replied to many E-mails or letters. We feel she is on the cover up. This ordeal took a heavy toll on our marriage. We had a domestic dispute where my husband was arrested. Crying, he ran to me about 12 feet to the front door to apologize. When that went to court, charges were dropped, but the same DA who was trying our abuse case told the Judge that a new law instated that year said that anyone running from the law had an automated 2-year sentence. It was outrageous...even the Judge told court attorney to go across the street and appeal that as he was obviously not running away from the police but to me. They took my husband to prison and the appeal dragged on. Once before the board of appeals, the vote of 13 was unanimous that he should not be there. It was then sent to Governor Hull, who took longer than the allotted time to review it, and refused to sign the release, holding him there. I wanted to die...I was forced by these crooked heartless people to live in sheer hell with NO ONE to help me.

At the time they were talking about severing our rights to Brandon as well. Thanks to Carol’s perseverance, her love for my family, and her convictions that we were not guilty, she made contact with 48hrs. The State was threatening me, saying I may be hurting my case with Brandon by doing this. They were very unhappy that Carol had been talking and told me I had no right to talk to her. I told them she was my friend, and would continue to be just that. 48hrs started asking questions. No show ever materialized from it (Yet) but Brandon was returned to me in May of 2000. He was 3 years old. I praise God for letting me have wonderful people in my life like Pat and Carol; they have both fought very hard for us. This is a travesty that is happening allover the United States. There’s no tangible way of stopping CPS but the people of American families need to be warned. It could happen to anyone, at any time. A simple accident, or a misunderstood disease...and CPS, being such a high turnover overloaded and uneducated department, will continue to steal our children even though more people are telling how they were treated this way. The states show that more children are abused or killed in FOSTER homes! Also that there is incentive to remove kids because the government allows money for the CPS offices for each child removed! Carol is now doing extensive research to write the book for our case, and tell America what has happened. all can hope is that Jeannie will one day get the answers that will cloud her every day as a child. One day she will know we never gave up.

I have trying to save the money to move to Alvin, Texas to be closer to Jeannie. Her counselors have all agreed that she desperately needs contact with us. The problem is that for the first time in my life, I have a decent job with benefits for my other three kids, and live in a DECENT home. I am torn at how I can just give that up and lose all that I have gained when three other kids need me too. My relationship with my step mom Pat has deteriorated to the point that she refuses to talk to me, let alone see Jeannie. It has been almost 9 months since I have talked to my daughter. I leave messages, send E-mails, sent birthday and Easter boxes...but there is no reply. Carol recently E mailed Pat to ask about why she refused to talk and told her how devastated we are, and how much we miss Jeannie. She blew up and claimed we stopped trying. That is not true.... I will never stop trying. Pat has been somewhat of a control freak, and when she gets a grudge, she never lets it go. I love her..I am thankful that she has Jeannie, but I need her too. She is my daughter. We are ALL Victims...and yes, Jeannie will pay the highest price. That does not discount the rest of us and what we have been through. I hate being helpless. I resent being treated like a no body. Of this is what America is about, it is a true sad state of affairs. I have no real resolution. I could try to move to Alvin Texas and work at Wal-Mart or a supermarket for little money, but how could I support my family that way? And then I would live under the scrutiny and control of Pat who has now made my daughter hate me, telling her I will never come. Even if I did come, Pat told me once she would give me back Jeannie and leave her to me when she dies, but later said that would not happen. She wants the money the state gives her every month for caring for a sick child, and she wants the control. I am in a dead end. I pray for a miracle. I am so lost and worn down.

This is why I plea to you to help me tell my story. If you have the power to help me tell it, or if you have the resources to help me and other, please do not ignore what you read today. If you have the ability to make a difference, use it. If you do nothing else, please pray for Jeannie.

Thank you.
Lynn and Ron Hornsby AZ
Carol Crowley (Friend/Supporter)

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In the state of California and other places in the United States, the term "white" is almost entirely used on every standardized and state-issued test. This wouldn't be a problem if all ethnicities were refered to by color (examples: black instead of African-American, yellow instead of Asian-American, brown instead of Hispanic/Latino) however, every ethnicity is given the proper title except for European-Americans. This is a common occourance, especially on the Stanford 9 and other such tests.

Please, people of every ethnicity and State in the United States, sign this in the name of human rights, equality, and freedom.

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The cause for Blessed Kateri's canonization has been going on since 1943! She was beatified in 1980, but she's still not a saint! Please lend your signature by signing this online petition!

We would like you to join thousands of Catholic Youths in petitioning for the canonization of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. We the undersigned state our sincere hope to see Blessed Kateri canonized soon.

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Anyone who goes to Jefferson Middle and has been in Mr. Nerge's band class/keyboard class knows the unstable state. We want another teacher.

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We are writing to inform you of the increasingly difficult situation in which Backward Society Education (BASE) is finding itself, caught between the maoist rebels and the government imposed state of emergency.

As you may have heard, last week maoist rebels attacked three of the organization's offices in Kailali District. Motorcycles, office furniture, files, and -- in one case an entire Area Office -- were torched.

The apparent reason for the attacks was that BASE ran a rural saving and loan program in cooperation with the local government. The rebels are against this kind of government program. However, the rebels have since then also targeted BASE's child programs.

There are indications that beneath the allegation the real reason may be that the maoists are displeased that BASE has advocated peaceful social change successfully over the past years. Many of the poor rural workers who might otherwise have joined the maoist movement, have stayed with BASE instead. This one could say has been an achievement for peace in a otherwise rapidly detoriorating situation.

It therefore comes as a complete surprise to read the Home Minister's comments in today's Kathmandu Post Wednesday April 3rd) that the government is considering taking away BASE's registration, in effect closing the organization. The government is accusing the organization of supporting the maoists.

It is alarming that the government should consider using the powers of the state of emergency to shut down one of the largest civil society organizations in Nepal. BASE has over 30,000 members and support from many more men and women from marginalised communities, such as the freed bonded laborers whom it helped liberate. Under the current political situation, these people have no legal way of assembling or protesting the government's action, should it decide to take any.

The organization's identity as one of the oldest and most established NGOs in Nepal working for human rights and non-formal education make the accusations of support for the maoists unbelievable at best. Given that the maoists attacked the organization offices last week only, the government accusations seem patently ludicruos. It seems clear that the government is acting with other motives. It is a very disturbing development for the country as a whole, if the government begins to abuse the extraordinary powers granted under the state of emergency to settle old scores and eliminate the free debate in civil society.

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For the past two years, the MAC has blocked streets in Olympia.

We the undersigned students, faculty, staff and alumni of Evergreen State College, recognize that the Mayday street party is offensive to many people in the Olympia community and is ineffective as a tool for political change. Furthermore, we pledge not to participate unless the event is coordinated with the city of Olympia.

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Acting under pressure from animal rights groups such as the HSUS, ASPCA, and PeTA, NY State has proposed to ban the keeping of "exotic animals", including reptiles as pets throughout its territory. It claims in Assembly Bill A07375 that "across the country, children have been asphyxiated by pythons" and that reptiles are a threat to the health of people because they carry Salmonella.

However, these supposed threats to public health are negligible. If a reptile is properly maintained and its keeper practices an appropriate regimen of personal hygiene, the threat of the reptile transmitting Salmonella is nonexistent. Also, as John Coborn, a noted herpetologist, once said, "it is easier to get Salmonella from the supermarket chicken roaster than from your snake."

The allegations of children being killed by pythons across the country are also incorrect. When a reptile escapes, it rarely hurts anyone, as any respectable herpetoculturist will tell you. If it does hurt or kill someone, that person is almost always its owner. Finally, most people bitten by snakes were drunk at the time.
When a wild animal hurts someone, it is not usually a snake, and some say these bills were spurred by Serval Cats scratching people.

I am not saying that reptile owners should not be required to have permits; several states require this. Florida is one such state. Reptile owners in Florida are subject to inspections by the Fish and Wildlife Commission, and this system seems to work well for everyone. I am only saying that we should not ban reptile keeping outright.

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Indict the Republic of Poland for warcrimes as it accepts continuity of the communist state. The former members of the communist party are actively invigilating civilians to force them into military service in case of possesion of a university degree.

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March 18, 2002

In order to satisfy a whim of some Montenegrin politicians, a larger group of Yugoslav and European politicians decided to change the name of our country. They say: "It's only a formality. The most important thing is that we stayed together".

We don't agree. Those politicians haven't named Yugoslavia, so they can't rename it without people's consent. If they didn't struggle for this country; we did, our fathers and grandfathers did. We believe in those symbols, in our flag. If every other country is allowed to have its symbols, we want the same right.

Besides patriotic, social, historical and practical reasons, here are numerous other:

1. Costs.

When deciding about the "new state" Serbia and Montenegro, its creators said: "it's going to be a cheap state". But the very first step towards it is very expensive, time and energy consuming. It is not Tito; sorry, Milo who would have to change his school's name, his football-team's name, his passports all over again, his driving licenses, his addresses, his cinema's name, his business' name, his scientific projects' names. We would have to do it, to pay for it, and to dislike it. But we won't do it!

2. Symbolic meaning.

At the eve of the civil war in Yugoslavia which we also didn't want the persons who started it and sent so many people to death or holocaust, those individuals said with satisfaction: we've done with Yugoslavia! But they hadn't quite done, and we proudly carried on the name of our country despite of those criminals. Some of them still sit among us and use our hospitability.

They ordered the change from Milo and hope to call Yugoslavia by their name in the future. They want us to deny that we are Slavs since they aren't. They pay huge money for such goals. But our name isn't for sale!

3. Durability

The so called "Serbia and Montenegro" (pity they couldn't have made it longer) is going to last only for three years, after which a decision would be made about the final status of the Federation. Is it worthy to make such work, cost and inconvenience to us and the whole world for only three years, when a possibility of still another name might occur after that time?

4. Impracticability

It is not necessary to explain how unpractical it would be not only for Yugoslavs, but for the whole world to change the country's name.

5. Democracy

Milo's voters count less than 100 000. Yugoslavia's population is estimated on 10 000 000 (ten millions) people. Even if we suppose that all Milo's voters would accept the change of the state's name would it be democratic to carry on their will in comparison of the other 9 900 000 who don't want the change?

Milo of Montenegro is happy to see his
republic's name in the UN. He doesn't care that his and Serbian people would have to pay for the change.
If we are really so obliged to make him happy, let's put a title Union of Serbia and Montenegro in front of Yugoslavia, instead of Federal Republic as it stands now.

Serbian and Montenegrin Union Yugoslavia would be all right with us, we hope it would do for Milo. A half of Montenegrins didn't vote for him, anyway.

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Join the Drive to Keep NBT Alive -"Putting It Back Together".

33 years of service, dedication, and commitment given to the evolutionary process of developing the authentic Culture of people of African-American decent, NBT (No Better Place to Be) is a Cultural Hub in Harlem, U.S.A. It is your "Home Away From Home". It operates out of a mission of self-empowerment and ownership. Its purpose is to recapture the cultural legacy of love for people of African Ancestry. The Black Theatre Movement is rapidly becoming extinct.

We ask you to break your barrier of silence and answer NBT's call for a Higher Love. Join NBT's "Vision for Victory". Become an active participant. Please don't stand by and watch the entire Black Arts Movement disappear. Help Keep NBT Alive! Now is the time for NBT to reclaim its power and regain its ownership rights. Let your consciousness begin to count like cash -Join the Drive to Keep Soul Alive. Cast Your Vote Now.

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I.Assisted suicide is not murder.

A.Murder can be considered ending another person's life without consent, with forethought, with interference of the natural process of death, and with the intent to do harm.

B.Assisted suicide does not fit the definition of murder.
1.Assisted suicide requires consent and a fifteen-day waiting period and the prognosis must be six months in Oregon.
2.Forethought is present when conducting assisted suicide, but it is also present when withdrawing futile treatment.
3.Both assisted suicide and futile treatment interfere with the natural process of death, though one is passive and the other is active, both are forms of euthanasia.
a.Life support prolongs life.
b.Assisted suicide shortens life.
4.When conducting assisted suicide, good intentions of relieving pain are present.
5.Furthermore, the patient, not the doctor, ends the life.

II. Terminally ill patients should be given the option of assisted suicide.
A. Patients have a "natural right," granted in the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which prevents states from depriving "any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law." Autonomy is important to individuals in the U.S.
B. Preserving life, an interest of the state, is no longer an interest of a terminally ill patient who is in intense pain and wishes to die.
C. A quote from an opponent of assisted suicide, Justice Stevens: "In my judgment…it is clear that [the states'] so-called 'unqualified interest in the preservation of human life'…is not itself sufficient to outweigh the interest in liberty that may justify the only possible means of preserving a dying patient's dignity and alleviating her intolerable suffering."

Assisted suicide is not a bad thing, in fact, it is very good thing. Nobody should be forced to live or die against his or her individual will. I am not asking you to perform assisted suicide or to have assisted suicide performed on you. I am asking that you sign this petition so that someone who is terminally ill and desperately wants and needs to end his or her own life is not prevented from doing so. When you sign this petition, you will be taking part in the relief of an enormous amount of pain and suffering in the state of Iowa.

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We the family, friend and neighbor plead and respectfully ask that Terry Black be granted parole from Missouri State Correctional Center. Terry,is very much cared for,missed,relied on and indeed loved by all of us. We apologize on his behalf for all that has happened and ask that you take us and him for our words -that he is indeed sorry!
Him being home with us is in your hands so please allow this for we miss Terry very much.
Thank You

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Oklahoma Natural Gas Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of ONEOK and has violated the public trust by manipulating natural gas prices and over charging consumers. ONG has franchise agreements with a number of cities in Oklahoma and we the voters should be given the opportunity to rescind these agreements. No one should be forced to do business with crooks!

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Pilot Town on Ft. Morgan Peninsula is a significant, historical site of archeological and environmental importance. From as early as 500 B.C. the site was inhabited by Native Americans, it was settled by Spaniards in the mid-1700's and was the site of a U.S. Navy Base during the War of 1812. The settlement of Bar Pilots in the early 1800's was destroyed during the deadly hurricane of September, 1906. It is the site of many shell mounds and we feel many unmarked graves of Native Americans, African-Americans and Caucasians. Older area residents tell of a large whites-only cemetery and a smaller blacks-only cemetery. The Ft. Morgan Peninsula provides habitat for many endangered and threatened species and this site is part of the acquisition boundary of the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. It is home to a broad diversity of plants and animals and provides an important resting and foraging stop for migrating birds. The property is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and we feel the appropriate future for this land is preservation in its natural state.

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Cherry Lane Music (the company that prints the sheet music books for
Bush and most other bands) informed Joe, a fellow Bush fan, via e-mail that they do not have plans to print a book for Bush's new album, Golden State. They didn't state why, but I am
guessing they feel not enough fans are interested in the sheet music.

We have had sheet music books for all other Bush albums, why should this
one be an exception? Please, sign the petition, and pass the link along
to all your friends and Bush fans! Thanks!

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Mayday gives Evergeen State College a bad rap, so we want to prove that Evergreen does not support Mayday

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The New York State Social Services Law Article 6, Title 6, Section 419 relating to Child Protective Services are unjust, ineffective, and racially biased.

This law requires ANY person, doctor, daycare, deadbeat parent, or stranger to telephone the New York State Central Registry Child Abuse Hotline to make an anonymous call to accuse a parent of child abuse or neglect WHETHER TRUE OR NOT.

The New York State Social Services Law Article 6, Title 6, Section 419 relating to Child Protective Services are unjust, ineffective, and racially biased.

When a telephone call is made to the New York State Central Registry Child Abuse Hotline. The person on the phone does not have to leave a name, just an allegation that a parent is abusing or neglecting their children. No proof or evidence is required.

Calls are only accepted by the accuser. Parents who have children in foster care are prevented from making this same call to the hotline.

This law states that an accuser shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal. No one is held accountable for making false allegations.

The harshest provision of the child protective laws are that children be removed from the biological home and placed in a strange foster care setting. Non-abused children are subjected to physical and sexual abuse by strangers daily.

73% of the children who are in foster care are African American, they spend an average of four years in foster care. 2% of the children in foster care are White. The remaining children are catagorized as other or Hispanic.

African-American children are overwhemingly penalized and removed from their homes without any prior evidence of parental wrongdoing.

The penalties apply without regard to the circumstances or the individual's character or background, making it irrelevant whether the parent is actually an abuser or not.

The racially disproportionate nature of the immunity law is not just devastating to African-Americans.

It contradicts faith in the principles of justice and equal protection of the laws that should be the bedrock of any constitutional democracy; it exposes and deepens the racial fault lines that continue to weaken the country and belies its promise as the land of equal opportunity; and it undermines faith among all races in the fairness and efficacy of the justice system.

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This petition was established after several complaints and dishonest statements made by various animal rescue groups in relation to donations taken by the rescue, care of the animals, and the honesty by the persons who own the facilities. This includes the soliticiting of donations to resell to make a personal profit, the "rescue" of animals that are then not adequately cared for, etc. We have found that there are not set laws or guidelines governing Animal Rescues in each state both private and public.

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AB 540 is a bill that was signed in October 2001 by Governor Gray Davis, which allows undocumented students to receive in-state tuition in California State Universities and Community Colleges. Students need to meet the following criteria:

1)Students must have attended a California High School for at least three (3) years;
2)Student must have graduated from a California High School;
3)Students must submit an affidavit stating that they have filed, or will file, for legal residency status to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).

In the original bill presented to Governor Gray Davis, there was a clause that stated that students meeting the specified criteria would also be able to receive federal and state financial aid. However, in order for the Governor to approve the bill, this clause was removed.

It has already been acknowledged by the U.S. Supreme Court that undocumented students are likely to remain in the U.S. and contribute to the economy and society (Plyler vs. Doe). The adversity these students have had to overcome and their diverse backgrounds offer richness and depth to the quality of the educational experience at the UC system, so why shouldn't undocumented students have access to institutions of higher education such as UCLA? Failure to apply AB 540 at the UC, would contradict the basic belief that education is a human right.

Currently, the bill does not apply to the University of California system. In order for AB 540 to be implemented at the University of California level, the UC Regents (the governing board of the University of California) need to vote YES during the January 16-17, 2002 UC Regents Meeting at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

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All charitable organizations have to follow laws. These laws include the rules for the conduct of the business of the non-profit organization in the IRS code and laws of the state the non-profit organization is registered in. This petition seeks to have all non-profits follow the law and when they don't for the Oregon Attorney General to conduct a fair and impartial investigation.

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An iceberg, only the tip of which is evident to the world so far, is beginning to surface in the Indian Ocean island of Sri Lanka.

The world, which is only superficially aware of the terrible human rights record of this island country, is beginning to see more. Being the country with the world's second largest number of detainee disappearances, many have come to know that things are not quite right in Sri Lanka. By clever manipulation of the media, ably assisted by high-profile public relations firms, Sri Lanka has largely managed to keep matters under wraps. With three-quarters of the population, comprised of a single ethnic group that is willing to assist the state, an oppressive (genocidal) war against the 'other quarter' has gone on for more than two decades, relentlessly. The government, which has been responsible for 98 percent of the killings, has thus far managed to portray itself as the 'victim', and the 'real victims' as the 'villains'.

With the appointment of alleged Sri Lankan war criminals in diplomatic positions around the world, voices that have remained silent for many years are now beginning to echo across the globe. The appointment of Major General Janaka Perera as the ambassador to Australia is one that has begun to shake the chains of suppressed voices. The iceberg is lifting; things are now beginning to unravel. Events that were hidden in the media censored Northeastern Sri Lanka are now coming to surface.

The majority of disappearances in Sri Lanka occurred in short spurts, at specific times and in different parts of the country. Many of these disappearances are marked by one common feature, that is the presence of Maj. Gen. Janaka Perera in charge as the ranking officer of the military outfits responsible.

In the mid-eighties, Gen. Perera worked in the eastern province helping to create a wedge, breaking up the contiguity of Thamil Eelam, the Tamil Nation, comprising of the North and East of Sri Lanka. The area connecting the North and East was ethnically cleansed of Tamil people. Tamil villages were evacuated at gunpoint, hundreds were murdered and others fled out of fear, to make way for State sponsored Sinhala settlements. As a reward for this 'heroic' act a Tamil village (Munkindimalai) was renamed Janakapura (Janaka Town).

The accusations against Perera do not rest with the disappearances of Tamils alone. His notoriety was well documented between 1988 and 1989 when he was reassigned to the south of the country to fight the Sinhala, JVP insurrection. Under his direction, in November 1989, the JVP leader Rohana Wijeweera was arrested and murdered (while still in custody). An estimated 60,000 Sinhala youths were also murdered during this time.

In 1995, he was appointed as Commander for the Welioya Brigade. Large-scale civilian killings took place in Manal Aru (Weli Oya) during this period.

President Kumaratunga's decision to resume the war against the LTTE in October 1995 propelled Perera back into a position of power. He was appointed commander of the elite 53rd Division of the Sri Lankan army which played a key role in 'Operation Riviresa'.

It was during this period that the Mass Grave of Chemmani came into being; these were supplemented by several others that scattered the landscape of Jaffna Peninsula. Over a thousand Tamil civilians arrested by the security forces disappeared (Amnesty International, the international rights watch dog, estimates at least six hundred while the US State Department states a figure of seven hundred), in the area under Janaka Perera's command. Despite widespread rumors, these disappearances could not be verified because of the media ban on the war zones. The presence of these mass graves came to light in July 1998, through the confessions of an army corporal convicted of rape and murder. Over a fourteen-month period following this confession, the area was completely sealed off, and the evidence was allegedly destroyed.

Things started to sour when the cult like admiration for Perera began to have political dimensions. Retried General Balagalle's appointment as the Joint Chief-of-Staff in August 2000, over Janaka Perera who was next in line for the job, led to public acrimony with open accusations of corruption. It is in this backdrop that Perera retired and was appointed ambassador to Australia.

Any investigation into Perera's activities to date has been staged by the Sri Lankan State and has brought up flimsy evidence, of no value.

We, the undersigned, urge the Australian Government to review its acceptance of Maj. General Janaka Perera as Sri Lanka's ambassador to Australia and instigate an international inquiry into the Ambassador's alleged war criminal activities.

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The Governor of Tennessee is shutting down 14 parks in Tennessee. One of those parks is in Jellico, Tn,(right on the Tn Ky boarder). He is doing this because of budget problems in the state. He is also shutting down Historic Parks. This is so totally unfair. I am asking you if you have a park in your hometown that you love, you would know how we feel. So please take a few seconds to sign this form. It is for a great cause.

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Since it came into existence, Pakistan has been trying to break India. It has fought three wars with India and more recently in 1999 tried to occupy Indian territory in Kargil. In this process Pakistan itself got disintegrated, but still it has not given up. Its latest weapon against India is it poor and unemployed youths, who are brain washed into becoming Islamic fundamentalist and sent to India to kill innocent people.

Due to this Islamic fundamentalism Pakistan has become threat to civilized societies. Pakistan supported and promoted Taliban has wrecked havoc in Afghanistan. Pakistan is trying to do the same thing in India.

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Petition started September 2001 by a person who has a disabling condition, worked all her life, and was improperly denied long-term disability from her insurance company (AND employer), despite medical evidence to the contrary.

The reason for the denial? Because they "CAN". Claimants cannot sue, except in Federal Court after a long process overseen by the insurance company, and then only for the exact amt of the LTD. Insurance companies KNOW about the ERISA loophole and use it to their advantage. MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS, as their LTD benefits are covered under ERISA.

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This current campaign is seeking to end more than three decades of cruel and unnecessary primate research at the State University of New York (SUNY) Health Sciences Center in Brooklyn. Dr. Leonard Rosenblum, director of the Primate Behavior Laboratory at the SUNY Health Science Center in Brooklyn, has forced monkeys to undergo maternal separation or deprivation in order to "model" human ailments such as panic and anxiety disorders. Mr. Rosenblum has been performing his sadistic experiments at SUNY on mother monkeys and their infants for over 30 years.

Picture this: a young monkey sits terrified and immobile with its head below his knees. His arms are wrapped around himself and its toes are tightly curled. This is the essence of Rosenblum's experiments Deprived of their mothers, these normally playful infants become frightened and withdrawn. Since 1990 he has funded his brutal research with over 2.5 million dollars in taxpayer money. LET'S STOP HIM NOW.

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Wild dolphins live on average about 45 years and swim 40 to 100 miles per day. In captivity, very few dolphins will survive to see their 15th year, are confined to their tanks and some are forced to interact with visitors who feed them dead fish for up to 14 hours a day.

The Texas State Aquarium claims they want to rehabilitate dolphins, however they have no plans to release the animals or to prepare them for a life in the wild. An alternative to dolphin tanks is sea pens, where dolphins can live in the ocean, chase live fish and avoid further exploitation.

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Background: during much of the last 18 years, a devastating war has been raging in Sudan. It has cost the lives of two million people and forced more than four million people from their homes and ancestral lands. The war is marked by a systematic campaign of terror by the government in Khartoum against its own people, especially Christians and practitioners of African traditional religions.

The denial of religious freedom in the North, the systematic persecution of Christians, and the destruction of African cultural identity lie at the heart of the conflict. Religion and culture are manipulated by a government that thirsts for power and money. While the principal responsibility lies with the Khartoum government, there are credible reports of human rights abuses in the South, notably by the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), the main rebel group in southern Sudan.

For the more than thirty million Sudanese living in the largest country in Africa, the war continues to disrupt their lives, forcing them to live in a permanent state of insecurity and fear. The bombings of hospitals, schools, churches, homes and fields by the government in Khartoum continues to threaten the lives of innocent civilians in the south and other contested areas, including the Nuba Mountains. The government also denies humanitarian access to international donor agencies that seek to provide food, medicines and other items vital to the survival of those most vulnerable.

The bishops of Sudan fully support the Declaration of Principles that was signed by the two major parties to the conflict. The Declaration of Principles provide a framework for a comprehensive cease-fire, conditions for the creation of an interim government, an equitable distribution of economic resources, and the holding of a referendum in the South to allow the people to decide for themselves their political future. Support by the U.S. government and the international community for peace initiatives based on these fundamental principles is essential if there is to be a just and lasting peace. It is also critical that all parties to the conflict, the regional neighbors of Sudan and the international community, cooperate as broadly as possible in this process.

USCC Recent Trip to Sudan: A delegation of bishops from the USCC recently visited Khartoum and southern Sudan. They witnessed, first hand, the suffering of the Sudanese people, especially the more than 2 million internally displaced living in and around Khartoum in a permanent situation of insecurity, harassment, religious and social isolation and economic exclusion. War in the South and other contested areas has caused tremendous human suffering. Aerial bombardments of civilian targets by the government in Khartoum continues. Thousands of people are driven from their homes and lands in oil-rich areas.

USCC Position: The Sudanese government must stop bombings of civilian targets in the south and other contested areas.

The Sudanese government and rebel groups must halt the abduction and enslavement of the Sudanese from oil-rich areas and northern Bahr Al-Ghazal region, as well as other human rights violations.

The Sudanese government, the international community and multinational oil companies must take steps to ensure that revenues generated by the development of oil resources are not used to fuel the war.

The Sudanese government must respect religious freedom and a the many African cultures represented by the Sudanese peoples and stop its program of forced Islamization and Arabization.

Action Requested: We urge that all Catholics and others of good will write to the President of the United States and the Secretary of State with two specific requests: That the new U.S. administration raise the level of involvement of the President of the United States and the Secretary of State in the matter of Sudan, and that it press our allies in Europe and elsewhere to bring increased diplomatic pressure upon the Government of Sudan to work for a just resolution to the war. Also, that the President name a high-level Special Envoy to Sudan who will be given a clear mandate and have direct access to the President and the Secretary of Sudan

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