Fwd: Slavery, Genocide & Racism

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: John H

With all of the discussions of slavery, genocide and racism being thrown around for the past couple of weeks, perhaps it would be a good idea to actually talk about the real history of these institutions in the history of this nation.  In the attached article, Paul Street, presents a compelling review of these sordid topics.  Most Americans lack this knowledge and really do not want to know about and understand that this nation was from the very beginning, not just of the nation, but also from its earliest days as a British colony fully dedicated to the slavery of Africans and the genocide of aboriginal natives.  And, while those official policies no longer exist, much of this behavior continues to exist in a variety unofficial treatment and behaviors.  The remnants of these destructive ideas are utilized by our 'betters' to insure that we fail to see and/or understand the class divisions which prevent important movements against power and privilege.  By all means DO Read Street's excellent article.

John

Link:

• A Lesson on Slavery for White America, PDF article, 383k

Did not vote would have crushed Clinton and Trump. Too bad we don't have "none of the above."

The election results show who won among those who voted. But, those who did not vote crushed all the candidates who got votes.

I long for the day when "NONE OF THE ABOVE" goes onto the ballots. 

http://brilliantmaps.com/did-not-vote/

Not baseball as we like

The Post-Gazette Editorial Board just laid a big turd and the teachers resonded

Check out the editorial:

http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2014/01/17/Top-grade/stories/201401150006

The outrage is in the replies after the article. They zing and sting the P-G editorial board. I doubt this will stay live on the P-G site for long. 

More at the Pure Reform site too, https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=49258804305307213&postID=7778478145817566568

Fw: cc letter waste/ mismanagement

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

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From: Asw122@aol.com

Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:59:15 -0400 (EDT)

To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>

Subject: cc letter waste/ mismanagement

October 19, 2011

 

Mr. Ron Tomalis, Secretary of Education

Pennsylvania Department of Education

333 Market Street

Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333

 

Dear Mr. Tomalis:

 

I am writing with a concern about possible waste and mismanagement of Pittsburgh Public School assets.

 

As you may know, in June 2008 the PPS Board voted 5-4, despite strong opposition, to close Schenley High School.  The reason given was the presence of asbestos plaster, although it was later shown that other functioning Pittsburgh public schools had similar if not identical plaster issues.  The Board mandated that a committee be formed to consider re-use of the building, including possible re-use as a school.  Over the next three years parents, community members and some Board members requested formation of this committee.  Suddenly last summer, without committee input, the district announced that the property was for sale and that the bid deadline was December 31, 2011 (a date that was recently moved up to October 13, 2011).   A bid for $2M, which the district appears likely to accept very soon, was revealed this week.

 

HOWEVER, the Schenley athletic addition (including gym and pool) does not have asbestos plaster problems.   It was added in 1987 at a cost of $9.4M (about $18M in current dollars).  Similar recent projects in neighboring districts have cost $20M - $25M.  Even looking at just the athletic facilities, PPS will be handing off an extremely valuable asset for a pittance.  Minimal marketing took place, and it is quite likely that other potential purchasers did not know the building was for sale or that the gymnasium and pool do not have plaster problems.

 

More importantly, our Pittsburgh public school students could benefit greatly from this athletic facility.  Schenley was replaced by three 6-12 schools which in some cases lack facilitiesappropriate for a high school, such as regulation sized pools.   In addition, the high school level students must wait to use facilities until the middle school day is over, and then must work practices and meets around middle school practices and meets.  Because schools are small, joint teams are necessary and students  must travel between locations.  The Schenley athletic facilities are in a central location (Oakland) and would 1) greatly alleviate the overscheduling and inequity created by the 6-12 configuration and 2) provide a single location for the joint teams (which include charter school students) to practice and play.  And, because other Oakland organizations are in need of pool and gym time, there are real revenue opportunities that could well offset the cost of maintaining the building, even if the classroom portion just sat in reserve.  

 

An additional concern is that the district put the cost of making Schenley available for continued use as a school at $81M, while the bidder for the property indicates that it will manage to convert it to an entirely new use (residential) for only $35M.  I urge the Pennsylvania Department of Education without delay to investigate this discrepancy as well as the issues surrounding the athletic facilities and to ensure that our properties are being handled in a manner that is  fiscally responsible and equitable to all students.

 

Annette S. Werner (asw122@aol.com)

 

cc:  Auditor General Jack Wagner

Time for Fall! Or, perhaps we should just call it autumn.

Fall is here.



Let's be safe out there. Fall doesn't need to be full of flops.

Perhaps we should just call it autumn.

Patrick Dowd voted No on the Amended Act 47 Plan. The Amended Plan fails on a number of accounts.

The Act 47 team calls for further tax and fee increases on City residents and businesses. Despite the history of a contentious and lengthy three-year tax debate to win legislative approval for broader based taxing authority (e.g. the payroll and municipal services tax), the Plan reverts back to the narrow definition of the City’s tax base by calling for tax and fee increases on local businesses only. The Act 47 team rejected Council’s request to remove this so-called “failsafe” option, raising taxes on city residents and businesses, from the Amended Plan.

This Plan provides no mandate to cap legacy liabilities such as pension and debt. In fact, this Plan opens the door to higher cost long-term pension bonds to fill gaps created by recent market declines. This is recommended without mandates to cap rising pension expenses. To further burden our residents and business with added liabilities is senseless. I question the timing of this recommendation particularly in light of the failed debt restructuring done in 2006 for the City and in 2007 and 2008 by the PWSA.

Finally, and most importantly, this Plan fails to resolve the City’s structural imbalance: annual revenues are not sufficient to meet annual expenses. The stated purpose of this Plan is to provide the City with a “blueprint to complete its financial recovery.” The failure to achieve this blueprint is best exemplified by the City’s debt service payments, which, in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, rise once again to $87 million resulting in annual operation deficits of $24 million.

As I have stated in the past, the Amended Act 47 Plan reflects the failures of oversight. Because of a lack of diligence in implementation, one third of the new initiatives are carry-overs from the original 2004 Plan. Moreover, many of the most significant initiatives in the original 2004 Plan were in place by 2005, including the merger of the City and County’s 911 Call Centers and the privatization of fleet maintenance. Most importantly, under the auspices of the Act 47 team, $125 million in additional debt was added to years 2012 through 2017. A 2006 bond restructuring created seven additional years of high debt payments. Without it, the City’s debt payments would have declined steadily to $40 million by 2018. Instead, annual debt payments will be $90 million today until 2018.

Since Pittsburgh entered Act 47 supervision, the City has generated year-end surpluses. This in itself is positive. However, the increasing size of surplus revenue is a serious concern, particularly given that the Act 47 Plan calls for tax increases. Either the City is over-budgeting expenses or does not account for the real cost of services delivered. Regardless, City residents and business appear to be over-taxed for the services they are actually receiving. The residents and businesses of the City deserve an honest budget, one that reflects the services they are, in fact, receiving.

The Plan sets the course for our budgetary and fiscal program for the next five years. Despite Council’s amendments, the Plan continues to lack a strategic and cohesive program to tackle legacy costs, measure and contain operating costs against services tackle legacy costs, measure and contain operating costs against services required and delivered, and do so without raising taxes. Just this week, the Pew Charitable Trusts reported that the City of Pittsburgh is the worst-funded of 10 pension plans it reviewed. To throw surpluses at uncapped pension liabilities, to allow the continuation of debt restructuring to further burden the budget, and to do all this without a vision for economic growth is short-sighted and fails the intent of Pittsburgh’s entrance into Act 47. This is not a Plan to restore financial health and sovereignty to Pittsburgh. It is, rather, another 5 years – with a near-certain 5-year extension beyond that – in which financial distress is prolonged and self governance surrendered. Our current and potentially indefinite status as a distressed City will hobble our efforts at regional dialogue and intergovernmental cooperation with the county and neighboring municipalities.

I did not vote for the amended Act 47 Plan because it perpetuates the very problems that have long caused the City’s financial distress. The Plan returns to the narrow definition of the City’s tax base and calls for tax and fee increases on local residents and businesses. Simultaneously, the Plan asks them to accept service cuts and expenditure reductions. The Act 47 team misunderstands that old saying: it is “do more with less,” not “pay more for less.” The Plan also fails to cap the long-term liabilities or to mandate the rigorous use of performance measures, thereby ensuring that Pittsburgh’s future generations will face exactly these same problems. Most importantly, the Plan likely returns the City to distressed municipality status in 2014. The goal of this Plan is to give Pittsburgh an “exit strategy” for its status as a distressed municipality, but because the structural imbalances continue well beyond 2013, the Plan fails to meet that goal.

Sincerely,
Patrick Dowd

Latest Ad: Obama & next generation vets. My $.02 advice is posted...

Great touch w women in wheel chair. Props to that within the ad's message.

Sadly, far too many of the next generation of US vets can't watch nor hear the ad as too many are with trauma with hurt eyes and ears from blasts. The future brings a major need for nurses. Plus, the former soldiers are formerly very physical people (i.e., PE guys for shorthand). They need to romp, play, rehab, and be engaged in the physical world -- for wellness sake.

My $.02 tip: Speak to a new wave of Paralympics like events for vets. These next generation rec centers must be established with a mixing among able body vets, family and civilians too. What killed others in past wars makes blind and deaf now. Their lives have 'changed' (hint to the "CHANGE" theme). Their dignity is to be treasured, with lots of investment in activities, programming, engagement!

Days and time to mourn and pray -- lighting a fire

China is ending its three days of national mourning. This began one week after the original earthquake that was northwest of Chengdu. Flags were lowered. The Olympic Torch took a break from its country-wide tour leading up to the 8-8-08 event when the world gathers in Beijing.

Meanwhile, some people are still coming to the light after being crushed for more than a week. And, after shocks are nothing to sneeze at either.

I propose that the United States, or perhaps, just Pennsylvania, or perhaps, just Pittsburgh -- hold its own time to mourn, reflect, pray, and adjust perspectives about natural disasters that have hit in China and Burmma.

Should Pittsburgh and perhaps the rest of the world, hold a two-day period so as to mourn with those on the other side of the world in their terrible time of grief?

Let's begin this one MONTH after the quake.

Until then, keep digging, drying and cleaning. And may the offerings bring you comfort.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Sichuan_earthquake

The earthquake happened on May 12, 2008. A ONE MONTH rememberance would begin at 2 pm, or so, local time, June 12 through the 13th and end mid-day on the 14th.

Comcast fires Barry Nolan over Bill O’Reilly protest - BostonHerald.com

Comcast fires Barry Nolan over Bill O’Reilly protest - BostonHerald.com “He’s delusional,” Nolan said of O’Reilly, a former Boston TV anchor. “He’s a man that mangles the facts.”

At the awards, Nolan said he quietly put fliers on tables that “simply had” quotes from O’Reilly as well as three pages from the sexual harassment lawsuit O’Reilly settled that was brought by his former producer.

Comcast might not like whistleblowers too much.

Serious, Super Serious: Lawyer says 4 council members have conflict of interest

Lawyer says 4 council members have conflict of interest Assistant City Solicitor Kate DeSimone submitted a legal opinion to City Council today saying that four members should not vote on approving payment of a $10,706 legal expense because there is a conflict of interest.

If they do, they 'shall immediately forfeit their office,' Ms. DeSimone wrote.

Ms. DeSimone said the four -- President Doug Shields and members Bruce Kraus, William Peduto and Ricky Burgess -- already were in conflict by taking part in a discussion and preliminary vote on paying the bill.

Really, I care to know what Tonya Payne is going to do.

I'm uploading a video of the meeting last week. Watch for it at Rauterkus.blip.tv.

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I I said last week, worth repeating, the best way out of this is to have Hugh McG, to make his bill drop to ZERO, or perhaps $.04 or perhaps $400. At $400, each of the guys would only have to pay $100.

If Hugh's work became "gratis," then the matter goes away. Poof. Mr. Kraus suggested a similar pathway for Lamar, weeks ago. Kraus asked Lamar to act in a way that was counter to its own 'commercial interest.' Lamar had received a permit to build the sign. Kraus wanted them to decline that permit out of 'good faith.' Kraus ranted (and this was weeks ago, around when he called for a moratorium on all billboards for six months) that a voluntary solution from Lamar was the right thing to do. That gesture, sweet as it was, didn't play out then. Well, same need for a voluntary move holds today for the lawyers who worked with the renegade four.

This video is from the meeting. It lasts about an hour.

Swim site conflict opens debate over sport's video rights

Columbia Missourian - Swim site conflict opens debate over sport's video rights: "Swim site conflict opens debate over sport's video rights
When USA Swimming banned the swimming Web site Floswimming’s press credential, it opened debate over its new partnership with a media company."

USA Swimming is wrong to try to squash open ways. We want freedom. We want coverage. We don't want limitations. We don't want only "corporate" and "association" coverage.

I want swimming to be different from the NFL. Swimming is different. Swimming should strive to be different. Hell, different strokes for different folks should be the cry for freedom and liberties.

One of the largest issues at stake is USA Swimming’s attempt to align itself with other sports’ media ventures. Chuck Wielgus, USA Swimming executive director, said the deal was no different than “what we’re seeing happen with the NFL Network and other pro sports,” in an interview with Craig Lord of SwimNews.com.

Align with the grass roots. Align with freedom, not oppression.

“The most apparent conflict of interest is that when a governing body owns the event and then wants to profit; to me, I think the whole concept is fundamentally flawed,” said Brent Rutemiller,

Go Brent Go! It is great to see him speaking out on the issue.

Nonprofits have a charter to behave in a certain realm for the benefit of the public.

Assessments back in the spotlight. Wealthy neighborhoods are underassessed!

Pittsburgh's WTAE TV just released the results of its assessment study. NEWS: Wealthy neighborhoods are underassessed and poor neighborhoods are overassessed.

This brings the controversy back into the public spotlight.

Dan Sullivan, an expert in this realm, wrote to the investigating team to provide additional
information. He hopes to get a response soon. WTAE TV needs to get it right and keep the story alive until it takes off as a community discussion point. We need the watchdogs to break the news and the citizens need to help sustain the news and discussion.

The transcript of their report is on the WTAE site. Check it out. The video (which seems to have the right edge clipped away) is in the upper right corner of the page.

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/team4/16203574/detail.html

Today's Campaign Finance Reform HEARING -- and coverage in the P-G on the scarlet letter

The P-G article and my quote:

"I think you'll be laggards if you vote no on this," added Mark Rauterkus, a member of an advisory committee that has been honing the legislation for years. He proposed that violators be barred from receiving any city money -- including their salaries if they are city officials or employees.

The article says 9 out of 10 people who spoke were in favor of the bill. I spoke under the column of "comments." That is neither FOR nor AGAINST -- but -- clearly I'm in favor of getting something onto the books.

Labor opposes city campaign contribution limits
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Nine out of 10 speakers at a public hearing today on proposed city of Pittsburgh campaign finance reform favored the idea, but the lone opponent was a representative of organized labor, a powerful political player.

"The bill limits the voice of the working class by restricting the amounts that can be given by political action committees," said Dave Vinski, of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Labor Federation, who said he was speaking on behalf of Allegheny County Labor Council President Jack Shea. Unions often form PACs to contribute to candidates that they favor.

"Creating limits will stymie transparency," Mr. Vinski continued. "Loopholes are always found, no matter how well-intentioned a proposal is."

His was decidedly the minority view on legislation by Councilman William Peduto that would bar any individual from giving more than $2,500 to a candidate for city office, and any partnership or political action committee from donating more than $5,000.

"This bill proposes a very common-sense, reasonable approach," said Barbara Grover, a board member of the League of Women Voters. She said 75 cities have enacted limits on campaign contributions.

{Insert my quote here -- shown above)

Under Mr. Peduto's proposal, if a person made a campaign contribution at the maximum level, he or she would be ineligible for any no-bid contracts from the city. The city's Ethics Hearing Board would be charged with advertising the new limits and hearing any complaints of violations. The controller's office would be charged with placing all campaign finance reports filed by candidates on a Web site.

It is based on a Philadelphia ordinance that survived a legal challenge that went to the state Supreme Court.

Council expects to hold a special meeting on the proposal next month, and then vote on it.

I had to speak and run out of the meeting to get my son after school. I didn't NOT watch the speakers that came after me. But, I'll tune in on the weekend on the tape re-broadcasting. My statement should be posted in a day or so.

Matt H dumps invoices on local medai & Project On Government Oversight (POGO) Blog: Whistleblower Documents Web Site Ordered to Shut Down

UPDATED below:

Matt H has released a ton of insights to the local media about bogus spending at the Housing Authority.

Pittsburgh Hoagie: All meat no filler: "Part of my story

http://kdka.com/video/?id=38584@kdka.dayport.com"

If he had come to me, I might have given him this tip. And, still to this day, he could take those documents and post them there. As it stands now, a copy of things just gets flipped before the TV camera. Put em up for all to see.

Wikileaks - Wikileaks: "Wikileaks"

In other, similar news, just hitting elsewhere, we learn of this:

The Project On Government Oversight (POGO) Blog: Whistleblower Documents Web Site Ordered to Shut Down: "Wikileaks is openly defying a California federal court, which granted a permanent injunction last Friday ordering the site to shut down. Swiss company Bank Julius Baer sought the injunction to prevent the site from posting what it claims are stolen documents provided by a disgruntled former employee. The Court also ordered Wikileaks to stop displaying or distributing the documents, which allegedly show the bank’s involvement in money laundering and tax evasion in the Cayman Islands. Wikileaks believes the orders violate the First Amendment and vows to appeal."

Update on Friday, a response by Mayor Ravenstahl.

http://kdka.com/video/?id=38628@kdka.dayport.com


Why does the reporter say that Pat Ford and Mayor are "asking questions." Those two are the ones who should be giving answers. They are the one's who have the power to watch the spending, day-in-and-day-out. They should NOT be asking questions. Those two should be held accountable.

Ethics reform remains a major theme

I hope Dan and Luke were listening.

Ethics reform remains a major theme | Philadelphia Daily News | 01/08/2008 Ethics reform remains a major theme

I would LOVE to be a part of a team / process / discussion about a reform of Pittsburgh's Ethics. We'd start with the Ethics Hearing Board. After all the present members resign. We'd get people who want to move a bit faster than the average glacier. Next, we'd make suggestions to the law -- so as to eliminate the confidentiality clause. Then we'd hold televised meetings once a week. It would be nothing to spend no money -- but use public evaluation as a tool. No punishments would come from the Ethics Hearing Board itself. But, that board could better make the case for civil and criminal trails yet to unfold.

Book Explodes Swift Boat Myths

Newsmax.com - New Book Explodes Swift Boat Myths: The foreword for the book was written by John E. O'Neill, the lead spokesman for the Swift Vets and POWs for Truth in 2004. One chapter that underscores the impact of the new media on the campaign has been made available online at ToSetTheRecordStraight.com. 'Rather's Ruin and the Rise of the Pajamahadeen' tells how ordinary citizens with computers exposed the phony documents '60 Minutes' used to attack George Bush's National Guard service, effectively ending Dan Rather's career at CBS News.

Sample chapter in PDF format.

Worst move ever for PPS and City of Pittsburgh was revealed in this letter

Closing Schenley High School. Oh My God.

Blocking the Real ID in PA. A call to action and update

The Real ID is a seed of an idea on the federal level that has been knocked around for some time. It is getting beat up in a few other states where privacy and liberty matters. The battle in PA is now in full swing. The Federal Real ID program is bad news and should not be accepted.

PA Daily Report September 25, 2007

Yesterday was a GOOD day! The rally went well, and the majority of those present for the speeches came into the building to learn the ropes of practical political action. As a group, we met with a number of the "power broker"staffers (McCall's office, DeWeese's office, and others).

One of the rally attendees, a constituent of Rep. John Payne, helped us make an interesting discovery. Rep. Payne has consistently introduced legislation to UNTIE the Social inSecurity Number from all PA licenses (hunting, professional, etc.). I plan to make a proposal to him that he incorporate a simple statement as an amendment to Rep. Rohrer's bill to accomplish that goal! In this way, two VERY important items can fall under the scope of "identification" situations covered.

There is yet another meeting at 11 am today. Rep. Rohrer's staffer arranged a pow-wow between me and Curt Meyers. Curt is the Deputy Secretary of Safety Administration in the Transportation Department (tied to PENNDOT). In South Carolina, the DOT's administrator was a critical cog in the wheel, bringing the Executive Department to bear on the legislature in subcommittee hearings on Real ID. If we can get the Governor's staff to come down against implementing Real ID, it will go a LONG way to helping get 1351 unglued from the committee. We hope to have at least one PA Senate Staffer in that meeting, with another strategy to be having the Senate introduce a companion bill there.

The next day we have arranged a meeting with the Speaker of the House, to try to get 1351 on the agenda.

To help us, PLEASE make a phone call or two! Priority #1 MUST be to get to House leadership. Chairman Thomas (717-772-9854) (Intergovernmental Affairs Committee) needs to hear from YOU! Call in, and request that HB 1351 be put on the committee agenda ASAP. Request (if you can make it) to be contacted to testify at this hearing.

Call Rep. DeWeese (Majority Leader) asking for 1351 to be put on the committee calendar (717-783-3797). The same message should come in to Majority Whip Keith McCall (717-783-1375).

We are also going to be trying to get more people on-board as CO-Sponsors. These include Karen Beyer (Veteran's Caucus chair)(717-783-1673); Keith Gillespie (on the subcommittee involved)(717-705-7167); and Scott Hutchinson (717-783-8188). We met with these people today, and they seem somewhat amenable. A few choice calls would help. If you are a VETERAN, call Rep. Beyer to have her make this bill an issue for veterans! (Vets should also become a part of the NVCCA at www.nvcca.net -- forward that info to any veterans you know!)

(Since Jim and I started working, a number of new sponsors have come onto the bill. We want to increase the number by the end of this week by an additional 10+)

There is much more that happened on the first day of the reunited legislature, and only so much time for me to write it all up and still be able to keep going.

YOU are a critical part of our operations. Your calls greatly increase our value when we are actually in the capitol, meeting with these people. Call YOUR rep. and have them CO-SPONSOR HB 1351! More sponsors mean more pressure on leadership to "run the bill." Every voice on this bill becomes a louder and louder SCREAM from the public that it should be a TOP PRIORITY of the legislative agenda. While they pass item after item dedicating a road to some dead person, the living are going to be living with REAL ID, unless we slam the door on it NOW!

We are throwing everything we have into this effort. There are hundreds of people receiving these e-mail alerts. Hundreds of calls from YOU make our work all the more likely to succeed. PLEASE MAKE SOME CALLS, and encourage your church groups, business associates, and neighbors to do likewise. Post these messages onto political blogs, meet-up groups, etc. and continue bringing others into the battle. Sportsmen's groups, jewish/religious, and others will support our efforts when they KNOW ABOUT THEM! We can't be everywhere. But we are in Harrisburg. Your support is critical.

The above email was from Aaron of NVCCA from Restore The Republic 4 E. Ogden Ave #126 Westmont, IL 60559.

Two hour delay for Plum High School (Tues)

A threat was made, so it was reported (WTAE TV) at Plum. The high school has a two-hour delay today.

I'll be in Plum for a 10 am funeral at Our Lady of Joy Church. Hard times.

Another visitation and funeral continues for the Hill family. Tomorrow is the burial. That is in Wilkinsburg. One twin boy is still in Children's Hospital.

Oh brother.

The third reason for heartache is the sophomore Pitt student from eastern PA who was killed this weekend as a Parkway East pedestrian.

Enough.