Keep signing online petitions, they really do work!

Score one for a customer rebellion & Online Petitions!

In less than one month, Bank of America went from announcing a new $5 monthly debit card fee, to reeling under huge pressure from the media, Congress, and Change.org members. Now, Chase and Wells Fargo -two of Bank of America's biggest consumer banking competitors - have promised not to levy debit card fees on customers, and Bank of America is suggesting they will 'soften' their fee.

It all started with one Change.org member, Molly Katchpole, who said enough was enough and started a campaign against Bank of America's $5 fee.

Friday night, ABC World News reported on the banking industry’s reaction to Molly’s campaign. Watch the video to learn how Molly and 300,000 Change.org petition signers made big banks listen up!

Here's how it all happened:

September 29: Bank of America announces a new $5 monthly debit card fee.

September 30: Molly creates her petition on Change.org; more than 150,000 people sign in the next 5 days.

October 5: The petition becomes a major national story. ABC News interviews Molly, then tracks down Bank of America’s CEO Brian Moynihan and forces him to respond to it.

October 6: Molly delivers 153,000 petitions to Bank of America and closes her account. She appears on ABC World News again to discuss the petition. Local media in Charlotte (where Bank of America is based) openly speculate that the growing controversy could lead to the firing of Moynihan.

October 9: Molly is featured in a major article in the New York Times as an example of the public’s frustration with big banks.

October 10: Bank of America executive Andrew Plepler calls Molly Katchpole to discuss her petition.

October 13: Molly meets with Congressman Brad Miller to discuss a bill in Congress to make it easier to switch banks. The two later appear on CNN together.

October 18: Molly’s petition reaches 225,000, as Bank of America reports a $6 billion profit. The outrage continues to grow.

October 26: Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan says he’s ‘incensed’ over recent criticism of the bank fees

October 27: JPMorgan Chase, the largest bank in America, and Wells Fargo announce they will stop testing $3 debit card fees and cancel any plans to charge customers to use their debit cards.

October 28: Bank of America begins a full-on retreat from the $5 debit card fee. An unnamed source at the bank says they will 'soften' the fee and allow more customers - including anyone with a direct deposit - to avoid the $5 fee. Molly appears on ABC World News for the fourth time to talk about her petition.

October 30: Molly's Change.org petition reaches 300,000 signatures, and customers continue to demand that Bank of America cancel the $5 fee for all of its customers.

Inspired? Then start your own petition, and make change happen.

Happy Halloween to all!

Have a great Halloween and be safe trick or treating tonight! 

Keep your children close and never take your eyes off of them. Halloween is a wonderful treat for kids as well as adults. Everyone remember what we learned growing up and the rules we had to follow that our parents set to keep us safe and out of trouble. Just take a minute think back and realize how much our parents knew and they were right. If we set the same expectations and rules for our children now we will know that they will be safe, happy and healthy. 

Again, everyone have a safe and happy Halloween, let your children enjoy and stay happy, healthy and of course safe always.

Halloween Is Tomorrow! Ready or Not, Trick or Treat!!!

Halloween, a fun time kids everywhere and for most adults as well. 

I just wanted to share a few links to some really nice desktop wallpapers I found that would be fun to have on your computer at work for the day. 

http://gosesse.blogspot.com/2011/07/3d-halloween-wallpapers.html

http://www.vistawallpapers.ro/view/cemetery-in-dark-1280x960.html

http://www.wallpaperslibrary.com/halloween/1672-pumpkin-invasion-wallpaper.html

Enjoy and happy Halloween to all!

Agent Orange Legacy - Children of Vietnam Veterans: Agent Orange Legacy is looking for guest authors for this blog

Agent Orange Legacy - Children of Vietnam Veterans: Agent Orange Legacy is looking for guest authors for this blog

Remember to Set Your Clocks Back on Nov. 6, 2011!

It's that time again, time to change our clocks back one hour, fall back on November 6, 2011 & remember to change the batteries in every smoke detector in every room of your home!

Daylight savings time, sounds a bit confusing. An easy way to remember which way to change your clocks (one hour a head or one hour back) is the old saying...

Spring forward, fall back. It helps us to remember how Daylight Saving Time affects our clocks twice each year. Each spring we set our clocks forward one hour and each fall we set them back one hour.




WHY DO WE HAVE DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME?

Well, to some degree we may have Benjamin Franklin to thank.

Franklin, who penned the proverb, "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise," was among the first to suggest the idea. In a 1784 essay he wrote that adjusting the clocks in the spring could be a good way to save on candles.

FOR OUR MORE RECENT HISTORY LESSONS:

It was first established in 1918, but then repealed a year later. During World War II, the country again took up the practice to conserve energy from 1942 to 1945.

In 1966 the United States officially adopted the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which outlined Daylight Savings Time to begin on the last Sunday of April and end on the last Sunday in October.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 mandated a change to the observed dates so now DST begins at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday of March and ends at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November.

Incidentally, states do not have to comply with the act and, in fact, two states, Arizona and Hawaii, do not.

So do we really economize, as Benjamin Franklin said we would, by adjusting our clocks? It appears, in our modern world, not really.

Reason for Daylight Saving Time:
Conserve energy.

To make better use of daylight.
Saves lives because people travel home in the light which is safer.
Can prevent crime because people do their errands in the daylight which is safer.
Contrary to popular belief, it was not created for farmers nor does it benefit farmers.

Current Observance of Daylight Saving Time-

Worldwide: William Willett would be happy to know that daylight saving time is now employed in about seventy countries around the world, including almost every major industrialized nation. It affects well over a billion people each year.

In several other countries, there is current debate about adopting DST. Sunrises, sunsets, and day lengths of countries near the equator do not vary much during the year, but even in such countries DST is sometimes utilized, especially for energy conservation.

United States: In the United States from 1987 through 2006, a daylight saving time period of almost seven months was in effect: from 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in April to 2 a.m. on the last Sunday in October.

A law passed in 2005 extended the U.S. daylight saving time period by about one month, beginning in 2007. Thus for 2007 and beyond, the daylight saving time period is: 

2 a.m. on the second Sunday in March
to
2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November

Currently, the entire country observes this DST period of almost eight months, except for the states of Arizona and Hawaii, and the U. S. insular areas of Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam--all of which have chosen to stay on standard time all year.

The DST Period in the United States:

For 2005, from Sunday April 3 to Sunday October 30.
For 2006, from Sunday April 2 to Sunday October 29.
For 2007, from Sunday March 11 to Sunday November 4.
For 2008, from Sunday March 9 to Sunday November 2.
For 2009, from Sunday March 8 to Sunday November 1.
For 2010, from Sunday March 14 to Sunday November 7.
For 2011, from Sunday March 13 to Sunday November 6.
For 2012, from Sunday March 11 to Sunday November 4.
For 2013, from Sunday March 10 to Sunday November 3.

Also Associated With Daylight Saving Time:

Change the batteries in your smoke detectors in your home.

Fire Department Safety Reminder:
Working Fire Detectors Save Lives!

Fire departments encourage people to change the batteries in their smoke detectors when they change their clocks because Daylight Saving Time provides a convenient reminder. It pays to take their advice to heart. A working smoke detector more than doubles a person's chances of surviving a home fire. More than 90% of United States homes have smoke detectors, but at least a third of them are likely to have dead or even missing batteries. Play it safe and take a few minutes to check, repair, and replace the smoke detectors in your home, garage, and workplace.

More About Daylight Saving Time and Sources for the Facts Above:

World Time Zone
Daylight Saving Time Web Exhibit
http://worldtimezone.net/daylight.htm
http://www.savingthedaylight.com/dst/
http://www.squidoo.com/daylightsavingstime

2011, The Year of Agent Orange Victims

On August 10th 1961, the US Air force began spraying chemicals over Vietnam . Several events will take place this year to mark the fiftieth anniversary of that dreadful act. The Vietnam War (1961-1975) is known for the massive bombing of North Vietnam . Less obvious and unknown for too long by the public at large has been the chemical warfare waged in the Southern part of that country from 1961 to 1971, whose consequences have been dramatic and long-lasting. 

The ecological disaster is huge and the human catastrophe bears on the economic, social, cultural and well-being of the whole Vietnamese population, affecting now the third generation.

The US government, as well as the US chemicals companies, has tried to escape its responsibilities, but things may begin to change. On June 26th 2010, in Hanoi , the US-Vietnam Dialogue Group[i] published a report, its fourth, consisting in two parts: a Statement and an Action plan. By its tone, the Statement is unusually candid, stressing the Vietnam ’s efforts to face the consequences of the chemical sprayings and pointing also at the modest humanitarian aid procured by NGO, the Ford Foundation included.

According to the Action plan, 300 million USD should be spent during the next ten years to finance a list of projects detailed in four pages of the report. It is a rather ambitious plan and 300 million USD will surely not be enough. Moreover, the Dialogue Group has no funds of its own and cannot decide for other bodies. Therefore, the consequences of the chemical sprayings will not disappear soon. Still, one important fact is that the Dialogue Group is calling on the US government to finance the largest part of the fund.

The humanitarian assistance of NGO cannot cope with the needs of the Vietnamese victims. It is at the governmental level that the energies must be mobilized and the reparations to the victims must be paid. The chemical firms must face their responsibilities and contribute to the reparations.

Meeting In Ivry (France), on May 21st 2011, for the 50th anniversary of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association (AAFV), the representatives of the four following solidarity associations with Vietnam have decided to work together to inform their public opinions about the tragedy Vietnam undergoes, thirty five years after the end of the Vietnam War. They will do their utmost to convince their respective parliaments of the necessity to support, as quickly and massively as possible, the Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange/dioxin and Vietnam , as a country devastated by the defoliants.

National Pitbull Day yesterday - some interesting facts...

Pit Bull Facts, Myths & Media Hype!

October 22 is National Pit Bull Awareness Day, and events will be taking place in San Diego and across the USA to raise awareness about pit bull type dogs.

Once celebrated as a great all-American pet, pit bull type dogs started getting a bad rap in the 1980s, largely due to misinformation, which spawned prejudice. Fast forward to today, and pit bulls are now the most abused, most maligned and most abandoned type of dog in the United States, with approximately 1,000,000 put to sleep in shelters yearly.

Some Facts & Myths About Pit Bulls

* Pit bulls are just dogs (a type of dog, not a breed).
* They do not have locking jaws.
* They do not bite differently than other large breeds.
* They are not more aggressive than other breeds (source: American Temperament Test Society).

Like all dogs, they feel pain, love, fear and joy. The media has played a large role in spreading erroneous information and creating hysteria about pit bulls: National Pit Bull Awareness Day is a chance to for the media to help set the record straight.

National Pit Bull Awareness Day is the perfect opportunity to tell a positive story about America’s dog Pit bulls are the most abused, most euthanised, most maligned and most misunderstood type of dog in America and across much of the world today.

The media has been a big part of this problem—sensationalizing negative pit bull stories, spreading myths and inciting hysteria. Now, you can also be part of the solution. October 22, 2011, is National Pit Bull Awareness Day.

The organisers (and K9 Magazine is happy to join in) are asking you to take this opportunity to focus on the positive attributes of this all-American dog. Here are some story suggestions:

Facts About Pit Bulls

1. Pit bulls are therapy dogs, service dogs, search and rescue dogs and, most famously, loving family pets (including pets to many celebrities). Tell the story of one such everyday hero in your community. We’ll be happy to help provide contacts and leads.

2. Highlight a National Pit Bull Awareness Day event going on in your community.

3. Take the opportunity to dispel many of the common myths: Pit bulls do not have locking jaws, do night bite differently than other large breeds, do not “suddenly snap,” are not “bred to fight” (the vast majority are bred as pets, like any other dog), and they do feel pain. Like all prejudicial thinking, judging a dog simply by how it looks only leads to negative actions and reactions.

Understanding that certain myths created about particular breeds can lead to innocent dogs losing their lives is something that, happily, many thousands of people have been able to grasp since the Worldwide web has been able to educate. However, there are still politicians who need to learn. Hopefully National Pit Bull Awareness day will have a positive impact on the minds of those who are happy to see certain dogs lose their lives having never done a single thing wrong.

Birthday Wishes On Facebook Causes Page...

Facebook's Causes Wish is a new idea in social fundraising. Using the collective power of your friends and family, it's a fun and rewarding way to raise money for the causes you care about.

 

Hello, and thanks for checking out my Birthday Wish!

For my birthday on December 8th, I'm asking my friends and family for a special gift: help me raise $1000 for Code Orange...Helping Vietnam Vets suffering from Parkinsons.

I chose Code Orange...Helping Vietnam Vets suffering from Parkinsons because My father, Sgt. Jimmy McDaniel, Special Forces, Vietnam 1968 was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease about 5 years ago and it has been linked directly to him being exposed to Agent Orange while in Vietnam.

He JOINED the Army just out of high school and trained with the Marines so that he could become an Army Special Forces Platoon Sgt., he then spent 6 in the Army before being deployed to Vietnam as a Forwarding Observer for his unit. He went to do the job he signed up for when he JOINED the army, leaving me at the age 3 months old with my Mother alone for a year. He lost most of his hearing while there but never once has he regretted serving his country. As a matter of fact he volunteered to do another tour in Vietnam but was denied due to his hearing loss.

Well, 50 years later he is suffering more than ever all because he did what he had to do, he didn't ask why, he wanted to serve his country, he received the Bronze Star while there as well. My wish is that more research can be done for Parkinson's Disease and of course a cure can be found to relieve his symptoms and let him feel better, be happier and be healthy again before it is too late. Thank you for reading this and for your thoughts and support..

Please consider giving to my Birthday Wish, and together we can make it so that all of our Vietnam Veterans can enjoy their golden years healthy and happy. 

If you can't give now, I'd really appreciate if you'd share this page with your friends and family. Here is the link to my cause wish page http://wishes.causes.com/wishes/392851#

Thanks so very much,
Angie

I'm asking for $10, or as much as you can afford.
Your donation is 100% secure and tax-deductible

UNBELIEVABLE... A statement from Mr. Obama today...

Re: statement from the President - bringing home our troops by the end of this year!

Today our "President" made a statement to this country and it was a bit insulting to me personally and I am sure to many, many more Americans.

Please see the link ( http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/10/21/remarks-president-ending-war-iraq ) for the complete statement, I will not post the entire thing here, but I am going to quote something he said in his statement and I have some comments for him. I hope someday he realizes exactly what these words meant to so many Veterans and their families.

"And as we welcome home our newest veterans, we’ll never stop working to give them and their families the care, the benefits and the opportunities that they have earned. "


My comments for this quote are as follows: First let me start with I have the up most respect for every veteran in our country.

1. There are so many Vietnam Veterans STILL waiting to be welcomed home!


2. Vietnam Veteran's and their families are STILL waiting for the care, the benefits and the opportunities they earned 50 years ago!


3. Our Vietnam Veteran's gave their all then and are giving even more now with their health and suffering due to Agent Orange exposure!

Senate approves COLA increase for disabled Veterans!

First Cost Of Living increase for disabled Veterans in two years!

The Senate moved Wednesday night to make sure disabled veterans receive the same 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment as Social Security beneficiaries and military retirees, but in typical congressional fashion it’s not yet a sure thing.

By voice vote, the Senate passed S 894, the Veterans Compensation Cost-of-Living Act of 2011, which directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to give disabled veterans the same increase on the same effective date as the rise in Social Security.

The result would be a 3.6 percent increase, effective Dec. 1 and paid in January, in veterans’ disability compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors, additional dependent compensation and clothing allowances for some veterans.

The House of Representatives passed its own version of the bill, HR 1407, on May 24. It has similar provisions, but the bill cannot be sent to the White House until the House and Senate pass the same legislation. Final passage won’t happen before next week because the House is in recess until this coming Monday.

Cost-of-living adjustments in Social Security, military retirement and federal civilian retirement are automatic, linked to annual changes in the Consumer Price Index. COLAs for disabled veterans are not automatic, because the House and Senate veterans committees refuse to relinquish the power of passing a COLA bill each year.

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/10/military-cola-senate-approves-increase-for-disabled-veterans-102011w/

The Truth Regarding Pit Bull Fatal Attacks!

Think about the facts before you judge. Pit Bull Statistics are truthful, with no bias.

• According to the American Temperament Test Society, temperament evaluations of American Pit Bull Terriers shows that this breed has a very high passing rate of 82.6%.
• The average passing rate for the other 121 breeds of dogs in the tests: 77%.

Look at the facts below.  Pit Bulls have gone through so much, yet they’re still less likely to attack you then a Rottweiler, German Shepherd, or a Chow.  Pit Bulls are facing bans across the United States and across the world, yet society is to blame, because they’re the ones tearing the breed apart.   For many people, Pit Bulls are nothing more then an asset, for making money.  These people mass produce Pit Bulls, force them to fight for their lives, and when they lose their fight, they’re killed.  Many situations occur where the Pit Bull will be hung, electrocuted, shot, etc., yet THEY ARE THE ONES TO BLAME?  I find that a little contradicting dont you?

The Pit Bull breed makes up 5-9.6% of the United States dog population.  In 2007, there were above 72 million dogs in the United States provided by American Pet Products Manufacturers Association.  That’s between 3,600,000 and 6,912,000 Pit Bull breed dogs in the United States.

So, for our example we’ll take the average percent between 5 and 9.6, and use 7.3 percent, which would give an average estimation of the Pit Bull population in the United States.  That leaves us with 5,256,000 Pit Bulls.

Other dog populations (United States):

(estimation) Pit Bulls: 5,256,000

(estimation) Rottweilers: 900,000

(estimation) German Shepherds: 780,000

(estimation) Chows: 240,000

Fatal attacks by these breeds of dogs (1979-1998):

Pit Bulls: 66

Rottweilers: 39

German Shepherds: 17

Chows: 8

When we divide the population by the fatal attacks, we can get a percentage based on the dogs probability of fatally attacking a human.

Pit Bulls: .00125 %

Rottweilers: .00433 %

German Shepherds: .00217%

Chow: .00333%

WELL, it would seem the Pit Bull is at the bottom of the list. 4 times as many Rottweilers, 2 times as many German Shepherds, and 3 times as many Chows are involved in Fatal Attacks based on the population percentage. It is only logical that if there are more Pit Bulls there would be more attacks. Lets take a little less blame on the breed and put a little more blame on the people. Through all they’ve been through, the Pit Bull still triumphs.

Defend Our Best Friends, The American Pit Bull!

Red states currently have a Pit Bull bans in process.

America is supposed to be THE LAND OF THE FREE and the home of the brave, yet many people do not have the right to own a Pit Bull.  What does this mean?  Lets look at this with a little more perspective.  There are many criminals out there, using this breed for their personal benefit.  The breed is being blamed for all this mess, and criminals are getting off with a slap on the wrist.  Seeing as the criminals are the ones causing all the problems, they are essentially controlling our government, by forcing the government to ban the breed, because the government cannot control the criminals.  The criminals still get Pit Bulls, breed them underground, and the only ones who suffer, are true Pit Bull lovers, and the Pit Bulls themselves.  As a result of these criminals, we now have a full-on extermination of this breeds reputation, and may one day be forced to put down the breed for good.


If there are any more in the United States, or if something comes up, that isn’t on here, please let me know at admin@defendpitbulls.com

What is it About Pit Bulls?

Misunderstood dogs face uphill battle to change public perception...

Pit Bull. Two simple words, but so very charged, the reaction to which varies wildly. There are their fearful detractors, those who would have them demonized, having fallen prey to the dogs’ misrepresentation in the media. And then there are their champions, who are struggling to change the tide of public opinion. “Pit Bull” is, in fact, a loose term for many distinct “bully” breed dogs, such as the American Staffordshire Terrier, the American Pit Bull Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. There is a general misunderstanding of the nature of dogs that fall into the Pit Bull camp, one that can be blamed largely on the sad fact that any aggressive attack is often inaccurately blamed on the scapegoated Pit Bull with little concern as to the offender’s actual breed. According to testing by The National Canine Temperament Testing Association, the Golden Retriever, Poodle, Border Collie, English Setter, and numerous other breeds are considered more likely to become aggressive than the breeds commonly referred to as Pit Bulls. While the average score of the 231 breeds tested was a mere 82.4 percent, Pit Bulls scored a 86.5 percent (the higher the score the better).

In truth, bully breeds are goofy, loyal, lovey dogs, by and large fantastic with children. In the UK, they were known as “nanny” dogs, and many Victorian illustrations of family life portray a sweet Pit Bull-type dog overseeing his chubby, beribboned charges.

Yes, this personable package comes wrapped in a powerhouse of a body, one that historically was bred for the cruel blood sport of dog fighting, but these dogs are anything but mean by nature. Sure, some, if left unchecked, have more of a tendency toward dog-aggression than, say, the average affable Labrador Retriever does, but if ever there was a testament to the underlying sweet nature of these dogs, it is seen in the rehabilitation stories of the Pit Bulls seized from Bad Newz Kennels, the Virginia dogfighting ring that was run by NFL quarterback Michael Vick.

Subject to some of the worst humanity has to offer, these were dogs that were caged or chained alone in the woods, tortured, and forced to fight, the torn-apart losers of the battles callously dumped in mass graves, the females tethered to rape tables. And yet, thanks to public outcry and an unprecedented ruling by the judge overseeing the Vick case, nearly $1 million was put aside for the rescue and rehabilitation of these dogs. With the help of a great many caring individuals and organizations who were unwilling to see them put down after having suffered only abuse at the hands of humans, these former dog-ring fighters have now been adopted into homes with other dogs, and are volunteering in elder-care facilities and schools to help children learn to read.

Hector, one of the Bad Newz victims, bears deep scars on his chest. He was adopted by Roo Yori, best known as the guardian of Wallace the Pit Bill, a national flying-disc champ (see the Summer 2010 issue of Modern Dog for photos of Wallace and his high-flying Frisbee grabs). Hector is now ensconced in the Yori household, where he happily shares a home with Yori, his wife, Clara, and Wallace, as well as a Rat Terrier named Scooby, Angus, a black Lab mix, and Mindy Lou, a toy Australian Shepherd. What better testament to the forgiving nature of these animals? As Jim Gorant, author of The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick’s Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption (Gotham, 2010) has noted, “Generalizations and preconceptions are as unhelpful and counterproductive for Pit Bulls as they are for people.”

There is much work to do, though, to change public opinion. Many, many dogs falling into the Pit Bull camp, lumped together under this one inaccurate label, are crowding shelters, their numbers vast, the available homes few. Moved by the plight of these dogs, Brooklyn-based photographer Bethany Obrecht turned her lens to some of these animals, who hopefully faced her camera.

Sadly, most of the dogs Obrecht photographed didn’t make it, victims of an overburdened shelter system and an uninformed public. We’re hoping we can change that with a positive public relations campaign taking aim at their misrepresentation and drawing attention to the plight of legion Pit Bull-type dogs in desperate need of a home. Adopt a sweet, goofy, grinning Pit Bull today. We’re willing to bet you won’t regret it.

http://bobrecht.com/1251073/What-is-it-about-Pit-Bulls

By Rose Frosek | Photographed by Bethany Obrecht

Planned Parenthood - Today and Yesterday

Today Planned Parenthood marks its 95th Anniversary!

Oct. 16th, 1916: The first birth control clinic in America opens.

We are proud to be celebrating nearly a century of service to women and families in the U. S., as well as 40 years of service worldwide.

Check out our flip book "Today and Yesterday" and see how far we've come.

Today and Yesterday - Planned Parenthood:
http://issuu.com/actionfund/docs/95anniversary_flipbook_vf?

Agent Orange Legacy

Agent Orange Legacy's Support Community...


Agent Orange Legacy is mobilizing to fight for the services, support and RIGHTS of the sons and daughters of American Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange and connecting families of veterans exposed to agent orange and other toxic substances.


Agent Orange Legacy is looking for the children of American Vietnam veterans exposed to agent orange and their families. 85% of our members report that they suffer from one or more of the following: birth defects, autoimmune and rare diseases, mental health illnesses, learning disabilities such as autism and ADHD, and cancers.


Join our support community today!!

EFF continues to battle for bloggers' rights.

Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)

Bloggers' Rights

One of EFF's goals is to give you a basic roadmap to the legal issues you may confront as a blogger to let you know you have rights and to encourage you to blog freely with the knowledge that your legitimate speech is protected.

In addition EFF continues to battle for bloggers' rights in the courtroom:

To that end we have created the Legal Guide for Bloggers a collection of blogger-specific FAQs addressing everything from fair use to defamation law to workplace whistle-blowing.

Bloggers can be journalists (and journalists can be bloggers). We're battling for legal and institutional recognition that if you engage in journalism you're a journalist with all of the attendant rights privileges and protections. (See Apple v. Does.)

Bloggers are entitled to free speech. We're working to shield you from frivolous or abusive threats and lawsuits. Internet bullies shouldn't use copyright libel or other claims tochill your legitimate speech. (See OPG v. Diebold.)

Bloggers have the right to political speech. We're working with a number of other public-interest organizations to ensure that the Federal Election Commission (FEC) doesn't gag bloggers' election-related speech. We argue that the FEC should adopt a presumption against the regulation of election-related speech by individuals on the Internet and interpret the existing media exemption to apply to online media outlets that provide news reporting and commentary regarding an election -- including blogs. (See our joint comments to the FEC [PDF 332K].)

Bloggers have the right to stay anonymous. We're continuing our battle to protect and preserve your constitutional right to anonymous speech online including providing a guide to help you with strategies for keeping your identity private when you blog. (See How to Blog Safely (About Work or Anything Else).)

Bloggers have freedom from liability for hosting speech the same way other web hosts do. We're working to strengthen Section 230 liability protections under the Communications Decency Act (CDA) while spreading the word that bloggers are entitled to them. (See Barrett v. Rosenthal.)

If you'd like to spread the word about our work consider adding an EFF Bloggers' Rights Badge to your blog or website. 

https://w2.eff.org/campaigns/banners/

National Pit Bull Awareness Day is Coming Soon!

Saturday, October 22nd is National Pit Bull Awareness Day!

Bless the Bullys, home and founder of National Pit Bull Awareness Day, cordially invites you to continue in the tradition of celebrating the American Pit Bull Terrier with pit bull advocates across the country on National Pit Bull Awareness Day - October 22, 2011. Please join us!

EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 22, 2011

Location: Birrmingham, AL
Event: Howl-O-Ween Carnival style event
Host: Bama Bully Rescue
Contact: amber@bamabully.org
WebsiteName: www.bamabully.org
AdditionalInformation: Friday night, we kick things off with a lighted leash walk through Railroad Park, in honor of dogs of this wonderful breed, present, past and future. Time to be announced. Then on NPAD Saturday, we are hosting a fun filled event with a dunk tank, dog and human activities and raffles. Join us!

* * * * *

Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Event: Canine Carnivale (October 29th)
Host: Mayday Pit Bull Rescue & Advocacy
Contact: info@maydaypitbullrescue.org
Website: www.maydaypitbullrescue

* * * * *

Location: Tucson, AZ
Event: Pitbulooza! Responsible Dog Ownership Celebration
Brandi Fenton Park
Host: Pit n’ Proud & In the Arms of Angels
Contact: Rachel Molyneux
Website: www.pitnproud.com
Join us for food, fun, contests, educational booths, demos, and, of course, pit bulls! This will be a celebration of all things positive and pit!

* * * * *

Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Event: Lazy Dog Cafe Calendar Release and Fundraiser
Host: Pinups For Pitbulls
Contact: corinne@mbartech.com
Website: www.pinupsforpitbulls.com
AdditionalInformation: Event will be held at Lazy Dog Cafe at 16310 Beach Blvd with beer specials and a calendar release party with Pinups for Pitbulls from 1-4pm to benefit bully breed dogs in need. 15% of ALL proceeds from 10AM-10PM will be donated… just be sure to mention Pinups for Pitbulls when you get your check!

* * * * *

Location: San Diego, CA
Event: National Pit Bull Awareness Day
Host: San Diego Pit Bull Lovers Meet Up Group
Contact E-Mail: jennifer_ald@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.meetup.com/San-DiegoPit-Bull-Lovers/
AdditionalInformation: More info will be available as we get closer to the date. This is our 3rd event and has been held traditionally in Balboa Park.

* * * * *

Location: Littleton, CO
Event: Pit Bull Parade
Historic Downtown Littleton
5663 South Prince Street
Website: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?
Contact: kelly@wishcuit.com

* * * * *

Location: Connecticut
Event: National Pit Bull Awareness Day
Host: Bikers Against Animal Cruelty
Website: http://www.bikersagainstanimalcruelty.org/CTNPBAD.html

* * * * *

Location: Delaware/Pennsylvania
Event: Ride for Hope: Motorcycle Rally
Host: CompAnimals Pet Rescue &
DE Alliance for Animal Welfare Group
Website: www.companimals.org
AdditionalInformation: Live music, contests and festivities at the Charcoal Pit at Pike Creek

* * * * *

Location: Cocoa, FL
Event: Adoption event and reunion
Host: Central Brevard Humane Society
Contact: fosterprogram@crittersavers.com
Website: crittersavers.com
AdditionalInformation: Come join us for a bully reunion from 1-3 in our meet and greet yard. We will be having and education station, reduced adoption fees and free microchipping for all bullys adopted that day.

* * * * *

Location: Tampa, FL-FL State Fairgrounds
Event: 5th Annual Pit Bull Awareness Day
Host: Pit Bull Gear
Contact: connie@pitbullgear.com
Website: www.pitbullgear.com
Info: 5th Annual~offering BBCR confirmation (registration with the BBCR is free until Oct 1 www.bullbreedcoalitionregistry.com/

* * * * *

Location: Atlanta, GA
Event: The Atlanta Bully Rally
Host: Atlanta Underdog Initiative www.atlantaunderdog.com
Contact: ami@atlantabullyrally.com
Website: www.atlantabullyrally.com
When: October 22, 2011 from 12:00-5:00 pm in Perkerson Park; 770 Deckner Avenue

* * * * *

Location: Morton, IL
Event: To be announced
Host: APBT People
Contact E-Mail: apbtpeople@gmail.com
Website: www.apbtpeople.webs.com

* * * * *

Location: Lothisn Maryland
Event: National Pit Bull Awareness Day
Host: The Humane Society of Calvert County
Contact: northrop-cobb@comcast.net
Website: www.humanesocietyofcalvertcounty.org

* * * * *

Location: Framimgham MA
Event: 2011 Pit Bull Awareness Day
Host: PittieLove Rescue Inc @ Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society in Springfield MA
Contact:: info@pittieloverescue.org
Website: www.pittieloverescue.org
AdditionalInformation: Not yet posted on our website or Dakin but will be soon.

* * * * *

Location: Brownstown, MI
Event: Allstate Adoption Event & Pit Bull Awareness Day!
Host: Allstate – Pacut Insurance Agency
ContactE-Mail: diana@wonderbull.com
Website: Yes
Website: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=228624313862644

* * * * *

Location: Minneapolis, MN
Event: Get Your Fix! Vaccination Clinic & Spay Neuter Fair
Host: A Rotta Love Plus
Contact: info@arottalove.org
Website: http://www.arottalove.org/info/display?PageID=10967

* * * * *

Location: Las Vegas, NV
Event: National Pit Bull Awareness Day Las Vegas
Host: The Pit Bull Coalition
Contact E-Mail: info@pitbullday.com
Website: www.pitbullday.com
AdditionalInformation: Second annual event for Las Vegas Pit Bull Coalition (consisting of 4 bully breed rescues, advocacy groups and independent pit bull rescuers). We’ll have CGC & therapy evaluations/sign-up, agility and weight pull demos and try-outs, sprint speed contests with prizes, raffles, silent auction, kid/dog safety classes, BSL presentation by Best Friends Network, music, food, dog portraits and last but not least: a Vick Dog chew toy chew-a-thon with prizes for fastest destruction of the toy! Pit bulls are welcome but must be pre-registered before the event, via our website

* * * * *

Location: Cincinnati OH
Event: Bark Ark in the Park /National Pit Bull Awareness Day
Host: Bark Ark Bully Rescue
ContactE-Mail: elisabeth@barkark.org
Website: www.barkark.org

* * * * *

Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Event: Dogtoberfest
Host: Pit Bull Rescue Oklahoma
Contact: pbroklahoma@yahoo.com
Website: http://dogtoberfestok.webs.com/
AdditionalInformation: October 23, 2011
10:00am to 4:00pm
7949 S I-35 Service Rd
Oklahoma City OK 73149

* * * * *

Location: Salem, Oregon
Event: Pit Bull March
Host: Johnson Family
Contact E-Mail: candycoatedlove04@yahoo.com

* * * * *

Location: Lancaster, PA
Event: Pitties in the Park II
Host: Humane League of Lancaster County
Contact E-Mail: mwallick@humaneleague.com
Website: www.humaneleague.com

* * * * *

Location: Manchester, PA
Event: Bow Wow Pow Wow
Time: Sunday October 23rd 2011
From 10AM – 4PM (Rain or Shine)
Where: Cold Springs Farm & Pet LLC
180 Zions View Rd, Manchester, PA 17345
It’s time for another gathering of the bully breeds!
Bring your dog, and come join in the fun. All breeds
are welcome, especially the bully breeds!
There will be
~Fun & Games
~Great Food
~Fuzzy Friends Looking for a Home

* * * * *

Location: Wilkes Barre, PA
Event: Pit Bull Awarness Day
Host: Luzerne County Pit Bull Owners
Contact E-Mail: luzernecountypitbullowners@gmail.com
Website: www.luzernecountypitbullownersgroup.org

* * * * *

Location: Cookeville, TN
Event: Pit Bull Meet & Great
Bark in the Park – October 1, 2011
Host: Bless the Bullys
Contact: jodi@blessthebullys.com
Website: www.blessthebullys.com

~and~

Event: Beyond the Myth Screening
October 9, 2011 at 3:00 p.m.
Host: Bless the Bullys
Contact: jodi@blessthebullys.com
Website: www.beyondthemythmovie.com

* * * * *

Location: Knoxville, TN
Event: Pit Bull Awareness Day
Faith Lutheran Church
Host: Break the Chain Pit Bull Rescue
Contact: breakthechainpitbullrescue@live.com

* * * * *

Location: Rockwood, TN
Event: Pit Bull Awareness Day
Tractor Supply Company
1424 N Gateway Avenue
Host: East Tennessee Pit Bull Rescue
Contact: etnpitbullrescue@gmail.com
Website: http://www.etnpitbullrescue.org/

* * * * *

Location: Nashville, TN
Event: TBD
Host: Nashville PITTIE (Pit bull (Initiative to Transform Image & Educate)
ContactE-Mail: jana@nashvillepittie.org
WebsiteName: www.nashvillepittie.org

* * * * *

Location: Holladay, UT
Event: Ice Cream Social
Calling All Dogs Training Center
Host: Best Friends Animal Society
Website: www.bestfriends.org

* * * * *

Location: Richmond, VA
Event: “Beyond the Myth” Movie Screening
Host: Gracie’s Guardians – Will Lowrey
ContactE-Mail: wclowrey@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002190240661
AdditionalInformation: Screening is on 10/29!!!

* * * * *

Location: Bellingham, Washington
Event: Reward Based Training Scholarships for Pitbulls in our community
Host: Friends for Life Canine Scholarship Fund
Contact: info@friendsforlifecsf.org
Website: www.friendsforlifecsf.org
AdditionalInformation: FFL is a non profit organization dedicated to providing reward based, dog friendly training for all rescue and shelter dogs. To celebrate Pit Bull Awareness Month we will be extending those scholarships for all pit bulls in our community

* * * * *

Location: Statewide, WV
Event: TBD
Host: WV Pit Bull Haven
Contact: info@wvpitbullhaven.com
Website: http://wvpitbullhaven.com/national_pit_bull_awareness_month

* * * * *

CANADA

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Event: Group Walk
Host: “Pit Bull” Co-op
Contact: rockapuppy@yahoo.ca

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Appproximately 200 pitbulls are killed each day in Los Angeles alone because there are not enough homes. Only about 1 out of every 600 pitbulls in U.S shelters will find a home. Although people have abused and used pitbulls for their own sick purposes, most pitbulls remain loyal, loving and forgiving. Pitbulls have a long history of being war heros, service and therapy dogs.BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) punishes innocent dogs, while people who breed and fight pitbulls are rarely punished.