Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

FakeNoose

FakeNoose's Journal
FakeNoose's Journal
December 31, 2022

Century-old law let voters file baseless recount petitions and delay Pa.'s election certification

(link) https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2022/12/pa-midterm-election-2022-recount-petitions-certification-history/

HARRISBURG — Good-government advocates and voting experts say Pennsylvania should change a recount law that was weaponized by activists and delayed the state’s certification by several weeks.

A Votebeat and Spotlight PA review of historical legislative records and news articles found that the 1927 provision has not been substantially updated in the near-century since its passage, and was designed to combat a type of fraud now easily detected by modern improvements to election administration.

The recount petition fee, for example, has never been updated from the $50 amount set in 1927. Adjusted for inflation, the modern equivalent is $860.

By design, the authors of the law specifically didn’t require citizens submitting recount petitions to include proof of fraud. That means almost none of the petitions submitted this year offered actual evidence of malfeasance.


- more at link -

This is Repukes' abusing a petition system that was set up to address issues of glaring malfeasance in judicial elections of the 1920's. It has no bearing in the current political climate that has been exploited by Chump and the MAGAts. This year's recount petitioners (all Repukes) showed no proof of fraud, but they still delayed the state's final election counts by several weeks. It's testing the system to see if they can DELAY or PREVENT the certification of elected Democrats. This must be addressed before 2024.

December 30, 2022

50 years after tragic plane crash, Roberto Clemente's incredible legacy only continues to grow



(caption) Roberto Clemente, star right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates and member of MLB Hall of Fame, in 1967 .

(link) https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2022/12/30/pirates-roberto-clemente-50th-anniversary-death-tom-walker-zorrilla-dorsey-memories-legacy-alive/stories/202212200063

New Year’s Eve marks 50 years since a plane carrying Roberto Clemente crashed while delivering earthquake relief supplies to Nicaragua. In those five decades, the iconic Pirates outfielder’s legacy has soared to incredible and unimaginable heights.

In many ways, how Clemente is remembered matches how he carried himself as a player and person: flash and flair buttressed by tireless preparation and dedication, Clemente considering it his personal duty to perform for fans and be there for his teammates, whatever the cost.

Yet strip away baseball, and Clemente’s legacy is framed by his charity work and selfless care for others. There’s an annual MLB award in his honor. The mere mention of his name will cause professional athletes, regardless of sport, to think about leveraging their platform for good. And just think: All of it was started by a man who pursued this sort of thing as a lifestyle, not a way to attract attention.

“Dad was all about opportunities, not just baseball,” said Luis Clemente, one of Roberto’s three surviving sons. “Sports, art, music, you name it ... whether you were a kid or an adult, he wanted people to follow their dreams and know there were others who cared about them.”


- more at link -

Awesome write-up about Roberto Clemente, who died in his prime bringing humanitarian aid to the victims of the earthquake in Nicaragua. It's a story that needs to remembered and retold to each generation of young baseball fans.

Tears and cheers for Roberto Clemente, who will never be forgotten in Pittsburgh.

December 30, 2022

Pittsburgh tech company makes 401(k) data free and open to all

(link) https://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2022/12/29/401k-data-benchmine-search-engine-raul-valdes-perez-onlyboth/stories/202212290061

A company co-founded by Raul Valdes-Perez called Vivisimo introduced IBM to Pittsburgh’s booming tech scene when the corporate giant took over the Squirrel Hill-based operation in 2012.

Now, Mr. Valdes-Perez is looking to make waves in the 401(k) industry.

More than two decades after the idea came up during a party conversation, the computer scientist has launched a search engine called Benchmine that allows users to do comparative analysis on more than 54,000 company 401(k) retirement plans.

The online tool provides free and public access to data that all companies offering 401(k)s to their employees are required to report annually to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Users can see how their own 401(k) balances and annual contributions stack up with the average balances of workers in their particular company or make comparisons with the average balances of workers at any other company nationwide.


- more at link -

Have you ever wondered how your company's 401K retirement plan stacks up against other companies in your industry? A lot of Americans have, and we've never had a way to know until now. A free tool called Benchmine makes the data available to everyone. I wish this tool had been around when I decided to retire in 2017.

December 29, 2022

Monroeville PA Avis manager traded rental cars for drugs and cash, police say

(link) https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2022/12/28/allegheny-county-monroeville-stolen-avis-rental-cars/stories/202212280063

The manager of a Monroeville car rental outlet allegedly traded cars for drugs and cash, losing the company at least 15 cars worth nearly $400,000, though police estimated those numbers could more than double by the time the investigation is complete.

Jackie Neubauer, 40, is charged with theft, forgery and drug violations in connection with the alleged schemes and thefts.

At least 15 vehicles from the Avis franchise in Monroeville have been reported fraudulently rented and stolen so far. Avis investigators told Monroeville police they believe at least 30 more will end up reported as stolen by the time they finish their audit early next month.

One of the cars was involved in a robbery, police said. Another was connected to the theft of more than 35 catalytic converters in Fayette and Westmoreland counties. At least three have been involved in police pursuits with Monroeville police, according to a criminal complaint.

The audit initially sent up red flags for Avis security officials when they discovered the rental agency went from renting five or six cars each day to more than 20 in October and November, according to the complaint. The audit showed Ms. Neubauer allegedly used the same series of fake names and credit card numbers on numerous fraudulent rental contracts.


- more at link -

Police are still investigating, but they have at least 92 suspicious rental contracts, all to the customer named "Bull."

Hmmm


December 24, 2022

FDA: Morning-after pills are not abortion pills

(link) https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2022/12/23/fda-morning-after-pills-abortion-pills-plan-b/stories/202212230104

(This is a reprint from the New York Times)

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday significantly changed the information that will be in every box of the most widely used emergency contraceptive pills to make clear that they do not prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the womb. The agency explained in an accompanying document that the products cannot be described as abortion pills.

Up to now, packages of the brand-name pill, Plan B One-Step, as well as generic versions of it have said that the pill might work by preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the womb — language that scientific evidence did not support. That wording led some abortion opponents and politicians who equate a fertilized egg with a person to say that taking the morning-after pill could be the equivalent of having an abortion or even committing murder.

The FDA revised the leaflets inserted in packages of pills to say that the medication “works before release of an egg from the ovary,” meaning that it acts before fertilization, not after. The package insert also says the pill “will not work if you’re already pregnant, and will not affect an existing pregnancy.”

In a question-and-answer document posted on the FDA’s website, the agency explicitly addressed the abortion issue. In answer to the question, “Is Plan B One-Step able to cause an abortion?” the agency writes: “No.” It added: “Plan B One-Step prevents pregnancy by acting on ovulation, which occurs well before implantation. Evidence does not support that the drug affects implantation or maintenance of pregnancy after implantation, therefore, it does not terminate a pregnancy.”


- more at link -

Could be a game-changer? I don't know, but this seems hopeful for women who face the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy. (Especially those living in states like Texas.)


December 22, 2022

Decaying Allegheny County oil and gas wells to be plugged with federal funding boost

(link) https://www.unionprogress.com/2022/12/18/decaying-allegheny-oil-and-gas-wells-to-be-plugged-with-federal-funding-boost/

Ten decaying oil and gas wells, long abandoned by their owners, will be sealed shut and cleaned up in Allegheny County beginning early next year.

The orphan well-plugging project is one of the first in Pennsylvania to be funded by a 2021 federal infrastructure law that promises to spend an unprecedented amount to clean up hazardous, polluting wells that litter the commonwealth.

The project to cement shut just 10 wells in Allegheny County — out of 27,000 abandoned wells documented by Pennsylvania regulators and roughly 200,000 that are yet to be found — demonstrates the challenge of cleaning up the scattershot remnants of past drilling booms.

Legacy oil and gas fields left behind over a century are now neighborhoods, public parks, golf courses, farms and forests. Old wells have been broken down by rust and overtaken by dirt, brush and shifting property uses.


- more at link -



Introducing PITTSBURGH UNION PROGRESS a dedicated website that is published by the striking workers of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. As far as I know, there is no printed news sheet - this is web-only. Their aim is to provide news of the strike as well as important community announcements. More info available here: https://www.unionprogress.com/



December 21, 2022

Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris dies at 72



(link) https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2022/12/21/franco-harris-pittsburgh-steelers-immaculate-reception/stories/202207310149

Icon will have No. 32 jersey retired Saturday night

Former Steelers running back Franco Harris, author of the most famous play in NFL history and one of the greatest players in franchise history, has reportedly died at 72.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday morning that Harris’ son, Dok, confirmed the news with no cause of death given.

“The entire team at the Pro Football Hall of Fame is immensely saddened today,” Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a statement. “We have lost an incredible football player, an incredible ambassador to the Hall and most importantly, we have lost one of the finest gentlemen anyone will ever meet. Franco not only impacted the game of football, but he also affected the lives of many, many people in profoundly positive ways. The Hall of Fame and historians everywhere will tell Franco’s football story forever. His life story can never be told fully, however, without including his greatness off the field.

“My heart and prayers go out to his wife, Dana, an equally incredible person, a special friend to the Hall and someone who cares so deeply for Franco’s Hall of Fame teammates.”


- more at link -

I'm in shock! This coming Saturday Dec. 24th is the 50th anniversary of the famous play called "the Immaculate Reception." Many festivities have been planned at the Pittsburgh stadium that day, including a special tribute to Franco Harris and the retiring of his uniform number 32. Now there will be much sadness involved because Franco won't be there to accept the tribute from the team and his many fans.

Franco Harris retired from football many years ago but he and his family chose to stay in Pittsburgh. He's been a beloved figure in our city and a leader in business and civic activities. Steeler fans across the nation will understand this ... Franco Harris is loved in Pittsburgh!

Rest in Peace Franco, and thanks for all the memories!

December 21, 2022

Attn Yinzers: Mark Cuban lunches at Bakery Square with childhood friends, CBS News



(link) https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/celebrities/2022/12/20/mark-cuban-bakery-square-cbs-news/stories/202212200093

Mark Cuban was in Bakery Square on Tuesday, eating lunch with his friends and filming a segment for “CBS Sunday Morning.” So why Pittsburgh?

“I asked if we could do it with my Pittsburgh friends, so I am here,” Cuban explained by email.

Todd Reidbord, Jerry Katz, Steve Rosen and Stu Chaban have been friends with Cuban since his days growing up in Mt. Lebanon. The four friends were part of a segment focusing on what the owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and star of the TV show “Shark Tank” was like as a kid.

“We all went to grade school and high school with him,” explained Reidbord after lunch. “I am really not sure what the other segments were about, but ours was about what kind of person he was growing up.


- more at link -

Here's the link to Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs website: https://costplusdrugs.com/

We're still hoping he's going to buy the Pittsburgh Pirates - that would be AWESOME!

Mark Cuban hasn't lived in Pittsburgh since his college days, over 30 years ago. But he keeps in touch with family and and friends in the 'Burgh, just like a regular guy. Except now he's a multi-billionaire, living in Dallas, owner of the Mavericks, Cost Plus Drugs, and several other large companies.
December 19, 2022

'They Just Threw the Book at Donald Trump': Ari Melber Says J-6 Committee "A Felon, An Insurrectist"

(link) https://www.mediaite.com/tv/they-just-threw-the-book-at-donald-trump-ari-melber-says-jan-6-committee-just-declared-ex-president-a-felon-an-insurrectionist/

MSNBC host Ari Melber called the January 6 congressional committee’s criminal referrals for Donald Trump the “highest, most aggressive possible case” they could have laid out.

Committee members announced at their final hearing that they are recommending the Department of Justice charge the former president inciting an insurrection, conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to make a false statement, and obstruction of an official proceeding.

The committee showed a collection of findings from their investigation and even made new accusations, including that Trump and his associates allegedly offered employment to some witnesses being relied on in the Capitol riot investigation.

“This is a huge deal. They just threw the book at Donald Trump,” Melber declared on MSNBC shortly after the referrals were announced.

Melber said the committee sent a clear message to Trump, labeling him “felon, an insurrectionist, [and] someone who wanted to riot but just physically couldn’t get there. The committee is basically saying, ‘we got you. we have the receipts, we have the video, this all was planned,” he added.


- more at link WITH video clip -



It's time to break out the champagne toasts, my friends.
Santa is early this year. Thank you J-6 Committee!

Profile Information

Name: Kathy Hinsman
Gender: Female
Hometown: Pittsburgh PA
Home country: USA
Current location: Pittsburgh
Member since: Sat Feb 18, 2017, 02:16 PM
Number of posts: 32,853

About FakeNoose

Hey DU friends! Baby boomer here. I became a voter in 1972 when I turned 21, and I've been voting regularly ever since. For a long time I remained independent - always voting for Dem candidates. However that changed in 2008 when I wanted to vote for Hillary Clinton for President. But I live in Pennsylvania where we have closed elections, and my only chance to vote for Hillary was in the Dem primary. So I joined the Democratic Party in 2008, voted for Hillary, and I've never looked back. Barack Obama won the primary in Pennsylvania, as ell as most other states, and I supported him in the general election. It was a different story in 2016 .... You'll never convince me that Chump didn't CHEAT his way into the White House. The worst 4 years in the history of our country ensued, 2017 to 2020, and the first few days of 2021. We all lived through it and i don't need to explain it now. My goal is to make sure that Chump NEVER gets elected to ANYTHING again. Not even Dogcatcher of West Palm Beach FL. Whether he goes to prison is not up to me - but he must be CONVICTED of his crimes and PREVENTED from running for office again. Better yet - he should be in prison or six-feet-under. You get me? I love the cooperation, optimism and can-do spirit of Democratic Underground. We're a community of liberal-minded Americans and we know how to share our stories constructively and pro-actively. Let's all pitch in and get this job done. There has never been a more important election that right now, this year. Democrats everywhere MUST WIN. Joe Biden must win FOUR MORE YEARS!
Latest Discussions»FakeNoose's Journal