Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Almanacs “Eshoo bill targeting loud ads passes House - The Almanac Online” plus 4 more

Almanacs “Eshoo bill targeting loud ads passes House - The Almanac Online” plus 4 more

fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Eshoo bill targeting loud ads passes House - The Almanac Online

Posted: 16 Dec 2009 05:59 AM PST

For decades, loud TV commercials have been among the leading complaints to the Federal Communications Commission, says Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Menlo Park.

A bill she drafted and that passed the House of Representatives Tuesday (Dec. 15) aims to do something about it.

The Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, would bar TV ads from playing noticeably louder than programs running at the same time. A companion bill has been introduced in the Senate.

"This problem has existed for more than 50 years, but no one has properly addressed it," Rep. Eshoo said in a statement. "Under the CALM Act, consumers will no longer have to dive for the mute button."

Shorter meetings? Don't count on it. - The Almanac Online

Posted: 16 Dec 2009 05:59 AM PST

Soon after beginning his first term on Menlo Park's City Council in late 2006, Rich Cline co-authored a letter with Councilman Andy Cohen, calling for an "open government initiative."

Among the things the council members asked for in that letter was to "put a hard stop on council meetings at 11 p.m. No exceptions.

"We cannot continue to make decisions after the community has gone to sleep," they wrote.

Nearly three years after that request, the council has not taken up the call for a "hard stop." During Heyward Robinson's just-concluded term as mayor, exactly two-thirds of the meetings ended after 11 p.m., with the council making plenty of decisions after the community had gone to sleep.

With Mr. Cline poised to take the gavel as mayor and get his chance to run the meetings beginning Dec. 15, should interested residents expect to be able to stay awake for their entirety?

"The goal is to get more disciplined, but I don't want to make the assumption that we'll necessarily shorten the meetings," Mr. Cline said in an interview, acknowledging that he's taken a more realistic outlook since penning that letter. "I don't want to squash creativity or discussion."

Mr. Cohen repeatedly lamented the length of meetings during Mr. Robinson's term, calling it "extremely frustrating."

"It's not uncommon for most of the council members to repeat themselves ad nauseam, in the hope that they can bowl over the opposition, and get their way," he said. "Or, they simply ask many questions, in an attempt to stall the process. Both of those methods are counter-productive, and discourage (people) from coming to council meetings."

While the council did spend more time in the chambers during Mr. Robinson's term, long meetings were not unique to that term, or even to this council. Excluding closed sessions, special workshops and ceremonial meetings, the council spent 145 hours deliberating during the just-concluded term, as opposed to 134 during Mr. Cohen's term, with just over half of those meetings going past 11 p.m. It spent 129 hours debating during the final term of the previous council majority, which was criticized by some for rushing discussions.

Ms. Fergusson said she thinks this council is much more efficient than the one she joined after her election in 2004.

"I think that every year we get better and better at this ... as we understand each others' working style more and more," she said.

Like Mr. Cohen, Mr. Cline said he gets frustrated when council members launch into speeches, or ask unnecessary questions, though "I don't want this to come off as me making some broad, sweeping statement on the conduct of council members." A student of city politics, he said he doesn't know of many cities of Menlo Park's size that regularly hold meetings past 11 p.m.

He'd like to see the council stick to Robert's Rules of Order, which he describes as "rules for getting business done, not rules for a discussion forum. Not rules for getting everything said."

"Sometimes we all get into a different mode together, and I'm as guilty as anybody," he said. "We start meandering together."

Still, "the mayor and the council can't control everything," he added, complimenting Ms. Fergusson, Mr. Cohen and Mr. Robinson on their stewardship during their mayoral terms. "We will try to find a good balance, but we're going to have some really long, challenging meetings."

"I wish him all the success in the world in running shorter meetings, we all aspire to that goal," Ms. Fergusson said with a good-natured laugh.

The Almanac - Dec. 16 - Post Chronicle

Posted: 16 Dec 2009 04:48 AM PST

Today is Wednesday, Dec. 16, the 350th day of 2009 with 15 to follow.

The moon is new. The morning stars are Venus, Mars, Saturn and Mercury. The evening stars are Neptune, Jupiter and Uranus.

Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius. They include Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of England's King Henry VIII, in 1485; German composer Ludwig von Beethoven in 1770; novelist Jane Austen in 1775; philosopher George Santayana in 1863; playwright and composer Noel Coward in 1899; anthropologist Margaret Mead in 1901; science fiction novelist Arthur C. Clarke in 1917; actress Liv Ullmann in 1938 (age 71); TV journalist Leslie Stahl in 1941 (age 68); TV producer Steven Bochco in 1943 (age 66), and actor Benjamin Bratt in 1963 (age 46).

On this date in history:

In 1773, some 50 American patriots, protesting the British tax on tea, dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston harbor in the historic "Boston Tea Party."

In 1835, a fire swept New York City, razing 600 buildings and causing $20 million damage.

In 1893, Anton Dvorak's "New World Symphony" premiered at New York's Carnegie Hall.

In 1913, British actor Charles Chaplin reported to work at Keystone Studios in Hollywood to launch a legendary film career.

In 1944, Germany launched a great counteroffensive in World War II that became known as "The Battle of the Bulge."

In 1953, Chuck Yeager set an airborne speed record when he flew a Bell X-1A rocket-fueled plane at more than 1,600 miles an hour.

In 1960, 131 people were killed when two planes collided over foggy New York harbor.

In 1991, the U.N. General Assembly repealed a resolution equating Zionism with racism. It had been a major stumbling block in achieving peace in the Middle East.

In 1997, more than 700 children in Japan were hospitalized after a televised cartoon triggered a condition called "light epilepsy" or "Nintendo epilepsy," which is caused by intense flashes of light viewed up close.

Also in 1997, the highest wind speed ever measured -- 236 mph -- was recorded at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam as Typhoon Paka slammed into the Pacific island.

In 1998, U.S. and British jetfighters began a four-night campaign of bombing more than 100 Iraqi military targets. The long threatened action came after the allies concluded Iraq wouldn't cooperate with U.N. weapons inspectors.

In 2001, police in India said four suspects in custody had named terror groups based in Pakistan as being responsible for the Dec. 13 attack on the Indian Parliament building in New Delhi that left 14 people dead.

In 2003, U.S. President George W. Bush signed legislation authorizing the creation of a museum honoring African-Americans.

In 2004, U.S. President George W. Bush signed into law legislation mandating a sweeping revamp of U.S. intelligence-gathering agencies, including the creation of a national director of intelligence.

In 2005, the Palestinian militant group Hamas won a sweeping victory in West Bank municipal elections.

Also in 2005, British scientists calculated 2005 was the warmest year in the Northern Hemisphere since recordkeeping began in the 1860s.

In 2006, Iraq's embattled prime minister called on former supporters of Saddam Hussein, including soldiers of the disbanded army, to join the peace process.

Also in 2006, the United Nations and African, Arab and European leaders agreed in principle to a joint U.N.-African Union peacekeeping force for Sudan's embattled Darfur region.

And, Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman died at age 94.

In 2007, the U.S. military decided to keep an imposing troop presence in Baghdad to prevent the Iraqi capital from devolving again into widespread violence, officials said. Troops were to be removed from outlying areas instead.

Also in 2007, witnesses said dozens of Turkish jets bombed several border towns in northern Iraq, killing two civilians in attacks against Kurdish rebels. It was the first Turkish air raid against Iraqi Kurdistan strongholds.

In 2008, reports said the Federal Reserve was slashing interest rates from 1 percent to zero in another attempt to control the recession and stabilize the economy. The fed indicated further it would pump more money into the economy.

Also in 2008, the U.N. Security Council adopted its first resolution on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process in five years, calling on both sides to step up efforts for a lasting peace and stating the U.S.-brokered talks were "irreversible."

A thought for the day: it was George Santayana who said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." (c) UPI

fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Developer asks PT to release funds - Pennsylvania Almanac

Posted: 16 Dec 2009 05:02 AM PST


Developer asks PT to release funds

By Terri T. Johnson Almanac staff writer tjohnson@thealmanac.net

With the financial situation still affecting development, representatives of the Wadell Group approached Peters Township Council Dec. 14 to request the release of security funds.

The township has a requirements that each developer post financial security to ensure all improvements for the development are completed.

Woodrow Welsch from the Wadell group said the remaining work in the Orchard Hill plan is estimated to cost about $120,000. However, the township is holding $187,000 through a line of credit and Welsch requested the release of about $60,000.

The township's policy is to retain 10 percent and although there is, what council chairman James Berquest called a "good relationship" with the Wadell group, council normally does not deviate from policy.

The money is not released, according to policy, until the public improvements are accepted by council.

"I believe we should be consistent, but these economic times are unprecedented," Berquist said.

Covering the remaining costs through a bond is not possible, Welsch said, adding lenders are against changing financing mid-way through the project.

Ed Wadell of the Wadell group, said, "The money isn't for Ed and Woody, the money is for the guys who did the work, and they are hurting."

Council suggested discussing the issue with township personnel with the goal of reducing the amount of the 10 percent retention policy. No official action was taken.

n Council set 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 for a public hearing on the township's proposal to enact a mineral extraction ordinance regarding oil, coal and natural gas extraction in the township.

Anyone wishing to speak at the public hearing is asked to contact the township at 724-941-4180.

n A policy regarding inclement weather was passed by a unanimous vote. The policy was requested by the township's Park and Recreation department that includes action that should be taken when there is lightning.

n Council also authorized solicitor William Johnson to offer two homeowners, the Robinson and Urbanowicz families, $4,000 in relief for the recent upgrade and acceptance on Mt. Blaine Drive. Both families live on corner lots.

n Council rejected a traffic study for Center Church Road until the proposed changes at the intersection of Center Church and East McMurray roads are completed.

Traffic lights at the intersection of McDowell Lane and Washington Road are installed and ready to be activated. However, Township Manager Michael Silvestri said the state Department of Transportation has not issued the directive to turn them on.

"That's ludicrous," Berquist said.

Silvestri said PennDOT indicated the lights would not be activated until the shopping plaza under construction just south of the intersection had an occupant.

With construction on Dam Road, just north of the intersection, traffic is affected and the lights are needed, Berquist said.

Council agreed, but without a formal vote, that not turning the lights on was worse than turning them on. In the past, council has overruled PennDOT, such as requiring the entrance to Washington Federal Savings Bank on Valley Brook Road, be widened.

Asked if there could be ramifications about activating the lights without Penn-DOT approval, solicitor Johnson offered no comment.

Council asked Silvestri to contact state Sen. John Pippy, R-Moon Township, to encourage PennDOT to take action before the first tenant opens in the plaza.


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fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

USC adopts Internet policy for students - Pennsylvania Almanac

Posted: 16 Dec 2009 05:02 AM PST


USC adopts Internet policy for students

By Carla Valentine Myers For The Almanac writer@thealmanac.net

 Upper St. Clair school board adopted the district's first stand-alone policy regarding use of the Internet.

The policy was proposed in order to comply with a Pennsylvania Department of Education requirement for schools that wish to continue to get special deals through the state for Internet access, Patrick O'Toole, district superintendent, said at the Dec. 14 meeting.

The district's computer use policy was last modified more than a decade ago.

Raymond Berrott, director of technology for the school district, said when the policy was introduced for public input in November that the district has not had an entire Internet use policy before. This new policy, will supplement the district's current "Information Systems Policy" which was put in place in 1998.

The proposed policy lists 18 prohibited uses of the Internet on district computers. They include cyberbullying, hate mail, discriminatory remarks, product advertisement or political lobbying, facilitating illegal activity, commercial or for-profit purposes, profanity, and access to materials, images or photographs that are obscene, pornographic, lewd or otherwise illegal.

The policy also mandates that "Any district computer/server utilized by students and staff shall be equipped with Internet blocking/filtering software."

Another mandate is that students in the district be taught Internet safety. The policy mandates "Education of students about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking Web sites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness."

"Developmentally appropriate Internet safety measures shall be implemented," the policy states.

When the policy was first introduced for consideration in November, Amy Billerbeck, president of the school board, said students in the middle schools and high school will be required to sign a copy of the policy and agree to abide by it.

O'Toole said another proposal, on placing student in an advisory capacity on the school board, which the board had been hoping to consider Dec. 14 will be postponed until January.

He said the board will look at the policy at its Jan. 11 committee of the whole meeting. O'Toole said they are hoping to get feedback from students at that meeting. He said the vote was also delayed in order to give the new board members time to comment on the proposal.

O'Toole said he expects the board to vote on the policy at its regular meeting Jan. 25.

Both the new Internet policy and the proposal still under consideration regarding students on the school board, are available for review on the school district's Web site.


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fivefilters.org featured article: Normalising the crime of the century by John Pilger. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.
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