Ohhhh ... in a nice courtroom twist, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction to Commander McNeilly reinstating her to the rank of Commander.  You'll recall all the glorious details when Commander McNeilly blew the whistle on the nefarious goings on of Dennis Regan the political hack driver who would be Public Safety Director.  Thanks to McNeilly's release of documents indicating that Regan had used his political power to help out the policeman brother of his girlfriend, Mayor Ravenstahl was forced to launch an investigation and Regan resigned.

I think Cathy McNeilly is a mighty grand woman who did what had to be done for the best interest of the city.  I think Mayor Ravenstahl threw his lot in with the devil when he kept Regan around and can't wipe that stank off fast enough.  No amount of mucking about with the Redd Up crew is going to help with that, Luke.  Especially under oath in a federal trial.  With the ACLU on the same side as a Pittsburgh police officer.  Woo hoo ... we can't make this shit up.

And I live in McNeilly's neck of the woods, Zone 1 so I am especially happy to have her back on deck.  We need some kick-ass, take no shit from anyone women around here. 

Seriously, this is a good thing for city employees who shouldn't have to feel that the law protecting whistleblowers doesn't apply to them just to feed Luke Ravenstahl's boy-who-would-be-king mania.   Given all the smoke, proverbial and Marlboro alike, that's being blown around City Hall, its amazing anyone has the lung power to pucker up and whistle.  More power to 'em.

I won't waste words telling you how much I enjoyed this column.  I'll just give you a teaser and link you on your way...

Cheney: I will not sup tonight.
Give me some ink and paper, maybe some buckshot while you're at it.
Are all my guns laid out?

Gates: They are my liege; and all things are in readiness.

Cheney: Good, Duke of Defense, hie thee to thy charge; use careful watch; choose trusty sentinels. Watch out for The New York Times.

Gates: I go, my lord.

Bush: Now wait a darn minute. He's not your lord. I am. I'm the Decider. I can read your mail if I want to.

[Vice King Cheney rolls his eyes.]

Good news for members of the LGBTQ community working for a handful of our local employers. From the Post-Gazette ...

Mellon Financial Corp., US Airways and GlaxoSmithKline were among 142 companies ranked as the Best Places to Work for Gay, Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender Workers. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2007 rankings include companies that implement policies and practices to promote fairness and equality for GLBT workers, the foundation said.

Mellon Financial was featured in a Post-Gazette article for supporting employee driven affinity networks

The HRC Best Places to Work 2007 identifies over 140 companies that achieved a perfect score on equality issues.

Individuals can be fired in 33 states if they are gay, lesbian, or bisexual, and 42 states if they are transgender. HRC recognizes these Best Places to Work for GLBT Equality as companies that have made a commitment to end discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace.

The index only considers Fortune 500 companies and excludes governments, non-profits and hospitals (that's a shame). Criteria include:

* Including sexual orientation and gender identity and expression in company non-discrimination policies.

* Offering diversity education that includes sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

* Offering equal benefits to domestic partners, including health coverage

* Supporting transgender employees with transition guidelines and wellness benefits.

*Recognizing and supporting GLBT employee resource groups or company wide diversity councils

* Engaging in respectful and appropriate marketing/philanthropy to the LGBT community

Some other companies of interest on the ranking (at least my interest):

- GAP , Nike and Levi Strauss

- Clear Channel Communications

- Best Buy

- Sears