Packers News - After cell rings, Packers hang up Today's scheduled post-practice press conference with Brett Favre will not be conducted until someone takes responsibility for his or her cell phone going off during Mike Sherman�s press conference earlier.
IS TEACHING TRADITIONAL "HISTORY" HISTORY AT CARSON HIGH SCHOOL?
Meet Joe Enge.
Joe is an award-winning, 15-year veteran history teacher in Carson City who has, among other things, written two history textbooks and served on the 1997 task force which drew up Nevada's history standards. But according to school district administrators, he's a "bad" teacher.
You see, Joe has this crazy idea that American history should include our colonial period, as well as the Revolutionary War period. You know, where the Founding Fathers fought for independence from England and wrote the greatest governing document the world has ever known - the United States Constitution. You know, that period of time which gave us patriot heroes such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Tom Paine, Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry, Sam Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, John Paul Jones, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John
Hancock.
And Joe has REALLY ticked off the local school district bureaucrats and the education establishment.
You see, unbeknownst to most parents in Carson City, the school district believes that high school American history should start with the Civil War era, not the days of America's Founding. Indeed, the curriculum forced on history teachers at Carson High School ignores pre-Civil War history completely - other than a little optional
"refresher" at the beginning of the school year or if you're in an Advanced Placement class.
Joe Enge has fought the district's History-Lite curriculum for the past three years by teaching ALL of his students ALL of America's history, starting with the colonial period (remember the Pilgrims?).
In addition, Joe believes...get this...that the teacher should teach and the students should learn. He embraces and practices the "traditional" teacher-centered method of education, as opposed to the fashionable student-centered "discovery learning" method currently all the rage in San Francisco and Portland. What a trouble-maker.
So the school district wants to get rid of him.
Joe's supervisors - including Carson High's principal, Fred Perdomo - have given Joe unsatisfactory evaluations in retaliation for his refusal to teach a Founding-free version of American history. And although Joe's a "tenured" teacher , three such bad evaluations would be grounds for running this maverick out of town on a rail (students would have to read Revolutionary War-era history to know just what this
phrase means). So Joe challenged the administrative evaluations; however, the Carson City School District Superintendent, Mary Pierszynski, sided with the principal. Big surprise there.
Last month as part of a mediation effort, Ms. Pierszynski offered to buy Joe off by paying him one year's salary if he'd quit. And considering the pure hell this one-man fight has put his family through, Joe actually considered it. But at the last minute, Pierszynski withdrew her offer, and now the dispute is moving to binding arbitration. Which means if Pierszynski's ruling backing Perdomo's evaluations stands, this Fulbright Scholar and Madison Fellowship award-winner will likely be tossed out on his kiester - and his Carson High students will finally be taught that American history began when Lincoln freed the slaves.
Of course, the teacher's union could always ride in and defend this experienced, professional classroom educator. Yeah, right. Fat chance. You see, Joe has chosen not to join the teacher's union, so these "principled" defenders of teaching professionals are more than happy to see the guy thrown to the wolves.
This entire episode is an outrage. Joe Enge is the kind of teacher we should WANT educating our kids. He loves history. He knows history. And he's darned good at teaching history. Indeed, Enge's spirit of resistance to this great injustice would make our Founding Fathers - who the Carson City School District would prefer to pretend never existed - proud. Especially Thomas Jefferson who (not that Carson City high school students would know it) once said, "The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept
alive."
It's time for Superintendent Pierszynski, Principal Perdomo and the entire Carson City education establishment to call off the dogs and let professional American history teacher Joe Enge do what he's been trained to do and has been successfully doing for 15 long years: TEACH AMERICAN HISTORY. The FULL American history, not the district's "Reader's Digest" version.
Please help keep American history IN ITS ENTIRETY alive at Carson High School by signing our online petition urging the Carson City School District to allow Joe Enge to do what he's been trained to do: Teach ALL of American history.
Just go to the "Online Petition" page at www.citizenoutreach.com
Chuck Muth President, Citizen Outreach
Mayor regrets talking of 'fix': "Mayor Tom Murphy yesterday said he regretted saying the 'fix is in' on who would be awarded a casino license for Pittsburgh.In a couple of years, when the gambling interests have really trashed this town, Mayor Murphy will again stand up and say -- "told ya."
'I should have chosen my words more carefully,' he said. At the same time he affirmed his right as mayor 'to demand an open, honest and transparent selection process' for the city's casino."
It's a tough combination. Life is tough.
The Allegheny Institute will air a conversation with City of Pittsburgh Mayoral candidates Bob O’Connor and Joe Weinroth. Institute President Jake Haulk sits down with each candidate to gauge their positions on the city’s financial position and specifically their take on workers’ compensation, selling assets, and economic development. Don’t miss their responses. The special episode of the Allegheny Institute Report will air twice before the election—Sunday November 6th at Noon—and at its regular time, Monday November 7th at 7:30 PM. Tune in to KQV 1410 for this special edition of the Allegheny Institute Report.What about the transcripts of the interviews? Can they be made available?
Editorial: Herb Ohliger for county sheriff / Only the voters can clean out a corrupt office Editorial: Herb Ohliger for county sheriff / Only the voters can clean out a corrupt officeI know Herb from running in political circles. He is trustworthy and direct. He is a good guy who is easy to read and would be able to manage the department and all the dealings there with a frank, calm, reasoned authority. We are very fortunate to have him step up to meet the challenge and run for this position.
Allegheny County voters face a crucial choice for sheriff next Tuesday. Although the race has some of the typical markings of campaigns past -- a well-known, deep-pocketed Democrat challenged by an underfunded upstart Republican -- much is different in 2005.
Sheriff Pete DeFazio's office has been under federal investigation since January for macing, abuse of power and other illegal activity.
Sheriff DeFazio, who is seeking his third four-year term and has worked in the office for 35 years, was called as a witness but, incredibly, invoked the Fifth Amendment to protect against self-incrimination. His executive assistant and one of his sergeants also took the Fifth.
Sheriff's Capt. Frank Schiralli was found guilty of perjury for telling a grand jury that he never kept lists of deputies who bought tickets for political fund-raisers for Sheriff DeFazio.
Sheriff DeFazio's employees testified that his commanders pressured them -- with implied threats about their jobs -- to buy tickets, some costing hundreds of dollars, for the sheriff's Mother's Day brunch, golf outing and other political events.
Sheriff DeFazio's deputies did landscaping work on county time at the home of his chief deputy.
Sheriff DeFazio has been a budget buster, off and on, and has routinely spent beyond his limit. Part of the reason is that he has sought to enlarge the scope of the sheriff's office beyond its core functions of securing the courthouse, moving prisoners and serving court papers.
It's a wonder, with this shameful litany and an investigation still in full throttle, that Pete DeFazio, 56, chose to run for re-election at all. Although the Post-Gazette advocated, unsuccessfully, that the sheriff be among the county row offices that the public voted to consolidate under appointed managers, the county Democratic hierarchy wanted to keep it elected and autonomous. Given all of the political activity recently revealed there, to support not only the sheriff but also other Democratic candidates, it's no surprise that the party felt a need to protect this fund-raising outpost.
On Nov. 8, however, county voters can impose reform -- by voting for challenger Herb Ohliger.
A Republican from Scott, Mr. Ohliger, 45, owns an information-system consulting business that specializes in security. He worked in Iraq for the federal government in July and August to train Iraqis in various security methods.
Though he served the public for two years while filling a vacancy on the township commission, he does not deny his lack of experience as a sheriff's deputy. He sees the role of sheriff as manager, and a job that, at the moment, is being mismanaged.
"I don't think the county sheriff should be fleecing his employees," he said. "There shouldn't be 300 people out there with honorary sheriff's badges, and he needs to meet his budget." He also said the sheriff should be consolidating the office and preparing it for merger with the county police, under the appointed police chief.
Herb Ohliger, who has earned the Post-Gazette endorsement, deserves not only strong support from his party in the final week, but also the votes of everyone who goes to the polls next Tuesday. "This is not Pete's government or my government," he said, "but the people's government" -- words not suited to the kind of sheriff's office being revealed by federal prosecutors.
A PERSONAL APPEAL FROM JERRY STARR
Dear Friends:
We live in a moment that may well define the kind of America future generations will inherit. The Senate is considering the lifetime appointment of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court as the Bush Administration threatens to veto a defense spending bill if it includes language supporting international agreements condemning torture. It is not just women’s reproductive rights that are in jeopardy, but the rights to privacy, the rights of the accused and human rights generally.
That is why the Open Stage Theatre is pleased to collaborate with the Center for Constitutional Rights in presenting the Pittsburgh premiere of Guantanamo: Honor Bound to Defend Freedom, a play based on the experiences of four British subjects detained at the U.S. prison at Guantanamo; who they were, how they came to be arrested, what they and their families experienced, how this was justified and with what consequences.
Guantanamo is excellent theatre. The London Sunday Times calls it “shocking and deeply moving.” The New York Times says that Guantanamo “exerts an icy visceral edge.” The Washington Post advises: “You may find your mind-set profoundly challenged by this skillfully assembled, moving documentary-style work.” The San Francisco Chronicle states: “The play’s power lies in the stark testimony itself, and its resonance has been remarkable.” The Pittsburgh production features such talents as Ron Siebert, veteran of Broadway and national television, and Doug Mertz, former Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Performer of the Year."
We know that $50 a ticket is a lot for some people. But you not only get excellent theatre, you get a buffet reception (served at 9:30pm) with delicious food (plus wine and other beverages) donated by our major markets. And Jules Lobel, National Vice President of the Center for Constitutional Rights, will be available to answer any questions you may have about the issues. Finally, half of the ticket price is a tax deductible contribution to the important work of the producing organizations.
Fittingly, Guantanamo debuts on Veteran’s day, November 11th at 8:00 pm. There also will be performances on Saturday, November 12th at 8:00 pm and Sunday, November 13th at 2:00 pm. Those will be your only opportunities to see this groundbreaking work. The Open Stage Theatre is located at 2835 Smallman Street in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. Parking is ample and free.
For tickets, call ProArts, 412-394-3353. For more information, call Open Stage Theatre, 412-257-4056.
ThePittsburghChannel.com - Channel 4 Action News - Mayor Regrets Saying 'Fix Is In' For Slots License Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy is backing away Wednesday from an earlier statement that 'the fix is in' for awarding the city's slots-parlor license.
Video: Watch Bob Mayo's report
Murphy's latest comments came after the head of the state gambling agency said Murphy should have provided details, gone to police or retracted his comments.
Eminent domain passes - PittsburghLIVE.com: "HARRISBURG -- The state House voted Tuesday night to curb local governments' power to take private property and give it to another private owner, a controversial practice that has been used several times in Pittsburgh and was deemed legal by the U.S. Supreme Court in June.
'That's one of the big problems, that developers are simply using the government to take private property for their own use,' said Kathleen Walsh, 62, of Ridgemont in Pittsburgh's West End.
Five years ago, the Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority considered labeling part of her verdant hillside neighborhood 'blighted,' the first step in condemning the homes and making way for a Home Depot adjacent to the Parkway Center Mall, Walsh said."
Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Launches Downtown Pittsburgh - A Holiday Tradition 2005 The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership What: Join us for a preview of the Downtown holiday season, including Light Up Night and Saturdays in the City!
Fifteen thousand covered parking spaces, 181 shops, 212 eateries, a dynamic Cultural District with four world-class theaters, Saturday street entertainment and holiday lights...all in Downtown Pittsburgh for the holiday season! When: Thursday, November 3, 10 a.m. Where: Six Penn Kitchen, 545 Penn Ave.
Scheduled Speakers: J. Kevin McMahon, President, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Mayor Tom Murphy Morgan O'Brien, President & CEO, Duquesne Light County Chief Executive Dan Onorato Doug Sansom, Sr. VP, Comcast Joseph B. Smith, Sr. VP, Dollar Bank Aaron A. Walton, Sr. VP, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
In August, 2004, I received a call from a group of Pennsylvania doctors asking me to consult with them over the building medical malpractice/health care delivery crisis. I came out of retirement in Florida to see what was happening.
What I saw when I arrived back in Pennsylvania was a disaster.
SB9, the constitutional amendment which would have allowed caps on non-economic damages, had just been tabled by the Senate Judiciary Committee, thereby putting off substantive medical liability reform until 2007. The trial lawyers were firmly in control of the legislature.
I agreed to go to work. I traveled the state, speaking to hospital staffs, doing radio and TV shows and writing op-ed pieces. It was rewarding and at the same time, very frustrating. The rewards came from the interaction with the many decent, hardworking and committed doctors I met. The frustration came from my inability to keep the medical community focused and working on the goal of tort reform and the knowledge that our lawmakers do not always act in the best interests of our citizens.
Medical liability reform is a political issue that will only be settled in the political arena. But what could prompt enough of Pennsylvania’s 12 million citizens, all of whom require access to quality medical care, to care enough to get involved?
The break I was looking for came at 2 AM on July 7th when the legislators, in cahoots with the Supreme Court, without debate or public input, voted themselves and the judges a massive pay increase and violated the Constitution by giving themselves the pay raise during their present term by calling it an “unvouchered expense account."
The public was and still is furious and the media carried the issue. I know that this issue has “legs”. Every legislator up for election in 2006 will have to answer to a very irate citizenry. Even legislators who go to Harrisburg with idealistic intentions eventually shift their focus to one overriding goal--to get re-elected. Election Day 2005 is the time to scare the pants off of them. This is how to do it and make medical liability reform a huge issue in 2006.
On Tuesday, November 8th, a week from now, there is an off-year election in Pennsylvania, which many people will simply ignore because there are no major statewide or national offices at stake.
But at the TOP of the ballot, two Supreme Court Justices are seeking another ten year term, in what’s known as a “retention” vote. There are no opponents. It is a simple “YES” or “NO” vote. Political analysts will confirm that there is a built in 33% “NO” vote in every judicial retention election. With the beleagured doctors of Pennsylvania leading the charge, we can get the other 18% and send a message that cannot be ignored by legislators seeking reelection in 2006 – that Pennsylvania’s doctors are a political force to be reckoned with.
I ask you to help yourselves, and those working for you to put medical liability reform front and center, by not only going to the polls yourself, but also by getting your family, friends and colleagues to go to the polls and vote “NO” on Justices Nigro and Newman. Turnout is historically low for these off-year elections, so it won’t take a lot to affect the results.
Please do not let this opportunity slip by. VOTE “NO” on November 8th!
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