The philadelphia parking authority takes too many liberties with politics in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. The hr department tried to impress that you are locked into a position and have no other options in life when you work there. They had the legal department produce a document which was senseless. The problem is that I was told my job was in danger if I didn't sign this document. I had not yet had a contract for employment and they wanted me to sign something that was not in my own best interests to sign. Had they offered an employment package perhaps negotiating further, it would have created a better order. After doing nothing wrong and being informed that my job was in jeopardy, I decided to add another phrase to the document which was in my best interest. They rejected the phrase. When I had done that the ppa hr director got very irate and started yelling. he even took it to my boss and was yelling in the office to him and I saying that if I didn't sign, they would fight my unemployment compensation. Of course the document was not yet worthy of my signature and I was approached by a first year attorney that said I have to sign it and he was under pressure from another managing attorney to get me to sign it.

Was this a joke?

The first year attorney also said that I would not have a job. I could not bring myself to sign the document as is and the hr director caused so much stress, I decided that I must leave at the end of the day because I was again being pressured to sign a document which was not to my satisfaction.

The yelling with the hr department occurred in the morning and at the end of the day, I discovered that this would probably get worse and I couldn't fight for a job that was requiring me to sign a document that was not to my satisfaction as an employee.

Considering the options given to me and the position that I was placed in, I left because it was impressed upon me that my job was in jeopardy and there was no room for negotiation. I was informed that my job was in jeopardy for not signing the document which more or less meant that I didn't have a job if i didn't sign a document as is....

Did I want to work? Yes. Did I want to sign the document? Not as is, but the hr person and the attorneys were so set on reducing my pride and dignity as a person, it would have been impossible for me to sign the document as is, and I was offered no other choice. It was time to leave because there was no way I could work under such conditions in the future.

After applying for unemployment, I was rejected. I appealed the decision and the mediation department which is a representative of the state which receives funds from the city and the ppa with major political connections rejected my appeals. It was an exhausting process and made a victim out of me. I am no longer a victim and the ppa better get their act together.

When you have a nice employee that is willing to work and act in good will, it is better to promote the good will....

As far as the umemployment review board is concerned, there must be a process that is more understanding as oppossed to supporting indiscretion.

By Ari S. Merretazon, M.S.CED

Since being hired in May 2006 as the ninth president of Temple University, Ann Weaver Hart, the first female president in the University’s 123 year history has initiated the devolution of its flagship community education program, the Pan-African Studies Community Education Program (PASCEP), a world class model of community education over the last 33 years, under a national eminent domain education movement, some call Community-based Learning.

Community-based Learning is a community engagement model presented as a national education movement in which universities expand their campuses into low and moderate income communities. This movement is presented as a collaborative approach to upgrading community infrastructure, businesses, housing conditions and community collaboration.

Within this model Temple is able to leverage massive amounts of development dollars based on research and socio-economic and housing data collected by professionals, most of whom are white and don’t live in North Philadelphia. This is how Temple has entered the Community-based Learning movement, much like other urban-based universities.

Granted, the concept of this movement is marketable in terms of expanding entrepreneurship, new capital improvements, and strengthening ties to its surrounding neighborhoods. Its process of implementation, however, is likened to an apartheid state or plantation administration.

Here is how it operates within well used principles of apartheid and plantation rule. A new president/administration comes in with a deceptive public relationship strategy of community engagement, collaboration, and promises of community inclusion. The vision of development is done with a standard community impact assessment; department heads are treated as 3/5ths of a human with no rights the administration is bound to respect; successful community education programs are dismantled or downsized beyond recognition under memoranda and news releases from the office of the president indicating a grand university/community vision such as “Broad Street and Beyond.”

The clearest case of this approach is the relocation/downsizing of the Temple University Pan-African Studies Community Education Program (PASCEP). This started only months after Temple’s first women president took office. She, without involving any of the current PASCEP staff in any collaborative discussion and decision-making, decided to relocate PASCEP off the main campus into a much smaller and unaccommodating facility with the distracting name of Community “Entertainment” Center. This suggests that Temple has no intention to continue PASCEP as a quality community education program.

With this apartheid and plantation handling of the director and program, the faculty, alumni association, and supporters are seeking to meet with Pres. Weaver Hart to discuss the negative impact of the relocation and downsizing with goal of keeping PASCEP on campus in Anderson Hall.

Pres. Weaver Hart has yet to give basic recognition, respect to the highly successful program or to its director. She has not responded directly to his letters and information packet about PASCEP which provided her with milestones achieved by PASCEP at its current capacity. To date supporters have received the same boiler-plate form letter response to each of their distinctly different letters of support for the program.

If the relocation proceeds in this apartheid/plantation process, the following successful programs will be terminated: The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention. This is Philadelphia’s premiere comic book and literacy initiative; The PASCEP Black Male Development Symposium Rites of Passage Program; The PASCEP Prison Outreach; The PASCEP Community Consortiums; and the PASCEP Vendors Association. All of these vital community engagement programs with great exponential positive impact will leave Temple because of the apartheid and plantation incursion of Pres. Weaver Hart.
A vetting of Pres. Weaver Hart reveals, among other things, that she previously served as president of the University of New Hampshire and provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Claremont Graduate University, neither similar to the Pan-African community in which Temple sets. Her prior education at every higher education level has been from the University of Utah, not nearly the multicultural environment of Temple.
Well, which way forward from here? Do the North Philadelphia community leaders know that PASCEP will never be the same if relocated? Will Pres. Weaver Hart open talks with the PASCEP director and the PASCEP faculty? When will the appropriate City Council and State Representatives intervene in this local disruption of a successful education program with a grand legacy of community-based learning and engagement for more than 33 years?
PASCEP is at a critical junction. The date set for this unjustified relocation has been set, un-officially, for fall 2008. Why must one successful community-based learning program be displaced by any new ones without a collaborative community process?
To collaborate in theory and practice is when at least two entities with similar interests come together to do something neither could do alone. As a faculty member of PASCEP, I know firsthand that Pres. Weaver Hart has not met with the director of PASCEP as a collaborative partner. If PASCEP’s director had been included in the decision-making process, perhaps there would have been a relatively seamless transition and supporters of PASCEP would not have to write such commentary and continue to oppose such apartheid/plantation approach to community-based learning.
ASM - April 29, 2008

DON’T MOVE PASCEP

Temple University has initiated the dismantling of the prestigious community education program, the Pan-African Studies Community Education Program (PASCEP), a world class model of multi cultural community education for the past 33 years.

Temple’s administration without involving the director or staff of PASCEP in any collaborative discussion, decided to relocate PASCEP off the main campus. With this move, several of PASCEP’s community outreach initiatives will be terminated and many of its classes will be eliminated.

Some of the PASCEP initiatives slated for EXTINCTION:

• The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC),
which is Philadelphia’s premiere comic book and literacy initiative.

• The PASCEP/BMDS Rites-of-Passage Programs.

• The PASCEP Prison Outreach will be reduced by 75%.

• The PASCEP Community Consortiums.

• The PASCEP Vendors Association.

With an average population of over 1100 students per semester, 85 classes running four nights per week, all run by volunteers, PASCEP qualifies as the 5th largest “school” under the Temple University banner. Yet they fail to respect the citizens of Philadelphia, who are its students and faculty, essentially …

PASCEP is under SEIGE!!

If you want to learn more or interested in volunteering to stop this madness,

Please e-mail us at: friendsofpascep@yahoo.com
or learn more at our blog at http://360.yahoo.com/friendsofpascep

APARTHEID MISTRUST BETRAYAL

On June 12, 2008, Earthlink Wireless plans to disconnect their municipal WiFi service in the City of Philadelphia. For the sake of being timely, I am releasing my unfinished documentary about the joint program between Earthlink Municipal WiFi and the local non-profit, Philadelphia Wireless, forgoing further editing and technical corrections.

My aspiration for this film was to represent the personal insights of a few Philadelphians and their hopes for how municipal wireless service could affect positive change in their city.

Philadelphia Wireless (the local non-profit) is still searching for a new provider to manage the network, continuing their mission of bridging the digital divide by providing internet service to those who can't afford it.

Please forward the link to anyone you think might be interested in this topic.

Change is in the Airwaves: A Documentary about the Philadelphia Wireless Initiative from George Rausch on Vimeo.

Another note about Sen Arlen Specter who seems all hot and bothered by the NFL these days. "Comcast is the No. 2 source of campaign funds for the Senator. Comcast execs and employees have given a reported $153,600 in contributions. The No. 1 contributor since '89 is Blank Rome LLC, a lobbying firm that has dumped $358,483 into Specter's coffers. A chief client of Blank Rome is .... wait for it .... Comcast."

This from Sports Illustrated. Although not my usual source of political news and information, we are getting more frank talk from SI about the Senator than the local Philly media.

So why is the Senator from Comcast attacking the NFL? Could it be that his owners at Comcast want to put pressure on the NFL with whom they are in a legal/media dispute over the NFL network? Hmmmm ...

OK. I am a sports fan and want fairness in sports, but what the heck is Senator Specter doing dedicating so much time and making a spectacle around this Spygate NFL thing? I mean doesn't the guy realize there are two wars going on, the economy needs some attention, there is a presidential election, etc .. Doesn't he care about these issues? Is pro football more important to him?

I was dumbfounded why he was spending so much time grandstanding on this issue. That's what I thought it must be -- grandstanding, camera hunting, a search for a little attention. Then I heard and looked into the fact that Sen Specter receives mega-bucks "donations" from a little company called Comcast. What's that got to do with it? Well, the NFL in its infinite wisdom decided to form a TV network (the NFL Network) and is now butting heads with Comcast over a number of related issues. Legal and media battle lines have been drawn. Enter Sentator Specter, Comcast's lap boy, and whala, Comcast can pressure the NFL in new ways ...

There can be no other rationale ...either Specter is bought and owned by Comcast -- or he's a nutty, camera-hungry old man ... either way Philly could do much better in terms of its US Senate representation.

And all this from a Republican .. a moderate Republican .. who years ago thought Specter was pretty cool ...

Well, Comcast, can you please ask your Senator to focus on the War in Iraq and the Economy please ??????

OK. I am a sports fan and want fairness in sports, but what the heck is Senator Specter doing dedicating so much time and making a spectacle around this Spygate NFL thing? I mean doesn't the guy realize there are two wars going on, the economy needs some attention, there is a presidential election, etc .. Doesn't he care about these issues? Is pro football more important to him?

I was dumbfounded why he was spending so much time grandstanding on this issue. That's what I thought it must be -- grandstanding, camera hunting, a search for a little attention. Then I heard and looked into the fact that Sen Specter receives mega-bucks "donations" from a little company called Comcast. What's that got to do with it? Well, the NFL in its infinite wisdom decided to form a TV network (the NFL Network) and is now butting heads with Comcast over a number of related issues. Legal and media battle lines have been drawn. Enter Sentator Specter, Comcast's lap boy, and whala, Comcast can pressure the NFL in new ways ...

There can be no other rationale ...either Specter is bought and owned by Comcast -- or he's a nutty, camera-hungry old man ... either way Philly could do much better in terms of its US Senate representation.

And all this from a Republican .. a moderate Republican .. who years ago thought Specter was pretty cool ...

Well, Comcast, can you please ask your Senator to focus on the War in Iraq and the Economy please ??????

When these news stories surface it makes me get down on my knees and thank god for female candidates like Anne Dicker, who really represents the kind of change voters seek. Why am I so irritated? Because....I never used to follow GrassRootsPA because I thought it was way too conservative. Well, it still is conservative, but you know what? It's rather informative. I found this post titled RELEASE: ROGERS CAMPAIGN CALLS ON STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE PAOLINO’S ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN TACTICS - well the post has a zillion comments - some funny, some pathetic, some offensive, racist, homophobic, bigoted, etc (not the blog's fault, just the boobs who post)...

But one little comment led to some googling and this story hitting the freaking AP the weekend before the primary:

Posted on Fri, Apr. 18, 2008
Pa. judge tells candidate to stop distributing fliers
The Associated Press

NORRISTOWN, Pa. - A Montgomery County judge has ordered a state Senate candidate to stop distributing a certain flier that allegedly confuses voters....Lisa Paolino has been distributing sample ballots that are the same size and color showing a Paolino endorsement.

A judge ordered the Paolino campaign to turn over the handbills until a full hearing can be held Monday.

Late Friday night, the Rogers campaign said an emergency hearing was scheduled Saturday in Delaware County Court over a similar issue.

The Story appears HERE, HERE, HERE.

Another blog I also don't haunt on a regular basis is PA Watercooler , and they have this story PLUS a copy of this faux ballot.

Tsk, tsk, tsk....this is like buying a fake Prada bag from a street vendor, huh?

Lisa, honey, you need a vacation. How can you ask those people in the 17th district to vote for you when you can't even play by the rules?

Honey, pack up your barbies; it's time to go home. You could run as a strong woman and play by the rules. What is that old adage? Or is it a cliché ? Cheaters never win and winners never cheat?

It's bad enough when MALE candidates do this stuff....but when a WOMAN does it, can it be said it makes it all the more difficult for the NEXT woman who comes along?

Will tonight make a difference? NOT!!! This will be over the 20th debate. I guess it will serve some purpose to get into the bitter comment (as if that thing hasn't been hacked to death). THat won't make a difference though. Hillary voters who are offended weren't voting for him anyway. His supporters won't be so easily swayed. It will be interesting to see the exit polls and to see of the late deciders how many were swung by the bitter comments. Stay tuned....

Sigh....I know, I know some days it's just hard to be fabulous. My suggestion? Bubble bath and a nice glass of wine.....

Yes, dear readers, my new favorite election to watch just got more interesting then the many, many, many installments of Jim vs. Lois:

GrassRootsPA: RELEASE: ROGERS CAMPAIGN CALLS ON STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE PAOLINO’S ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN TACTICS

And the Inquirer has been discussing it:

Infighting among GOP in 17th Senate District
By Derrick Nunnally
Inquirer Staff Writer

and if that isn't curious enough:

Giza: Lisa Paolino's Legal Letter

Why is everyone so bitter? Did Obama say something that was offensive or untrue. The media has made a caricature of what they think he meant by focusing on two words…. cling and bitter. On the face of it, if you easily succomb to others interpretation of events without taking the whole statement in context then I guess I understand. Voters who vote based on guns, religion, culture, traditions…. drumroll please they are called VALUES VOTERS. Isn’t that why in ’04 Rove/Bush were able to get same sex marriage on the ballot because they know there is a certain segment of the demos that does not vote their economic interests but instead votes based on their values. That is all Obama was saying….. that these voters have lost faith in their gov’t so they don’t believe they will do anything to improve their economic status, so they vote Values (aka guns, religion, family traditions, etc.)

The some segments of the media have gotten beaten over having a love affair with Barack. The Rev. Wright thing didn’t stick so Barack’s detractors say it is because the media lets him slide… the media is liberal, Barack is liberal, blah, blah, blah. So now with this little dust-up the networks have to show they are tough and analyze and parse and breakdown to prove they are on the case. GREAT, this will only make Obama stronger. The Clintons are no joke if he can beat them within the party (when conceivably the machine can’t really get involved) then he will whoop McCain!

www.thefutureisus.com

Her Alter Ego Has a "Clear Message" For Harrisburg:

Is Lisa Paolino is Confused?

Honestly, there I was minding my own business having a latte with my CPA (well, have to get those taxes done), and the pink cellie (Come on now would you expect it to be green?) rang. It was a phone call asking me if I was "Almost Famous", and ready for more "change".

(Of course I told the caller, I already was famous, and I was "the pretty blogger")

Apparently, this girl power candidate has a new television ad running on Conservative TV Land (I don't subscribe or watch, sorry)...it says that her opponent, that cutie Lance Rogers is confused.

How so? Well apparently it is very confusing to Ms. Paolino that Mr. Rogers (sans cardigan and puppets) was an Independent for a while? Who cares?

I have to say that I think it is Ms. Paolino who seems to be more confused than not....after all, that endorsement from a group I do watch the PA Women's Campaign Fund? I am pro choice, and this intimates that so is this candidate? Really? Once again, all I say is this, and if there is one thing that bothers me more then a crusty old dude in a judicial or clerical robe trying to tell women what to do with regard to personal choice, it's wondering if a female candidate is really pro-choice or just pretending?

Men are never clear on this topic - and since they don't bear children I pretty much ignore them anyway. But female candidates? Female candidates have to be abundantly clear on their pro-LIFE AND pro-CHOICE positions, because face it, if you aren't a woman, you really don't get this argument do you? And while I have never believed that this personal choice issue belongs in political campaigns, since this candidate opened Pandora's Box and accepted this endorsement, where does she stand? How many pro choice candidates have any of you ever seen to come out of a Catholic College?

I find that more confusing then a mere political party switch....honestly, I have been told she used that tired old logic on her local race last time - apparently the man who ran against her in Radnor Township had a political change of heart and had the nerve to become a Democrat?! Oh how shocking! Stop the presses! That is soooooooooo newsy and sooooo not a reason to vote for someone!!!

Look, I will agree with Ms. Paolino that Harrisburg is a mess, but is she the solution? Could she be just part of what is wrong in politics today?

Female politicians have a tougher go of it then male counterparts, but you have to do more than be petty and overdone to get female voters to pay attention in a positive manner, correct? Can it be said right now that this candidate just looks like another female candidate that can't get along with men? Remember how far that didn't get Perpetual-Bad-Hair-Day-Lois?

And ohhh....that Almost Famous article? Check out the comments....that Chief John Fallon has written a little comment...very telling.

Ok, well, it's too nice to stay inside. I am off for a walk around Rittenhouse Square and a little shoe shopping....at least I can admit I am frivolous, right? (But then again, I also know I'm fabulous!)

Last night at the Compassion Forum, Barack sought to put an end to the recent flap over his "bitter" comments. He explained that he felt that industrial voters have a right to be bitter and in times of ecomomic distress, people "cling" to what they feel they can count on (ie religion, culture, family traditions) which is what he says he does in times of trial. It seems quite desperate on Clinton's part to try and make a mountian out of those statments. McCain.... well that is what should be expected. It seems like Clinton's response has Mark Penn written all over it. She has once again opened herself to questions she doesn't want to answer (when was the last time you were in church?) and makes her seem like she is pandering (to her own base? but I digress) with stories of how she is protecting sportsman and her daddy taught her to shoot. Next she will say she has a skeet shooting range in Chappequa (sp?). We will see if this is it or if the story lives on. One thing I can say though is "The lesson of Kerry" is understood by all Dems now, when hit, you must hit back immediately. Well by most Dems.... Hillary ducked (pun intended) the sniper fire story to long in my opinion.. but again I digress.

www.thefutureisus.com

Here is a sample of what young voters are talking about, it is from our Conversations for Solutions series.... check it out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sto-spf3Or0

www.thefutureisus.com