Pennsylvania
updated
4:39 p.m.
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I was a bit agitated when I finally had an opportunity to read Dan Geringer's story in today's Philadelphia Daily News about Philadelphia's Department of Human Services (DHS) cutting the very popular and outcome-based Don't Fall Down in the Hood – at a measly savings of $150,000. I had first gotten wind of this, during this morning's Judiciary Committee hearing, at which I testified, called b...
DrChuckSpeaks - 1:40 p.m. - 2 clicks 
The PA State Senate’s Judiciary Committee is voting on Tuesday to take away your rights! Anti-LGBT legislators plan to vote to put a ban on same sex marriage in the PA Constitution. If they succeed, it could take a generation before we LGBT people can have a chance to marry in Pennsylvania. We can’t let this happen! Click here to send an email to all members of the Judiciary Committ...
Keystone Progress blog - 9:21 a.m. - 8 clicks
It's baaaack! Pennsylvania State Senator John Eichelberger (R-PA-30th) and some other bigots have introduced yet another "marriage protection" bill: SB 707 . It's scheduled to be voted on in the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee tomorrow . The only things bills like this one do is "protect" and enshrine inequality and therefore must be protested. As I wrote back ...
2 Political Junkies - 9:20 a.m. - 3 clicks
Well, the busybodies in Harrisburg are at it again. The proposed amendment to define marriage as between one man/one woman is back! SB 707 was introduced by Republican (natch)John Eichelberger of Blair County. I am still baffled by why anyone cares, in a negative way, about two people who love each other getting married, if it so happens that they are gay. From the perspective of the st...
Froth Slosh B'Gosh - 6:21 a.m. - 2 clicks
A couple of years ago, I snarked : I am just so grateful to the Pennsylvania legislature for acting to protect the institution of marriage from those despicable homosexual hordes. I mean if my gay friend Sue - and don't get me wrong, I don't hate teh gays, some of my best friends are gay - but if she were allowed to marry her partner it would disturb my life in many many many frightening ...
2 Political Junkies - 5:47 a.m. - 2 clicks
Start: Mar 19 2010 - 7:00pm Timezone: Etc/GMT-5 Commemoration of seventh anniversary of the war against Iraq. MARCH 19 FRI 2010 7AM-7PM CONSECUTIVE READING OF NAMES OF FALLEN SOLDIERS EYES WIDE OPEN ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA ~ ~ ~ Sponsored by America Friends Service Committee Over 200 pairs of empty combat boots - tagged with names of PA soldiers who have died in current Iraq/Afg...
Lake Erie Alliance for Democracy - Sun 6:27 p.m. - 4 clicks
This week's column by the Post-Gazette's Jack Kelly is his usual weaving together of snippets of wisps of notions and calling it all factual. As you read, note the occurrences of the "seems to" wiggle words. He begins with some hard and fast numbers: President Barack Obama's national security policies are much more popular than his domestic policies, according to a poll released Monday by De...
2 Political Junkies - Sun 11:08 a.m. - 5 clicks
Just wanted to share this, from the ACLU: Even today, in 2009, women still make only 78 cents for every dollar made by their male counterparts. The gap for women of color is even wider. In April, Equal Pay Day was an important reminder of this persistent wage gap and the urgent need to take action to ensure that women can receive equal pay for equal work. Last January, President Obama...
Pittsburgh Women's Blogging Society - Fri 4:46 p.m. - 6 clicks
Pittsburghers know that our city holds one of the nation's largest St. Patrick's Day parades. We also know that -- coming as it does two months before primary elections -- it is chock full of politicians looking for votes. This year will be no exception, however there will also be activists targeting politicians: Pro Health Care Reform Undoubtedly Rep. Jason Altmire will be there. Why not ...
2 Political Junkies - Fri 11:43 a.m. - 7 clicks
Thank God for the Itawamba County School District ! A Mississippi county school board announced Wednesday it would cancel its upcoming prom after a gay student petitioned to bring a same-sex date to the event. "Due to the distractions to the educational process caused by recent events, the Itawamba County School District has decided to not host a prom at Itawamba Agricultural High School this ye...
2 Political Junkies - Fri 4:42 a.m. - 5 clicks
Congressman Paul Kanjorski likes to do business by telephone. In the last year I have been invited to participate in numerous telephone town meetings but was unable to dial in because I was at work at the time. A few weeks ago his primary opponent Lackawanna Commissioner Corey O'Brien attacked Kanjo for missing Stimulus Oversight meetings: As the Democratic representative on the Penn...
Gort42 - Fri 12:27 a.m. - 5 clicks
LaGreta Brown made her first public appearance before the SRC since the violence at South Philadelphia HS, joining ten other individuals to denounce, er, a cartoon. The cartoon by Tony Auth showed a woman inside the principal’s office at her desk with her head down, phone off the hook, and a shattered window next to her. Brown said it was an unfair characterization. "I'm rarely at my de...
Young Philly Politics - Thu 5:08 a.m. - 7 clicks
Via PoliticsPA : “Today I am announcing I am withdrawing my petitions and will not be seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination for the U.S. House in Pennsylvania’s 12th congressional district. We had a spirited campaign for who would make the best nominee in the special election, but in the spirit of Jack Murtha I believe now is not the time to continue this race. I look forward to finding...
2 Political Junkies - Wed 7:41 a.m. - 13 clicks
On Sunday, Monica Yant Kinney wrote a shocking story about the locals who make Bucks County's Parx Casino so "profitable." According to Parx, most of their clients live within a 20 mile radius of Street Road and come 3-4 times a week, losing $25-$30 a trip. Today we get to meet one of Parx's regulars : a former construction worker who was sidelined due to injury but now has found his new pro...
Young Philly Politics - Wed 7:09 a.m. - 5 clicks
In yet another bit of climate-change-is-a-hoax snark, the braintrust over at the Pittsburgh Tribune Review smears. AND they don't get the irony of that smear. Here it is : The climate science community says it's ready to fight back against the forces of truth responsible for exposing extensive fraud in global warming research, reports The Washington Times. At least one scientist involved in the...
2 Political Junkies - Wed 5:07 a.m. - 7 clicks
Day 050/365 3.09.2010 – Mixed Messages Originally uploaded by goose3five Best viewed on black I was born and raised Roman Catholic but as I grew older I realized quickly that the only thing tying me to my religion was tradition. As a result I spent many years seeking, reading and learning. Eventually my wife and I met a friend, Ani, who introduced us to Buddhism. Togethe...
Comments From Left Field - Tue 9:08 p.m. - 9 clicks
Today was the last day to file nominating petitions and we got a few surprises. It's almost like the trade deadline in MLB but not as important. Some surprises. In the US Senate race Joseph Vodvarka of Allegheny county filed as a Dem making Arlen Specter's and Joe Sestack's life more complicated. Republican Terrance O’Connor, of Monroe County will be running against against Mike Carrol in th...
Gort42 - Tue 7:29 p.m. - 7 clicks
To paraphrase the Daily News' Catherine Lucey, the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority says we'd save $13-$15 million annually if we eliminated four independent row offices and moved their functions to other city agencies or the court system. The queenpin of one such office, the Clerk of Quarter Sessions, announced her resignation yesterday. Mayor Nutter, you're on: the time ...
Young Philly Politics - Tue 5:47 p.m. - 7 clicks
In the past several weeks, the Philadelphia media has really tackled the myriad of issues related to youth violence and underachievement, in a way that I have not seen in the 12 years or so that I have been involved in anti-violence and positive youth development efforts, in Philadelphia. And while many write articles focusing on the gripes and complaints, good journal...
DrChuckSpeaks - Tue 2:50 p.m. - 6 clicks
This is getting redundant, I know. Spending all this time pointing out the conflicts of interest found on the editorial pages of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review is a path that "lies the way to madness" I've been told. So be it. If it's madness then I'll see you on the dark side of the moon. Today, Richard Mellon Scaife's braintrust talks about welfare . And references, lovingly and de...
2 Political Junkies - Tue 4:43 a.m. - 14 clicks
Remember this ? The OPJ posted a link (with a photo) to an online article detailing how it looks as if Melissa Hart abandoned her car in DC. In the House parking lot. For going on three years. Well, Richard Mellon Scaife's Tribune-Review has picked up the story : Having apparently left her car unattended for more than three years, you'd think Melissa Hart would have received a parking...
2 Political Junkies - Tue 4:00 a.m. - 10 clicks
I attended the annual Kiss the Blarney for Carney event on Sunday along with a couple of hundred other people. Despite being to subjected to bagpipe music it was a good time. Many local Lackawanna County elected officials and candidates were in attendance along with reps from Senator Specter's office. I chatted with a few including State Rep Jim Wansascz who is running for State Senate to succee...
Gort42 - Tue 3:08 a.m. - 8 clicks
Today’s front page Inquirer story on the chaos at South Philly High School on Dec. 3 : The chaos and trauma that gripped South Philly High is front and center - as is the leadership of SPHS principal LaGreta Brown . From before 9 a.m. and continuing throughout the school day, Brown knew of multiple attacks on Asian immigrant students and a school in crisis and largely failed to act. What...
Young Philly Politics - Mon 4:22 p.m. - 8 clicks
The PA 22 nd Senate district is mostly in Lackawanna County with a slice of Monroe and just 3 Luzerne County towns- Avoca , Dupont and Duryea . With so many state legislature races in Luzerne County I have to draw the line somewhere so I won't be putting in a lot of time covering this one. Fellow blogger NEPArtisan has been following the twist and turns since Bob Mellow announce...
Gort42 - Mar 8 - 4 clicks
... A couple of Joes The Allegheny County Democratic Committee (ACDC) is holding their primary endorsement process right now, but progressives may want to consider these recent endorsements: NOW PAC has endorsed Rep. Joe Sestak for the U.S. Senate from Pennsylvania. Democracy for Pittsburgh has endorsed Rep. Joe Sestak for the U.S. Senate from Pennsylvania. Democr...
2 Political Junkies - Mar 7 - 12 clicks
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist Jack Kelly is plays "concern troll" in this week's column . For those unaware of the term, Time magazine has a pretty good definition : Noun, derived from "internet troll." A more subtle beast than your standard troll, this species posts comments that appear to be sympathetic to the topic being discussed but who, in reality, wishes to sow doubt in the minds of ...
2 Political Junkies - Mar 7 - 9 clicks
I've been busy with the horse race aspects of the upcoming elections for state and federal offices and have neglected the happenings of Luzerne County government so it's time to catch up. . Republican Walter Griffith was elected as Luzerne County Controller by a wide margin on a promise of being a "pain in the ass" and so far he is living up to that. The way to be a pain is to simply as...
Gort42 - Mar 6 - 8 clicks
Mayor Nutter's "Keep Philly Clean" program is a noble attempt to plug Philadelphia's gaping budget deficit, but it doesn't fit the bill of a City striving to become the "Greenest City in America" - a title Philadelphia's Sustainability Office is eager to earn. As Nutter outlined in a public address yesterday, Philadelphia seeks to fix the deficit problem by charging residents a weekly $5.77 tras...
Young Philly Politics - Mar 5 - 6 clicks
Actually, his name is pretty much all we know about Adam Ravenstahl (other than he's Lil Mayor Luke's baby bro and he's running for PA State Rep). And, it's not just us. Adam's not returning calls or written requests from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . His campaign web site doesn't work . But, the P-G did manage to snag some lit: In it, he promises to continue his family's "trad...
2 Political Junkies - Mar 5 - 7 clicks
Yesterday I joined Coalition of Essential Services in attending the Mayor’s budget address . Quick thoughts (and not in any way speaking for CES who I hope posts here): On the upside, Mayor Nutter acknowledged the work of many Philadelphians, including Coalition of Essential Services, saying that for those fighting to preserve core services for the most vulnerable of Philadelphians, “we heard ...
Young Philly Politics - Mar 5 - 4 clicks
Just about every campaign has a few of these give the money back squabbles. In 2008 Paul Kanjorski's camp demanded that Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta return a contribution from crooked Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens. I don't think that he did. Kanjo got some cash from NY Congressman and Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel who is under fire for ethical violations and the Republicans ...
Gort42 - Mar 5 - 2 clicks
Via the P-G : A judge today dismissed all charges against Pittsburgh high school student Jordan Miles, who claims he was badly beaten by three police officers during his arrest in Homewood. Miles was originally charged with walking while black aggravated assault and resisting arrest. While it is of course great news that the charges have been dropped, more can and should be done while...
2 Political Junkies - Mar 4 - 7 clicks
The Scranton Building & Construction Trades Council and Northeast Pennsylvania Building & Construction Trades Council endorsed Corey O'Brien for Congress over incumbent Paul Kanjorski. I find this surprising because Kanjo has always had solid union support but then again he has never had a serious primary challenge. TT: While Mr. Kanjorski has been a "good friend" to unions, affiliate ...
Gort42 - Mar 4 - 3 clicks
“ Public office is an office of public trust. Any violation like this is a violation of the public’s trust. I don’t care how big or small it is "-Robert Corcoran Wilkes-Barre Area School Board Director Christine Katsock is being accused of trademark violation for misusing a union label on one of the those annoying sticker ads that was stuck on the front page of the Citizen Voice in April....
Gort42 - Mar 3 - 5 clicks
To nobody's surprise the Wilkes-Barre Are School Board replaced admited crook Frank Pizzella with another longtime politico, Gary Polakoski , who was nominated by former reformer Christine Katsock . This is not a not a knock on Mr. Polakoski who has served on the Wilkes-Barre Township council for 16 years who works for PennDOT and seems to be qualified. My choice was Ha...
Gort42 - Mar 2 - 2 clicks
Please join youth, social workers, community advocates, parents, educators, academicians, law enforcement officials and child-serving professionals as Drexel University's Center for the Prevention of School-Aged Violence hosts: COMMUNITY SYMPOSIUM: PART II BULLYING PREVENTION: FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE INTERNET: KEEPING KIDS SAFE (WITH A SPECIAL DISCUSSION ...
DrChuckSpeaks - Mar 1 - 4 clicks
This came through my in box today and caught my eye. I love financial literacy programs; I used to teach a monthly class. And I believe in the power of incentives ... but this strikes me a bit off. Dress for Success Worldwide chose Pittsburgh as one of their sites for a BNYMellon grant to fund an 8 week seminar on Financial Literacy! We’ve gotten TERRIFIC speakers – some of Pittsburgh’s fines...
Pittsburgh Women's Blogging Society - Mar 1 - 3 clicks
Astrological Happenings! We started our magical journey into psychedelic Pisces in the past few weeks. Some may have become enchanted with this interesting energy that seems to be making life and relationship so easy right now, seeing one rainbow after another. Others may have become more confused along their path, as if they have walked into a fog and can no longer determine what dire...
Pittsburgh Women's Blogging Society - Mar 1 - 3 clicks
“A regular person holding an office becomes a politician when trying to be re-elected .”- Brian Kelly Brian Kelly is a retired IBM executive and assistant professor at Marywood University in Scranton. He will not accept campaign donations and vows to serve only one term if elected. If he actually gets on the ballot it is good news for Congressman Kanjorski because the anti-Kanjo voters ...
Gort42 - Feb 26
A few weeks ago I suggested that Harry Haas should be appointed to the Wilkes-Barre Area School Board to take the place of disgraced former board President Frank "kneecaps" Pizzella. Harry finished 5th in the recent election to choose 4 board members and if they follow recent precedent in choosing replacements for admitted crooks he should be a shoo in. Christine Katsock was the top vote ...
Gort42 - Feb 25 - 2 clicks
Luzerne County started sending out tax bills this week that didn't include the Homestead exclusion so they had to stop the mailing and print new bills. County officials: Homestead tax break remains in effect In a first for this blog Commissioner Chair Maryanne Petrilla sent me a press release about this issue and listing her accomplishments. Statement by Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla Feb...
Gort42 - Feb 24 - 6 clicks
Senator Specter was in Wilkes-Barre yesterday touring the new muli-million dollar over budget and behind schedule parking garage (intermodal transportation center) promising more money for the project. The city needs another $500,000 to replace sidewalks on Public Square. The Blogfather has documented the incompetence of the last administration in doing simple maintenance especially because ...
Gort42 - Feb 23 - 2 clicks
Here's some Penn State news I haven't seen reported locally. Kansas University has announced the first of three finalists for its provost position. Philip J. McConnaughay is the Donald J. Farage Professor of Law and dean of the Dickinson School of Law at Pennsylvania State University. He will make a short presentation to students, faculty, staff and the public at 4 p.m. Monday at the Bruc...
Left of Centre - Feb 20 - 3 clicks
A MORE PERFECT UNION: CONFRONTING AMERICA’S RACIAL DIVIDE On the two-year anniversary of then-Senator Barack Obama’s eloquent campaign speech, A More Perfect Union, the National Constitution Center will devote the very stage where that speech was delivered to a dialogue on race. Continuing the conversation started by President Obama‘s challenge to navigate the complexities of race in ou...
DrChuckSpeaks - Feb 19 - 2 clicks
Women of Color HERStory Month 2010 Community Events PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY New Voices Pittsburgh 2010 / Womb-Words, Thirsting by Lenelle Moïse Thursday, February 25, 7PM @ Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Avenue, East Liberty Tickets: $10 - Advance, $15 - Door, $50 VIP www.brownpapertickets.com/event/99370 Call or email for low-income, student, group rates and VIP. History in the ...
Pittsburgh Women's Blogging Society - Feb 19 - 3 clicks
