from the desk of Will Moody

Full Medical Scholarships for African Americans

Please pass this on to any African American who may be interested in a
free medical degree. Washington University in St. Louis, the Medical
School, now ranked number 2 (along with Baltimore's John's Hopkins
University Medical School) has scholarships to award to bright black
Americans. The students that are chosen will be awarded full tuition
for 4 yrs - $30,000.00 per year plus $2,500.00 stipend.


Check them out on the Web. Washington University Home page
www.wustl.edu_ ( http://www.wustl.edu/).
For Complete instructions and deadlines for applying, call the office of
undergraduate Admission at (800)638-0700 or (314)935-6087. To view the
application and to obtain more information you can also visit their web
site at http://admissions.wustledu (
http://admissions.wustledu/)


The Ervin Scholars Program selection committee evaluates all
Applications and invites finalists to Washington University for
interviews in the spring. The University pays all travel and interview
expenses.

John B. Ervin Scholars Program _ervin@wustl.edu_
(mailto:ervin@wustl.edu)

Dorothy Elliott Associate Director, John B. Ervin Scholars Program PH
314-935-7192 Fax:314-935-5875 E-mail:delliot@artsci.wstl.edu

Adrienna L. Glore, Associate Dean for Students, 314-935-5040 E-mail:
glore@dosa.wustl.edu_ (mailto:glore@dosa.wustl.edu)

    If you know of any Black American that would like to apply please
    share
this with them. BDPA Richmond: Visit our web site for more information
_ http://www.bdparichmondorg_ (
http://www.bdparichmondorg/) (804)751-517

from the desk of ....?

"DON'T MUG YOURSELF"

Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in their newsletters.

This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Dioxin Carcinogens cause cancer. Especially breast cancer.
Don't freeze plastic water bottles with water in them as this also releases dioxin from
the plastic. Dr. Edward Fujimoto from Castle hospital was on a TV
program explaining this health hazard. (He is the manager of the Wellness
Program at the hospital.) He was talking about dioxins and how bad they
are for us.
He said we should not heat our food in the microwave using plastic
containers. This applies particularly to foods that contain fat. He said
that the combination of fat, high heat and plastics releases dioxin into
the food and ultimately into the cells of the body Dioxin are carcinogens
and highly toxic to the cells of our bodies. Instead, he recommends using
glass, Corning Ware, or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the
same results .without the dioxin.

So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be
removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad
but you don't know what is in the paper. Just safer to use tempered glass,
Corning Ware, etc.

Remember when some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam
containers to paper? The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.
To add to this: Saran wrap placed over foods as they are nuked, with the
high heat, actually drips poisonous toxins into the food, use paper towels
instead.

Please pass this on to your family & friends, & those who are important in
your life.

...Dannai Harriel pt.2

Communications In The Arts

A seminar series with Andrew W. Thornhill

This series of seminars and discussions is designed to help arts
organizations, artists, media outlets and local businesses gain greater
advantage from their communications planning and implementation.

The first Seminar

1) WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?
Marketing Planning - Advertising, Graphics, Media Relations (Publicity),
Public Relations, Community Relations, Trade Relations, Special Events,
Merchandising

 Saturday, January 8, 2005 - 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

 Open to the public – Only $20 Per person

Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) Homewood - Brushton Branch - 701 N. Homewood Avenue
For information or directions, call (412) 371-1600

Media Partner: Pittsburgh Community Television, www.PCTV21.org

Refreshments will be served

Our presenter, Andrew W. Thornhill, has 30 years in the communications
industry and the components of the program.  You can gain insight, ask
questions and plan your strategy – at a minimal cost!


Mark Your Calendar!- 5 More Seminars!

From basic media choices to the benefits of sophisticated corporate
sponsorship, this series will guide each participant to a better
understanding of the marketing, media and communications world and the
skills to be successful.  Be sure to ask about our field trips to Chicago
and Las Vegas!


The next Seminars

2. HOW TO DO IT. – February 12

Concept, Project Outline, Calendar, Project Research, Start Small, Imagine Big!, Break, Planning Methods, Ready To Go, Partners, Contractors, Web Sites

3. CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP PAYS FOR IT! – March (TBA)

Corporate Sponsorship for the Arts - Getting Started, The Role of the
Warrior, Serious Planning, Business Relations, Integrated Marketing. 
Sponsor Relations - Administration, Continuity, Presentation
Radio, Television, Newspaper, Magazine, Internet

4. PAID MEDIA – April (TBA)

Radio, Television, Newspaper, Magazine, Internet

5. PROPRIETARY MEDIA – May 7

Flyer, Newsletter, Internet, Radio, Magazine, Television

6. A PEEK AT THE FUTURE – June (TBA)

Digital Media, Digital Television

The Communications in the Arts Seminars are made possible by support from
the Pittsburgh Center for Communications in the Arts -PittsburghCenter@hotmail.com

Communications In The Arts Seminars are offered nationally in association
with Performance School, Inc. - David Mills, Ph.D., Producer – www.performanceschool.org
Copyright © Andrew W. Thornhill, 2000-2004, All Rights Reserved

fron the desk of Andrew Cheeseboro

The Urban League of Pittsburgh
(http://www.ulpgh.org/)
Announces a New Employment Program

The National Urban League has received funding through the U.S. Department of Labor to provide career preparation and meaningful unsubsidized employment to “high risk” out of school and or adjudicated youth ages 18-21. The 18 to 21 year old population suffers from a 48% unemployment rate in the Pittsburgh area. As a result, this program focus will have an impact in the area with the greatest need.

The Urban Youth Empowerment Program (UYEP) will work with the youth to enhance their skills and provide on the job training so that they can get a good paying job.

The Urban League of Pittsburgh is pleased that it is one of fifteen affiliates of the National Urban League to be awarded a $500,000 grant to manage the UYEP contract in Pittsburgh.

The program will provide youth with intensive case management, computer training, community service, mentoring, internships and on the job training.

The Urban League of Pittsburgh is partnering with the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board (http://www.trwib.org/) and other community organizations in implementing the UYEP contract.

A community advisory committee chaired by Tim E. Nettles, Vice President/General Manager of Enterprise Rent a Car Corporation of Pennsylvania will oversee the initiative.

The community advisory committee also includes Kim Berkeley Clark, Supervising Judge of Juvenile Court of Allegheny County, Ronnie Bryant, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, Edward Mulvey, Professor of Psychiatry at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, John Rohm, Regional Vice President of Clear Channel Radio and other committed members of our community.

The Urban League of Pittsburgh within the next two weeks is seeking to hire people to staff this program. They are looking for good candidates for a Project Director, Case Managers, a Job Developer and an Administrative Assistant.

from the desk of Dannai Harriel

Thanks for the 1st entry of the year- j.

Healthy Community


As part of its ongoing goal of improving the health care of women and their families, Magee-Womens Hospital recognizes the importance of establishing community-based health education. In order to increase access to health education for low income and urban women, Magee-Womens Hospital now offers a series of health classes in a variety of community settings. These programs are designed to offer health information useful for women and their families. Each program is designed for learning through participation in discussions, displays and videos.

Enclosed is a list of the health topics. These classes will be at no cost to your organization or participants, except where noted. Good will offerings are gratefully accepted and are applied to future programming. Presentations will last from 1-2 hours depending on the topic unless otherwise noted.

We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity. For information, please contact us by phone at 412-641-4482 or 412-641-1047.

Magee Womens Hospital

HEALTHY COMMUNITY

PROGRAM OFFERINGS

Breast Health
Includes discussion of the importance of early detection as the best protection in combating breast cancer successfully. Facilitators use breast models and videos to advance the discussion, and breast cancer survivors tell their stories.

Intimate Partner Violence
Defines in depth what domestic violence is, recognizing risk, decreasing risk to self and family, and how to safely seek help. Can also address the special aspects of dating violence when presented for adolescents.

Sexually Transmitted Infections/Safer Sex
Includes information on recognition, diagnosis and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. Protection and risky behaviors will be discussed. Long term consequences to health and reproduction will be reviewed. A frank discussion about HIV infection and AIDS is included. Protecting oneself, partner and unborn child from this serious threat to health and life as well as testing and treatment are addressed.

Healthy Lifestyles
A basic review of what contributes to the health of a woman's mind, body and spirit. Topics include: good eating habits, coping with stress, feeling fit, safety concerns and beating the blues.

Label Reading and Smart Shopping
Learn the latest tips for comparison shopping for food items. Using product information labels and recognizing store marketing strategies can help you get to the checkout counter.

The Second Half: A Unique Experience
Health goals change as lifestyles change in the second half of life. Beginning with menopause, this discussion will focus on adjustments in diet, rest and recreation for well being. The importance of continuing with women's health care check ups will be addressed. Bone health and heart health for women can be included or addressed separately in greater depth.

Stress Management
A basic review of what stress is, how it can affect individuals both emotionally and physically; and some of the various ways of coping successfully. Recognizing signs of depression in oneself or a loved one and seeking treatment are included.

Babysitting Basics
Practical tips for 10-14 year olds on getting started with babysitting, working with babies and children and minor home emergency situations including relieving choking and making an emergency phone call. (Approximately 4 hours in one or two sessions.)

Methods of Family Planning
The reasons for seeking effective methods of birth control will be discussed. The advantages and drawbacks of the various methods available will be illustrated with models and examples of each method.

Pediatric Basic Life Support-Infant/Child CPR for Families
The American Heart Association program, taught by an approved instructor, will offer the basics in home safety, and recognizing and treating life threatening events involving infants and children. (Approximately 4 hours in one or two sessions)

A one hour demonstration of relieving choking, home safety and getting help in an emergency may be arranged.

Healthy Origins-Childbirth Preparation
Offered as a series, this program covers pregnancy, birth, and parenting with each topic centered session. Facilitated by a certified childbirth educator (Lamaze, International), a wide variety of videos, models and posters will add to the discussions and practice sessions. Tours of the Magee-Womens Hospital Womancare Birth Center may be arranged.

Review sessions for parents who attended classes with their first children, and are now welcoming a second (or more) child, may also be arranged.

Prenatal, Postpartum and Early Parenting Support
From the joys and discomforts of pregnancy to the roles of parents in rearing healthy children, new parents have questions. These informal groups can set meeting times to learn and share in the offices of any of the Magee-Women's Neighborhood Centers.

Baby on the Way: Children welcoming new brothers and sisters
Becoming a big brother or sister is a special event. This program can help children adjust to their mothers' hospital stays and to the new baby. Parents and children can hold and diaper soft cloth dolls and see a special video for “Big Kids.”

Growing Up Together for Daughters
Parents who want to be involved in helping their daughters with the confusing changes of growing up will want to attend this program. Facilitators encourage communication between parents and children regarding the normal processes of early adolescent sexuality. Suggested for ages 8 through 12 years.

A second program may be offered to 13 through 16 year olds and their parents, dealing with issues of sexual responsibility, dating, decision making, and pregnancy prevention.

Planet Future
Planning and following a course for the future is not always easy-especially for a young teen. Through small group activities, informal mentoring, and a little self expression through art, youngsters can raise their awareness of the possibilities for their personal goals.

Your suggestions on additional health topics are welcome.

Program Coordinators: E. Hughes and D. Chiaverini
Telephone: (412) 641-1047 for information

We look forward to hearing from you.

Diana Chiaverini, RN, MEd
Program Coordinator

Ebony Hughes, RN
Program Coordinator

Peabody High School College Fair

thanks to the hard work of many organizations and individuals, the East End Workforce Development Initiative was able to choreograph another successful event for the youth of Peabody High!

Peabody High School College Fair Photos

See some of the highlight photos from the Peabody High School Career Fair on the left column
(click image to enlarge)

rescue me...

Rescue American Jobs
http://www.rescueamericanjobs.org/
thank the huricane season...
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New U.S. jobs soared at the sharpest rate in seven months in October, the government reported on Friday, helped by a surge in construction activity as hurricane-battered areas in the Southeast were rebuilt.
***


The high-tech sector is booming under President Bush
By JAMES K. GLASSMAN
The Labor Department just reported that the unemployment rate in the information-technology (IT) sector in the third quarter plummeted to just 3.4 percent — down from 6.2 percent in the first quarter. “Some 408,000 more Americans worked in IT this summer than . . . six months earlier,” says InformationWeek magazine. That’s a spectacular increase of 14 percent.

Today, 3.4 million Americans work in IT — precisely the same number as in the spring of 2000 when the tech bubble inflated to bursting. The difference between now and then is that jobs are rising in healthy fashion as demand for new computer and communications gear increases worldwide. We have finally worked the Clinton-era excesses out of the system, just as we have in the economy overall.

What’s remarkable about recent IT growth is that the work force is undergoing a dramatic realignment, with higher-paying jobs increasing at home. While fewer workers are employed in the United States today as computer programmers and analysts, many more are employed as managers and network and database administrators. That’s just the way trade is supposed to work in the model developed two centuries ago by Adam Smith and David Ricardo. Also last week, a new study for the Organization for International Investment by Matthew Slaughter, a highly regarded Dartmouth economist, found that “insourcing,” the hiring of Americans by U.S. subsidiaries of companies based abroad — many in the technology sector — has been rising. Such firms employed 5.4 million at last report, up from 2.6 million in 1987, and paid them 31 percent more than the U.S. average.

help is on the way...

Read the employment report here.
The labor market definitely benefited from the recover from hurricane season. Construction saw 71,000 jobs created in October, while professional and business services payrolls rose by 97,000, with a large number of temporary jobs created.
Manufacturing jobs dropped by 5,000, while retailers created 21,000 jobs. Average hourly earnings rose 0.3% for the month, in line with expectations and up from a 0.1% rise in September.

The labor market over the last 12 months
Month Change*
October '04 337,000
April 346,000
September 139,000
March 353,000
August 128,000
February 83,000
July 85,000
January 159,000
June 96,000

December '03 8,000
May 208,000
November 83,000
Total jobs created: 2,025,000*Change in nonfarm payrolls. Source: Labor Department

The economy is fundamentally in good shape, Zandi said, but there could be bumps with higher interest rates in the future. “As the job market gains traction, I think we are going to see long-term interest rates push up and we're going to have to adjust to that,” Zandi said.
The housing market and vehicles sales will both struggle with higher rates, he said.The White House trumpeted the jobs growth as the results of the president’s policy.
"What we saw today was a continuation of what we've seen from the summer of 2003,” White House Economic Adviser Greg Mankiw told “Squawk Box.” “We've seen 14 months of job gains. The economy's heading in the right direction. The president passed his jobs growth bill in the summer of 2003 and the economy turned around then and we've seen a robust growth since then.”

more...
http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/CNBCTV/Articles/Dispatches/P99743.asp?GT1=5732

heal thyself....

RED, BLACK AND BLUE
Kai Wright, AlterNet
Many progressive black voters entered this election in a
jubilant mood, with increased engagement and high turnout
in key states. But their effect was often countered by new
evangelical voters -- some of whom were African
American.
http://www.alternet.org/rights/20414/

HOW TO MAKE THE BESTSELLER LIST
Margo Baldwin, MobyLives
The publisher of George Lakoff's latest book describes her
battle with the New York Times and the power of independent
publishing.
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/20417/
More MediaCulture: http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/

MOURNING IN AMERICA
Molly Ivins, AlterNet
Stop thinking about suicide or moving abroad.  Want to feel
better?  Figure out what you can do to help rescue the
country.
http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/20413/
More Molly Ivins: http://www.alternet.org/columnists/1406/

WHAT'S NOT IN THE NEWS...AND WHY?

$1 trillion in Social Security to fake U.S. budget deficit numbers for next five years
Posted by: Admin on Saturday, October 16, 2004 - 07:05 AM GMT
 
The media keep reporting the fake U.S. budget deficit numbers. For example, a July 31, 2004 Washington Post story states:
The White House forecast yesterday that the U.S. budget deficit for this year will be a highest-ever $445 billion
A Sep. 7, 2004 Washington Post story states:
Democratic presidential nominee John F. Kerry retorted, "Only George W. Bush could celebrate over a record budget deficit of $422 billion."
An Oct. 14, 2004 Reuters story states:
The U.S. budget deficit expanded to $412.6 billion in the 2004 fiscal year
However, those numbers are cooked by including the Social Security Trust Fund. As explained by a Nov. 13, 1996 U.S. Congress research paper:
On-Budget and Off-Budget Entities. Under the unified budget approach, first implemented for fiscal year 1969, trust funds and federal funds are merged together into a single budget presentation. Over the years, Congress and the President have enacted specific exceptions to this approach. Entities included in the unified budget are referred to as "on-budget" entities; those excluded from the unified budget are known as "off-budget" entities. At present, the Social Security trust funds and the postal service fund are the only off-budget entities. The consolidated budget totals presented in the budget include both on-budget and off-budget transactions.
A Sep., 2004 Congressional Budget Office publication conveniently provides budget numbers for both the "off-budget" and the "on-budget", as estimated by both the CBO and the OMB. The CBO pegs the real 2004 ("on-budget") deficit at $574 billion, and the OMB pegs it at $599 billion. The CBO estimates a surplus of $153 billion for the "off-budget" (i.e. mostly baby boomers paying into the Social Security Trust Fund for the own impending retirement) to arrive at a "unified" deficit of $422 billion, the mythical number quoted by the media and even the supposed opponent to the current administration.

(SEE: www.underreported.com)...Scanning to the right in the same chart, the rightmost column sums up the budgets for the five years from 2005 to 2009. A trillion dollars of Social Security Trust Fund money is earmarked to reduce the five-year deficit from $2 trillion to $1 trillion.
If the past year is any indication, this trillion dollars will never be reported in the mass media.

As highlighted by 321gold.com, according to an Oct. 21, 2004 Toronto Globe & Mail newspaper article (free rense.com cache):
China's Communist rulers have a blunt message for anyone who frets about the planned Chinese takeover of Canada's biggest mining company: Get ready for more to come.

In an exclusive interview with The Globe and Mail in Beijing this week, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing made it plain that the controversial $7-billion takeover of Noranda Inc. is just a small element in a much more ambitious strategy of investment in Canada's resources sector to feed China's voracious appetite for raw materials.

"Given our rapid economic growth, we're facing an acute shortage of natural resources," the Foreign Minister told The Globe.
"No matter how plentiful our natural resources, when you divide them by our population of 1.3 billion, the figure will be very small," he said.
"The Chinese government is encouraging Chinese enterprises to make investments in Canada, particularly in the field of resources exploitation."
It is the first public comment on the Noranda issue by a senior Chinese leader since the controversy over the planned takeover erupted last month.


Towns Hand Out Tax Breaks [and cash], Then Cry Foul as Jobs Leave
Posted by: Admin on Saturday, October 30, 2004 - 06:05 PM GMT 
As highlighted by corpwatch.org, according to an Oct. 20, 2004 New York Times article of the same title (free cache at the corpwatch.org link):
Galesburg, Illinois, People in this big-shouldered town, birthplace of the poet Carl Sandburg, say Maytag broke their hearts. After a decade of tax breaks and union concessions to keep the company in a place that has been making refrigerators for more than 50 years, Maytag closed its factory last month, terminating 1,600 jobs.
Maytag may be done with Galesburg, but Galesburg is not done with Maytag.
District Attorney Paul L. Mangieri wants to sue Maytag to recoup what he says were excess tax breaks in a broad package of incentives to keep the company here. Much of the money, he said, came from a purse that would have gone to schools in this economically fragile community.

"We gave Maytag these incentives, and they accepted them," said Mr. Mangieri, a Navy veteran who grew up in a small town not far from here in western Illinois. "We did it based on faith and trust. If we don't do anything now, it sends a message that we lack the resolve to treat the rich and privileged the same as everybody else."

Maytag says it honored its agreement and took just the breaks to which it was entitled.

There are echoes of Mr. Mangieri's argument in Putnam County, Fla., which gave $4.5 million in cash and tax breaks to attract a call center owned by Sykes Enterprises, only to have it pull up stakes this month after less than five years in Palatka.

"We ought to sue them," said Timothy Keyser, a Putnam County lawyer who opposed the tax breaks from the start. "They sold the county a bill of goods."

[...] In New York, State Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi said in an audit this year that a program that gives millions of dollars in tax breaks to businesses that promise to create work ended up rewarding some businesses that lost jobs. Other state officials disputed those findings.

3 cheers heard round the world....

An Industry in India Cheers Bush's Victory
By SARITHA RAI
Published: November 4, 2004

ANGALORE, India, Nov. 3 - India's outsourcing companies were jubilant Wednesday that the elections in the United States will return President Bush to office.

"This is great news for the offshoring industry," said Nandan M. Nilekani, chief executive of Infosys Technologies, a software services company. The trend toward outsourcing will now become even more inexorable, Mr. Nilekani said.

Offshore outsourcing, or the moving of work from the United States to low-cost centers like India, was an issue in the presidential election. The Democratic candidate, Senator John Kerry, blamed Mr. Bush and outsourcing for the loss of thousands of American jobs.

Mr. Bush, in contrast, was largely silent on the issue. But members of his team, among them N. Gregory Mankiw, the chief economic adviser, and Treasury Secretary John W. Snow, have both defended outsourcing as another form of free trade.
Mr. Kerry referred to ''Benedict Arnold companies and C.E.O.'s'' that sent jobs overseas. He promised that as president he would end tax deferrals for companies that send work abroad.

The tone of some campaign comments criticizing outsourcing was noted with some concern in India. The Times of India, the country's leading newspaper, called outsourcing the "swear word" of the 2004 elections. Thousands of workers in India's technology centers like Bangalore and Hyderabad closely followed the campaign. India's outsourcing industry employs over 800,000.

in the news

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices spiked up above $51 a barrel on Wednesday as increasing signs of an electoral victory for President Bush raised the prospect of continued high demand in the world's biggest energy consumer.

U.S. election tallies projected a growing lead for Bush, including the key swing states of Ohio and Florida, helping to reverse a slide in prices this week on speculation that a win by Democrat Senator John Kerry could usher in lower prices.

U.S. light crude surged as high as $51.20 a barrel, putting a floor under a week-long 12 percent rout. At 2:24 a.m. EST, U.S crude was up $1.27 at $50.89.

"A Bush administration continued in its present form would have a Department of Energy that is extremely fossil fuel-centric and, because of the focus on fossil fuels, we would expect prices to rise," said economist Jason Schenker at Wachovia Securities.


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Fewer Americans filed jobless claims last week and worker productivity slowed sharply in the third quarter, government data showed on Thursday, hinting at better conditions in the country's sluggish labor market.

Financial markets took the data in stride, with both the dollar and benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury bonds hovering following the release, awaiting the more important October employment report due out on Friday.

First-time claims for state unemployment benefits shrank to 332,000 in the week ended Oct. 30 from 351,000 the previous week, the Labor Department said, though an official noted that part of the decline had been due to fewer hurricane-related claims in Florida.

Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast claims to fall more moderately, to 340,000.

"I think the latest decline by jobless claims supports the possibility of an improving labor market that will probably take the form of the addition of nearly 200,000 jobs to payrolls for the month of October," said John Lonski, chief economist at Moody's Investors Service.

A second report showed third quarter productivity growth slowing sharply to a 1.9 percent pace, faster than forecast but still half the previous month's 3.9 percent tally, while unit labor costs advanced at a moderate 1.6 percent rate.

Weaker productivity may be good news for the labor market if it means that firms are running out of ways to squeeze existing workers into producing more and would now boost hiring.


LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - MTV and the nonprofit group Rock the Vote, partners in a massive public awareness campaign to encourage young Americans to participate in today's presidential election, have come under fire from Republicans accusing them of pushing a pro-Democratic agenda and challenging MTV and Rock the Vote's assertions that their get-out-the-vote campaigns are nonpartisan.

The charges stem mainly from a Rock the Vote campaign focused on the issue of a military draft. To get its point across, Rock the Vote sent out 660,000 e-mails in late September with a mock draft card signed by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

"You are hereby ordered for induction into the Armed Forces of the United States, and to report to a polling place near you," read the draft cards.

In addition, Rock the Vote created two public service announcements focused on the issue of the draft and a third celebrity-packed public service announcement (PSA) that referred to the draft as one of many issues young voters might be concerned about. At least one of the draft-themed PSAs ran on MTV for 10 consecutive days in September. Rock the Vote also has devoted a significant amount of content to the issue on its Web site.

red sky in morning....

I See a Nation and I Want to Paint it Red
   by Kerry Jacoby
This piece originally appeared on www.pardonmyenglish.com.

As the President accepts his historic victory, and we bask in the warmth of our great conservative win, we have a Republican president, a more Republican House, and a legitimately Republican Senate.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time.

It’s time to get some new judges and Justices. It’s time for Scalia to ascend as Rehnquist steps aside, and for George W. to get someone confirmed who will interpret the law, not make it. Then, Justice O’Connor can be released from her duties, something she’s reportedly wanted for quite some time now, and another strict constructionist can take her place.

It’s time for the Congress and the Courts to LISTEN to the voice of the people -- the people who, in eleven states tonight, sent a very clear message. Marriage, they said, is the union of one man and one woman. They said so by incredible margins -- in the 60 and 70 percent ranges. They said so decisively, and whether or not they voted for George W. Bush. They proved this is not a “wedge” issue. It is a matter of deep concern to the people of America. And it is not for the Court to decide otherwise.

It’s time for the President to get out his veto pen -- or, better yet, for the Congress to exercise good Republican judgment and cut both taxes AND spending. If Congress won’t produce a balanced budget, the president no longer has to worry about his political viability. Far from a lame duck, he is now a man without political strings. He need not run for re-election. He need not worry about his political future. He can use his veto power, without worrying about his long-term political capital.

It’s time for Fallujah to become an ashtray, and for the United Nations to understand where its future interests lie. The political will to move hard against the Evildoers has been awaiting the moment when taking that risk will not lose the president his job. It’s time to finish what those head-slicing animals started when they decided Iraq was not going quietly into the bright sunlight of democracy.

It’s time to get some commonsense legal reform. If there’s anything the American people have had enough of, it’s lawyers and lawsuits. What does it tell you when we can only muster a kind of bemused annoyance when we find that there are Americans among the many lawyers offering themselves up to defend Saddam Hussein in his trial? Of course, we think. That’s what they always do.

Good doctors in America are being run out of business by skyrocketing malpractice insurance bills caused by ridiculous monetary awards teased out of juries by slimy shysters like (former) Senator John Edwards. The president has promised to do something about it, and I believe he will. Because it’s time.

And, after four years of petulance, it’s time for the Democrats to stop pretending the Republicans can only win by cheating and that we didn’t win at all. It’s time for them to get over it and get back to the business of helping us run this great country. We can agree, and we can agree to disagree -- but we must stop disagreeing just to be disagreeable and tearing down our nation just to prove our side right. And it’s time for those same Democrats to tell the cryptocelebrity policy advisors to just go away and leave politics alone.

The politics of hysteria and conspiracy have failed. Patience, calm, and wisdom have prevailed.

Now let’s all get to work doing what Americans do -- fixing what’s wrong and doing what’s right.

November 03, 2004

208 weeks and counting

The Blueprint: Making Change Real
   by Farai Chideya
Ten Simple Ways to Transform American Politics

(This piece is aimed more at people who are already involved in organizing than folks who consider themselves bystanders to the political game. But in reality, we’re all involved; none of us are bystanders; it’s all a matter of perspective. So get in the game!)

1. Stop licking your wounds and figure out what happened in election 2004.
Why didn’t the Democratic Party take the White House? Candidate not charismatic/compelling enough? No innovative messaging on issues of values, morality, and spirituality? Too much air war/not enough ground war? (I.e., too much of an emphasis on running ads, not enough on grassroots get out the vote?) Over-reliance on proxy organizations like 527s doing work the party should have done? Messaging failed to deal with the divide between social liberals and conservatives? Messaging didn’t give economically at-risk Americans any sense the Democrats would do more for them than Republicans? Celebrity messaging didn’t have any traction? And what about alternatives to the Democratic party? Are local third parties winning races for school boards, city council, etc.? Once elected, are they doing good work? Finally, what motivated some long-time non-voters to go to the polls, and why did others stay home?

2. Come up with success metrics and vision plans for groups that tried to affect registration, mobilization, and education.
What is “success” for a youth voter-mobilization group? For an alternative media outlet? For a big 527? For a local community group? Whatever groups you belong to, do an analysis of your tactics and goals; what worked and what didn’t; and what your long-range goals are.

3. Grade yourself.
How’d you do in election 2004? What could you have done better or differently? What did you knock out of the park?

4. Share the knowledge.
Identify at least three organizations that could benefit from your self-analysis, and start a dialogue with them. Find out how you can work together.

5. Join Forces.
Hold, for example, a monthly meeting among like-minded groups to share strategy; put together co-sponsored events; and collaborate on media and messaging.

6. Reward the groups that did the hard, good work. .
Funders need to increase support for groups doing innovative work, which means they need to identify them. Collaboratives of groups working together have a better chance of being identified than ones working alone. Re-granting programs—where a big donor gives money to a nonprofit that makes micro-grants—can work well for fledgling groups.

7. Build shared infrastructures.
Could you share web/email/online fundraising technology? (One good platform is http://www.groundspring.org.) How about an events calendar? Shared office space and administrative help?

8. Realize it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
The political right spent 30 years building their infrastructure. Change takes time and commitment.

9. Have fun.
Folks are burnt out on politics. Find ways of making it optimistic, fun, fresh, and cutting-edge. Check out the Nonsense New York list for a great model of a distributing info on events that are wicked fun and often political too. (http://lists.laughingsquid.org/mailman/listinfo/nonsensenyc/)

10. Breathe.
This is just the beginning.

November 03, 2004

P. Diddy Exhausted After 'Running Wild' On Election Day
11.02.2004 10:23 PM EST

P. Diddy says he got off on the wrong foot when it came to his political endeavors in 2004. If he could do things over again, he wouldn't have yelled for folks to get George W. Bush's "ass out of office."

"I was a little reckless with my comments, to be honest," Diddy said on Tuesday (November 2). "I realized I relinquished my power too early after I educated myself. I shouldn't have said that until I felt that there was somebody that could be better for my people. ... I learned a lot in this process. I learned that my power could be used better. Instead of attacking Bush, it would be better to light a flame under young Americans and let them make the decisions."

A more informed Diddy has been sticking to a bipartisan approach in telling people to register and get out to the polls. The objective of his Citizen Change organization has been simple: They want to educate, motivate and empower, and in the process they've made the phrase "Vote or Die" a household slogan.
more...http://en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=12348924&u=110008

from the desk of Dannai Harriel

From: Leslie Bachurski [mailto:lbachurski@consumerhealthcoalition.org]
Sent: Monday, November 01, 2004 12:13 PM
To: 0222sc@ncr.org
Subject: Proposed Cuts to Port Authority

CHC FRIENDS
Attached is the petition form endorsed by the Allegheny County Transit Council to distribute for signatures relating to a dedicated and predictable funding source for public transit in the Commonwealth.  Please feel free to copy this petition and begin to get signatures so that we may submit them to the legislature and the Governor. You don’t need to print the whole document just print a couple of pages of the petition and repeat as needed.

Please return to: John L Tague, Jr. C/o of ACTC, 3rd Floor, 345 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2527
Please return by 11/09                        

Port Authority of Allegheny County has proposed cuts to bus, rail, incline, and ACCESS services.

Make your voice heard NOW!

Attend and Register to testify at the Public Hearing to be held by Port Authority on Thursday November 4,  2004 at the Sheraton Station Square.  Call 412-566-5103 to register to speak at the hearing.

Write or call your representatives in the State House of Representatives, State Senators and Governor Rendell and insist that adequate funding for public transportation be provided immediately!

If you need help finding the address or phone number of your elected officials you can call the League of Women Voters at 412-261-4284.

Only the PA House and Senate and Governor Rendell can enact legislation that would provide a sufficient level of funding to block these cuts!

The following has been proposed:

¨     No bus, rail, Mon Incline, or ACCESS service after 9PM on weekdays


¨     No bus, rail or ACCESS service AT ALL on weekends or holidays


¨     Elimination of 70 Port Authority routes

Please take action!  Thousands of people rely on public transportation!  These cuts would be devastating!

highlights from Rethinking Schools

1 - You can read select articles from the new issue of "Rethinking Schools"
magazine on our website:

http://www.rethinkingschools.org

With public education under attack as never before, the voice of Rethinking
Schools is needed more than ever.

Highlights of the new issue include:

* "Sweatshop Accounting" by Larry Steele -- A high school teacher shares lessons
on economic justice with his business-education students.

* "Measuring Water with Justice" by Bob Peterson -- A multidisciplinary lesson
helps elementary students explore the economics, science, and politics that
impact this vital resource.

* "Making History" -- The complete text of John Kerry's historic 1971 testimony
to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with discussion questions and
teaching ideas for high school social studies classes.

* Editorial: "A Nation at Risk" -- Private-sector shills are trying their best
to dismantle public education, and our students are being sent off to die in
Iraq. What's at stake this November is not just the future of public education:
We are defending the very concept of a public sector that serves the common
good.

* "No Child Left Behind: The Test" by Stan Karp -- Since today's education
policymakers seem to love this format, Rethinking Schools presents a
multiple-choice test on NCLB. Unlike most tests of this type, this one Unlike
most multiple choice tests, this one actually has some educational value. It's a
great tool for raising NCLB issues with students.

* "Standardizing Imperialism" by Christine Sleeter -- A look at how California's
standards discourage students from looking critically at U.S. foreign policy and
implicitly teach imperialism.

* "The NCLB Zone" by Wayne Au -- Au takes a trip to a strange world -- this one,
unfortunately -- where labeling some teachers as "highly qualified" can lead to
lower-quality teaching.

* "Voucher Supporters Attack Kerry" by Barbara Miner -- Why are pro-voucher
organizations running anti-Kerry ads in African-American communities in swing
states?

YouthLINKS at Carrick High School

just a few pix to represent the fine presentation organized by YouthLINKS and the good folks at Carrick H.S. Of course all of the presenters turned out to give our youth a preview of potential futures....jim

upmc was also among the dozens of representatives available for info
Posted by Hello

pheaa will find you....trust me!
Posted by Hello