The aide says that he is pro- anti-discrimination and for LGBT rights, including gay marriage, although I would love to officially confirm that off-the-cuff statement.  Due to the current leadership in the state, I questioned him more on state issues than LGBT issues.  Our current governator [sic] is seemingly anti-mental health and pro- Philadelphia and LGBT rights.

The first thing I did was ask him if he would do more to promote PA to businesses.  I especially am concerned with getting businesses to come back to small towns.  I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania and would love to see more work on that front.  People there need fair paying jobs.  He actually knew of my hometown, Warren, which I found interesting.  It is a great place to hunt, fish, boat, hike, and climb.  It’s also the home of the Kinzua Dam and Reservoir which keeps Pittsburgh, among other places from flooding.

My next line of questioning had to do with state run mental health care.  My mother worked at a state mental institution for 23 years, so I have become concerned with a few issues like the closing down of the state hospitals.  This leaves many people who have serious issues out in the cold.  When a state hospital closes, the patients get placed in group homes where they don’t receive quality care.  They may also end up being taken care of by relatives who don’t want them and do not know how to treat them mentally or physically.  If a patient doesn’t end up in a group home or family home, they will be on the street.  Most of those people will end up in the prison system with terrible/no mental health care.

Mental heath care needs to be focused on patient care by trained professionals.  Group homes are mostly hire affordable staff with a low ratio of registered nurses or doctors to patients.  This leaves them with basically little to no quality care.  I propose that we need a standard of care for the mentally ill people who are in group homes.  He found that to be an interesting idea and hopes he takes it to heart.

BUT… politics being politics, at the end of the day getting votes is all about baby kissing!

• Assault on Precinct 13 movie download

on October 10 & 11, 2009, with a social meet-n-greet on Friday night.

Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, advanced, or just curious, come out and hear social networking experts talk about their craft.  Hell, if CNN can get on the Twitter-Facebook Express, so can you!  We have seen great examples of the use of social media in the last year from the protests over Iran’s election to the G20 Summit in little old Pittsburgh.

If you’re in the greater Pittsburgh area or some place that doesn’t have a podcamp, come on down and take advantage of this FREE UNconference.  Plus, you can meet me!   Unfortunately, due to medical reasons, I was unable to help organize this year, but I know the people who have and let me tell you, you are in for a good time.  Sign up today and hope to see you there! ~Jason

P.S.: Be sure to pick up a pen or two, donated by this podcast & blog.

Wi-Fi (and the space) are provided by the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, so bring your laptops.  Also, cameras, audio/video recording devices, and business cards are ALL OKAY.  Part of the joy is that everyone is open and wants people to learn.  We want to see your view on the topics covered.

My medical status update:  You will see me Friday, Saturday, and probably Sunday.  Unfortunately, the therapy I’m on for my 2 month old chronic pain disease (trigeminal neuralgia) makes me exhausted and unsteady on my feet.  That’s the reason for the cane.  I will do my best!

P.S. The total download count for all shows combined has surpassed 250,000!