Jonathan B. Robison

MS Walk in April 26 a personal appeal (see below)

This is the Robison political newsletter, which is sent in advance of the primary and general elections to about 2,000 people by e-mail and bulk mail. If any friends don’t receive the e-mail edition, it’s probably because we don’t have a correct e-mail address. We will be happy to add any names to the list, preferably with their e-mail address. Some of our friends contribute to help support the newsletter, and we are very grateful. If you would like to help with the costs, you are invited to send a check to Robison Political Action Committee, 154 N. Bellefield Ave., #66, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Please forward or give copies of this to any interested friends. The newsletter also should be up on our website.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden
There are so many reasons to support Barack Obama.
The first is peace and security. After eight years of arrogance and lies, we have a mess. But one thing is clear – we must start by bringing our troops home from Iraq. Certain elements want an additional war, in Iran or Pakistan, and talk about “preemptive self-defense.” That sounds like a rationale for Germany’s invasion of Poland. A wider war in the Middle East is no way to protect Israel.
The second is economics. We have meltdowns, not only of Wall Street, but of the entire credit structure, engendered by promiscuous deregulation. McCain’s response was bizarre and confused. Our tax policies are widening the gap between the top 5% and the bottom 20%. This is destabilizing as well as immoral.
The third is protecting the Constitution, starting with rational appointments to the Supreme Court and other judgeships. McCain and Palin want to overturn Roe v. Wade. Palin is even more extreme on choice than McCain. She wants to outlaw abortion even in cases of rape, incest, or to protect the life of the mother. Keep in mind that experience proves that the law can’t eliminate abortions – all it can do is change who performs them, how, and where. Before Roe v Wade, one-third of the beds at Magee Womens’ Hospital were occupied by women injured by botched abortions. Add to that an administration which has trashed Constitutional rights for every threat of terrorism, real or imagined.
The fourth is healthcare; the fifth is workers’ rights; and so on….
What can we do? Volunteer.
Obama’s downtown headquarters 213 Smithfield St., near the Boulevard of the Allies, 412-867-6673. There are also ten neighborhood headquarters. The website is www.barackobama.com.
How can you help? Show your support with a button or bumper sticker. Try to counter swift-boating lies, like “Of course he’s anti-Israel – he a Muslim.” (Some people still believe that.)
Most important is turnout. A relatively high percentage of new voters, young voters and low-income voters DON’T VOTE. Therefore a high priority of the campaign between now and Nov. 4 is targeted GOTV, maximizing turnout in this polarized election. Help get OUR voters to the polls. You can talk with anyone you know, especially in these crucial groups.
You can help from home. You can phone canvass and help identify likely Obama voters. You can get a phone number list from the website, www.barackobama.com. You can call the headquarters if you have problems using the website.
We have been asked: “Why is this election even close?’ In one word, racism. Otherwise, it would be easy. After the disasters of this administration at home and abroad, do the anti-Bush voters outnumber the anti-Black voters? Part of our job is telling friends and neighbors that there are issues at stake more important than skin color.
Steve O’Donnell for Congress – and keep Mike Doyle & Jason Altmire
For Congress in the 18th District, we urge active support for Steve O’Donnell, with his strong campaign to unseat another Congressional supporter of the Bush administration policies. O’Donnell is a Navy veteran who wants to bring our troops home from Iraq and use the money for important domestic priorities. We need, he says, health care coverage for all Americans, better schools, support for local police, and research on renewable energy sources. Based on a woman’s Constitutional Right of Privacy, he supports a woman’s right to choose a safe and legal abortion. He supports extending the civil rights statutes to protect sexual minorities. O’Donnell works in several business ventures. His past experience includes service as executive director of the Westmoreland County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens. He can be reached at 724-216-6831; his web site is www.electodonnell.com.
The two Democratic Members of Congress from Allegheny County are easy choices for re-election. Jason Altmire.is a solid progressive who defeated incumbent Republican Melissa Hart in 2006. He faces a rerun against her. Mike Doyle has no Republican opposition; his only opponent is Titus North of the Green Party Doyle has been strong on progressive issues, especially economic justice and the rights of the lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgendered (lgbt) communities. His position on abortion rights is steadily improving. After all, his predecessor in the district, Bill Coyne, was originally anti-choice but was a solid feminist by the time he retired. North is great on the issues, but Doyle is a proven leader.

Statewide Races – McCord for State Treasurer
To our mind, the most significant statewide race is State Treasurer. Rob McCord is a retired businessperson and was CEO of the Congressional Institute for the Future, co-founded by Al Gore. He raised money for Democrats including Ed Rendell, Bob Casey, and Congressman Jason Altmire. McCord is a liberal Democrat who supports reproductive rights and lesbian and gay rights. He was a financial business executive, with an MBA from the Wharton School, which should be a qualification for the position of State Treasurer, even today.
You can contact Rob McCord at 610-251-5768. His website is www.mccord2008.com.
For State Auditor General, incumbent Jack Wagner is sure to win. He is conservative on social issues and may be a candidate for governor in 2010 when Ed Rendell cannot run for re-election For Attorney General, the Democratic nominee, John Morganelli, is pretty sure to lose, and in his case, that’s good. His claim to fame is fighting immigrants. We are casting a protest vote for Marakay Rogers, a Green on the Libertarian Party ticket. She is pro-choice, and considers that the laws against same-sex civil marriages are unnecessary and discriminatory like the laws against interracial marriages thrown out by the Supreme Court in “Loving v. Virginia.”. In her family law practice, she represented lgbt clients in custody cases. As Pennsylvania Attorney General, she wants to stop prosecution of victimless crimes and urges a moratorium on the death penalty.

For Legislator - Ayanna Lee and Others
An outstanding legislative challenger is Atty. Ayanna Lee in the 44th State Assembly District, which includes Moon Township and Sewickley. Lee is an African-American and a feminist, running against an establishment Republican incumbent. She is the daughter of the late Mamie H. Lee, the distinguished community organizer and candidate for City Council. This may be both the hottest legislative race in Allegheny County and one of our best opportunities to pick up another Democratic seat in the State Legislature. She can be contacted at http://www.ayannalee.com/ , 262-2461.
I, Jon, got somewhat involved helping Jason Petrella, an independent Democrat running for State Senate in the 47th District primarily in Beaver and Lawrence counties. Petrella was picked as the nominee after the party nominee, State Rep. Sean Ramaley, was forced to withdraw. Before the primary, Petrella’s nomination petition was challenged and I was hired as his lawyer for the successful defense of the petition.
Several legislative candidates are unopposed in the general election after winning their primary fights. They include Jake Wheatley in the 19th district, centered on the Hill and Joe Preston in the 24th, centered on Homewood, East Liberty, and Wilkinsburg. Don Walko has only a Constitution Party opponent and Chelsa Wagner is unopposed. Dan Frankel is a super bright super progressive leader of statewide importance. His only opposition on the ballot is Mary (Liz) Hughes running as a Green. She would be an excellent candidate in another district. Class act that he is, Frankel is using his time and energy to help other Democratic candidates.

IRAQ
Iraq is still a nightmare. More and more people die, or are crippled for life, on all sides. We have a word to say – OUT.
The Republican candidate says he may continue Bush’s war indefinitely. Barack Obama will get us out of Iraq in 16 months or less.
We should also act now for peace, with petitions, letters, e-mails, public meetings, and demonstrations. There are now a half-dozen one-hour weekly vigils with signs opposing the war:
I – Jon – on some Saturdays, am at the Noon vigil at Forbes and Braddock in Regent Square. Other Saturdays I am at the one organized by Black Voices for Peace, 1 pm, at Penn Av. and Highland in East Liberty. Other vigils are held on the North Side, Oakland, the North Hills , and the Beaver County Courthouse Will this help? Who knows? At least we can tell our grandchildren that we tried..
Call the Thomas Merton Center, 412-361-3022, for more specific information.
Iraq … enough.

A Look Ahead.
For starters, a special election is expected in the new year. Dan Deasy Jr., City Council member from the 2nd District, is running for State Representative from the 27th House District and is virtually certain to win. Then he will have to resign from City Council, and there will be a special election, probably in January or February. This has already started to attract candidates, including excellent hopefuls whom a good feminist could support. The Democratic party nominee will be chosen by a vote of the Democratic Committeepeople from the election districts in the 2nd Council District..
One is our old friend, Robert Frank. He is employed by the Multiple Sclerosis Service Society in Greentree. He is president of the South End Active Democrats and an elected member of the Democratic State Committee from the 42nd Senatorial District. He is active in transportation and union issues, pro-choice, and works to fight discrimination against the lgbt communities.
Other good candidates include Georgia Blotzer, community activist from Sheraden, and possibly Erin Mulcahy from Mt Washington.
Next, the May 19 Primary will include, the Pittsburgh mayor and City Council districts 2,4,6, and 8.
Luke Ravenstahl, who suddenly became Mayor of Pittsburgh after the death of Bob O’Connor, has been a disappointment, a good old boy despite his tender years. His weaknesses and failures have attracted speculation about possible opposition when he runs for a full four-year term next year. City Council President Doug Shields has been mentioned. So has City Controller Michael Lamb, although others say that he has his eye on the County Executive position. Others mention State Rep. Chelsa Wagner, the new, well-regarded State Representative. Some wonder if Ravenstahl’s campaign war chest will deter any serious challenger.
There will be perhaps five seats open on the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas and many potential candidates have emerged. Staunch civil libertarian Hugh McGough is at the head of our list. , Others we are considering include Arnie Klein, a Democratic Party loyalist and a supporter of the lgbt communities. A good important African American candidate will be Judge Joe Williams, just appointed by Gov. Ed Rendell and confirmed by the State Senate. An old friend, Shirley Novak from the North Side may run again, as may Wrenna Watson, who is prominent in the African-American community. Allan Opsitnick and Mike Marmo are running. Don Walko may try to move from the State Legislature to the judiciary.
Like it or not, the 2010 race for Governor of the state has already started. Candidates reportedly include Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner, both conservative on social issues. Two other possible candidates are strong Denocrats on reproductive rights and lgbt rights, as well as economic issues. Don Cunningham is the Lehigh County Executive and Tom Wolf is the Pennsylvania Secretary of Revenue. To run, Cunningham will need financial support. Wolf has personal money, but he would need the blessing of Governor Ed Rendell, who appointed him.

New Person Award Dinner Nov. 12
The Thomas Merton Center is, after the ACLU and Amnesty International, one of the most essential organizations we can think of. It keeps countless local peace and social justice organizations in communication. If it did not exist, it would have to be created, and what a pain that would be.
The New Person Award Dinner, a major fundraiser, will be Wednesday, Nov, 12, at the IBEW Hall, 5 Hot Metal St. on South Side. A social at 5 will precede a vegetarian dinner at 7:20, catered by the Fluted Mushroom. The “New Person” is Malik Rahim, who stayed in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to organize the struggle for social justice and environmental sustainability. Also to be honored is the Hill District’s Community Benefits Agreement coalition. Tickets are $45, $26 for low-income. For more on the Merton Center or to order a ticket, call them at 412-361-3022, on the web at www.thomasmertoncenter.org.
MS Walk in April
Let us make a personal appeal. Please participate in the MS Walk, in person or by a contribution.
There will be a Pittsburgh MS Walk in April, probably on a Sunday. Specifics are being negotiated with the City. There will be a five-mile route and a one-mile route.
You can also participate with a contribution. Please make a check payable to the National MS Society (not to us). Please send it to us at 154 N. Bellefield Av. #66, Pittsburgh 15213
I, Jon have MS – multiple sclerosis.. I can’t walk any distance, so I go on the walk, on the five mile route, in my power wheelchair. I go on the walk to raise money for research on MS. A half million people have MS. It’s now controllable, but still incurable. The National MS Society for years has been funding research. A cure would be nice. That’s why we walk – or roll. More information is available from the National MS Society, www.nationalmssociety.org - or from the Allegheny District Chapter, 412-261-6347, 1501 Reedsdale St. #105, Pittsburgh, PA 15233.

Primary Newsletter

For State Representative in the 21st district, we now have an easy choice in a weird election. Two years ago, Lisa Bennington defeated Frank Pistella, an excellent incumbent, largely on public outrage over the legislative pay raise. She did a good job, then suddenly decided not to run for a second term. Frank Pistella filed for election to his old seat, then suddenly withdrew. with County Councilmember Brenda Frazier and
Dom Costa won – the less said, the better.
That leaves Brenda Frazier as our candidate. She is a smart, feminist, independent-minded and active African-American, even though we are still unhappy with her vote against the proposed Allegheny County Living Wage ordinance. You can contact her at 412-852-9114 or www.friendsforfrazier.com
Another is John Paul Jones. NOT running 10/6 who was a progressive, pro-choice and pro lgbt rights candidate in the 27th Legislative District. He was for 11 years a union staff attorney with the Pennsylvania State Employees Union. He also worked for the Pennsylvania Department of General Services helping local municipalities get state funding. will work to amend state anti-discrimination laws to protect the lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgendered (lgbt) communities.

How did we do last year? Pretty well. We have several good new City Council members: Patrick Dowd from Highland Park, Bruce Kraus from South Side, and Rev. Ricky Burgess from Homewood Brushton. Pat Dowd defeated the incumbent, Len Bodack, Junior. Bruce Kraus in the 3rd District is an articulate voice for the gay community. We also kept our excellent president of City Council, Doug Shields
For the essentially unpaid County Council, we kept Joan Cleary, a nurse and a newcomers elected in 2003 in the 6th District with the strong support of the Service Employees International Union. More easily, we re-elected County Councilperson at-large John DeFazio, County Council President Rich Fitzgerald, and Brenda Frazier, who is now running for State Rep.
We helped add several good judges. On the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas are Cathleen Bubash, Jack McVay, and Michael E. McCarthy,. Important Democrat victories were Deborah Todd for the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court and Christine Donohue for Superior Court. Both are solidly pro-choice and supporters of the rights of the lesbian and gay communities and were endorsed by the Gertrude Stein Political Club of Greater Pittsburgh