Jim Brown Productions -- now out -- the film: The Power of Song

Jim Brown Productions Pete Seeger: The Power of Song in theaters now!

Teacher, What do you make?

Well, we know more as to what Jo Pa makes as the football coach at Penn State University.

What Do Teachers Make?

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do… Those who can't, teach."

To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make?" (She paused for a second, then began...)

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor winner.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.

You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)

I make kids wonder.

I make them question.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math. They use their God given brain, not the man-made calculator.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know about the USA while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.

(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)

"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant.... You want to know what I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make Mr. CEO?

His jaw had dropped. He stayed silent.

THIS IS WORTH SENDING TO EVERY TEACHER YOU KNOW. Even all your personal teachers like mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and your spiritual leaders/teachers - Pastor's/Priests/Clergy.

Republicans Plot to Rig the 2008 Election

Johann Hari | Republicans New Plot to Rig the 2008 Election If this were being done in every state, everywhere, it would be an improvement. California's forgotten Republicans would be represented in the Electoral College, and so would Texas' forgotten Democrats. But by doing it in California alone, they are simply giving the Republicans a massive electoral gift. Suddenly it would be extremely hard for a Democrat ever to win the White House; they would need a landslide victory everywhere else to counter this vast structural imbalance against them on the West Coast.

National Debt Grows $1 Million a Minute

National Debt Grows $1 Million a Minute Washington - Like a ticking time bomb, the national debt is an explosion waiting to happen. It's expanding by about $1.4 billion a day - or nearly $1 million a minute.

What's that mean to you?

It means almost $30,000 in debt for each man, woman, child and infant in the United States.

Ron Paul debrief after the YouTube / CNN joke debate

December 3, 2007

Want to know a secret? There were two moments I especially enjoyed at the CNN/YouTube debate -- despite my frustration at some of the questions, and the maldistribution of time.

First, I was pleased at John McCain's attack, which he clearly had planned. Not because that sort of stream-of-consciousness nonsense about Hitler and WWII -- when the neocons openly want what they call WW IV! Are we to forget that the first war crime charged at Nuremberg was waging aggressive war?

I mean this: mainstream politicians NEVER attack an opponent they think is far behind. The McCain campaign, we've heard, is worried sick about New Hampshire, and they thought a slam at me would help. Ha! Of course,
it only strengthened our forces.

Then, after the debate, Rudy Giuliani walked up to me and said, "Oooh, you sure have a LOT of supporters." It's only the beginning, I told him.

Indeed, he could have told that by the crowd outside after the debate. Mitt Romney had a few people, but no one else did. We, on the other hand, had about 500 enthusiastic revolutionaries, plus a boat, a trolley, and two planes towing lighted signs. As I looked out at the crowd, I thought: the establishment has no idea of what they are facing. We have an army of freedom, prosperity, and peace. As the LA Times political blog noted the other day, the
British also thought they had no problem with the Americans--until Yorktown.

But we have an astoundingly short time before the first contests. The Iowa caucuses are on January 3, the New Hampshire primary is on January 8, and Nevada and South Carolina are both on January 19. We have only 30 days to stake our claim to the nomination, and to the new America that restores the ideals of the founders, and leads the world through free enterprise, a sound dollar, the rule of law, and peaceful example. Not through inflation and bombs.

Help me surprise the neocons and all the establishment with our success. Help me build the foundation for the America we all want. Send your most generous contribution: https://www.ronpaul2008.com/donate. The military-industrial complex, the biased media, the big banks, the Fed, the waterboarders, and the IRS don't like what we're doing. But every good American is applauding us, and daring to hope for a better future.

Please, help me give it to them, to us, to all Americans to come. Keep this revolution growing and winning:
https://www.ronpaul2008.com/donate.

Sincerely,

Ron

From the Hot Metal Bridge, a roundabout trip to some cool sites

I'm a huge fan of pedestrian bridges. They are great. We need to make more car-free infrastructure.

From the Hot Metal Bridge, a roundabout trip to some cool sites a roundabout trip to some cool sites

The Hot Metal Bridge is what opened this past week. The Mon-Con Bridge is what re-opened seven years ago. There are two bridges, side-by-side. They've been, in recent times, been called the wrong names. Oh well.

If it was up to me, I would have worked hard to open the pedestrian bridge first. That was the harder one to do. Then we would have had both bridges open for the past six years.

How can something be 'cool' yet be seven years behind the times? Isn't the thought of 'cool' such that it can't be stale? Is 'cool' not like being 'hip?'

I'd be hard pressed to call the Pgh Technology Center on Second Ave one of the most 'youthful parts of the city.' The Tech Center is "TIF" land. And, it has been the subject of a SECOND wave of TIFs, years after the first. TIFs (Tax Incremental Financing) are so 'old school.'

The Pgh Technology Center is so suburban. That office park could be in Green Tree, South Pointe, Morgantown or Dallas. It isn't urban, dense, nor youthful.

Save money for schools -- start with an open source embrace

I figure that at least some of you have already seen the article entitled "Software Piracy Fight Makes Enemies" ... snip to another author ...

IMHO, schools are going to play a big part in bringing about a real world digital tipping point. At least that is the point that we are going to be making in the Digital Tipping Point film.

I am a volunteer supporting a public middle school in San Francisco with Free Open Source Software, and we have filmed our work there as part of the DTP film. We are giving away all of our footage on-line under a Creative Commons Attribute ShareAlike license (cc by-SA).

We interviewed the superintendent of the Portland Public School District, who talked about Microsoft's dirty deeds there. Basically, the BSA demanded an audit pursuant to the Microsoft EULA. The audit alone would have cost the Portland District $100, 000.00. Microsoft just *happened* to send out its sales rep at the same time and offered to make the whole thing go away if the school district would just pony up for new licenses.

The PPSD told Microsoft no, and it became such a press issue, that Microsoft backed off, and as a result, the PPSD increased its FOSS usage to the point where many schools in the PPSD have no Microsoft products at all.

Source: Christian Einfeldt, Producer, The Digital Tipping Point.

Panther statue decorating pushed back to Jan. 10 - News

Wait until next year has new meaning for the birthing and re-birthing of Pitt's Cows. Well, NYC had the cows. Cinci had the pigs. The Burgh had the dinos. Next up -- Pitt's ten panthers.

Panther statue decorating pushed back to Jan. 10 - News After reviewing 26 proposals, the SGB selection committee gave the statues to Tau Beta Sigma (a band sorority), the Pre-Medical Organization for Minority Students, The Pitt News, Pitt's chapter of the American Chemical Society, the Panther Psychology Club, Pathfinders and the Black Action Society. The Inter-Fraternity Council, the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the National Panhellenic Association will combine to decorate one of the statues. The Panthers for Israel, Hillel, the Muslim Students Association and the Saudi Student House will work together to create a statue, as well. SGB also took one of the statues for itself, which it has invited all students not involved with any of the nine other statues to help decorate.

Once painted, the statues will be placed in prominent locations around campus until homecoming next year, where they will be repainted by a new selection of groups.

Each year, a new suite of groups gets to repaint them.

The panther that was put up on campus next to the Pitt Student Union a few years ago has a story behind it. A deal was cut with Pitt's student government president to land the panther instead of generation of opposition to the removal of Pitt Stadium. The statue represents a sell-out bobble.

UPMC, CMU: No plan to buy Schenley

UPMC, CMU: No plan to buy Schenley Carnegie Mellon University and UPMC say they're not looking to buy the Pittsburgh Schenley High School building in Oakland, but the University of Pittsburgh won't say one way or the other.

Panther Rants is to blame. Well at least it is there to turn to

Panther Rants: Nordenberg comments on Pederson hiring BLAWNOX -- University of Pittsburgh chancellor Mark Nordenhair sat down with the staff at Panther Rants and explained the logic behind hiring former athletic director Steve Pederson.

Bitter sweet.

I am so angry, still, about the return of Steve Pederson, as Pitt's re-tread Athletic Director, that I still can't blog about it.

Latest Schenley Hand-out -- pass around

Your Children are at risk!

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WANTS TO PUT 11 YEAR OLDS IN THE SAME BUILDINGS AS HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

THIS WILL LEAD TO:

• BULLYING!

• DRUG ABUSE!

• TEEN PREGNANCY!

PARENTS’

CALL TO

ACTION

YOU CAN STOP THE CHANGES TO OUR SCHOOLS!

1 . CONTACT YOUR SCHOOL BOARD REPRESENTATIVE AND TELL THEM TO VOTE “NO!” ON THE REFORM PLAN

• CALL 412-622-3600 TO FIND OUT WHO YOUR SCHOOL BOARD REPRESENTATIVE IS, OR THE PARENT HOTLINE 412-622-7920

2. WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR! LET THE MEDIA KNOW THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW YOUR CHILDREN WILL BE AFFECTED BY 6-12 SCHOOLS!

• THE MEDIA AND SCHOOL BOARD ARE FOCUSED ONLY ON THE CONDITION AND COST OF SCHENLEY HIGH SCHOOL

• THE SCHOOL BOARD WANTS TO USE THE SCHENLEY HS CLOSURE AS A WAY TO LAUNCH ITS EXPERIMENTAL, ILL-CONCIEVED, EXPERIMENTAL REFORM PLAN

• 6-12 SCHOOLS INCREASE THE RISKS OF PREMARITAL SEX, PREGNANCY, BULLYING AND DRUG USE

3 . ATTEND THE SAVE OUR SCHOOLS RALLY DEC 10 AT THE PITSBURGH BOARD OF EDUCATION BUILDING

• 6PM ON CORNER OF BELLFIELD AND FORBES IN OAKLAND

• LET INCOMING SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS KNOW THAT 6-12 EDUCATION IS WRONG FOR YOUR KIDS

4 . GET INFORMED: VISIT WWW.INFORMEDREFORM.COM

• CALL TO GET INVOLVED: 412-513-9091

The price on the spare couch -- now that it is the 4th quarter -- has gone up to $200. That's a 2-M % increase.

That couch isn't for free any more!

Go Pitt!

Another swim meet, but Dangy appeared

Grant had an inspirational cartoon character, Dangy. He showed up on this meet program.

Evel Knievel died, according to evelknievel.com

See evelknievel.com.

Penn Hills High School - class of 77 -- 30th reunion

monroeville-expo

Video snip of song!

Penn Hills Class of 1977 30th Reunion Follow-up from Gina:

The Penn Hills Class of 1977 30th reunion was a resounding success! We had close to 400 people attending. The night was full of fun, reminiscing and dancing.

If you were of the classmates that attended, thanks so much for your support! It was a night to remember!

If you couldn't make it, we're sorry you missed out on such a great time, but you can still be part of the evening as we are offering a DVD of the reunion, a program and the 30th reunion favor (while supplies last)-- see below for details.

Also, I want to take the opportunity again to thank the committee - Joe Evanish, Deb Testa Fantone, Steve Eversole, Michael Migliore and Mark Rauterkus.

Sincerely,
Gina Costa Calabro

Couldn't make the reunion?
We have extra copies of the program and favors as well as DVD of the evening.

The package is $12 for the DVD, a favor and the program. We have a limited supply of programs and favors so get your orders in ASAP!

Just the DVD is $10.

If you would like to order, please send a check payable to:
Penn Hills Class of 77 Reunion,
7 Joshua Valley Road, East Lyme, CT 06333

Be sure to include your full name, address, phone number and email address.

Yearbook DVD = Get Your Copy for Only $10!

Joe Evanish scanned in the entire yearbook and set it to the music of the Seventies. It was definitely a labor of love as this was a big undertaking in scanning and cropping the pictures in the year book. For those who attended the reunion it was played on a big screen during dinner and it was a huge hit!

If you would like to order, please send a check ($10) payable to Penn Hills Class of 77 Reunion, 7 Joshua Valley Road, East Lyme, CT 06333

Be sure to include your full name, address, phone number and email address.

Take me. Great for basement, etc.

"I'm cheap."

"No skeletons in this closet."

Find me at 12th Street and Bradish, South Side Flats. Good for paint cans and the garage.

CNN & YouTube Debate among R candidates

RedState is calling for CNN to fire Sam Feist, CNN's political director; and David Bohrman, CNN's Senior Vice President and Executive Producer of the debate.

The debate, which CNN billed as "a Republican debate, and the goal was to let Republican voters see their candidates," CNN either knowingly or incompetently allowed hardcore left wing activists to plant questions and Anderson Cooper willingly gave one of those activists a soapbox so he could harass the Republican candidates about military policy.

Simple googling would have revealed these left wing activists.

Had CNN done its homework, this would not have happened. They either willfully let it happen, or incompetently bungled it. Either way, heads should roll.

Likewise, we hope one or more of the GOP Presidential candidates will call for a do-over debate on substantive policy issues.

To the Directors post here. Erick Erickson, Editor, RedState.com

Ron Paul 2008 › States › West Virginia

Ron Paul 2008 › States › West Virginia: "For West Virginians planning to serve as a delegate for Ron Paul in the State Convention, or for anyone wishing to vote for Ron Paul delegates in the online balloting in January, the application deadline is quickly approaching - you must be registered as a Republican and submit all needed applications by November 30, 2007."

Rockzillaworld Eliza Gilyson, "Highway 9"

Protest folk song.

Rockzillaworld Eliza Gilyson, "Highway 9" So the little man gathered all his chicken-hawks in
and the neo-cons and his daddy's kin
With their own clear channel and a helluva spin
and a white man hidden in a black man's skin.

Q & A about Pgh Ethics Hearing Board from a student at Pitt

Hello Mark,

I am a student at the University of Pittsburgh that happens to be working on a case study involving Luke and the Ethics Hearing Board. The course is Board Governance and we are studying different aspects of board governance (especially those that are not for profit). You seem very opinionated and I am requesting your thoughts on the Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board to use in my analysis. I thought instead of using the different newspaper articles and simply highlighting what everyone already knows, I would turn to bloggers to get the “real deal” and see what actual Pittsburghers think about the Ethics Board, Luke, and their actions especially during the investigation period. Please forward this message to your fellow bloggers if you think they would be willing to share some insight as well.

1) Was the City of Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board board structure and composition helpful or hurtful to the organization? Did board members have conflicts of interest?

2) Was the City of Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board board a “good board?”

3) In your estimation, did the City of Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board reach a fair decision on clearing Mayor Luke Ravenstahl on any wrong-doing? Were there any clear signs of negligence or incompetence on the part of the board or any of its members?

4) Did the board operate independently or did it do the bidding of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl (recall that two members of the board are nominated by the major)?

5) In your research, did you see any board activities that seemed questionable?

6) What did the board do right? What did the board do wrong?

7) Should the City of Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board change their policies and/or procedures as a result of this set of hearings against Mayor Luke Ravenstahl?

8) What do you think motivated board members to join the Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board? What agenda if any do you think each has as a board member?

Thank you, (Student's name and contact NUKED until I hear from him again.)

My replies:

#1) I've come to understand that the Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board is nothing but a big joke. It is not helpful. It is not going to improve upon the ethical behaviors of those in local government. It is a sink. It is much like a fiddle for the mayor and others to play at their will. It moves too slow. I've seen glaciers move more quickly.

Those that are presently on the Pgh Ethics Hearing Board seem ill-prepared for the duty of being on the board. They have put in a request for a budget of $40,000 per year to the President of Pittsburgh's City Council. A big portion of that payment is for 'training.' These folks are not trained. They are in the dark and they know it. They are in over their heads. They are frozen with in-action. And, they won't move until others come to their aid and hold their hands.

I think those on the board who are not ready to be ethical and act as they are called to behave should resign. This is not a place for on the job training.

The organization of the board is fine. However, the people they have picked are fine with being in their role as puppets.

The board's leader, Sister Patrice, was in a conflict of interest by putting out a mention about the golf to Luke. She can't be judge and prosecutor in the same instance.

The board is also building a task force to look at the matter of gifts from the nonprofits. They are all from the nonprofit world. And, they seek more input from the nonprofits. This is okay -- but it comes at the exclusion of taxpayers, citizens, voters, residents. Everyone there has a nonprofit job. The want to increase the direction given to the nonprofit weenies. So, there are certain conflicts of interest because citizens are being excluded.

Rather than reform, however, it is often better to just replace first.

2) The City of Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board board IS (present tense) a joke. The board stinks. That is NOT a "good board." I'm not sure why you ask about "WAS" (past tense). The board operates. It is not changing, sadly.

3) In my estimation, the City of Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board has not yet reached a clear decision on Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's golfing in the summer of 2007. The code is still up for discussion and changes. Letters have been sent. Various filters and opinions are still brewing. A task force has been called, but not gathered. This matter won't be completed until 2008. Perhaps it will be over by the middle of the next golf season.

If the same offer was put forth again today, I expect that the same outcomes would unfold from the administration. It is not resolved. The lessons are not firm in everyone's understanding. Moving forward, there is much doubt that lingers.

The board members put Luke on trial and that was a very clever way of getting him off the hook. What they found could not stick. The complaint needed to come from a citizen. The Ethics Hearing Board just acts as JUDGE.

4) Without doubt, the Pgh Ethics Hearing Board operates without any hint of independence. It is a branch of the Law Department, in turn, a branch of the Administration, and, of course, the mayor!

5) In my opinion and research, I have found that all of the board activities are to be questioned. First, the entire process is undermined with the confidentiality requirement. Citizens should not be subject to fewer rights of speech because they file a complaint with the Ethics Hearing Board. The Ethics Hearing Board is unconstitutional.

The Ethics Hearing Board should look to all city officials, employees, contractors and candidates. The Ethics Hearing Board seems to think that candidates can't be unethical and that if they are -- that is not within their scope of concern. Go figure.

6) The Ethics Hearing Board has been worthless to the citizens and the struggle to live in a more ethical region.

7) The City of Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board should change its policies. Radical changes are needed. They should happen quickly. First, those that can't tell what is right and wrong should resign. Those that can't open their own mail without it being screened by the law department should quit. Those that are clueless to the first amendment rights such as freedom of speech, should never be in any public capacity. The board should call for massive changes to the code and operations by saying it will stike down the provisions of confidential behavior from anyone who makes a complaint. And, all liabilities should be revoked as well. The board isn't in any position to dish out punishments. It should never be in that role.

8) Board members are motivated to help with the city for countless reasons. Pride, civic duty, and an awareness of the city's ills are just a few reasons. The agenda of the board members are for them to reveal -- not me. I can't begin to read their minds.