Labor Day 2006 Pittsburgh Celebrates and Mourns (pic heavy)

[globalvillage]

Draped in black, the City/County building where Mayor Bob O'Connor lay in state

One of Pittsburgh's finest in the shadow of another mayor who died too young

The parade is silent as it passes the building where mourners pay their respects

Pennsylvania politicians honor one of their own

New Mayor Luke Ravenstahl

Governor Ed Rendell and Bob Casey

Mayor O'Connor's high school shows it's pride

There was no music, only drum beats as bands marched past

It was a day to celebrate endings and beginnings
And about working people and the politicians who represent them





And those who don't



A city built by immigrants recalls its legacy

Happy Labor Day

[Rainscents]

1. Wow... Beautiful photos!

[Ignacio Upton]

2. With those Casey signs...

The GOP will start comparing O'Connor's funeral to the Wellstone funeral. I can see their fake outrage.

[globalvillage]

3. But this was not O'Connor's funeral.

It was the Labor Day parade, which always passes the City/County building, which is where the Mayor worked and where he lies in state. The parade was very solemn as it passed. No music, no waving of signs, hats off, etc. Options would have been to move either the Mayor or the parade or to forego the signs entirely, which would not make it a Pittsburgh Labor Day parade.
Republicans would be insane to piss of that many people. If Casey was waving from a firetruck and tossing candy as he passed, it would be an entirely different story, but he was not. And Rendell looked near tears. He would rip them to pieces if they used this.
Of course, I may be wrong, but IMO it would totally backfire if they said a word about it.

[Ignacio Upton]

4. My mistake

But never underestimate the fake outrage of the Republicans. Look at Mrs. Alito's crocodile tears during her husband's Senate hearing as an example.

[globalvillage]

8. Point taken.

They are certainly not to be misunderestimated.
Hopefully, we have learned how to deal with their underhanded tactics.

[LynneSin]

9. Yes, and Rick Santorum's family lives in Penn Hills

Trust me, these little facts tend to escape Santorum and the Republican party when it comes to campaigning

[blue neen]

5. globalvillage, these are beautiful pictures.

I just got back from talking to Bob Casey at the Labor Day Celebration at Northmoreland Park. That place was absolutely packed. I live 5 miles away, but it took an hour and 20 minutes to get there! Can you imagine a traffic jam in Allegheny Township?!

Bob looked wonderful and was greeting a lot of people. He still had on his black ribbon in honor of the mayor. I told him that he did a great job during the debate yesterday. I also said, referring to Santorum's snark and sleaze, "I think your father would be very proud of you." He thanked me for that and said, "Yeah, he slipped in that snide remark at the end there."

Some of the Westmoreland County Democrats had a tent set up. One gentleman stopped by, said he was a Republican and was against the war in Iraq. He got to meet Casey when he stopped by the tent and seemed pretty impressed. I got him some Casey literature and DVD to view.

Thanks again for posting these very touching pictures. :)

[globalvillage]

6. Thanks, neen.

Sounds like a great time. It's wonderful to hear Mr. Casey is getting that kind of support, and even interest from republicans. I saw my repub brother today at a family picnic who said he doesn't think he'll vote this time, but that he does 'kinda' like Casey. That may be the best I can hope from him. Even my mom said something nice about John Kerry today, which had to have been planned to catch me off guard. I was waiting for the 'but', but it didn't come.
Weird. Republicans are usually so predictable.
:-)

[Allenberg]

7. Good stuffs.

Yeah, I don't think Republican rage will go over well when Pittsburgh hasn't had a Republican mayor since the Depression.