A LITTLE BACK STEPPING

Many female activists claimed that ballroom dancing was a good example of why women were brighter than men.

They reasoned that it takes much quicker thinking to be able to step backward than forward.

That theory became old quickly when women started dancing with each other and also became tired of following in mens footsteps; but, that's another story.

No, today's back stepping is being done by a man - Me!

I just polished off a blog on the dangers of being a "number cruncher". Now it's me who is going to attempt to use numbers to clarify something.

My goal here is to explain why I love my hometown of Pittsburgh and it's people, so much. It's also part of the reason I'm anxious to return for a few months - or so.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is known for it's originating and publishing of various surveys that the readers can respond to online. I was amused by the readers response to some recent surveys.

I speak of Pittsburgh often. People, including my wife, will often ask me why I remain so enthralled with the city 25 years after last residing there.

The question surprises me as I believe my positive Pittsburgh attitude is shared by my two brothers; neither of whom reside there now.

Perhaps the three survey results that follow will help to explain that affection:

I. "Congressman Anthony Weiner has admitted to sexually charged online relationships with several women. He says he never had a physical relationship with any of the women. Is it still cheating?"

A. Yes - 69%
B. No - 23%
C. I'm not sure - 8%
D. He should change his last name -0% (ok, I made up that one.)

II."Republicans lawmakers have introduced a bill that would outlaw strikes by public school teachers. Would you like to see this become law?

A. Yes - 27%
B. No - 72%
C. No opinion - 1%
D. What's a Republican lawmaker? - 87% (ok, you got me again)

III. "Will enforcement of parking meters until 10 p.m. affect your decision to attend events or go to restaurants in affected areas?

A. I will curtail my trips to those areas - 66%.
B. I work during those times, and it will cause a hardship. - 5%.
C. It will have no effect - 23%
D. No opinion - 6%.
E. What are parking meters? 16% (Sorry, couldn't resist)

Number cruncher conclusion:

(I)Pgh people have strong feelings about sex.

(II) Pgh people don't trust Republican lawmakers.

(III) Pgh people don't like change of any type.


My conclusion:

1. They are good people who really care about others - except for Pennsylvania Republican lawmakers, of course.

2. They are still strong labor union people with a great work ethic and who understand the plight of others.

3. They like to bluff because they don't like cluttering up their glove box with all those stolen little cloth "sockies" that say: "This meter is out of order."

They might not be real big fans of "change" but, they are always ingenious enough to figure out some way to deal with it.

4. They also like to reply to surveys.

No back stepping here. I am indeed a Pittsburgher.