Wheeling Jesuit University freezes tuition: "'Higher learning is a critically important reality in American culture. It's also expensive,' School President the Rev. Julio Giulietti said in a statement. 'Although Wheeling Jesuit University has always tried to keep the seemingly inevitable rise of tuition at an affordable rate, the present national and international financial crisis demands a more radical response.'Too bad WJU is NOT eligible for Pittsburgh Promise scholarship money. It would be great if some went there -- from the city -- with Pittsburgh Promise funds.
Undergraduate tuition is $23,590 per year."
Friday, January 23, 2009
Wheeling Jesuit University freezes tuition
First, YSU does a deal for those in Allegheny County and others in southwestern PA. Now this good news of another local college.
Do an extra assignment
I posted, again, at the PureReform blog in the wake of a discussion about NCLB (No Child Left Behind).
You know, if the tools in NCLB have measures and benchmarks that are not 'just' nor 'accurate' -- and I think this might be spot on -- then why not issue another, better, more insightful report card and measurement stick with the corresponding tic marks.
Do another report card.
Sure, you gotta do what the NCLB forumla requires, if you want to dance that dance. Understood.
But, great leaders would go above and beyond. They could make their own data open and assign ways to measure and report those facts.
I hear a lot of moans -- but -- the proof is in the performance and the story that can be delivered and supported by the paid leadership of the district.
Sure, pull out the special ed folks. Put them on a different scale. Then what?
Life and our schools are an open book test. Do the homework. Then, do an extra assignment. Go above and beyond. Make challenges that greatly exceed what is required.
You know, if the tools in NCLB have measures and benchmarks that are not 'just' nor 'accurate' -- and I think this might be spot on -- then why not issue another, better, more insightful report card and measurement stick with the corresponding tic marks.
Do another report card.
Sure, you gotta do what the NCLB forumla requires, if you want to dance that dance. Understood.
But, great leaders would go above and beyond. They could make their own data open and assign ways to measure and report those facts.
I hear a lot of moans -- but -- the proof is in the performance and the story that can be delivered and supported by the paid leadership of the district.
Sure, pull out the special ed folks. Put them on a different scale. Then what?
Life and our schools are an open book test. Do the homework. Then, do an extra assignment. Go above and beyond. Make challenges that greatly exceed what is required.
Instant Message to Marty Griffin
The Fed dollars that pays for the tunnel under the Allegheny River for light-rail to the stadiums is still OUR MONEY. It comes from the pocket, wallet or purse -- local, state or feds -- but it is still, all of it, OUR MONEY.
Don't build the tunnel because as a FEDERAL taxpayer, it is a waste of money.
Better things can be done with government money.
To win the 'shut it down fight' -- you'll need to get NATIONAL advocates to help. Those in Iowa, Alaska, Calif, Florida, etc., need to help put a fork in it for the benefit of the locals because the local politicians are too drunk to refuse PORK, even worthless PORK.
Don't build the tunnel because as a FEDERAL taxpayer, it is a waste of money.
Better things can be done with government money.
To win the 'shut it down fight' -- you'll need to get NATIONAL advocates to help. Those in Iowa, Alaska, Calif, Florida, etc., need to help put a fork in it for the benefit of the locals because the local politicians are too drunk to refuse PORK, even worthless PORK.
Pittsburgh Hoagie covers candidate Q&A: Georgia
Three cheers to Matt Hogue for getting insights from candidates in the special election for city council district 2 out into the view of others. Well done Matt. Keep up the great work on your blog.
Now, let's take a look at the statements from Georgia.
My replies to her answers. I've reposted these remarks from the comments at Matt's blog. Go there to sustain the conversation, please.
Thanks for taking a lead on these Q&As. Wonderful.
My $.02 replies to her remarks follow.
Those interested in responsible and sustainable development should be "developers" in the private sector. You can't do -- it is impossible -- development from the public sector. Those that want to do that need to be embraced in the private sector and disgraced if they dare step within the public / elected world.
When the policitians become the developers, then the developers begin to write the laws.
The way to structure development is to leave it alone within the realm of gov and insure that gov is fair, just, trusted, honest, open. Care -- but never dabble (gov folks).
Once the foundation is provided with gov -- then private money will arrive, without the bribes.
A land-tax policy would do the most to end vacant and abandoned property. That should be the long range plan.
In 5 and 10 years, I want my community to look like things that are hard to visualize -- because it needs to be free and smart. Looks are skin deep. Beijing was spotless in August 2008. I do want that litter control, but not the associated acts of repression.
A BBI overhaul = good thing. Okay answer.
Good to have candidates standing for office.
I don't want people to support needs of the residents of Dist 2 -- unless those needs are about freedom, liberties and constitutional elements. The 'selfishness' of our politicians causes the over-reaching crap that we are swamped by now.
Why didn't the #1 campaign finance reform reformer speak when the issue was before council twice (if not dozens of times) in the past?
Be beholden to concepts of freedom and justice -- not your union card and diploma.
Now, let's take a look at the statements from Georgia.
Pittsburgh Hoagie: All meat no filler: "Pittsburgh City Council candidate Georgia Blotzer was gracious enough to answer some questions about his campaign."
My replies to her answers. I've reposted these remarks from the comments at Matt's blog. Go there to sustain the conversation, please.
Thanks for taking a lead on these Q&As. Wonderful.
My $.02 replies to her remarks follow.
Those interested in responsible and sustainable development should be "developers" in the private sector. You can't do -- it is impossible -- development from the public sector. Those that want to do that need to be embraced in the private sector and disgraced if they dare step within the public / elected world.
When the policitians become the developers, then the developers begin to write the laws.
The way to structure development is to leave it alone within the realm of gov and insure that gov is fair, just, trusted, honest, open. Care -- but never dabble (gov folks).
Once the foundation is provided with gov -- then private money will arrive, without the bribes.
A land-tax policy would do the most to end vacant and abandoned property. That should be the long range plan.
In 5 and 10 years, I want my community to look like things that are hard to visualize -- because it needs to be free and smart. Looks are skin deep. Beijing was spotless in August 2008. I do want that litter control, but not the associated acts of repression.
A BBI overhaul = good thing. Okay answer.
Good to have candidates standing for office.
I don't want people to support needs of the residents of Dist 2 -- unless those needs are about freedom, liberties and constitutional elements. The 'selfishness' of our politicians causes the over-reaching crap that we are swamped by now.
Why didn't the #1 campaign finance reform reformer speak when the issue was before council twice (if not dozens of times) in the past?
Be beholden to concepts of freedom and justice -- not your union card and diploma.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Penn Hills linebacker Mason picks Pitt
Humm...
Penn Hills linebacker Mason picks Pitt: "'The main thing is that I was real comfortable with the coaches at Pitt,' he said. 'They have been recruiting me for three years and I've had a great relationship with all those guys. I took my time with this decision because I wanted to have no doubt and I have no doubt. I know that Pitt is the right place for me.'
School news with Schenley and Frick
Frick PSCC
To help with the transition to the combined schools in the Reizenstein building, Mrs. Facaros plans to invite the Frick PSCC to the Schenley PSCC meeting to be held on April 15, 2009. On April 3, which is scheduled as a half-day, the Frick teachers and staff will be invited to the Reizenstein building to view facilities. The building will be off-limits during the summer while construction/maintenance/repairs/adaptations are completed. In May, the Schenley PSCC meeting will be held at Frick.
4Sight testing has been rescheduled for Jan. 29, 2009. Senior IB students who are registered to take the IB diploma are asked to report to school by 8:00 am. The students will have an opportunity to work on programme requirements. All other seniors should report to the library to work on college aps, FAFSA forms, grad projects. If a senior is not at school by 8 am, arrival time should be 10:45 so as to not disrupt testing.
Feb. 5 -- Winter Concert and FAFSA Workshop--details for the concert will be given later. The FAFSA workshop is sponsored by NEED and is a hands-on session to complete the required financial aid forms for nearly all colleges.
Tech use -- A possible topic for future PSCC meetings is the use and/or abuse of technology at the school. The meeting would cover cyber bullying, text messaging, LOUD mp3s among other subjects.
Prom -- The prom is a privilege not a right.
CHANGE OF SCHEDULE FOR 2ND SEMESTER -- It became obvious early in the school year that the activity period as scheduled was not working. More planning and coordination was needed to provide meaningful activities for students. For the remainder of the school year, most students will report to their period 9 class and will remain there until the end of the day (84 minutes). Students will be required to have a written pass to go to another teacher/classroom for tutoring or activities. (Three classes could not be rescheduled and will continue to meet 10th period--chorus, health, and ???).
PLAY PRACTICE --A bus leaves Reizenstein at 5 pm to take the students to Peabody for play practice. Approximately 45 kids take the bus. Sorry, I didn't get the title of the play or any details but it is supposed to be Shakespeare set to music. As soon as I get more details, I will send them because the Schenley musical is ALWAYS a highlight of the school year.
PEABODY --A parent asked what the current plans are regarding Peabody and the students currently attending there. Mr. Huber who was on the site selection committee for the IB school said that Peabody was a unanimous selection of the committee. (I don't know what other sites were considered but Westinghouse, although beautiful facilities is not accessible to magnet students by bus and Reizenstein would cost too much money to adapt for continued use as a high school). The board has not yet voted on the selection. Data has shown that only 25% of students in the Peabody feeder pattern actually attend the school and the building is seriously underutilized. No plans have yet been announced for the placement of the remaining students if the school does get approved for the IB school.
WEB SITE -- The district is continuing to upgrade the website and coordinate all information. At this time each individual school is prevented from adding any information except the daily bulletin. The school calendar is controlled by the district which means there is NO useful information on the calendar, except for district wide dates.
If you have been reading my emails over the past 4 years or attended any meetings with me, you know that the lack of communication has been one of my biggest gripes. This is the computer age!!!! It is absolutely ridiculous that a school district the size of Pittsburgh cannot get this right. Parent Engagement is a nice catchy phrase but it is hard to be engaged when you have such difficulty getting information. I know that there are many things that we cannot change due to money issues but this is something that would not take much money to fix and would go a long way toward making parents feel engaged. Please call the Parent Hotline and ask when the system will be fully functioning.
Parent Hotline: 412-622-7920
COLLEGE FAIR -- This was not mentioned at the meeting but the date is coming very soon. On Feb 5, 2009, from 9-1 and 6-9, and Feb 6, from 9-12 at the convention center is the NACAC College Fair. Students beginning their college search might find some useful information (http://www.nacacnet.org/EventsTraining/CollegeFairs/ncf/Spring/Pages/PittsburghNCF.aspx)
REMINDER:
Today, Jan. 22, Financial Aid Night at Reizenstein Library. 6-8 PM in the cafetorium.
Feb. 5, FAFSA Parent Night, 6-8 PM in room 144
11th Grade PSSA Preparation, Saturday sessions beginning Jan. 31. Incentives will be given to participants.
Feb 18, IB parent meeting at 5 pm., PSCC meeting at 6 pm., in the library.
Feb 25., parent meeting for current 10th grade students considering IB.
Lots of information. If you have any additions, corrections, or questions, please email, Amy Moore.
BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Obama speech censored in China
Interesting. Read the full article.
BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Obama speech censored in China 'To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history,' the president said.
Once again, Xinhua included the passage in full in its English version, but the sentence was taken out of the Chinese translation.
Similar changes were made to versions of the speech that appeared on other websites based in China.
And websites were not the only media organisations that struggled to report some of the comments made by President Obama.
China Central Television, the country's main broadcaster, aired the speech live with a simultaneous Chinese translation.
But when the translator got to the part where President Obama talked about facing down communism, her voice suddenly faded away.
The programme suddenly cut back to the studio, where an off-guard presenter had to quickly ask a guest a question.
Censoring sensitive news reports is nothing new in China, where officials go to great lengths to cut critical material.
No bailout, no connector, agency says - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Shut it down.
No bailout, no connector, agency says - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "unforeseen costs added $117.8 million to the North Shore Connector's $435 million price tag and threaten to shut down the project without a bailout from a proposed federal economic stimulus package.
Education: Board members waiting on CEP progress reports - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh
Coverage in the City Paper about schools.
It amazes me that the elected board members are kept in the dark and allow that to linger. The board is fine in allowing little or no news to reach them. That type of oversight is what is killing this region. I want elected board members to be accountable and I want them to be holding others accountable. I want them to be the ones who hold the light high for all to see what's going on in our agencies and institutions. They have to carry the torch. It has to burn bright. And, they've got to do their jobs well.
Finger wagging isn't the same as lighting a torch and holding it high. Be ready to expose and flame as needed, PPS Board. Enough is enough. If you don't have the numbers and scores and a clear understanding of the methods used, in our schools, then fix it. Find out. Don't let them stonewall you -- nor us. Otherwise, you're just a puppet to the administration and this is the proof.
Education: Board members waiting on CEP progress reports - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh: "Since the start of the 2007-08 school year, Community Education Partners (CEP) -- a private, Nashville-based alternative education company -- has been in charge of educating the city district's most academically and behaviorally challenged 6-12th-grade students.Perhaps the high jumps in test scores are from the low starting point.
It amazes me that the elected board members are kept in the dark and allow that to linger. The board is fine in allowing little or no news to reach them. That type of oversight is what is killing this region. I want elected board members to be accountable and I want them to be holding others accountable. I want them to be the ones who hold the light high for all to see what's going on in our agencies and institutions. They have to carry the torch. It has to burn bright. And, they've got to do their jobs well.
Finger wagging isn't the same as lighting a torch and holding it high. Be ready to expose and flame as needed, PPS Board. Enough is enough. If you don't have the numbers and scores and a clear understanding of the methods used, in our schools, then fix it. Find out. Don't let them stonewall you -- nor us. Otherwise, you're just a puppet to the administration and this is the proof.
RootsCamp Pittsburgh is this weekend
Dear Camper:
RootsCamp is only days away! We're going to have a great day of learning, sharing and fun. And you can make it even better if you come prepared for the unique RootsCamp experience.
* Be ready to participate. Rule #1 at RootsCamp is there are no spectators. We expect everyone to share their ideas and experiences.
* Be ready to lead. If you have an idea for a session, propose it on the Sessions page of our website http://rootscamppittsburgh2009.pbwiki.com/Session-Topics Just click on the edit tab near the top of the page, type or paste in your idea, then click save at the bottom of the page. On Saturday, post your idea on the Sessions grid and lead your group's discussion.
* Bring your own materials. We're providing the space, food and fellow travelers. You will need to bring your own pen, paper for note taking and any presentation materials if you leading a session. We will have one projector and we will probably have some flip charts. But not every meeting space will have them. So, if you absolutely need a projector, flip charts or anything else, please bring it yourself.
* RootsCamp food will be basic. We'll have coffee and donuts for a breakfast snack. We'll have sub sandwiches and water for lunch. If you need more than that, please bring your own. We'll have a vegetarian option, but if you have other dietary needs, please bring your own food and beverages. It's not that we're not sensitive to special needs. It's just that we are running this on an all-volunteer basis and charging only $10 for everything. We simply don't have the resources to do everything we would like to do.
* Bring materials about your progressive organization to share. We'll have a table for you to place your literature for other campers to read.
* Bring friends and allies. It's not too late to register. http://rootscamppittsburgh2009.pbwiki.com Invite at least 5 of your progressive activist friends to come. Send them an email today telling them why you're coming, or forward one of our previous emails. The more people at RootsCamp, the better the experience.
I'm excited to be a part of Pennsylvania's first RootsCamp. And I'm looking forward to seeing you on Saturday.
Mike
Michael Morrill, Executive Director, Keystone Progress
Follow us on Twitter at:
http://twitter.com/keystoneprogres
I'm at twitter too at http://twitter.com/rauterkus.
Just used LinkedIn to post to Pgh Public Schools forum
Hi Folks with an interest in Pgh Public Schools at LinkedIn,
Here is a FYI about Frick Middle School, located in Oakland, now in its last school year.
Yesterday (WED) the swimmers at Frick had their last city championships and won, again, easily. I'll put a few races onto my blog by the end of the day.
Today, (Thurs) there are two city-wide basketball championship game for boys and for girls (Middle School). Frick is in both games and the games are at Frick. The one starts about 2 or so and the other following. Frick has fine teams there too.
So, if your in Oakland and want to cheer -- and visit the school -- while it is still a middle school -- drop by.
I'm sad to see Frick close. It has been a good school on most fronts. Next year the school flips to a botique school and rumor has it that there will be NO afterschool activities. NONE. Zippo.
Go figure.
Update: I was told these are only playoff games and not the championship game today.
Here is a FYI about Frick Middle School, located in Oakland, now in its last school year.
Yesterday (WED) the swimmers at Frick had their last city championships and won, again, easily. I'll put a few races onto my blog by the end of the day.
Today, (Thurs) there are two city-wide basketball championship game for boys and for girls (Middle School). Frick is in both games and the games are at Frick. The one starts about 2 or so and the other following. Frick has fine teams there too.
So, if your in Oakland and want to cheer -- and visit the school -- while it is still a middle school -- drop by.
I'm sad to see Frick close. It has been a good school on most fronts. Next year the school flips to a botique school and rumor has it that there will be NO afterschool activities. NONE. Zippo.
Go figure.
Update: I was told these are only playoff games and not the championship game today.
State board proposes no-frills colleges
State board proposes no-frills colleges As college students face mounting debt, state education officials yesterday proposed a new kind of higher-education institution that would offer a 'low-cost, no frills' bachelor's degree.This is so wrong.
The schools would have no sports teams, no extracurriculars, no glittering fitness center and no plum dorm rooms."
For starters, they made a three page white paper. I've had blog postings longer than that. Might as well have a three page diploma too. Why not do a degree by postal mail as well. There are plenty of people in India and China. I bet some of them would be happy to get a diploma from a university in the United States. Sell it abroad because I'm not happy to see it come here.
We have ITT. We have trade schools. We have Community Colleges. Get each of those the ability to expand, if they see fit.
It is just an idea. Well, think again. We do not need the state to float a new college / university. I'm looking for the white paper now and can't find it.
I am in favor of a 'prep school' component to be a part of the new I.B. High so that kids can get, at their option, a 13th year in advance a real college experience.
Notice the double talk in this one part of the newspaper article:
The board also said it will work on removing costly and unnecessary state mandates from colleges and look to regulate on-campus marketing by credit card companies.
The removal of costly and unnecessary state mandates makes the college more like a charter school. Fine. That move is to less government regulation and less state authority. However, in the next breath, the push is in the other direction. They want to regulate on-campus marketing by companies. That delivers more regulation and more government authority. Buyer beware.
Isn't Clarion a no-frills option. Back in the day, a no-frills option was delivered at the Carnegie Library of Homestead. A college was there. It went out of business too.
Isn't Clarion like a Ford-brand for colleges and universities, if not a Yugo, when taken with a grand view? I have no doubts that it is expensive. Its value is to be questioned.
Pennsylvania's underprepared workforce that can't afford a college education that is only an underprepared experience.
This is the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.
The idea I'd love to see them champion is the concept of raising the bar. This only lowers it.
Close the weakest state owned college / university. Close the weakest public schools too, not the one's that are doing the difficult job of educating our students.
If one of the 14 state-system schools was axed, that would save money and make more money available to the others that remain. Make it competitive. Make the kids competitive.
PA Site, http://www.pde.state.pa.us/stateboard_ed/site/default.asp
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Youngstown State U. lowers tuition for W. Pa. students
Youngstown State U. lowers tuition for W. Pa. students: "Youngstown State University, in a bid to attract more Western Pennsylvania students, is cutting tuition by 26 percent for residents of eight counties in this region, including Allegheny.And the YSU mascot = Penguins. Feel at home there, and have some cash for beer too.
The reduction for the 2009-10 school year, to be formally announced at a news conference tomorrow, is the latest inducement in the ongoing competition for students between universities on both sides of the Ohio/Pennsylvania line. The cut of nearly $2,500 based on current tuition takes the yearly cost to within $200 of what Ohio residents pay.
This summer we went to Youngstown for a swim meet as there was not any indoor 50-meter swim pool that could host the USA Swimming Championships, except in Youngstown.
Now is the time to talk about an expansion of the colleges and universities for kids in Pittsburgh with access to funds from the Pittsburgh Promise.
Solids level declines in Mon River
Solids level declines in Mon River: "The state Department of Environmental Protection announced today that levels of total dissolved solids in the Monongahela River have dropped and remain well below state and federal guidelines."
Day at Ft. Lauderdale
I put a few photos to Flickr from our day in Ft. Lauderdale with Aunt Debbie.
We started the day with a morning workout, on our own, in the ISHOF pool. The swim pool, 50-meters, is owned by the city. So, it is a public pool. But, it is home to a world-class swim and dive program. We paid $10 to enter. The pool complex was set up with 50-meter course, the other 50-meter pool was with warmer water and set up with 25-yard lanes. A dive pool, 25-yards, and a covered swim-lesson pool is part of the mix too. The team, FLA, had practice at 4 pm, but we'd not be done with the days activities to join them. And, Erik is in a mini-taper of sorts. His school championship meet is Wed -- and we were visited on Monday, MLK Day.
We started the day with a morning workout, on our own, in the ISHOF pool. The swim pool, 50-meters, is owned by the city. So, it is a public pool. But, it is home to a world-class swim and dive program. We paid $10 to enter. The pool complex was set up with 50-meter course, the other 50-meter pool was with warmer water and set up with 25-yard lanes. A dive pool, 25-yards, and a covered swim-lesson pool is part of the mix too. The team, FLA, had practice at 4 pm, but we'd not be done with the days activities to join them. And, Erik is in a mini-taper of sorts. His school championship meet is Wed -- and we were visited on Monday, MLK Day.
Girl shot during high school basketball game in Erie
This sucks.
Girl shot during high school basketball game in Erie: "Girl shot during high school basketball game in Erie
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The Associated Press
ERIE, Pa. -- A girl is injured from gunfire at a northwestern Pennsylvania high school basketball game.
Erie police say the girl was shot once in the left hip last night at East High School. The Erie Times-News reports that she appeared conscious and alert as she was wheeled out of the school on a gurney.
Police say witnesses saw several males run out the back door of the gym just after the shooting. No arrests were immediately made.
The gunfire came during a boys basketball game against Harbor Creek. The game was called off and the visiting team immediately left."
Deadline for Dems -- come and gone
Death often comes in stages.
These fees are expensive. The fees are not equal to the value delivered.
I don't want government to be run like a business.
"It is a business and we have to run it that way...
The purpose of a political party is NOT to be a business.
Deadline approaching for candidates who want Democrats' endorsement: ".The best reasons for being of a third party are often delivered by the leadership of the ruling party.
Mayoral contenders have to pay the Allegheny County Democratic Committee $3,500 to seek the party's endorsement at its vote March 8. Common Pleas Court candidates have to pay $2,500, county row office contenders $2,750 and City Council hopefuls $1,500. The charges are greater than they have been previously.
'That's a pretty hefty sum of money,' said city Councilman Patrick Dowd, who is considering a mayoral bid. 'One could ask if that's a sort of barrier to entry, at least as far as endorsement goes.'
These fees are expensive. The fees are not equal to the value delivered.
I don't want government to be run like a business.
"It is a business and we have to run it that way...
The purpose of a political party is NOT to be a business.
Curfew center
Pittsburgh seeks organization to provide, run curfew center: "The city today posted a request for proposals from firms on its Web site. Responses are due at the Police Bureau's headquarters on Feb. 9.First things first.
If the city was serious about getting bids for operators to a new curfew center, today would be more of a presentation as to the pending request for proposals. The mayor should talk about philosophy and vision first. Then the mayor and his team should listen. Then the draft proposal for the RFP would be released and adjusted, if necessary.
Tell the citizens and the pending partners what is going to happen. Then make it happen, more or less, based upon feedback. Be open for adjustments, minor or major. Then release the final RFP (request for proposals).
Once the RFP is put out into the open, allow for 60 days, at the least, for such a project. This RFP hits on Jan 20 and is due by Feb 9. That's not enough time. That's a rush. That's a key to an insider job. That's how done deals are floated -- in haste.
This is not a traditional request for bids -- like getting toilet paper or rock salt. This is a specialized package with specific skills, careful duties and a change in regular operations.
Furthermore, the controller should have a role in the bid process. How these projects are awarded and even if they are awarded, is subject to a whole mess of subjectivity. There isn't always a logical clear winner.
Rather than the controller's office -- it would be a good job for an ombudsman's duty, but Pittsburgh doesn't have one of those, sadly.
Frankly, I'd rather not be in a position of sweeping people off the streets and putting them into curfew centers, nor jails. People should be free to move about the city, any time of day or night.
If a kid is in a bad situation, and he needs to come home from a sleep-over or party at 4 AM, I'd rather not have him worry about an escape from the police as well as the problems on his heels.
If a young person works a night shift, he or she should not be 'jumped by the police' just because they are walking, biking or driving home -- or to a friends house -- or whatever.
If a kid is departing his or her house at 5 am for a morning swim practice -- strange as it may be -- travel should be without excuses and extra worries.
The police need to fight crime. It is no crime to be out at strange times of day. If there is probable cause -- then fine. The police have enough power and authorities already to grab a person making trouble.
The operation hours differ from Sunday to Thursday nights. And the hours of the center end at 6 am? So, is it okay to be out on the streets at 6? Who is up and ready to deal with issues then, other than those headed to morning swim practice. Weird.
I'm not in favor of a curfew. And, I'm not in favor of allowing my kids out late either.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
rootscamppittsburgh2009 / Session Topics
rootscamppittsburgh2009 / Session Topics: "RootsCamp 2009 Session Topics"
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