Category Archives: government, law, and politics

Help Strike Out Health Disparities

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“Learn how you can strike out glaring inequities in our health care system at a forum on ‘Race & Health Care Disparities: The Heart of the Matter’, Sunday February 12th from 1-3:30pm at St. Paul Cathedral Center/Synod Hall. This is one series of racial justice and diversity forum sponsored by the Race & Reconciliation Dialogue Group of St. Paul Cathedral. On hand with information will be three dynamic speakers, experts in minority health: Wilford Payne, executive director of Primary Health Care Centers; Dr. Robert Bennett, a noted cardiac surgeon; and Patricia Fenton, executive director of the American Heart Association. Blood pressure screening and information on health care topics will be available. Attend this free interfaith program. Hear the glaring facts on health care inequities and what you can do about them. Everyone is welcome. For information call 412-683-2651.”

WHY: St. Paul Cathedral’s Race and Reconciliation Committee Dialogue Group’s Health Forum Committee
WHAT: “Race and Health Care Disparities: The Heart of the Matter”
WHO: Wilford Payne, Pat Fenton, Dr. Robert Bennett
WHERE: Synod Hall, St. Paul Cathedral
WHEN: Sunday, February 12, 2006 from 1:00 P.M. to 3:30 P.M.
INFO: 412-683-2651

Idiots On The Road

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The Steelers just won the Superbowl, which means parties are over, the bars are emptying, people are going home, and there are countless idiots driving around the city honking like it's going out of style. Making matters worse are the groups of drunken college students staggering in and out of the streets with less appreciation for the fragility of life than usual. The icing on the cake, though, is the snow. There's a thin layer of icy snow on every road in Oakland and Squirrel Hill (and probably elsewhere) making driving a rather hazardous endeavor. Don't tell that to the heros in the SUVs, though. They're invincible. (They're loonies.)

My apartment building is off of one of the steepest roads in the city, Forward Avenue. Every time there's snow, freezing rain, or sleet it becomes a skating rink. That doesn't stop General Patton in his almighty SUV tank. No siree. There ain't no mountain high enough to stop him.

Right.

Most of them end up sliding back down. Just tonight, for instance, there was a fender bender caused by fools who thought they could tackle Mount Forward. Idiots. I hope nobody was hurt.

Of course, the drivers aren't the only ones to blame. The city takes a big chunk of that. You'd like to think the ridiculous taxes we pay would buy us decent snow and ice removal. As if. I doubt there'll be any salt on my road before sunrise. We're not on a major city artery, so we're chopped liver. I thought the new 61D bus route would mean better road maintenance. I suppose on weekdays before 10PM it might. It's Sunday, though, and the 61D doesn't run on weekends. So the ice capades continue as folks try to get home.

I don't think Forward will be taken better care of until a major accident happens. Even then, it'll probably take a law suit to overcome political inertia and get something done. Why give a damn about your electorate when your party has effortlessly controlled the city for decades?

*sigh* I should stop ranting and go to bed. I hope everyone, especially my readers, got home safe and sound from their Superbowl parties. Goodnight.

Red vs. Blue…and Purple and Green and Yellow…

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I’m not the libertarian that Fr. Jim is, but I still agree with this sentiment.

"Listening to the politicians and talking heads,…one would never suspect that there was anything but the two polar extremes [of conservatives and liberals]."

What’s he talking about? A recent Gallup poll:

"The Gallup Poll’s annual survey on government found that 27% of Americans are conservative; 24% are liberal, up sharply because the poll was taken after Katrina, which boosted support for the proposition that ‘government should do more to solve our country’s problems.’ Gallup also found — this year as in others — that 20% are neither liberal nor conservative but libertarian, opposing the use of government either to ‘promote traditional values’ or to ‘do too many things that should be left to individuals and businesses.’ Another 20% are ‘populist’ (supporting government action in both areas), with 10% undefined."

I suspect I’m part of that lonely 10%. *sigh*

Know Thy Enemy

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"Know thy enemy and know thyself, find naught in fear for 100 battles. Know thyself but not thy enemy, find level of loss and victory. Know thy enemy but not thyself, wallow in defeat every time." – Sun-Tzu

Pittsburgh pro-lifers have an opportunity to not only know their enemy, but also to inform him of his foolishness.

You Are Invited!

Join Dan Frankel and the Hadassah Greater Pittsburgh Chapter for "Stem Cell Advocacy: Education and Action"

Time: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Feb. 12
Place: Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh
Levinson Hall, Squirrel Hill
Registration Cost: $5

  • Learn about the latest developments in stem cell research from Dr. Alan Russell
  • Understand how stem cell research can impact Pittsburgh’s economy
  • Hear about pending state legislation
  • Become an advocate and gain community organizing skills
  • You CAN make a difference in educating your neighbors and getting good laws passed.

With state and national developments in research and regulations, stem cell advocacy is becoming much more significant – this is your chance to learn more about this important issue!

To register, contact Hadassah as soon as possible. Send a $5 check (payable to Hadassah) to the Hadassah office at 1824 Murray Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217. Please be sure to include your name, address, phone number and e-mail address.

Advance registration is required. Hope to see you there!

Representative Frankel is misleading when he uses "stem cells" in such a vague manner. He is an advocate of embryonic stem cell research, which is not only unethical and immoral, but also a waste of taxpayer money. It’s cured no diseases and is unlikely to cure any in the near future. If any folks go to this meeting, let me know how it goes. I’d love to go and present the facts to Mr. Frankel myself, but I may have other obligations to attend to.