PENN HILLS OFFICER SLAIN

The HUDDLER is SAD to come back from sabbatical only to pay tribute to yet another police officer from our region who who killed in the line of duty. The HUDDLER will refrain from naming the officer until the immediate family is notified.



Once again we as a community will mourn the senseless death of a police officer who took an oath and protected us day in and day out....

Somebody killed a police officer today

and a part of America died...

A piece of our Country he swore to protect

will be buried along him by his side.

Somebody killed a Police Officer today in your town and mine.

While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors

a cop put his life on the line.

Now his ghost has the beat

on a dark city street

and he stands at each Rookie's side.

This cop answered this call

and gave all of himself

and part of America died.

And in the words of our forefathers:

May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind ever be at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the hallow of his hand.

After this last judicial election cycle,Tom Corbett playing his regular games, and the fact that Pitt is playing the HUDDLER's favorite college football team here in the Burgh this weekend the HUDDLER is taking some well deserved time off !!

CONGRESSMAN ALTMIRE FAILS US....

What is Congressman Altmire's excuse for not supporting healthcare reform now?

RED SCARE 2009 - MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH NOT IN YOUR HANDS !!

Believe it or not, red chocolate candies are a threat to the security of the United States of America. More specifically it is reported that candidate Judge Jack Panella eats "RED M&M" candies! Therefore according to his opponents, it has been decided by his opponent, that Judge Panella is un-American, a natzi, and possibly the devil re-incarnated.

It is great to see the Joan Orie-Melvin's campaign out there running a good honest race? Apparently the Republican National Party is paying for and running material alleging Judge Panella's connection to communism?


The HUDDLER would expect this out of a City of Pittsburgh Council race, but NOT a PA Supreme Court race!!!!

LIBRARY OFFICIALS SNUB THE BURGH

From the POST GAZETTE - The officials from the Carnegie Library are not coming to a community meeting planned for this saturday.

The HUDDLER has one message regarding this: The Mayor and City Council should withhold all funding until an audit is completed and community meetings are held to discuss the closings!!

EMERGENCY CALLS TO CONGRESS !!

Healthcare Reform is at a critical state. Please call our elected officials and tell them it's time for healthcare reform with a public option !! Especially Congressman Jason Altmire (d) who is riding the fence. Congressman Altmire needs to cut his ties with UPMC and do the right thing for America.

from the HUDDLER's in basket:
It's time to deliver on health care.After months of debating, the entire House and Senate are set to consider the final plans for health reform. It's time for them to deliver on real reform that:
Gives us the choice of a public health insurance option
Makes health insurance truly affordable for everyone
No more excuses. No more delays. America wants real reform and 4 out of the 5 committees in Congress have bills that give America what we need.Call your Members of Congress now and tell them it's time to deliver on health care. Click here to call.

EMAIL DARYL METCALFE AND TELL HIM TO RESPECT VETERANS!!

FROM OUR FRIENDS AT KEYSTONE PROGRESS:

Representative Daryl Metcalfe is at it again. This time he has called Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans "Traitors" and "Benedict Arnolds" for disagreeing with him on energy policy.Take action here: http://www.keystoneprogress.org/page/speakout/pametvet Here's the story. A group of veterans are traveling across the country on a 21-state bus tour to talk to citizens and local community leaders about the dangers of climate change and its threat to national security. The tour will make stops in Pennsylvania on October 20th through the 22nd (see below for the PA schedule).The tour is sponsored by Operation Free, a coalition of veterans and national security groups working together to raise public awareness about national security threats posed by climate change and the importance of building a clean energy economy that is not tied to fossil fuels. Operation Free and its members support a clean energy plan that cuts carbon pollution, develops clean energy incentives, and puts America in control of its energy future.The vets in Operation Free invited local elected officials to join them at each of their stops. When Rep. Metcalfe got his invitation this is what he wrote back:"Subject: Re: Veterans for American Power Bus Tour coming to your stateAs a veteran,I believe that any veteran lending their name, to promote the leftist propaganda of global warming and climate change, in an effort to control more of the wealth created in our economy, through cap and tax type policies, all in the name of national security, is a traitor to the oath he or she took defend the Constitution of our great nation!Remember Benedict Arnold before giving credibility to a veteran who uses their service as a means to promote a leftist agenda.Drill Baby Drill!!!For Liberty,Daryl MetcalfeState RepresentativeVeteran U.S. Army"I happen to agree with the vets that a clean energy plan is in the best interest of our national security. But whether you agree or not, to call someone a "traitor" for disagreeing with you is beyond outrageous. It is against everything this nation stands for.Join people from all over Pennsylvania in demanding that Rep. Metcalfe apologize for his insult to our veterans, the Constitution and every American. Click here to fax Metcalfe now: http://www.keystoneprogress.org/page/speakout/pametvet It will only take a minute if you use the letter we've drafted, or you can write your own comments to Metcalfe.

SAVE HEALTHCARE REFORM: Send a letter to Washington D.C.

Dear HUDDLER,

Final decisions are being made right now in the House and Senate about health care reform, and today we need you, as one of our top activists, to do something a little different.

We need you to write a personal letter in your own words to your senators and representative in support of real health care reform.

Usually, we give you a draft letter that you are free to edit. But at this moment, to maximize your impact, it is imperative that senators and representatives hear from you in your words, not ours. On the action page, we have provided talking points to help you draft your unique message, but remember, your personal explanation will be most powerful and effective.

Write a personal letter in your own words to your senators and representative in Washington, and tell them now is the time to pass real health care reform.

To keep insurance companies honest and control skyrocketing health care costs, it is critical that the final bill includes a strong public health insurance option. The bill also must require employers to pay their fair share, and it shouldn’t make workers pay more for what they already have.Insurance companies and their lobbyists are working day and night to stop health care reform. Why? Because in the current system, health insurance companies win and the rest of us lose. We need your help to counter these lobbying efforts. We can’t afford to let the insurance companies win.

What are you going to do today to help pass health care reform?

Speak out today: Send a personal message to your senators and representative in support of real health care reform.

Insurance companies, drug makers and other private health industries have spent more than $126 million on lobbyists this year alone, and we can’t let them kill reform. The American people want real health care reform. It’s up to you to keep the pressure on your members of Congress to do the right thing.Together, we can ensure that everyone in America has access to quality, affordable health care.

In solidarity,
Marc LaitinAFL-CIO Online Mobilization Coordinator

P.S. Health care is at the top of the agenda in Congress. We need you to make your voice heard right now. Contact your members of Congress today.

KNOCK... KNOCK..

Like a bad knock knock joke, alot of campgains start and win with a knock at the door. The HUDDLER keeps odd hours, and rarely gets a knock at the front door. (the huddler has a special huddler only entrance similar to the "bat cave" only with a lot less space)

So during the election cycles the HUDDLER patiently waits near the front door, much like Charlie Brown waiting by the mailbox for a Valentine from the little red haired girl. The HUDDLER is waiting for a candidate or even someone so excited with a candidate that they will canvass to approach the HUDDLER for his vote. Now the HUDDLER is a SUPER democrat. In Pittsburgh that is like a cougaran when it comes to voters. However for some reason rarely does someone knock on the door or even leave behind one of those cute little door cards? The HUDDLER has a few steps.. but it is not like they have to climb Mt Everest to reach the door.

The HUDDLER started on this rant today while reading about Kevin Acklin and his quest for the office of Mayor. Apparently Kevin has lost 30 pounds, and three pairs of shoes due to all of the door knocking he has done. Why hasn't Mr. Acklin knocked on the HUDDLER's door? The HUDDLER has lots of questions - for example how does he intend on hiring 200 more cops, save the pension system, not lay anyone off, and still not increase taxes ???

The HUDDLER read Mr. Acklin's plan via his website but to the HUDDLERS amusement there was no spreadsheet outlining these campaign promises.

In the mean time the HUDDLER will be waiting by the door, hoping for a potential candidate that will support working families, and if they don't show up, the HUDDLER would settle for his or her designee. On the other hand, the HUDDLER had a great chat with a Working America canvasser last fall, and even had a couple beers with the guy. Until then the HUDDLER will be using all of that junk mail from candidates as kindling this winter.

VOTE JUDGE JACK PANELLA - PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT

October 1st has come and gone. Another boring off year election cycle. Although next year's primary for governor seems to be front and center?

The HUDDLER would like to bring candidate Jack Panella for the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to the burgosphere. Judge Panella is an excellent judicial candidate.

Rather than copy and paste Judge Panella's resume over from his website. Here is the LINK. BE SURE TO GET YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY to vote for JUDGE JACK PANELLA FOR THE PA SUPERME COURT !!

DOK'S CAMPAIGN FINANCES - Don't leave the burg without your American Express

As Bram reported in earlier comments, it sounds like YES DOK was at the luxurious Bedford Springs Resort during the G20 Summit. The question now is how did DOK pay for it?

Bram reported that DOK used American Express award points. The HUDDLER is asking where did these points come from? If they came from an american express card outside of the campaign, these points and or the services purchased with them are campaign contributions and should be reported.

The HUDDLER finds it difficult to believe that the "campaign" has been out there swiping the AMEX cards since announcing with such volume to constitute AMEX points that will pay for 350$ a night lodging at a swanky resort?

American Express has a program that let's one donate AMEX points to thier favorite charity. The HUDDLER has used it in the past. Perhaps those donut points neeed to go to charity instead of spa services for Pittsburgh's favorite little rich kid?

The HUDDLER will be waiting to check out DOK's finance reports to see exactly what the campaign has been up to? The real question is do they need volunteers? Because the HUDDLER could use a trip to Bedford Springs!

Whats up with that DOK ?

It appears Harris for Pittsburgh is trying to do some damage control? This video was pulled off you tube last night. Not sure how long it will be around? Here is the resort's website ....



Allegations of Franco "DOK" Harris being at a 350$ a night resort during the G20 Summit... The HUDDLER hopes that this isn't true. Life styles of the "Rich and Famous" with Franco "DOK" Harris ?? If bloggers only had expense accounts we could do some hardcore investigative work on these allegations !

HOMECOMING 2009

Starring:

Chief Executive Dan Onorato as Dean Vernon Wormer

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl as Douglas Niedermeyer

G20 - DUMB STUPID CITZEN ISSUE

Like most of the City of Pittsburgh, the HUDDLER debated to either skip town, or ride out the G20 summit in an undisclosed bunker. But that isn’t how the HUDDLER rolls.

The HUDDLER went to the clean energy jobs concert-rally Wednesday night. Very light turn out. This was the first time the HUDDLER realized that the city would become an occupied police state during the summit. Not sure if this is a good thing or bad thing. We could list the pros and cons but won’t.

Thursday – The HUDDLER unlike most of the city went to work. Duty calls. Relatively quiet. First reaction is that the City of Pittsburgh Police (including all those from other agencies who were deputized) did a hell of a job along with the other public safety departments in showing restraint and enforcing the law.

The HUDDLER witnessed the stand off down in the strip between protesters and police, and the cops did a great job. There is no doubt that they saved property damage, not to mention protected a key logistical center a few blocks away. If rolling a dumpster down the hill at police is peaceful, the HUDDLER is afraid of what thier definition of violence is.

The HUDDLER wanted to puke after coming home and watching the footage from outside Ritter’s Diner and the students in Oakland. Some of the HUDDLER's favorite stupid citizen video includes the idiot outside Ritter’s that grabbed a cop from behind, and the 110 pound chick who threw her bike at the cops up in Oakland.

The HUDDLER is appalled at the damage, and was dismayed at some of the targets. Hey if they were only busting out windows of some of the larger chains we might forgive them. But busting out the window of the Irish Design Center and other small businesses? (more stupid citizens)

The HUDDLER hopes that someone has footage of these attacks, and the actors are quickly apprehended and held accountable. Some out there have been quick to blame the cops for provoking students? The HUDDLER wonders what the hell they are thinking?

Clearly the bad apples are giving the good citizens who are out to peacfully protest thier cause of choice a bad name. Most of those participating are law abiding God fearing good people. It's a shame that the nation will watch the same video footage and think Pittsburgh.

The HUDDLER will say a Rosary today for all of the protesters and police, for a peaceful protest today. But someone will probably ruin it, the HUDDLER figures that there is probably a better chance of the world's leaders solving the world's financial problems than some idiot not breaking out another window before the end of the summit.

G20 ARRIVES: MARCH FOR JOBS

The G20 Summit has unofficially begun with the arrival of protesters, foreign diplomats, and national guard troops. The first organized march will take place today, Sunday at the Monumental Baptist Church where it will proceed to Freedom Corner.

The focus will be jobs. Quality jobs. The kind with access to quality, affordable health care, and the opportunity to retire some day. Jobs that allow us the opportunity to live the American dream, with dignity and respect the same way our grandparents did. Not a free ride, an opportunity to earn our way in this great land of ours.

The HUDDLER will be attending this MARCH FOR JOBS. A quote from "Caddyshack" is always worth a chuckle... "the world needs ditch diggers to". This is true, however that ditch digger should be able to live and provide for themselves and their family, without working two and three jobs to get by.

We now live and work in a global economy. In America we have laws to protect children, workers, and the environment. We have minimum wage laws. Anti discrimination laws. In other parts of the world there are no such things. We need a level playing field to compete in this global economy.

The United States is one of the only major economic powers where the cost of health care is bankrupting families and businesses. We need to control the cost of health care and make it affordabl. Especially to our manufacturers and small businesses. If a business can not afford health care premiums they drop the coverage.

Who pays for that? Taxpayers? Workers? What happens? Jobs are moved overseas because they can do it cheaper. Why? They are not paying health care premiums that rise between 12 and 18 percent per year.


The HUDDLER will be Marching for Jobs tomorrow;
as we begin this week the HUDDLER will be saying a special rosary for everyone involved.
The police, fire, ems, 911, military and public employees that will be protecting our lives and property, the protesters, may their voices be heard, and may they voice their message without violence, hate, or damage to property. And last but not least to the leaders of the world who will attend this summit. May they make wise decisions that will support working families all over the world.

And please remember our troops that are serving overseas, and here at home. We thank them for placing themselves in harms way so that we have our freedoms.

Esquire Magazine: The feel good issue?

The latest issue of Esquire coming to news stands is supposed to be a "feel good issue". Well the HUDDLER almost puked when reading the Tribune Review: that Governor Ed Rendell has been named to Esquire's list of 'World's 75 Best People list' ??? WTF ???

GAG !!!!!!

The two tests were:

1. Who would you like most to have a drink with?

2. Would you trust this person with your puppy?

Does Esquire do any fact checking?

The HUDDLER would give up Jameson Irish Whiskey and commit several felonies before ever trusting fast Eddy with the four legged version of the HUDDLER.

The HUDDLER wonders how many state workers would trust our good Governor with their puppy?

This is like the Pope giving former President George W. Bush a humanitarian award !!

PITTSBURGH WELCOMES THE AFC-CIO

The HUDDLER is pleased to welcome the brothers and sisters of the American Labor movement to Pittsburgh for the National AFL-CIO convention. Considering the fact that Pittsburgh is the birthplace of the AFL-CIO, it is an honor to have them back...

The HUDDLER will be attending all week, and hopefully will be able to make a few posts. In the mean time check out the official web page, and watch the convention live via streaming video..

http://www.aflcio.org/aboutus/thisistheaflcio/convention/2009/

WE REMEMBER - SEPTEMBER 11th 2001

IN HONOR OF THE AMERICANS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES, AND THE FIRST RESPONSDERS WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRAFICE.

ALASKAN WOMAN SPOTTED NUDE SCREAMING ..."THE DEATH PANELS ARE COMING?"

It was uncomfirmed that former Vice President candidate Sarah Palin was spotted nude riding a dog sled and screaming that the death panels are coming!

The former Governor of Alask who resigned while under scrutiny for use of state funds for personal legal expenses still thinks there are death panels tied to healthcare reform.

The HUDDLER highly doubts the former Governor wannabe talk show host has read the legislation, can someone (hellooo Fox News?) please give this woman something to do? The HUDDLER prefers the Fox News option, because the HUDDLER doesn't watch Fox News.

If former Governor Palin wants to kill these death panels, the HUDDLER suggests that she take up hunting insurance company executives in her spare time.

HAPPY LABOR DAY from the HUDDLER

Like many Americans the HUDDLER is kicking back today, and enjoying the last official weekend of summer. Where has summer gone? It was a wet one here in western Pennsylvania. Hopefully we enjoy an extended indian summer. This weekend has special meaning for the HUDDLER and a lot of trade unionists across the country. Labor day was first celebrated within the United States in 1882. (Canada had been celebrating Labour Day prior to this since the early 1870’s) The labor movement like everything else has revolved over the years. The union of today is not that same union that our father, grandfathers, and great grandfathers knew. At one time the “union” was the center of many workers lives both in the workplace, and at home. At one time most workers lived in close proximity to their places of work. Often in company owned housing. In addition it was not uncommon for entire families, and extended families to be employed in the same trade, by the same employer.Therefore when workers organized unions, they were traditionally smaller groups, and many were centered on a single employer. If a group of workers were tired of being abused by the boss, it was not difficult for workers to form a union, IF they could get avoid the hired thugs, avoid being fired for being a union “sympathizer”, many workers were also immediately evicted from their company owned homes for trying to form a union, and thousands of men and women made the ultimate sacrifice when they were killed trying to form a union. For these and many other reasons, a lot of unions were semi-secret organizations in the early years. The immigrants who came to America escaped some of the worst persecution, and working conditions prior to coming to the new country. Although, many decided to form unions because they saw America becoming a lot like the way things were back home.Fast forward a hundred or so years ahead, and witness the accomplishments and benefits of organized labor which include; the fundamental right to form a union, child labor laws, a five day/forty hours work week, paid sick time, holidays, vacation, bereavement, workers compensation, disability insurance, OSHA safety standards, health care, and the list goes on.

Still today in our great country workers fight to maintain the basic principles of organized labor, every eighteen minutes a worker is terminated for trying to form a union. At the same time, on average 395 workers witness the termination of the worker who was fired. Organized labor has been fighting for the Employee Free Choice Act. READ THE REASON WE NEED THE EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT. The HUDDLER urges all of us to call Arlen Specter at the LINK provided and remind him that we need this important legislation passed so that Americans continue to have the right to organize in the workplace.

Also remind Senator Specter that America need REAL HEALTH REFORM NOW!!! Americans can not afford the increased premiums. Health care providers must change the way they do business and offer their services, so that every American has access to quality, affordable health care, regardless of who their employer is, preexisting conditions, and the many other reasons insurers providers reject people for coverage on a daily basis. * The HUDDLER does not believe that any person should get a free ride. We all have to contribute towards our health care costs. However, no one should be denied coverage or treatment simply because they do not have the means to pay. With that being said, our government should not circumvent the Hyde act and use federal tax dollars or any tax dollars to facilitate abortions. Some view this subject as being a fundamental right of a woman to choose what she wants to do with her body. The HUDDLER believes that life is created at the moment of conception, and that the unborn child should have the same rights as the rest of us, including the right to life.

Back to Labor day...

The HUDDLER hears from time to time why unions are bad, ineffective, and just plain old suck. Despite the power grab by some large international unions, union members have to remember that the power of unions lie within the membership. If you are a union member, and things are not going well at work? The first step if for you and your co-workers to be active in the union. If you have an active shop you have the ability to hold the elected leaders of your union accountable. The HUDDLER is surprised how many union workplaces no longer have a shop steward. Perhaps with the extra duties placed on workers, (second jobs, increased responsibilities at home, single parent families, caring for elderly relatives) workers no longer have the time to attend union meetings, and be active. The HUDDLER's first term as a shop steward was because no one else wanted to be the steward. The HUDDLER often tells ordinary citizens who do not participate in the electoral process, they do not have the right to complain. Every union member has the right to elect their leaders, including the shop steward, and other elected local union officials. If they fail to participate who's fault is it? The founding brothers, and sisters of organized labor overcame great odds, to bring fundamental changes to the work place. Today the unorganized have to stand up and fight like our ancestors. If you are unhappy with your union at work? Stand up for change!!

The one thing we all need remember is that unions benefit each of us, including those who do not have a union. The wages and benefits we all receive are due to union members standing up and fighting for what is right. On this Labor day the HUDDLER urges each of us, union or non, and our elected officials, to remember the words of Mother Jones and "pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living".

The HUDDLER wishes everyone a happy Labor day, and will be saying a special Rosary for all workers whether union or non-union, and especially for all of those who are unemployed, may they find work and be paid a livable wage, with quality affordable health care.