PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION!

Tell Mr. Obama to extend unemployment benefits beyond 99 weeks!

PETITIONING

• The President of the United States
• The U.S. Senate
• The U.S. House of Representatives
• The Governor of CA
• The CA State Senate
• The CA State House

OVERVIEW

More than 365,000 people unemployed & out of unemployment benefits.

The federal legislation enacted on December 17, 2010, does not include any additional weeks of extended benefits, so the maximum total remains up to 99 weeks of benefits. As of March 14, 2011, there have been more than 365,000 unemployed workers in California who have run out of all available benefits, up to the 99 week maximum.

"99 Weekers" are still the same people they were when they where only "20 weekers" just time has passed but nothing else has. They continue to look for work and try to pay the bills. My husband has a Class A Driver's License as well as a Crane Operator's Certificate and can not find a job.

We have been forced to live in a Motorhome without power and water. We lost our house when he lost his job. We have moved five times this past year. We are now going on our fourth month with zero income and from what I have read there is no future extensions for unemployment benefits. Why put a cap on it, who came up with this 99 weeks? As long as the economy is the way it is and there are no jobs the unemployment benefits should be there. He has worked full time his whole adult life and has never claimed unemployment until he lost his job last year. So why is it that he is being punished by not receiving any more unemployment even though he is still the same person he was when he got laid off and began collecting unemployment, he is still actively looking for work and is more than capable of working. We deserve an explanation as to why the rules change at 99 weeks, the unemployed did not change.

Please sign this petition and show your support for the unemployed workers of this country that are doing their part by looking for work and staying out of trouble and keeping their certificates and licenses up to date. For this they deserve the extention.

PETITION LETTER

Extend the FED ED, to grant another unemployment benefits extention to the 99 weekers.

Representatives,

We, the families of the "99 weekers" are asking that a FED ED extention be granted to those who have completely run out of unemployment benefits.

The "99 weekers" are still the same people they that applied for and received benenfits when they where laid off of the jobs, they are still actively looking for work, they still hold certificates and licenses in their fields of expertise. They deserve another extention.

In addition to requesting that the 99 weeks be extended beyond that, we would also request an explanation as to how the 99 weeks became the cap. Why is their a cap on benefits when there is no cap on the unemployed and their needs.

It is becoming a matter of life or death, some are now homeless or soon to be, most are very depressed due to know light of hope in sight.

Please grant an extention and please explain why we are suffering for being unemployed for over 99 weeks, why is their a cap?

The families of the 99 weekers are demanding an extention, an explanation and a fix to this dangerouse matter NOW!

PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO SIGN THIS PETITION. THANK YOU!

http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-mr-obama-to-extend-unemployment-benefits-beyond-99-weeks

Online petitions work with the support of the public and by signing this you are showing your support. There are thousands of people in the same situation, even if you are not please sign for those who are. Every signature counts and is very much appriated!

Groundbreaking Dog Fighting DNA Database Launched

Earlier this week, the ASPCA announced the launch of the nation's first criminal dog fighting DNA database, known as the Canine CODIS (Combined DNA Index System). Similar to the FBI's human CODIS—a computerized archive that stores the DNA profiles of criminal offenders and crime scene evidence—the Canine CODIS contains the individual DNA profiles of dogs who have been seized during dog fighting investigations and from samples collected at suspected dog fighting venues.

This new, state-of-the-art system will provide an essential tool for law enforcement to prosecute dog fighting cases nationwide.

"Dog fighting is a multi-million dollar criminal enterprise that contributes to the cruel treatment and deaths of thousands of dogs nationwide every year," says Tim Rickey, the ASPCA's Senior Director of Field Investigations and Response. "This database is a vital component in the fight against animal cruelty and will allow us to strengthen cases against animal abusers and seek justice for their victims."

During an investigation, seized dogs will have their cheeks swabbed, and their DNA will be searched against the Canine CODIS database. Matching results will help law enforcement agencies identify relationships between dogs, and enable investigators to establish connections between breeders, trainers and dog fighters.

"Juries expect forensic science to support the evidence that's presented to them, and animal cruelty cases are no exception," says ASPCA Forensic Veterinarian Dr. Melinda Merck, who testifies in animal cruelty cases around the country. "This database breaks new ground in supplying that evidence for dog fighting investigations."

The ASPCA worked in conjunction with the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) and the Louisiana SPCA (LA/SPCA) to develop the Canine CODIS. The system will be maintained at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) Veterinary Genetics Laboratory.

ASPCA Condemns New Dog Fighting Mobile App

The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) today condemned Kage Games for its recent launch of a mobile dog fighting game called Dog Wars, and issued the following statement to its members:

A big thumbs down to Kage Games for its recent launch of a mobile dog fighting game called Dog Wars. The free smartphone app has caused outrage among animal lovers—and for good reason. Players actually feed, train and fight virtual dogs. They can even inject their dogs with steroids, bet virtual money and use a gun to fight the cops during a bust.

Dr. Randall Lockwood, senior vice president of ASPCA Forensic Sciences and Anti-Cruelty Projects notes, “Anything that in any way appears to promote or condone the serious, violent crime of dog fighting is cause for concern. This ‘game’ comes at a time when public outrage and law enforcement concern about dog fighting is at an all-time high, and the public should make this outrage known to those who promote it."

Dog fighting is not a game—and it is certainly no fun for the animals involved. Fighting dogs are often forced to spend their entire lives tethered to short, heavy chains. They receive inadequate care, little socialization and often go for days without access to quality food or clean water. During fights, many die of blood loss, shock and exhaustion. Others, those who are no longer deemed valuable, are simply killed.

Dog fighting is a felony across all 50 states. Please visit our Blood Sports section to learn more about the cruelties associated with this barbaric “sport.” And ask your friends to boycott mobile apps like Dog Wars.

ASPCA Assists Feds in Major Dog Fighting, Gang Bust

The ASPCA is in rural Virginia this week after helping authorities remove 41 dogs, 13 of them puppies, from an alleged dog fighting ring run by gang members.

On April 20, nine responders from the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response (FIR) Team arrived on a Nathalie, Virginia, property to help federal and local authorities remove 32 Pit Bulls and nine Beagles—many bearing scars consistent with dog fighting—as well as process evidence and transport the animals to a new location.

The dogs, who did not have access to clean water, appeared thin and were plagued with skin problems and other medical conditions. Several were tethered with heavy chains to objects outside a rundown trailer home.

While conducting a yearlong drug and firearm investigation of known gang members, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) discovered that its targets were also allegedly involved in dog fighting. An agent contacted the ASPCA for help.

“Other illegal activities are often associated with dog fighting,” says ASPCA Senior Director of Field Investigations and Response Tim Rickey, “and our goal is to help law enforcement agencies tackle other serious crimes while also saving animal victims.”

As a result of this multifaceted investigation, four suspects, ranging in age from 23 to 60, are facing federal and state charges related to dog fighting, firearms, conspiracy and drugs.

As for the animal victims, they were triaged by the ASPCA and Dr. Rachel Touroo of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and are currently being behaviorally evaluated by the ASPCA’s Dr. Pamela Reid and her team.

Meanwhile, evidence collected will be entered into the Canine CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), the nation’s first criminal dog fighting DNA database, and the ASPCA will continue to work with law enforcement on this case.

“Organized dog fighting is a brutal form of animal abuse,” says ASPCA Animal Fighting Specialist Terry Mills, “and we are determined to protect our nation’s animals from this form of cruelty.”