Or, as they say in South Africe, holding thumbs. Say what? More news later. Sunday, March 11, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
High School Basketball today
Going to see some High School Basketball at Pgh Peabody's gym on Highland Ave. At 3 pm is a boys game (Allderdice vs. Shaler) and 4:30 is girls game (Westinghouse vs. Chartiers Valley).
Boys bracket: http://piaa.org/assets/web/documents/2012_AAAA_Boys_BB_Brax.pdf
Girls bracket: http://piaa.org/assets/web/documents/2012_AAA_Girls_BB_Brax.pdf
Good luck to the PPS Obama Eagles in its game in Erie at Gannon vs. Erie Cathedral Prep. That game is at 7 pm, I think, and too far for me tonight. Bracket for Obama Academy: http://piaa.org/assets/web/documents/2012_AAAA_Boys_BB_Brax.pdf
Boys bracket: http://piaa.org/assets/web/documents/2012_AAAA_Boys_BB_Brax.pdf
Girls bracket: http://piaa.org/assets/web/documents/2012_AAA_Girls_BB_Brax.pdf
Good luck to the PPS Obama Eagles in its game in Erie at Gannon vs. Erie Cathedral Prep. That game is at 7 pm, I think, and too far for me tonight. Bracket for Obama Academy: http://piaa.org/assets/web/documents/2012_AAAA_Boys_BB_Brax.pdf
Thursday, March 08, 2012
Fwd: PA Senate passes Voter Suppression Bill,
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: West PA Black Political Assembly <wpbpa2006@fastmail.fm>
I also regret to inform you that the voter suppression bill passed, But I would also remind you of what happen in South Carolina
"Justice Dept. rejects South Carolina voter ID law, calling it discriminatory
By Jerry Markon,
Washington Post
Friday, December 23, 2011 4:05 PM
The Justice Department on Friday entered the divisive national debate over new state voting laws, rejecting South Carolina's measure requiring photo-identification at the polls as discriminatory against minority voters."
Never say die... Thanks to those that gave us their support.
E. Rich Phipps
WPBPA
----- Original message -----
From: "Marian Schneider" <marianesq@mac.com>
Subject: Fwd: PA Senate passes Voter Suppression Bill,
From Jeff Garis
Dear Protect Our Vote allies,
I regret to inform you that the Senate of Pennsylvania just passed the Voter Suppression Bill (HB 934) by a vote of 26 to 23. All 20 Democrats voted "no", joined by 3 Republicans -- Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, Sen. Mary Jo White, and Sen. Jane Earll. The roll call is listed below.
The legislation will now go back the House for a concurrence vote since it wasamended in the Senate State Government Committee (to include photo ID cards from accredited colleges & universities in PA, 1-year expired PennDOT ID, & photo IDs from care facilities) and in the Senate Appropriations Committee (to include municipal government employee photo ID cards).
Additional follow-up action steps and a fuller report on today's vote will be forthcoming, but for now let me encourage you to send communications to the senators who voted in favor of voter suppression, as well as "thank you" message to the senators who took a stand in defense of voting rights. ["Senate Accountability Email Templates" are included below.] In the roll call, I've included links to each senator's webpage, where you can find their phone/fax numbers & email addresses. Additionally, if your organization has the capacity to send a press release in response to today's vote, specifically noting the votes of senators in the media market, please do so as soon as possible. I have attached a template press release for those of you who would like to use it – feel free to adapt it to suit your organization's focus.
And let me just say thank you to all of you for your tremendous efforts to fight this attack on voting rights. We have been told that phone calls coming into senate offices for the past few days have been 8-1 against HB 934, so our mobilizing efforts have been phenomenal. While this appalling voter suppression bill passed the Senate today, we as advocates have not failed. It is the 26 senators who voted in favor of voter suppression this afternoon who have failed their constituents, have failed their sworn oath to defend the Constitution, and have failed to defend this central principle of democracy. This is a shameful day in Pennsylvania history.
We have a lot of work ahead of us to educate the public & ensure that all eligible voters get the ID they will need in order to vote this November.
Jeff
P.S. If you are in the Philadelphia area tomorrow afternoon, I encourage you to attend & support the press conference being held by Philadelphia City Commissioner Stephanie Singer at Love Park, 15th St & JFK Blvd, Philadelphia, at 2:00.
HB 934 SENATE ROLL CALL
YES" Votes on HB 934:
Alloway, Richard L., II (R) - District 33
Argall, David G. (R) - District 29
Baker, Lisa (R) - District 20
Browne, Patrick M. (R) - District 16
Brubaker, Mike (R) - District 36
Corman, Jake (R) - District 34
Eichelberger, John H., Jr. (R) - District 30
Erickson, Edwin B. (R) - District 26
Folmer, Mike (R) - District 48
Gordner, John R. (R) - District 27
McIlhinney, Charles T., Jr. (R) - District 10
Mensch, Bob (R) - District 24
Orie, Jane Clare (R) - District 40
Piccola, Jeffrey E. (R) - District 15
Pileggi, Dominic (R) - District 9
Pippy, John (R) - District 37
Rafferty, John C., Jr. (R) - District 44
Robbins, Robert D. (R) - District 50
Scarnati, Joseph B., III (R) - District 25
Tomlinson, Robert M. (R) - District 6
Vance, Patricia H. (R) - District 31
Vogel, Elder A., Jr. (R) - District 47
Ward, Kim L. (R) - District 39
Waugh, Michael L. (R) - District 28
White, Donald C. (R) - District 41
"NO" Votes on HB 934:
Earll, Jane M. (R) - District 49
Greenleaf, Stewart J. (R) - District 12
White, Mary Jo (R) - District 21
Blake, John P. (D) - District 22
Boscola, Lisa M. (D) - District 18
Brewster, James R. (D) - District 45
Costa, Jay (D) - District 43
Dinniman, Andrew E. (D) - District 19
Farnese, Lawrence M., Jr. (D) - District 1
Ferlo, Jim (D) - District 38
Fontana, Wayne D. (D) - District 42
Hughes, Vincent J. (D) - District 7
Kasunic, Richard A (D) - District 32
Kitchen, Shirley M. (D) - District 3
Leach, Daylin (D) - District 17
Schwank, Judith L. (D) - District 11
Smucker, Lloyd K. (R) - District 13
Solobay, Timothy J. (D) - District 46
Stack, Michael J. (D) - District 5
Tartaglione, Christine M. (D) - District 2
Washington, LeAnna M. (D) - District 4
Williams, Anthony H. (D) - District 8
Wozniak, John N. (D) - District 35
Yaw, Gene (R) - District 23
Yudichak, John T. (D) - District 14
SENATE ACCOUNTABILITY EMAIL TEMPLATES
TO SENATORS WHO VOTED AGAINST HB 934:
Thank you for your recent vote against House Bill 934, the Voter Suppression Bill. While a majority of senators voted in favor of an expensive solution to a problem that does not exist which will result in voter disenfranchisement, you defended the right of every Pennsylvania citizen to cast a vote without encountering unnecessary obstacles.
I want to thank you for your vote defending voting rights and the basic principles of our democracy.
Sincerely,
TO SENATORS WHO VOTED FOR HB 934:
I am deeply disappointed with your recent vote in favor of House Bill 934, which will cost taxpayers like me millions of dollars and will create unnecessary obstacles to voting.
You voted for this despite the fact that the bill's supporters provided absolutely no evidence of voter impersonation fraud. You voted for this over the objections of the County Commissioners, who indicated that they have seen virtually no examples of this kind of voter fraud. You voted for this despite the opposition of nonprofit organizations representing senior citizens and persons with disabilities, whose constituencies are much more likely to not hold valid, state-issued, photo identification and who will be especially inconvenienced in their efforts to secure the ID required by the Voter Suppression Bill – assuming they even learn about the new requirements before they head to the polls. And, in the midst of a debate over a budget which will include significant cuts in many areas, you voted to commit millions of taxpayer dollars to create new and unnecessary obstacles to voting.
Since I see no reasonable explanation for supporting the Voter Suppression Bill, I don't know what your motivation was in voting for it. But I do know that you did not represent me and, in my opinion, you did not defend one of the most basic principles of our democracy. I will not soon forget this vote, and I will most definitely inform my friends and neighbors about the vote you cast and the impact it will have.
Sincerely,
--
Jeff Garis
Field Director, Pennsylvania Voice
5540 Morris Street
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(o) 215-694-4783
(e) jgaris@infoservicesgroup.net
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little. "
Franklin D. Roosevelt
From: West PA Black Political Assembly <wpbpa2006@fastmail.fm>
I also regret to inform you that the voter suppression bill passed, But I would also remind you of what happen in South Carolina
"Justice Dept. rejects South Carolina voter ID law, calling it discriminatory
By Jerry Markon,
Washington Post
Friday, December 23, 2011 4:05 PM
The Justice Department on Friday entered the divisive national debate over new state voting laws, rejecting South Carolina's measure requiring photo-identification at the polls as discriminatory against minority voters."
Never say die... Thanks to those that gave us their support.
E. Rich Phipps
WPBPA
----- Original message -----
From: "Marian Schneider" <marianesq@mac.com>
Subject: Fwd: PA Senate passes Voter Suppression Bill,
From Jeff Garis
Dear Protect Our Vote allies,
I regret to inform you that the Senate of Pennsylvania just passed the Voter Suppression Bill (HB 934) by a vote of 26 to 23. All 20 Democrats voted "no", joined by 3 Republicans -- Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, Sen. Mary Jo White, and Sen. Jane Earll. The roll call is listed below.
The legislation will now go back the House for a concurrence vote since it wasamended in the Senate State Government Committee (to include photo ID cards from accredited colleges & universities in PA, 1-year expired PennDOT ID, & photo IDs from care facilities) and in the Senate Appropriations Committee (to include municipal government employee photo ID cards).
Additional follow-up action steps and a fuller report on today's vote will be forthcoming, but for now let me encourage you to send communications to the senators who voted in favor of voter suppression, as well as "thank you" message to the senators who took a stand in defense of voting rights. ["Senate Accountability Email Templates" are included below.] In the roll call, I've included links to each senator's webpage, where you can find their phone/fax numbers & email addresses. Additionally, if your organization has the capacity to send a press release in response to today's vote, specifically noting the votes of senators in the media market, please do so as soon as possible. I have attached a template press release for those of you who would like to use it – feel free to adapt it to suit your organization's focus.
And let me just say thank you to all of you for your tremendous efforts to fight this attack on voting rights. We have been told that phone calls coming into senate offices for the past few days have been 8-1 against HB 934, so our mobilizing efforts have been phenomenal. While this appalling voter suppression bill passed the Senate today, we as advocates have not failed. It is the 26 senators who voted in favor of voter suppression this afternoon who have failed their constituents, have failed their sworn oath to defend the Constitution, and have failed to defend this central principle of democracy. This is a shameful day in Pennsylvania history.
We have a lot of work ahead of us to educate the public & ensure that all eligible voters get the ID they will need in order to vote this November.
Jeff
P.S. If you are in the Philadelphia area tomorrow afternoon, I encourage you to attend & support the press conference being held by Philadelphia City Commissioner Stephanie Singer at Love Park, 15th St & JFK Blvd, Philadelphia, at 2:00.
HB 934 SENATE ROLL CALL
YES" Votes on HB 934:
Alloway, Richard L., II (R) - District 33
Argall, David G. (R) - District 29
Baker, Lisa (R) - District 20
Browne, Patrick M. (R) - District 16
Brubaker, Mike (R) - District 36
Corman, Jake (R) - District 34
Eichelberger, John H., Jr. (R) - District 30
Erickson, Edwin B. (R) - District 26
Folmer, Mike (R) - District 48
Gordner, John R. (R) - District 27
McIlhinney, Charles T., Jr. (R) - District 10
Mensch, Bob (R) - District 24
Orie, Jane Clare (R) - District 40
Piccola, Jeffrey E. (R) - District 15
Pileggi, Dominic (R) - District 9
Pippy, John (R) - District 37
Rafferty, John C., Jr. (R) - District 44
Robbins, Robert D. (R) - District 50
Scarnati, Joseph B., III (R) - District 25
Tomlinson, Robert M. (R) - District 6
Vance, Patricia H. (R) - District 31
Vogel, Elder A., Jr. (R) - District 47
Ward, Kim L. (R) - District 39
Waugh, Michael L. (R) - District 28
White, Donald C. (R) - District 41
"NO" Votes on HB 934:
Earll, Jane M. (R) - District 49
Greenleaf, Stewart J. (R) - District 12
White, Mary Jo (R) - District 21
Blake, John P. (D) - District 22
Boscola, Lisa M. (D) - District 18
Brewster, James R. (D) - District 45
Costa, Jay (D) - District 43
Dinniman, Andrew E. (D) - District 19
Farnese, Lawrence M., Jr. (D) - District 1
Ferlo, Jim (D) - District 38
Fontana, Wayne D. (D) - District 42
Hughes, Vincent J. (D) - District 7
Kasunic, Richard A (D) - District 32
Kitchen, Shirley M. (D) - District 3
Leach, Daylin (D) - District 17
Schwank, Judith L. (D) - District 11
Smucker, Lloyd K. (R) - District 13
Solobay, Timothy J. (D) - District 46
Stack, Michael J. (D) - District 5
Tartaglione, Christine M. (D) - District 2
Washington, LeAnna M. (D) - District 4
Williams, Anthony H. (D) - District 8
Wozniak, John N. (D) - District 35
Yaw, Gene (R) - District 23
Yudichak, John T. (D) - District 14
SENATE ACCOUNTABILITY EMAIL TEMPLATES
TO SENATORS WHO VOTED AGAINST HB 934:
Thank you for your recent vote against House Bill 934, the Voter Suppression Bill. While a majority of senators voted in favor of an expensive solution to a problem that does not exist which will result in voter disenfranchisement, you defended the right of every Pennsylvania citizen to cast a vote without encountering unnecessary obstacles.
I want to thank you for your vote defending voting rights and the basic principles of our democracy.
Sincerely,
TO SENATORS WHO VOTED FOR HB 934:
I am deeply disappointed with your recent vote in favor of House Bill 934, which will cost taxpayers like me millions of dollars and will create unnecessary obstacles to voting.
You voted for this despite the fact that the bill's supporters provided absolutely no evidence of voter impersonation fraud. You voted for this over the objections of the County Commissioners, who indicated that they have seen virtually no examples of this kind of voter fraud. You voted for this despite the opposition of nonprofit organizations representing senior citizens and persons with disabilities, whose constituencies are much more likely to not hold valid, state-issued, photo identification and who will be especially inconvenienced in their efforts to secure the ID required by the Voter Suppression Bill – assuming they even learn about the new requirements before they head to the polls. And, in the midst of a debate over a budget which will include significant cuts in many areas, you voted to commit millions of taxpayer dollars to create new and unnecessary obstacles to voting.
Since I see no reasonable explanation for supporting the Voter Suppression Bill, I don't know what your motivation was in voting for it. But I do know that you did not represent me and, in my opinion, you did not defend one of the most basic principles of our democracy. I will not soon forget this vote, and I will most definitely inform my friends and neighbors about the vote you cast and the impact it will have.
Sincerely,
--
Jeff Garis
Field Director, Pennsylvania Voice
5540 Morris Street
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(o) 215-694-4783
(e) jgaris@infoservicesgroup.net
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little. "
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Fw: [ACA Google Group] For officials release.
Sent from my BlackBerry®
From: "J.R. Petsko" <jrpetsko@hotmail.com>
Sender: acaracing@googlegroups.com
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2012 15:32:45 +0000
ReplyTo: jrpetsko@gmail.com
Subject: [ACA Google Group] For officials release.
Morgantown, West Virginia - The Appalachian Bicycle Racing Association is pleased to announce that the Appalachian Time Trial bicycle race, scheduled for September 30, 2012, has been selected as part of a time trial series specifically for Wounded Warriors. The Wounded Warriors are United States Armed Forces veterans and active-duty service-members who have been wounded in the line of duty. Many of the athletes who are Wounded Warriors compete by using hand-cycles, recumbent bikes, or road bikes modified to accommodate their specific injury.
"It is a great honor that we were awarded to host the finale round of the Wounded Warriors Time Trial Series, which will make a great addition to our existing event," said J.R. Petsko, promoter of the Appalachian Time Trial bicycle race .
"Being granted this honor is a testament to the hard work everybody put into our inaugural race in 2010 and year number two in 2011.
There is no entry fee required for Wounded Warriors to register for the event.
A time trial is a unique discipline whereby cyclists race against the clock for the best time. Rather than a mass start, individual competitors take off from the start line in 30-second or 1-minute increments. As with last year, the Appalachian Time Trial will take place on a course that begins in downtown Rowlesburg and will head out of town on Route 72 for 8 miles before turning around and heading back into town again.
About 150 bike racers and spectators, came to the Appalachian Time Trial on Last year. In post-race surveys, racers cited the friendliness of the people and natural beauty of the area as reasons to come back and visit. The time trial course itself also received praise, drawing comparisons to time trials in Europe. The race also provided a small economic benefit the promoter hopes will grow in future years. According to survey results, participants and friends spent a little over $5,000 on food, merchandise, and lodging in surrounding area over race weekend.
As with other Appalachian Bicycle Racing Association events, the promoter is working closely with local officials, including the Tim Weaver and the Mayors office.
Those interested in co-sponsoring the event or volunteering should contact J.R. Petsko by email at: jrpetsko@hotmail.com.
About Appalachian Bicycle Racing Association:
A member USA Cycling, the Appalachian Bicycle Racing Association promotes fitness, recreation, and racing in Northern West Virginia South Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and Western Maryland. For more information about Appalachian Bicycle Racing Association , visit our website at www.ABRAracing.com
J.R. Petsko
Dynamic Physical Therapy Cycling p/b Pathfinder
&
Appalachian Bicycle Racing Association
985 Bethel Church Road
Maidsville, WV 26541
Jay Smith writes about Facebook and court cases
---------- Forwarded message
From: Jay Smith with Criminaljusticedegreesguide.com.
I'm writing because our passions overlap. I recently published an Infographics, 20 Cases Solved By Using Facebook, that I think falls right in line with you and your readers' interests. Here's the link: http://www.criminaljusticedegreesguide.com/features/20-cases-solved-by-facebook.html
--
--
Ta.
Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
412 298 3432 = cell
Friday, March 02, 2012
Fwd: The Image of Black Women- Documentary Premiere
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bee McBryde <mcbryde3@gmail.com>
As many of you may or may not know, I have a self-written and produced
documentary titled The Image of Black Women premiering 6pm Saturday,
March 17th at The August Wilson Center and I'd like to personally
invite you. When I look back at my life despite the adversity of my
youth there are so many people who inspired or encouraged me along the
way-those are the people who made this project possible, because
without finding my voice I could not use it for this. The Image of
Black Women seeks to enhance the diversity dialogue by dismantling
many of these attributes we see exaggerated and projected as reality
by the media. Please enjoy this sneak peek:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWiVik--GNk&feature=youtu.be
The screening will begin at 6p followed by live performance and a
cocktail reception where I'll debut my next project, and engage the
audience in discussing these ideas and other initiatives. I hope all
of you can join me for this great event, but if you can't make it
please tell someone and then tell them to tell someone. This is a film
and a message I feel very passionate about getting out so if you can
tell your church group, reading club, student organization, etc. I'd
appreciate it. Again I hope you, and your friends can make the
premiere Saturday, March 17th at 6p and for more information please
visit www.TheImageofBlackWomen.com
Thank you!
Brittany
From: Bee McBryde <mcbryde3@gmail.com>
As many of you may or may not know, I have a self-written and produced
documentary titled The Image of Black Women premiering 6pm Saturday,
March 17th at The August Wilson Center and I'd like to personally
invite you. When I look back at my life despite the adversity of my
youth there are so many people who inspired or encouraged me along the
way-those are the people who made this project possible, because
without finding my voice I could not use it for this. The Image of
Black Women seeks to enhance the diversity dialogue by dismantling
many of these attributes we see exaggerated and projected as reality
by the media. Please enjoy this sneak peek:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWiVik--GNk&feature=youtu.be
The screening will begin at 6p followed by live performance and a
cocktail reception where I'll debut my next project, and engage the
audience in discussing these ideas and other initiatives. I hope all
of you can join me for this great event, but if you can't make it
please tell someone and then tell them to tell someone. This is a film
and a message I feel very passionate about getting out so if you can
tell your church group, reading club, student organization, etc. I'd
appreciate it. Again I hope you, and your friends can make the
premiere Saturday, March 17th at 6p and for more information please
visit www.TheImageofBlackWomen.com
Thank you!
Brittany
Thursday, March 01, 2012
Fwd: Breaking news – Michigan Election Shenanigans
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mike Biundo, Rick Santorum For President
Date: Thursday, March 1, 2012
Subject: Breaking news – Michigan Election Shenanigans
There is breaking news about an election scandal in Michigan.
ABC News headline states: "Michigan GOP Changes Delegate Rules, Gives Primary Edge to Romney" and the Associated Press states "Michigan GOP changes delegate award after vote."
Last night there was an unannounced closed-door secret meeting of the Michigan Republican Party credentialing committee. During the meeting, they voted 4 to 2 to allocate delegates differently than was previously stated in a memorandum that was issued to all of the campaigns. One of the 2 dissenting votes was Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, a Romney supporter, who stated: "I have this crazy idea that you follow the rules. I'd love to give the at-large delegates to Mitt Romney, but our rules provide for strict apportionment."
We've all heard rumors that Mitt Romney was furious that he spent a fortune in his home state, had all the political establishment connections and could only tie Rick Santorum. It appears that he has now called on those establishment connections to orchestrate a back room deal to allocate additional delegates to him that he did not earn.
Changing the rules after the election is something that happens in Iran, but not in America. This type of political maneuvering should not be tolerated.
Please stay tuned as we learn more about what the Romney campaign "establishment" insiders are up to in Michigan.
Mike Biundo
Campaign Manager
PAID FOR BY RICK SANTORUM FOR PRESIDENT
--
--
Ta.
Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
412 298 3432 = cell
Fw: Follow the Law
Sent from my BlackBerry®
From: Paul McKrell <paulmckrell@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2012 14:50:59 -0500
To: Paul McKrell<paulmckrell@gmail.com>
Subject: Follow the Law
I'm going through old emails and just ran across correspondence to the cancelled "Mayor Ravenstahl, Follow the Law" protest on Monday. It's important that the people of Pittsburgh concerned about this legislation are aware of the facts and not manipulated by political grandstanding.
The Prevailing Wage Ordinance, which was passed with a 9-0 vote of City Council on February 2, 2010, requires that the first thing that must occur as per the legislation is: "The Controller shall issue prevailing wage determinations at least once every 12 months, and as frequently as necessary to reflect any increases in the prevailing wage, and shall post such determinations on the official City web site. Wage rates of employees shall be increased accordingly, and in the case of City service contracts, the contractor's billable rate under the City service contract shall be increased accordingly."
City Controller Michael Lamb has never issued those wages and therefore there is nothing to even include in this contract two years after the legislation was passed. Furthermore, at this time, there is no evidence of the wage determinations on Controller Lamb's website, as mandated by law: http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/co/index.html
The joint city/county contract for cleaning services expires in the near future. Recently, Controller Lamb was listed as a speaker at the press conference that was scheduled for this past Monday, and subsequently cancelled, which was intended to protest the lack of any language pertaining to the Prevailing Wage Ordinance contained in a recently issued RFP for cleaning services at the City-County Building. Inexplicably, the "Follow the Law" protest was to take place in front of the Mayor's Office.
The fact is that over two years after the Prevailing Wage Ordinance became law it is solely the failure of City Controller Michael Lamb to perform his responsibilities under the city code that has resulted in a lack of implementation of the ordinance. Therefore, any future "Follow the Law" protest should take place in front of the Controller's Office.
Paul
Monday, February 27, 2012
Fwd: Jury Tampering Trial Discontinued
Great news.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Professor Julian Heicklen, former defendant in USA v. Heicklen, previously under misdemeanor indictment in the Southern District of New York is pleased to apprise the public that Preet Bharara, US Attorney, appears to have in fact abandoned active pursuit of the prosecution, perhaps since discretion may be the better part of valor, and sub silentio, it seems that the US have conceded the first article of amendment to the US Constitution includes the unfettered right to discuss among and with our fellow Americans the meaning of the terms of art in the Constitution such as a criminal trial, a jury, an impartial trial, the jury de medietate linguae, and other important civil rights, without fear of being accused of attempting juror tampering because one attempts to engage their fellow Americans in a thoughtful and impassioned academic discourse on these complex constitutional questions, without segregating and excluding potential jurors from those who may otherwise enjoy the benefit of such a rigorous public policy and legal debate.
As a catalyst for an inclusive, tolerant, liberal America, it is a pleasure to note this important civil rights victory, and express our entire global defense team's proud appreciation for the noble decision of the United States Attorney to in effect nolle prosecui the improvident indictment.
--
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Professor Julian Heicklen, former defendant in USA v. Heicklen, previously under misdemeanor indictment in the Southern District of New York is pleased to apprise the public that Preet Bharara, US Attorney, appears to have in fact abandoned active pursuit of the prosecution, perhaps since discretion may be the better part of valor, and sub silentio, it seems that the US have conceded the first article of amendment to the US Constitution includes the unfettered right to discuss among and with our fellow Americans the meaning of the terms of art in the Constitution such as a criminal trial, a jury, an impartial trial, the jury de medietate linguae, and other important civil rights, without fear of being accused of attempting juror tampering because one attempts to engage their fellow Americans in a thoughtful and impassioned academic discourse on these complex constitutional questions, without segregating and excluding potential jurors from those who may otherwise enjoy the benefit of such a rigorous public policy and legal debate.
As a catalyst for an inclusive, tolerant, liberal America, it is a pleasure to note this important civil rights victory, and express our entire global defense team's proud appreciation for the noble decision of the United States Attorney to in effect nolle prosecui the improvident indictment.
--
--
Ta.
Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
412 298 3432 = cell
Fwd: Invitation: EPLC Education Policy Forum - 3.8.12 - Pittsburgh
You Are Invited to Attend
PENNSYLVANIA EDUCATION POLICY FORUM
"Western PA Breakfast Series"
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Continental Breakfast - 8:00 a.m.
Program - 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Holiday Inn Pittsburgh University Center - 100 Lytton Ave., Pittsburgh, PA
SUBJECT:
Governor Corbett's Proposed Education Budget for 2012-2013
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Governor Corbett delivered his 2012-2013 state budget proposal to the General Assembly on February 7. This policy forum is an early opportunity to get up-to-date information about what is in the proposed education budget, the budget's relative strengths and weaknesses, and key issues.
Ron Cowell of EPLC will provide an overview of the Governor's proposed budget for early education, K-12 and higher education. A representative of the PA Budget and Policy Center will provide an overview of the state's fiscal situation, a reality that shapes the state budget in any year. The overviews will be followed by remarks from a panel representing statewide and regional perspectives concerning state funding for education and education related items. These speakers will discuss the impact of the Governor's proposals and identify the key issues that will likely be considered during this year's budget debate.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
While there is no registration fee, seating is limited and an RSVP is required.
RSVP on-line at
http://www.eplc.org/events-calendar/western-pennsylvania-breakfast-series/
I hope you will be able to join us.
In addition, please feel free to share this information with colleagues who may like to attend.
Thanks to our Sponsors!
The Education Finance Project of EPLC and the PA School Funding Campaign receive generous support from:
William Penn Foundation
Falk Foundation
Fulfilling the Dream Fund
EPLC's Pennsylvania Education Policy Forum also receives support from:
AFT Pennsylvania
Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties
College of Education - The Pennsylvania State University
Center for Educational Leadership - University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
Educational Testing Service (ETS)
OnHand Schools
Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals
Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units
Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools
Pennsylvania Association of Pupil Services Administrators
Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators
Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials
Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
Pennsylvania School Boards Association
Pennsylvania State Education Association
The College Board
--
--
Ta.
Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
412 298 3432 = cell
Friday, February 24, 2012
ACA State of the Nation – February 24th, 2012
The 41st Season of ACA Racing is Upon Us
The 2012 ACA Board of Directors assembled on Monday, February 6th to kick off our 41st year of racing. I would like to express my gratitude for the service of outgoing board member Kevin Rutledge and welcome his replacement Stacie Truszkowski. All other ACA Board Members remain in effect from 2011. We are very lucky to have volunteers among us willing to commit their time and efforts necessary to maintain the charter of the Allegheny Cycling Association.
The ACA experienced its largest turnout of racers ever in 2011. From April to September, we held 91 races, tallying up 2,483 entrants representing 2,260 racers – 223 entrants were double-dippers. Entrants were spread out among 772 A racers, 670 B racers, 602 C racers and 439 Women/Juniors. 82 of you bought season passes (also a new record), with 77 actually paying for them (shame to you rule-breaking scofflaws). Race day payouts and season awards totaled $6,355. I'm also happy to report our email group list has grown to 410 members.
2011 was a great year racing bicycles in Western PA. It's now time to focus our attention on 2012. Without further ado, I'm happy to share the following highlights the ACA Board has approved for 2012:
- Race dates are set and we're kicking off the 2012 series on Tuesday, April 10th. We'll go 22 weeks through Wednesday, September 5th for the A, B, C & W/Jr. series.
- J.R. Petsko and his ABRA crew are helping us run the Saturday series. The 10 race dates are 4/28, 5/12, 6/9, 6/30, 7/21, 7/28, 8/4, 8/11, 9/8 and 9/22.
- 100 laps was so much fun last year we're bringing it back in 2012. Mark your calendar for August 18th for 50 miles of 'round and 'round fun.
- Race officiating will be handled by Doug Riegner & John Cotter on Tuesdays and Amy Garbarak and Sharon Slovenec on Wednesdays. John Fite and Stacie Truszkowski will be assisting with registration. Please take a moment to thank this crew the next time you see them. Our races are organized, safe and fun because of this crew.
- A women's clinic is being planned. Stay tuned for a date and more details to come.
Get Registered NOW!
You need a license to race your bike at the Bud Harris Cycling Track and you need an ACA membership to score points for series awards and prizes. USAC and ACA web sites are ready to register you for racing. Note that an ACA season pass pays for a few extra races, reserves your spot on race night, registers you as an ACA member and provides a ticket to the end-of-season awards banquet.
- ACA Membership: http://acaracing.com/memberpaynow12.html
- USAC Racing License: http://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=579
Money Talks
The ACA is a non-profit organization. Truth be told, we had a positive cash flow of $286 last year. How did we manage such a staggering windfall? After all of our race expenses, supply costs and awards are totaled, the ACA squeaks out a $.12 profit per $10 race entry. We run a tight ship and we intend to keep it that way for 2012. I'm happy to say there will be no change to racing costs for 2012. Race fees will remain at $10 per racer, with a discount of $5 for Juniors in the Junior race only. ACA Memberships and prize money are to remain consistent as well.
The Pennsylvania Cycling Association (PCA) has graciously awarded the ACA a $500 grant for the continued subsidy of Junior race entry fees. In 2012, Junior race entry discounts amounted to $1,260 in expenses. Our Treasurer, the fiduciary gifted John Fite, has provided a detailed breakout of how your $10 entry fee keeps us in the black. I challenge anyone to find this much value for anything that costs $10. Thank you John for the great detail.
Race Entry Fee
|
$10.00
|
USAC User Fees
|
$2.73
|
Juniors Discount
|
$0.51
|
Season Pass Juniors Discount
|
$0.24
|
Series End Cash Awards
|
$0.73
|
Race Numbers
|
$0.11
|
Race Day Cash Awards
|
$2.56
|
Season Permits
|
$0.11
|
Officials
|
$1.82
|
City User Fees
|
$0.91
|
2012 A Champ Season Pass
|
$0.08
|
Misc. Supplies
|
$0.08
|
Total Expenses per Race per Racer
|
$9.88
|
Mad Profit
|
$0.12
|
Marshals and Volunteers Must Sign Insurance Waivers
USA Cycling is serious about registering and insuring specific volunteers for events. The ACA will require that all Officials, volunteers and marshals MUST sign a USAC release waiver or you cannot assist with an event. This applies to any volunteer, including race marshals. We appreciate the time and effort of our volunteers but we must take this matter seriously. Forms will be provided to those wishing to volunteer. If you don't sign a form, you cannot help.
USAC Cycling Meeting – Saturday, March 17th, 9 a.m. ProBikes Spin Studio, Squirrel Hill, 3rd Floor
The ACA has scheduled a meeting open to all cycling aficionados and targeted toward training new USAC officials. It will be hosted by Andy and Marilyn Taus and Ellen Dorsey. The date and time are Saturday, March 17th, 9 a.m. at ProBikes Squirrel Hill in their Spin Studio on the 3rd floor. Plenty of parking is available. Coffee and snacks will be available in the morning and we'll do pizzas for lunch. Special thanks to Todd Schoeni and ProBikes for providing the venue.
The meeting is open to all cycling enthusiasts. Training new USAC officials to keep racing safe and organized in Western Pennsylvania is critical. Races don't happen without officials. This meeting has become an important annual event as it helps us all learn about new cycling rules, share ideas and makes racing safer, stronger and more fun. We need you to come out and contribute to the cause. Please respond a.s.a.p. to let us know if you can attend the seminar.
Medical Plan – Doctors, EMTs, Specialists and First Responders
USAC has mandated that all events must carry a detailed Medical Plan. We've been relatively fortunate over the years with only a handful of significant accidents at the Bud Harris Cycling Track. However, bicycle racing is an inherently dangerous sport and accidents do occur. The ACA will be instituting new medical guidelines for our series and reinforcing existing regulations to keep racing safe and organized.
· The Medical Plan and relative announcements will be made at the beginning of each race. The Chief Official is in charge. Please pay attention to what the officials have to say as it may affect the outcome of a race if a crash occurs. Failure to follow their direction can result in race relegation or expulsion from the series.
- In the event of an accident, riders will be instructed to keep moving forward and move away from the accident. On-track marshals or race officials will make a decision to slow or suspend the race.
- The Chief Official is in charge of the race at all times. In the event of an accident, the Chief Official will request medical assistance if necessary. Please refrain from attempting to direct riders or provide direction on your own. Your impulse may be counter to what's deemed necessary by the Chief Official. If an accident occurs, please keep your head straight and continue forward progress to maintain your safety as well as others.
- The ACA membership is chock full of doctors, EMTs, medical specialists and first responders. While we appreciate your potential assistance, please refrain from attempting to participate or take control if an accident occurs. The Chief Official understands the Medical Plan and will recruit you if necessary. If you decide to take matters into your own hands, it can disrupt the safety of the event. If you feel as though you can contribute, please alert the Chief Official prior to the start of the race. If needed, you'll be engaged.
Bud Harris Plaque Fund Raising Effort - $1,500 Fund Raising Goal
As most of you know, the "oval" was officially renamed the "Bud Harris Cycling Track" in memoriam of the late Bud Harris. There is a sign marking the naming to the right of the officials stand. The sign is a good marker but many people are unaware of exactly who Bud Harris was and aware of his efforts in urging the City to create such a great cycling venue.
The ACA Board has commissioned a plaque through Matthew Bronze Memorial Products to commemorate Bud Harris. We've worked with Bud's wife, Ann Harris, in designing a plaque to be placed on a stone base near the current wooden sign. The plan was initially announced at the 2011 awards banquet. We were pleasantly surprised to receive over $420 in donations that night toward our fund raising goal. It was inspiring to see racers handing over their cash awards and others reaching deeply into their pockets.
We've received more donations since the announcement but are still short of our goal of $1,500 goal to cover expenses. I am reaching out to the membership to please consider contributing to the Bud Harris Memorial Marker fund. Checks can be made out to "Allegheny Cycling Association" and mailed to Chris Popovic, 825 Maple Lane, Sewickley, PA 15143. No amount is too small to make this happen. I thank you in advance for your contributions.
Juniors Racing in A Race Requirements
The New Year brings with it new potential for greatness. We all want to improve upon our past performances and this comes much faster to some riders vs. others. Junior membership has surged in recent years and now many Junior racers have ascended to Cat 3 status. It is an impressive feat for any Junior rider to obtain a Cat 3 license. However, a Cat 3 license doesn't automatically come with comprehensive racing experience. In an effort to help our Junior riders gain valuable race experience and to prepare accordingly for the intensity of the A races, the ACA is implementing a policy for Junior Cat 3 riders to compete in the A race series. Junior racers wishing to compete in the Wednesday night A race must adhere to the following requirements.
- Junior racers are classified as any rider under 19 years of age.
- A Junior racer must place in a top five (5) finishing spot in at least five (5) B series races consisting of at least 25 racers or more.
- Junior gears are in effect. No Junior will be permitted to race any ACA race without Junior gearing. For complete details on Junior gearing, please visit the USA Cycling web site.
- Junior racers who have already raced in the As are exempt from this policy.
Thank you for your time and attention regarding these announcements. We welcome any and all feedback. Here's to a healthy and fun racing season.
Chris Popovic
2012 ACA President
412-259-3737Thursday, February 23, 2012
Fw: Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania Recognizes Election Victories
Sent from my BlackBerry®
From: media-relations@lppa.org
Date: Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:30:43 -0600
To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>
Subject: Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania Recognizes Election Victories
Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania Recognizes Election Victories
For Immediate Release
Harrisburg –
The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania is pleased to announce five victories on Election Day 2011 and salutes the campaign efforts of Libertarian Party candidates statewide. Erik Viker was re-elected to Selinsgrove Borough Council with the second-highest number of votes in a five-person race for three seats. Vance Mays was elected to the Valley Grove Area School Board and James Fryman was elected to the Franklin Area School Board. Vernon Etzel was elected Treasurer of Oil City and the voters chose Patricia Fryman to serve as Township Auditor in Victory Township. Venango County Commission candidate Michael Thomas earned over 12% of the votes running against two Democrats and two Republicans. Tim Russell, the current mayor of Emlenton, PA received over 40% of the vote in a race for Magisterial District Judge in Venango County, running against a cross-filed Republican Party member who won by only 13%. In the race for mayor of Wilkes-Barre, Libertarian candidate Betsy Summers earned over 10% of the vote. Also in Luzerne County, Libertarian candidates Brian Bergman, Tim Mullen and Michael Lacey appeared on the ballot for the Municipal County Council. Manuel Gomez earned 11.45% of the vote for York City Council and also in York County School Board candidate David Moser earned over 9% of votes.
The Libertarian Party is the largest and best alternative for people who want to promote citizen liberty and limited government in both Pennsylvania and the United States. More than 200,000 people across the country are registered Libertarians, and Libertarians serve in hundreds of elected offices. Please visit www.LPPA.org for more information.
Contact: Erik Viker (Media Relations) at Media-Relations@lppa.org or
Lou Jasikoff (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS / chair@lppa.org
Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPa)
3915 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
www.lppa.org
# # #
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Fw: Rick Santorum Defends Budget-Busting Statism
Sent from my BlackBerry®
From: "John Tate" <john_tate@ronpaul2012.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:30:23 -0800
To: Liberty Activist<mark@rauterkus.com>
ReplyTo: john_tate@ronpaul2012.com
Subject: Rick Santorum Defends Budget-Busting Statism
 Dear Liberty Activist, The debate in Mesa, Arizona just ended a few seconds ago. Rick Santorum – the latest candidate to try and establish himself as the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney – was hit hard. But instead of backing down tonight, he had the audacity to defend his Big Government record, including: >>> Voting for Title X funding, which sends tens of millions of dollars to Planned Parenthood; >>> Campaigning and endorsing Arlen Specter in a tough Republican Primary versus a true conservative – Pat Toomey; >>> Voting for bailouts and raising the debt ceiling five times. He even said at one point having limited government is nothing more than a pipe dream and hinted that the problems with existing Big Government programs, are more Big Government programs! These are hardly the marks of a conservative. But the truth is, time is running out to expose Rick Santorum and PROVE that Ron Paul is the ONLY constitutional conservative in the race. At this point in the game, our ability to take on and DEFEAT both Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney depends on our ability to Get Out the Vote (GOTV). But GOTV isn’t cheap – nor easy. It requires massive phone banks, targeted mail, emails, and hard-hitting TV ads like our new ad, “Fake.” That’s why I’m counting on you to make a generous donation to help make sure our campaign has the resources to let voters know where the other candidates stand on the issues – and run a full-scale GOTV effort. Can Ron Paul count on you to help with these efforts? The American people are tired of Republicans like Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich supporting bailouts. They’re tired of Republicans like Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich supporting massive big spending schemes. But, as I told you, unless we have the resources to run a full-scale GOTV program, our efforts could come up short on Super Tuesday. And I’m sure you agree we can’t let that happen. So please, dig deep and make the most generous contribution you can afford to help Ron Paul get out the vote. Super Tuesday is less than two weeks away. Any amount you can give will help us turn out voters. So please, make a generous contribution to help with GOTV efforts on Super Tuesday. Together, you and I can Restore America NOW! For Liberty,  John Tate Campaign Manager P.S The debate in Mesa, Arizona just ended – and I’m backstage with Ron Paul after a stellar performance. Dr. Paul requested I send you an email letting you know what was at stake this Super Tuesday and to ask for your help. So can Ron Paul count on you to make a generous contribution to help get the truth about Rick Santorum out to the voters and to make sure we have the resources to run a full-scale GOTV program on Super Tuesday? |
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Fwd: Rick Santorum’s Budget-Busting Statism
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: John Tate
Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Subject: Rick Santorum's Budget-Busting Statism
To: Liberty Activist <mark@rauterkus.com>
Dear Liberty Activist,
Mincemeat.
That's exactly what President Obama and his one BILLION-dollar campaign war chest will turn our eventual Republican nominee into if you and I nominate a candidate who can't show voters a true contrast . . .
Don't be fooled. We're not going to get that contrast if we choose Rick Santorum.
Today, our campaign is releasing a new television ad to make sure voters know the real story about Santorum's record. Won't you take a moment to watch it?
Also, if you possibly can, I must ask you to please give $20 or $30 to help us run this ad in as many states as possible before Super Tuesday.
You see, I'm confident that once voters learn the truth about both Rick Santorum and Dr. Paul's records, they'll clearly see who the real fiscal conservative is and support our campaign.
But I need your help to spread the word.
Just a couple of years ago, the Republican Party was wandering in the wilderness.
Rick Santorum was a prime culprit. And nominating him as our GOP nominee will only lead to CRUSHING defeat this November.
Why?
During his time in the Senate, Santorum voted to:
*** Give millions of taxpayer dollars to Planned Parenthood;
*** Raise the debt ceiling five times;
*** DOUBLE the size of the Department of Education through the budget-busting and unconstitutional "No Child Left Behind" bill;
*** Start a brand new, unfunded entitlement, Medicare Part D, the largest expansion of entitlement spending since President Lyndon Johnson - creating $16 TRILLION in unfunded liabilities;
*** Stand with senators like Barbara Boxer and Frank Lautenberg to pass massive new federal gun control schemes and regulations;
*** Keep workers under Big Labor's thumb by voting against a National Right to Work law;
*** Send $25 million in taxpayer dollars to North Korea;
*** Pass Sarbanes-Oxley, which imposed dramatic new job-killing accounting regulations on businesses.
And these are only just SOME of the Big Government positions Santorum took in the Senate.
Sure, Rick Santorum has seen a bump in the polls recently. But that's only because it's clear voters are rejecting Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich's counterfeit "conservatism."
They want a candidate who can be trusted to fight for fiscal responsibility, and Santorum has tried to mouth the right words on the campaign trail.
But like Romney and Gingrich, the proof is in the pudding.
And instead of apologizing for his record, Senator Santorum has the audacity to DEFEND virtually every one of his Big Government votes!
The truth is, he's learned absolutely NOTHING from his crushing defeat in his 2006 Pennsylvania reelection race.
Liberty Activist, Republicans aren't going to defeat President Obama this November by agreeing with him.
And don't think for a second that voters will allow themselves to be fooled by another Bush-era, big spending, Big Government establishment Republican this fall.
Voters want REAL change. They want REAL fiscal conservatism.
Not Rick Santorum's budget-busting statism.
Voters want spending CUT - not INCREASED and shifted to different federal departments based on which party is in power.
We're $15 TRILLION in debt.
If our kids and grandkids are going to enjoy the liberties that should be their birthright as Americans, we MUST change course now.
Ron Paul stands apart.
He's never voted to raise taxes, bail out reckless companies, take away your gun rights, raise the debt ceiling, or send millions of dollars to causes that violate taxpayers' deeply held beliefs.
While Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, and Mitt Romney were all working to expand federal power and continue the wild spending spree, Ron Paul was warning about the coming economic crisis and fighting to rein in our out-of-control government.
Liberty Activist, all three of our opponents have the powerful establishment machine on their side.
We're depending on grassroots supporters like you to help us fight the distortions and give voters the truth.
If we want to defeat Barack Obama and get our nation back on track, you and I cannot afford to nominate one of the politicians who helped drive us to the edge in the first place.
Together, you and I can elect Ron Paul and Restore America Now!
For Liberty,
John Tate
Campaign Manager
P.S. Right now, Rick Santorum is rising in the polls because voters have been taken in by his election year rhetoric.
Our campaign is releasing a new television ad today to make sure the American people learn the truth about Santorum's Big Government, big spending record.
After you watch the ad here, please contribute $20 or $30 to help us run it far and wide - and also spread the message about Dr. Paul's consistent conservatism - before the critical Super Tuesday primaries.
Paid for by Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee
www.ronpaul2012.com
This message was intended for: mark@rauterkus.com
You were added to the system May 24, 2011. For more information
click here.
Update your preferences | Unsubscribe
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Ta.
Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
412 298 3432 = cell
Fw: [Project-Censored-L] Cuba Sets a Global Example for the Achievements of Socialism
_______________________________________________
Project-Censored-L mailing list
Project-Censored-L@lists.sonoma.edu
https://mailman.sonoma.edu/mailman/listinfo/project-censored-l
Project-Censored-L mailing list
Project-Censored-L@lists.sonoma.edu
https://mailman.sonoma.edu/mailman/listinfo/project-censored-l
Sent from my BlackBerry®
From: Peter Phillips <peter.phillips@sonoma.edu>
Sender: <project-censored-l-bounces@lists.sonoma.edu>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:09:06 +0000
To: project-Censored-L@lists.sonoma.edu<project-Censored-L@lists.sonoma.edu>
Subject: [Project-Censored-L] Cuba Sets a Global Example for the Achievements of Socialism
Cuba Sets a Global Example for the Achievements of Socialism
In an all day conference, February 10, 2012, some 120 authors, professors, and journalists, from dozens of Caribbean, American and African countries, met with Fidel Castro. Those attending were invited participants for the Intellectual Encounters for Peace and the Preservation of the Environment event at the Havana Convention Center. Topics discussed in the nine-hour session were world peace, environmentalism, neo-liberal capitalism, and the continuing importance of socialism.
Fidel Castro (age 85) urged those assembled to a moral duty to prevent the extinction of humankind and challenge the expanding predations of neo-liberal global capitalism. He expressed concern for the inevitable collapse of Wall Street and the international monetary system. Paper money is worthless without backing from gold or other assets, Castro asserted. Environmental destruction is classless in that eventually all will suffer—both the rich and the poor—if neo-liberal capitalism continues on its rampart global destruction, he professed.
Castro's main message was clear. Cuban socialism is an international example of a humanitarian economy in the world. "We have over 80,000 doctors," he said, and "we are currently training 830 Pakistani medical students and many others from around the world."
Fidel Castro, reverently referred to as "Commandante" by many of those present, was flanked by the Cuban Minister of Culture, Abel Prieto, and the president of the Cuban Book Institute, Zuleika Romay. The participants in the encounter were invited guests to the 2012 International Cuban Book Fair that ran from February 10 to 19 in Havana.
The nine-hour session went from 1:00 PM until after 10:00 PM, with only two short coffee breaks. Fidel gave extended responses during the event, commenting on the presentations, asking questions, and recalling the history of the Cuban revolution and Cuba's humanitarian efforts over the past fifty plus years. Some 40 people presented briefings on their concerns. The lies and propaganda of the corporate/capitalist media were important themes for the day. One participant remarked how the global corporate media seeks to create a monoculture of the mind inside the capitalist countries.
As an invited author for the International Cuban Book Fair, I was honored to participate in the discussions held with the "Commandante." His energy is inspiring and his command of history and contemporary issues is phenomenal. Castro had serious health issues a few years back, but remains mentally alert. He walked with assistance from his bodyguards, but remained fully participatory in the nine-hour session.
Cuba is an international example of the potentialities of socialism, and an ongoing symbolic challenge to marketplace capitalism. In the United States there is a continuing propaganda drumbeat against the Cuban revolution. Castro is often described as a military dictator repressing his people and blocking freedoms in Cuba. But this description ignores some undisputed social advances under his leadership that could serve as an example of what a society can do when it turns its resources to humanitarian purposes.
Contemporary neo-liberal capitalism undercuts wages, unions and social welfare, which results in the expansion of poverty, hunger, and extreme inequality. Cuba is a demonstration that humanitarian socialism can work for the masses. Cuba is the number one organic farming country in the world. Cuba has full employment, zero starvation, and some of the best health care in the world. Cuba's life expectancy is equal to the United States and education up through university is paid for by the state for all students.
As a media-reform advocate, participant and observer, I watched tens of thousands of young people arrive at the International Book Fair in the old Spanish fort overlooking downtown Havana. These are multi-generations of people who have never suffered media advertisements. Three University of Havana literature majors, with whom I spent a full day, laughed hysterically when I asked them if they wanted a McDonald's Happy Meal. They represent a people who accept the equality of socialism and collective growth of human betterment, and will strongly defend their way of life if necessary. As literature majors they have completed three years of Latin, and are starting classical Greek. They have had courses in historical and modern Latin American and European literature, and art. Their university education costs them nothing, and the government provides all textbooks and living expenses.
After the collapse of the USSR, Cuba lost most of it subsidies form the socialist block of nations. The early 1990s were a difficult transition. This was when Cuba opened it doors to those who wanted to leave. Some 30,000 people choose to move to the United States. Yet, ten million people choose to stay and build the independent socialist country that Cuba is today. Several other South American countries, notably Venezuela and Ecuador, have taken note of Cuba's successes and are moving in a similar direction seeking socialist equality.
Some in the US believe that when the senior Cuban leadership from the 1959 revolution passes away, US corporations and displaced Cubans abroad will waltz back into Havana to return capitalism to the island. It is very clear to me, and many contemporary observers, that multiple generations of socialist Cubans will never allow this to happen.
_______________________________________________________________________
Peter Phillips is a Professor of Sociology at Sonoma State University and President of Media Freedom Foundation/Project Censored. He co-edited with Mickey Huff Censored 2011, which was published in Spanish for the International Book Fair in Cuba. Mickey Huff is the director of Project Censored and editor of the recently published Censored 2012, which was presented to Fidel Castro February 10, 2012.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Westinghouse High School -- back to square 1
This video comes from the archives. It was created in August 2009.
Mr. Lopez, once with Pittsburgh Public Schools, had a vision for Westinghouse High School. The reform efforts zoomed ahead with single gender schools, with grades 6 to 12, all under the same roof. Plus, Westinghouse would also absorb some of the students from Peabody High, about to close.
Well, now, in 2012, Mr. Lopez works with the Homewood Childrens Village and not PPS. And, the new Superintendent, Dr. Linda Lane, is sorry that the year at Westinghouse, especially the fall, was so rocky. That's my description, rocky.
Let's remember where and what was said -- as a blast from the past.
Mr. Lopez, once with Pittsburgh Public Schools, had a vision for Westinghouse High School. The reform efforts zoomed ahead with single gender schools, with grades 6 to 12, all under the same roof. Plus, Westinghouse would also absorb some of the students from Peabody High, about to close.
Well, now, in 2012, Mr. Lopez works with the Homewood Childrens Village and not PPS. And, the new Superintendent, Dr. Linda Lane, is sorry that the year at Westinghouse, especially the fall, was so rocky. That's my description, rocky.
Let's remember where and what was said -- as a blast from the past.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Fw: Cold Hard Fact
Sent from my BlackBerry®
From: "John Tate" <john_tate@ronpaul2012.com>
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:33:05 -0800
To: Liberty Activist<mark@rauterkus.com>
ReplyTo: john_tate@ronpaul2012.com
Subject: Cold Hard Fact
 Dear Liberty Activist, In 2008, roughly two out of every three votes cast by a young person went to Barack Obama. Now, some studies show that a whopping 42 million young men and women aged 18-29 will be eligible to vote by Election Day 2012. You don't have to know much about politics to understand that if the Republican Party has any hope of DEFEATING President Obama this November, the youth vote will be a part of any winning coalition. So which Republican candidate excites America's younger voters and mobilizes them to take action? You guessed it. NO ONE but Ron Paul. That's just a cold hard fact. That's why, if you haven't contributed to Ron Paul's critical Money Bomb going on right now, please do so right away! With Super Tuesday rapidly approaching on March 6, your IMMEDIATE help is absolutely crucial. Voters in a whopping 10 states are preparing to go to the polls on that day. I'm counting on a massive influx of funds to pay for the mail, email, phone calls, and all the internet, radio, and TV ads it will take to WIN.  The great news is, we've already raised over $1.2 million this week. But quite frankly, if Ron Paul is going to keep collecting delegates and keep up his march to WINNING the Republican nomination for President, every additional dollar you can give is absolutely key. The great news is, something very dramatic is happening throughout the country. If you haven't seen them firsthand, I'm sure you've at least heard about the INCREDIBLE crowds that come to Ron Paul's rallies on college campuses. Like Dr. Paul, I can't help but get excited with the energy and the sheer numbers of young men and women who simply want to take their country back. It makes me incredibly optimistic about the future. But the fact is, leading our country back to free markets, sound money, individual liberty, a pro-American foreign policy, and respect for constitutional principles cannot be put off for another day. With over $15 TRILLION in debt, sky-high unemployment, and assaults on our liberties expanding seemingly every week, you and I cannot sit back and wait for victory to one day come to us. Our future is now. Keep up the fight. Make an impact. Caucus. Vote. Run for delegate. Make sure your friends and family do the same. And if you haven't contributed to Ron Paul's critical Money Bomb going on right now, please do so right away. For Liberty, John Tate Campaign Manager P.S. The youth vote will be key to defeating President Obama in 2012. And no candidate but Ron Paul excites young men and women like Ron Paul. With Super Tuesday rapidly approaching, it's absolutely vital Ron Paul has the funds to keep up the hard-hitting ads and feverish campaigning. If you haven't contributed to Ron Paul's critical Money Bomb going on right now, please do so right away. |
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