Kenneth Miller to Police Chief Costa -- in advance of the All Star Game in Pittsburgh

March 23, 2006

Dominic J Costa, Chief of Police
1203 Western Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15233
Phone 412-323-7814
Fax 412-323-7820

Chief Costa,

The Pittsburgh Anti Sweatshop Community Alliance is planning a large demonstration to take place on Roberto Clemente Bridge and around PNC Park before, during and after the July 11 Major League Sweatshop All Star Game. We are planning on approximately 5,000 Pittsburghers and several bus loads of workers from Baltimore, amongst other places, to join us in our demand that the Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Club publicly request that MLB lock its apparel licensing agreements into the factories where the apparel is being sewn now, what we call the ALL STAR MULIT FIBER FREEZE. It is very possible that the Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Club will agree to this before the Sweatshop All Star Game, in which case our demonstration will become celebration.

As a co-founder for the Pittsburgh Anti Sweatshop Community Alliance and someone who spent many game days standing next to the Roberto Clemente statue talking to Pirate Fans about sweatshops, no one is more concerned for the safety of everyone at PNC Park than I am. I do not believe that we need a permit for the Major League Sweatshop All Star demonstration and that the rules and regulations spelled out in the federal consent decree between me, Joel Woller, Michelle Gaffey and Kevin Maley (the plaintiffs) and the City of Pittsburgh (4/9/02) is adequate for our needs. Please inform us at the earliest possible opportunity if you have any reason to believe that any aspect of this Federal Consent Agreement could be changed or suspended in anyway on or before July 11, 2006.

Please also be advised that “Flying Squads” will be active throughout the city in the days immediately leading up to the Major League Sweatshop All Star Game in front of restaurants and hotels with leaflets and signs. We also plan to leaflet on the sidewalk underneath the David L Laurence Convention Center. There is some confusion on the part of the Convention Center management team as to whether this sidewalk area is indeed a public sidewalk where our free speech rights and non commercial solicitation rights are in full effect.

Finally, members of Pittsburgher’s waterfront and non-motor boating community have expressed interest in launching a Pirate Sweatshop Armada from the Waterfront Feature of the David L Laurence Convention Center and paddle across the Allegheny River to PNC Park during the Major League Sweatshop All Star Game. I will be taking this up with members of the David L Laurence Convention Center team, who I suspect will be delighted with positive attention the Convention Center will receive and members of the River Front Safety Task Force who will probably want to provide some sort of a river escort for the Pirate Sweatshop Armada. Members of the Pirate Sweatshop Armada will need to assemble their boats and safety gear some where near the Waterfront Feature and I suspect we need a permit for such a staging area.

Thank you for your attention to all of the security, permit and free speech issues that will arise in the context of the 2006 Sweatshop All Star Game at PNC Park. As a primary organizer, I will make myself available to work with you. All the members of PASCA will very much appreciate being promptly advised of any anticipated suspensions or changes to the frame work of our Federal Consent Agreement that may be requested by other parties.

Pittsburgh is an important place in the history of the world. We have a history of labor struggle and free speech struggle that we need to embrace during this period of time. A message of solidarity to workers in the global apparel industry is the message that is going to come out of Pittsburgh in the context of the 2006 Sweatshop All Star Game. This is a message we can all be truly proud of. It is certainly the hope of PASCA members that by standing up with people in other parts of the world we will learn to more effectively stand up for ourselves.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Miller

Cc: Elizabeth Pittinger, Civilian Police Review Board
Witold Walczak, Pittsburgh Chapter of the ACLU

---

All-star summers.
I love this idea of a PIRATE Sweatshop Armada. Next, we need to get the Women of RollerDerby to agree to use the right equipment and uniforms -- and lend their support to the activities of the summer.

Rink leaders bond while starting roller derby league

We should be giving the keys to the now closed, indoor ice rink to these women. They'd be able to use the facility anytime after, say, 7:30 pm. Then they'd be able to practice in the city and we'd be able to get some real planning done. And, I don't mean a weenie feasability study like they do at the SSLDC that isn't worth the paper its printed on.

Rink leaders bond while starting roller derby league Members of the Steel City Derby Demons roller derby league take off during a recent practice at the Romp 'N Roll in Shaler.

New York City Adding 800 Police Officers, Bloomberg Announces - New York Times

This is where your family and friends have moved?

Where do you get the job applications?

New York City Adding 800 Police Officers, Bloomberg Announces - New York Times Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced this morning that New York City would add 800 police officers and 400 civilians to the 36,450-officer Police Department in the largest city-financed expansion of the nation's largest police force since the Safe Streets/Safe City program began in 1993 under the Dinkins administration.

In announcing the 3 percent expansion of the Police Department, Mr. Bloomberg said the officers were needed because the city had grown by 125,000 residents since 2001, when he was elected, and was expected to add an additional 200,000 over the next five years. 'An increase that size would be like adding the entire city of Pittsburgh to the five boroughs,' he said.

CLOH = Come Live Over Here.

NYC has departed from its one-party rule death grip, by the way.

What do you think of -- or make of -- this approach: Ignore the Incumbent

A suggested "Ignore the Incumbent" campaign for the non-contested spring 2006 primary might be a good idea if there is no challenger to the incumbent in that primary. It would show the incumbent is in trouble in November.

Pitt Sports Blather -- Rantings on the Panthers

Pitt Sports Blather -- Rantings on the Panthers: "Bradley-Pitt: Media Recap, Playing Well In Peoria " Wonderful recap of Bradley's win from the Blue and Gold sidelines.

-- Its degree.

-- Trip home.

-- Hugs.

Pittsburgh League of Young Voters meeting on Tuesday

Pittsburgh League of Young Voters Office located @ the Union Project: 801 N. Negley Ave. #5

When: Tues. 3/21/06 @ 7pm

Find out how you can get involved in one of more of our many activities:

* Elections
* Lobbying
* Civic Education
* Coalition Building
* Non- Traditional Grassroots Organizing
* Media
* and more

For more info contact: pittsburgh@indyvoter.org and www.pittsburgh.indyvoter.org
.

International Studies -- Magnet Programs in Pittsburgh -- Rigor

Frick Middle School will host a meeting on Monday, April 3, 2006, at 6:30 P.M. for parents and teachers of students in the International Studies Magnet Schools.

Chess anyone?

Tournament details for a chess event for kids on April 8 are found in the comments area.

Pittsburgh Task Force disbands, cites success in fulfilling mission - Pittsburgh - MSNBC.com

Pittsburgh Task Force disbands, cites success in fulfilling mission - Pittsburgh - MSNBC.com Pittsburgh Task Force disbands, cites success in fulfilling mission

Too bad the URA, Parking Authority and Stadium Authority can't be as swift in pulling the plug on itself as this group just did.

We've got a lot of dead weight among various groups that should go away. Tops among the groups -- the OVERLORDS. Let's merge the ICA and the Act 47 Coordinators. We don't need two groups.

The Pittsburgh Gambling group got a wake up call last week from the Trib. The next day the P-G reported how they are "gearing up" for something. I doubt it.

Even in the neighborhoods, plenty of groups are but shells for padding resumes and do next to nothing. I'd say it is time for some spring cleaning.

Pulling the plug on an organization takes some courage. It is often harder to end a group and liquidate its mission and other tidbits rather than start a new group.

I'd love to see an inventory and assessment of all the various groups within the city and county. Then various filters and grades could be given to them as to their effective operation and impact into the quality of life of the people in the city.

What sparks some talented women to run for public office while legions of others stay on the sidelines

Invitations, eCards, Party Ideas, Party Themes from Evite: "GAAP, Women's Center, Office of Gender Issues, Pre-Law Society
Location: The Heinz School, Room 1000 of Hamb
4800 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA View Map
When: Friday, March 24, 5:00pm
Phone: 412-491-9938
What sparks some talented women to run for public office while legions of others stay on the sidelines?

Guys don't have a monopoly on stupidity.

Some women run for public office because they don't have a life. That makes those women just like some of the men who run for public office and don't have a life either.

Some women run for public office because they need a job. That makes them much like the men who run for public office because they need a job and don't want to grow too old and still need to drive a truck for DPW.

Some women run for public office because they've had it up to here with the folly from our present day public officials who blunder repeatedly on things that just don't matter while they ignore the things that do count greatly in the lives of everyday citizens.

Some see the glass half empty. Others see the glass half full. And still others see the grime-coated vessel as something that is due for a good scrubbing and something that we'd never want our children to handle, yet alone drink from.

Middle-class peeves cost more money than exists | The Register

Middle-class peeves cost more money than exists | The Register Now let's wrap up with the NCAA Tournament representing $3.8bn in lost productivity, the Super Bowl, which represents $821.4m in lost productivity, and the World Series, which represents $465m in lost productivity.

We come up with a grand total of $7.39 trillion - well in excess of the $6.70 trillion that actually exists. That's right, when you allow for the basic costs that we've all got to put up with, and the inevitable losses to criminals like Ken Lay and Ted Bundy, and then pile on the items that meddling little turds hate to see us enjoying, it all costs more money than there is.

Unfortunately, our little study is incomplete. We can only wonder what the social costs are from needless worry and stress brought on by the torrent of fraudulent statistics concocted by finger-wagging, middle-class farts.

Now that would be a number worth knowing.

a hundred thousand bloggers can't be wrong: when the lights go out in the arena...

How do we know that this was no marketing stunt by the Pens or someone else? HOW.

a hundred thousand bloggers can't be wrong: when the lights go out in the arena... This was no marketing stunt by the Penguins to show the need for a new arena. We all know that already. This is what happens to an arena built in 1961 that serves as the oldest arena in sports still to have teams play in. It poses some serious issues to the Penguins and the city.

First Blind Athlete finishes race

RACHAEL SCDORIS BECOMES FIRST BLIND ATHLETE TO FINISH IDITAROD

(Colorado Springs, Colo.) - USABA athlete Rachael Scdoris (Bend, Ore.) has made history as she has finished the 2006 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and has become the first legally blind athlete to accomplish this quest.

The Iditarod is the world's longest sled dog race and covers some of the most brutal terrain on earth and at 21 years-old, Rachael finished the 1,049 mile race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska in 12 days, 11 hours and 42 minutes. She drove her team into the finishing chute at the famed Burled Arch at 1:42am AKST which clocked her average speed during the race at 3.607 miles per hour. That put her in 57th place overall and 7th among the rookies. Rachael has endured freezing temperatures reaching as low as 52 degrees below zero and sleepless nights along with her visual interpreter, Tim Osmar (Ninilchik, Alaska), a veteran Iditarod racer who communicates
turns and obstacles to her via a two-way radio. Tim gave up his chances of winning the race in order to help Rachael reach the finish line.

Rachael's dream started many years ago as she grew up around mushing with her father, Jerry Scdoris who also raced. At the age of 8, Rachael got the desire to mush and announced to her parents that she was going to win the Iditarod one day. Rachael has overcome numerous obstacles and challenges in order for this day to arrive. She has put in an innumerable amount of hours of hard work and training to reach Nome, she is a true winner and hero to countless individuals.

Rachael's determination to achieve her dream has created new hope and inspiration for athletes who are blind and visually impaired. Her efforts to raise money in conjunction with The Standard, her main sponsor, will benefit the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes and will have a profound impact on changing the lives of numerous blind and visually athletes who are working to achieve their own dreams. There is still time to make a gift, please visit www.gorachaelgo.com for more information.

Outdoor Life Network will broadcast the 2006 Iditarod starting March 18th with additional episodes airing on March 25th and April 1st. Check your local listings for times or visit www.olntv.com.

The mission of the United States Association of Blind Athletes is to increase the number and quality of grassroots-through-competitive, world-class athletic opportunities for Americans who are blind or visually impaired. For more information, visit our website www.usaba.org.

Capitol Ideas Blog

Treasure chest of ideas -- and a cross-link from a podcast.

Mcall.com: Capitol Ideas Blog: "State Democratic Party officials lashed out at Republican gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann yesterday, saying the former Pittsburgh Steelers star showed 'his ignorance of policy' when he criticized Gov. Ed's plan to require lobbyists to register with the executive branch.
On Thursday, Swann said Rendell's proposal was toothless because it included no penalties for lobbyists who fail to disclose how much they spend to influence the executive branch.
That prompted a return salvo from Democratic spinmeister Abe Amoros who said the state constitution forbids Gov. Ed from penalizing people who do not work for him. The same doesn't hold true for the state Senate, which bars lobbyists for five years for failing to dislcose their activities."

Low Turnover Rate -- no joke

The Times-Tribune - AP News: "HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Like an exclusive club, the Pennsylvania General Assembly caters to its members. And once you're in, you're in.
The 253 lawmakers enjoy one of the nation's highest re-election rates, thanks to a system that makes challenges a daunting task, a high public profile that comes with legislative service and an array of image-enhancement services and other tools to help protect incumbents from losing elections.
In the past decade, no more than five legislators have been ousted in any election year - an outcome that raises questions about whether the democratic process has been undermined in Pennsylvania."

Being Braves -- and "Do more with Les"

I'm not talking about Les Ludwig. Rather, Jim Les, the Bradley University Men's Basketball Coach who guided his team past the Panthers this afternoon and is able to advance to the Sweet 16 in the tournament. The Braves are now America's Cinderella Team.

When I coached swimming in Peoria, and at Bradley, Jim Les was a player on the team.

Bradley Holds Off Pittsburgh, 72-66, In Second Round Of NCAA Tournament - Carl Krauser had 17 points for the Panthers. 'Being part of this program spanning 30 years ... to see the jubilation on the faces of those people, and getting the calls and text messages from people enjoying this run, that gives me tremendous pleasure,' said coach Jim Les, a former BU point guard. 'Bradley basketball is back on the map in a big way.'

Penn State student critically injured in fall

The War On Drugs -- even Underage Drinking -- causes some strange behaviors. Don't do this. Be safe.

Penn State student critically injured in fall A Penn State student was critically injured when he fell about five stories while trying to climb down a makeshift rope as police were busting an underage drinking party in a campus dormitory Friday night, authorities said.

Police said Ryan P. Walton, 19, of Harleysville, tied a bedspread and sheet together and tried to climb down from a sixth-story window while university police officers were questioning partygoers in another room on the State College, Centre County campus.

Mr. Walton fell about 55 feet, landing on grass, dirt and gravel. He suffered severe internal injuries, the university reported.

He was in critical condition last night at Altoona Hospital in Blair County.

We need more fitness. Perhaps this guy can help us deliver it.

Welcome to BillOgden.org My present job description involves: Improving the quality of peoples lives--Physically, Mentally, Emotionally, and sometimes Spiritually.

The kids around Pennsylvania are slated to take the PSEA tests this week and next. Good luck! For me, I'm getting set for two more field trips. One is this week and the other next week. This photo is from a field trip with the kids from a prior year. That's Grant, front and center. Erik is over his shoulder. We all scream for ice cream.

Crossing Guards are fully funded in the new budget. Bob O'Connor released the new city budget the day after the election. Throughout the campaign, I spoke and posted frequently on the needed for the city to fund crossing guards again.

The photo shows a typical crossing guard in Chengdu, China. Crossing guards there are decked out in an orange vest, hat, flag, white gloves and -- perhaps -- and umbrella. I think that there is a badge/name-tag too.