Friends Don’t Let Friends . . .
In Superfreakonomics the authors made the case, based upon statistics for accidents per mile, that it was more dangerous to walk home than drive home when drunk. And so, they ripped off a piece of Americana with the slogan: “Friends don’t let friends walk drunk.”
The View from Foggy Goggle.
The question asked obliquely by the commenters, is whether the guest list included members of the senior staff of City government, including Public Safety Director Michael Huss. In other words, was the City’s abysmal response to the onset of snow on Friday afternoon and evening due to the absence of not only the Mayor, but also other key leaders needed to jump-start the City’s emergency response. In other words, with a record storm approaching, was leadership left by default in the hands of subordinates, while their bosses went to a party?
Its a fair question and ought to be answered. Its time to lift the fog.
The Need for Evidence Before Assessing Guilt.
THE QUESTIONS RAISED BY THE DEATH OF CURTIS MITCHELL, WHOM PARAMEDICS DID NOT REACH IN THE SNOW EMERGENCY, CONTINUE TO CRY OUT FOR ANSWERS. HOWEVER, IT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY CLEAR THAT HARD EVIDENCE, NOT POLITICAL RHETORIC, IS NEEDED.
Medic’s Perspective on Mitchell Case.
The following is a comment made by “Rogue Medic” concerning the PLBT post (immediately below) commending Public Safety Director Michael Huss for apologizing to the family of Mr. Mitchell and stating the response to the 911 calls was unacceptable. Rogue Medic says that Huss blamed the medics for decisions to abandon the calls when those decisions were communicated to them by the dispatcher.
The Power of Saying “I’m Sorry”.
By saying “I’m sorry” soon and with sincerity, the City did more to rehabilitate its tattered emergency response reputation than any of the excuses made for the horrendous job of snow removal that we all observed with our own eyes.
Love Thy Neighbor! Snowmageddon Edition.
The most recent example was yesterday, when a mountain of snow, ice and roof tile descended from my roof and buried my more or less cleanly shoveled driveway. My good hearted neighbor, who could easily have just gone from car to house without my even noticing him, grabbed his snow shovel and started digging with a vengeance.
The Buzz About Google Buzz.
The introduction of Google Buzz, a new social media feature of gmail accounts, has raised privacy concerns. A Complaint filed with the FTC and a class action suit filed in California are the first shots fired in the battle.
Social Security on the Ropes Again?
Posted by Cliff Tuttle © 2010
According to a column in the Chicago Tribune, the Social Security system will once again be earning less every year than it is paying out. The author predicts that the fund will be broke again by 2037. Of course, a lot of things can and will change between now and [...]
Allegheny County Courts Reopen on Thursday, Feb. 11.
Posted by Cliff Tuttle
The Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas was closed on Monday (February 8), open on Tuesday (February 9) and closed again on Wednesday. As of 6:20 PM on Wednesday evening, the Wednesday closing notification had been trailing all day on the Court’s website, saying nothing about Thursday February 11. However, the website [...]
Make/Read Reports on Snow Road Conditions on CMU Website.
Posted by Cliff Tuttle © 2010
Check out this cool website! City Zen Mobile. It enables you to report conditions, making comments, on your street and read what others report. Red means “Not passable” Green means “Clear”.
Of course, reports are on the honor system. Tell the truth! Somebody’s life and limb may depend upon it.
CLT