http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/pittsburgh/ en-us Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:29:26 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2102083/posts PITTSBURGH -- Allegheny County police are sifting through voter registration forms in an effort affiliated with a national investigation that has turned up thousands of allegedly fraudulent voter registration forms. Regulators are paying close scrutiny to registrations submitted by the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN, a group dedicated to assisting the less fortunate across the country. “There appears to be a crime,” said Steve Zappala, Allegheny County District Attorney. “Clearly there are people on these applications who have not been solicited or may not exist. They’re forgeries.” On Wednesday, authorities in Las Vegas raided an ACORN... WPXI-TV http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2102083/posts#comment Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:29:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2098558/posts INDUSTRY, Pa. - A western Pennsylvania man who says he wore a gun and carried a Bible outside a Barack Obama rally to prove a point in August will have his day in court. Police have charged 50-year-old John Noble, of Industry, Beaver County, with disorderly conduct and disrupting a meeting. But Noble says he did nothing wrong by showing "Sen. Obama that Pennsylvanians do, in fact 'cling to their guns and religion.'" AP via Philly.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2098558/posts#comment Mon, 6 Oct 2008 12:26:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2097500/posts The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh has voted to leave the Episcopal Church and join a more conservative province of the Anglican Church. The vote was taken today at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Monroeville. The results were greeted with silence. Immediately after the results were announced, the Rev. Harold Lewis from Calvary Church in East Liberty announced that his church would stay with the Episcoal Church and not follow the lead of the diocese. --snip-- Those who supported the split say it has been decades in coming. They point to Episcopalians who doubt the divinity of Jesus, blessing dogs as... Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2097500/posts#comment Sat, 4 Oct 2008 18:16:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2096666/posts Here is a novel idea coming to Southwestern Pennsylvania for Election Day: Sign up to become a “pollworker,” paid by a “non-partisan effort,” and then ensure that people who shouldn’t be allowed to vote actually will get to vote. This from “Pollworkers for Democracy,” which uses fear tactics based on the recent mortgage crisis as a hook to snag people living on the edge of financial problems: “Imagine being told you've lost the right to vote because the bank foreclosed on your home,” begins the e-mail. It goes on to say that if you lose your home and have to... PIttsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2096666/posts#comment Fri, 3 Oct 2008 15:17:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2094608/posts Sen. Barack Obama jumped to a 7-point lead in a Pennsylvania statewide poll of registered voters conducted between Sept. 23-Sept. 28 by Franklin & Marshall College. Franklin & Marshall poll director G. Terry Madonna told Tribune-Review reporter David M. Brown that the fundamentals are shifting in Obama’s favor with some support gains coming from female and independent voters. Late last evening, I stopped into a Southwestern Pennsylvania auto service garage and asked the three gentlemen working on various vehicles what their thoughts were on the election. Pittsburgh Tribune Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2094608/posts#comment Wed, 1 Oct 2008 04:30:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2093326/posts The inmates on 6D crowded around plastic tables, chatting, smiling and milling about, while one volunteer at each table handed out forms and answered a flurry of questions. From the giddy buzz on the cellblock, you might have guessed they were giving away iPods or fresh turkey dinners with all the fixings. In reality, a correctional officer had just announced over loudspeakers throughout the Allegheny County Jail that anyone who was eligible to vote yesterday could sign up with the visitors coming onto 33 pods, armed with registration materials. Joni Rabinowitz, a volunteer with Just Harvest, began fielding questions from... Pittsburgh Post-Gazette http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2093326/posts#comment Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:07:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2092228/posts PITTSBURGH - A federal judge does not have the jurisdiction to second-guess security clearance decisions and should throw out a lawsuit by a Muslim scientist who claims he wrongly lost his clearance — and his job — at a nuclear warship plant, U.S. Justice Department attorneys said in court documents. Lawyers for the Department of Energy contend the lawsuit filed by Egyptian-born scientist Abdel Moniem Ali El-Ganayni is an effort to publicize the security review process, which could pose a threat to the U.S. The American Civil Liberties Union helped El-Ganayni sue this year, saying he was wrongly fired for... AP via MSNBC.Com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2092228/posts#comment Sun, 28 Sep 2008 06:04:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2090449/posts Sen. Joe Biden hit Western Pennsylvania today -- Greensburg specifically -- with his first visit to the area since the Democratic National Convention. Before he began his morning speech, Biden had to compose himself while recalling a gift of two footballs (signed by former Steeler Rocky Bleier) given by late Steelers founder Art Rooney to Biden's two boys in 1972, when they were recuperating from a traffic accident that killed his wife and daughter. Biden recalled the story after he was introduced by Rooney's son, Dan. Pittsburgh Tribune Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2090449/posts#comment Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:40:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2089543/posts The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette plans to buy out workers or lay them off in a broad cost-cutting move, barely two years after its Ohio parent threatened to sell the struggling newspaper if it didn't get concessions. Management needs to "cut staff throughout the company," Executive Editor David Shribman said in a memo to employees. It blamed the newspaper's "revenue situation." Shribman declined to comment. He referred questions to marketing director Tracey DeAngelo, who did not return phone calls. Between 10 and 20 Teamsters will lose their jobs in circulation, transportation and the stock room by year's end, said Joseph Molinero, president... Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2089543/posts#comment Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:19:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2089442/posts 1+1=3? In city schools, it's half right Pittsburgh Public Schools officials say they want to give struggling children a chance, but the district is raising eyebrows with a policy that sets 50 percent as the minimum score a student can receive for assignments, tests and other work. The district and teachers union last week issued a joint memo to ensure staff members' compliance with the policy, which was already on the books but enforced only at some schools. Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers President John Tarka said the policy is several years old. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2089442/posts#comment Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:31:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2089326/posts Everyone in the press -- myself included -- is whining about the inability to interview Gov. Sarah Palin. Or, at least shout-out a question or two to Sen. John McCain's choice for vice president. Although considering the speed of light in which a gaffe can travel in this campaign season, her decision to steer clear of reporters may be a very wise one. Reason enough to contact my fellow journalists to help me compile a Top Ten List of "I can't believe he/she just said that" reasons why Sarah Palin doesn't want to take questions from us: Pittsburgh Tribune Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2089326/posts#comment Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:24:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2086933/posts YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- You just knew that when Joe O'Connell, former head of the local AFL-CIO, got on stage here with John McCain and Sarah Palin things were not going smoothly for the Obama campaign among union voters. "I am a lifelong Democrat, an intelligent Democrat, who is supporting John McCain," O'Connell said last week as a crowd of 7,000 waved "Another Democrat for John McCain" signs and roared its approval. TRIBUNE-REVIEW http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2086933/posts#comment Sun, 21 Sep 2008 05:34:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2085896/posts It will be the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) against the Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) that suck up all of the oxygen in this state this weekend, not Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain. The famed east vs. west rivalry was once a singular team, which happened back in 1943 during World War II, when both teams lost many players to military service. The popular, though not official, nickname of the team was "The Steagles". But the Obama and McCain campaigns will certainly make every effort to remind game goers at tail gate celebrations that there is a race going on here... Pittsburgh Tribune Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2085896/posts#comment Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:36:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2085478/posts The House of Bishops purported deposition of Bishop Robert Duncan will not change the agenda for the Oct. 4 Diocesan Convention or change Bishop Duncan’s status as a bishop in good standing within the Anglican Communion. The action of the House of Bishops, which was taken in a closed meeting on September 18 in Salt Lake City, Utah, contravenes numerous canons of The Episcopal Church. While Bishop Duncan continues to believe that the "deposition" is unlawful, he will not challenge the "deposition" prior to the end of the diocese’s October 4 convention unless forced to do so by the leadership... Diocese Of Pittsburg Statement: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2085478/posts#comment Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:51:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2083723/posts VIENNA, OHIO -- You have to wonder with just 49 days left until election day, what is Sen. John McCain doing in Ohio's Mahoning Valley again? It's not like there is a history of Republicans winning here. George W. Bush was only able to muster a little more than 36 percent of the vote in 2004, up 1 percent from 2000, when Bush went against Al Gore. This rust-belt, blue-collar community with a heavy Democratic voter registration advantage has seen better times -- the steel industry is gone, replaced by a lower income service industry. The medium income hovers at... Pittsburgh Tribune Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2083723/posts#comment Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:23:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2083405/posts The Sen. Barack Obama campaign is under performing with women, especially older white ones. So, it released a list of female surrogates that will be his force on issues that are important to those women voters -- like equal pay. There also will soon be an ad released that will hit Sen. John McCain on the touchy issue of equal pay. According to McCain-Palin spokesman Brian Rogers, that is a problem for Barack Obama, since he is the one that pays his females staffers less than the men. Rogers points to Senate Records showing that women working in Sen. Obama's... Pittsburgh Tribune Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2083405/posts#comment Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:45:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2082033/posts It's game over for the Blue team. To Pittsburghers -- who grow up worshipping sports stars, dress in black and gold on Sundays and think tailgating is the eighth sacrament -- Obama, despite his smooth b-ball skills, has become the nerdy guy who bowls like a girl and calls Penn State the "Nittaly Lions." Meanwhile, Sarah of Alaska and Western Pennsylvanians are in love. The moose-shooting hockey mom and former basketball starlet -- whose favorite team is the Steelers and whose hubby is a he-man snowmobile racer who belongs to the Steelworkers union -- already has stolen the hearts of... Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2082033/posts#comment Sun, 14 Sep 2008 07:17:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2081981/posts The intelligent question thrown out among strategists for both campaigns is, can John McCain really win Pennsylvania? Really win it, not pretend to go for it, as Republicans did in 2004, all the while closing the deal in Ohio when no one was looking. The last Republican presidential candidate to win Pennsylvania was George H.W. Bush, in 1988 -- a win preceded by two Reagans but followed by two Clintons, a Gore and a Kerry. The Kerry win was narrower than the others, however. Pittsburgh Tribune Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2081981/posts#comment Sun, 14 Sep 2008 04:10:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2081751/posts Rep. Jack Murtha’s (D-Johnstown) opponent in this year’s congressional race -- Lt. Col. William Russell, a decorated Iraq war veteran who was in the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001 -- has just released an ad titled “In Cold Blood.” So far, it is one of the most powerful campaign spots to hit the airwaves in the down- ballot races this cycle in the Keystone State. Pittsburgh Tribune Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2081751/posts#comment Sat, 13 Sep 2008 20:07:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2081604/posts Perhaps finding out what really is going on in Pennsylvania is for me to look no further than my own backyard, literally. Pittsburgh Tribune Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2081604/posts#comment Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:19:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2076559/posts Some folks are befuddled by who Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin is. I know exactly who she is. She's a "Pittsburgh girl." Maybe I better explain. Palin embodies everything feminists have been asking for for years--she really does "have it all."She's a wife, a working mom and the most powerful woman in her state--yet she's got feminine poise (as reflected in a popular Alaskan bumper sticker: "Coldest State. Hottest Governor.") Palin's husband is also what feminists have been asking for for years. He works part-time to support her career and nurture the kids--yet he's masculine, confident and supportive (Alaskans call... The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2076559/posts#comment Sun, 7 Sep 2008 08:36:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2072992/posts PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (AP) -- The smells of basil, Chinese food, fish and baked goods linger in the humid air along Penn Avenue, mixing with the sweat and grime of packed sidewalks and outdoor vendors. Children cling to their parents' hands and young couples stroll leisurely while elderly people zip in and out of stores they have known for generations. AP via CNN.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2072992/posts#comment Tue, 2 Sep 2008 14:56:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2066964/posts DENVER: When most people think of Joe Biden, they think Senate longevity, confidence, a liberal with a free-wheeling impulse to give you his never-to-be-humble opinion. What they don't think of is a man who could have a great impact in Pennsylvania. The question becomes: Can he make his impact as broad as Hillary Clinton -- another Scranton native -- did in the Pennsylvania primaries? Hillary glowed in Pennsylvania. She made Pennsylvania her second home and it stuck with voters. John Kerry, married to the Heinz ketchup heiress Teresa, did the same thing in his runup to the 2004 election. He... The Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2066964/posts#comment Sun, 24 Aug 2008 02:55:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2061795/posts Professor's Mooning Video Becomes Hit A video posted on YouTube Aug. 2 exposes the ugly side of competitive debate. And the backside of debate coach Bill Shanahan. At the Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) quarterfinals last March, the Fort Hays State University assistant professor got into a screaming match with rival coach Shanara Reid-Brinkley from the University of Pittsburgh. The argument devolved into an ugly exchange of profanity and Shanahan pulled down his pants, mooning the audience. AOL News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2061795/posts#comment Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:25:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2060257/posts Ridge said he was proud of how McCain has handled the crisis unfolding in Georgia. ...“He has kept a cool head, taken calls from Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili -- and really behaved very presidential in his perspective of this crisis,” said Ridge as McCain shook hands with the crowd that gathered around him. “He has been to Georgia several times,” Ridge added. “He doesn’t need to look for it on a map.” The Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2060257/posts#comment Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:02:45 GMT