Join us for the "Sweatshop Workers Speak Out" Speaking Tour
Featuring a Bangladeshi garment worker who sews uniforms and a representative of home based workers in Pakistan who stitch soccer balls, the tour aims to build solidarity between U.S. communities and workers that produce for our government. Each tour event will focus on action steps that are relevant for local sweatfree organizing, whether to help ignite a new campaign or bring an active campaign to the next level.
More info about the speakers and events is below and online at http://www.laborrights.org/events/sweatshop-workers-speak-out-speaking-tour.
April 27: Pittsburgh
Garment Workers Spotlight Sweatshop Working Conditions in Factories Sewing Pirates’ Apparel: 1:30pm Pittsburgh City Council Chambers, 5th Fl. City County Building
August Wilson Center at 7pm
980 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
Contact: Kenneth Miller, nosweatshopsbucco@yahoo.com, 412-867-9213
Sponsored by: Pittsburgh Anti-Sweatshop Community Alliance, Pittsburgh IWW, Black Political Empowerment Project, State Senator Jim Ferlo, William Robinson Consulting, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, National Labor Committee, Western PA Jobs with Justice, Freedom Unlimited, Steel Valley Printers/USW Local 3403
Kalpona Akter, former child factory worker, from Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity which was established in 2000 by garment workers and other workers struggling for their rights. The Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity (BCWS) is a non-profit, non-political women’s organization that works for the empowerment of working women, the rights of children, and the security of working families and communities. BCWS promotes workers’ negotiating power, gender equity, and social justice for the working class.
Zehra Bano is the General Secretary of the Home-Based Women Workers Federation of Pakistan. Zehra has been an outspoken leader in the fight for recognition of workers’ rights for women in Pakistan. She is in her mid-30s and has developed various training modules. Zehra has intimate knowledge of the plight of soccer ball workers especially related to home-based and stitching center workers.
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Check out the 2009 Sweatshop Hall of Shame!
Trina Tocco
Deputy Director
International Labor Rights Forum
Office: 202-347-4100 x103
Cell: 269-873-1000
Skype: trinatocco
trina.tocco@ilrf.org
Monday, April 26, 2010
Congressman Ron Paul - Socialism vs Corporatism - Texas Straight Talk
Congressman Ron Paul - Socialism vs Corporatism - Texas Straight Talk: "Socialism vs Corporatism
Lately many have characterized this administration as socialist, or having strong socialist leanings. I differ with this characterization. This is not to say Mr. Obama believes in free-markets by any means. On the contrary, he has done and said much that demonstrates his fundamental misunderstanding and hostility towards the truly free market. But a closer, honest examination of his policies and actions in office reveals that, much like the previous administration, he is very much a corporatist. This in many ways can be more insidious and worse than being an outright socialist."
Kraus and Ads about Drinking
Bruce Kraus wants to place ads around town concerning the South Side.
Who pays? Bus companies. Grants from Feds.
That is still public money Mr. Kraus.
Here is the deal: Enforcement. Public rest rooms. Better Parking Policies.
Who pays? Bus companies. Grants from Feds.
That is still public money Mr. Kraus.
Here is the deal: Enforcement. Public rest rooms. Better Parking Policies.
Resign already
Marty Griffin of KDKA Radio is talking about candidates who should resign from office befor hitting the campaign trails. Tim Potts, a citizen advocate, got interviewed. His organization asked all six present candidate for PA Governor to resign for the rest of the election season.
Tim said on the air that there are six states that require candidates to resign before seeking other offices. Marty said he didn't know of any of those instances.
I agree that candidates need to not be standing office holders. They cheat. And, I have first hand insights and experiences of these problems.
Our Allegheny County Charter (its the Constitution of the County) was recently crafted when we went from the three commissioners to the County Executive and part-time county council. This provision was put into the County Charter to prevent these conflicts of interest.
The county charter says members of the County Council must RESIGN from their seat as soon as they are a candidate.
It doesn't happen, generally. Some do it and I have given them props for doing so in the past. But, they stretch their time on council as long as possible -- breaking the law.
Wayne Fontana, now a PA state senator, D, from the city's south neighborhood, was former member of Allegheny County Council. He didn't resign. Only one Post Gazette editiorial spoke against this and he still got the PG endorsement. Go figure. This was in 2007.
Later, in 2008, in the time of Bonusgate, Wayne Fontana would use his senate office to produce papers to challenge opposition candidate off of the ballot -- with his PA SENATE OFFICE -- an illegal act that is part of
state judge evidence. I was that independent candidate who was seeking to get onto the ballot so that voters would have a choice. I didn't want Fontana to run without any opposition.
I'd be glad to talk to anyone about this saga and offer up policies to fix these ills of our shared democracy in PA.
Update: The letter was read on the air, 11:32 am.
Here is my story from Friday. I went to Harrisburg with the Youth & Government program, a three day confab organized by the YMCA. We had a bus load of kids from Schenley High School.
I hadn't been with some available time in Harrisburg on a work day since I was there on August 15, 2008, in court. On August 16, 2008, I was due to start a summer camp coaching gig at a swim camp in Canada. I was called to court for a petition challenge as I was seeking to get onto the ballot for PA Senate, 42nd district for the November 2008 election.
I wanted to visit the scene of the crime and see what was still part of the public record, and what was not.
When I was there in 2008, the court was in the Irvis office building. They've moved into a new building in 2009. Nice space. The lobby floor has a huge state seal, see above photo.
The Judicial Center is on Commonwealth Ave, just a short walk from the Capital.
Go to the second floor.
Go to the Commonwealth Court Filing Office, room 2001. Nice workers are there at a counter. Ring the bell if you must.
These records are not on the internet. But they can be viewed in that office.
This is the third document on the left that shows evidence.
Click for larger view. Cost per page in the office is $.50. I only needed one page to be printed.
What isn't part of the evidence on those computers any longer is the court transcripts. They were purged from the system in 2008. Go figure. We remember. I was "pro say." That means I was without a lawyer. Thank goodness. I had hired a lawyer at one other ballot challenge ordeal and that was a waste of money.
Fighting to stay on the ballot was a waste of money too. And, it is a great waste of freedom as well.
When the judge entered the courtroom, I didn't sit down. "Point of order, your honor." That came from me on multiple instances -- as I had nearly ten points to make before we'd get to the actual case.
I wanted to be sure that I could fight to stay on the ballot but would NOT be hit with charges from the judge in terms of a bill for court costs. That was not a promise he would make. It was bad and got worse in terms of the loss of hope and exposure I'd be faced with. In another court room, the Green Party was racking up a bill of more than $80,000 to stay on the ballot. And, he didn't succeed in getting onto the ballot. But, they had to pay that money for the hope after collecting the signatures.
I had to have 500 signatures of voters and turned in 981 signatures. They were valid. But, it would have taken days to prove them. Furthermore, I wasn't fortified with the PA Senate Office Staffers nor the Dem Party Lawyers. They were all flush with cash, bonus pay, and the judges -- all elected from one of the two old parties. The judges were not interested in any success from a third party candidate.
Summary: When anyone asks you to sign a nomination paper for a third party candidate, sign it. Go out of your way to offer up your signature. And, go out of your way to get 10 or 15 signatures for that candidate too.
This year Wayne Fontana comes up for re-election. He ran without opposition in the D-Party primary and there were none from the R party to seek that office either. So, who wants to run?
Finally, if there are candidates on the ballot without opposition in the November election -- DO NOT VOTE for them. Leave that ballot question blank. The more the votes for the winner then the more signatures the next candidate needs to obtain to get onto the ballot in the next election.
Tim said on the air that there are six states that require candidates to resign before seeking other offices. Marty said he didn't know of any of those instances.
I agree that candidates need to not be standing office holders. They cheat. And, I have first hand insights and experiences of these problems.
Our Allegheny County Charter (its the Constitution of the County) was recently crafted when we went from the three commissioners to the County Executive and part-time county council. This provision was put into the County Charter to prevent these conflicts of interest.
The county charter says members of the County Council must RESIGN from their seat as soon as they are a candidate.
It doesn't happen, generally. Some do it and I have given them props for doing so in the past. But, they stretch their time on council as long as possible -- breaking the law.
Wayne Fontana, now a PA state senator, D, from the city's south neighborhood, was former member of Allegheny County Council. He didn't resign. Only one Post Gazette editiorial spoke against this and he still got the PG endorsement. Go figure. This was in 2007.
Later, in 2008, in the time of Bonusgate, Wayne Fontana would use his senate office to produce papers to challenge opposition candidate off of the ballot -- with his PA SENATE OFFICE -- an illegal act that is part of
state judge evidence. I was that independent candidate who was seeking to get onto the ballot so that voters would have a choice. I didn't want Fontana to run without any opposition.
I'd be glad to talk to anyone about this saga and offer up policies to fix these ills of our shared democracy in PA.
Update: The letter was read on the air, 11:32 am.
I hadn't been with some available time in Harrisburg on a work day since I was there on August 15, 2008, in court. On August 16, 2008, I was due to start a summer camp coaching gig at a swim camp in Canada. I was called to court for a petition challenge as I was seeking to get onto the ballot for PA Senate, 42nd district for the November 2008 election.
I wanted to visit the scene of the crime and see what was still part of the public record, and what was not.
When I was there in 2008, the court was in the Irvis office building. They've moved into a new building in 2009. Nice space. The lobby floor has a huge state seal, see above photo.
Go to the second floor.
Go to the Commonwealth Court Filing Office, room 2001. Nice workers are there at a counter. Ring the bell if you must. 
These records are not on the internet. But they can be viewed in that office.
This is the third document on the left that shows evidence.
Click for larger view. Cost per page in the office is $.50. I only needed one page to be printed.
What isn't part of the evidence on those computers any longer is the court transcripts. They were purged from the system in 2008. Go figure. We remember. I was "pro say." That means I was without a lawyer. Thank goodness. I had hired a lawyer at one other ballot challenge ordeal and that was a waste of money.
Fighting to stay on the ballot was a waste of money too. And, it is a great waste of freedom as well.
When the judge entered the courtroom, I didn't sit down. "Point of order, your honor." That came from me on multiple instances -- as I had nearly ten points to make before we'd get to the actual case.
I wanted to be sure that I could fight to stay on the ballot but would NOT be hit with charges from the judge in terms of a bill for court costs. That was not a promise he would make. It was bad and got worse in terms of the loss of hope and exposure I'd be faced with. In another court room, the Green Party was racking up a bill of more than $80,000 to stay on the ballot. And, he didn't succeed in getting onto the ballot. But, they had to pay that money for the hope after collecting the signatures.
I had to have 500 signatures of voters and turned in 981 signatures. They were valid. But, it would have taken days to prove them. Furthermore, I wasn't fortified with the PA Senate Office Staffers nor the Dem Party Lawyers. They were all flush with cash, bonus pay, and the judges -- all elected from one of the two old parties. The judges were not interested in any success from a third party candidate.
Summary: When anyone asks you to sign a nomination paper for a third party candidate, sign it. Go out of your way to offer up your signature. And, go out of your way to get 10 or 15 signatures for that candidate too.
This year Wayne Fontana comes up for re-election. He ran without opposition in the D-Party primary and there were none from the R party to seek that office either. So, who wants to run?
Finally, if there are candidates on the ballot without opposition in the November election -- DO NOT VOTE for them. Leave that ballot question blank. The more the votes for the winner then the more signatures the next candidate needs to obtain to get onto the ballot in the next election.
Letters to the editor about ballot access
Letters to the editor Ballot injustices
As a member of the Libertarian Party I can relate to the revolting use of raw political power by the Democratic machine to keep Ralph Nader in 2004 and Carl Romanelli in 2006 off the ballot in Pennsylvania ('Nader vs. the System: Democracy at Stake,' April 19 column by Ruth Ann Dailey). The use of public resources is a dual crime against Pennsylvanians -- theft of tax dollars and ballot choices.
In 2008 it was the Libertarian Party facing the Republican machine. We were forced into Commonwealth Court to keep our presidential candidate, Bob Barr, on the ballot.
A Republican committeeman challenged the substitution of our presidential candidate after Mr. Barr won the nomination.
The court rejected that challenge and upheld the authority to substitute in compliance with the election code. There would have been no need to substitute if the election code did not require that our nominee submit 25,000 signatures on nomination papers while the major party nominees required none.
That signature goal changes, and recently has been more than 67,000 signatures for all statewide candidates except Democrats and Republicans. This does not appear to be in compliance with the free and equal elections clause of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
On top of that, the major party nomination process is publicly funded. The Libertarian Party nominee was selected at our own expense.
I cannot understand why it is so bad for Pennsylvania voters to have choices on the ballot when our troops are fighting overseas to put choices on the ballot for others.
MICHAEL J. ROBERTSON, Chairman
Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
Licking Township, Clarion County
ISHOF Celebrates Black History in Aquatics
ISHOF Celebrates Black History in Aquatics: "Charles “Tuna” Chapman
First African-American to Swim across the English Channel"
First African-American to Swim across the English Channel"
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Pirates disable Jakubauskas, make roster changes
Talk about getting blasted.
Pirates disable Jakubauskas, make roster changes: "Pirates pitcher Chris Jakubauskas, who was struck behind his right ear and fell face down on the mound by a line drive, is being released from Methodist Hospital after being diagnosed with a head contusion and a concussion.Get well soon.
If Jakubauskas experiences no further trouble with the dizziness that affected him Saturday night, he may even get released by doctors to join the Pirates on their flight tonight to Milwaukee.
Open East End Panel says Site selection for Pittsburgh Obama should be reopened to consider new information. (Part 3 of many)
Background History: The DeJong consultant recommended that the IB school remain at Reizenstein rather than move to Peabody. The reasoning behind this decision is unclear. The District’s IB site selection committee made its recommendation to move the IB program to the Peabody facility almost a year prior to and without the benefit of the DeJong study. Given that the district paid $500,000 for this study the panel recommends that the district utilize it fully and explain the reasoning behind the Reizenstein recommendation.
Suggestions: In light of new information and experience, the district should bring together all interested parties including the original IB Site Selection Committee; DeJong consultants, current students, staff and administrators; and other interested citizens to determine a location for Pittsburgh Obama.
The absence of natural light at Peabody could be a factor in whether families would choose to send their children to school at the Peabody location. More than a month ago PPS Board director and OEEP member Mark Brentley submitted a request for information on the cost of adding windows to the Peabody facility but has not received this information.
(We're all still waiting.)
Any renovations that have been considered for the Obama school at Peabody and at Reizenstein and the cost of such renovations should be disclosed before a decision on the location for the school is reached.
Suggestions: In light of new information and experience, the district should bring together all interested parties including the original IB Site Selection Committee; DeJong consultants, current students, staff and administrators; and other interested citizens to determine a location for Pittsburgh Obama.
The absence of natural light at Peabody could be a factor in whether families would choose to send their children to school at the Peabody location. More than a month ago PPS Board director and OEEP member Mark Brentley submitted a request for information on the cost of adding windows to the Peabody facility but has not received this information.
(We're all still waiting.)
Any renovations that have been considered for the Obama school at Peabody and at Reizenstein and the cost of such renovations should be disclosed before a decision on the location for the school is reached.
Open East End Panel - part 5 - Where is South Vo Tech's replacement?
A career and technology center has been a long-standing and strong preference for Pittsburgh's students.
Participants in the DeJong community dialogues voiced a strong preference for a career technology center. While the district asserts that a centralized CTE site is “an ineffective delivery model,” the Parkway West Career & Technology Center offers an impressive range of CTE for 600 students from 12 suburban communities at a single center.
Training includes:
Regarding Westinghouse, the district observes in its materials that the school is in a “difficult” location. To address this issue, we recommend that a shuttle run frequently between the East Busway and Westinghouse. A model might be the shuttle that runs from the T station to Brashear. With safe transportation, a center devoted to high quality career technology could be expected to attract a diverse student body similar to the student body CAPA and Rogers attracted when they were located in Homewood and Garfield, respectively. And, the CTE center would be just as available to students from across the district as the automotive, HVAC, robotics and cosmetology programs would be under the district's plan. Based on demand the district could also offer culinary arts, health services, information and business technology and other appropriate programs at a second location.
While the district invokes the approval of CTE consultants in making its recommendations, it does not disclose the budgetary restrictions imposed that severely limited these consultants' recommendations. Much of the $38 million mentioned in connection with the proposed CTE overhaul is actually slated for renovation of Oliver High School, which according to DeJong is in need of major renovation. Under the district plan Oliver would offer not just CTE but also early college, credit recovery and reentry programs. (It is not clear why a center for credit recovery at Oliver would be considered a more effective delivery model than a center for career and technical education at Peabody or Westinghouse.) In light of the loss of South Vo Tech, CTE funding should be spent specifically for CTE. If the district is intent on offering a premier summer camp to middle school students and a premier university prep program at Milliones, it should also design a premier CTE program.
Finally, it is problematic that the District is proposing that a midday shuttle of up to 45 minutes would bring students from their home school to CTE programs in other buildings. Most students at the affected schools are not proficient in reading and math, and reducing instruction time by 45 minutes is counterproductive to bringing these students to proficiency. While the district states that most respondents at the community dialogue found a 45-minute trip acceptable, it was not specified at the dialogue that the 45 minute travel time might be in addition to travel time at the beginning and end of the school day.
The District should establish a center for career and technical education at a facility that is already outfitted for CTE programming (i.e. Westinghouse or Peabody High School).
If Westinghouse is chosen as the location for a career tech center, there should be a frequent shuttle run between Westinghouse and the East Busway. The possibility of using the facility as an adult retraining center at nights and on weekends, as well as the possibility of participating in a suburban consortium or serving as host for a regional training center, should also be explored.
Participants in the DeJong community dialogues voiced a strong preference for a career technology center. While the district asserts that a centralized CTE site is “an ineffective delivery model,” the Parkway West Career & Technology Center offers an impressive range of CTE for 600 students from 12 suburban communities at a single center.
Training includes:
auto body repairIn the same way that CAPA is seen as a better delivery model than offering visual arts training in three high schools, theater in three schools, writing in three schools and perhaps a "signature" dance program in one school, a center for CTE is likely to be a better delivery model for career education than scattering programs among schools. The district also asserts that “capital costs exceeding $100 million are projected for such a facility," ignoring the possibility of utilizing a facility that is already well suited for a CTE center, such as Peabody or Westinghouse. More information is needed on the cost of converting an existing building for use as a CTE center.
automotive technology
business technology
carpentry
computer technology
cosmetology
culinary arts
digital multimedia technology
drafting & design
electrical construction maintenance
health assistant
HVAC/R
information technology
masonry
public safety technology
welding technology
Regarding Westinghouse, the district observes in its materials that the school is in a “difficult” location. To address this issue, we recommend that a shuttle run frequently between the East Busway and Westinghouse. A model might be the shuttle that runs from the T station to Brashear. With safe transportation, a center devoted to high quality career technology could be expected to attract a diverse student body similar to the student body CAPA and Rogers attracted when they were located in Homewood and Garfield, respectively. And, the CTE center would be just as available to students from across the district as the automotive, HVAC, robotics and cosmetology programs would be under the district's plan. Based on demand the district could also offer culinary arts, health services, information and business technology and other appropriate programs at a second location.
While the district invokes the approval of CTE consultants in making its recommendations, it does not disclose the budgetary restrictions imposed that severely limited these consultants' recommendations. Much of the $38 million mentioned in connection with the proposed CTE overhaul is actually slated for renovation of Oliver High School, which according to DeJong is in need of major renovation. Under the district plan Oliver would offer not just CTE but also early college, credit recovery and reentry programs. (It is not clear why a center for credit recovery at Oliver would be considered a more effective delivery model than a center for career and technical education at Peabody or Westinghouse.) In light of the loss of South Vo Tech, CTE funding should be spent specifically for CTE. If the district is intent on offering a premier summer camp to middle school students and a premier university prep program at Milliones, it should also design a premier CTE program.
Finally, it is problematic that the District is proposing that a midday shuttle of up to 45 minutes would bring students from their home school to CTE programs in other buildings. Most students at the affected schools are not proficient in reading and math, and reducing instruction time by 45 minutes is counterproductive to bringing these students to proficiency. While the district states that most respondents at the community dialogue found a 45-minute trip acceptable, it was not specified at the dialogue that the 45 minute travel time might be in addition to travel time at the beginning and end of the school day.
The District should establish a center for career and technical education at a facility that is already outfitted for CTE programming (i.e. Westinghouse or Peabody High School).
If Westinghouse is chosen as the location for a career tech center, there should be a frequent shuttle run between Westinghouse and the East Busway. The possibility of using the facility as an adult retraining center at nights and on weekends, as well as the possibility of participating in a suburban consortium or serving as host for a regional training center, should also be explored.
Open East End Panel and CTE - for PPS (part 4 of many)
PPS plans for Career and Technical Education do not sufficiently meet the criteria for a comprehensive overhaul of CTE programming.
In the East End, the district's recently unveiled plan for Career and Technical Education (CTE) consists primarily of:
The top individual and online CTE choices at the dialogues were:
Consumer Services such as Culinary Arts were at the bottom of the list at the community dialogues and yet are included in each of the District’s proposed “triads” (North, South and East regions). In addition, there is no provision for training in environmental/green technologies, a field that will be a major source for jobs in the near future. Only HVAC, machinist and welding are listed for Construction and Trades, a field that is rich with opportunities for good paying jobs, and no plan has been provided for students in the East region to participate in even these limited offerings. In general, participants in the community dialogues requested that CTE offerings be based on sound research into projected demand for the skills in question.
The District should provide information as to the job market data on which CTE recommendations are based and should offer CTE options for all students that are better aligned with community preferences. A citizens' panel on CTE should be convened to assist with these tasks.
In the East End, the district's recently unveiled plan for Career and Technical Education (CTE) consists primarily of:
consolidating the Culinary Arts and Health Sciences programs at Westinghouse;This is not a real overhaul, as dictated by the PPS School Board, and these CTE options do not adequately reflect the preferences expressed by parents, students, teachers and community members at the DeJong community dialogues.
discontinuing the Cosmetology program at Westinghouse; and
adding an Information Technology, Business and Finance program at Milliones.
The top individual and online CTE choices at the dialogues were:
- Engineering Technology
- Construction & Trades
- Health Sciences
Consumer Services such as Culinary Arts were at the bottom of the list at the community dialogues and yet are included in each of the District’s proposed “triads” (North, South and East regions). In addition, there is no provision for training in environmental/green technologies, a field that will be a major source for jobs in the near future. Only HVAC, machinist and welding are listed for Construction and Trades, a field that is rich with opportunities for good paying jobs, and no plan has been provided for students in the East region to participate in even these limited offerings. In general, participants in the community dialogues requested that CTE offerings be based on sound research into projected demand for the skills in question.
The District should provide information as to the job market data on which CTE recommendations are based and should offer CTE options for all students that are better aligned with community preferences. A citizens' panel on CTE should be convened to assist with these tasks.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Fw: Americans For a Free Republic
From: Nelson Hultberg - nelshultberg@aol.com
Hello Friends and Patriots:
Here is great news that will be of interest to you all. Matrixx Entertainment, Inc. is doing a 90-minute documentary film on The Conservative Revolution: Why We Must Form a Third Political Party to Win It.
The title of this new documentary on the third-party potential in America is Spoiler: How a Third Political Party Could Succeed. The website link below will give you all the details. Take a good look, and then spread the word to friends and associates.
http://www.spoilerusa.org/
Once at the website, you can view a 2-minute "Trailer" from the Home Page that will be distributed to advertise the film. Click the "Trailer" link on the right. It will give you an idea of what is coming over the next year.
James Jaeger is the CEO of Matrixx Entertainment. He's been in the business fighting liberals and collectivists in Hollywood for over 25 years. He's made many films; his most recent effort being Fiat Empire, which featured Ron Paul, Patrick Buchanan, G. Edward Griffin, Edwin Vieira, etc. and won a Telly award for documentaries. It has been viewed by over 5 million people via downloads from the Internet. If we can get the same numbers for Spoiler, then the Demopublican establishment is going to be rocked in 2012.
Americans for a Free Republic
Dallas, Texas
http://r20.rs6.net/tn
On the book: Americans for a Free Republic: "Why We Must Form a Third Political Party to Win It"
Hello Friends and Patriots:
Here is great news that will be of interest to you all. Matrixx Entertainment, Inc. is doing a 90-minute documentary film on The Conservative Revolution: Why We Must Form a Third Political Party to Win It.
The title of this new documentary on the third-party potential in America is Spoiler: How a Third Political Party Could Succeed. The website link below will give you all the details. Take a good look, and then spread the word to friends and associates.
http://www.spoilerusa.org/
Once at the website, you can view a 2-minute "Trailer" from the Home Page that will be distributed to advertise the film. Click the "Trailer" link on the right. It will give you an idea of what is coming over the next year.
James Jaeger is the CEO of Matrixx Entertainment. He's been in the business fighting liberals and collectivists in Hollywood for over 25 years. He's made many films; his most recent effort being Fiat Empire, which featured Ron Paul, Patrick Buchanan, G. Edward Griffin, Edwin Vieira, etc. and won a Telly award for documentaries. It has been viewed by over 5 million people via downloads from the Internet. If we can get the same numbers for Spoiler, then the Demopublican establishment is going to be rocked in 2012.
Americans for a Free Republic
Dallas, Texas
http://r20.rs6.net/tn
On the book: Americans for a Free Republic: "Why We Must Form a Third Political Party to Win It"
Open East End Panel suggestions (part 2 of many)
Strong enrollment occurs at schools that enjoy economic and racial diversity.
Virtually all of Pittsburgh's public schools with economically and racially diverse populations enjoy strong enrollment, while most of the less diverse schools are seriously under enrolled (including the new University Prep at Milliones). Our panel affirms the benefits to students of attending school with classmates from backgrounds different from their own, including specifically special education students, and notes research findings about the difficulties faced by schools with high concentrations of impoverished students. In Pittsburgh the schools that lack significant racial diversity also lack significant socioeconomic diversity. These schools are very different from many successful, economically diverse, historically black post-secondary institutions that students attend by choice rather than necessity.
Recent trends from PPS run counter to these principles, in part apparently because the district asserts that housing "disparate programs" in a single school will necessarily result in one of the programs being "less well served." With the right funding, programs and implementation, however, students who are not enrolled in programs such as CAS, AP and IB can be just as well served as those who do participate in such programs. In fact, there are many Pittsburgh public schools (such as Allderdice) in which some but not all students participate in CAS, AP or CTE programs yet there are no apparent plans to move those students to separate schools. And, there are Pittsburgh public schools where all students participate in the same "theme" but there are nonetheless wide achievement gaps, such as the dramatically lower percentages of low income and African American students at the "advanced" level at Allderdice and CAPA. Finally, the district has proposed placing at Oliver a disparate mix of programs including early college, career training, credit recovery and a program for older students who have dropped out but seek to reenter the system.
Pittsburgh Public Schools should seek to create schools that will attract a diverse student body in terms of special education needs, socio-economic status and race.
Virtually all of Pittsburgh's public schools with economically and racially diverse populations enjoy strong enrollment, while most of the less diverse schools are seriously under enrolled (including the new University Prep at Milliones). Our panel affirms the benefits to students of attending school with classmates from backgrounds different from their own, including specifically special education students, and notes research findings about the difficulties faced by schools with high concentrations of impoverished students. In Pittsburgh the schools that lack significant racial diversity also lack significant socioeconomic diversity. These schools are very different from many successful, economically diverse, historically black post-secondary institutions that students attend by choice rather than necessity.
Recent trends from PPS run counter to these principles, in part apparently because the district asserts that housing "disparate programs" in a single school will necessarily result in one of the programs being "less well served." With the right funding, programs and implementation, however, students who are not enrolled in programs such as CAS, AP and IB can be just as well served as those who do participate in such programs. In fact, there are many Pittsburgh public schools (such as Allderdice) in which some but not all students participate in CAS, AP or CTE programs yet there are no apparent plans to move those students to separate schools. And, there are Pittsburgh public schools where all students participate in the same "theme" but there are nonetheless wide achievement gaps, such as the dramatically lower percentages of low income and African American students at the "advanced" level at Allderdice and CAPA. Finally, the district has proposed placing at Oliver a disparate mix of programs including early college, career training, credit recovery and a program for older students who have dropped out but seek to reenter the system.
Pittsburgh Public Schools should seek to create schools that will attract a diverse student body in terms of special education needs, socio-economic status and race.
East End Open Panel -- solutions for PPS (part 1 of many)
A group of citizens gathered to make an Open East End Panel. The report states: We are struck by the scope of proposed changes that may affect students in the East End.
Initiatives under discussion include:
While the district has had a few sessions for public input, participation in these sessions has been limited. Because the proposed plans would affect education for years to come in the East End region and district-wide, it is imperative that a much broader and deeper effort be made to inform residents of these plans. We appreciate attempts to break the mold and keep students in school. However, public buy-in is key to the success of any new initiatives.
Therefore, none of these initiatives should be brought to a Board vote (or put in place without a vote) until there is widespread agreement that all stakeholders understand the proposals, the reasoning behind the proposals, and the alternatives to the proposals.
An older slide from lessons learned. What kind of advocate strategy are we going to aspire to? Real engagement or not?
Initiatives under discussion include:
- Reorganization of Career and Technical Education
- New feeder patterns and configurations, including closing Peabody and merging Peabody students with Westinghouse and/or Milliones students
- The “Big Picture Learning” program including a new internship program
- Year round school at some locations
- A longer school day at some locations
- Separate boy and girl classrooms at some locations
- The Teacher Effectiveness initiative
- Possible new location of the IB program and the robotics program
- The new Keystone exams
- A 6-12 format for Westinghouse
- A social justice and leadership component at Westinghouse
- Greater community involvement in Homewood schools (including Homewood Children's Zone)
- Possible new location for credit recovery
- Summer Dreams Camp replacing summer school for middle school students
- Block scheduling at some locations
- Changes in the Special Education program
- New plans for facilities
- Recruitment of nontraditional teachers
- Curriculum changes
- Move to “online” school libraries rather than libraries with printed books
- Graduation in 3 years
- Various mentoring programs
- Formation of new schools including University Prep at Milliones, Sci Tech, IB (Pittsburgh Obama), Clayton/CEP
- Closing of Schenley High School building and the phase out of the Schenley student body
- 6-12 grade configurations
- Many new principals
- Changes in magnet procedures
- New courses including African American literature and history that must be worked into schedules
Real public input facilitates community buy in to and implementation of large scale changes
While the district has had a few sessions for public input, participation in these sessions has been limited. Because the proposed plans would affect education for years to come in the East End region and district-wide, it is imperative that a much broader and deeper effort be made to inform residents of these plans. We appreciate attempts to break the mold and keep students in school. However, public buy-in is key to the success of any new initiatives.
Therefore, none of these initiatives should be brought to a Board vote (or put in place without a vote) until there is widespread agreement that all stakeholders understand the proposals, the reasoning behind the proposals, and the alternatives to the proposals.
An older slide from lessons learned. What kind of advocate strategy are we going to aspire to? Real engagement or not?
Departing education secretary pleased with end-of-year exams, changes in curriculum
Departing education secretary pleased with end-of-year exams, changes in curriculum: "Dr. Zahorchak said, the remaining pre-kindergarten-through-grade-eight school in Duquesne, which he visited recently, has undergone a 'complete metamorphosis.'"Really.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Proposal for single-gender city academies finds foes
Proposal for single-gender city academies finds foes: "The idea undercuts the school district's goal of revitalizing both schools and drawing students back into the East End public schools, which continue to suffer from declining enrollment, said members of the group Open East End Panel.I think that Allderdice is a copprehensive east end school. I think the city can better flourish if all the kids in the east end, as well as other places in the city, have a shot of going to whatever school that they should choose.
'Our panel feels that the under-enrolled schools and underachieving kids in the East End need something really good to attract students and interest, and we don't think single-gender, year-round schooling and 'Big Picture' proposals alone will be that 'something,' ' said Annette Werner, a coordinator of the group.
... the group was opposed to the recommendations of an advisory committee, which on Wednesday proposed that the school board restructure Westinghouse into two single-gender academies with about 1,100 students in grades six through 12, starting in fall 2011.I'm not sure that the numbers add up with the story being advanced from PPS. To get to 1,100 students in grades 6 to 12, a number of K-8 and middle school students need to migrate into Westinghouse. The closing of those schools isn't yet talked about.
Less opposition to the idea would be forthcoming, IMHO, if the future of Westinghouse was just 9 to 12 and NOT 6 to 12. Not many like the new 6-12 model being deployed in many of the PPS settings.
Less opposition to the idea from PPS would be forthcoming, IMHO, if the PPS plan included large options for CTE (career and technical education) classes at Westinghouse.
I wonder if a CTE school could also be turned into two single gender academies. ?? That would be a blending of sorts among the ideas.
Furthermore, it would be great if PPS would offer proof that the single gender classrooms now being held at Westinghouse were working to better educate the students. Is there proof? Are they working? Is this being measured now? Why not?
.... Ms. Werner said. "I'm concerned that making these schools a part of the feeder pattern will make them compulsory for parents who may not want to send their children to a single-gender school."Likewise, sorta.
I too am concerned that these single gender places (be they called classrooms or academies) be a part of the feeder pattern system. So, the solution that would work better is to NUKE the feeder pattern system at the high school level. Allow people to opt into and out of various schools based upon their choice -- not some forced decision of PPS based upon one's home address of record.
Perhaps there are kids in other parts of the city that feel that a single-gender school will better suit their academic career. Those kids who live out of the feeder patter should be able to attend the school. And, those that are in the feeder patter should be able to opt into other schools, be it a magnet or another comprehensive, traditional school (i.e., Carrick, Brashear, Allderdice, Langley).
As part of its PPS recommendation, Mr. Lopez said, the committee assessed the student distribution pattern for secondary schools in the East End and concluded that, due to declining enrollment, the area cannot sustain three public high schools.With my suggestions, (NUKE feeder patterns), the city takes a step beyond the value added formula that pivot upon student distribution patterns.
In an ideal world, schools that stink will shrink. Schools that thrive will swell. People will be able to put their kids into their choice of schools. We'll let people vote with their feet and then we'll know what schools need to close. And, the more productive schools will become more competitive too, making them better and better.
The best way to be flexible to the desires of the parents of the East End, and beyond, is to nuke the feeder patters. Right on R. Swartz.
Bonusgate testimony ends for day; resumes May 25
Bonusgate testimony ends for day; resumes May 25While in Harrisburg, today, I got to visit a courtroom here. I visited this place on August 15, 2006. But, there is now a new Judicial Center on Commonwealth Ave.
Legislative and political work were so closely intertwined in the House Republican caucus that one aide said she couldn't differentiate one from the other, according to testimony today in a preliminary hearing.
Read more: http://post-gazette.com/pg/10113/1052779-100.stm#ixzz0lx9zyU4m
As hoped, the materials that I put into the public record are still there and visible for anyone to see. Docket number 419 MD 2006. Third file. Photos pending.
PA Senate Bill 890
The Pa Senate has a new Title IX bill sitting in committee.
Changes are needed and ll post about them later.
Changes are needed and ll post about them later.
Primary elections in PA LTE
LTE is letter to editor. Mark C of Plum, a fellow Libertarian, had this one in the paper, the Pittsburgh Tribune Review about the major parties and the primary. It was in response to a pair of earlier LTEs that, well, really required a response.
The pair of letters are linked there too.
http://www.pittsbur ghlive.com/ x/pittsburghtrib /opinion/ s_677522. html
Not government's job Thursday, April 22, 2010
The letters "Whiners, join party" and "Open to meddling" (April 9, April 12 and TribLIVE.com) opposing open primaries in Pennsylvania require looking at the issue from another perspective. Suppose local Heinz stockholders used the primary to elect their board of directors without having to pay for that election. Should taxpayers fund internal operations of a private organization?
Furthermore, suppose Heinz shareholders defended this subsidy by saying, "Quit whining and buy Heinz. No one is forcing you to buy another stock." Could evidence of special privilege for a special interest be any clearer?
I'm a member of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania. We select our candidates at our state convention and at our local county meetings. Our membership bears the entire cost. Is that too much to ask of the major parties?
Political parties have the right to a closed nomination process, but not to a public subsidy of that process. Until that subsidy ends, the two major parties are just political welfare recipients open to calls for outside meddling.
Mark C of Plum
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
The pair of letters are linked there too.
http://www.pittsbur ghlive.com/ x/pittsburghtrib /opinion/ s_677522. html
Not government's job Thursday, April 22, 2010
The letters "Whiners, join party" and "Open to meddling" (April 9, April 12 and TribLIVE.com) opposing open primaries in Pennsylvania require looking at the issue from another perspective. Suppose local Heinz stockholders used the primary to elect their board of directors without having to pay for that election. Should taxpayers fund internal operations of a private organization?
Furthermore, suppose Heinz shareholders defended this subsidy by saying, "Quit whining and buy Heinz. No one is forcing you to buy another stock." Could evidence of special privilege for a special interest be any clearer?
I'm a member of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania. We select our candidates at our state convention and at our local county meetings. Our membership bears the entire cost. Is that too much to ask of the major parties?
Political parties have the right to a closed nomination process, but not to a public subsidy of that process. Until that subsidy ends, the two major parties are just political welfare recipients open to calls for outside meddling.
Mark C of Plum
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Earth Day -- a good day to cheer for the mighty blue Penguins
Original highlight video, just uploaded to YouTube.
Who is going to be doing the victory breakdance tonight?
The above video from our visit to Christchurch, New Zealand. An Artic Center is there, very near the airport. It is part zoo, science lab, museum and learning center. This center is the 'jump off point' for almost all who go to and come from Antartica.
Who is going to be doing the victory breakdance tonight?
The above video from our visit to Christchurch, New Zealand. An Artic Center is there, very near the airport. It is part zoo, science lab, museum and learning center. This center is the 'jump off point' for almost all who go to and come from Antartica.
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