Mirror Universe

Here's the Planned Parenthood voting guide that I will be following in today's voting.

2009-11-03T14:57:00.001-05:00

Well, I'm off to vote. To be honest, I was kinda thinking of blowing off this election (I don't live in Pittsburgh or the mayor's race would have drawn some of my interest other than my endorsement of Franco Dok Harris...) but these judge's ads made my think I need to vote against Joan Orie and the other predictably evil republican nominees to the courts.

In fact, Planned Parenthood sent me a handy voter's guide which I intend to follow to the letter where I can. Here it is:

Justice of the Supreme Court

Democrat:
Jack Panella Endorsed by Planned Parenthood PA PAC
Republican:
Joan Orie Melvin endorsed by the PA Pro-Life Federation PAC & LIFEPAC
Judge of the Superior Court
(vote for four)
Democrats:
Robert J. Colville Endorsed by Planned Parenthood PA PAC
Kevin Francis McCarthy Endorsed by Planned Parenthood PA PAC
Anne E. Lazarus Endorsed by Planned Parenthood PA PAC
Teresa Sarmina Endorsed by Planned Parenthood PA PAC

Republicans:
Judy Olson endorsed by the PA Pro-Life Federation PAC & LIFEPAC
Sallie Mundie endorsed by the PA Pro-Life Federation PAC & LIFEPAC
Temp Smith endorsed by the PA Pro-Life Federation PAC & LIFEPAC
Paula Ott unknown
Help Us Continue to Elect Pro-Choice
Candidates in Pennsylvania!
Donate Today.

Judge of the Commonwealth Court
(vote for two)

Democrats:
Barbara Behrend Ernsberger Endorsed by Planned Parenthood PA PAC
Linda S. Judson Endorsed by Planned Parenthood PA PAC
Republicans:
Patricia A. McCullough endorsed by the PA Pro-Life Federation PAC & LIFEPAC
Kevin Brobson endorsed by the PA Pro-Life Federation PAC & LIFEPAC

Pittsburgh Mayor's Race

Mayor
Democrat:
Luke Ravenstahl endorsed by LIFEPAC
Independents:
Kevin Acklin unknown
Franco “Dok” Harris Pro-choice

If this isn't clear, then it should be noted that I won't be casting a vote for anyone endorsed by LIFEPAC. Related: Here are some endorsements by Agent Ska and Maria of 2 Political Junkies.

More About: pro life terrorism · pro choice · Planned Parenthood · Franco Dok Harris · Pittsburgh's mayor's race

Franco Dok Harris is the only logical choice for the next Mayor of Pittsburgh

2009-11-03T14:53:00.000-05:00

I really don't think this is a tough call. If its a choice between the former republican and the machine hack, then Franco Dok Harris is clearly the best choice to be the mayor of Pittsburgh. He's also taller.

Luke Ravenstahl is an uninspiring hack although he has managed to stay out of jail on corruption charges, which has surprised me, he's at heart a machine guy with no real vision for the city. Kevin Acklin, whose personal story is interesting, just decided that he's no longer a republican and is now an independent? That's like deciding you're no longer fighting for the South a year before the Civil War ends. Your timing just seems suspicious. Acklin should have just said he couldn't win as a Republican in town. I will confess this though: Acklin would probably be a better mayor than Luke Ravenstahl. I hate admitting that because I truly hate the Republican Party and anybody involved with such a fascist party ("Oh, I resigned from the American Nazi Party and all their horrible Santorum-like party candidates I endorsed. All better now.") but Acklin is clearly better and smarter than Luke. But then again who isn't.

I think Franco Dok Harris is the ony reasonable choice. We need some new blood. I also think, on paper, that Dok Harris is the best qualified person to be the Mayor of Pittsburgh. You might argue that he's inexperienced but they're all young and inexperienced.

Dok Harris has also produced superior television ads. Here's a really hard hitting ad that he's produced. I don't know if he has enough money to put them on air anyplace. This ad also showcases a rare moment of anger from Presiden Barack Obama at the end. I guess I would like to know the context of that.

His video ads seem to be focusing on African Americans. I really think that he's got a good shot if he can get most of the black vote and a good percentage of the Italian vote. This ad where he interviews a distraught African American mother...well, just watch it.

More About: Franco Dok Harris · Kevin Acklin

I'm temporarily making Mirror Universe my Home Page for Three Rivers Online

2009-10-23T07:49:00.003-04:00

I have to work under the hood over at Three Rivers Online. I'm not even sure if this redirect will work consistently but I'm going to be posting here for the next week or so. I actually haven't been posting much at Three Rivers because of space limitations and, probably, laziness.

Planned Parenthood will be holding a downtown event today at Mellon Square at 2 PM.

2009-10-20T09:24:00.003-04:00

Planned Parenthood is holding a downtown event at Mellon Square this afternoon at 2 pm today. Their leadership is worried that abortion and contraception rights will be stripped out of health care reform. I think they're legitimately worried.

Here's the press release that I received:

Dear PHILIP,

It's easy to think of health care reform as something that's happening far away, as lawmakers in Washington hold hearings, schedule votes, and negotiate behind closed doors. But the fact is, the decisions being made now will have a profound impact on women, men and fam

Publish Post

ilies here in western Pennsylvania — every person, every day, for a generation or more.

That means we can't afford to sit back and let the process unfold without us — we need to take action here to make sure that health care legislation protects and expands access to health care. If we don't, there's a very real chance that the women of western Pennsylvania will be worse off after health care reform than they are now.

Will you join us for a day of action on Tuesday, October 20 at Mellon Square (6th avenue and William Penn Place)? We'll be showing our support and mobile phone banking from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. — and we need all the help we can get. Email Volunteer@PPWP.org to let us know you're coming, or just come on out when you can.

We're not going to have another chance to get this right. As I write this, anti-choice groups are increasing their efforts to hijack reform to undermine women's health. They're going to keep trying to pressure and persuade lawmakers from now until the last vote in Congress is cast — and that means we need to keep pushing for health care reform that protects all women.

Join fellow supporters of Planned Parenthood this Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Mellon Square. The negotiations may be happening on Capitol Hill, but this is our chance to make a difference here.

Thank you for everything you do for Planned Parenthood and the women, men, and families we serve.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Cavanaugh, JD
Vice President for Public Affairs
Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania

You Can Fight for the Public Option Three Ways Today in Pittsburgh

2009-09-02T11:00:00.002-04:00

Public Option Action: Health Insurance Now Noon Bus Ride with US Rep. Mike Doyle

This can also be found at 2 Political Junkies. MoveOn informed me as well.

Flagstaff Hill Becomes Health Care Reform Hill

There's both a rally and a vigil tomorrow for health care reform tomorrow.

"Health Insurance Reform Now" Bus Tour Stop
Where: Schenley Park (Flagstaff Hill), 4532 Schenley Drive, Pittsburgh, PA
When: Wednesday, September 2, 2009, Doors Open: 11:00 AM, Start Time: 12:00 PM

Speakers include Congressman Mike Doyle and Organizing for America Deputy Director Jeremy Bird -- and OfA will present thousands of Pennsylvanians' declarations of support for reform

You can sign up here:

I hope Obama understands that anything without the public option but with employee mandate--where you have to buy it or pay expensive fines, even jail time--is not reform that I want.

Public Option Action 2: We Can't Afford to Wait Vigil at 7:30 PM Today

If the noon event isn't enough, then there's also a vigil planned tonight at Flagstaff Hill, Schenley Park.

We Can't Afford to Wait Vigil
Where: Schenley Park (Flagstaff Hill), 1 Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
When: Wednesday, September 2, 2009, 7:30 PM

"We're organizing vigils across the country for everyone who is suffering under our broken health care system. We'll send our members of Congress back to Washington, D.C. with a somber reminder of what's at stake by reading the names and telling the stories of thousands of people who have been denied...(more) needed treatments, faced bankruptcy because of a sudden illness, and even died because they lacked coverage." RSVP here.

I hope these events are well attended.

Public Option Action 3: Yet Another Health Care Vigil Held Outside of Jason Altmire's Office

This is being held at 7:30 as well so you'll have to choose. By the way, I usually support, and support wholeheartedly, actions like this one. But I'm not sure how effective lobbying is on Jason Altmire, who made his living as an insurance lobbyist. I think he's a sincere no vote on any kind of insurance reform that would actually help the public. On the other hand, its nice to catalog these issues so that we know where we stand come the next election cycle. Anyone who doesn't support the public option deserves a primary run.

We Can't Afford to Wait Vigil (@ Atmire's Office)
Where: Outside of Rep. Altmire's Office, 2124 Freeport Rd, Natrona Heights, PA 15065
When: Wednesday, September 2, 2009, 7:30 PM

"We will read the names and tell the stories of thousands of people who have been denied needed treatments, faced bankruptcy because of a sudden illness, and even died because they lacked coverage. Bring your own stories too - let's remember that the REAL death panels are corporate insurance panels!" RSVP here.

Support Open Left and Thank You Andy Stern

2009-06-26T23:53:00.001-04:00

ITEM: If you just sign up to support the SEIU's effort at a public health care option, they will donate one dollar to Open Left. I signed up even though I already get the SEIU's mailings.

I also left this comment::

Thank You Andy Stern and the SEIU (4.00 / 1)
I know there are people who are upset with the SEIU ads that are running over at the Daily Kos but I think those people couldn't be more wrong. Look, we've had a business press and business press only for years now. If the SEIU wants to create a proxy labor press by investing in liberal blogs then let them do so. I suppose that might affect influence but you know what I agree with the SEIU on most issues anyway!

This would create the situation that they have in Europe where different factions have their own papers. That's a good thing. Right now, we have an allegedly "objective" business press that reflects wealth and power on all the important issues, and certainly never gets tired of their half hour infomercial documentaries or their GEICO ads--another reason you will never see real criticism of the insurance industry in the business press. We have a business press and, not surprisingly on a number of issues, one business party. Those facts are related. That has to change and creating a labor press is one way to do it.

What Andy Stern is doing is a good thing. I just wish the rest of the labor movement would wake up and realize that they need to support their liberal blogger friends as well!

Philip Shropshire
www.threeriversonline.com

PS: My site could use some ads too!

PPS: Labor needs its own party! You have the resources. You should run my old ACT co worker Tom Huffman or Braddock's John Fetterman or even Chris Bowers for that PA. Senate seat. If you want access, then elect one of your own...! You have the power to do it...!

PPPS: And start your own labor press...but it looks like you're already moving there. Hell, if you pay me one hundred bucks a week I'll write about labor issues fulltime here....!
by: Steelydan3 @ Fri May 29, 2009 at 15:23
[ Reply ]

Cool Art and Smart Political Art

2009-06-24T02:20:00.002-04:00

May 28 (originally published)

ITEM: Paul Pope's Adam Strange. I'm not sure if this is a new online comic or something that will appear on the stands. It looks great though. Related: Legendary 80s comic (Kaluta and Lee) Starstruck is also making a return. Below: Controversial Memorial Day toon by Mr. Fish.

Talented Pittsburgh Arts Festival Artists

2009-06-23T23:55:00.001-04:00

June 14th PST

ITEM: I'll be featuring the best artists (IMHO) I saw at the Three Rivers Arts Festival all this week. This is Mr. Hooper. He's from Nashville. Looks like he's ready for the cover of Juxtapoz.

A Quick 8 Links O Science Around the Internets

2009-06-12T11:52:00.001-04:00

A Quick 8 Links O Science Around the Internets

Kewl New Band Name: Radioactive Wasps
How To Build Your Own DIY UAVs. Not to be used by bad people, ever.
New and Free Video Capture Software
Something That Couldn't Possibly Go Wrong
Something That Couldn't Possibly Go Wrong Part II
Interesting Site Called Wise Geek
New Anonymous and Free Bittorrent Client...Which You Shouldn't Use!
15 Year Old Creates Algae Based Energy System

List of Comics

2009-06-06T23:48:00.001-04:00

HTML clipboard HTML clipboard Lalo Alcaraz
Don Asmussen
Scott Bateman
Alison Bechdel
Jennifer Berman
Eric Bezdek
Ruben Bolling

The Boondocks
Bill HTML clipboard The Boondocks
Bill Brown
Clay Butler
Max Cannon
Jack Chick Publications
Lloyd Dangle
Derf
Barry Deutsch
Doonesbury
Tim Eagan
Emily S. Flake
Marian Henley
Keith Knight
Tim Kreider
Peter Kuper
Aaron McGruder
Stephanie McMillan
Kevin Moore
Stephen Notley
Eric Orner
Greg Peters
David Rees
Mikhaela Blake Reid
Brian Sendelbach
Joe Sharpnack
Jim Siergey
Andy Singer
Jen Sorensen
Ward Sutton
Neil Swaab
Tom Tomorrow
Tak Toyoshima
Shannon Wheele
Matt Wuerker r
Matt Wuerker
Jason Yungbluth
Zippy the Pinhead Brown
Clay Butler
Max Cannon
Jack Chick Publications
Lloyd Dangle
Derf
Barry Deutsch
Doonesbury
Tim Eagan
Emily S. Flake
Marian Henley
Keith Knight
Tim Kreider
Peter Kuper
Aaron McGruder
Stephanie McMillan
Kevin Moore
Stephen Notley
Eric Orner
Greg Peters
David Rees
Mikhaela Blake Reid
Brian Sendelbach
Joe Sharpnack
Jim Siergey
Andy Singer
Jen Sorensen
Ward Sutton
Neil Swaab
Tom Tomorrow
Tak Toyoshima
Shannon Wheele
Matt Wuerker r
Matt Wuerker
Jason Yungbluth
Zippy the Pinhead

Peace and Anti War Groups

2009-06-06T23:43:00.001-04:00

Interesting Online Video Experiments

2009-06-06T23:41:00.000-04:00

HTML clipboard Current TV
Google Video
Open Media
Participatory Culture
Yahoo Video Search
Tech Shows Online

Support Online Alt Media!

2009-06-06T23:38:00.000-04:00

AIR America
(Air America Archive of Past Shows)
Changesurfer Radio
Democracy Now
Doug Henwood (left economics)
Infidel Guy
Left Online Video Site
Media Matters
Mondo Globo
Pacifica Radio
Rustbelt News
Undercurrents

Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania plans vigil tonight for murdered Dr. George Tiller.

2009-06-01T17:18:00.002-04:00

I just received this from Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania.

Dear PHILIP,

All of us at Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania are outraged and deeply saddened at the murder of Dr. George Tiller by an abortion protester on Sunday morning. Our most sincere sympathies go out to Dr. Tiller's family, to his dedicated and brave staff, and to the thousands of women who have benefited from Dr. Tiller's courage, compassion, and unwavering dedication to women's health care.

Please join the pro-choice community this evening, June 1st, from 7:30 to 8:30 for a candlelight vigil to honor Dr. Tiller. The vigil will be held at the East Liberty Presbyterian Church on the corner of Highland Avenue and Penn Avenue. We urge you to show your support and join us in mourning and solidarity.

***

"Make no mistake, this battle is about self-determination by women of the direction and course of their lives and their family's lives. Abortion is about women's hopes and dreams. Abortion is a matter of survival for women." - Dr. George Tiller, physician and advocate

More Evidence that Sestak is Putting his Hat in the Ring

2009-05-31T22:58:00.003-04:00

ITEM: Read all about it: Joe Sestak strongly leaning toward a primary run against Arlen Specter.

(I actually wrote most of this over at my gig as the Progressive Examiner.)

It looks like the US Rep. Joe Sestak might be making a run against new democratic Senator Arlen Specter. Good for Joe if that's the case. That appears to be the news coming from TPM. From the link:

Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) is privately telling supporters that he intends to run for Senate, TPMDC has confirmed.

"He intends to get in the race," says Meg Infantino, the Congressman's sister, who works at Sestak for Congress. "In the not too distant future, he will sit down with his wife and daughter to make the final decision."

The move would constitute a primary challenge to Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), who intends to run for re-election in 2010, after having switched parties earlier this year.

Earlier today, a Sestak volunteer and contributor received a handwritten note from Sestak himself, announcing his intent to run and asking for a contribution. The source provided TPMDC a scan of the letter:

If this is true then this is excellent news. Sestak is a little too conservative for my tastes but at least he's been a loyal democrat and its also clear that labor supports him. I don't trust Arlen and I'm not thrilled with the hardball that's coming from Party Leaders asking me to accept Arlen as a loyal democrat when, of course, Arlen is on record as stating that he never promised to be "a loyal democrat." The truth of the matter is that you could throw any two dozen statewide leaders into a room, aim a rock, and you would come up with a Democrat that would better represent both the party and the state better than Arlen Specter.

Related: This is from a Daily Kos post. Here are the issues that Sestak is for and you won't have to wonder if he'll be for them after election day:

Here is a summary of his responses: http://firedoglake.com/...
Does not agree that we have enhanced our security or intelligence thru torture. Believes it has placed service members at greater danger from countries that do torture.
Supports the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell". Would like to take the lead along with Murphy (D-PA) and Murtha (D-PA)
Supports Sec. Gates' recent proposal to transform the military to where it is not numbers but capability which measures the military.
Supports a health plan similar to one in Mass. which he says is similar to Obama's. Supports Medicare, Medicaid and public plan standards.
Supports stem cell research. Says "It's great having President Obama here."
Completely aware of same things we are: budget reconciliation requires only 51 votes to pass, and healthcare reform package has been virtually guaranteed the same fate...not sure why there was a Specter deal.
Supports labor/EFCA (co-sponsor)
Supports public healh care ~~opinion~~ [option]
Supports Obama's budget resolution (voted for it)
Supports cramdowns (voted for it)
Supports Cap and Trade (co-sponsor of Waxman's bill and Markey's bill)
Voted on bailout bill even though he received over 3500 e-mails and letters from constituents telling him not to. Said he read research
which said the bill was absolutely critical and voted with his brain and not his ideology.
Supports regulation in the Federal Reserve, and other institutions. Says we need proper reserves, transparency and reporting of trades. Comments ms. Brofsky of the CFTC who in 1998 tried to implement such.
Supports a commission to find out what really amount of torture occured. Supports using the justice system to punish those responsible for designing the policies.
Will turn down a bid for Senate IF and ONLY "If Arlen Specter truly embraces the principles and policies necessary for good governance and the economic, health, energy/environment, education, and defense securities needed by Pennsylvanians and by our nation...and we believe he will stick to them for the full 6 years"
Supports re-institution of the Assault Weapons ban, child locks, ATF Surprise inspections, etc.
by Tokar on Mon May 04, 2009 at 09:25:20 AM PDT

The trouble though is labor. Even if Specter votes for EFCA--and right now he's against it--they should support Sestak or another Democratic Party nominee. As someone who's lived in Pennsylvania most of his life I don't trust the state's labor organizations to make the right call on this one. And I don't see how Sestak wins without unanimous labor support. He would need the support of both labor factions to make a decent run.

Here's my personal election aftermath for Pittsburgh. Or: Fetterman for Green Party Pgh. Mayoral Run.

2009-05-23T15:05:00.002-04:00

Also Published at my Pittsburgh Progressive Examiner site)

I'm obviously happy that Robert Lavelle unseated Tonya (Look, the jobs issue is issue one. I can testify to that.) and that John Fetterman was retained as Braddock Mayor. I think he won with 297 votes. If you divide the one to several million dollars in free national advertising he got doing the carbon caps ads and translate that to votes I think that comes out to 6 thousand to 18 thousand dollars per vote. Well worth it.

Of course, Luke won which puts a damper on all things good and decent. But you know how the old saying goes: There is opportunity in crisis. This would be a great time for the Green Party to run a citywide campaign, a real campaign where you attempt to raise several million dollars, hire a fulltime canvas, etc. That's where you do the things you need to do in order to win a campaign and not just lose "symbolically". As Fetterman shows us, you don't need to be the mayor of a big town in order to have vision. Speaking of Fetterman, why doesn't the Green Party recruit Fetterman to run as the Mayor of Pittsburgh? There is such a thing as dual residency. His name recognition should make him competitive. Of course, that would require a Third Party with the imagination and skillz to organize itself out of a Paper Bag...yeah, the Green Party probably isn't it. Pirate Party anyone...?.

Around the Pittsburgh Internets: Maria has the rundown from most of the other blogs. Agent Ska has some highlights from the winning Rudiak campaign. And apparently Agent Ska, my fake virtual girlfriend and a known enemy to corrupt dem establishment figures within the city, got her car accidently towed. Or not. Mark Rauterkaus is already talking up Republican turned independent Keith Acklin. Mark is probably one of the best informed bloggers in this city but I just don't trust republicans. Maria has already bashed him and deservedly so. Acklin is only running as an independent because the Republican brand has been so tarnished. If only a left of center third party could step up to the plate....

First Draft of my Election Response

2009-05-23T14:05:00.002-04:00

May 21

ITEM: I don't have time to do a lot of writing now. I'm obviously happy that Lavelle unseated Tonya and that Fetterman was retained as Braddock Mayor. I think he won with 297 votes. If you divide the several million dollars in free national advertising he got doing the carbon caps ads and divide it I think that comes out to 6000 dollars per vote. Well worth it. Of course, Luke won which puts a damper on all things good and decent. But you know how the old saying goes: There is opportunity in crisis. This would be a great time for the Green Party to run a citywide campaign, a real campaign where you attempt to raise several million dollars, hire a fulltime canvas, etc. That's where you do the things you need to do in order to win a campaign and not just lose "symbolically". As Fetterman shows us, you don't need to be the mayor of a big town in order to have vision. Speaking of Fetterman, why doesn't the Green Party recruit Fetterman to run as the Mayor of Pittsburgh? There is such a thing as dual residency. His name recognition should make him competitive. Of course, that would require a Third Party with the imagination and skillz to organize itself out of a Paper Bag...yeah, the Green Party probably isn't it. Pirate Party anyone...?

Sorry. This story is no longer available.

2009-05-22T21:34:00.006-04:00

Question For the Pgh. Lesbian Correspondents: Does Gay Marriage Trump Third World Conditions and Murders in the Black Community?

2009-05-22T21:17:00.003-04:00

(Originally Published May 14 Before the Election)

Question for the Pgh. Lesbian Correspondents: Is Gay Marriage more important than black male joblessness and the resulting parade of drug war corpses that result from that? What issue is more "progressive"?

ITEM: Lavelle creates anti-Tonya website. By the way, I noticed that Maria linked to a piece by the Pgh Lesbian correspondents--which features routinely great writing--and they gave Lavelle the thumbs down because he was unclear on his position on lesbian and gay issues. You can read it for yourself. I also suspect that there's some reluctance about getting rid of a female rep on a mostly male council. Fair enough.

For the record and speaking for myself, the most persuasive case against Tonya came from a woman, otherwise known as Dr. Goddess, although I'm not sure who's she endorsing in the current race or if she's endorsed anyone. I'm fairly certain she hasn't endorsed Tonya.

Here's what she wrote about Tonya:

It's not a grocery store, goddammit! Our children are DYING. Get it? Dying!

I told Pgh United this from the very beginning. We shared this within One Hill. We told them not to let anyone market this bullcrap to us from the start. Of course a grocery store is an easy win and another way to GET MONEY from people in the neighborhood.

And so, I am sick of everybody at this point. And I am most sick of my City Council representative, Tonya Payne, because she has wasted our entire community's time for the last two years. If we had someone really fighting for us, really going to bat for us AND (this is key, so pay attention) in the positions that she has been in (Planning and Zoning, the URA, close association with Mayor Ravenstahl and David Morehouse of the Penguins), we would not have to waste one moment of our time having to protest. We would be able to simply shake hands with the Mayor, shake hands with the Pens, shake hands with Dan Onorato and applaud our collective vision and masterplan for reinvestment.

I suppose if she was writing about this now it would be: "It's not about gay marriage, goddamnit!" I might also note that her critiques rise above "snark". She also wrote this later:

Tonya Payne does not deserve to be our representative. And I am calling on all of the people who remotely thought putting her in office was a good idea to please get your ballots ready to put her OUT.

But I guess the point of the matter for me is that we're facing Third World conditions within the black community. Manning Marable once wrote a book called "How Capitalism Underdeveloped Black America" and it still holds up because its still true. If its a choice between gay marriage and ending this succession of murdered black teens involved in the drug trade then I think you can be a progressive and decide that the latter is more important than the former. I might note that with this stimulus we're looking at these same issues again. The rate of black crime rises proportionally with the elimination of meaningful blue collar work. I don't know if Robert Lavelle can change all that but if you're a person in his district I would think that you would want to give him the chance. To me, anyway, ending this parade of murdered black people trumps gay marriage as an issue, even as a progressive issue. Or, now that I think about it, especially as a progressive issue.

BPEP is Looking for Election Protection Observers

2009-05-17T23:52:00.001-04:00

ITEM: BPEP sends me some more stuff. Would you like to be an election observer?

The PA Primary Election on Tuesday is very important and there are several tightly contested races. We need your help to make sure everyone is playing by the rules, help voters trouble shoot obstacles and document voter experiences on Election Day. Whether you are one of the nearly 400 people who have been trained and participated in Non-Partisan Election Protection previously, or still needing to be trained, the voters need your time and diligence on Tuesday.

CLICK HERE to Sign Up Now for Our Non-Partisan Election Protection Program - May 19 PA Primary - Allegheny County

-

You can volunteer as little as 3hrs. You can receive training on Thursday (5/14) at 5:30pm at the Hill House, Monday (5/18) at 6:30pm at Freedom Unlimited or on Election Day. We need attorneys, students, and members of faith groups, non-profits, unions and community organizations to help "Protect The Vote" on May 19, 2009 in Allegheny County. We are committed to protecting voters in "Each and Every Election" by informing voters of their rights, making sure that all votes are counted and every voice is heard.

Please print out our "Rolls to the Polls" flier. B-PEP is pleased to be partnering with the Community Intervention Supervision Program. They are donating their Vans and Drivers to ensure that those who need a ride to the polls will get one. Help us advertise this important program.

The B-PEP monthly meeting is TOMORROW (Thursday) at the Hill House and will be preceded by an Election Protection Training that will begin at 5:30pm.

A big thank you to Pittsburgh Hopes and Pittsburgh Cares for all of the Election Protection Volunteers they are bringing on board.

After you have completed your Election Day Volunteering (in the morning or the afternoon)… consider attending the Thomas Merton Center's New People Awards Dinner with other Election Protection Volunteers. Contact Bob Maddock 412-322-9275 for a seat at the Election Protect/Black Political Empowerment Project/Regional Equity Monitoring Project/Black and White Reunion table OR get information at Election Protection Headquarters on Election Day.

-

- The Hill House is located at 1835 Centre Ave - Pittsburgh 15219- Freedom Unlimited is located at 2201 Wylie Ave - Pittsburgh 15219Chairman Tim Stevens 412-758-7898 ♦ Vice Chairperson Celeste Taylor 412-670-0937www.b-pep.net ♦ b-pepinfo@b-pep.net

MoveOn rally for clean energy jobs tomorrow at noon.

2009-05-17T22:10:00.002-04:00

MoveOn doesn't like the way the energy bill is being shaped in the US House. They plan a rally for tomorrow in the hope that Mike Doyle will work for a stronger bill. Here's the press release I received from MoveOn

Dear Philip,

This week, Rep. Michael Doyle will help decide the fate of President Obama's clean energy jobs plan. So MoveOn members are heading to his office in Pittsburgh tomorrow to show our support—can you make it?

Rep. Doyle sits on a powerful committee that's about to vote on a huge clean energy jobs bill. The latest draft of the bill came out on Friday—and unfortunately it looks like Big Oil and Coal may have succeeded in weakening key elements of President Obama's plan.

We need to raise our voices now to make sure the final version is as strong as possible. So we'll be at Rep. Doyle's office at 12 p.m. to show that folks in the Pittsburgh area are ready to make the switch to clean energy. And we'll drop off a green hard hat as a symbol of the millions of new, high-paying green jobs that are at stake.

It shouldn't take long—and we want as many people as possible to show our strength. Will you be there at 12 p.m. tomorrow?

Yes, I'll be there.

Sorry, I can't make it.

For the last several weeks, MoveOn members have been working overtime to pressure the House Energy and Commerce Committee to pass a strong clean energy jobs bill. We've organized tens of thousands of small-business owners across the country, and held meetings with dozens of local congressional offices.

But now the committee is ready to begin voting, and we've got no time to waste. Conservatives on the committee have been working to water down key provisions in the legislation—so our representatives need to hear from constituents who support a strong bill.

Can you join us tomorrow at Rep. Doyle's office in Pittsburgh?

Yes, I'll be there: http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=93796&id=16151-3053238-IbkVT.x&t=5

Sorry, I can't make it: http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51373&id=16151-3053238-IbkVT.x&t=6

Thanks for all you do.
–Adam, Lenore, Michael, Carrie and the rest of the team

Related: From 2 Political Junkies on the ad campaign to undermine clean jobs. According to this, Mike Doyle is still a strong supporter of the clean jobs elements of the bill.

Older Press Releases

2009-05-13T23:08:00.000-04:00

April 8th

PRESS RELEASE WEDNESDAY Or Writing Stuff Myself is Hard Day

ITEM: These are all interesting things going on about town and throughout the country. First up is State Rep. Jake Wheatley who asks the question: will any African Americans actually benefit from the stimulus package? Oh to see one black construction worker. What a crazy wild eyed dream. I met Jake once and while I was intimidated by his bouncer's body he didn't strike me as being a big policy guy. But he's speaking twice on Thursday.

Thursday: Meetings on stimulus and minority- and women-owned businesses

As vice chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, I am sponsoring a public meeting this week in Pittsburgh to help women- and minority-owned businesses and workers receive a fair share of federal stimulus money.

The meeting will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday on the second floor of the Foerster Student Services Center, Community College of Allegheny County, 839 Ridge Ave. on the North Side. This meeting is one of seven that the PLBC and state agencies will hold across the state.

I will also speak at another free event on Thursday about the need for diversity in the economic benefits of the stimulus. The Community Empowerment Association is holding a forum from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Schenley High School (formerly Reizenstein School), 129 Denniston Ave. in East Liberty.

These forums are in addition to an April 17 event where I will discuss the stimulus and inclusiveness with members and guests of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania.

You may also be interested in a new state Web site created to show where Pennsylvania's share of the stimulus money is going: www.recovery.pa.gov.

If you have a question about the stimulus or any state-related matter, please contact my office at 412-471-7760.

Next up is Planned Parenthood. I think they'll be successful with this one:

LAST CHANCE to overturn Bush rule

Dear PHILIP,

This is finally it. After months of raising awareness and a public outcry, working with congressional leaders, even filing a lawsuit — we are on the verge of overturning the disastrous Bush administration rule limiting the rights of patients to receive complete health care information.

This is your last chance to voice your support for President Obama's action to reverse this dangerous policy. Click here to add your statement of support now.

Just before leaving office, the Bush administration released a rule that limits the rights of patients to receive complete and accurate reproductive health information and services. The rule allows doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel to simply withhold information about, for example, birth control and HIV testing and treatment. It also allows health care workers to deny any basic health care service based on their personal biases.

In order to overturn the Bush administration rule, President Obama had to write a new rule that must undergo a period of public review. The most important part of the review process is generating public support, and tens of thousands of Planned Parenthood supporters have already joined the effort. Will you take a moment right now and add your name to the list of people who support the new rule?

When more and more families are uninsured and have difficulty accessing health care at all, and when at least one in four teenage girls has a sexually transmitted infection, implementing a rule that limits access to health services is unconscionable. This is our last chance to speak up for patients' rights. Take action now.

Thank you, thank you, for your help today and during the next few weeks — until hopefully this rule is overturned for good.

And this is related and will be a tougher nut to crack but it relates to silly abstinence programs that science and reason and most importantly evidence tells us don't work. From, well I'm not entirely sure. I think its called Democrats.com. (Link here.) They bill themselves as the aggressive progressives.

Say No to Abstinence-Only Programs
As President Obama finalizes the details of his fiscal year 2010 budget, urge him to stop funding abstinence-only programs and direct our scarce public health resources to evidence-based programs that actually work.

Petition

Dear President Obama,
Thank you for your outspoken support for comprehensive sex education. As you know, abstinence-only-until-marriage programs deny young people the critical information they need to make safe and responsible life decisions.

Recognizing that abstinence-only programs have been ineffective at best and dangerous at worst, I strongly urge you to eliminate funding for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs funded through Title V of the Social Security Act and the Community-Based Abstinence Education program in your 2010 budget.

In addition, I am asking you to include $50 million to fund comprehensive sex education to ensure that young people receive medically accurate, age-appropriate information about sex and sexualit

My Initial Commentary on the Police Shootings

2009-05-07T18:21:00.001-04:00

ITEM: I have a lot to say about the shootings but no time to fully articulate what I'd like to say. Quick points: person I most wanted to hear from is Froth because he's a cop. I think he works for the county sheriff's department. He has good responses here and here. Two: The Hate speech that people like Limbaugh and Savage and Beck push has dangerous consequences. It's not harmless. Three: The shootings here and in New York State aren't good arguments for the control of either guns and/or body armor. Prohibition doesn't work for liquor or drugs and it won't work for guns either. In fact, I think widely available and cheap body armor is the answer to the gun problem. Four: while the choice of action by the gunmen is unquestionably racist and deranged the anger at its base is unquestionably real. More on this when I have time...

Van Jones Gets a Job at the White House

2009-05-07T17:00:00.001-04:00

ITEM: It looks like Van Jones, my fave black thinker as of late, has taken a job at the White House. Here's what I wrote earlier on Nov. 16th, scroll down:

Khari Mosely tipped me off to this guy some weeks weeks ago: His name is Van Jones. He's got a great plan to create millions of green jobs and his environmental plans would create millions of jobs in the inner city. I suppose I'm hoping that this is the kind of talented African American that an African American President might notice. You never know. His Green For All blog is here and I've added it separately and also to the host of many good eco blogs out there.

One of the things that troubles me about the Stimulus is that it's not certain that any of these jobs will go to black men. I have this nightmare that of the billions in stimulus that goes to Pennsylvania--I think its at least 5 billion--will result in a dozen or so jobs for African Americans in this state. Here's a test that I know black men always take whenever they go past a construction site: we look for evidence of even one black man. Usually, its about nil. Robert Reich even brought this up on his blog and then was pilloried by the usual right wing hacks as being racist somehow but he was absolutely correct. They interpreted this to mean that he didn't want any stimulus jobs to go to white male construction workers because, well, they're stupid. We just want our 10 percent.

Here's what Reich said in his entirety.

The stimulus plan will create jobs repairing and upgrading the nation's roads, bridges, ports, levees, water and sewage system, public-transit systems, electricity grid, and schools. And it will kick-start alternative, non-fossil based sources of energy (wind, solar, geothermal, and so on); new health-care information systems; and universal broadband Internet access.

It's a two-fer: lots of new jobs, and investments in the nation's future productivity.

But if there aren't enough skilled professionals to do the jobs involving new technologies, the stimulus will just increase the wages of the professionals who already have the right skills rather than generate many new jobs in these fields. And if construction jobs go mainly to white males who already dominate the construction trades, many people who need jobs the most -- women, minorities, and the poor and long-term unemployed -- will be shut out.

What to do? There's no easy solution to either dilemma. But there's no reason to think about "green jobs" as simply high-tech. Many low-income and low-skilled workers -- women as well as men -- could be put directly to work providing homes and businesses with more efficient and renewable heating, lighting, cooling, and refrigeration systems; installing solar panels and efficient photovoltaic systems; rehabilitating and renovating old properties, and improving recycling systems. "Green Jobs Corps" teams could be trained to evaluate and advise homeowners and businesses on these and other means of conserving energy.

People can be trained relatively quickly for these sorts of jobs, as well as many infrastructure j0bs generated by the stimulus -- installing new pipes for water and sewage systems, repairing and upgrading equipment, basic construction -- but contractors have to be nudged both to provide the training and to do the hiring.

I'd suggest that all contracts entered into with stimulus funds require contractors to provide at least 20 percent of jobs to the long-term unemployed and to people withincomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. And at least 2 percent of project funds should be allocated to such training. In addition, advantage should be taken of buildings trades apprenticeships -- wich must be fully available to women and minorities.

posted by Robert Reich | 1:04 PM

I have no idea if anyone took those suggestions seriously. I'm hoping that Van Jones, in his new post as Green Jobs czar, might do something. It's one of the few encouraging signs I've seen from the Obama administration as of late.

Related: Here's Van Jones recently where he talks about Green Jobs.

Email I Received from Voters for Peace

2009-05-07T16:51:00.001-04:00

ITEM: And I got an email from VotersForPeace. I agree with the bulk of this but if you're going to have a war let's have one against a group that blows up schools for girls.

Dear PHILIP,

This weekend there were successful anti-war demonstrations around the country, especially in Washington, DC, San Francisco and Los Angeles to mark the anniversary of the Iraq invasion. If you participated thank you for doing so. You can see an article and video about the events at http://votersforpeace.us/press/index.php?itemid=1237.

Another set of national demonstrations are coming up on April 3^rd and 4^th in New York City. The demonstrations, "Beyond War a New Economy is Possible," commemorate the April 4, 1967 speech Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave on Vietnam. The legacy of Dr. King and the "Beyond Vietnam" speech will be honored with an urgent call for a new direction by marching on the financial capital of the country: Wall Street. They are sponsored by United for Peace and Justice and the Bailout the People Movement.

This is an opportunity to not only highlight the human cost of war, but also the economic impact of war. The U.S. is currently spending $12 billion each month on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Dr. King linked war and the economy in 1967 when he said that he knew "America would never invest the necessary funds or energies in rehabilitation of its poor so long as adventures like Vietnam continued to draw men and skills and money like some demonic destructive suction tube." Similarly, the United States will recognize that the current wars and overblown military budget make it impossible to invest the funds needed to rebuild the U.S. economy.

The demands of this demonstration are to not only end these wars and bring the troops home, but also to dramatically reduce military spending and invest in the necessities of the American people. There is no justification for the immense U.S. military budget which is equal to the entire world combined especially at a time when the United States and much of the world are facing economic collapse.

On Friday, April 3, United For Peace and Justice will join Bail Out the People's program on Wall Street. On Saturday, April 4, Bail Out the People Movement will gather on Wall Street and join United For Peace and Justice's March on Wall Street that will end at Battery Park. More information is available at: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=4027. There you can find information on transportation, the schedule of events, volunteering as well as fliers you can use to promote the event.

At a time when the administration is escalating the war in Afghanistan, increasing attacks in Pakistan and withdrawing from Iraq at a slow pace that will take as long as all of World War I, and when the administration is bailing out Wall Street while the rest of America suffers, it is important for people to stand together to oppose the dual crisis of U.S. militarism and Wall Street economics.

Sincerely,

Kevin B. Zeese
Executive Director