Watch a Movie about the Schuykill River

Schuylkill River Heritage Area Film Premiere

The Schuykill River Heritage Area (SRHA) will hold a screening for Our National Heritage Episode One:: The Revolutionary River on Friday April 9 at 7 p.m. at Albright College’s Klein Auditorium. The Revolutionary River is an exceptional 47 minute documentary about the history of the Schuykill River Region, produced for public television by Telemark Films, an award-winning production company. Viewers will learn about the region’s Native American populations, Colonial Era, American Revolutionary War battles, and the factories and forges that gave rise to the Industrial Revolution. They’ll also gain insights into the pollution that once threatened the river, and the environmental cleanup that eventually saved it. Cost is $10 per person, free with student ID. To learn more visit www.schuykillriver.org or call the SHRA at 484-945-0200.

www.schuylkillriver.org, .

Listen to WNPV On The Phone

Listen On Your Phone

Out of the area, but still want to listen to WNPV? Listen by phone!

1) Dial (704) 631-4060

2) At voice prompt, press 1 for MUSIC

3) At second prompt, press 9 to enter a station code

4) Press 2785 to listen to WNPV Radio!

Weekly Standard Talks About PA

According to the Weekly Standard Pennsylvanian’s don’t like Barack Obama anymore!

“Barack Obama beat John McCain in Pennsylvania by 11 points (55% to 44%) in 2008. A new poll by the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling shows Obama’s approval rating in the Keystone state at 46%, with 50% of voters disapproving.

Only 42% of voters say they support “President Obama’s health care plan,” and 49% oppose it.

Republican Senate candidate Pat Toomey leads Democrat Arlen Specter 46% to 43%.”

I guess that also means they don’t like Pat Toomey But if the race were held today those stats show he’d win!

What do you know!

mo

Net Neutrality? No App For That

In the fight between Comcast and the FCC, a unanimous ruling by a DC court sided with Comcast over something that Comcast insisted was simply policy and the FCC said was within the scope of the existing laws.

The court said the FCC was wrong in believing it had untrammeled authority over the internet so that it could enforce rules that made providers responsible for keeping the internet neutral- meaning that some sites wouldn’t cost consumers more than other sites- or some ” Apps” wouldn’t cost consumers more than other apps. But again, the court decided that was not upheld by existing laws and now since the FCC is committed to net neutrality the most likely outcome here is that the law will be changed to keep the internet open to users.

It is often true that we follow policies because we believe that they are law. This case shows what businesses like Comcast do when they disagree with a policy decision. I have nothing against Comcast’s play here, I think they did what they thought they had to do, but every decision that gets court approval changes the game, this change will certainly strengthen internet service as if it is a necessary system of communication. In the past it has been seen as less necessary to consumers than phone or cable. This ruling simply shows the FCC that the law that exists isn’t enough to protect the free exchange of information on the internet.

Things will change. I imagine that since this decision creates a gap that the folks at Comcast will be preparing briefs to support their positions. This ruling gives Comcast a voice at the table when the rules get changed. This story also points to issues about the lack of an equal playing field between individual citizens and corporations like Comcast. Individuals might have a hard time finding legal representation and even if they win, they don’t automatically win ’standing’ so that they get to talk about changes the US is considering in creating new laws.

It’s worth paying attention to! What do you think?

love,

mo

Pottstown Cluster Wants to Move

It is a shame that something like a Food Pantry and a clothing distribution center have to face the same kinds of anxiety that cell phone towers or adult bookstores have to deal with. They are all business issues and they all will impact the communities that they move into- but food and clothing distribution seems like such a blessing that it is hard to understand why that kind of activity would need special zoning exemptions.

But when you imagine that there are real concerns like what do you do with extra people that would be visiting the neighborhood. There may be parking issues, and there may be trucking issues. There may be issues about the hours that the building can be open. There may be issues about the number of people that the building regularly holds. In other words there are probably some real issues for the zoning board to look at in order to make the move for the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities possible.

Barb Wilhelmy said that the Cluster supported 350 families that they had never seen before in the last year. I think it is safe to say that this organization is helping this community and I’m glad to know Barb and I am glad that Pottstown has such caring supporters in our own area!

If you are interested in the article, check it out here.

What do you think?

love,

mo

Scott Cooper Jailed for Child Porn

This is a tough story. I have a real problem understanding the abuse of children. I believe that my impressions of what constitutes child abuse and the legal definition of child abuse is different. I’m a lot harder on people than I believe the law currently is. So when I read about a guy that wanted his computer cleared of images and he wanted those images installed on a separate drive and he takes that computer to a professional and the professional finds disturbing photos and contacts the police- then I’m ready to jail this guy!

And I would bet that a lot of other parents feel the same way. He had a 100 photos of child pornography. He will be charged for each of those images. It is interesting that this Spring City man is getting more negative attention in the comment section of the Daily Local than it is in the Pottstown Mercury. I hope that doesn’t mean anything.

The comments in the Daily Local seem a little reckless to me. I’m not out to save Scott Cooper from having to deal with his “neighbors” after they’ve heard about what he calls a stupid hobby. On the other hand, I’m not willing to chop parts of this guy off because he’s collecting images that most of us would find disturbing. Let’s send him to jail. Let’s figure out what makes these guys or ladies if they do it too, let’s figure out what makes these people like this stuff and let’s hope we can adjust it with therapy or medication.

There is no way we can allow children to be victimized by adults who have this kind of taste. This kind of behavior must be stopped. End of story.

What do you think?

mo