Public Insight Network

Your responses: What does the U.S. Constitution mean to you in 6 words?

2013-04-24T15:18:04Z

Peter Sagal, host of NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me hit the road to find out if the Constitution has what it takes to keep up with modern America. Sagal traveled across the country by motorcycle in search of where the U.S. Constitution lives, how it works and how it doesn't... how it unites us as a nation and how it has nearly torn us apart. The four-part series, CONSTITUTION USA, premieres May 7 at 9 p.m. on witf.

In conjunction with the series, we asked you "What does the U.S. Constitution mean to you in 6 words?" Below are your responses:

"Individual liberty and the common good" - Steven Knaub of Camp Hill, via Public Insight Network
"Represent us all, not just some." - Mike Wilson of Harrisburg, via Public Insight Network
"Freedom - Protection - Power - Security - Conflict - History" - Jeanette Richards of Carlisle via Public Insight Network
"Liberty and Union, now and forever" - Dan Bates, via Facebook
"protect citizens from big government greed" - Harry Bateman, via Facebook
"We The People--ALL The People!" - James D'Angelo, via Facebook
"All for one, and one for all." - Cb Zales, via Facebook
"Guaranteed rights and protection from over-reaching government." - J.b. Ronan, via Facebook
"The foundation of our rights: - Gary Jones, via Public Insight Network

Now it's your turn to share:

What does the U.S. Constitution mean to you in just 6 words?

We'll add your responses to this entry.

Learn more about witf's Public Insight Network here.

Supported by the Lebanon VA Medical Center.

What does the U.S. Constitution mean to you in 6 words?

2013-04-12T15:05:50Z

Does the Constitution have what it takes to keep up with modern America?

Peter Sagal, host of NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me hit the road to find out. Sagal traveled across the country by motorcycle in search of where the U.S. Constitution lives, how it works and how it doesn't... how it unites us as a nation and how it has nearly torn us apart.

The four-part series, CONSTITUTION USA, premieres May 7 at 9 p.m. on witf.

In connection with the series, we'd like to know your answer the following question:

What does the U.S. Constitution mean to you in just 6 words?

Learn more about witf's Public Insight Network here.

Supported by the Lebanon VA Medical Center.

Your stories: York mother of bullied 6-year-old believes effective parenting key to stopping bullying

2013-03-18T13:08:26Z

Today is the official launch of Pushed Around, a project on bullying. This project will include coverage on radio, TV and web over the upcoming weeks. We will also be hosting a public forum on the topic and three workshops for parents with the Susan P. Byrnes Health and Education Center. We plan to cover bullying in schools, as well as cyber bullying and bullying in the workplace.

As we led up to this project, we have been asking you to tell us about your experiences with bullying. We've been sharing the stories here. So far, we've heard from a woman who bullied for having a birth defect, a man who was bullied for being an "artsy" kid, and a man who became more determined to succeed as a result of bullying.

Heather Klinefelter, York County, told us about the bullying her 6-year-old son encountered and what she believes is the key to stopping bullying:

"My 6-year-old started kindergarten this year, in an inner-city school as we waited on the list for the charter school we wanted to attend.

His teacher was great, and all seemed to new going well until about a month into the school year. It took a week of him crying, refusing to get dressed, saying that he was feeling 'sick' or had 'bad dreams' to get the truth out of him. His seat mate, a boy he thought was his friend, was calling him names like 'sassyhead' and 'dummy' at lunch and on the playground when the teacher wasn't looking. While it doesn't seem like a big deal, it was to my son. We insist on respecting other's feelings, active listening, and using our 'nice' words, so this was a new and upsetting experience for our sensitive little man.

Unfortunately, many of the children in that school do not have parental involvement and level of emotional attachment and respect that is necessary to form caring, respectful, and long-term healthy relationships. Socio-economic status and level of education reflect wholly on our children and their prospects for the future. The sad truth of the matter it's that many of these children are bullied by their parents, and the children are merely acting out what they know as an 'acceptable' form of communication. Sadly, most of them probably see it as an acceptable form of affection because that is all they know from their own lives.

In our situation, the teacher was very helpful and responsive. In response to my concerns, she moved several students in order not to draw attention to either boy. But the bigger question is why are kindergartners bullying each other in the first place? Ineffectual, ignorant parenting is a huge problem. If you try to talk to your children like sensitive, intelligent, cognizant, growing live beings deserving of respect, validation, and love, they might in turn see other people in the same light.

I always try to turn it around and ask what the bully would think and feel if they were in a similar situation. But this only goes so far...parents are the real starting point. So many parents bully their children, it is only natural that these children in turn bully other children. Correcting parental behavior may hold the key to creating better life models for children."

What do you think is the key to stopping bullying? Do you agree that it starts with parents?

One goal of the Pushed Around project is to give others a feel for the true impact bullying can have on someone's life. We can't share all of the stories we receive, as grateful as we are for each one, but we will continue to post more of your stories here throughout the project.

Do you have a story to tell about bullying? Whether you’ve been bullied, you’ve been a bully, you’ve been close to someone who has been bullied or you’ve witnessed bullying, we want to hear about it. Please help inform our project by sharing your personal insights.

Share your experiences with bullying now.

Learn more about witf's Public Insight Network here.

Pushed Around is supported by Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital.

Dauphin County resident Michael Fisher grew into more determined person as result of childhood bullying

2013-02-27T12:54:34Z

As part of our Pushed Around project, a number of people in central Pennsylvania have been telling us about their personal experience with bullying. We've received a number of stories from victims of bullying, those who have witnessed bullying and parents of victims.

Over the length of the project, we'll be sharing some of the insight we receive through your stories, on our website and during our public forum.

Dauphin County resident Michael Fisher, 43, shared the following story about the bullying he endured in school:

"When I was younger I used to live down in Maryland. My family moved to PA, and I went to a school right around the border. When I was down in Maryland, I never knew of bullying or racism. But when I moved to PA, I learned all about it first hand. I have heavy Native American in me, so I was a bit darker than everyone else at the time at the school I went to and the town I lived in. And since the school I was going to was a little bit ahead of the school I went to before, I had some issues with some classes.

I was singled out. I was not very athletic and more of a book worm. The school I was in was heavy on farm boys and jocks. And, to be honest, it was hard. I was singled out not only by the jocks in school every single day, but I couldn't go to the store without folks staring at me or security guards following me. To offend me, I was called 'retard' or hit or put down for not getting the concept in school, not only from the kids but the teachers also. Many times I heard natives are only good as drunks or thieves. Every day was another day of this.

Since I was adopted, the hope of finding safety at home was low. My father worked hard, and my mother was not much help. So I had to deal with it. And as hard as it was, it made me angry.

Out of it, I was determined to prove everyone wrong. So with every insult I worked harder. Yes, I made many mistakes with the mistake of lashing back. But once I figured out that what does not kill me only makes me stronger, I excelled. I went from the whipping boy to someone who went to college and graduated in the top of my classes. And yes, I still deal with small mindedness, even today. But looking where they are and where I went to, I use my self pride knowing, if I place my mind to something, there is very little I cannot do."

Share your experiences with bullying now.

Learn more about witf's Public Insight Network here.

Beth L. Cornell helped make Central PA through work at The Civic Club of Harrisburg

2013-02-26T11:12:05Z

In conjunction with the PBS documentary MAKERS: Women Who Make America, witf has been collecting inspiring and untold stories of remarkable Central Pennsylvania women. We've received a number of inspiring stories of local women, and will be sharing them with you at Makers page.

Jeanne Schmedlen, of Cumberland County, shared the story of Wormleysburg resident Beth L. Cornell, president of The Civic Club of Harrisburg, below.

"Beth Cornell, president of The Civic Club of Harrisburg, is passionate about her organization. As a legacy member (her mother was a member for many years) Beth has transformed the club, bringing it into the 21st century. Under her leadership as president for the past 3 years she has helped create: a club website; free public programs; outreach to Homeland Center and Messiah Village where the senior centers can participate in the simulcast of the club's lectures; created quarterly breakfasts at the club for area non-profits; created a unique nonprofit partners program engaging 19 area non-profits as club partners in the past two years; spear-headed a GALA fund raiser to restore and preserve the Civic Club's historic landmark building; and, many other innovative and creative solutions to move the club forward as a viable player and civility promoter in these perilous times in Harrisburg."

Do you know a woman of excellence in the midstate? Share the story of a woman who made a difference in central Pennsylvania here.

Dr. Marion Johnston: A woman who helped 'make' Central PA

2013-02-25T12:22:13Z

Dr. Marion Johnston, left, and daughter Lucy Johnston

Ann Johnston, of York County, shared the story of her mother, Dr. Marion Johnston, of Cumberland County, who became a female physician in the 1950's despite social challenges.

"Dr. Marion Johnston has been a huge inspiration to many women in Central Pennsylvania.

Dr. Johnston, a pediatrician, practiced medicine in Sewickley, PA and then in Carlisle PA. For many of these years, she was the only or nearly the only woman physician on the hospital staff. She graduated in 1949 from the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania, now part of Drexel.

The year Marion was born, women had just won the right to vote in the US. Despite the cultural and social pressures against women entering the work force, Dr. Marion pursued her dreams of becoming a physician. She went on to marry another physician and to raise five children.

Dr. Marion has been a role model at each step of the way to her four daughters and to others who have met her: on how to pursue your dreams, on how to balance work and family and now on how to age gracefully."

Do you know a woman of excellence in the midstate? Share the story of a woman who made a difference in central Pennsylvania here.

Your stories: Lancaster man recalls being bullied for being 'artsy kid'

2013-02-20T12:52:12Z

Keith Wilson

Over the length of the project, we'll be sharing some of the insight we receive through your stories, on our website and during our public forum. One of the first stories we shared is that of Ashley Martin of Lancaster County, who was bullied for her birth defect.

Another contributor, Keith Wilson, 37, of Lancaster County, tells his story below.

"I was a quiet shy kid, and was bullied consistently at an early age in grade-school in Massachusetts. Later, I attended Lancaster Mennonite High School in the early 90's and was part of the social group that included the 'artsy' kids. We were the ones who experimented with dying our hair, formed bands, talked about art, etc. There was a social group whose commonalities were that they were from rural, often farming families. They were hunters, and often drove trucks, etc. A handful of these guys, with a clear ringleader to whom they looked up, consistently and routinely shouted slurs at us, pushed us against lockers, intimidated us in numerous ways. The most frightening incident was when one of them was driving a large pickup with oversized tires on school property and shouted 'get out of the way you f*****g f****ts' and swerved toward a friend and I so that we had to dive onto a burm to avoid being hit.

The school administration was made aware of the systematic nature of the bullying numerous times and did little to stop it. There seemed to be a perception on their part that we had an ongoing 'misunderstanding' so a mediation was attempted. My friends and I were angry and did our best to explain that there isn't a two-sided conflict to mediate, but rather ongoing one-sided harassment. My reflection looking back on it, is that the administration had more cultural understanding for the rural farming culture and it's proclivities, than they did for artsy oddballs, and so their sympathies blinded them to the very obvious and destructive abuse. I should say too, that we were not the only group being bullied by these same individuals. The minority students - particularly african american and hispanic students were also harassed in a similar fashion."

Share your experiences with bullying now.

Learn more about witf's Public Insight Network here.

Grace Marie Hamilton has helped 'make' central Pennsylvania through volunteer work in prisons

2013-02-19T12:57:49Z

Grace Marie teaching her Creative Nonviolent Conflict Resolution course to incarcerated men at the Rockview State Correctional Institution in State College, PA

In conjunction with the PBS documentary MAKERS: Women Who Changed America, witf has been collecting inspiring and untold stories of remarkable Central Pennsylvania women. We've received a number of inspiring stories of local women, and will be sharing them with you at our Makers page.

Melanie Snyder, of Lancaster County, shared the story of State College resident Grace Marie Hamilton, who has worked extensively to help improve the lives of prisoners and former inmates, below.

"Grace Marie Hamilton was a volunteer in Pennsylvania's state prisons for over 30 years. She has touched the lives of thousands of incarcerated men and women through unique programs she created based on simple principles: look for the GOOD in people, find ways to affirm that goodness, and provide inmates with opportunities to show their worth. Just one example is the PA Prison Runathon, an annual inmate-led and organized charity event that's been running inside PA state prisons since 1979 and through which PA prison inmates have raised over a quarter of a million dollars for Big Brothers Big Sisters and other organizations that serve at-risk youth.

Grace Marie had no formal education in criminal justice, and she wasn't part of 'the system' - yet she challenged conventional wisdom about how to deal with people who commit crimes.

I met Marie in 2007, and over a period of several years of research, I wrote a book about her life and work in the prisons (Grace Goes to Prison, Brethren Press, 2009). Before meeting her, I knew nothing about our prison system and never gave it any thought. What I learned from her and through her has inspired me to make a MAJOR mid-life career change: I have an MBA and worked for Fortune 500 companies for over 20 years. Now, I serve as Executive Director of the Lancaster County Reentry Management Organization (RMO), an organization that helps people being released from prison to get connected to services and supports so they can change their lives and become productive citizens. So, though Marie is retired from her prison work (she's 76 now), because she has inspired me to make this major career change, she continues to make a difference in the lives of many people and families in Central Pennsylvania."

Listen to Melanie Snyder describe Grace Marie Hamilton below:

If you are interested in learning more about Grace, Melanie Snyder wrote a book about her life called "Grace Goes to Prison."

Do you know a woman of excellence in the midstate? Share the story of a woman who made a difference in central Pennsylvania here.

Your stories: Bullying leaves lasting impact on local woman with birth defect

2013-02-13T12:53:09Z

Ashley Martin

We've been asking people in central Pennsylvania to share their bullying experiences with us as we prepare to launch Pushed Around, a comprehensive multimedia project on bullying on March 18. We've started to receive a number of stories from victims of bullying, those who have witnessed bullying and parents of victims.

Over the length of the project, we'll be sharing some of the insight we receive through Public Insight Network on air, on our website and during our public forum. These stories inform how we cover such a sensitive topic and also illuminate the consequences of such behavior by giving a voice to those involved.

Among the responders is Ashley Martin, 28, of Elizabethtown, Lancaster County. Ashley was born with a birth defect called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, which results in decreased flexibility of the joints. She shared her story with us below.

"When I think of the word 'school', I automatically get this awful feeling in the pit of my stomach. It feels as if I'm in the movie Alien and an alien is trying to erupt out of my stomach. Being born with a disability made me a constant target. I might as well have had a flashing neon sign over my head that said, 'Pick on me. I love it!' The bullying in high school haunts me today. I can't hear the word 'dinosaur' without wanting to throw up. My heart breaks when I see the news and hear about a bullied teen taking their life... but I get it. I've been in those shoes and it hurts.

Bullies in Valley View High School gave me a nasty nickname that hurt deep down in my soul. T-rex. One minute, a word made a colossal impression on my life. I dreaded when class would end because I knew it was time to walk the hall to the next class. I am certain that my anxiety would have been less if I was walking the 'last mile'. Boys would literally hunt me in the halls, as if they were in the movie Jurassic Park and I was the dangerous Tyrannosaurus Rex. These young, piddling punks would pretend to have guns. They would pop out behind lockers and shoot. "Get the T-rex before she eats us!" They then would scatter, laughing and taking a little bit of my soul with them.

I learned to cope by eating my feelings. I'd go home and eat the fattiest food I could get my hands on. If it was fried and a carbohydrate, it was consumed. When I went to college, I thought it would be over. I thought those battles were over. One day, I overheard my dorm neighbor tell her friend that I looked like a T-rex trying to buckle my seat belt. (Earlier that week I rode in her car for the first time to pick up some groceries.) The anguish I felt while walking the halls of high school came flooding back. I felt like an already unstable dam had broken and consumed a small town within seconds. I was crushed.

Bullying has been a big part of my life and I still battle myself and the past on a daily basis. I still get anxious when some young kid stares at me so intently that I want to offer him a tissue to wipe his drool. I'll never be able to watch Jurassic Park, again. I even threw out some dinosaur pajamas that someone gave my daughter. The hurt is still there and probably won't go away in this lifetime. It helps ease the pain to know I am not alone and that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and who made me to serve a purpose here on earth."

Share your experiences with bullying now.

Learn more about witf's Public Insight Network here.

What is your experience with bullying?

2013-01-31T18:54:52Z

According to the National Education Association, 160,000 children miss school every day due to the fear of attack or intimidation by other students. Research shows that 77% of all students in grades K-12 have been bullied at one time or another. Bullying has been in the national spotlight a lot in recent years for a number of high profile cases, some of which have resulted in suicide. In the past year, many schools in Central Pennsylvania have put a greater emphasis on peer-to-peer programs to stop bullying.

witf aims to become a convening point for the topic of bullying in Central Pennsylvania in a new comprehensive project called Pushed Around starting on March 18, 2013. This multimedia project will span the radio, TV and web platforms and will include bullying classes and a public forum held at the witf Public Media Center.

We plan on using a broad approach to the topic, covering not just bullying in schools, but also online and in the workplace. We will focus on signs of bullying, approaches for stopping bullying, the psychology behind bullying, and personal stories of local people affected by bullying, among other topics.

To help inform our coverage, we created a Public Insight Query asking you to share your experience with bullying. Whether you’ve been bullied, you’ve been a bully, you’ve been close to someone who has been bullied or you’ve witnessed bullying, we want to hear about it. Please help inform our project by sharing your personal insights.

Share your experiences with bullying now.

Learn more about witf's Public Insight Network here.

Do you know a woman--past or present--who has helped 'MAKE' the midstate?

2013-01-28T18:09:09Z

witf-TV will air the PBS documentary MAKERS: Women Who Changed America on Tuesday, February 26^that 8 p.m. The film focuses on inspiring and untold stories of remarkable women, both famous and everyday. It’s about women making a difference.

witf had decided to create a local version of this project to complement the film. So we’re collecting inspiring and untold stories of remarkable Central Pennsylvania women. Do you know a woman--past or present--who's helped "MAKE" the midstate? Please share her story with us! Are YOU a woman who has helped shape Central PA? Share your story.

Share the story of a woman who made a difference in central Pennsylvania here

Learn more about witf's Public Insight Network here.

What do you do to give back?

2012-12-13T16:32:18Z

A study recently ranked Pennsylvania as 39th in the country for charitable giving. It found that typical households in the Keystone State claimed charitable contributions totaling 3.9 percent of their income. At witf, we see volunteerism and giving all around us, so we're not sure that 39th ranking is deserved.

There's an unending list of needs in our state and country. During the holiday season, it's hard not to take notice of those who go with less. The Salvation Army bells ring out at malls and grocery stores, coat drives are put together, and gift programs try to bring some holiday joy to them. That's where we all come in. You may give money to help out organizations, or may all get together as a family to help out for a day.

Help us show that Pennsylvanians give
back by telling us what you do.

We'll gather all your responses in one place so that we can all be inspired by the generosity that surrounds us.

Learn more about witf's Public Insight Network here.

What are you most thankful for this year?

2012-11-15T15:23:06Z

'Tis the season for giving thanks! When you think about this past year, what comes to mind?

Did you participate in your first 5K? Complete a degree? Are you grateful for your support network? Did you get a promotion?

We want to know: What are you most thankful for this year? (Click the link and fill out the form to let us know.)

We'll gather all your responses in one place so that we can all be inspired by the many blessings around us.

Learn more about witf's Public Insight Network here.

Tell us about your experience at the polls

2012-11-05T15:45:40Z

Please help us paint a better picture of the situation at the local polls this year by answering our questions. Did you encounter or witness any issues? Were you asked to show photo ID? Did you show it? How long was your wait?

Answer our questions in this form. Your responses will help inform our coverage.

Also, if you would like to report issues at the polls, use this Pennsylvania Department of State form.

Learn more about witf's Public Insight Network here.

What is your biggest prejudice?

2012-10-12T19:04:37Z

In conjunction with Ephrata Public Library's Community Memory Project, witf is looking to engage the public in contemplation and discussion of the importance of community, civility and compassion in their daily lives.

For Ephrata Public Library's Community Memory project, oral historian J. Phillip Eiseman is interviewing community members to capture the many diverse voices that make up the Ephrata area. The individual stories of compassion, civility and community will be shared online and will be made available on DVD at the library and Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley.

We'd like to take this project and expand it to the general central Pennsylvania community, gathering voices from around the midstate. For this Public Insight Network query, we'd like you to tell us about your biggest prejudice and how you handle people who have a different viewpoint from you.

Learn more about witf's Public Insight Network here.

Public Insight Network

Your responses: What does the U.S. Constitution mean to you in 6 words?

What does the U.S. Constitution mean to you in just 6 words?

What does the U.S. Constitution mean to you in 6 words?

What does the U.S. Constitution mean to you in just 6 words?

Your stories: York mother of bullied 6-year-old believes effective parenting key to stopping bullying

Share your experiences with bullying now.

Dauphin County resident Michael Fisher grew into more determined person as result of childhood bullying

Share your experiences with bullying now.

Beth L. Cornell helped make Central PA through work at The Civic Club of Harrisburg

Dr. Marion Johnston: A woman who helped 'make' Central PA

Your stories: Lancaster man recalls being bullied for being 'artsy kid'

Share your experiences with bullying now.

Grace Marie Hamilton has helped 'make' central Pennsylvania through volunteer work in prisons

Your stories: Bullying leaves lasting impact on local woman with birth defect

Share your experiences with bullying now.

What is your experience with bullying?

Share your experiences with bullying now.

Do you know a woman--past or present--who has helped 'MAKE' the midstate?

Share the story of a woman who made a difference in central Pennsylvania here

What do you do to give back?

Help us show that Pennsylvanians give back by telling us what you do.

What are you most thankful for this year?

Tell us about your experience at the polls

What is your biggest prejudice?

Help us show that Pennsylvanians give
back by telling us what you do.