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Bribery is still legal in Pennsylvania.
Martin (state senator, R-Lancaster) already campaigned in 2020, receiving money from the likes of PPL and other electric utility companies named in the article below. In addition, he JUST won the chairmanship of the state-money committee (Senate Appropriations), which -- in my view -- is one of the most powerful committees in state government. The 2023-2024 legislative session has just begun, and Martin is in as chair of his respective committee. So why a fundraiser now? And then came Regan (state senator, R-York), who forced a peaceful protester on a cane to the ground so he can get a plate. I guess the former U.S. Marshal is very much a Pa. politician, too. Gone get that money. Michael Bagdes-Canning -- the peaceful protester -- is a retired educator, small farmer, 2022 candidate for Lieut. Governor, and mayor of Cherry Valley Borough (Western Pa.).
A comment on "Pa. lawmaker moves protester outside HBG fundraiser" (J. L. Micek)
People toasting (Credit: "Wedding-Devon-old-barn-cheers-glasses-toast" by Eyecandy Photography UK | CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
Jubalyn ExWilliams lives in Pennsylvania (United States). You can find her writings and commentaries, including one on J.L. Micek's "Pa. lawmaker moves protester outside HBG fundraiser," at landturn.com/blog.
Commemorating 5 years of landturn.com (2019 - 2023)
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Related: "Disrupt the Corrupt Tour" stop in Harrisburg a thumbs up (2023) Related: "Gift ban does not see House vote, but advocates say 'there's still time'" (2022) (Republished) Related: The marijuana advocacy one Pa. legalization lawmaker overlooked (2021) Related: Environmental Committee: Proposal on Harrisburg Fire Safety, Prevention (Mar. 2021) 
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Great script.
Notice that his companion didn't write off the Feelings Monster. "It's okay" wasn't a reference to the monster's feelings, but a consideration that he might not be up to verbalizing them at the moment. Still, his companion is considerate enough to stick by his side (in lieu of talking). And guess what? The Feelings Monster begins to talk. Microsoft Reflect is an app for educators, young learners, and their classmates to exercise Emotional Intelligence with each other.
A post on "Microsoft Reflect - All the Feels - Naming disappointment" originally appeared on my Facebook page on date above
Feelings Monster by Microsoft Reflect (reflect.microsoft.com)
Jubalyn ExWilliams lives in Pennsylvania (United States). You can find her writings and commentaries, including the one on the video "Microsoft Reflect - All the Feels -- Naming disappointment," at landturn.com/blog.
Commemorating 5 years of landturn.com (2019 - 2023)
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Cheyney has revised its motto.
Not only "a national treasure" or "the nation's oldest HBCU," the university has re-branded itself "the nation’s first HBCU" or -- as worded on its homepage at the time of this writing -- "the nation’s first HBCU—established in 1837." (For more, see cheyney.edu/who-we-are/the-first-hbcu.) Please join the #CheyneyChallenge in 2023, a monthly donation campaign for America's first HBCU. I made my most recent donation of $18.37 today. As a note, I've been unable to re-automate my donations after updating my payment info and or payment method. None has withdrawn my account in 12 months via the school's online payment system. I'll see what I can do from my checking account. Hopefully, many more small donors have better luck. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania cheyney.edu Est. 1837
The Cheyney Challenge is an initiative of alumnus Mr. Bright. I committed to it on WURD's Radio Courtroom in 2015, and began donating the following year.
Cheyney students | © The Philadelphia Tribune (Used by permission)
Related: January Cheyney Challenge (2023)
Related: March Cheyney Challenge (2023) Related: January Cheyney Challenge (2021) Related: How Hennessy partnership can payoff for HBCU business students (2019) Related: Why Booker's sights for HBCUs has my support (2019) Related: One way to boost enrollment at HBCUs (2020)
Congrats to the CU students graduating this month and in 2022 moreover.
In 2019 -- prior to COVID -- Cheyney witnessed its highest rate of student retention in 20 years. Further, enrollment has increased by 50% since 2018. ("Cheyney University Reports 10% Increase in Student Enrollment Over Last Year") Please join the #CheyneyChallenge in 2023, a monthly donation campaign for America's first HBCU. I made my most recent donation of $18.37 today. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania cheyney.edu Est. 1837
The Cheyney Challenge is an initiative of alumnus Mr. Bright. I committed to it on WURD's Radio Courtroom in 2015, and began donating the following year.
Cheyney students | © The Philadelphia Tribune (Used by permission)
Related: November Cheyney Challenge (2022)
Related: December Cheyney Challenge (2020) Related: December Cheyney Challenge (2021) Related: January Cheyney Challenge (2023) Related: Why Booker's sights for HBCUs has my support (2019) Related: One way to boost enrollment at HBCUs (2020) Related: How Hennessy partnership can payoff for HBCU business students (2019)
Note: Post slightly edited for terseness and a typo from original comment to "Internat'l mission to U.S. elections: correspondence." Redundant last line citing news article omitted.
In reference to state lawmakers determining their own districts, I noted above that the "politics of state legislatures are skewed by the high stakes inherent to the two mass parties' attempt to tip the scales of power between themselves."
Similarly, a recent Capital-Star article suggests that maintenance of a two-party establishment is a critique of this mechanism. "Political observers long have noted the gerrymandered boundaries of state House and Senate to advantage the big two political parties.. [sic]" (Dec. 2) Obviously, I agree that gerrymandering has the two legacy parties as its (either-or) beneficiaries. I cannot, however, say that it's a consideration for opponents in PA or elsewhere. Carol Kuniholm, co-founder and chair of Fair Districts PA, is quoted in that article as saying, "Just a few legislative leaders, mostly from very safe, one-party districts, control the agenda and block bipartisan solutions that would benefit the people of Pennsylvania. That's why we want to fix Harrisburg." I think... opposition to gerrymandering is the prospect of a single-party district and therefore lack of representation -- albeit, the legacy bipartisanship. I stress the legacy bipartisanship because a single-party district might be favorable to independent and third-party candidates on the opposite end of the political spectrum. A Keystone candidate, for instance, might make headway among moderate voters in a Democratic district, or a Libertarian candidate among suburban and younger conservatives in a Republican district.
A comment on "We want to fix Harrisburg: Reformers summit seeks solutions to state government's woes" (F. Pizzoli)
Howie Hawkins pictured with petitioners from the Keystone Party in Harrisburg (© 2022 Jubalyn ExWilliams)
Jubalyn ExWilliams lives in Pennsylvania. You can find her writings and editorials, including one on "We want to fix Harrisburg: Reformers summit seeks solutions to state government's woes," by F. Pizzoli, at landturn.com/blog.
Related: Internat'l mission to U.S. elections: my correspondence (2022)
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Note: I had the opportunity to correspond with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights for a second U.S. election. My email response to the provided address, as well as the variants I attempted, kept bouncing. The following is a response to the follow-up request for feedback on the ODIHR's Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions for the 2022 mid-term elections. Special thanks to Tim Runkle for first putting me in touch with OSCE monitors in 2020.
Greetings, <Redacted> and <Redacted>:
I'll save you an excuse for my not responding a week ago, more or less, but I sincerely apologize for the delay. The [OSCE/ODIHR] findings on the 2022 general election (has) informed me that the majority of U.S. states (33) authorize their legislatures to modify boundaries for Congressional districts and preferential votes. I believe the politics of state legislatures are skewed by the high stakes inherent to the two mass parties' attempt to tip the scales of power between themselves. I find this evidenced by generous campaign financing... [that] permits... concealment, as referenced by the [OSCE/ODIHR] press release, of monetary contributions [from] non-profit organizations. If 2022 mailers and Youtube commercials here in Pennsylvania are any indication, then there appears to be more non-profits providing anything from monetary assistance to multimedia aid than there are headline candidates. Thank you to the OSCE for continuing its mandate despite a Limited Election Observation Mission (LEOM). I'll share these provided links and subsequent final report with my social media, friends, and political colleagues. Regards, Jubalyn ExWilliams Harrisburg, Pennsylvania landturn.com XXX-XXX-XXXX 
People holding up question marks (Credit: "Medium group of business people in a row holding up paper with question mark, obscured face, studio shot" by xixinxing - Image: 35990223 | 123rf.com)
Jubalyn ExWilliams lives in Pennsylvania (United States). In addition to 2022, she corresponded with international election observers in Dauphin County, Pa. from the OSCE in 2020. You can find her writings and commentaries, including "Internat'l mission to U.S. elections: correspondence," at landturn.com/blog.
Related: What influenced me to reconsider participation in electoral politics (2019)
Related: Discrepancy with Green presidential candidate: my correspondence (2021) Related: Discrepancy with Green presidential candidate: my correspondence, II (2021) Related: Getting on the ballot as a third-party candidate in Pennsylvania, (2022) Related: Getting on the ballot as a third-party candidate in Pennsylvania, II (2022) Related: How barrier on Stein as viable presidential candidate is man-made (2024) Related: U.S. presidential sweepstakes a Public-Pop Partnership for Almighty Interests (2024) Related: Opportunity for Pa. third-party candidates despite gerrymandering (2022) Related: Reaching out to third-party candidates for Harrisburg candidate forum (2022) Related: "Disrupt the Corrupt Tour" stop in Harrisburg a thumbs up (2022)
Please join the #CheyneyChallenge, a monthly donation campaign for America's first HBCU. Despite the national COVID lockdown of 2020, the Cheyney Foundation reports that the university had its highest retention rate in more than two decades.
I made my most recent donation of $18.37 today. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania cheyney.edu Est. 1837 The Cheyney Challenge is an initiative of alumnus Mr. Bright. I committed to it in 2015, and began donating the following year. 
Cheyney students | © The Philadelphia Tribune (Used by permission)
Related: October Cheyney Challenge (2023)
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Anybody catch the blood moon before dawn this morning?
Brought some binoculars to see some of the moon's features, but the view was dark and the reddish cast too subtle. For me, the shadow was far more visible to the naked eye. Now that I think of it, I didn't see the face of the moon. The moon doesn't rotate on an axis like the Earth, does it? On a related note, I went to a magnet school that remains a NASA Explorer School. Today I honored the school by visiting its Web page for the 2nd, maybe 3rd, time in my life. I see the mural of the 4 little astronauts -- one of the middle two... [for which I] was a model... -- was redrawn and painted over with 4 new little astronauts. [The original mural was up for] 30 years, so I'm not mad. Decades from now, at my memorial service, please start my obituary with a little humor: "Jubalyn was an astronaut! For 30 years!"
A Facebook post that originally appeared on the date above.
Blood moon near arch (Credit: "In-camera double exposure: Super Blue Blood Moon at Roosevelt Arch" by YellowstoneNPS | Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Jubalyn ExWilliams lives in Pennsylvania (United States). You can find her writings and commentaries, including "Blood Moon: When I learned NASA Explorer School repainted astronaut mural I was part of," at landturn.com/blog.
Related: Former astronaut trainee, 82, to fulfill dream aboard commercial space flight (2021)
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The following is an archive of a political snapshot between September and Oct. 2022 on my homepage at landturn.com.
OSCE
For the 2022 mid-terms, I corresponded with election observers in Pennsylvania from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Correspondence surrounded a perspective of small-party access to the electoral process, public reception to that representation; and obstacles to campaign efforts by its candidates. General Election Like 2022, I corresponded with OSCE observers dispatched to Dauphin County, Pa. for the general election between presidential headliners Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Final OSCE report on the 2020 general election: www.osce.org/files/f/documents/7/7/477823.pdf. Apparently, the international monitors were barred from Pennsylvania polls under state law. Little did I know that state law would be but one obstacle to a representative election. Jan. 2021 As a recent poll watcher, I raised multiple objections with the County Election Board for the renaming of a third-party, write-in candidate and an independent write-in candidate in the official tally. ("Ballot Access in Pennsylvania," "Ballot Access in Pennsylvania, II") To ensure the recognition of eligible challengers and third-party candidates in local campaigns, I ran for the Harrisburg School Board just weeks before the special election in 2021. Though unsuccessful and $0 in campaign funds, I garnered enough votes to maintain a ballot line not guaranteed to third-party candidates in general, and Green Party candidates in particular. Jan. 2020 I consider my Jan. 2020 commentary "Americans also have medical debt" a viral post that provided the political inspiration for Biden's expansion of Executive Order 14009 in 2022. Medical Debt In reference to an NBA player working with RIP Medical Debt, I noted that medical debt is highest in the United States. The Price We Pay, written by a surgeon at Johns Hopkins, brought this distinction to my attention. And it was the surgeon's book that I'd review after my "Medical Debt" commentary later that month. A note on the geographic degree of separation between myself and Joe Biden via a high-profile Democratic operative with multi-generational ties to Penn State is forthcoming. Nov. 2020 One of my works was also the basis of a ten-part series by PennLive in 2020. That November, I emailed a health official and two of the leaders from a homeless advocacy group to suggest church pews, then-vacant gymns, etc. to meet the need for more beds. ("Ways to provide more beds for the homeless in Harrisburg") (Also see landturn.com/blog/this-winter-is-deadlier-for-the-homeless.) Homelessness A response came less than a month later, when PennLive published its series on homelessness with multiple angles similar to the points of my email (e.g. "Scenes from a homeless shelter on a cold night amid the coronavirus"). Leadership for one organization of which I'm a member also switched one of its planks to homeless charity from a stated interest in human trafficking awareness the month before. At the time of this writing, the PennLive articles remain accessible to paid subscribers only. The irony that this paid exclusivity stemmed from an act of civic engagement first occurred to me only 15 months later. Sept. 2021 Less significant but still annoying, "Spotted Lanternfly in Harrisburg" -- about the invasive species on the Riverfront -- seemed to reincarnate itself five days after I posted it. An article with points presented in the same order as my own appeared in another publication as "Spotted, Smashed: Harrisburg City forester offers tips for dealing with spotted lanternflies". For example, my blog ends, "But first thing's first: If you see one, 'Kill it! Squash it, smash it... just get rid of it.'" The article ends, "The bottom line? Roane says, if you see a spotted lanternfly, smash it." NAACP Environmental Committee In 2021, the Pennsylvania State Conference approved my proposal for the vacant Environmental Committee of the Harrisburg NAACP. (Committee Proposal: landturn.com/blog/fires-in-harrisburg) As a result, I've served as founding chair of the branch committee since then. Fire Safety/Prevention More than 17 monthly progress updates on our development (June 2021 - Present) of a free educational product on fire safety and prevention is available at landturn.com/naacp. State of the City, 2022 In her first State of the City address, Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams lauded the fire department more than 3X longer than any other. I believe the 17 updates by the Environmental Committee up to that point provided much of her talking points and disproportionate proficiency. A note on the political degree of separation between myself and the mayor is forthcoming. Green Party Like summer 2020, I petitioned on foot as part of the statewide effort to gain ballot access not guaranteed to statewide Green candidates. The last of four days was with Howie Hawkins, Green Party co-founder and 2020 presidential candidate. Two days later, a small delegation of members and I delivered the requisite 5,000 signatures then approved by the Pennsylvania State Department. Unlike 2020, state-level Democrats filed no lawsuit, which ousted Hawkins from the battleground ballot in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania that year. ("Howie Hawkins campaign: my statement") (Also refer again to "Ballot Access in Pennsylvania.") As a result, the 2022 ballot was extended to Green candidates for Governor, Lieut. Governor, and Attorney General in Pennsylvania. 
A single puzzle piece (Credit: "Puzzle Piece" by iFireDesign)
Related: PA Green Party Steering Committee: bio (2023)
Related: What influenced me to reconsider participation in electoral politics (2019) Related: Reaching out to third-party candidates for Harrisburg candidate forum (2022) Related: Howie Hawkins campaign for president: my statement (2020) Related: Internat'l mission to U.S. elections: my correspondence (2022) Related: Retirement announced for Philly gun violence activist: my statement (2023)
Almost six months ago, I demanded the following individual keep away from me. Upon my May 9 demand, he has had access to when I come and go and thus my schedule.
That day, he learned that security footage caught him running down a corridor of the building to which I returned from the same establishment. (See "Alert" below). Initially, he denied ever being at the establishment, but would later walk down the corridor with more stuff to finish his errand there. "Forget your camera," he shot back. Three days later, he installed his own. Prior to the May 9 altercation, he'd lurk multiple times a night in the corridor outside a private space where I work. When I say "night" in this instance, I mean "After 12, Before 6." (RIP Sam Salter.) Three weeks ago -- during the first-third of October -- one of the most notable incidents of his lurking or mirroring me since then reccurred. I performed a routine activity, but on a day I had not previously. In the mid-40s, it was the chilliest morning of the fall at the time. 
The front of the building was about a 15-second walk away. It was then that I noticed the individual at the intersection there ahead. He stood across the street from the building, and the establishments that lined the block.
In a short-sleeve T-shirt, the individual held a phone to his ear. Per security footage, he had left the building -- at least the corridor -- 40 minutes earlier. The building has no waiting area. A cell phone to his ear, the individual moved his lips a moment, but made no apparent sound. Despite crossing into an oncoming traffic lane, he watched me at a 90-degree angle. And despite his slow-motion strides (and shorter stature), he reached the building from across the street before I did. He entered. I entered. Beyond the vestibule, he ran through the building, trampling the new hard-surface floor the whole time. Within 30 minutes of his return (and 70 minutes after he left the first time), the individual left the building again. Despite the cooler temperature earlier, he wore a jacket only now. The first time I saw him standing across the street from the building, it was in the springtime. That's when I learned he smokes. Only it was the side of the building, near an eatery I'm not sure was open for business even then. Where he stood was also across from a window in which I hung a sign. It displayed a message and organizational website. The window was closed, so I didn't know he was watching it. Not at first anyway. Once I left the building, I noticed the individual across the side street facing that window. Ignoring me, he crossed the street back to the building in a slow motion. He then dropped the cigarette he was smoking, and went inside. This was in the weeks before the May 9 altercation, during which I screamed and barked on him. "STOP following me!" Get AWAY from me!" "I'm NOT interested!" In August, I altered my routine as best I could and the time frame during which I leave. In September, I even looked up the individual on a couple social media sites and blocked him right away. Neither worked. Putting on my face mask and gloves, grabbing my belongings, tidying up, and my keys in tow, I'd prepare to lock up before leaving. With only his person, the individual would cut down the corridor and leave the building ahead of me. As mentioned in my original Alert below, this individual turns me off, nor am I attracted to him. After the trampling incident three weeks ago, I had had enough. I went to the police that day and filed a report in person. 
Contact, affiliation not wanted or desired
Related: Alert (2022)
Related: Environmental Committee: Smoke Alarm Volunteers (Apr. 2022) Related: Environmental Committee: Harrisburg Fire Department, II (Dec. 2021) Related: Top 5 quotes from my dad growing up (2024)
Please join the #CheyneyChallenge, a monthly donation campaign for America's first HBCU. Despite the national COVID lockdown of 2020, the Cheyney Foundation reports that the university has its highest retention rate in more than two decades.
I made my most recent donation of $18.37 today. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania cheyney.edu Est. 1837 The Cheyney Challenge is an initiative of alumnus Mr. Bright. I committed to it in 2015, and began donating the following year. 
Cheyney students | © The Philadelphia Tribune (Used by permission)
Related: September Cheyney Challenge (2022)
Related: October Cheyney Challenge (2020) Related: October Cheyney Challenge (2021) Related: October Cheyney Challenge (2023) Related: January Cheyney Challenge (2023) Related: How Hennessy partnership can payoff for HBCU business students (2019) Related: Why Booker's sights for HBCUs has my support (2019) Related: One way to boost enrollment at HBCUs (2020)
The following message is a copy of the email I sent as an individual effort and not on behalf of the Harrisburg NAACP.
Dear Third-Party Candidates:
My name is Jubalyn ExWilliams, and I'm a member of the Harrisburg NAACP. I'm also a registered member of the Green Party. I invite you to be part of the virtual Candidates Forum hosted by the Greater Harrisburg NAACP on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. EST. There, you can introduce your campaign, candidacy, or political philosophy. Monthly branch meetings -- during which the Forum will take place -- are scheduled for one hour, so your introduction or statement should be brief -- say, three minutes. Afterward, members of the Harrisburg NAACP and other attendees might have questions. Please reply to this email, if you or someone representing you are interested or have questions for me. To maximize the likelihood that someone sees your reply, please Cc my fellow branch member <Redacted> at <Redacted>. Best of luck, Jubalyn ExWilliams Harrisburg, PA landturn.com P.S. Tables and or advertising are still available for our annual Freedom Fund dinner on Oct. 22. For more info, please visit hbgnaacp.com/freedom-fund-dinner. P.S.S. I found no contact info for <Redacted> of <Party Name Redacted>. If someone knows it, please forward him the above message. 
Man standing in front of people (Credit: Moodboard/AP Images)
Jubalyn ExWilliams lives in Pennsylvania (United States). You can find her writings and commentaries, including the one about her failed attempt to kickstart the Harrisburg NAACP Candidate Forum in 2022, at landturn.com/blog.
Related: Opportunity exists for Pa. third-party candidates despite gerrymandering (2022)
Related: Open Presidential Debate, II (2020) Related: Open Presidential Debate @ FreedomFest (2024) Related: NAACP marks one year of ETF on New York Stock Exchange (2019) Related: What influenced me to reconsider participation in electoral politics (2019) Related: "10/23/20: The Missing Black Voters Washington Post" (2020) Related: Opposition candidate reacts to Trump, Biden debate (2020)
Please join the #CheyneyChallenge, a monthly donation campaign for America's first HBCU. Despite the national COVID lockdown of 2020, the Cheyney Foundation reports that the university has its highest retention rate in more than two decades.
I made my most recent donation of $18.37 today. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania cheyney.edu Est. 1837 The Cheyney Challenge is an initiative of alumnus Mr. Bright. I committed to it in 2015, and began donating the following year. 
Cheyney students | © The Philadelphia Tribune (Used by permission)
Related: September Cheyney Challenge (2020)
Related: September Cheyney Challenge (2021) Related: January Cheyney Challenge (2023) Related: One way to boost enrollment at HBCUs (2020) Related: Why Booker's ambitious sights for HBCUs has my support (2019) Related: How Hennessy partnership can payoff for HBCU business students (2019)
Gift ban does not see House vote, but advocates say ‘there’s still time’by Marley Parish, Pennsylvania Capital-Star The Pennsylvania House of Representatives had adjourned for the day when MarchOnHarrisburg Executive Director Rabbi Michael Pollack, who was holding a press conference in the Capitol Rotunda, learned that lawmakers had not forced a vote on a proposed gift ban. After six years of advocacy efforts, the group was cautiously optimistic that legislation prohibiting lawmakers from accepting gifts from lobbyists and special interest groups would go “farther than ever before” in the Republican-controlled Legislature on Monday. But the legislation, authored by Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-Luzerne, saw no action in the chamber as the House returned from its summer break. For months, MarchOnHarrisburg advocates have pressured lawmakers to bypass House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre, who controls the voting calendar, to advance the proposed gift ban. The maneuver would require 102 votes and courage from House rank-and-file members to stand up to leadership, Pollack said. After finding out lawmakers were headed home for the day, Pollack congratulated Benninghoff and state Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Philadelphia, the minority whip. “You win,” Pollack said. “You’ve got us this round.” Lawmakers can accept gifts from anyone if they disclose items more than $250 on annual interest forms. Proposals to tighten the law have been introduced in the Legislature over the years. However, they’ve died with no debate — until last fall, when lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressed interest in a more comprehensive gift ban. When Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, took office in 2015, he immediately signed an executive order prohibiting executive branch employees from accepting gifts. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and state Liquor Control Board enacted similar policies. Wolf’s ban expires when the term-limited governor leaves office in January 2023. MarchOnHarrisburg members argue that the loose restrictions for lawmakers leave room for lobbyists, special interest groups, and others looking to influence policy decisions to bribe elected officials. Kaufer’s proposal would cap the amount lawmakers can receive from those seeking to influence government decisions at $250 and bar elected officials from accepting lodging or transportation for events connected with public office. Though the bill isn’t perfect, Pollack said it’s a starting point to improve the current system, which is “nothing,” he said. “We’re tired of talking to these people,” Pollack said. “They give us hollow promises. They say they’re going to do the right thing, and then they don’t.” He added that MarchOnHarrisburg wasn’t planning to come back to the state Capitol this year, saying that the group would focus on organizing across the commonwealth — “to raise up an army” and “come back here 10 times stronger.” The current legislative session ends Nov. 30. However, after stepping away to talk to a lawmaker on the phone, Pollack said the fight to pass a gift ban was not over this week. He declined to identify lawmakers who support bypassing legislative leadership but said MarchOnHarrisburg will be back before the House adjourns for the week. Pollack also encouraged those who support the proposed ban to contact Benninghoff, Harris, House Speaker Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, and House Minority Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia, to urge them to support the legislation. “This is not over at all. Anybody can back out. And of course, nothing is settled. But there’s still room for people to do the right thing,” Pollack said. “There’s still time.” Pennsylvania Capital-Star is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Pennsylvania Capital-Star maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor John Micek for questions: [email protected]. Follow Pennsylvania Capital-Star on Facebook and Twitter. 
Protesters unfold banner inside Pennsylvania capitol at Harrisburg (© 2021 Jubalyn ExWilliams)
Republished here from "Gift ban does not see House vote, but advocates say 'there's still time" (M. Parish) under Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Related: Getting on the ballot as a third-party candidate in Pennsylvania (2022)
Related: Final Open Presidential Debate (2020) Related: Pa. lawmaker holds fundraiser after becoming chair of influential committee (2023) Related: Mayor I saw PA lawmaker grab found guilty: trial remarks (2024) Related: Environmental Committee: Proposal on Harrisburg Fire Safety, Prevention (Mar. 2021) Related: Environmental Committee: Intro (1/2 June 2021)
Yesterday Matthew Hoh won a federal case challenging N.C.'s refusal to certify his spot on its November ballot. The same day, I was on-site when the PA State Dept. approved 5,000 signatures to land the Green Party on the statewide PA ballot.
I expect the Copycrats to challenge the petitions during the week-long window after the Aug. 1 deadline. I also expect that they won't go heavy on campaign ads and further media placements until next week. Thank you to all who took the time to sign a petition. And thank you to every volunteer who was the face and voice of this mass effort. Special thanks to Howie Hawkins -- 2020 Green nominee for president -- who drove to Harrisburg from upstate NY to help me petition two days before Aug. 1 deadline. And shout out to Alexis (Harrisburg), the last person to sign a petition as our delegation walked to the state dept. with a box of 5,000+ signatures in tow. Yesterday Matthew Hoh won a federal case challenging N.C.'s refusal to certify his spot on its November ballot. The same day, I was on-site for the PA State Department's approval of the 5,000 wet signatures that qualifies statewide Green candidates for the PA ballot. I expect the Democratic Party to challenge the petitions during the week-long window following the petition deadline. I also expect that they won't go heavy on campaign ads and further media placements until then. Thank you to everyone who signed or petitioned in the Greater Capital Region. Special thanks to Howie Hawkins -- 2020 Green candidate for president -- who drove to Harrisburg from upstate NY to help me petition two days before the Aug. 1 deadline. And shoutout to Alexis (Harrisburg), the last person to sign a petition as our small delegation walked to the PA State Department with a box of 5,000+ signatures in tow. #VoteMattHoh
Content of this post appeared on the Capital Area Green Party's Facebook group on date above.
Howie Hawkins pictured with petitioners from the Keystone Party in Harrisburg (© 2022 Jubalyn ExWilliams)
Jubalyn ExWilliams lives in Pennsylvania (United States). She's petitioned on-foot to help Howie Hawkins get on the state ballot in 2020 and statewide Green candidates in 2022. You can find her writings and commentaries, including "Getting on the ballot as a third-party candidate in Pennsylvania, II," at landturn.com/blog.
Related: Discrepancy with Green presidential candidate: my correspondence (2021)
Related: Discrepancy with Green presidential candidate: my correspondence, II (2021) Related: Getting on the ballot as a third-party candidate in Pennsylvania (2022) Related: Internat'l mission to U.S. elections: my correspondence (2022) Related: Opportunity for Pa. third-party candidates despite gerrymandering (2022) Related: Reaching out to third-party candidates for Harrisburg candidate forum (2022) Related: How barrier on Stein as viable presidential candidate is man-made (2024)
Hanks' medical story would lend itself well to a movie or memoir, even if his story is a bit extreme. Or perhaps unbelievable.
A stomach. A kidney. A pancreas. A small intestine. A large intestine. And another liver? Not by name had I heard of multi-visceral transplantation -- or the replacement of multiple organs during the same operation. Nor had I known that all of these organs are replaceable, or that the odds of their replacement are favorable. According to the Health Resources & Services Association, 17 people die each day waiting for an organ transplant. That may compound if waiting for multiple organs. At the center of the six organs is Phillip Hanks, a Chicago-area man no older than 50 when he braved the multi-visceral transplantation in 2021. The possible origin of his Hepatitis -- specifically, Hepatitis C -- isn't far-fetched. However, the complications from treating a random onset of course pain led to a second liver transplant in his lifetime. I recall a couple of acquaintances who I knew who had Hepatitis, but my introduction to complications from it came by fictional depiction. In the short story Saboteur (Ha Jin), the professor's liver seemed to embalm itself or froth in its diseased state. It was very disturbing. That isn't to overlook the willingness of the organ donors or their families, who remain anonymous to Hanks. Nor the physical endurance, mental stamina, and pressure required by Dr. Mangus and his surgical team at Indiana University Health. They performed the transplants over two consecutive days, which totaled 12 hours. The first day alone was more than 7 hours. I finished this article queasy. Unless a passing injury or the last stage of a life well-lived, I didn't want to witness human frailty. It was growing up that I got my first sense of it as a visitor to loved ones recuperating from medical events i.e. complication from HIV/AIDS, or a school trip interrupted by what became a friend's pediatric cancer diagnosis. In adulthood, further, a dear former coworker began to miscarry while on the job. Another collapsed red-faced on the concrete of the same job. It's affirming that Hanks was undergoing training for ministry after braving and surviving the nexus of medicine and miracle. I can only hope that circumstances won't call for it in my life, to say the least.
A comment on "A Joliet father of six has five new organs after an extraordinary transplant. ‘We never knew this was possible.’" (D. Rockett)
Operating room (Credit: "Sailors perform surgery on a patient in an operating room aboard the ship." by Official U.S. Navy Imagery | CC BY 2.0)
Jubalyn ExWilliams lives in Pennsylvania (United States). You can find her writings and commentaries, including the one on "A Joliet father of six has five new organs after an extraordinary transplant. 'We never knew this was possible'" at landturn.com/blog.
Related: Former foster mom, 80, graduates cum laude with degree in social work (2019)
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A little surprised that drinking less alcohol rather than, say, smoking cessation or sound sleep was the greatest single extender to life expectancy -- regardless of the measured age range or chronic health condition. (Multiple major ailments and over age 80 included!) Compared to the other health factors, I'd thought alcoholic intake was less prevalent across an older lifespan.
Apparently, the reduction in intake [was not] insignificant. By doing so, even healthy 40-year-olds increased their life expectancy by 6 years.
A comment via the Cryonics Institute on "Researchers Discover How Nearly Everybody Can Increase Their Lifespan" (OSAKA UNIVERSITY)
Seniors playing Duck/Duck/Goose (Credit: "Energetic Seniors" by MShades | CC BY 2.0)
Jubalyn ExWilliams lives in Pennsylvania (United States). You can find her writings and commentaries, including the one on "Researchers Discover How Nearly Everyone Can Increase Their Lifespan by Osaka University, at landturn.com/blog.
Related: Japan: The world's oldest population (2019)
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Note: I can't vouch for the factuality of the individual's claims; only that they were what he claimed. Passages about the corridor were added on June 29.
Two weeks ago today, the individual left a mutual site three minutes after I did (per security footage). It was Monday during the 06:00 hour.
Eventually, he arrived at the establishment in the vehicle below. He then divided most of his time between smoking at his car outside and sitting down inside. Later, as I gathered my belongings to leave, the individual left his own belongings unattended and rushed to his car outside. As he entered the vehicle, I hurried out the building via a different exit and rounded the block... ... in the opposite direction. Per security footage, the individual returned to the very first site minutes before my return on foot. Maintaining a physical barrier behind a door, I demanded that he stop following me. I screamed it! I considered him another hanger-on in my life. Besides, I was never attracted to the individual physically and his persistent lurking turned me off interpersonally. "I'm not interested!" I yelled, annoyed. Among other things, he said he's also been through a divorce. That he has a car. "Do you?" And that he, too, works in IT -- namely, for a hotel. Until that moment, I avoided talking to him. On a few successful occasions, I cracked the door open to deter him from standing in the immediate corridor any longer. However, without a peep hole or security camera at the time, I stayed behind the closed door while he'd linger multiple times as I worked alone at night. In the external silence of my downtime, I'd shift in place or -- in one instance -- my work phone churped before the individual would:
For the better part of six months, this occurred multiple times almost every night. Prior to the May 9 altercation, the last deterrence was March 1. At the time, he waited about 5 minutes for someone to return an item he'd forgotten. After receiving it, the individual remained in the immediate corridor for another several minutes. I cracked the door open. "Oh! I'm sorry," he said, and kept it moving. About 4-feet wide (1.22 meters), the corridor accommodates adults of average weight/height if walking behind each other (in the same direction) or passing each other one at a time (from opposite directions). Two weeks prior to the May 9 altercation, the individual left the site 5-to-10 minutes after I did. Outside, he encountered police responding to the location. It was the 05:00 hour. Wearing a workman's uniform for a different hotel, he volunteered to officers that he's waiting for an Uber. If to the hotel on his uniform, then it was a 15-minute walk away. Ultimately, no vehicle -- let alone an Uber -- came or drove by. Ironically, it was his employment status for which he first announced himself about six months ago. During an organizational meeting on Zoom, I provided a personal update as is routine among fellow members. It included a few life-changing events, including a divorce and a new job. The individual -- who was not part of the meeting -- entered the immediate corridor. "I don't have a job and I don't care," he said. Previously, I made multiple trips to the building throughout the day over one weekend. I sometimes passed him leaving the building before I entered it. He was gray and looked about 55-to-65. So with the announcement later that he didn't work, I assumed he was retired. At any rate, I want no contact with this person and none of his attention. 
Contact, affiliation not wanted or desired
Related: Alert, II (2022)
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Note: According to Britannica, special prosecutors are currently referred to as independent counsel.
Sorry we missed you last night.
Richard L. Weiss, Green candidate for U.S. Senate, joined me for an hour-long impromptu interview. You might know that Weiss' first priority as senator would be #MedicareForAll. Here are two you might not:
End the bipartisan ballot. Please contact the Green Party of Pennsylvania (facebook.com/gpofpa) to petition your network for some of the 5,000 signatures needed to get Richard, P.K., and Michael Badges-Canning on the November ballot.
A post about my interview with PA candidate Richard L. Weiss for U.S. Senate (Capital Area Green Party)
Statue of woman holding scales of justice (Credit: "Themis" by RaeAllen | CC BY 2.0)
Green Party's 10 Key Values: 1) Grassroots Democracy 2) Ecological Wisdom 3) Global Responsibility & Personal Responsibility 4) Community-Based Economics & Economic Justice 5) Non-Violence 6) Feminism & Gender Equity 7) Respect for Diversity 8) Future Focus & Sustainability 9) Social Justice & Equal Opportunity 10) Decentralization
Jubalyn ExWilliams lives in Pennsylvania (United States). You can find her writings and commentaries, including the one on "Green candidate for senate on special prosecutors, student loan debt" by the author, at landturn.com/blog.
Related: As American as Student Loan Debt (2020)
Related: Question: Trump be impeached in absentia? (2022) Related: Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Car Insurance (2020) Related: 3 ways to promote PA Green Party at climate action (2022) Related: Reaching out to third-party candidates for Harrisburg candidate forum (2022) Related: What influenced me to reconsider participation in electoral politics (2019) Related: How some prison populations serve communities, industry prior to release (2022) Related: Getting on the ballot as a third-party candidate in Pennsylvania, II (2022) Related: How barrier on Stein as viable presidential candidate is man-made (2024)
Please join the #CheyneyChallenge, a monthly donation campaign for America's first HBCU. I made my most recent donation of $18.37 today. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania cheyney.edu Est. 1837 The Cheyney Challenge is an initiative of alumnus Mr. Bright. I committed to it in 2015, and began donating the following year.  Cheyney students | © The Philadelphia Tribune (Used by permission) Related: April Cheyney Challenge (2020)
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I think we should speak in a language that appeals to the broadest coalition of Pennsylvanians. Like that adage says, "Keep It Simple, Silly." Perhaps a slogan -- rather, different slogans -- will amass this appeal. For example, combine into a slogan... popular themes among participants of the study (i.e. COVID): "No time for corruption in a time of COVID." "Better together: End COVID and End Corruption, too." Or "Better Together: Ban Corruption and Ban COVID, too."
A response to commentary on Democracy Action Council's study on voter dislikes on March on Harrisburg's Slack page (Rabbi Pollack)
Picture of can of soup (Credit: "yes we can" from Sharla Sava by stijky | CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
Jubalyn ExWilliams lives in Pennsylvania (United States). You can find her writings and commentaries, including the one on Rabbi Pollack's response to the Democracy Action Council's study on voter dislikes, at landturn.com/blog.
Related: Census Takers contribute more to COVID well-being than "Stay Home" messages (2020)
Related: Building a successful digital ad campaign (2019) Related: What influenced me to reconsider participation in electoral politics (2019) Related: U.S. presidential sweepstakes a Public-Pop Partnership for Almighty Interests (2024) Related: Can Trump be impeached in absentia? (2022) Related: "10/23/20: The Missing Black Voters Washington Post" (2020)
At 8:30 p.m. (20:30 hours) I'll observe Earth Hour 2022. That means lights out for an hour -- or keep the lights off for another hour. I don't have candles, but I have flashlights and portable lights. (Apart from my main flashlight, I'll work on emergency lighting powered by reusable batteries or solar energy next time.)
Otherwise, I'm working an extra 10 hours today -- my first bout of overtime this year. The money won't be for turning up though. During an emergency last year, I lived off my retirement for several months. I'm making some last-minute contributions to it before April 15 (or whenever the tax-filing deadline). Obviously, I'm not participating in an event for Earth Hour this year. However, an event I added to my bucket list in 2020 is fitting for Earth Hour next year. Therefore, I'll hold off on that item one more year. Hint: Cherry Springs State Park -- I'm coming in 2023, if not before! I didn't know there was a difference in energy consumption by front-end and top-over washers and dryers. Also, there are reusable bags specifically for produce. The Earth Hour website provides other easy-to-read tips on lifestyle changes that reduce human pollution, retail waste, and household energy at www.earthhour.org/take-part/beyond-the-hour. Maybe you'll enjoy it as well! Earth Hour is an annual act of solidarity to highlight the appreciation of people for their planet. 
Candle by window (Credit: "candle and window at sunset" by Phoenix Wolf-Ray | CC BY 2.0)
Jubalyn ExWilliams lives in Pennsylvania (United States). You can find her writings and commentaries, including "Dark Skies in Pennsylvania," at landturn.com/blog.
Related: How to Switch to Renewable Energy in Pennsylvania (2021)
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Congrats, GPPA, on the co-sponsorship. This could be one opportunity for the party to raise its statewide profile. If so, the GPPA and candidates might declare (or tagline) public support for 2030 as the deadline for net-neutral or carbon-free emissions.
Weeks before the 2020 election, I learned from the Howie Hawkins campaign -- then the Green Party presidential candidate -- that 2030 is the projected year that Earth's average temperature warms by at least 1.5 Celsius. It's why I reversed course from my support of the Paris Agreement, whose signatories have committed to 2050 as the deadline to net-neutralize greenhouse gas emissions -- particularly, CO2. (See "10/23/20: The Missing Black Voters Washington Post" (Q3), which references the period of my 2020 interview by The Washington Post rather than its publication in Q4. Also see Why I think Biden's Black agenda won't work (Q4). Both are below.) In addition, the state party might volunteer -- at scale -- for a high-contact committee i.e. the Events, March, Media, or Outreach Committees. Even if members don green shirts while collecting garbage and plastic water bottles, I believe the party will make a lasting impression ahead of the general election. #PAClimateConvergence 
Cleaning up near water (Credit: "Downtown Cleanup at North Straub Park" by CityofStPete | CC BY-ND 2.0)
Green Party's 10 Key Values: 1) Grassroots Democracy 2) Ecological Wisdom 3) Global Responsibility & Personal Responsibility 4) Community-Based Economics & Economic Justice 5) Non-Violence 6) Feminism & Gender Equity 7) Respect for Diversity 8) Future Focus & Sustainability 9) Social Justice & Equal Opportunity 10) Decentralization
Jubalyn ExWilliams lives in Pennsylvania (United States). You can find her writings and commentaries, including this one on "3 ways to promote the Green Party of Pennsylvania at climate action," at landturn.com/blog.
Related: Howie Hawkins campaign: my statement (2020)
Related: Open Presidential Debate, II (2020) Related: Final Open Presidential Debate (2020) Related: "10/20/23: The Missing Black Voters Washington Post" (Q3) Related: Why I think Biden's Black wealth agenda won't work (Q4) Related: Why "Make America Great Again" + "Yes, We Can" were successful (2022) Related: Green candidate for senate on special prosecutors, student loan debt (2022)
Attendance was good last night -- our largest little crowd yet! Looking forward to the next meeting in April and any initiatives or positions members would like Capital Area Greens to consider.
Christina "PK" Diguilio -- Green candidate for governor -- was also in attendance. The former analytical chemist shared her testimony on BIPARTISAN BRIBERY, as well as her technical expertise and watchdog advocacy concerning industrial contamination on public health, preservation of the state's natural resources, and more. For now, please reach out to the Green Party of Pennsylvania (facebook.com/gpofpa) to volunteer for PK's campaign or to help collect the 5,000 signatures needed to exercise our voting rights on a MULTIPARTY BALLOT.
Content of post appeared on the Capital Area Green Party's Facebook group on date above.
Woman voting (Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Tetra Images)
Green Party's 10 Key Values: 1) Grassroots Democracy 2) Ecological Wisdom 3) Global Responsibility & Personal Responsibility 4) Community-Based Economics & Economic Justice 5) Non-Violence 6) Feminism & Gender Equity 7) Respect for Diversity 8) Future Focus & Sustainability 9) Social Justice & Equal Opportunity 10) Decentralization
Jubalyn ExWilliams lives in Pennsylvania (United States). You can find her writings and commentaries, including Christina "PK" Diguilio's campaign stop with the Capital Area Green Party, at landturn.com/blog.
Related: Discrepancy with Green presidential candidate: my correspondence (2021)
Related: Discrepancy with Green presidential candidate: my correspondence, II (2021) Related: Getting on the ballot as a third-party candidate in Pennsylvania (2022) Related: Green candidate for senate on special prosecutors, student loan debt (2022) Related: "Gift ban does not see House vote, but advocates say 'there's still time'" (Republished) (2022) Related: What influenced me to reconsider participation in electoral politics (2019) Related: "10/23/20: The Missing Black Voters Washington Post" (2020) Related: "The Case for an Independent Left Party" (Hawkins) (2020) Related: How barrier on Stein as viable presidential candidate is man-made (2024)
Note: I'm catching up on back articles, so the following post is in reference to an article from Dec. 2020.
A few things stuck out to me about this story -- apart from the overwhelming success of the fundraiser. 1) Some of the Soledad prisoners were mentoring Syon -- then a prep-school student -- at the prison itself. 2) His parents "put in an incredible amount of... gratitude and... trust in us to help mentor their son," according to Jason Bryant, one of the inmates. And 3) it was a reading group which these men/felons/prisoners were all members of, including Syon.
I love this! However, prisoners are used as a resource and a market for private goods and services i.e. commissary and voice calls. They're also tapped as:
Under reasonable supervision, will prisons themselves permit eligible and re-integrable inmates to mentor incarcerated or unincarcerated youth? Or share their stories with students and the public at schools/colleges/libraries? Asked another way, what will prisons themselves permit eligible and re-integrable inmates to give back to the community and public life that some [might] someday rejoin?
An extended comment on "California Prisoners raises [sic] $30K for High School in Need" (D. Givens)
Prison cell block (Credit: "cell block d" by seantoyer | CC BY 2.0)
Jubalyn ExWilliams lives in Pennsylvania (United States). You can find her writings and commentaries, including the one on "California Prisoners raises [sic] $30K for High School in Need" by D. Givens, at landturn.com/blog.
Related: Why Booker's sights for HBCUs has my support (2019)
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