Neither a RANT nor a RAVE, but a pause to try to figure out the daily print news headline. OK, someone submitted a letter to the editor, blasting Fay government officials, and signed what might be a fictious name. So said officials held a news conference to say that the paper now thinks the letter might not be authentic, possibly written by someone politically connected to the officials' critics. Goodness, hold the presses! Neither a Rant or Rave again, but another pause to hope that the letter was sent electronically to the paper, that an IP of the sender can be determined that might shed light on the truth. Rants -- should the name on the published letter prove to be false -- to anyone who takes cowardly anonymous swipes at others when there are more appropriate public forums in which officials can be questioned on public record. But Rants, too, that a real "news conference" was called without proof of much or to announce the filing of criminal or civil charges for public defamation of character. So much petty drama. So little county progress.
RANTS on a rainy Election Day for the low voter turnout. Rants that some area voters were unable to vote when poll workers, with no back up paper ballots, couldn't program the electronic voting machines. Other Rants that a couple hundred people voted twice in South Union when a first-time elections officer repeatedly passed out two different party paper ballots per voter for some time. Raves to county election officials for taking quick action to correct the problem and actual tallies before Election Day passed. But, goodness, Rants that no poll workers and what seems to be no early paper ballot voters seem to have questioned it. Rants that a commonwealth that funded big bucks to train state liquor store clerks to be friendlier does not seem to be providing adequate training or technical advice for those in charge of elections.
RANTS at the very least to stolen valor and to red flags that this incident should have raised. Such chilling Rants that a Texis civilian three months ago, with absolutely no authentic military experience, simply BS'd his way through the doors, specialized security clearances and right into a non-commissioned officer's military position to lead solidiers into battle. Rants that this nightmare scenerio drafted by someone with obvious issues might have actually played out had his former girlfriend not blown the whistle on his scam. Rants that this alleged true story incident today made world-wide news and likely gave a few terrorist or wannabes in training a bright idea or two. Rants, you know, because none of them would have girlfriends who would blow the whistle if they copied the Texan's lead into a U.S. combat officer's role.
RAVES this June 12th to Norman Nardini, the very father of Pittsburgh rock, as he turns 60, for seeming to be the very glue sometimes that holds the whole family together. Additional Raves to the Gil Snyder and others for gathering the city's musicians for tomorrow's "Guitars Over Cancer, A Tribute To The Late Warren King," at the Alter Bar. The night is also to honor burgh musical icons Glenn Pavone and Chizmo Charles. Norman, Gil and the Mystic Knights, James "Doc" Dougherty, Bob McKeag, Don Hollowood, Ernie Hawkins, Bill Toms and Hard Rain, Gary Beloma, Shari Richards, Kenny Blake, Wil E Tri, Pete Hewlett, Chismo Charles, Billy Price, and Frank Czuri will appear . Please go out and catch a great night of music, held for such the right reasons, to raise money for cancer research, honor the late guitar wizard and pay tribute to Glenn and Chiz for their contributions to area musical history.
RANTS of the most disgusting kind to BP, the Oil God who just shook in its boots -- yes, surely, we jest -- at the "tough" talk and "stern" butt whipping that the president gave -- yes, surely, we jest again -- the Oil God yesterday and today. Rants that it took 58 whole days of gushing crude oil to get the prez to convene a "think tank" group to order the Oil God to gather up more machinery to cap the leak that pathetically covers the brown oil-soaked pelicans and brown oil-soaked wildlife and threatens the ocean and shores. Breathe. Rants that government looked the other way in benign neglect while BP selfishly operated with no safety net and with such huge financial profits prior to the leak. Rants that this type of man-made catastrophe happened because the man-made Oil God arrrogantly said it needed no Plan B.
RANTS that in 2010 -- quite some years after the Intermediate Unit I was mandated to close hole in the wall, firetrap schools such as Windy Hill, West Leisenring, Trotter and Eliza Street and mainstream special ed students -- that the district's top brain storm option for an 11-year-old child with Autism and a borderline to normal IQ, is a special school 25 miles away, tucked away in the country, where only children with Autism attend and waste a couple hours daily in transport. RANTS of the most restrictive kind that parents of children with Autism feel they must have their children attend school in another hole in the wall, firetrap building because there are no other viable options. RANTS that a good agency such as NWHS even had to feel the need to step up to the plate and start up a school because the public educational system ignores the needs of kids with Autism.
RANTS again to the same school district, as rumors circulate that the district plans to eliminate aides as supports from kids' IEPs. No, kids haven't progressed to NOT needing aides, mind you. All politics and need to save money aside, this column welcomes any editorial or comment from any administrator to answer why the district might replace the experienced aides, obviously dedicated since they have hung in there for years. RANTS as we seem to be taking a giant leap backward in time and progress. RANTS that nobody sees wasteful spending elsewhere, but just the need to raid the aides' budget piggy bank to save a few dollars. RANTS for what surely will resume the constant turn over and retraining of aides, a process that is more than some handicapped kids should be expected to tolerate.
RAVES that this column's favorite singer, Frank Czuri of Pure Gold and formerly of The Silencers and Diamond Reo, joins Norman Nardini, Glenn Pavone and others in the line up for the Pittsburgh Blue's All Stars at next month's Blues Festival at Hartwood Acres. Get out there and see and hear why you can later in time feel good that you experienced such a sweet piece of area music history.
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