I am thrilled with today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. I don't agree with all the content (the gushing over Stanley Lowe made me choke), but the fact that we have content on a Sunday rather than New York Time reprints is wonderful.
My delight was tripled when I read the piece on the G-20 by arguably the best writer in the region, Dennis Roddy. To put this topic in his hands lends credibility and sensibility to what could otherwise be lost in the ongoing hysterical media coverage of the baby-eating anarchists.
The issues, my friends, are quite varied as are the groups lumped together under the banner of "protesters." You should understand that the G-20 dissent is not an attempt to influence a particular decision, but an opportunity to highlight significant social justice and related issues that fly in the face of democracy and human rights, allegedly represented by the democratically elected members of the G-19 nations (plus the EU).
Objections to the G-20 and its policies are best captured in that dash of capital across international borders, in search of cheap labor and wider profit margins.
"When we have creativity, we ship it elsewhere because it can be produced or made cheaper in another country," said state Sen. Jim Ferlo, one of a dozen or so prominent leaders who says he is both welcoming the G-20 and planning to take to the streets to protest its policies.
Groups objecting to the G-20 range from environmentalists who want to press governments to drastically curtail greenhouse gases to a range of anti-authoritarian anarchists who see the institution as undemocratic and the free-market theories it promotes as flawed beyond redemption.
"It's hopelessly undemocratic," says Noam Chomsky, a renowned linguist and a guiding light to much of the anti-authoritarian left.
Mr. Chomsky is among those who see the G-20 as a body that largely reflects concentrated private economic power and the small circle of people that possess that power.
I think many folks in Pittsburgh lose site of the strong connection their personal stories of job loss and economic challenges share with the "agenda" of those planning to protest the G-20. Roddy does a nice job of linking the world economy to the personal story of a local man who lost his job because assembly makers in other nations are paid $3.00 per hour.
That's a real concrete connection. Does it mean you should don a mask and charge the barricades at the Convention Center? Of course not, but it hopefully makes you take a step back to realize that many, if not most, of the folks making time to take a stand against injustice are just like you and I. Just like my steelworking father who can't retire because of the health insurance mess. Just like half the folks shopping at Wal-Mart in spite of the irony that the low wages make it affordable to the masses who likely also live at poverty level.
Read Roddy for a coherent explanation of American's love-hate relationship with world economies.
There's a sidebar in the print edition which summarizes some of the major issue-clusters.
One which I believe you really need to consider is the environmental agenda. We here in Western Pennsylvania had a humbling dose of the international realities with the EarthEcycle debacle. Hundreds of local residents were duped into donating electronic goods for recycling only to have the toxic elements dumped in South Africa and caught en route to Asia. We were fooled by our willingness to accept the free lunch and EarthEcycle's mad-genius idea to affiliate with reputable non-profits.
We were also fooled by our ignorance on the issue, in spite of major media attention and powerful images of children playing in toxic dumps. We trusted the non-profits, who failed to do their homework. They trusted the company who promised to help them help others. We turned a collective blind eye and children in the two-thirds world suffer, children whose parents probably don't even have access to the $3.00/hour jobs.
By definition, we need to include Homewood in this two-thirds world analogy. EarthEcycle took advantage of our blind eye to dump computers in Homewood.
EarthEcycle, which is also storing collected electronics equipment in the yard surrounding an old auto repair shop in Homewood, collects and exports used electronics equipment and parts, including color computer monitors that contain cathode ray tubes. The CRTs may contain toxic phosphors within the glass envelopes, which could contain heavily leaded glass and represent an environmental hazard. The average color computer monitor contains 4 pounds of lead in addition to mercury, cadmium and arsenic.
Maybe we need to rethink a few things. It isn't just those damn <insert country> treating their own residents like disposable creatures. It is happening in the East End of Pittsburgh and I have yet to hear a public leader, including those representing Homewood, decry this injustice. Seriously, don't the children in Homewood have enough on their plates without the potential leakage of mercury, lead and arsenic thanks to the good folks trying to help dogs and cats? I've been asking around about what happened to those items as well as the storage unit filled in Monroeville. No response.
Perhaps it makes sense that environmental activists team up other groups to draw attention to the fact that not everyone is fooled, as well as their faith that we can be educated about the myriad of issues. Their faith that we can take control of our economic destinies, on the personal level of where we choose to spend our hard-earned dollars and on the systemic level of demanding fairness and justice in labor policies. Their stubborn willingness to sleep in tents in order to pass out pamphlets and carry signs in hopes of reaching some of us, in spite of our disdain for the ensuing traffic jams and access to Starbucks.
Yes, the G-20 will be a pain in the ass for a lot of us, but that's mostly due to the actual summit rather than the protestors. I'm just saying that perhaps we can be part of the dialogue by getting ourselves informed on the issues instead of bemoaning the tactics.
You may have heard some rumblings that there's a ballot battle up in Maine. Perhaps you wonder what its all about and what it means for Pittsburgh.
Maine affords marriage equality to all residents. This means same sex couples can marry and enjoy the privileges and rights associated with that institution, both legally and personally.
There's a movement, Proposition 1, to repeal that law and strip citizens of their rights.
There's a countermovement to protect and preserve marriage equality. Maine Freedom to Marry.
The battle will be fierce and the first since Prop 8 successfully repealed marriage equality in California.
The rally was the latest development in a campaign that is expected to be highly emotional and very expensive. By mid-July, the coalition of opponents of gay marriage, the Stand for Maine Marriage political action committee, had raised more than $343,000, while those fighting the repeal had taken in $138,640 in contributions.
The Legislature legalized gay marriage in May, making Maine the fifth state in the country to do so. An April poll concluded that Maine voters were closely divided on gay marriage, with slightly more opposed.
Gay-marriage proponents at the rally said they had collected the pledge cards during the past year. Jesse Connolly, campaign manager, said volunteers will collect even more this summer.
"We are the local grassroots campaign," said Connolly.
Stand for Maine Marriage, which includes the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland and other groups, says it has collected way more than the required 55,000 signatures to allow Maine voters to decide whether to reject the new law in a people's veto.
This is the epicenter of the battle for equality. You can cheer them on from afar or you can make a modest donation of $10.00 to prevent the injustice of our brothers and sisters having their equality determined by public opinion.
This battle sets the tone for our own battle here in Pennsylvania where we have HB 300 struggling in the PA House and two opposing marriage equality bills duking it out in the Senate. The marriage battle, IMHO, is pointless and won't get any traction other than sorting out who among the Pennsylvania Senators has the courage to stand up for our equality. The real battle is HB 300. More on that later.
Our great victory from November, 2008 is losing ground. Health care reform has been politicized to the point that it may actually hurt us in the long run. We are the generation that won't retire with the guarantee of pensions and health insurance from our employers.
Back to Maine. Please take some time to educate yourself about this political battle.
The Post-Gazette has a little blurb about Obama's flip-flop on DOMA, making the excellent point that toning down the support requires action on the promise to repeal.
Never mind his conservative critics. Mr. Obama, who hasn't fulfilled his pledge to end "the don't ask, don't tell policy" on gays in the military, has a lot to do to reassure his liberal friends.
There's a Michael Vick dog chew toy and dog jersey. Like it or not, he's part of Pennsylvania now and we have to suck it up. But unless those proceeds are donated to the Humane Society, the Eagles are idiots. (If Big Ben can use his power to intimidate an alleged rape victim, I'm sure the Eagles can handle this.) I bring it up because so many of you are dog lovers and sports fanatics, not to mention women (or friends of women) who've been victims of sexual assualt who also probably wouldn't be believed. Yeah, keep that last point in mind. Go Steelers.
August 29, 2009 is moving day for the GLCC. I tried to line up a sneak peek of the new digs, but that didn't work out. If you can help that day, it is a great way to "help the community," something I hear many people wishing to do.
GLCC MOVING DAY
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!
August 29, 2009
Location: 5808 forward avenue then 210 grant street downtown Come join in history/herstory!
We will be starting at 9 AM loading the truck at the current location 5808 Forward Avenue (corner of Forward/ Murray in Squirrel Hill)
Pizza and Pop lunch at 210 grant street before unloading into our new community center!
To RSVP or more information contact Kat 412-304-8181
GLENDA has moved their annual fundraising event, Dining 4 Diversity, to April because of the GLCC move (GLENDA rents space).
The Lambda Ball is coming up in November. You can get involved in the planning committee (a way to channel all those "they should ..." thoughts) and help make Pittsburgh's premiere social event a huge success. To get involved, contace Anne at ambgpb1@comcast.net.
I understand that the County Executive is working to create the County Human Relations Committee. I know of two nominees, Hugh McGough and La'Tasha Mayes, both of whom would represent us well. No word on the timeframe. No word from Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's Administration on the GLBT Advisory Committee. (I'm so used to my inquiries being ignored by Joanna Doven that I'm starting to feel we are engaged in a dance.) BTW, G-20 is no excuse for delay when you've had the nominations since January 15, 2009. Pick some people and move on. I'm fairly certain they won't wear masks to the meetings. Or bring eggs.
I'm not sure Allegheny County Council should brag about adopting the "Philadelphia" model of non-discrimination legislation. First, there was the private swim club that refused to honor a contract to let children swim there because it (let me make sure I have the quote right) ... "changed the complexion" of the pool.
Trans woman Kate Lynn Blatt says her former employer requested a photograph of her genitalia as a condition of continued employment, after questions arose about her use of a worksite female locker room.
...
Irene Kudziela, branch manager of Manpower's Pottsville office, allegedly told Blatt that a letter from her surgeon documenting her gender-reassignment surgery - along with a photograph of her genital area - would be necessary before she could return to Sapa.
Blatt, 28, said she found the request "repugnant" and "disgusting," and declined to comply. She viewed the request as a form of sexual harassment, she added.
"I was shocked and disgusted," Blatt said. "It felt like I was being reduced to a mere sex object. I was trying to work there in a dignified and private manner, but my dignity and privacy were constantly being violated."
Kudziela declined to comment for this story.
Frank Koller, human-resources manager at Sapa, also declined to comment.
Wow. That pretty much sums up why HB 300 is important. If Sapa/Manpower can get away with this, what else can happen? It is exactly the sort of hysteria Diane Gramley dredges up when she terrorizes good Christians with the sphecter of men-in-skirts creeping into the bathroom to peep under the stalls. It is also illegal.
It should be illegal across the state to demand anyone produce a photo of their genitalia in order to hold a job.
It has been a hell of a week. On top of everything else, my "little cold" escalated into bronchitis, a throat infection and an ear infection. I'm on antibiotics and couch rest for a few more days. This is a busy time at work so I'm pretty frustrated.
I tried blogging but IE kept closing so I think my topics were not appeasing the blogging goddess. I'll try again tomorrow.
A few random thoughts
* Acklin and Harris have done a good job incorporating new social media into their websites. Acklin's is especially shiny.
* The inability to figure out a space for lawful dissent is mind boggling, both for the locals and the Obama Administration. I guess if he sells us out on healthcare, what's a few civil rights, huh?
* A woman in Philadelphia filed suit alleging discrimination because her employer fired her for being a transwoman, insisting she provide photographs of her genitalia to be reinstated. More on that tomorrow.
* PittGirl has come out. I like her now that she's a real person.
I'm getting tired of learning how the privileged and elite and laptop fortified employees of Downtown are preparing for a few days without their Starbucks fix.
City council offices to close during G-20
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
By Liyun Jin, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
City Council will adjust its calendar for the G-20 summit, President Doug Shields announced in a press release today.
During the week of the G-20, City Council will move both its Tuesday legislative meeting and its Wednesday standing committee meeting forward by one day, and City Council offices will be closed Sept. 23, 24 and 25 in anticipation of transportation difficulties.
"The magnitude and nature of the G-20 event and its security requirements will make it very difficult to maneuver the streets and public buildings of Downtown Pittsburgh," said Mr. Shields in the press release.
What about the rest of City employees? The ones making $24,000/year who need to conserve their PTO for their kids sicks days? What about the non-unionized service employees? What about the people who live Downtown (and not just in the penthouses)?
Yes, yes, I know. The City has little information. I saw a press conference snippet of Joanna Doven practically shaking her finger admonishing people to reschedule their medical appointments. She fails to explain how the small business optometrist is going to weather the enforced closure of his practice for a few days. Who pays the "inconvenienced" staff salaries?
Protests on the Northside between the stadiums makes a weird sort of sense, even though I know there is no way on earth on I will be able to leave my home tucked a mile away from that locale. I've been told from friends that they were able to listen to the entire Stones concert at the stadium from outside the Convention Center.
Mayoral Candidate Franco ?Dok? Harris calls on the mayor and city council to guarantee basic constitutional rights to both Pittsburghers and visitors alike during next month?s G20. This can be done without interfering with security, and must be done to make sure that all voices are heard.
?The world will be looking at Pittsburgh in September, and we can?t rely on the old politics of NO and limit participation in this historic event. We have to find a way to accommodate peaceful protesters from here at home and from around the world,? said the candidate.
This is in response to the refusal to grant permits to protesters, including State Senator Jim Ferlo, to use Point State Park or any venue near to the summit. Senator Ferlo?s has been an eloquent and outspoken advocate for this issue.
?Just because we face certain restrictions set by the federal government doesn?t mean we should throw up our hands and give up. If we don?t do the right thing and provide a good venue for peaceful protests, we risk escalating the anger and frustration of participants which can lead to violence and property destruction. Not only is it the right thing to do, it?s the smart thing to do.?
Harris agrees with Sen. Ferlo that the city needs to take leadership here and would like to see permits granted for large scale protests in areas accessible to downtown but out of the security perimeter, such as the space between the stadiums on the Northside, or the large surface lots in the Strip district. There are also some suitable spots on the Southside. ?The Northside space is a particularly strong candidate as it is within view of the convention center and downtown but should meet security standards and has few local businesses to be impacted by the activity,? offered Harris. ?The key thing we need is for the city to be proactive in finding solutions that work.?
We tried to keep our G20 protests peaceful. We applied for permits to create a framework for the many protesters from other areas to fit in peacefully and avoid chaos. Our permits were denied. Does that force us to act without a permit? Where do we go from here? We have freedom of speech and won't give that up. Once our rights are taken, we will never get them back.
Organizers of several planned actions are calling a meeting Tuesday, August 18, 7pm at the East Liberty Presbyterian Church 116 N. Highland @ Penn Avenue Room 244, 2nd Floor
to discuss and decide on a unified plan. (The room does have air conditioning.) Please spread the word and send out to your e mail lists.
Our first amendment rights are in jeopardy!!
Thanks, and see you there. Francine Porter
According to KDKA's 4 PM broadcast, the City plans to house 1800 police officers in Point Park (not to worry -- they are using air conditioned tents -- go Green Pittsburgh) so there just plum ain't room for any civil liberties to squeeze in there. Well, I paraphrased. In the same report, State Senator Jim Ferlo indicated he is meeting with civil rights attornies, including the ACLU, to discuss his options and might be in federal court by Friday.
It is the responsibility of the City to figure this out. Sure, they need to house the police officers, but they also need to ensure that the civil liberties of City residents are not trampled. This is the hard work of governing that Luke Ravenstahl avoids at all cost (like leveraging public money for the benefit of the public). Get the brain trust out and figure it out, folks. Stop the hysteria and lead the City effectively. Take responsibility for your actions instead of screeching about the possible actions of other people.
Uploaded the photos from today's Kiss In at the Westin Hotel in Pittsburgh. About a dozen folks shows up, but unfortunately, I was the only local attendee. I kissed Jeff from Harrisburg! :-) He was drawn to my Steel City Stonewall shirt ...
Is the Post-Gazette going to shut down during the G-20?
Anyway, the State can commit $6.3 million to a two day summit in Pittsburgh and not a penny of it extends to protecting civil liberties. No wonder your elected officials don't care that your programs and services are about to run out of the money ...
I am appalled that the City is denying all these permits for peaceful demonstrations. Jim Ferlo, Code Pink and others planning PEACEFUL expressions of their positions? Before the Summit! Well, they have to do so somewhere near McKeesport.
Two things afoot from the lesbians' perspectives.
First, defacto Free Speech Zone. That just feels so right with Southwestern PA democracy. We like unions that rehire thugs, drug addicts and defend the 2nd Amendment, but disparage living wages and health insurance. Herding people who disagree with us behind a fence faraway to create illusion that everyone loves Luke? That's our kind of progressive democracy. Give us Wal-Marts that don't slide down hills and we are relatively satisfied.
Second, this is a great way to turn the baby-eating-anarchist hysteria into a self-fulfilling prophecy .... Deny folks lawful expressions of dissent, deny safe opportunities for peaceful expression and you throw fuel on a fire called anarchy. Or just pissed off citizens who won't kowtow to the Ravenstahl Administration dismissal of the First Amendment and decide to express themselves lawfully.
Best of all, the media continues to deftly evade discussing actual G-20 dissent issues by lasering in on the tactics of expression. It is pretty darn close to a perfect storm that guarantees sexy headlines without worrying about that pesky analysis. Sigh.
I am looking for the PG to do a thoughtful story on the people who don't have a choice about going Downtown. The folks without cushy work from home options or extra PTO to use or PTO at all. The working class folks. The service industry folks who need to turn down those beds and empty the trash at the hotels for the 2,000 guest journalists, but aren't allowed to speak out for fair wages and the right to unionize for their sisters and brothers around the world.
I don't want to see someone's business vandalized by any means, but I also have genuine fear that this approach to the G-20 guarantees that outcome. Why can't the City work with a reputable person like Jim Ferlo to find a solution so a respected progressive leader can organize a peaceful outlet for people who have real issues?
Did the Post-Gazette ask if anyone received a permit?
To be fair, the G-20 Resistance isn't the easiest alliance from which to get information. The website is http://resistg20.org/# I've tried contacting them to get more details to no avail. The website isn't updated regularly. I am planning to sit down with Code Pink and get some insight into their plans.
So who is really being served by all these protective measures? $6.8 million could keep a lot of kids in state subsidized daycare so their parents can keep working.
Thomas Merton Center
