tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708938400103267165.post6543299822535215762..comments2023-12-20T23:30:54.576-05:00Comments on Pittsburgh Pist-Gazette: My Money, Your Money.....What’s The Big Deal?Charhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06725494226277483936noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708938400103267165.post-36055480384941239362008-03-27T16:31:00.000-04:002008-03-27T16:31:00.000-04:00I presume you are talking about the Bodies exhibit...I presume you are talking about the Bodies exhibit.<BR/><BR/>I don't know if Fleck has seen it. I have NOT seen it. The largest point of opposition to this exhibit is that the individuals displayed are very likely Chinese political prisoners who were likely killed JUST TO harvest their organs for China's black market organ transplant market and then turn the bodies into an additional money-making commodity.<BR/><BR/>If that is true, which it LIKELY is .... please take the time to read and research this yourself ... what this exhibit "looks" like, however "educational" it may or may not be ..... is not the central legal point.<BR/><BR/>If each body were accompanied by verifiable paperwork showing that the deceased willed his body to science, the state, the exhibit promoters, whoever, to do with it as they wanted ..... Then yes, there would be less of a debate.<BR/><BR/>I think there would still be a debate. One that people like me would lose. Because I think posing skinned & flayed dead bodies in needlessly sensational positions which add nothing to the educational value but everything to the shock value (I have seen pictures).....I personally think this is more of an obscenity than nude bars, for instance. Or XXX movies.<BR/><BR/>But alas, we are all so desensitized, less and less is deemed obscene.<BR/><BR/>Rabbi Daniel Schiff asked an interesting question ... If his last will & testament specifically stated that he wanted his dead body to be cut up and sold for consumption at the local butcher shop, would/should that be legal? Of course not. The illegal status is not due to any health reasons. No, cannibalism is illegal because society has decided a certain amount of reverence and respect must be afforded all humans (dead or alive) in order for the society to remain a civilized one.<BR/> <BR/>Which is why I think these exhibits are both illegal and obscene. But that's my opinion. And differing opinions between different people can and will be debated ad infinitum.<BR/><BR/>What I would think CAN'T be debated is whether or not the US should aid and abet a criminally barbaric regime by providing them with a lucrative marketplace for the remnants of their horrific crimes against their citizens and all of humanity.Charhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06725494226277483936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708938400103267165.post-3559035744960308142008-03-27T14:54:00.000-04:002008-03-27T14:54:00.000-04:00Has Rep. Fleck even SEEN the exhibit?Has Rep. Fleck even SEEN the exhibit?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708938400103267165.post-17883710658033665172008-03-22T22:21:00.000-04:002008-03-22T22:21:00.000-04:00Char, keep working it, you're doing great.The peop...Char, keep working it, you're doing great.<BR/><BR/>The people want the pressure turned up, go for it Burgess, Dowd, Kraus, Peduto & Shields.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708938400103267165.post-33465708166477513992008-03-22T19:17:00.000-04:002008-03-22T19:17:00.000-04:00No ….. Ford never went into the specifics of the h...No ….. Ford never went into the specifics of the high cost of brilliance. He instead whined about how council never has given him an opportunity to elaborate. All council wants to do is make mountains out of LED signs, says Ford.<BR/><BR/>Dowd was looking at something while he spoke which may have been URA’s budget. And his line of questioning made me think most of the increase may be personnel related, taking over city departments and functions like planning, etc. But that’s a huge speculation on my part.<BR/><BR/>I didn’t elaborate more in my post because there’s only so much one can put in a blog entry before you get reader fatigue. But Kraus did hit Ford on his You-Guys-Just-Don’t-Like-Us whine. Kraus reminded Ford that he (Kraus) had specifically asked to be part of the group considering the merits of a Planning/URA merger and up to that very moment …. He had still been excluded.<BR/><BR/>Kraus also went on to say he didn’t like the idea of moving Planning over to URA because a city needs planning expertise and he fears City Planning would be left raided and inept. Ford egotistically responded that Kraus’ fears where unfounded because he, Ford the Supreme Planning/Zoning/Development Czar would still be around. Albeit just in the URA.<BR/><BR/>And here we come back to the same brick wall where Ford/Zober/Ravenstahl just can’t comprehend the value of a governmental structure with checks/balances, the wisdom of government following its own laws/ordinances, the preposterousness (if that’s a word) of organizational charts where city employees report to non-city entities.<BR/><BR/>Kraus used his calm, simple but stern voice to tell Ford it was wonderful that he (Ford) was such a planning wonder. But he (Ford) was no longer in the City Planning department and THAT was the concern. THAT was the point.<BR/><BR/>Ford had no comeback.<BR/><BR/>And yes….. for me ….. Televised council sessions is MUST SEE TV.Charhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06725494226277483936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708938400103267165.post-78610405031567396482008-03-22T18:47:00.000-04:002008-03-22T18:47:00.000-04:00"Why did their budget jump 37% in one year? Simple..."Why did their budget jump 37% in one year? Simple. New Executive Director Pat Ford was reorganizing and restructuring the authority. He had big plans, big visions and big things cost big money."<BR/><BR/>Did he get very much more specific? I can understand keeping things hush before the big "rollout", given the current political environment. However, a 37% jump in spending should require more of an explanation than, "Stay tuned!"Bram Reichbaumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708938400103267165.post-47688033940261837262008-03-22T17:00:00.000-04:002008-03-22T17:00:00.000-04:00this city is insane- a government sponsored bank a...this city is insane- a government sponsored bank and real estate clusterf*ck of an outfit and most of the voters don't question or know about what they really are. then again most ppl don't think it's odd that we have a parking authority in the parking garage business ...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708938400103267165.post-16098754221510701252008-03-22T16:22:00.000-04:002008-03-22T16:22:00.000-04:00What, do you tape the City Channel or something? ...What, do you tape the City Channel or something? These updates are fantastic....Bram Reichbaumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708938400103267165.post-82381087005445613892008-03-22T13:33:00.000-04:002008-03-22T13:33:00.000-04:00master planning processes. gee isn't that the Pla...master planning processes. gee isn't that the Planning Department's job?<BR/><BR/>Why is the URA getting into the business of running city government?<BR/><BR/>Luke Ravenstahl - great mayor. He lies all the time. He pushes illegal deals. He follows the lead of his handlers. Get's way too cozy with his cam paign contributors. <BR/><BR/>He has no clue how to run government, or engage in what could be called good politics. Has just about every member of Council pissed - after he and his minions and himself threatens them at every turn. <BR/>He is a clown. Dump LUKE. Ok Northside - that is two clowns you have sent to the mayor's office.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5708938400103267165.post-82922674865782980662008-03-22T13:27:00.000-04:002008-03-22T13:27:00.000-04:00Who died and made Sen, Jim Ferlo the mayor and Cou...Who died and made Sen, Jim Ferlo the mayor and Council all rolled into one?<BR/><BR/>I say it is time the public started to show up at URA Board meetings. Turn on the ights and let's watch the theives scatter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com