Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events

The International Documentary Challenge is back!

2012-01-27T14:55:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kahmeela Adams <pittsburgh@48hourfilm.com>

Hello Filmmakers!

Sometimes the best stories aren't scripted. The International Documentary Challenge is back! Now in its 7th year, the Doc Challenge takes place March 1-5, 2012 with registration now open to filmmakers worldwide.

The 7th annual Doc Challenge is coming up soon. 48HFP is a presenter of Doc Challenge. The Doc Challenge is a chance for 48HFP participants to try their hand at non-fiction by spending 5 days making a short documentary. Our top films make their world premiere at the Hot Docs Documentary Festival in Toronto (and win cash prizes) and many of them have received additional distribution on the Documentary Channel and Snag Films.

You can find full information here.

IMPORTANT DATES:
Registration NOW OPEN Sign Up Now
Early Registration Deadline: February 14, 2012
Final Registration Deadline: February 29, 2012
Doc Challenge: March 1-5, 2012

Hot Docs Dates: April 26 - May 06, 2012

Complete details and entry forms can be found at docchallenge.org

The Doc Challenge is produced by KDHX Media. The 2012 Presenting Partners include Hot Docs, The Documentary Channel, American Documentary/P.O.V. and Documentary Educational Resources. Supporting partners include the International Documentary Association, the Documentary Organization of Canada, DocuMentors, the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, Dokufest, Docs In Progress and the 48 Hour Film Project.

The International Documentary Challenge.
Real Life. Filmed Real Fast

Much Success!

Kahmeela Adams & Nina Gibbs

Pittsburgh City Producers

_______________________________________________
Pittsburgh 48 Hour Film Project
http://www.48hourfilm.com/pittsburgh

Fwd: [school-discuss] project idea: open source text books

2012-01-27T10:47:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jeremy C. Reed
Date: Friday, January 27, 2012
Subject: [school-discuss] project idea: open source text books
To: schoolforge-discuss@schoolforge.net

I propose the group advocates and works toward open source text books.

These would be open content projects that result in free digital and
(optionally) very low-cost print textbooks and course work. This would
be a public endeavor using open collaborative methods. The text and its
related artwork and formatting and tools to create and re-generate will
be freely and publically accessible and redistributable.

Some side goals could be to save money for schools and better allocate
tax payers money, such as increasing school teacher's salaries, and
maybe better learning experience due to further media capabilities.
(Another minor goal is so kids, like mine, don't have to carry around
20+ pounds of textbooks :)

Maybe some ideas at:

http://www.opencontent.org/

http://archives.seul.org/schoolforge/discuss/May-2002/msg00194.html
(Hey David where is your document now?)

http://www.jasonheppler.org/open-source-scholarship-and-why-history-should-be-open-source.html

http://teachinghistory.org/teaching-materials/ask-a-master-teacher/22276

http://levine.sscnet.ucla.edu/general/intellectual/open.htm

I know we talked a little about it before around May 2002, but sadly
nothing came out of it from me. But it is time to do this again because
I recently listed to an interview about Steve Jobs and their textbook
plans. Here are some related links:

http://idealab.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/01/apples-textbook-partner-mcgraw-hill-reveals-ibooks-2-plans.php

350,000 downloads in 3 days
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2140927/apple-s-textbook-initiative-350-downloads-days

http://www.apple.com/education/ibooks-textbooks/

They may be "reinventing the textbook" but I don't think they are open
source and may be, in fact, tied down to a proprietary platform.

--

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

Recruitment letter for Water Polo delivered at the PPS Middle School Swim Championships

2012-01-25T11:46:00.000-05:00

Water Polo is growing in Pittsburgh

Consider joining this spring, summer and/or fall.

To Swimmers, Coaches and Families of Pittsburgh Public Schools:

You can be a part of our new swimming and water polo teams with open practices, clinics and play at various pools around the city in the weeks to come. Neighborhood Learning Alliance is our nonprofit sponsors.

Summer Dreamers:
In the summer of 2011, a five week Swim and Water Polo Camp was a part of Pittsburgh Public Schools Summer Dreamers. More than 150 enjoyed their experiences with swimming and playing the sport of Water Polo at Peabody’s indoor pool.
We hope the Swim and Water Polo Camps can continue in the summer of 2012. PPS approval is pending. In 2012, Summer Dreamers’ academic and fun camps are moving and space is limited. Look to sign up and attend at U-Prep on Centre Ave in The Hill District as that’s where we have access to swim pools.

Middle school students get to RUN and JOG, with coaching supervision, of course, to the swim sites – at the brand new Centre Ave YMCA and the giant, outdoor, Citiparks operated, Ammon Rec Center Pool .

This year, younger kids in Elementary Grades are going to be able to swim at the indoor pool at U-Prep too. So tell your younger brothers and sisters and neighbors.

Spring Play:
Additional swimming and water polo play is being organized as well. Practices and a spring league are about to begin at Peabody, three nights per week from 6 to 7 pm. We have been playing every Wednesday, at Westinghouse High School.

City Wide Opportunity:
High School athletes, our “Pittsburgh Combined” team played in Columbus, Ohio, in September 2011, getting 3rd place in the Ohio Cup Tournament. This team allows kids from any area high school to join.

Get in Touch:
Please call or email the water polo coach, Mark Rauterkus, Mark@Rauterkus.com, 412-298-3432. Then specific practice times and details can be delivered to you. (See P-G sports news on other side, too.)
Way to go on your middle school swim championships!

Fwd: ZOO SUMMER JOBS FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS-jobs for 55 an older

2012-01-21T15:19:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
Date: Friday, January 20, 2012
Subject: ZOO SUMMER JOBS FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS-jobs for 55 an older
To: RFlanag@aol.com

(Jobs for 55 and older-- see attached)

PLEASE SHARE OUT

Project of YouthLINK and East End Works

PITTSBURGH ZOO SUMMER JOBS FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS

Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center can help you with:

Knowing what Pittsburgh Zoo summer jobs

(16 years and older) are available

Preparing for an interview

Filling out the actual Pittsburgh Zoo application

(Once prepared to apply you will need to attend the Pittsburgh Zoo job fair on Saturday, January 28, 2012. We have the details on the job fair and will share them when you visit our office.)

For a copy of the youth and adult Pittsburgh Zoo job application and to gain assistance with applying go to:

Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center 5321 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224

Phone: 412-362-8580

(Open every day after school until 7 p.m.)

--

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

Fw: Winter Lecture Series is Back!

2012-01-19T17:33:00.001-05:00

Sent from my BlackBerry®

From: Pro Bikes <todds@probikesllc.com>

Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:10:10 -0500 (EST)

To: <mark@rauterkus.com>

ReplyTo: todds@probikesllc.com

Subject: Winter Lecture Series is Back!

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

Hello All!

I hope you're having a great winter, we certainly are here at Pro Bikes. And with that, we'd like to re-introduce the Winter Lecture Series! We took last year off due to construction, but are back with a full lecture series in our NEW Spin Studio and Lecture Room. The series will be happening on a weekly to bi-weekly basis with topics being presented by local coaches and experts in their field! All lectures are FREE to attend and will be held at Pro Bikes, Squirrel Hill location, 5876 Forbes Ave. 15217. Click HERE for directions.

There is No RSVP required for this event! It is a free, one hour lecture/event aimed at providing knowledge for those interested! Thank you, and we hope to see you all there!!

First Lecture

Date: January 23, 2012
Time:7:00-8:00PM
Where: Pro Bikes-Squirrel Hill 5876 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh
Speaker: Mike Schultz from Highland Training

Mike will be presenting "Learning about the tools of the trade – A discussion of the use of heart rates, breathing, perceived exertion and power to make gains in endurance and power for cycling."

Highland Training is a coaching, and consulting business for endurance and ultra endurance athletes. Training programs are for all athletes, from novice to elite, who are interested in improving their athletic performance, strength and fitness for endurance and ultra-endurance sports.

Mike Schultz is the founder of Highland Training and is a professional ultra endurance Cyclist, and Coach. He brings more than ten years of racing and training experience from national ultra endurance cycling events, mountain bike stage races, and ultra endurance 24 hour solo cycling events.

He has many podium finishes as a 24 hour solo racer, including a few top five finishes at the 24 hour Granny Gear national race series, and a 2nd place finish in the Duo/Pro category in 2009. As an avid cyclist, runner, and cross country skier, Mike combines his love of the outdoors with his passion for coaching and training.

Mike is certified with the NSCA as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Personal Trainer. He has a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Robert Morris University. He continues to compete within endurance and ultra endurance events on a regional and national level to further study the science behind sports specific training. He also competes to practice what he teaches. Mike resides in the Laurel Highlands, PA where he coaches and trains year round.

For more on our first presenter, go to: http://highlandtraining.net/wordpress/.

For more infomation or questions about the event call Pro Bikes (412) 586-5497 or email Todd todds@probikesllc.com or Gregg gregg@probikesllc.com.

Forward email

This email was sent to mark@rauterkus.com by todds@probikesllc.com \| Update Profile/Email Address \| Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ \| Privacy Policy.
Pro Bikes \| 5876 Forbes Ave \| Pittsburgh \| PA \| 15217

Fw: Exclusive Pass: Ron Paul Spin Room - Saturday

2012-01-19T17:31:00.000-05:00

Sent from my BlackBerry®

From: "Revolution PAC" <mailer@revolutionpac.com>

Date: 19 Jan 2012 15:13:40 -0600

To: <mark@rauterkus.com>

ReplyTo: admin@revolutionpac.com

Subject: Exclusive Pass: Ron Paul Spin Room - Saturday

To safely unsubscribe, please click here

Forward to Friend | If you are unable to read this, click here

Dear Mark,

Had enough of the anti-Paul media bias?

Well, we don't want to watch the skewed reporting from FOX or CNN on Saturday either. So, buckle up for a LIVE primary broadcast, for Paul supporters by Paul supporters!

SOUTH CAROLINA PRIMARY WEBCAST
Saturday, January 21, 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
RevolutionPAC.com

Join Revolution PAC for Skype commentary from our boots on the ground in South Carolina. In studio, a five-person panel of seasoned Paul pundits headed by Forrest Jehlik, grassroots leader and founder of the Libertate clothing line, will analyze the race and results and get YOUR feedback throughout the evening.

The South Carolina contest is bringing the Republican race into clear focus. Rick Perry's exit and Newt's ... eccentricities ... are drawing increased public curiosity. Let's talk about how we capture that attention and direct it to the Ron Paul liberty camp!

So, plan to join us, and please share the event on Facebook. . We'll see you in the Ron Paul Spin Room!

Yours truly,

Gary S. Franchi Jr.
Chairman, Revolution PAC

P.S. Dana Bash and Sean Hannity are not invited . . .



	Copyright © 2011 Revolution PAC. All Rights Reserved. 3149 Dundee Rd. #176 \| Northbrook \| IL 60062 \| info@revolutionpac.com

Should be dark, but watch this instead. No SOPA!

2012-01-18T10:18:00.002-05:00

Ken is running for state rep.

2012-01-17T13:01:00.001-05:00

Libertarians nominate Ken Krawchuk for State Rep in PA

Mon Jan 16, 2012
For more information, contact Ken Krawchuk at (215)-881-9696 or Ken@KenK.org

LIBERTARIANS NOMINATE KEN KRAWCHUK FOR STATE REP IN PENNSYLVANIA'S 153RD
DISTRICT

Abington, PA -- Ken Krawchuk, the Libertarian candidate for Pennsylvania
Governor in 1998 and 2002, was chosen as the Libertarian Party candidate in
the upcoming special election for State Representative in Pennsylvania's
153rd District. The seat became vacant earlier this month when the
incumbent Josh Shapiro resigned to accept the position of Montgomery County
Commissioner. A date for the special election has not yet been set, but is
widely expected to take place on Primary Day, April 24, 2012.

"I would like to thank the Libertarian Party for once again selecting me to
be their standard bearer," Krawchuk said to the Montgomery County
Libertarians after his nomination at their monthly meeting on January 4th,
"especially in these exciting times. Thanks to true Americans like Ron
Paul, voters all across the nation are finally awakening to the libertarian
message of constitutionally-limited government, less taxes, and more
freedom. It's long past time someone championed those sentiments in the
Pennsylvania State House, and I plan to do just that."

Krawchuk indicated that his campaign will reaffirm the core message of his
prior campaigns. "It all comes down to a single principle," he said. "You
have the God-given, inalienable right to live your life your way without
interference, provided you respect the rights and property of others. It's
the political Golden Rule. Everything else follows from that."

Unsurprisingly, topping his legislative agenda are economic issues. "Taxes
are simply too high. Government spends far too much, most of which is
either unnecessary, counterproductive, or blatantly unconstitutional. To
help reign in that kind of out-of-control spending, I'm proposing an
entirely new approach: the separation of Society and State. Reduced to its
essentials, the idea is to transfer responsibility for all of the
well-meaning, unconstitutional programs to a separate public entity I call
Society. Society would work just like government, including three elected
branches, except that it would not wield any coercive powers, such as forced
taxation and mandatory regulations. Society would have a dual mission: to
help provide for those who can't provide for themselves, and to create a
viable mechanism for kind-hearted citizens who wish to help their fellow
man."

Separation of Society and State is also the central theme of Krawchuk's
latest novel, Atlas Snubbed, a pastiche parody sequel to Ayn Rand's Atlas
Shrugged.

Still ahead for Krawchuk lies the perennial challenge of ballot access,
which is another hot item on his agenda. "Pennsylvania's draconian election
laws are very effective at limiting choices on the ballot," Krawchuk
contends. "Take this race, for example. To get my name on the ballot, I
need to collect hundreds and hundreds of signatures in a very short period
of time, but the candidates from the two old parties need to collect no
signatures at all. None. Zip. Nada. Such blatant favoritism flies in the
face of the constitutional mandate that 'all elections shall be free and
equal.' Apparently some candidates are more equal than others."

In response, Krawchuk is championing Senate Bill 21, the Voters' Choice Act,
which would work to equalize signature requirements for all candidates.
"This is a bill that the outgoing state rep Josh Shapiro promised in writing
to support, but when it came up before his committee he flip-flopped and
withdrew his support," Krawchuk noted. "His two-faced behavior makes it all
the easier for his friends in the two old parties by making it all the
harder for someone like me to challenge their unconstitutional game.
Correcting the inherent unfairness of Pennsylvania's ballot access laws is
yet another issue that drives me to seek public office. Enough is enough,
wouldn't you agree?"

Ken V. Krawchuk, 58, is a Philadelphia native and long-time political
activist who has run for political office eight times, including two
record-breaking campaigns for Governor of Pennsylvania. He is an
entrepreneur, an Information Technology professional, and holds three US
patents related to computer database theory. He is also a professional
public speaker, an author, and an award-winning Distinguished Toastmaster.
He and his wife Roberta have three daughters and two grandchildren, and have
lived in Abington Township, a Philadelphia suburb, for over 30 years. More
information about Mr. Krawchuk can be found on Wikipedia.

Founded in 1971, the Libertarian Party is the third largest political party
in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and the nation, with over 150 elected or
appointed officeholders nationwide, 27 in Pennsylvania, and 2 in Montgomery
County. For more information about the Libertarian Party, the public may
contact the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania at www.LpPa.org or (800)
R-RIGHTS, or the National Libertarian Party at Lp.org or (202) 333-0008.

--

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

Fwd: [DW] Wikipedia Black Out to Protest Proposed US Legislation

2012-01-17T10:32:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Steven Clift
Date: Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Subject: [DW] Wikipedia Black Out to Protest Proposed US Legislation
To: newswire@groups.dowire.org

Hat tip to Anjney Midha for passing along ...

http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/English_Wikipedia_anti-SOPA_blackout

To: English Wikipedia Readers and Community
From: Sue Gardner, Wikimedia Foundation Executive Director
Date: January 16, 2012

Today, the Wikipedia community announced its decision to black out the
English-language Wikipedia for 24 hours, worldwide, beginning at 05:00
UTC on Wednesday, January 18 (you can read the statement from the
Wikimedia Foundation here). The blackout is a protest against proposed
legislation in the United States—the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in
the U.S. House of Representatives, and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) in
the U.S. Senate—that, if passed, would seriously damage the free and
open Internet, including Wikipedia.
This will be the first time the English Wikipedia has ever staged a
public protest of this nature, and it's a decision that wasn't lightly
made. Here's how it's been described by the three Wikipedia
administrators who formally facilitated the community's discussion.
From the public statement, signed by User:NuclearWarfare, User:Risker
and User:Billinghurst:
It is the opinion of the English Wikipedia community that both of
these bills, if passed, would be devastating to the free and open
web.Over the course of the past 72 hours, over 1800 Wikipedians have
joined together to discuss proposed actions that the community might
wish to take against SOPA and PIPA. This is by far the largest level
of participation in a community discussion ever seen on Wikipedia,
which illustrates the level of concern that Wikipedians feel about
this proposed legislation. The overwhelming majority of participants
support community action to encourage greater public action in
response to these two bills. Of the proposals considered by
Wikipedians, those that would result in a "blackout" of the English
Wikipedia, in concert with similar blackouts on other websites opposed
to SOPA and PIPA, received the strongest support.On careful review of
this discussion, the closing administrators note the broad-based
support for action from Wikipedians around the world, not just from
within the United States. The primary objection to a global blackout
came from those who preferred that the blackout be limited to readers
from the United States, with the rest of the world seeing a simple
banner notice instead. We also noted that roughly 55% of those
supporting a blackout preferred that it be a global one, with many
pointing to concerns about similar legislation in other nations.
In making this decision, Wikipedians will be criticized for seeming to
abandon neutrality to take a political position. That's a real,
legitimate issue. We want people to trust Wikipedia, not worry that it
is trying to propagandize them.
But although Wikipedia's articles are neutral, its existence is not.
As Wikimedia Foundation board member Kat Walsh wrote on one of our
mailing lists recently,
We depend on a legal infrastructure that makes it possible for us to
operate. And we depend on a legal infrastructure that also allows
other sites to host user-contributed material, both information and
expression. For the most part, Wikimedia projects are organizing and
summarizing and collecting the world's knowledge. We're putting it in
context, and showing people how to make to sense of it.But that
knowledge has to be published somewhere for anyone to find and use it.
Where it can be censored without due process, it hurts the speaker,
the public, and Wikimedia. Where you can only speak if you have
sufficient resources to fight legal challenges, or, if your views are
pre-approved by someone who does, the same narrow set of ideas already
popular will continue to be all anyone has meaningful access to.
The decision to shut down the English Wikipedia wasn't made by me; it
was made by editors, through a consensus decision-making process. But
I support it.
Like Kat and the rest of the Wikimedia Foundation Board, I have
increasingly begun to think of Wikipedia's public voice, and the
goodwill people have for Wikipedia, as a resource that wants to be
used for the benefit of the public. Readers trust Wikipedia because
they know that despite its faults, Wikipedia's heart is in the right
place. It's not aiming to monetize their eyeballs or make them believe
some particular thing, or sell them a product. Wikipedia has no hidden
agenda: it just wants to be helpful.
That's less true of other sites. Most are commercially motivated:
their purpose is to make money. That doesn't mean they don't have a
desire to make the world a better place—many do!—but it does mean that
their positions and actions need to be understood in the context of
conflicting interests.
My hope is that when Wikipedia shuts down on January 18, people will
understand that we're doing it for our readers. We support everyone's
right to freedom of thought and freedom of expression. We think
everyone should have access to educational material on a wide range of
subjects, even if they can't pay for it. We believe in a free and open
Internet where information can be shared without impediment. We
believe that new proposed laws like SOPA—and PIPA, and other similar
laws under discussion inside and outside the United States—don't
advance the interests of the general public. You can read a very good
list of reasons to oppose SOPA and PIPA here, from the Electronic
Frontier Foundation.
Why is this a global action, rather than US-only? And why now, if some
American legislators appear to be in tactical retreat on SOPA?
The reality is that we don't think SOPA is going away, and PIPA is
still quite active. Moreover, SOPA and PIPA are just indicators of a
much broader problem. All around the world, we're seeing the
development of legislation intended to fight online piracy, and
regulate the Internet in other ways, that hurt online freedoms. Our
concern extends beyond SOPA and PIPA: they are just part of the
problem. We want the Internet to remain free and open, everywhere, for
everyone.
On January 18, we hope you'll agree with us, and will do what you can
to make your own voice heard.
Sue Gardner,
Executive Director, Wikimedia Foundation
___________________________
Anjney Midha
Stanford University | Undergaduate

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http://groups.dowire.org/groups/newswire

Replies go to members of Newswire - Steven Clift's Democracies Online Newswire with all posts on this topic here:
http://groups.dowire.org/r/topic/4r6qhBhBFMarJ8ANN1nuQn

For digest version or to leave Newswire - Steven Clift's Democracies Online Newswire,
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with "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in the *subject*.

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--

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

Fw: Skirts

2012-01-14T12:12:00.001-05:00

Sent from my BlackBerry®

From: "Shelby Knox, Change.org" <mail@change.org>

Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 08:41:35 -0800

To: <mark@Rauterkus.com>

Subject: Skirts

Tell the AIBA: Don't force female Olympic boxers to compete in miniskirts

Dear Mark,

Women's boxing will make its debut at this year's Olympic Games in London -- a huge victory for female boxers who have fought for years to be taken seriously. But now it seems their participation will come with an outrageous catch: female boxers might be required to wear miniskirts in the ring.

The Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) is reportedly considering the new dress code because it thinks skirts will make the female athletes look "elegant" and help "distinguish" them from their male counterparts.

Elizabeth Plank, an amateur boxer based in London, is petitioning the AIBA to abandon the miniskirt regulation. Click here to sign Elizabeth's petition right now.

Elizabeth says, "The idea that female boxers should be made to wear skirts reduces these skilled athletes to sex objects. It undermines the respect they have long fought for." Worse, competing in unfamiliar clothing could even negatively impact the boxers' performances.

And Elizabeth isn't the only boxer speaking out against the proposed dress code. When asked about the policy, three-time world champion Katie Taylor says, "I don't even wear miniskirts on a night out, so I definitely won't be wearing miniskirts in the ring."

Fortunately, the AIBA will be considering public opinion and feedback from the boxing world before making its final decision next week. That means if enough people sign Elizabeth's petition, you can force the AIBA to abandon the proposed dress code for good.

Click here to sign Elizabeth's campaign calling on the AIBA to abandon its sexist plans to require female boxers to wear miniskirts in the ring.

Thanks for being a change-maker,

- Shelby and the Change.org team

This email was sent by Change.org to mark@Rauterkus.com | Start a petition
Unsubscribe from future weekly updates. Edit your email notification settings.

Voters

2012-01-14T07:23:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: West PA Black Political Assembly
Date: Friday, January 13, 2012
Subject:
To: Western PA Blk Pol Assembly <wpbpa2006@fastmail.fm>

PROTECT VOTING RIGHTS IN PENNSYLVANIA!

STATEWIDE PHONE-IN DAY - TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 9:00 am - 11:00 PM!

Join with other defenders of democracy by participating in a Statewide Phone-in Day Against Voter Suppression on Tuesday, January 17, between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Call your state Senator's Capitol office on Tuesday and insist that he or she oppose the Voter Suppression Bill (House Bill 934) as an unnecessary, expensive, and undemocratic obstacle to voting rights. Click HERE to find your senator's name, his/her State Capitol office number, and some suggestions about what to say.

The Pennsylvania Senate is poised to vote on legislation that will disenfranchise thousands of voters -- possibly as early as next week when the Senate returns from recess. House Bill 934, which was passed by the state House last summer, would deprive voters of the right to cast a ballot if they do not show a valid state-issued photo ID card, with only a few limited exceptions. This will particularly affect non-drivers (senior citizens who no longer drive, persons with disabilities, and residents of urban communities who travel by public transit), and the challenge of securing a non-driver photo ID card from PennDOT will be costly, difficult, and impossible for some. Supporters of the bill have been unable to show any evidence of voter identity fraud in Pennsylvania, because safeguards against fraudulent voting are already in place in our state. Worse yet, the legislation will cost Pennsylvania taxpayers millions to implement. Long lines at polling places are likely to form, leading other voters to simply give up and go home. Background info is available here.

Please join us in opposing voter suppression by calling your state Senator on Tuesday, and help spread the word!

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Rick Adams and Rev. Tom Smith Co-Conveners WPBPA

E. Richard Phipps Comm. Secretary WPBPA

"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little. "
Franklin D. Roosevelt

--

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

Fw: Rick Santorum Exposed

2012-01-07T10:36:00.001-05:00

Sent from my BlackBerry®

From: "Ron Paul" <ron.paul@ronpaul2012.com>

Date: Sat, 07 Jan 2012 06:04:50 -0800

To: Liberty Activist<mark@rauterkus.com>

ReplyTo: ron.paul@ronpaul2012.com

Subject: Rick Santorum Exposed

Dear Liberty Activist,

The question everyone asks in the campaign for the Republican nomination for President is "Who is the genuine conservative?"

Obviously, it isn't Mitt Romney nor Newt Gingrich.

And just take a peek at Rick Santorum's Big Government voting record , rather than his current rhetoric, it's clear he is also a counterfeit conservative.

When you compare it to my record on opposing Big Government, deficit spending, and reckless growth in federal programs, I think you will conclude that I am "the real thing."

Just like the other "flavor of the week" establishment candidates, Rick Santorum's campaign will come crashing down once voters learn of his Big Government record.

In fact, my campaign just put together a TV ad called "Betrayal" highlighting Rick Santorum's long record of being part of the Big Government, big spending status quo in Washington. Won't you take a minute to watch it.

And, if you possibly can, I hope you'll agree to make a generous contribution to help me run this ad in New Hampshire, South Carolina and the other key early states.

As you'll see from my ad, Rick Santorum is anything but a conservative. Just consider his record, which includes:

*** Padding his own wallet as a corporate lobbyist at the expense of taxpayers;

*** Voting to RAISE the debt ceiling five times;

*** Voting to DOUBLE the federal Department of Education;

*** Voting with liberals like Ted Kennedy on multiple occasions in support of Big Labor's radical agenda;

*** Urging more federal involvement in housing with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac;

*** Voting to create a brand new, unfunded entitlement, Medicare Part D, the largest expansion of entitlement spending since President Lyndon Johnson - creating $16 TRILLION in unfunded liabilities;

*** Endorsing liberal Big Government RINOs like Arlen Specter over conservatives. Of course, Specter later became a Democrat and worked hand-in-glove with President Obama to pass his radical agenda;

*** Voting for Sarbanes-Oxley, which imposed dramatic new job-killing accounting regulations on businesses;

*** Supporting raising taxes on oil companies, which directly costs Americans more money out of their pockets at the gas pump;

*** Voting for gun control;

*** Voting to give Social Security benefits to illegal aliens, while voting against an additional 1,000 border patrol agents;

*** Voting to give $25 million in foreign aid to North Korea;

*** Voting to send hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to Planned Parenthood - the nation's largest provider of abortion - and hand out hundreds of billions of dollars in foreign aid to enemies of Israel.

But unlike many of my other establishment opponents, Rick Santorum isn't even trying to sweep his Big Government record under the rug.

He's proud of it!

Rick Santorum said constitutional conservatives have a "crazy" idea that government should "keep our taxes down, and keep our regulations low."

Not only that, but he endorsed Mitt Romney just four years ago!

How can the "alternative to Romney" also be a Romney supporter?

The truth is, Rick Santorum has no national campaign and no funding to compete against Mitt Romney, let alone Barack Obama.

And as I've laid out, there's no way his Big Government record can stand up to an ounce of scrutiny.

On the other hand, my campaign has seized the momentum in New Hampshire and elsewhere after my strong finish in Iowa.

That's because I've been warning about the dangers of Big Government, out-of-control spending, and runaway inflation for years.

In fact, I'm the only candidate to predict the current economic mess we're in right now.

In 2003, I predicted the housing crisis and pushed to get the government out of the mortgage business.

In 2008, I fought TARP and the Fed when they laid waste to our economy, while others in this race applauded their disastrous Big Government intervention.

And unlike my opponents, I am absolutely ready to enact real spending cuts, right now.

In fact, my Plan to Restore America cuts $1 trillion in federal spending during the first year of my presidency by eliminating five federal departments that I can actually name - Education, Energy, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, and Interior.

As President, I'll balance the budget by year three without cutting one penny from our veterans, our senior citizens, or our national defense.

That's what sets me apart - my plan, my record of being right while others were wrong, and my unmatched and unwavering record of fighting for fiscal responsibility and constitutional principles.

In a nutshell, it's my conservatism that's winning the day.

And today, I'm asking for your support.

These are troubling times for our country - times that call for conservative leadership.

A counterfeit like Rick Santorum won't cut it.

As I run for President, I want to make sure our Republican Party keeps its strong commitment to limited constitutional government and free market solutions.

The only way to do that is to nominate someone in 2012 who predicted the economic crisis long before it happened. Someone who has conviction and has fought against Big Government in Washington his entire career.

And if you are so moved, I'd appreciate it if you would consider contributing to my presidential campaign, as well. I don't have big corporations or special interests behind my campaign.

But I do have hundreds of thousands of individuals who care about getting our economy moving in the right direction again.

Whatever you can do, $500, $250, $100, or even $50, will help.

Together, you and I can Restore America Now.

For Liberty,

Ron Paul

P.S. Considering the trouble our nation is facing, we simply can't afford to nominate a counterfeit conservative.

As my new TV ad shows, Rick Santorum is just another counterfeit conservative with a long record of being part of the Big Government, big spending status quo in Washington.

The truth is, I'm the only candidate left in the race with the fundraising, organization and track record to defeat both Mitt Romney and Barack Obama.

So please, support my campaign and help get my message out to as many voters as quickly as possible.

Paid for by Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee

www.ronpaul2012.com

Fake Mitt Romney

2012-01-02T12:14:00.000-05:00

http://www.endorseliberty.com/press/fakemitt/

Happpy New Year, deep water and all.

2011-12-31T15:55:00.000-05:00

Fwd: 2011 Dirty Dozen Results & Summary Article

2011-12-30T08:59:00.001-05:00

http://www.dannychew.com/dd_11.html

8 Links to 2011 DD Articles, Photos, & Videos

2011 DIRTY DOZEN RESULTS

The 29th annual Dirty Dozen was held on Saturday, November 26th. With a high temperature of 60 degrees F, mostly cloudy skies, and dry conditions, we had a record turnout of 305 riders! Of these 305 cyclists, 175 (57.4%) were rookies (first timers). A record 47 riders were over 50 years old including ten over 60. A record 16 teenagers. A record women's field of 16.

Taking 1st & 2nd on the first 2 hills, Steve Cummings (Steevo) and Sam Morrison (started with a fractured wrist he got in a cyclocross race two weeks before) were tied for the lead when Steevo dropped his chain at the bottom of the 3rd hill (Berryhill) forcing him to go to the bottom for a restart. Sam placed 4th giving him a 7 point lead over Steevo. This made Steevo raving at me for going 10 places deep on the points this year. Instead of being down by just 2 points (old 5 place system), defending champ Steevo was down by 7. I explained to him that Sam could have a similar mishap on future hills such as Canton which causes many crashes even among the leaders. On the next 3 hills, Steevo was only able to gain one point on Sam on each hill, but on the toughest hill (#7 - Suffolk), Steevo won and Sam scored no points. This gave Steevo the lead again which he held to the end (winning 5 hills) for his record 8th consecutive DD win. Because of his fractured wrist, Sam stopped on the next hill (#8 - Sycamore) atop of which he quit.

Finishing in 2nd & 3rd place were 5 time DD riders Eddie Grystar Jr. & Bob Stumpf - the only 2 riders to score points on every hill. The top rookie finisher & 4th place was my Nephew Steven Perezluha from Florida who finished solo Race Across AMerica (RAAM) this summer. Sprinters John Cotter & Mark Nicoll each won 2 hills. 51 year old Jim Doan was the first 40+ rider and finished in 7th place. Of the 29 men to score points, only 5 were rookies, but 8 were over 40 years old. Pro Bikes owner Craig Cozza was the only 40+ rookie to score points. This was the highest calibre DD field I have ever seen. Even with the points going 10 places deep, it was still quite difficult to score. The following riders dropped in places from last year to this year: Gerry Pflug went from 2nd place last year to 8th place this year. Joe Lydic fell from 3rd to 6th. Jonathan Pratt (not the photographer) dropped from 13th to 22nd. Gunnar Shogren went from 15th to 24th. I fell from 6th to 19th.

Gunnar Shogren headed a new single gear/speed (SS) category this year. None of the bikes were fixed gear. The winner Bill (Stik) Westover finished in 10 place overall. He forfeited points on hill #6 (Pig Hill/Rialto St.) by deciding to climb in the SS heat. Montana Miller (first to finish DD on a fixed gear in 2009) broke Gunnar Shogren's (45x22 {2.045} fixed gear in 2010) highest low gear record by using a 36x17 {2.118} gear this year. Here are the SS results with the gears they used:

1. Bill "Stik" Westover, 39x22 {1.773}, 10 place overall
2. Gunnar Shogren, 36x19 {1.895}
3. Donald Powers, 38x20 {1.900}
4. Montana Miller, 36x17 {2.118}, a new highest low gear record
5. Steve Harouff, 42x22 {1.909}

Without the top 5 places returning from last year, the women's race was wide open this year. 14 out of the 16 women were rookies. I went 5 places deep on the points again. The women tie a piece of pink tape around their handlebars to distinguish themselves from the men. Ironman triathlete Anne-Marie Alderson led through the first 6 hills despite being shut out (no points) on hill #5 (Logan) in Millvale. Near the top of the hill, a guy crashed right in front of her causing her to stop (got a foot out before crashing) so she had to go back down and ride up the hill again. On the toughest hill (#7 - Suffolk), Alderson was shut out again, and Erin Yanacek won the hill and moved into the lead.

A trumpet player at CMU, Erin lost her lead on the steepest (37% grade) hill - #9 Canton in Beechview which Alderson won and led to the end (winning 9 hills) for her first DD victory. After Erin's manfriend Jean-Christophe Veloso was seen pushing her up Canton, I insisted that she make it up on her own. After many failed attempts, she switched rear wheels with Jeff Lazar (a 25 cog for a 28 cog), and on her 7th try finally made it up - weaving at walking speed all the way across the rough cobblestones, and nearly coming to a stop several times. Bloodied up from crashes on the hill, Erin's heroic effort was truly remarkable and inspiring to watch by the huge, cheering crowd assembled on the hill. After one of these crashes, a photo shows her lying on the ground with her bike, and it looks like she is taking a nap. Erin won 3 hills and finished in 2nd place.

Karen Brooks (of Dirt Rag Mag & Bicycle Times) finished 3rd. Despite not having her feet attached to her pedals (this gives a huge advantage for climbing up steep hills), Linda Thomas was 4th. Riding her mountain bike, 15 year old Angelina Palermo was 5th, and became the youngest female DD finisher. Only 5 women made it up all of the hills. The DD was quite a family affair for the Palermo's of Butler. Angelina's parents Ron & Cheryl rode, and Ron's brother Dan attempted to break bike race promoter JR Petsko's heaviest DD finisher record of 240 pounds (set in 2009). 245 pound Dan nearly had it until he had to veer off and loop around side streets on the last 2 hills.

To be an official DD finisher, you must ride up every hill without stopping or crashing. You must have continuous forward motion UP the hill! You can weave back and forth as long as you are continuing to go UP. As soon as you start to go level or back down the hill, you are disqualified. You can go back down to the bottom of the hill, and try again as many times as you want. In the early days of 20 or fewer riders, I was able to keep track of who made all the hills, but once the DD grew bigger than this, I was unable to police it anymore. Now there exists an honor system where riders keep track of themselves. Of course when it comes to scoring points and setting DD records, I still have to keep track of this.

With the DD growing so fast, I had to organize an entire staff again this year to help me run it. Thanks to Maura Spillane, Ashley Bock & Nina Wilczek for doing registration in the morning. Thanks to Lee-Ann's brother Kevin Beatty (men's), his wife Amanda (videotaped top men finishers), & Carol Moore (women's & single speed) for officiating (scoring points) atop hills. Thanks to Ron Lutz & son Eric and Dave Shaffer for driving the food vehicle, and organizing the food stops - Millvale's Riverfront Park on the Allegheny River at the bottom of the 5th hill Logan, and at the top of the 9th hill Canton Ave. Thanks again to Steve Mentzer for loaning me his 10 gallon orange coolers and 6 gallon blue cubes he uses for the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge.

Thanks to Glenn Pawlak & Big Bang Bicycles for sponsoring the DD again this year. Glenn's brother Scott drove the BB support vehicle again with Glenn's son Isaac, and mechanic Evan Robinson making on-the-go repairs. Thanks to Gary Baun (Ian's father) for driving the clothing/spare equipment vehicle. If you lost any clothes, please e-mail him about it at soleman33@aol.com

Thanks to the Eat'n Park and Vice President Brooks Broadhurst who really stepped up to the plate this year. They donated hot chocolate, Smuckers Uncrustables peanut butter & grape jelly sandwiches, and smiley face cookies. Once theBud Harris Cycling Track (oval) parking lot filled up at the start in the morning, Brooks made sure people didn't park illegally by sending them down to overflow parking - a gravel lot North of the oval on Washington Blvd. Thanks also to the little girl who held up a sign for this. Brooks also allowed my DD food crew to empty trash and get water at his restaurant along the route at Crane Ave. & Banksville Rd. in Beechview before Canton Ave. At this location and at Middle Rd. & Rt. 8 in Shaler Twp. (also on the route between hills 3 & 4), Brooks had his employees come out and marshal traffic at these very busy, dangerous intersections. Here is a photo of Brooks, myself & Glenn at the start. The registration table is to our right.

With such a huge pack/field of riders this year, safety became my #1 concern, so I increased the number of orange vest marshals and made Chris Helbling head marshal. A big thanks to Chris, his son Ian, & the rest of the marshals: Returning from last year were Bob {looks like Al from "Home Improvement" TV show with Tim Allen} Bliss (Aaron's father), Tom Reay (Andrew's father), & Michael Hordijk. Also helping were Gene Nacey & his daughter Nina Wilczek, Ken Kaszak, Mike Horowitz, Mark Rauterkus (Erik's father), and August (a woman from Miami, FL). Ron Mower (Tyler's father) was a motorcycle marshal. Riding marshals were Joe Ross, Matt Kurpiewski, Owen Bittner, & Seth Gernot. If I have left anybody out, please let me know who you are. Thanks to West Virginian Steve Harouff for giving us 4 stop/slow signs and 4 orange flags all of which belong to JR Petsko.

Neighborhoods have been getting involved. Thanks to Julie Ewing & her Troy Hill crew for sweeping clean closed hill #6 - Pig Hill/Rialto St., and removing the barrier atop the hill. Thanks to Fineview's Melissa Gallagher for welcoming riders (with signs) up hill #7 - Suffolk/Hazelton/Burgess - the single toughest DD hill! Thanks to Oscar Swan and Bob Stumpf for lending me their electronic bullhorns again. 855 people have ridden (started) the DD over the past 28 years. 30 riders graduated to my 3 or more DDs ridden list this year. I was unable to ride the 2008 DD because of back surgery. This ended my record 25 consecutive DDs streak. Currently, Steevo has the longest consecutive DDs ridden streak at 9 years. Only 7 people have ridden more DDs than Steevo. Of these 7, only two (Ray Russell & myself) rode this year. Bryan Routledge has ridden the most DDs (9) without ever scoring any points.

Congrats to all the riders who conquered every hill. To those who didn't, train harder next year and bring a lower gear. If you have say over 50 DD photos in a Facebook album and would like to share them, please send the link to me at DanChew@yahoo.com and I will put them in my media links section. Could somebody with an advanced GPS unit please send me a file with the entire (oval to oval) 50 mile DD route on it with a cue sheet at least as nice as this one? I need to replace the old one (Liberty Tunnels used to be on the course) on my website.

Last year, brothers Rich & Greg Hartley started the DD, but only Rich was able to finish. This year, Greg came back and finished. Greg would like to get a 2010 DD jersey (black & yellow) for his brother Rich who inspired him to finish this year. Greg will pay the $75 purchase price for a size XL jersey in good condition. I still have one bran new (unopened) size medium jersey left. If your XL jersey is way too big (maybe you just lost a lot of weight), and you would like to make a trade, I can sell Greg my new one which he will trade you for your old one. If interested, please call Greg at 412-445-5570 or e-mail him at HartleyGreg@verizon.net

Sincerely,

Danny

website: http://www.dannychew.com

--

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

Ron Paul and a perspective on the race matters

2011-12-22T10:07:00.002-05:00

Ron Paul gave CNN some answers yesterday and then the CNN reporter asked the same questions today. And, the question got a reply. And then the CNN reporter re-asked the same dang question over again. Go figure.Then I was reading a thread and came upon this remark reposted from someone called, "theredpill" at http://www.dailypaul.com.

The second flaw in the Ron Paul critique is that his voting record doesn't support what is being implied. After 30 years in public office shouldn't we see a pattern in his voting record that is blatantly racist? Unfortunately for his detractors, we don't. Some votes were not in favor of issues sympathetic to poor blacks. Some votes were not in favor of issues sympathetic to rich whites. In the balance his voting record (which is how he actually MUST be judged) shows an uncanny bravery and consistency. Agree with him or not I can see a constitutional thread through every single vote he's cast. There doesn't appear to be a specific race bias but more a guiding principle of not permitting favors or handicaps based on belonging to a group. His voting records says that people should be free to make their own choices and governments cant legislate who you speak with, love or hate. If I disagree with him at least I know the foundation of my counter argument. The constitution. In an era where lobbyists determine congressional votes by bribery isn't it refreshing and a bit inspiring that no such bias exists with this man? Rather than demonize the man for newsletters why don't you in the media find a consistent strain in his record in public office against blacks, Jews, hispanics or any other ethnic group specifically.

In addition to this I looked for a speech or presentation that contained racist rhetoric. Where is his Sally Kern style "..blacks are lazy" moment? Where is the moment where like Joe Biden, he says that "..."You cannot go to a 7-11 or Dunkin Donuts unless you have a slight Indian Accent."? Where is his outrageously racist quote similar to those we can find from Senator Byrd, Governor Wallace or even Hilary Clinton's now famous "Ghandi" quote? I can't even find a public Truman-esque "God does hate the Chinese and Japs" meltdown. With the way he's described I'd at least expect to hear something akin to the famous "...(God) created the white man. I know not who created the blacks" quote from Theodore Bilbo but I haven't found it. If Ron Paul is as racist as some in the media implies, I would think there would be a few Freudian slips from Mr. Paul. Yet there don't seem to be any that I can find.

--------------

There were many on the left who protested against accusations that Obama hated America due to his "spiritual mentor's" incendiary words. I think Barack's tolerance and support for Reverend Wright somewhat parallels Ron Paul's current situation. The views we support and our words do come back to haunt us. But should the possibility of his words alone disqualify Ron Paul? If we're going to judge Ron Paul in the history books as a racist, unfit to lead America in its darkest hour then is it fair for us to examine the words of others in the same light?Ghandi is the icon of civil disobedience. He was the face that inspired millions of Indians seeking independence from the British. But if he were judged by his views on race as the press is doing with Dr Paul he would be excluded from the pages of history as a be-speckled, calm loving pacifist.

Ghandi was a outspoken racist when he lived in South Africa. He had a newsletter called Indian Opinion where he regularly presented his anti black rhetoric such as ...

"...Why, of all places in Johannesburg, the Indian location should be chosen for dumping down all kaffirs (niggers) of the town, passes my comprehension. ...About this mixing of the Kaffirs with the Indians I must confess I feel most strongly. I think it is very unfair to the Indian population, and it is an undue tax on even the proverbial patience of my countrymen."

Beyond his anti-black rhetoric Ghandi was also rumored to have a slightly deviant perspective with regards to sex. So let me get this straight. If I'm Ghandi I can basically call people niggers (kaffirs), sleep with young girls and still end up being admired by Martin Luther King, become an icon to every peace activist in the world and even get a spot on the Apple "THINK DIFFERENT" commercial. Sounds good to me. If we judge Ron Paul by his newsletters is it safe to say we should judge Ghandi by his as well? Or does the Ron Paul Rule not apply?

We're taught that Winston Churchill was England's brave leader who kept the allied forces inspired with his words and deeds during WW2. Even though many Americans limited perspective of the British is gleaned from watching royal weddings, there are a good many that have learned that Churchill was a man to be admired. If we apply the Ron Paul rule to him however then he too must be disqualified from history as a racist deserving of scorn and not the leader we've been taught about. Churchill once said.

"...I do not admit for instance, that a great wrong has been done to the Red Indians of America or the black people of Australia. I do not admit that a wrong has been done to these people by the fact that a stronger race, a higher-grade race, a more worldly wise race to put it that way, has come in and taken their place"

Is it safe to say that Winston Churchill and Hitler agreed that there were superior and inferior races? It appears that what they disagreed on is who should lord over them.Abraham Lincoln is portrayed as the central hero in the emancipation of black slaves. A hero worthy of his own monument and face on the five dollar bill. However if we use the Ron Paul Rule we should also be told that he felt blacks were a lesser species and unfit for equality with whites?

Wasn't Abraham Lincoln the one that said

"... Your race suffer very greatly, many of them by living amongst us, while ours suffer from your presence. In a word, we suffer on each side. If this is admitted, it affords a reason at least why we should be separated."

Do you in the media ask us to denounce or disregard the words of these men? No and for good reason. They were imperfect men who espoused perfect ideas. As racist as Churchill was I'm happy that he stood shoulder to shoulder with the allies against Hitler. For as racist as Abraham Lincoln was and despite his reluctance to end slavery, he did influence the ending of that institution. Despite his attitudes towards blacks I will always have great respect for Mahatma Ghandi's sacrifice and heroism.

Like these icons of our freedom and peace, Ron Paul's words deserve scrutiny. How one views the world will affect how they govern. Ultimately though, it is his voting record and public statements that are the criteria by which he should be judged. If we vilify Ron Paul we must by definition do the same with Ghandi, Lincoln and dozens of others who are imperfect individuals.

Regardless of the views in those newsletters Ron Paul deserves the same respect afforded to Hilary Clinton, Joe Biden and Barack Obama. He's denounced the controversial contents. Let's move on. The words attributed to Ron Paul are no worse than the blatant racism of our accepted icons of virtue. For Ron Paul supporters, civil liberties, ending militarism and fighting against crony capitalism of the Federal Reserve takes precedence over these newsletters for good reason. If we're collectively shackled by debt or perhaps indefinitely detained for speaking our minds in what used to be the freest nation on earth the content of those newsletters won't really matter. In the final analysis, Ron Paul is an imperfect man with a nearly perfect, and very simple message.

Freedom is popular.

History and a little thing called "blowback."

2011-12-18T17:24:00.000-05:00

Fwd: Project Report from Julian Heicklen, 12–11–11

2011-12-11T18:41:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Julian P Heicklen <jph13@psu.edu>
Date: Sun, Dec 11, 2011 at 4:08 PM

Hi Tyranny Fighters:

PROGRESS REPORT, 12–9–11

We are now Living in Stalin's Soviet Union.

The Congress has just passed a bill by overwhelming margins to permit the President to arrest and detain any person indefinitely without a trial whom he deems to be a threat to the country.

1. Already it is the illegal immigrants and the presumed terrorists.

2. Next it will be the militias and gun owners.

3. Then the opposing press and intellectuals.

4. Then a Democrat President will dispose of the far right.

5. Then a Republican President will dispose of the far left.

6. Then come the atheists, Zoroastrians, and Rastafarians.

7. Then the Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Shintos, and Mormons.

8. Then the dissenting Christian clergy.

They will all be used as slave laborers until they die. If they do not die fast enough, then comes the gas chambers. Already the U. S. government is reopening the FEMA camps to house all of the new prisoners.

It only took about 15 years for Stalin and Hitler to accomplish this.

The good news is that I may die before they come for me.

Jury Tampering Case

As many of you know, I am being tried for jury tampering. On Monday, December 12, 2011, at 10:00 am, I was supposed to have a court hearing in front of Judge Kimba Wood at the U. S. District Courthouse, 500 Pearl Street, New York , NY 10007. Presumably the only issue to be discussed was the Constitutionality of the indictment. However the hearing has been postponed, until when or why I do not know.

The U. S. Attorney's position is that:

Jury nullification is legal, but that jurors are not to be informed of this.
It is permissible to distribute my literature in a public forum.
The plaza in front of the courthouse is not a public forum.

All of my pertinent submissions to the Court are posted on my web page at:

http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/j/p/jph13/U._S._v._JPH_in_Manhattan_NY_12_08_11.html

To make sense of this you need two other documents which are attached. They are:

1. Memorandum of Law submitted by Sabrina Shroff

2. Response to her Memorandum by the U. S. Attorney

Chronologically, they precede my letter to Judge Wood and Reply Memorandum of November 29, 2011.

I have prepared a new flyer to distribute at federal courthouses. It appears at the end of this E-mail for your comments.

Another View

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP (c.k.a. Stroock) is an American law firm based in New York City with approximately 350 lawyers in three offices, the other two being in Miami and Los Angeles. Stroock, founded in 1876, maintained an office in Boston from 1996 to 2000 and briefly maintained an office in Budapest as well.

Stroock was named "Law Firm of the Year" by Securitization News in 2005.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stroock_%26_Stroock_%26_Lavan

Joel Cohen, a lawyer at Strroock & Stroock and Katherine A. Helm have written an article about jury nullification

(http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202535168513&slreturn=1)

much of which attacks me as a person. Of more concern is their ignorance of the law. They state that: "It is a doctrine that encourages jurors to decide cases irrespective of the law given to jurors during trial." Actually jury nullification does not encourage jurors to decide cases irrespective of the law unless justice is not being served.

They also state "Runaway jury verdicts would amount to little more than a random 12-person vote, where each person could vote their conscience, their pocketbook, a flip of their coin, or what have you." This is a deliberate falsehood. Jury nullification only requires that the issue of justice be predominant. They do not seem to be equally concerned that a judge, prosecuting attorney, the President, or a police officer can dismiss for any reason whatsoever.

They further write: "But, for the U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuting him, on a misdemeanor charge, for violating Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 1504 ("Influencing Juror By Writing"), Heicklen was intentionally, and very directly, seeking to impede the legal process by stopping jurors in their tracks." This statement is incorrect for two reasons:

1) The statement in the code says: "influencing juror by writing or sending to him." I do not send stuff to jurors.

2) I do not stop jurors in their tracks. I do not even know who jurors are. I only distribute literature to people that approach me.

They go on to state: "The truth is: That's not the law. Our justice system is based on jurors following the law as instructed by judges. As the 2nd Circuit made exquisitely clear in U.S. v. Thomas, 116 F.3d 606, 614 (2d Cir. 1997):" Actually the Constitutions of both New York and New Jersey require the jury to judge the law as well as the fact. Several U. S. Supreme Court decisions and opinions have upheld this view.

This article is interesting for several reasons. Much of it attacks me as a person, which is irrelevant. The authors are completely ignorant of the Constitutional requirements for the Jury. They incompletely quote a statement in a statute to alter its meaning. They are willing to permit me to discuss my ideas where no jurors are present, in what are often called free speech zones. That is a euphemism which means where no-one interested in the information will be present.

The article was written by a lawyer in the "Law Firm of the Year," a law firm with 350 lawyers and branches in several U. S. cities, presumably with the sanction of that firm. Is this the best that the legal profession can provide?

The Free Dictionary defines judiciary as "A system of courts of law for the administration of justice." Most lawyers and all judges consider the purpose of a judicial system is to uphold the law, when its real purpose is to deliver justice. Law is only the means to that end, not the end in itself.

Michael Allison

Michael Allison was charged with five counts of eavesdropping in Illinois because he took pictures of police making arrests. Each charge carries a 15-year sentence, so Allison could have spent 75 years in prison. Subsequently the charges have been dropped. In 12 states it is a crime to photograph police making arrests.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNlJYSIzjoU)

THE PRICE OF LIBERTY IS IMMEDIATE VIGILANCE

THE PRICE OF JUSTICE IS IMMEDIATE PUBLICITY

The time is now. Tomorrow will be too late. Yours in desperation—Julian

WHAT IS THE JURYʼS DUTY?

JUDGEʼS CHARGE

JUDGE WILL TELL THE JURY THAT IT MUST UPHOLD THE LAW AS HE GIVES IT

HE WILL BE LYING; TWICE

THE LAW

"...THE JURY SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO DETERMINE THE LAW AND THE FACT."

NY Constitution Article I § 8

U. S. Constitution Amendment X

GUILT MUST BE ESTABLISHED BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT

Leland v. Oregon 343 U.S. 790 (1952)

Winship 397 U. S. 358 (1970)

Sullivan v. Louisiana 508 U. S. 275, 278 (1983)

U. S. ATTORNEYʼS POSITION

JURY NULLIFICATION IS LEGAL

THE JURY MUST NOT BE SO INFORMED

JURY NULLIFICATION CAN BE DISCUSSED ONLY IN A PUBLIC FORUM

THE PLAZA IN FRONT OF A COURTHOUSE IS NOT A PUBLIC FORUM

JURYʼS DUTY

THE JURY MUST JUDGE THE LAW AS WELL AS THE FACTS

IF THE JURY UPHOLDS THE LAW, IT MUST BE THE WRITTEN STATUTE

IF THE COURT HAS NOT GIVEN THE JURORS THE WRITTEN STATUTE THERE IS REASONABLE DOUBT

THEN THE JURY MUST ACQUIT

Fw: Email Congress Today to Put Limits on Federal Bureaucrats

2011-12-07T18:15:00.001-05:00

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

From: Dave Nalle <chairman@rlc.org>

Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2011 11:54:16 -0800

To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>

Subject: Email Congress Today to Put Limits on Federal Bureaucrats

The REINS Act (HR10/S299) is up for debate in the House today and in the Senate next week. Sponsored by Representative Geoff Davis (R-KY) and Senator Rand Paul (RLC-KY), this act will require federal agencies to submit any regulation which would have an annual impact of $100 million or more for a vote of approval by Congress.

The REINS Act would have a big impact in limiting the power of Federal bureaucracies like the EPA and Department of Energy by stopping them from using rules and regulations which have not been passed by Congress to interfere with commerce and impose huge costs and economic burdens on states and businesses.

While we believe that the threshold of harm set in the act is probably too high, this is a good start towards limiting the power of the Federal bureaucracy and stimulating job growth and the economy at no cost and a likely substantial benefit to taxpayers.

Please take a moment today to email your Representative and Senators today and urge them to vote in support of the REINS Act. You can email them with the convenient form

Keep fighting for liberty!

Dave Nalle

Chairman, Republican Liberty Caucus

P.S.: You can also watch today's debate of this act on C-SPAN starting at 1:30pm or online at C-SPAN.

P.P.S: If you're as concerned as I am about the direction our country is going and want to change our government by electing Republicans who value liberty and won't sell out our rights in the name of security, please take this opportunity to donate to the RLC or at least renew your membership.

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Fw: Policy Brief: Millage Hike Will Tax Property Owners and Patience

2011-12-07T12:57:00.001-05:00

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From: "allegheny institute for public policy" <allegheny_institute_for_public_p@mail.vresp.com>

Date: Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:20:15 +0000

To: <mark04@rauterkus.com>

ReplyTo: "allegheny institute for public policy" <reply-d26c5e8f27-46436d4024-fc2b@u.cts.vresp.com>

Subject: Policy Brief: Millage Hike Will Tax Property Owners and Patience

Policy Brief (Volume 11, Number 63)

Millage Hike Will Tax Property Owners and Patience

(December 7, 2011)--On December 6^th, Allegheny County Council voted to increase property taxes by 1 mill, or 21 percent, resulting in a new millage for property owners of 5.69 mills. Sadly, but predictably,   this action is consistent with the disconcerting pattern of recent years wherein the Council passes illegal legislation that gets overturned in court.

Under normal circumstances when there is no reassessment pending, a property tax increase by County Council is subject only to the Home Rule Charter language of Article VII, Section 4c which requires “an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the seated members [of Council]”. Last night’s vote was eleven to four along partisan lines and evidently there will not be a veto from the County Executive.

But in the current situation Act 71 of 2005 takes away the power of the County to boost property taxes by 21 percent without approval of the court. Signed into law by Governor Rendell in November of 2005, it requires that in a reassessment year Allegheny County and its municipalities (school districts are subject to the subsequent Act 1 requirements) change millage rates by an amount that will hold property tax revenue at the previous year’s level. After establishing the revenue neutral millage, the taxing body is permitted, “by a separate and specific vote” to increase its millage rate to a level which it brings in up to 5 percent above what it collected the previous year.

Whereas prior to 2005 the County and its taxing bodies were able to take 105 percent of the previous year’s revenue in a reassessment year, Act 71 mandates that 105 percent comes in a two-step process. If the County or other taxing bodies want a higher than five percent rise, they must petition the court of common pleas. The Act says the court can approve an increase based “upon good cause shown” by the petitioning taxing body.

Remarks made by the primary sponsor of the law from the floor of the House on September 27^th, 2005, distill the statute’s intent:

“We make our locally elected officials accountable. No longer can they do the backdoor tax increases with the assessments. They are going to be held accountable by making separate votes for tax increases if they see those are fit…and if they want to make their case to court, that certainly is a public way that they are going to have to justify raising taxes beyond that 5 percent”

In the seventh year after adoption, Act 71 appears to be headed for its first court test.

Using 2011 assessment numbers and the current 4.69 mill tax rate, the County projects $294 million in property taxes—$274 million after homestead exemptions and refunds. With the reassessment proceeding towards implementation in 2012, the County will have to adjust its millage to keep tax collections level with 2011. It would then be permitted to take a separate vote to increase taxes to take in 5 percent above that revenue neutral amount, an amount of roughly $14.0 million. If the County chooses to go after more revenue, it would take the approval of a judge. As to what case the County would make to argue it would have a “good cause” to implement an additional tax increase is anyone’s guess, but it is a safe assumption that the reason it would point to would be state and Federal cuts in funding. They might win that case, but it would no doubt drag on as parties filed briefs and debated the case. The 21 percent increase, if allowed to go into effect, would boost revenues by about $60 million.

What is Council thinking? It seems clear that the majority who voted for the tax hike are heavily influenced by the thinking from the incoming County Executive, who formerly served on Council and spent time as Council president.

Do they believe the reassessment is not happening? For most people that would be extremely hard to do since new assessment notices are scheduled to be mailed to property owners in the Pittsburgh Public School District (the City of Pittsburgh and Mt. Oliver) in two weeks’ time—something Council has no power to stop. And that creates a real problem for Council because there is no conceivable legal way the City will have new assessments for 2012 but the rest of the County will not.

The new assessments going out on December 19^th will require the City to go through steps mandated by Act 71 to hold revenue neutral from 2011 and then to vote for a tax hike of up to 5 percent in a separate vote if they choose to raise taxes. That has to be done very soon in order for tax bills to go out in January. It seems the County Council and the Executive-elect are planning to set aside the new City and Pittsburgh School tax bills in the new year by retroactively rescinding the new assessment numbers for Pittsburgh and Mt. Oliver. Taxpayers and City Council would be overwhelmed by uncertainty and confusion. The City and Schools would have to take out tax anticipation loans, which is the primary reason Judge Wettick ordered the City assessments to be completed first. A rescission of the new City assessments by the County would obviously run dramatically afoul of the Judge’s orders.

Are they taking the arrogant stance that Act 71 does not apply and that the County can ignore it? The Executive-elect has argued that the County can raise taxes now for 2012 and if there is a reassessment, the revenue neutral calculation would be based on 2011 revenue raised by 21 percent. But that is a ludicrous argument. To be revenue neutral compared to the 2011 collection can only mean revenue neutral relative to the actual amount of 2011 revenue, not the 2011 level artificially raised after the fact by applying a retroactive tax hike. Thus, the incoming Executive’s argument is likely to be unpersuasive when a judge hears it. The authors of Act 71 cannot possibly have envisioned the language of the bill being so tortured and misused.

Does Council believe the Supreme Court will overturn its decision on the base year? The Supreme Court deliberated long and hard over its ruling and heard all the arguments that could have been raised by County attorneys. Their decision will almost certainly not be revisited. A revision of a Court decision in such a short period is extraordinarily rare—if it has in fact ever happened.

Moreover, the incoming Executive’s reading of the Supreme Court ruling is in error when he argues the Court should have tossed out base year assessments for all counties. The Court ruled only that the base year as applied in Allegheny County violated the uniformity clause and that it could not set aside another county’s base year system unless or until there was a convincing legal challenge in such a county showing the uniformity clause was being violated.

Incredibly, the incoming Executive is now arguing that the courts should not have the power to force the County to do something its elected officials and the majority of voters do not want and therefore, the County is within its rights to ignore the courts. One wonders if he believes the rights of the minority as contained in and protected by the Constitution of Pennsylvania can be trampled on any time the majority decides they are not interested in minority rights or the court rulings that uphold those rights. The correct position for an elected official is to honor one’s oath to obey, defend and protect the Constitution and obey the laws of the state and court decisions based on those laws. It is honorable to work on changing the Constitution and the laws following prescribed processes if that is the will of the majority but until that happens the Constitution as written is the controlling legal document. Abandoning that principle is to abandon the rule of law, on which our entire societal and economic structures depend.

Does Council think the General Assembly will intervene? The Legislature adopted the concept of the base year assessment and it will have to change that law. Up to this point there has been virtually no appetite in the Legislature to reform the state’s assessment and property taxation laws to bring the Commonwealth into the 20^th century. It would seem unlikely they are about to undo the base year statute any time soon. No doubt they should for a number of reasons, but it is a political firestorm waiting to happen and few wished to get burned. So, for now it is more comfortable to let the courts do the work.

And if the Executive-elect expects the Legislature to write a bill setting aside the Supreme Court ruling he will be disappointed. There is little or no prospect that the Legislature will write such a bill. Such an act would create a constitutional crisis in the state by destroying the balance and separation of power of the three branches of government.

As matters now stand, the Council’s tax hike is almost certainly headed to court. Indeed, it would be useful for the Judge to issue an injunction against the County’s tax increase pending the completion of the reassessment on the grounds that it will create enormous confusion and delays in a process that has already dragged on for years and has perpetuated the inequities in the assessment errors that have been in place for a decade. One can only imagine the turmoil if the Executive-elect follows through on his pledge to refuse to certify and mail out the new assessments even though new assessments are available and the County is under a Supreme Court order to do so. Will the judge hold the Executive in contempt and have him arrested?

One thing is sure, Allegheny County is about to witness property tax chaos if the Council raises the millage rate by 21 percent and refuses to carry out the Supreme Court’s order to reassess.

Jake Haulk, Ph.D., President
Eric Montarti, Senior Policy Analyst

If you wish to support our efforts please consider becoming a donor to the Allegheny Institute.The Allegheny Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible.Please mail your contribution to:

The Allegheny Institute
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Suite 208
Pittsburgh, PA15234

For more on this topic click here

Link to Allegheny Institute Website

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Fw: Summit Against Racism-Save the Date

2011-12-06T05:19:00.000-05:00

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

From: "Maddock Family" <maddock6@verizon.net>

Date: Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:58:59 -0500

To: Tim Stevens<tim.stevens2@hotmail.com>

Subject: Summit Against Racism-Save the Date

The Black and White Reunion's

14th Annual Summit Against Racism - Saturday, January 21, 2012
8:30am-3pm, East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Summit will offer inspiring speakers spanning different generations, skill building techniques for our justice movements, strengthening the programs of the Black and White Reunion such as the Jonny Gammage Scholarship, plus supporting other anti-racism work in our region.

Registration: Adults: $25.00, including breakfast and lunch; $10.00 for under 18 and limited income.

1. Current Workshops being discussed:

a.
The meaning of the "Occupy Movement"? The focus will be the Occupy Movement's relationship to racism. http://www.occupypittsburgh.org/

b. "The Image of Women"

c. "Implementing the Coalition Against Violence Strategies for Change" -

d. "Four New Policies for Police Reform have been passed in Pittsburgh – How do we Assure Success?" "What does justice for Jonny Gammage and Jordan Miles look like?"

e. City League/WPIAL – A Case for Integrating Athletics in Western Pennsylvania.

f. Showing the Nate Smith "What Does Trouble Mean" movie again for those who have not seen it in a separate room. Continuing the struggle for more minority labor participation on government funded construction sites in Western Pennsylvania. The discussion of reactions to the film and the relevance of it today could follow the showing of the film. http://www.natesmithmovie.com/

Other possible Workshops: "The Prison Industrial Complex" & "Land Tenure & Race"

Next meeting: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 6 pm, East Liberty Presbyterian Church

The Black and White Reunion is looking for volunteers to help out with this event. Please contact blackandwhite_reunion(at)yahoo.com orTim Stevens, 412-758-7898, Bob Maddock, 412-322-9275

http://www.blackandwhitereunion.org/

Cyber Monday (and beyond) Buying Guide

2011-11-28T19:04:00.001-05:00

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

From: "DefectiveByDesign.org" <info@defectivebydesign.org>

Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:49:02 -0500

To: <mark@rauterkus.com>

ReplyTo: "DefectiveByDesign.org" <info@defectivebydesign.org>

Subject: [DBD] Cyber Monday (and beyond) Buying Guide

Thinking of doing some holiday shopping? We hope that when purchasing for loved ones and friends, you'll consider avoiding companies and products designed to restrict freedom, and instead support companies and organizations that defend (or at least respect) freedom.

Before you click the links in any of the "Cyber Monday" mails you've been inundated with today, please see our 2011 Holiday Buying guide for the best and worst gifts this season.

www.defectivebydesign.org/holiday

We will be updating our guide throughout the holiday season, so come back every now and then to see new tips and suggestions.

You can help us update our holiday buying guide by emailing suggestions to info@defectivebydesign.org.

Happy Holidays,
Josh, Matt, John, and Richard

P.S. You can still see last year's guide for additional helpful information at www.defectivebydesign.org/nobuyguide.

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Fw: Stop Indefinite Military Detention of US Citizens

2011-11-28T18:26:00.001-05:00

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

From: Dave Nalle <chairman@rlc.org>

Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:04:41 -0800

To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>

Subject: RLC Action Alert: Stop Indefinite Military Detention of US Citizens

Act Now to Stop Another Attack on Your Rights

Don't Give the Military the Power to Detain US Citizens Indefnitely

They're at it again. The Senate is about to pass a bill which will take away more of our most fundamental, constitutionally guaranteed rights in the name of the ever expanding security state. We think it's time to tell them "NO" and take action to protect those rights.

If the new Defense Authorization bill passes it will actually authorize the military will to arrest US Citizens within the United States and hold them indefinitely without charge or trial in military prisons or try them before military courts without the protections guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.

Within a couple of days the U.S. Senate will vote on the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 (NDAA) which was written and passed through committee in secret. It includes two sections which would change laws on military detention to authorize the military to imprison almost anyone without due process of law or any respect for their civil liberties, including Americans in foreign countries and those living in the United States. Those detained by the military under this law could be held indefinitely without charge or trial and they could end up in military courts instead of civilian courts.

The NDAA is almost certain to pass with strong bipartisan support. We don't have the votes to stop it, though some RLC endorsees like Sen. Rand Paul oppose many sections of the bill. It is likely that it will hit the Senate floor in the next few days with the backing of powerful Republicans like John McCain, who authored this unconstitutional expansion of military authority, who will be pushing to pass it without revision.

You may think that this sort of insane legislation which totally undermines our Constitutionally protected rights can't be real. You may find it hard to believe that most Republicans are supporting it. You may not think this could happen in your America. Yet this outrage is entirely real. I urge you to read the contents of S.1867 (PDF), particularly sections 1031 and 1032, and see for yourself.

While the RLC also objects to other aspects of this bill, we probably can't stop the entire bill from passing, but there is at least a way to oppose these particularly horrendous provisions and get them removed from the bill. Senator Mark Udall has offered an amendment (#1107) which would strike sections 1031 and 1032 and protect our rights.

Please urge your Senators to protect our rights and the Constitution and oppose sections 1031 and 1032 of the Defense Authorization bill by voting for the Udall Amendment.

You can do this by using the email form on our website.

If you're as concerned as I am about the direction our country is going and want to change our government by electing Republicans who value liberty and won't sell out our rights in the name of security, please take this opportunity to donate to the RLC or at least renew your membership.

Thank you for standing up for liberty.

Dave Nalle

Chairman, Republican Liberty Caucus

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Fw: What Cuts?

2011-11-25T13:03:00.001-05:00

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

From: "Ron Paul " <ron.paul@ronpaul2012.com>

Date: Fri, 25 Nov 2011 07:37:15 -0800

To: Liberty Activist<mark@rauterkus.com>

ReplyTo: ron.paul@ronpaul2012.com

Subject: What Cuts?

Dear Liberty Activist,

If you missed Tuesday night’s debate on CNN, there’s something you need to know.

All seven of my opponents stood up on stage and applauded Big Government - asked for more of it, in fact.

So your choice is clear.

With just over five weeks left until voters begin going to the polls, if you want a President who will FIGHT for less government and lower spending, then I must ask for your support right away.

You see, Newt Gingrich – who previously warned of the dangers of the Patriot Act - now wants it expanded.

He wants amnesty, too – to keep American citizens footing the bill for government services for illegal immigrants.

The others were falling all over themselves to launch more undeclared TRILLION-dollar wars on Iran, or perhaps Pakistan, or maybe even Syria.

Of course, they all want more military spending, even though we’re already spending almost one TRILLION dollars per year – an amount nearly equal to what the entire rest of the world spends!

But that certainly hasn’t stopped the chicken-little stories from my opponents about supposed “defense cuts”!

Even Mitt Romney tried to pull the wool over our eyes.

I set him straight. NOTHING is being cut in Washington. PERIOD.

Believe me, I’ve tried!

All Congress is arguing about is how much to increase spending.

But when hundreds of billions of dollars just aren’t “enough” for my opponents’ favorite agencies, their answer is to howl in pain.

Liberty Activist, isn’t this the game the liberals play?

I guess we’ve learned to expect as much over the years from them.

But isn’t it downright disgusting when Republican candidates for President stoop to that level?

After all, we’re over $15 TRILLION in debt.

When are my opponents going to get serious?

Unfortunately, that’s exactly what’s lacking in these debates so far – seriousness.

And that’s why the establishment of BOTH parties is so scared of me.

You see, they know I am serious about balancing the budget in three years.

They know I will cut ONE TRILLION in spending my first year.

And they know NONE of their sacred cows are safe.

If we don’t need it or can’t afford it, it doesn’t matter what department of government we’re talking about.

Sure, the establishment will scream and holler that we need MORE money to keep our country safe.

But the simple fact is, if we had a constitutional foreign policy – and if we stopped nation-building and policing the world - our nation would be much safer and spend much LESS money at the same time.

Our troops understand that fact.

That’s why I’ve received more money from members of the military than all of my Republican opponents COMBINED.

But sadly, my establishment opponents just don’t seem to get it.

They want more spending, more government, and more debt.

You and I both know we can’t afford politics as usual any longer.

You and I both know maintaining the big spending, Big Government status quo will only lead to our nation’s ruin.

But I’m the ONE candidate who is serious about fixing our problems.

I’m the ONE candidate who will change our foreign policy to strengthen our national defense while ending these wars.

I’m the ONE candidate who will fight to end welfare to illegal immigrants AND secure our border.

And I’m the ONE candidate who will take power BACK from government, not scream to give more to it.

But I must be able to count on your generous financial support if I’m going to win the Republican nomination.

My campaign is in crunch time right now.

As I mentioned, it’s just over five weeks until voters start going to the caucuses and polls to begin selecting the next Republican nominee for President.

In these final weeks, my campaign is launching an all-out voter contact blitz with TV ads, direct mail, and boots on the ground in both Iowa and New Hampshire.

With polls showing me statistically tied for first in Iowa and clearly in second in New Hampshire, you and I must make our big push right now.

So please make your most generous contribution TODAY to my campaign.

Whatever you can give, I’ll put to IMMEDIATE use getting my message of liberty to the voters.

We’re so close. I believe the time is right, and you and I have the message to win.

So please make your most generous contribution TODAY!

Together, we can Restore America Now!

For Liberty,

Ron Paul

P.S. Every one of my opponents during Tuesday night’s debate was demanding more government.

Some are even falsely claiming military spending is being cut!

But the only thing being debated in Washington, D.C. right now is how fast spending will increase!

I’m the only candidate in this race who is serious about cutting spending. And if we don’t need it or can’t afford it, it doesn’t matter what department it’s in.

But with just over five weeks left until voters begin going to the polls, I must be able to count on your financial support if I’m going to win the Republican nomination for President.

So please contribute whatever you are able TODAY!

Paid for by Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee

www.ronpaul2012.com

Fw: How Will We Answer Them?

2011-11-23T16:39:00.001-05:00

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

From: "John Tate" <john_tate@ronpaul2012.com>

Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:54:18 -0800

To: Liberty Activist<mark@rauterkus.com>

ReplyTo: john_tate@ronpaul2012.com

Subject: How Will We Answer Them?

Dear Liberty Activist,

After last night's debate, The Drudge Report ran with the headline "Paul's Time to Rise?"

Frankly, the answer to that question is up to us.

I hope Dr. Paul can count on you to make your most generous contribution toward our efforts right away.

Since Ron Paul announced he was running, this campaign has been working hard to put the Champion of the Constitution in the White House.

Thanks to your support, we've bypassed the media blackout by sending millions of pieces of direct mail, making thousands of phone calls, running top-notch ads, installing seasoned professionals in key primary and caucus states, and doing everything else we can to take Dr. Paul's message directly to the American people.

Now, the moment we have been building toward is here.

Recent polls have revealed Ron Paul to be in a statistical tie for first place in Iowa and solidly in second place in New Hampshire.

Every day, our campaign is adding more supporters, as staff and volunteers reach out to their family, friends, and neighbors about Ron Paul’s unmatched record of consistent conservative leadership.

Last night's debate once again showcased why so many Americans are sending Ron Paul to the front of the race.

It's clear he is the only candidate who understands the true nature of the threats facing America and recognizes how deeply our debt crisis threatens our national security, our economic future, and the kind of country we will leave to our kids and grandkids.

It's also clear that Ron Paul is the only candidate with the proven track record of addressing these challenges with the solutions found in freedom.

As the other candidates voiced their support for more out-of-control spending on nation-building boondoggles and attacking our civil liberties through the misnamed "Patriot" Act, Ron Paul stood for a common-sense national defense that will leave our country strong, secure, and respected.

With the establishment on their side, you can be sure the other candidates will continue to spread their views far and wide.

But how strongly our campaign can respond to their attacks and continue to contact millions of Americans with the truth about Dr. Paul's message depends on you.

Please make your most generous contribution right away.

What we have accomplished so far has rocked the political establishment.

They thought for sure that their blackout would leave us discouraged and out of the running.

Instead, it's only further fueled our determination to win.

Undecided voters and those previously supporting other candidates are now taking a deeper look at Ron Paul, and it's critical we have every resource necessary to reach as many of them as possible.

We know Ron Paul is the only one with a serious plan to cut spending by $1 TRILLION in the first year of his presidency and deliver a fully balanced budget by year three.

We know Ron Paul is the only one who understands how the Federal Reserve has destroyed our economy and who will put a stop to its outrageous, secretive actions.

We know Ron Paul is the one who enjoys the most support from active duty servicemen and women – more, in fact, than all of his opponents combined!

We know Ron Paul is the man this country needs to return to prosperity.

But now many are wondering if this is his time.

If voters are finally ready for the message of freedom.

And if we can rise to the challenge and do what it takes to put Ron Paul in the White House.

How history will record that we answered those questions depends on the actions we're willing to take today.

Please, click here to contribute whatever you are able to the Ron Paul campaign.

Every dollar – whether $1,000, $100, or $10 – will go toward finishing this race in victory!

I hope Ron Paul can count on you today.

For Liberty,

John Tate
Campaign Manager

P.S. Ron Paul is on the rise, and now undecided voters and those who previously supported other candidates are taking a deeper look at our campaign.

Many are asking if this movement can rise to the challenge and seize on our momentum.

How history will record we answered them depends on the actions we're willing to take today.

Please, click here to donate whatever you are able so we can continue to reach millions of Americans with Ron Paul's message of freedom and WIN this race!

Paid for by Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee

www.ronpaul2012.com

Fwd: True Patriots

2011-11-22T23:02:00.000-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: John Tate
Date: Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Dear Liberty Activist,

I could hardly believe what I was hearing.

It all started with Newt Gingrich's flip-flop on the so-called "Patriot" Act.

In the past, Newt Gingrich has admitted just how dangerous this bill is – but during tonight's debate, Speaker Gingrich took it as an opportunity to go on the attack.

Liberty Activist, these attacks are going to keep coming.

There's no way around it.

That's why I'm hoping I can count on your most generous contribution IMMEDIATELY.

The truth is, our country is over $15 TRILLION in debt - but EVERY Republican candidate but one during tonight's debate was champing at the bit to launch another trillion-dollar war . . .

On Iran perhaps. Or maybe Pakistan. Or even Syria.

Will their "war at any cost" madness ever end?

But perhaps the most maddening thing is the constant attacks on Ron Paul by his establishment opponents. Why?

*** For fighting for the pro-AMERICAN, pro-troop, pro-taxpayer foreign policy advocated by the Founding Fathers;

*** For speaking out against policing the world and nation-building;

*** For admitting the so-called "Patriot" Act is unpatriotic;

*** For DEMANDING our federal government follow the Constitution by getting proper congressional authorization before going to war;

*** For saying that if we must go to war, we should go with all the necessary tools for victory, win it, and COME HOME;

*** For daring to state that the federal government's targeting and killing of United States citizens without trial is ILLEGAL.

To most Americans, this is all common sense.

To our troops, it's the message they've been longing to hear.

Why else would Ron Paul have received more contributions than President Obama and all other Republican candidates for President COMBINED?

But to Ron Paul's establishment opponents, it's an opportunity to discredit the one candidate who advocates a strong national defense and a constitutional foreign policy.

And the truth is, I expect the attacks to come like never before.

Just consider the polls we've seen over the past several days.

Ron Paul is now clearly in second place in New Hampshire, and he is statistically tied for the lead in Iowa.

On the Sunday morning shows, much of the talk was about how Ron Paul was a real threat to win Iowa – and how he has now moved into the top tier.

The truth is, Ron Paul has been in the top tier for months - but it's just now that the establishment is realizing it.

That's why I expect Ron Paul to be attacked like never before in the coming weeks.

It's up to you and me to make sure we have the funds necessary to FIGHT BACK.

So can I count on you for your most generous contribution IMMEDIATELY?

Whether it's $100, $50, $25, or even $5, every single dollar will help our campaign recruit more volunteers, reach millions of more voters, and ensure the success of our get-out-the-vote strategy on Election Day.

I know the campaign has asked a lot of you already this year.

And I know these are tough times for every American.

I also know that every dollar folks like you have given to this campaign thus far has been in the hopes that you and I would reach this moment.

But you and I both know the attacks are going to keep on coming just like they came tonight.

We MUST be prepared and ready to seize victory no matter what.

So please, make your most generous contribution TODAY!

Victory is within reach.

For Liberty,

John Tate
Campaign Manager

P.S. Once again, tonight's debate showcased that Ron Paul is the only Republican candidate advocating a strong national defense and a constitutional foreign policy.

But now that polls show Ron Paul statistically tied for first in Iowa and clearly in second in New Hampshire, the SMEARS are only going to keep coming.

So can I count on you for your most generous contribution IMMEDIATELY?

Whatever you can do will make a tremendous difference and help ensure we can get Dr. Paul's message to millions of more Americans as we march toward victory!

Http://www.ronpaul2012.com

--

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

Today's practice group, minus GE.

2011-11-22T18:52:00.000-05:00

Fwd: Benched for being a girl

2011-11-20T10:40:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Shelby Knox, Change.org

Tell North Carolina schools: Let girls like Mina Johnson play football.

Mina Johnson is the first girl to play football for Southampton Academy in Virginia -- and she's a starter who racked up four sacks in a single game earlier this year.

But despite her talent, Mina was forced to sit out two games this football season because of a backwards rule: She wasn't allowed to play because she's a girl.

Football teams two rival schools threatened to forfeit their games against Southampton's Raiders if Mina played. Both teams are part of the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association, a conference that doesn't allow girls to play on boy's teams -- even if no equivalent team exists for girls.

Adrienne Smith and her teammates on the U.S. National Tackle Football team were appalled when they heard Mina's story. That's why they started a petition on Change.org demanding the conference change its policy to comply with Title IX and allow any capable girl to play football. Click here to sign their petition.

While boys still outnumber girls in high school sports, Title IX has helped level the playing field dramatically over the past 40 years. Researchers studying the regulation's impact have shown that girls who participate in sports are more active, do better in school, and go to college in higher numbers than girls who don't play sports. It's hard to imagine any school or conference would want to roll back that progress.

If enough people join Adrienne's campaign protesting the unfair treatment Mina received, the conference will have to change its policy -- allowing Mina to play against its teams next year, and making sports more accessible for girls across North Carolina.

According to her coach, Mina is "an example for the team of how to hustle and work hard." It's time for the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association to support female student athletes like Mina, and let them play. Sign Adrienne's petition to keep the pressure on the conference:

http://www.change.org/petitions/north-carolina-independent-schools-athletic-association-honor-title-ix-and-allow-mina-johnson-to-play-football-at-her-school

Thanks for being a change-maker,

- Shelby and the Change.org team

P.S. People are taking action on important issues using Change.org everyday.

--

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

Fwd: [Project-Censored-L] The Global Occupy Movement Challenges the Transnational Corporate Class

2011-11-20T07:12:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------

by Peter Phillips

The international concentration of wealth and military power is
endangering not only the personal freedoms and life chances of
billions of people, but the potentiality for life on earth to simply
exist. The US-NATO military-industrial-media empire operates in
support of transnational corporations and the central banks primarily
as the enforcer of International Monetary Fund/World Bank's fiscal
policies and the protector of transnational capital flow. The
combination of empire enforcers—both public and private military/police
—in partnership with the private owners of production and capital's
need for constant growth and profits, is resulting in a tragic decline
of humanity into a freedomless state of global corporate facism.

We are not going to reform the empire of destruction globally through
corrupt capital protecting legislative bodies controlled by
millionaires and corporate money. We are not going to change the
propaganda messages of corporate media—as they are deeply embedded in
the destructive empire of power. Corporate media (singular) is the
information control wing of the global power structure inside the
transnational corporate class of the one percent. The corporate media
systematically censors news stories that challenge the propaganda of
empire. Specific mythologies of empire are that we live in a
democratic societies with fair elections, that governments are
primarily transparent and seek to protect the public, that evil lurks
in the world waiting to challenge our freedoms, we fight fairly and
morally while the others are evil terrorists, governments would never
do anything to harm their own citizens, wealth trickles down, we all
trying to be green and capitalism will save us. Occupy challenges
these myths of empire as lies and propaganda.

The time is for the Occupy democracy movement to build our own news,
and our own systems of decision making from the bottom up. We no
longer need a majority to make change inside the empire. We need only
active informed populations in the 10-20% range of society to initiate
change producing social movements of resistance and non-cooperation
with empire.

Individually and collectively we can disconnect from employment that
supports the empire of destruction, we can keep our work instead with
community-based efforts at local sustainability, economic development,
and caring. We can shop and bank locally and never enter the Wal
Mart's of empire. We can organize for resistance to counter the
billions of dollars a year spent by the military to lie our children
into serving the empire of destruction. We can turn off the corporate
media filled with its propaganda and lies and seek our own sources of
news from with democracy movements worldwide.

Power to the people

_______________________________________________
Project-Censored-L mailing list
Project-Censored-L@lists.sonoma.edu
https://mailman.sonoma.edu/mailman/listinfo/project-censored-l

-------
Note from Mark Rauterkus:
Now come out and support Ron Paul!

--

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

Fw: Surging

2011-11-17T17:48:00.001-05:00

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

From: "Rand Paul" <rand_paul@ronpaul2012.com>

Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:32:49 -0800

To: Liberty Activist<mark@rauterkus.com>

ReplyTo: rand_paul@ronpaul2012.com

Subject: Surging

Dear Liberty Activist,

It’s working.

Your generosity during my dad’s money bombs... his campaign’s TV ads... The millions of pieces of direct mail that’s been sent to voters throughout the country ...

The hard work of folks just like you on the campaign’s critical Phone From Home program... It’s all paying off.

Another poll in Iowa just came out confirming Ron Paul in second place – and within the margin of error of FIRST.

And in New Hampshire, he’s now solidly in second place – 6% ahead of his nearest opponent.

Despite the media’s best efforts, my dad’s campaign is now surging in key early states.

But with just over six weeks until the voters begin to go to the polls to select the Republican nominee, it’s crunch time for the campaign.

And two critical actions I will describe in just a moment could make the difference between defeat on election night - or an historic victory that would rock the Washington, D.C. political establishment like never before.

Can I count on you to help? I hope I can.

As he told you from the beginning, my dad is in this to WIN.

Of course, he knew he’d never get a big break in the national media like some of his opponents.

That's should be no surprise. I’ve never met a single defender of constitutionally limited government who counts the establishment media as a friend!

So from the beginning, Ron Paul’s campaign’s strategy has been to bypass the media and bring his message straight to the voters.

But it’s one thing to put together a winning strategy on paper.

It’s quite another to be able to constantly depend on true Patriots like you to dig deep to pay for his constant campaigning, mail, email, TV ads, and all the rest.

My dad’s supporters are truly incredible. And all of his campaign’s success is only possible because of your support.

The great news is, thanks to your help, my dad's message of liberty is resonating like never before.

After years of Big Government, big spending, “politics-as-usual” policies from BOTH parties, Americans are ready for a return to limited government, free markets, sound money, and individual liberty.

And they know Ron Paul is the only candidate who:

*** Predicted the current economic crisis years in advance and led the fight to prevent it - even as others running in this race were cheering on the disastrous government bailouts that have only dug us deeper into debt.

*** Possesses a consistent conservative record of standing up for the Constitution - even when it means voting alone.

*** Receives more donations from active duty military than all his Republican opponents combined!

*** Has a detailed plan to cut ONE TRILLION dollars from the federal budget in the first year of his presidency and deliver a fully balanced budget by year three.

Now, the only question is, can you and I keep up this surge?

Can we capitalize on it?

Can we truly shake the establishment to its core?

Absolutely.

But only with your help. Here’s what you can do:

First, please contribute what you can right away.

Whether it’s $100, $50, $25, or even $5, every single dollar will help my dad’s campaign recruit more volunteers, reach millions of more voters, and ensure the success of their get-out-the-vote strategy on Election Day.

I know the campaign has asked a lot of his supporters already this year.

I also know these are tough times for every American.

But I also know that every dollar folks like you have given to my dad’s campaign thus far has been in the hopes that you and I would reach this moment.

So please help Ron Paul’s campaign capitalize on their surge.

Second, if you haven’t yet signed up for the campaign’s Phone From Home program, please click HERE to do so right away.

Next to contributing financially, there is absolutely nothing you can do to help Ron Paul more.

You can talk directly to voters in Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada from your own home and on your own time. It’s incredibly easy.

All you have to do is log in and read a script. You don’t even have to dial the phone numbers.

I can’t emphasize this enough: your contribution and your participation in the campaign’s Phone From Home program could very well make the difference on Election Night.

But most importantly, your action right now could make the difference for our country’s future.

That’s what my dad’s campaign is all about.

With your help, I’m confident we can Restore America Now.

For Liberty,

Rand Paul

P.S. My dad's surge in the polls in Iowa has just been confirmed, and another poll in New Hampshire shows him clearly in second place – 6% ahead of his nearest opponent.

I’m counting on you to help Ron Paul capitalize on this momentum.

First, please donate whatever you are able right away.

Every dollar - whether it's $100 or $5 - will go toward the campaign’s efforts to directly reach millions of more voters.

Second, if you haven't yet done so, please sign up for the Phone From Home program so you can help the campaign turn out the vote in Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada - all from the comfort of your own home.

Paid for by Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee

www.ronpaul2012.com

What if.... Ron Paul can win.

2011-11-17T11:15:00.001-05:00

Pittsburgh School Officials Warn Parents Of 'Fake Caller ID' Cell Phone App - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

2011-11-16T11:16:00.000-05:00

Good news story. There is no place for this application on any kid's cell phone. Thanks Principal!

Pittsburgh School Officials Warn Parents Of 'Fake Caller ID' Cell Phone App - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh School Officials Warn Parents Of 'Fake Caller ID' Cell Phone App

Fun, Networking, Giving Thanks While Celebrating

2011-11-15T14:30:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <RFlanag@aol.com>

FINAL CHANCE TO RSVP---

Fun, Networking, Giving Thanks While Celebrating

(Agenda Below)

Please join us on Wednesday, November 16, in celebrating the agencies and individuals that provide guidance and support for youth entering the workforce. These leaders have made a positive impact on the lives of thousands of young adults through strategic public-private sector collaboration, dedication, and hard work.

The event will begin with a light breakfast and networking opportunities, and then conclude with short program presentations. We will be out by 9:30 am.

Date: Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Time: 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. (Light Breakfast and Networking)
8:30 - 9:30 a.m. (Welcome and Program Presentations)
Location: West Penn Hospital Wintergarden Conference Room (Room adjacent to main cafeteria), 4800 Friendship Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224

If you plan to attend, please RSVP as soon as possible to Nov16celebration@aol.com or 412-323-4078.

We look forward to seeing you!

Sincerely,

Richard Flanagan

Bloomfield Garfield Corporation

Office 412-441-9833

Pittsburgh Youth Workforce Event Sponsoring Agencies:
Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation, Boys and Girls Club of Western PA, Pittsburgh Public Schools—Start On Success Program, Hill House Association, Phase 4 Learning Center, Inc., Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center, Goodwill of Southwestern PA, Student Conservation Association, Inc., Neighborhood Learning Alliance, Life's Work of Western

EVENT AGENDA:

Celebrating Youth Workforce Development Agenda

Wednesday, November 16, 2011 8:00AM – 9: 30AM

West Penn Hospital Wintergarden Conference Room

4800 Friendship Avenue. Pittsburgh, PA 15224

Join us for a celebration of the agencies and individuals that provide guidance and support for youth entering the workforce, and a recognition of leaders that have made a positive impact on the lives of thousands of young adults through strategic public-private sector collaboration, dedication, and hard work.

8:00AM – 8:30AM Guest arrive, network, and enjoy a light breakfast

8:30AM – 8:40AM Rick Flanagan, Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation:

- Welcoming by Kathleen McKenzie, WPAHS

- Overview/Purpose of Event

8:40AM – 8:50AM Dr. Terri Henderson, Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania:

- Explanation of Workforce System

8:50AM – 9:20AM         Two-minute success stories:
                                                                                                                - Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation
                                                                                                                - Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania
                                                                                                                - Pittsburgh Public Schools Start On Success
                                                                                                                - Communities In School

- Student Conservation Association. Inc

- Neighborhood Learning Alliance
- Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania

                                                                                                                - Hill House Association
                                                                                                                - PHASE 4 Learning Center, Inc
                                                                                                                - Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center

9:20AM – 9:30AM Tony Bell, Hill House Association:

- Recognition of joint accomplishment
- Next steps

Sponsoring Agencies: Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation; Boys & Girls of Western PA; Pittsburgh Public Schools, Start On Success Program; Hill House Association; Phase 4 Learning Center, Inc; Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center; Goodwill of Southwestern PA; Student Conservation Association, Inc; Neighborhood Learning Alliance.

Here is the latest photo of my house and neighborhood

2011-11-15T09:59:00.001-05:00

Winning!!!!!

2011-11-13T21:02:00.001-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7wuHFBUVAM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Fwd: What a Joke

2011-11-13T06:44:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: John Tate
Date: Saturday, November 12, 2011
Subject: What a Joke
To: Liberty Activist <mark@rauterkus.com>

Dear Liberty Activist,

90 seconds.

That's how much of the first hour of tonight's GOP debate was given to Ron Paul. 90 measly seconds out of 3,600 seconds.

The remaining 3,510 seconds were spent with the other major candidates:

** Declaring their desire to start wars in Iran, Pakistan, and Syria;

** Rehashing their support for torture;

** Agreeing that President Obama has the right to unilaterally assassinate an American citizen without a court conviction;

** Explaining their plans to continue nation-building, policing, and occupying countries across the globe.

It literally made me sick watching the mainstream media once again silence the one sane voice in this election. The one dissenter to a decade of unchecked war. The one candidate who stands for true defense and actual constitutional government.

Ron Paul was silenced, in perhaps the most important debate of the cycle.

You have to ask yourself why.

I think I know the answer. Both parties have perpetuated the foreign policy that is bankrupting our nation and tearing apart the world.

Both parties have started wars without proper congressional authorization.

Both parties have fabricated reasons for war.

Both parties' outrageous spending has taken us to the brink of disaster.

And if the other candidates on the stage tonight are to be believed, then there is only one candidate who would break the globalists' stranglehold over our foreign policy, our Treasury, and the lives of our family, friends, and neighbors in the armed forces.

Ron Paul could change history. He could save our great nation from its own devastating policies of the past 10 years.

If his voice could be heard.

The media has once again BLACKED OUT Ron Paul.

Will you let it stand??

After almost two days, our Veterans Day Weekend Money Bomb has raised $758,977.

No doubt, that is a powerful total.

But it is not enough. I have met with our accountants and media team, and we have determined we must raise an additional $500,000 in the next 24 hours to be able to run the ads and mail the letters we need in the next 10 days.

I know $500,000 more is a lot to ask.

But you just saw what we are up against.

The policies of unlimited war, torture, and bankruptcy were given 3,510 seconds to be heard in one televised hour of tonight's foreign policy debate.

Ron Paul was given 90 seconds.

Peace was ignored. A sane national defense policy was shut out.

Rational spending and our Constitution were thrown out the window.

Only you can help make this right.

We can complain all we want, but the reality is this: the other side wins this debate - and their foreign policy carries the day - unless Ron Paul can break through.

As Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton said in a press release issued immediately after the debate, "CBS News, in their arrogance, may think they can choose the next President. Fortunately, the people of Iowa, New Hampshire, and across America get to vote and not the media elites."

But Ron Paul needs you to help him reach those voters and WIN this race.

Can I count on you tonight?

Can Ron count on you over the next 24 hours?

Please help us fight back by clicking HERE right now to donate.

I hope you are as fed up and outraged as I am.

If you are, you will redouble your efforts to help Ron succeed on a night where the establishment did its best to shut out a veteran, a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the leading spokesman for a strong national defense.

For Liberty,

John Tate
Campaign Manager

P.S. Ron Paul only received 90 seconds out of an entire televised hour of tonight's foreign policy debate to stand up for his common-sense views that would keep our nation safe and strong.

I'm sick and tired of media elites thinking they can control the election by deciding who the American people get to hear.

Our campaign is ready to strike back by taking Dr. Paul's message directly to the voters, but we need your help immediately to raise $500,000 in the next 24 hours to run more ads and mail more letters setting the record straight.

Please, if you're as angry as I am right now about the media's arrogance, click here to donate right away to the Veterans Day Weekend Money Bomb.

Paid for by Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee

www.ronpaul2012.com

This message was intended for: mark@rauterkus.com
You were added to the system May 24, 2011. For more information
click here.
Update your preferences | Unsubscribe

--

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

New Cycling Races Announced for 2012 Saturday - a Racing Series

2011-11-12T16:18:00.001-05:00

From: Chris Popovic

For those of you that missed the 2012 ACA Awards Banquet, the night was filled with fun, food, some great costumes and a few surprise announcements. I'd like to highlight one of those items that will bring more racing to the Bud Harris Cycling Track in 2012.

ACA Member, ABRA Founder and all-around cycling guy J.R. Petsko has agreed to assist the ACA in expanding our race schedule in 2012. J.R. will be running the ACA Saturday racing series that will include a minimum of ten (10) racing dates during our 22 week season. As many of you know, J.R. is the master of soul-crushing, yet fun race courses. The ACA is proud to have J.R.'s excitement and leadership with us as we go forward into our 41st of promoting bicycle racing in Western PA.

J.R. will be running five (5), count 'em five (5) individual race classes for the 10 race Saturday series. Race classes are:

Race 1 - Juniors
Race 2 - Men Cat 5
Race 3 - Women Open
Race 4 - Men 3/4
Race 5 - Men 1/2/3

Additional details on the 10 Race Saturday Series are as follows:

All races will be run independently. There will be no mixing of Juniors, Women, etc., unless of course the rider's license allows them to race in the respective class.
Dates for the races are set on Saturdays from April to September. Get these on your race calendars now: 4/14, 5/12, 5/19, 6/2, 6/9, 6/30, 7/14, 8/4, 8/18, 9/1
Races will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday morning through noon. Registration will be earlier of course.
Race length and specific class times will vary depending upon weather, attendance, etc.
Race formats will be left up to J.R. We're sure he'll get to express his devious side in coming up with interesting deviations on the standard 'round and 'round format.
There will be a season pass available.
Series Winners WILL earn an ABRA series Champion jersey plus other cash and prizes.
Payout at each race depends on reg #'s for that day.
Race costs will be similar to the ACA format or as close as we can budget.
We are looking for officials and volunteers to help support the Saturday series. Please contact J.R. (jrpetsko@gmail.com) or myself (chrispopovic@gmail.com) if interested.

Note that we are still planning on repeating past Saturday events such as new rider clinics, women-specific clinics, a 100 lap race and others on the remaining Saturdays. Those races will be announced early next year.

Thank you J.R. for stepping in to help expand our series. 2012 is going to be a great year for racing in Western PA.

Chris Popovic, 2012 ACA President

You Wouldn't Know

2011-11-11T22:56:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ron Paul
Date: Friday, November 11, 2011
Subject: You Wouldn't Know

Dear Liberty Activist,

Tomorrow, my campaign is holding a Veterans Rally in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Tomorrow evening, there's another Presidential debate – and national security is the topic.

Liberty Activist, I'm sure you know just how important restoring a pro-American foreign policy and taking care of our veterans are to me.

Well, just minutes ago, I instructed my staff to extend today's Money Bomb through the rest of Veterans Day weekend.

You see, I believe this is perhaps our best opportunity of the entire campaign to show the American people exactly why I generate so much support among members of our military.

And I believe communicating that simple message is critical to my effort to WIN the Republican nomination for President.

If you only paid attention to the "mainstream" media, there are some critical facts you wouldn't know.

You wouldn't know I'm a military veteran myself – having served for five years during the turbulent 1960s.

You wouldn't know I've been called "a veteran's best friend" for spending years fighting to ensure our veterans get the benefits and the recognition they deserve.

You wouldn't know that while my opponents are raking in the cash from Wall Street fat cats, the top three organizations that employ my supporters are the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Air Force.

In fact, I've received more contributions from members of the military than all the other Republican candidates for President – COMBINED!

And you wouldn't know that for months, poll after poll has consistently shown me within striking distance of first place in key early states.

Of course, complaining doesn't solve any of these problems.

Action does. And that's why I'm counting on your IMMEDIATE help.

If my Veterans Day Weekend Money Bomb is a success, you and I can directly tell millions of more voters about my entire record, including my defense of our military – whether they're on or off the battlefield.

As President, changing how Washington treats our veterans will be a top priority of my administration.

Returning to a more conservative foreign policy that puts America's national security first will be another top priority.

America's military forces deserve better than to be used for nation-building or policing the world, so our troops understand I'll never put them in harm's way without a clear mission and the tools they need to succeed.

As President, I'll concentrate on securing OUR border, rather than the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

And I will honor the promises our government made to our men and women in uniform when they return home.

But I need your support to help my campaign bypass the media and explain all these things directly to the voters.

If you haven't yet done so, please contribute to my campaign's Veterans Day Weekend Money Bomb.

And please be as generous as you can.

Your contribution will help me send a message directly to the voters that I believe will be critical to my efforts to WIN the Republican nomination.

Thanks so much for your support.

For Liberty,

Ron Paul

P.S. Just minutes ago, I instructed my staff to extend today's Money Bomb through the rest of Veterans Day weekend.

You see, I believe this is perhaps our best opportunity of the entire campaign to show the American people exactly why I generate so much support among members of our military.

If you haven't yet done so, please contribute to my campaign's Veterans Day Weekend Money Bomb.

And please be as generous as you can.

--

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

2011 Students For Liberty PGH Regional Conference tomorrow

2011-11-11T22:55:00.001-05:00

http://politicalconferences.org/2010/11/pittsburgh/

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=127949497298234

Tomorrow, Sat Nov 12 @ William Pitt Student Union from 9AM to 8PM

This is shaping up to be a great event - over 76 registrations and 30 maybe's.

Students are even coming from 4 hours away!

Even if you can't make the whole day, please stop by when you can, check out some presentations, load up on goodies and meet David Boaz and all the enthusiastic young activists!

Hope to see you there!
-Dave P

--

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

Fw: 11-11-11 Special Newsletter from Chris Chandler

2011-11-11T13:44:00.000-05:00

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

From: "chris chandler" <chris@chrischandler.org>

Date: 11 Nov 2011 18:33:01 -0000

To: <mark@rauterkus.com>

Subject: 11-11-11 Special Newsletter from Chris Chandler

11-11-11 Special Newsletter from Chris Chandler

This is the special annual 1 month 1 day edition of the M.U.S.E. .A.N.D. .W.H.I.R.L.E.D. .R.E.T.O.R.T.

But first!
The New album Matadors is done!
You can get your copy right here!

Click on the picture

or paste http://www.celticartstudio.com/store/benoit-cds/

And now enough of the crass commercial announcements it is time for my favorite annual newsletter.

Hey everybody,

Seven Come Eleven.

It's that time of the year again. This year it is 11-11-11.

I have been sending out a special edition of this news letter once a year for a decade – starting with 01-01-01. It has been a fun annual tradition for me.

Please feel my forward it on to friends on 11-11-11.

I am sad to say that this will be the second to the last of these annual special edition news letters – as I look to 12 - 12 -12 as the final one…

Well, unless someone between now and then ads a month to the calendar and we have a 13-13-13.

But hey – it has happened before – twice – I mean why do you think "OCT"ober is the tenth month and "DEC" ember is the 12^th?

Well….

That is because Julius Caesar wanted a month named for himself – and he got it: July. And then not to be out done Augustus Cesar wanted one to and we got August.

So there is a precedence - It could happen - and who am I to speculate?

So HERE WE GO,

11-11-11

Eleven.

Seven Come Eleven.

She is a beauty of a number. I mean if just to look at… two parallel lines reaching to the heavens, yet firmly rooted to the ground. She is the same if turned upside down or if viewed in a mirror – or both.

Sideways, she is a ladder.

She is the first three Syllable number. The next would Seventeen.

For once, I will not get into arguments with the negative number crowd on this one because the word negative itself is a three syllable word.

In this "E-Lev-Un" has no competition even the obscure esoteric kind. She is the first three syllable number.

She is the first two digit Prime Number (unless you count negative 11)

Eleven… she is a beautiful las.

We count in base ten – because (As I have said on many occasions) because we have ten fingers.

Eleven is the first number that you can not count on your fingers.
She is the moment when we – as ten fingered humans - burst beyond our physical bodies and discover a world that is more than our selves.

The discovery of eleven is a pivotal moment in human evolution –

THE moment…

The gateway moment…

The moment when we realize we are not the center of the universe – that there is a world beyond ourselves that is countable – but to do so we have to reach beyond our very human-ness.

The concept of eleven represents us entering the puberty of our reign as the dominant species.

At eleven, we have entered the awkward years… we have put on the training bra of human awareness…

OK, my mother is dead and I can say these things…

I lost my virginity at age eleven.

I smoked my first cigarette then. I experimented with drugs then too… yes. I was that guy… who changed his shoe size as often as changing gears in an 18 wheeler going down a mountain road.

I am the same size now as I was then.

5'-8' and 120 lbs… I was huge… The sixth grade class was mine!

At eleven, I ran away from home in Stone Mountain Georgia - bound for New Orleans. I know these days that is an early age.

I got picked up by an Alabama cop and taken home to Georgia.
My inevitable wanderlust would be delayed.

Years passed… 11 of them….

When my nephew turned eleven, I thought, "Oh, …I am going to be the cool uncle… I am going to sit him down and talk frankly to my nephew… about drugs and sex and rock and roll. Wine women and song." Not of course to encourage him to do that – but to let him know he was soon going to be exposed to such things… to let him know that I would be his go to guy if and when such an incident transpired.

I did so… It was Christmas Eve. I told him about my life at eleven….That I had done drugs and quit. I had been there. I told my tale with all of its misgivings – carving out each misgiving with all the details attendant.

He said nothing…

He sat slack jawed underneath the blinking Christmas decorations that were the hallmark of my family experience.

Twilight fell.

Santa Claus came.

We all rejoiced as my mother prepared breakfast. Christmas breakfast,,,

The entire family gathered round… Formal… Aunts… Uncles…. Cousins… My grandmother…

He, the only "child" at the table (Eleven) was naturally the center of attention…

"So Steve-O How did you like the presents – was Santa Good to you?"

He answers, (I am not making this up) "Yes, Santa was good,.. But…

"Chris told me I should run away from home and start doing drugs…."

Abject silence.

Eleven…

I am sure this newsletter will make this Thanksgiving with my family interesting…

Oh where was I?

Eleven…

The puberty of human existence…

Eleven has no center (sorry 5 and a half) she sits catawampus – bending the rails of the abacus.

One one – or as the Rastafarians call it - Eye and Eye. Eleven.

Perhaps it is no coincidence that it was indeed Apollo 11 that landed the first humans on the moon.

By the way a rocket must travel at 11 km per second to get out ot the earth's atmosphere.

99 minus 88.

Eleven… she is a beautiful las.

She is salty – the atomic number of Sodium.

The phrase "The eleventh hour" comes from the fact that this is a holiday.

Veterans Day.

The Treaty of Versailles ending the Great War was signed at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

We in the US call it Veterans day. But in Europe, Canada and Austalia it is Armistice day, or remembrance day.

We were only in the Great War for a few months so for us it is not as ominous. But when you go to our neighbor in the north and you see those monuments – especially in the small towns – the smaller the town the taller the monument – the number of names is overwhelming.

It's like descending into the American Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC.

Names upon names – you can almost hear the commander shouting. "Send in the Canadians."

The Great War ended on November 11, 1918 with a terrible armistice that only lasted 22 years. (2 times 11) Then, the Great War changed her name to the diminutive: World War One.

World War Two is often abbreviated with Roman Numerals – which makes it look like World War 11.

Eleven.

77 divided by 7

In the year 11 AD Jesus Christ was well… 11.

After Judas turned out to be a fink…
we had only eleven Apostils.

Jesus was seen eleven times after he resurrected.

Now THIS is not a classic Mel Brooks Gag: There are actually Eleven Commandments.

There are eleven statements in the Bible texts of the traditional Ten Commandments. Roman Catholics combine the first two statements into one and the Protestants combine the last two in order to arrive at the number ten.

How to number the Ten Commandments was a major issue during the Protestant Reformation.

Eleven: 3 and 2/3 times 3

Ben Hurr, Titanic and Lord of the Rings all received 11 Oscars.

There are eleven people on a soccer and field hockey pitch.

Eleven on a football Grid and eleven on Cricket field.

Eleven was the number worn by Sparkey Anderson, Carl Hubbell, Norm Van Broklin,, Joe Kapp, Phil Simms, Steve Spurrier, Yao Ming, Issah Thomas and, Mark Messier,

In cards, the Ace can be counted as 11 or 1 – depending on which is more advantageous to the players.

Eleven: the 5^th smallest Prime number (unless you count negative numbers)

In a 12 Step Program Step ELEVEN is a step of meditation and courage

The deepest point of the ocean floor is 11km at the bottom of the Mariana Trench.

Eleven 5 plus 6

The Band, Harry Connick JR, The Smithereens, and Ryan Adams have all released Albums titled "Eleven." I assume in each case it was their eleventh album. My eleventh Album was called: American Storyteller Volume II.

Which kind of looks like American Storyteller Volume Eleven

"This Amp Goes to eleven" was one of the most memorable gags in the Iconic film "Spinal Tap."

Seven – Eleven decided not to change its name to simply 24 when it went from being open from 7 AM to 11 PM to just being open all the time.

There were eleven pipers piping. Perhaps they were Peruvian street musicians.

The Canadian Maple Leaf has eleven Points representing the 10 Provinces Plus the Monarchy.

The Canadian Dollar Coin has eleven sides (a hendecagon) and The Clock on Canadian Currency reads eleven O'Clock.

Aquarius is the 11^th Zodiac sign.

And finally, it was American Flight 11 that flew into the twin Towers (which looked remarkably like the number eleven) on September the 11^th 2001

No, I don't want to leave you with such an ominous thought.

It is eleven that gives us hope – and leads us into the future. It is the gateway number.

The Phrase "Seven come Eleven." is a wish for hope.

It comes from the game of craps: The first roll is indeed the "come roll," and you are hoping for a 7 or an 11, both winners.

Your bet on this roll is called the "come-bet."

So on this 11-11-11 – likely the only one in our life-time:

I say to you: "Seven Come Eleven."

**********************
A.N.N.O.U..N.C.M.E.N.T.S.
The new CD is done! If you would like to get your copy please click here:

Pauli and I are still up in the North West with a few more shows. After that he heads for Asia and I return to Oakland.
********************************
Occupy!
Check out this video from the new album:
http://youtu.be/ilExjbNj5HY

New Videos coming very soon! Including 4 more for David Rovics

**********************************
Please check out Jen's website a very good choice for Christmas:
www.celticartstudio.com
**************************************
As you may know I won the 2011 Ameri-Cymru Eisteddfod in LA this year.
Here is an announcement and request from the organizers:

Hi, my name is Ceri Shaw and I run the AmeriCymru Welsh American social networking site. We organize an event each year, in conjunction with the MLMEF ( see below ) called the West Coast Eisteddfod. We held the 2011 event at the Barnsdall Art Center in Hollywood and we were both pleased and honored to welcome Chris Chandler as a competitor in our live Poetry and Storytelling events. He won both! And next year we want to invite him back as a competition judge and as a performer in our Grand Opening Concert.

Events cost money and, since we are Welsh, we run everything on a shoestring ( we've been broke since before the end of the Roman Empire ) BUT we are not asking for donations.

ALL WE WANT IS YOUR VOTE! Please read the blurb below and discover how, in just a few seconds, you can help us win $25,000 to help fund the West Coast Eisteddfod 2012.

This doesn't cost you a penny, will only take a few moments and you can really help us out by doing something quick and easy! We have only two weeks to make it, PLEASE vote for us and help us get there!

http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/263243673-mlmef

Make sure you vote by hitting the big, green VOTE button, not just like the charity or the page.

http://www.facebook.com/gaabriel.becket and let me know!

*******************************
H.E.R.E.S. .D.A. .D.A.T.E.S.

Thursday, November 10, 20119:00 PM

Seattle, WA

special CD release party

Egan's Ballard Jam House

1707 NW Market Street
Seattle, WA 98107
phone: 206-789-1621
Website: www.ballardjamhouse.com

Friday, November 11, 20117 PM

Vashon Island, WA

The Roasterie,

19529 Vashon Hwy., S.W.
Vashon Island, WA 98070
phone: 206-463-9800
Website: tvicr.com/
Located in the center of Vashon Island, WA at the corner of Vashon Hwy., SW & Cemetery Road.
We're just a short ferry ride from Seattle in the heart of Puget Sound in the scenic Pacific Northwest.

From the north end ferry dock heading south, we're at the 2nd stop sign.

Sunday, November 13, 20118 PM

Olympia, WA

The Tall House Arts Consortium Presents with special guests Citizen Band

The Royal

311 Capitol Way North
Olympia, WA 98501
phone: (360) 705-0760
Website: www.facebook.com/people/Royal-Olympia/100000219743514

Sunday, November 20, 20118:00

Decatur, GA

Spoken Word Feature

Java Monkey

205 E Ponce de Leon
Decatur, GA 30030
phone: (404) 378-5002
Website: www.javamonkeydecatur.com

Sunday, December 18, 20119:00 PM

Sebastopol, CA

Northbay Poetry Feature

Hopmonk Tavern

230 Petaluma ave
Sebastopol, CA 95472
Website: www.hopmonk.com
NORTHBAY POETRY SLAM
Web Site http://www.hopmonk.com

RELEASES:

Matadors

more releases

EVENTS:

November 2011

Friday, November 11th 7 PM
The Roasterie,
Vashon Island WA 98070
Call 206-463-9800 for more details

Saturday, November 12th 8 PM
with Kathy Jonas and Pat Butler
Matrix Cffee House
Chehalis WA 98532
Call 360.740.0492 for more details

Sunday, November 13th 8 PM
The Tall House Arts Consortium Presents with special guests Citizen Band
The Royal
Olympia WA 98501
Call (360) 705-0760 for more details

Sunday, November 20th 8:00
Spoken Word Feature
Java Monkey
Decatur GA 30030
Call (404) 378-5002 for more details

December 2011

Sunday, December 18th 9:00 PM
Northbay Poetry Feature
Hopmonk Tavern
Sebastopol CA 95472

more events

FEATURED LINKS:

Paul Benoit

Fwd: 11/11/11 - Get your camera ready for One Day on Earth

2011-11-10T18:57:00.001-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Brandon Litman - One Day on Earth

Subject: 11/11/11 - Get your camera ready for One Day on Earth

Español en la final del mensaje

Hi One Day on Earth Members,

It is almost 11/11/11 - so you know what that means -- WE WILL FILM THE
WORLD TOGETHER!

I wanted to remind you of a couple things before the big day:

1) Everything you submit must be filmed on Friday, 11/11/11
2) Our homepage will have an "uploader" for you to submit directly to us
starting Nov. 12th.
3) To be part of the Archive, you have 30 days to upload or send footage
4) Edited or raw footage is okay to submit.
5) Check out this page for more guidelines:
http://www.onedayonearth.org/page/participate

There are many topics being filmed on 11/11/11. Feel free to check out our
group pages for some inspiration:
http://www.onedayonearth.org/page/find-a-group

We also need your help documenting pregnancy, childbirth and newborns.
These stories and the diversity of the experience are so important that on
11/11/11 we ask: if you know someone that is expecting, and interested in
documenting their day, please contact us: litman@onedayonearth.org

Also, we are still looking to find participants in Grenada, Antigua
and Barbuda - feel free to refer a friend!

On that note, thanks so much for being part of this project. We'll be
excited to incorporate as many 11/11/11 videos into the Global Screening in
February, which you can read about below:

http://www.onedayonearth.org/page/global-screening

Happy 11/11/11 !

Brandon, Kyle and the One Day on Earth Team

***Please tell you friends via Facebook and Twitter that you are filming with
One Day on Earth on 11/11/11

Hola Miembros Un Día en la Tierra,

Ya es casi el día 11/11/11 - así que ya sabes lo que eso significa - VAMOS
A FILMAR EL MUNDO JUNTOS!

Queremos recordarles un par de cosas antes del gran día:

1) Todo lo que nos envíes debe ser filmado el Viernes, 11/11/11.
2) Nuestra página web tendrá un "cargador" para que nos envíes tus
videos directamente a partir del 12 de Noviembre.
3) Para formar parte del Archivo, tendrás 30 días para cargar o enviar tu
material.
4) Puedes presentar imágenes editadas o en crudo.
5) Visite esta página para obtener más instrucciones:
http://www.onedayonearth.org/page/participate

Hay muchos temas que serán filmados en 11/11/11. No dude en
visitar nuestras páginas de grupos para encontrar un poco de inspiración:
http://www.onedayonearth.org/page/find-a-group

También necesitamos tu ayuda para documentar embarazos, partos y recién
nacidos. Estas historias y la diversidad de la experiencia son tan
importantes que en 11/11/11 te pedimos: si conoces a alguien que está a la
espera de un bebé, y está interesada en documentar su día, por favor póngase
en contacto con nosotros: litman@onedayonearth.org

Muchas gracias por formar parte de este proyecto. Estaremos entusiasmados
en incorporar el mayor número de videos del 11/11/11 en la Proyección
Global en Febrero. Puedes leer acerca de la Proyección Global a\
continuación:
http://www.onedayonearth.org/page/global-screening

Feliz 11/11/11!

Brandon, Kyle y el equipo de Un Día en la Tierra

*** Por favor, cuenta a tus amigos que estarás filmando con Un día en la
Tierra en el 11/11/11 a través de Facebook y Twitter .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This email was sent to mark@rauterkus.com by litman@onedayonearth.org.

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--

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

The Last Call: Second Protest Announced from Mike F

2011-11-10T18:47:00.001-05:00

From: Mike Ference

PRESS RELEASE

For more information, contact:

Mike Ference

412-233-5491

mike@ferencemarketing.com

Pittsburgh, PA — November 10, 2011 — On December 5, 2011, well-known local activist Mike Ference will stage the second in a series of "Last Call" protests targeting local institutions and individuals tied to cases involving the abuse of children and young adults. The protest will take place at 10:00 AM in front of the Allegheny County Detectives Bureau in Dormont.

Ference is targeting the bureau for failing to take action after he presented detailed information about alleged clergy sex abuse, cover-ups and other criminal behavior to them several years ago. "Detectives Dennis Logan and Keith Andrews basically blew me off. They weren't the least bit interested in asking me any questions or following up on anything," Ference says.

He adds that Assistant District Attorney Laura Ditka also showed little interest, although she did help him secure the police report on the attempted murder of his son in 1989 — the event that inspired him to begin his work as an activist. Ference says he had been unable to obtain the report directly from the McKeesport Police Department, and that then-McKeesport Mayor Jim Brewster remained reluctant to release the files, even though they are considered public record.

Ference initially began investigating the attempted murder of his son because he felt the case had been botched and prematurely closed by the McKeesport police. William Scully, then Public Safety Director in Clairton, gave Ference notes on the case and encouraged him to continue investigating on his own. A central issue was whether the shooter had been sexually abused and encouraged to study the occult by a local Catholic priest. In more than two decades of work since then, Ference has uncovered and written about numerous related tales of child sexual abuse and cover-ups in the region.

"What has happened in the Mon Valley is every bit as disturbing as Cardinal Bernard Law's cover-up in the Boston Archdiocese and the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse case unfolding at Penn State," Ference says. "What I've found again and again during my investigations is that such abuse can't happen without various community stakeholders 'looking the other way.' My Last Call protests are an effort to expose some of the individuals and institutions we need to hold responsible."

Ference's December 5 protest will concentrate on one specific report of clergy sex abuse, cover-up, and possible intimidation by persons associated with the Pittsburgh Diocese. Based on an interview and email exchanges with the alleged victim, telephone conversations with the victim's parents and interviews with other individuals in community, Ference summarizes the case as follows:

In 1988, former Catholic priest John Wellinger fed drugs and alcohol to an 18-year-old college student from the University of Pittsburgh at the student's apartment. According to the victim, Wellinger also gave him a "Mickey" which knocked him out for several hours. Upon waking, the youth called 911, ran down his apartment steps and met the Pittsburgh EMS squad at the bottom. The EMS took him to the emergency room of Presbyterian University Hospital, now part of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The young man was given a bed. Wellinger followed him to the hospital and into his room. The victim asked Wellinger to get his nurse. When the nurse entered the room, the young man informed the nurse that Wellinger was the person who harmed him. The nurse ushered Wellinger out. The parents of the victim were summoned, but the victim claims that he was never seen or treated by a doctor and that the police were not called.

Ference also quotes from emails sent to him by the alleged victim: "My dad did report Wellinger's behavior. Did you forget the excommunication letter he received from the diocese that I told you about? Did you forget about my dad being forced off the rectory grounds by West Mifflin police? Or maybe you forgot that I told the nurse in the ER that night that a priest did this to me. Or maybe you forgot how my family was ostracized from the neighborhood. We weren't quiet, Mike. We were ignored. Just like you and everyone else. I was abused."

In correspondence with Rita Flaherty from the Pittsburgh Diocese, Ference has been told that the Diocese is not aware of any allegations concerning this individual. In an email dated November 9, 2011, Flaherty writes:

"If someone has come to you with information that they have been abused, please have them contact me directly at 412-456-3060 or through our hotline number 1-888-808-1235. We would want to meet with that person and hear their story first hand and see what assistance we could provide to them. After dealing with the person directly, we follow our policies of reporting any alleged abuse involving a minor (no matter how old the alleged victim is now) to the appropriate civil authorities in the area where the abuse allegedly occurred. It is certainly my desire to assist any victim of abuse with their healing to the best of my ability."

Ference says this email represents a positive change from the "deny, stonewall, cover-up and hush up" tactics that he has found to be common in cases involving clergy. However, he also feels the time for patience and gradual change is long past. "For two decades I have called on certain institutions and individuals to come forward and take responsibility for their roles — active or passive — in child sex abuse," he explains. "This is the last call — those who don't do the right thing will be 'outted' at a series of protests where I will publicize incriminating details from my 22-year investigation. Abusers who have harmed children and those who knowingly covered up the crimes will be named — I want everyone in our community to know who the bad guys are."

Additional protests are in the planning stage. Ference says UPMC Hospital in Oakland is a likely site because of its ties to the clerical abuse case discussed above. He is also considering the police departments and municipal buildings of McKeesport, Clairton, and West Mifflin, due to their involvement in the mishandled investigation of the attempted murder of his son. District Attorney Stephen Zappala's office and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette were also mentioned as stakeholders who have been more interested in protecting the church hierarchy than punishing abusers and defending children.

Ference says, "apparently in western PA the rules to protect children do not apply."

For more information on the December 5 protest or other upcoming events, call Mike Ference at 412-233-5491, or email mike@ferencemarketing.com.

--

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

First water polo players at Westinghouse. Historic!

2011-11-10T14:23:00.000-05:00

Fwd: Three Rivers Film Festival: Battle for Brooklyn this weekend!

2011-11-10T13:06:00.001-05:00

From: Melissa McSwigan

As part of the 30th annual Three Rivers Film Festival, the documentary film Battle for Brooklyn will be screened this Saturday, November 12 at 7:30 pm at the Harris Theater (downtown). The filmmakers are scheduled to appear and there will be a panel discussion with Rob Pfaffmann following the screening. Given the Civic Arena and other preservation issues, I thought this would be of interest!

Here is a short summary from Pop City:

On Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m., Brooklyn-based director-editor team Michael Galinsky and Suki Hawley will be in town to present their new award-winning documentary, Battle for Brooklyn, which will be followed by a panel discussion featuring local architect Rob Pfaffmann. Shot over seven years and compiled from 500 hours of footage, Battle for Brooklyn chronicles the very public and passionate fight waged by owners and residents facing condemnation of their property to make way for the controversial Atlantic Yards project, a massive plan to build skyscrapers and a new NBA basketball arena in the heart of Brooklyn. Described as a "gripping David and Goliath story," the film examines issues surrounding eminent domain, historic preservation and the use of public dollars to support private development.

For the Post-Gazette review (scroll down):
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11314/1188687-120-0.stm
"Battle for Brooklyn" is illuminating, inspiring, discouraging and even predictable -- funny how those promised local jobs never materialize -- and a movie for our times.

--

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

PSU predictions N@

2011-11-09T12:32:00.001-05:00

Do the victims expand (be it at a much smaller measure) to include the 55 men on the football team today, and the 20 woman volleyball squad in 2014 if $20-M evaporates at PSU because of an abrupt removal of people due to a wicked backlash?

It is an honest question.

An airplane pilot can be pulled out of the drivers seat because a co pilot some years ago became an accused rapist. But there is a full plane of different people still in flight. Auto pilot can't land that jumbo jet with confidence. We have time, space and relationship problems and these matters need to be measured in real time.

My guess is Jo Pa is in the press box on Saturday in Nebraska and is not on the sidelines or even in the stadium the final two regular season games. He will get to talk to the team a few more times. He will get to game prep with film and such. All the assistants will be gone after the regular season. A bowl game might be declined. Who in the world hires the next staff is for another day.

The Clean Rivers Campaign needs your help this Wednesday the 9th at at 5pm at the IBEW Hall on Hot Metal Street in the South Side.

2011-11-07T13:50:00.000-05:00

Do you want a say in the largest infrastructure project this area has ever seen?

Do want to create GREEN, family-sustaining jobs?

The Clean Rivers Campaign needs your help this Wednesday the 9^th at at 5pm at the IBEW Hall on Hot Metal Street in the Southside.

The campaign is organizing citizens into our project but we need to show larger community interest in the issue at this event this Wednesday.

We plan to have 100 people at press event at 5pm in the hall (since rain is predicted that day.) Folloing the press event starting at 6:00pm is an ALCOSAN Town Hall meeting where they will lay out the plan they have to fix the sewers.

The KEY POINTS of this issue:

1- Federal law and Federal court enforcement requires us to fix the sewers that put raw sewage into our rivers;

2- ALCOSAN has spent years developing a plan for this fix that the clean rivers campaign believes creates the least number of jobs (both construction and permanent maintenance) and does nothing to make our communities more livable. They want to dig deep tunnels to store the sewage when stormwater comes and treat it in expanded facilities.

3- The plan that ALCOSAN has is not affordable by the standards set by the Federal EPA. The tunnels would cost at least $4 billion and the EPA says we can afford about $2 billion. In earlier meetings (tho not in the series of Town Hall meetings already held in the last 2 weeks) ALCOSAN has said this means their plan will be rejected in January 2013 when it is submitted and that years more will be required to renegotiate the deal with the EPA.

4- At our press conference Wednesday the 9^th at 5pm the Clean Rivers Campaign will announce that we want to help ALCOSAN get a new deal with the EPA that reduces the sewer overflows significantly but also prioritizes getting the most number of construction and permanent maintenance jobs as well as the using the most green infrastructure as we can to both reduce the amount of stormwater that goes into the sewers as well as significantly improving the communities with trees, permeable parking lots and roads, green roofs and things that have proven to raise property values and bring business districts back to life.

We believe that unless the public sees us getting the most jobs and community improvements, there will be an outraged negative reaction to this whole deal that will make moving forward on fixing the sewers impossible.

The key issue: Voting for school board members

2011-11-07T10:19:00.000-05:00

Great election day article:

The key issue: Voting for school board members: The key issue: Voting for school board members
Changes needed in pupil performance
Sunday, November 06, 2011
By Harold D. Miller

Tuesday is Election Day, and the most important vote you cast will be for people you almost never hear about: the members of your local school board.

[WTP] Schulz Returns to Wall Street -- Constitution Is Heard -- Endorse your approval

2011-11-06T19:05:00.001-05:00

November 6, 2011

Schulz Returns to Wall Street

The Constitution Is Heard

Endorse your approval at www.OccupyTheConstitution.org

On Wednesday, November 2 at 7pm, the Constitution had a notable event at Occupy Wall Street.

Bob Schulz and Judith Whitmore were first to address the OWS General Assembly on the steps of Liberty Plaza to present a "report back" on the OWS Constitution Working Group. The group was initiated by Bob on October 8, to give the Constitution a voice among those seeking to define and solve our Nation's problems.

On this night, speaking to about 1,500 occupiers using the "People's Mic" method, they reported the fact that the Constitution Working Group had produced a Statement of Beliefs and posted it on a new domain www.OccupyTheConstitution.org.

The setting of the park has changed considerably. For revolutionary buffs, the scene somehow reminds of Washington's encampment at Valley Forge. All available space is now taken up with tents, huddled together, except for information and media areas, the food line and a narrow aisle to access these. We are told generators have been removed by the police and one wonders how the occupiers can or will endure the winter weather.

We offer a written "re-enactment" of exactly what was said. Imagine yourself there, repeating every few words, with hundreds of others, so those behind you could receive and transmit the message. The "people's mic" is how the occupiers communicate without a PA system.

Yells Bob: "HI, I'M BOB!....." (assembly repeats)

Yells Judith: "HI, I'M JUDITH!....(assembly repeats) THANK YOU..(etc) FOR ALL YOU DO! (etc)"

Bob: "THE CONSTITUTION WORKING GROUP..OF OCCUPY WALL STREET..HAS PRODUCED...THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT OF BELIEFS..AS A PLATFORM..FOR RECOMMENDED FUTURE ACTIONS..TO SOLVE THE NATION'S PROBLEMS... INCLUDING..BAILOUTS..CORPORATE PERSONHOOD..WAR..UNSOUND MONEY...AND DEBT."

Judith: "THE CONSTITUTION WORKING GROUP...ASKS THAT THESE BELIEFS..NOW BE CONSIDERED..BY ALL PEOPLE...IN AND OUT OF THE OCCUPY MOVEMENT..PONDER THESE..AND MAKE KNOWN YOUR APPROVAL..

Bob: "THE STATEMENT OF BELIEFS...IS NOW POSTED...AT WWW.OCCUPYTHECONSTITUTIONL.ORG (there are cheers with this announcement)...GO THERE...STUDY IT... SIGNIFY YOUR APPROVAL...

Judith: "THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO HEAR...FROM MILLIONS OF US..UNITED IN PURPOSE AND SPIRIT...WE ARE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE...WE ARE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE..WE ARE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE...WE ARE FREE! .....WE ARE FREE! ...... WE ARE FREE!

Bob: "WE HAVE COPIES OF THE STATEMENT OF BELIEFS HERE FOR ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE ONE. THANK YOU."

There was applause. Bob and Judith were then surrounded by very appreciative people who wanted a copy and volunteered to help pass them out to the crowd. New people joined the Constitution Working group, including two law school students.

The Voice of the Constitution was heard. It felt GOOD and RIGHT.

One woman said with tears in her eyes: "I have been here since September and this is what I had hoped for."

NEXT STEPS: WHAT NOW?

We invite you to go to www.OccupyTheConstitution.org , an online "kiosk," to signify your approval of the Statement of Beliefs by giving an electronic signature.

Know that the Constitution has the power to unite People under a single umbrella of shared Principles regardless of what party one may belong to or whom one may vote for.

Most importantly, know that the Constitution protects and embodies many Rights and powers possessed by the People, some well known, others long-forgotten, that hold the promise -- should we successfully organize and wield such powers en masse, to redirect the future course of events and peaceably hold government accountable for the dark violations of our Constitution which are the root cause of all that now ails America.

Please take the time to blast, post, tweet and talk about the Statement of Beliefs.

It is statement of common Principles. It is a statement of shared Beliefs. It is a restatement and recognition of the vision and concept for Earthly governance held by our Founders many years ago. Critically, if enough of We the People rally to its call, it will become the working Platform by which the People will once again assert their Natural Sovereignty over their servant governments to cleanse and correct that which has brought endless wars, economic disintegration and untold human tragedy to our Republic.

Encourage People to sign. Millions ought to. Millions must if we expect the Banks, Corporations and Politicians to be attentive and responsive.

The Statement of Beliefs is the Platform from which the Free People of America will launch First Amendment Petitions for Redress, formally Instructing our elected officials to end their certain, and continuing violations of the Constitution.

The Instructions will be rooted in the requirements and prohibitions scribed within the Constitution and designed to be served on the President, Congress, State Legislatures, Mayors and other local government officials.

The Instructions will include facts showing the violations.

The Instructions will offer a constitutional pathway to peaceful, viable solutions for what ails America now.

The People will learn that Acts of Government by our elected officials, outside the strict and very limited written authorities of Law within the Constitution are simply unlawful. If it isn't in writing, government CANNOT DO IT.

We the People may have been guilty of inattention and/or negligence allowing elected officials to stray from the dictates of the Constitution, but we are waking up en masse and still possess vast Powers and Rights to hold government accountable.

If there are enough of us, we will peacefully do whatever it takes to restore constitutional governance in America and get this Nation back on track.

The domain www.OccupyTheConstitution.org will maintain a narrow focus, serving as a "kiosk" where the people will go to read nothing but the Statement of Beliefs and each Instruction/Petition and signify their approval.

Your country needs you. Will you answer the Call?

WORD TRAVELS FAST

Remarkably, within twelve hours (by 8 AM the next morning), Karl Denniger, a well known entrepreneur and financial/economic analyst, posted a potent article about the Statement of Beliefs.

On his popular website www.Market-Ticker.org (see the article "OWS Constitution Working Group"), Denninger posted the entire Statement of Beliefs, made reference to certain Founding Fathers and challenged the Tea Party and others to rally around the Principles articulated in the Statement as they set course to solve the intractable problems plaguing our nation.

Here's exactly what Denninger had to say, following his repost of the OWS Working Group's Statements of Belief:

Where are those alleged bomb-throwing anarchists eh?

Yes, this is one of many working groups and has no force of consensus in the form of having passed a General Assembly.

Yet.

But this ought to make those of you who have claimed that the "Occupy" movement is somehow intended to remove our Constitution and replace it with Marxism (or worse) sit down and smell the coffee.

Why not tea? Because the so-called Tea Party couldn't be bothered to put this at the forefront of what they stood for. They turned into "Guns" (that one's actually in the Constitution), "Gays" (uh, that's not, and in fact is exactly the opposite of what the tea party claims in this regard!) and "God" (uh, again, First Amendment; freedom of religion is not we choose, you obey when it comes to religion is it?)

The flame-out you've seen among those who claim to be in the linear descendant chain of Sam Adams' political thought comes from the fact that they couldn't be bothered to actually call a general strike. To actually interrupt commerce so as to protest taxation. To engage in proportional response to the looting that has taken place -- for instance, by handing out fliers in front of every TBTF bank branch across the country asking people to boycott and naming their admitted crimes (you have so many to pick from and the best part of choosing from the ones admitted to is that it's in their own words!) and more. In short, to do as Sam Adam s did, and believe not in the tired old divisive politics of BS and hate but rather to focus on The Constitution and its restoration.

Hell, among so-called "Tea Party" folks I can't recall any, other than a handful of bloggers (myself and FedUp included) who have called for or participated in any sort of direct action. We have a few over on Tickerforum sporting American Flags next to their names -- they have participated in some sort of peaceful and lawful direct demonstration. But where are the so-called "Tea Party" on this score?

Absent, that's where.

So into the vacuum steps "Occupy Wall Street", and out of the Constitution working group comes this. Not bomb-throwing anarchy, not some sort of wild proposal to re-write The Constitution to be a leftist, Marxist dream ticket, but an actual statement of principles that is fully in concordance with SAM ADAMS, THOMAS JEFFERSON and the rest of those who were part of the REAL Tea Party.

If you recall when I first started blogging about "OWS" I pointed out that there was about a two week period where I hadn't written anything as I was feeling my way around the edges of what this movement really was -- doing my own investigation, my own background work. Since that time I've been a supporter predicated on it being a lawful exercise of one's Constitutionally-recognized rights.

I also pointed out that there was real risk in this movement -- that the people there had gotten the "who dunnit" right, but that most of them didn't understand how it happened. This is not surprising; the "how" is difficult and those who did the scamming made it intentionally so.

Well, this Statement of Beliefs is not the end of the debate as to whether OWS will turn into something both powerful and positive, but it is a clear statement of purpose in the right direction.

Those of you on the right who have claimed that this is all some sort of anarchist or communist movement have egg on your face this morning. The knee-jerk reaction will undoubtedly be to both ignore this document and work product and sling mud.

The constructive thing to do is what I've been trying to do since I made my decision on how to proceed -- engagement, education and promotion of both a positive and lawful message and set of principles.

You now have a a platform from an actual OWS working group that no true Sam Adams' political devotee can argue with.

We will now find out from the commentary and actions of these groups within the next days and weeks whether those who claim to be "Tea Partiers" really are Constitutionalists or whether they are in fact defecating on Sam Adams' grave.

Denninger, clearly having done some level of due diligence, goes on to end his piece making a none-too-oblique reference to Bob Schulz and the WTP Foundation whose efforts resulted in the creation of the OWS Constitution Working Group:

Ps: Yes, before you ask, I am well-aware of who owns that domain. This is called engagement folks, and it's what I've been preaching. See..... it works!

Please go to the kiosk and add your signature to the Statement of Beliefs.

Again, the full article by Karl Denninger can be found here: http://www.market-ticker.org/akcs-www?post=196948. We note that hundreds of other blog sites subscribe to Denninger reports and have posted the Statement and his views, along with their own comments.

A Mission Without Resources?

Please take a moment to remember that it takes significant funding for We The People to continue moving our vital mission forward. Like every organization today we have significant, and simply unavoidable monthly costs for technology, legal research, travel, professional services and of course, just to keep the lights on. (Please remember there is no paid staff at WTP!) Simply put, your contributions, no matter how modest or how infrequent, are critical to our organization. You, the supporters of We The People, are what breathes life to WTP. You are the sole source of that which keeps our vision alive and which each day brings the Light of Liberty closer for us all.< BR>
To make a one-time general donation to the Foundation, click here or use the PayPal button just below. Additional support options, including monthly subscription memberships and donations, appear below.

No PayPal account or log-on is necessary!

Year-End Fundraiser!
The 2012 WTP Freedom Calendars Now Available.

This year again, we offer our WTP 2012 Freedom Calendars as an intelligent, timely gift for those who want to know and share what is Precious and Fundamental to our Beloved America. The calendars make great gifts for family, friends, customers and business associates.

                     Our mailing address: 2458 Ridge Road , Queensbury, NY 12804

          You, the People, are the only ones
           who can save the Constitution.

We The People Foundation For Constitutional Education
2458 Ridge Road, Queensbury, New York 12804
http://givemeliberty.org/
________________________________
To send an email to Bob Schulz
mailto:bob@givemeliberty.org

--

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

Baylor University || Baylor Nation || On-Campus Stadium Getting a Closer Look

2011-11-05T21:58:00.000-04:00

Baylor University || Baylor Nation || On-Campus Stadium Getting a Closer Look: On-Campus Stadium Getting a Closer Look

And in other news:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11309/1187842-66.stm

A school plan from Walter Reid for PPS, FWIW N@

2011-11-01T10:36:00.001-04:00

Source is reported to be, WALTER REID JET1931@AOL.COM and his plan:

Walter A. Reid

JET1931@AOL.COM

I have devised a plan that may help improve the quality of education of urban public schools. This plan will offer competition to charter, private and perhaps voucher schools, and will halt or slow down the outflow of our better parental managed students.

The public school teachers are dedicated hard workers however, they now find themselves in a pickle. This is because some students lack motivation and don't like school. The teachers are faced with student apathy, absenteeism and parental neglect. The neglected children should have an assisted living facility, but that is another matter. Yet the teacher is often blamed, by conservative groups who feel they have the answers. Therefore, the teachers now have the responsibility to indoctrinate our children in a system that may give them the incentive to remain in school. This regimental training will give our children a chance at life. This will then increase the property value and outlook about the community. The public school teacher must recognize the importance of competitiveness and organization in our public schools in order to compete with charter, private and perhaps voucher schools.

I believe school should start 8:00 am and close at 5:00 pm. from grades 1 through 9.

Teachers who do not teach Math, English and Science should arrive at 8:00 am and remain until 3:00 pm. The Math, English and Science teachers should start 10:00 am and remain until 5:00 pm.

The students will stay until 5:00 pm. From 4:00 pm until 5:00 pm the students are to remain to do Math, English and Science homework daily with the Math, English and Science teachers present. If a student should encounter any difficulty, this would be the teacher’s responsibility.

By obtaining a note from the parent the student could remain after 5:00 pm to 5:30 for a snack.

Reasons listed below are:

1) Study after study found students learn better with a later start time.

2) The children are often neglected in their own environment. No reading material is in some homes nor parental guidance given.

3) The additional two hours will slow down gang recruitment.

4) A snack is given, in case the child has nothing to eat at home.

5) My plan may probably cut down on our prison population our tax dollars are paying for.

Today’s climate of austerity is forcing us to grapple with the reality, and a good deal of our current education spending is ill directed. Teachers will always be the key to unlocking student’s imaginations. As an example Algebra is a gatekeeper course for some of us. Failure to master the subject means exclusion from advanced mathematics and reducing chances of admission to a selective college. We can no longer afford not to emphasize the importance of our children contributing to our country.

You as a teacher are our leaders, and will be long remembered by children into adulthood thru your unselfishness and generosity towards them. If it were not for teachers in public education, we would not be able to express ourselves, as I have.

Musical group: Emma's Revolution: "Occupy the USA!" Download & WashPost Story

2011-11-01T10:31:00.000-04:00

emma's revolution - What's New! - "Occupy the USA!" Download & WashPost Story: "Occupy the USA!" Download & WashPost Story

Commissioner Miller Mt. Lebanon Update

2011-10-31T20:34:00.001-04:00

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

From: Daniel Miller <danielmillerpa@gmail.com>

Date: Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:49:21 -0400

Subject: Commissioner Miller Mt. Lebanon Update

Greetings!

It has been awhile since my last Commission Update email so I thought it would be good to recap some recent issues before the 2012 Budget Hearings begin.

One quick note to start with- if you would like to keep up on my latest work as 5th Ward Commissioner and Commission President, you can now follow me on Twitter @DanielLMiller. I will attempt to use this account frequently over the next two months and during our budget discussions to provide greater insight into Commission decision-making progress. Hope to see you there!

Below are highlighted topics of note and links to more information available on my website at www.danmillerward5.com

Recreation Pool and Field Improvements

Many people know that the Municipality was considering up to $12-15 million worth of Pool and Field improvements when I was elected in 2007. I worked throughout my term with a variety of Commissioners to present a flexible plan to handle both issues for no more than $7 million. The following lists of posts gives the most recent updates on that topic:

1) Motion for Staff Report on all related issues regarding possible Municipal Pool and Field improvements- information available here

2) Full text of Compromise Rec Improvement Resolution with historical account- information available here

3) Synopsis of Defeat of Rec Improvement Resolution- information available here

4) Latest on Compromise Rec Resolution- information available here

5) The Importance of Transparency- What is a RFP?- information available here

Municipal Website Updates

1) New Online Taxpayer Receipt coming- information available here

2) Update on New Municipal website progress- information available here

Magazine Article

In my final MTL Magazine Article I talk up some of the tough decisions we have made in relation to cost-cutting measures that impacted our Municipal staff- but not our services.

1) My latest and final MTL Magazine Article- information available here

Parking Authority Consolidation

1) Consolidation on target for end of the year- information available here

Mt. Lebanon Veterans Memorial Update

1) Big grant received and bid awarded- information available here

Other New Initiatives

1) A bipartisan effort was passed to treat our full time employees equally- information available here

2) New program in Lebo adding greater security for at-risk wanderers- information available here

Quick note as to the upcoming Election:

As some of you may know, although I have been honored to serve on the Mt. Lebanon Commission I have decided not to seek another term. This means that the Commission might have as many as three new Commissioners in January. I hope that all of you who have cared enough to contact me with questions during the last fours years will likewise care enough to vote on November 8th. These positions are very important to our town so I urge you to make an informed decision. To assist with your research I have included the following candidate websites/emails for your convenience:

John Bendel- http://votebendel.com/

Kristen Linfante- http://votelinfante.com/

Joe DeIuliis- no known website but I email him at hohum1007@verizon.net

Bill Hoon- no known website but I email him at bchoon@verizon.net

Kelly Fraasch- http://www.kellyfraasch.com/

and we do have the following School Board candidates-

James Cannon- http://www.james-cannon.com/

Ed Kubit/Scott Goldman- http://www.electscottanded.com/

Elaine Cappucci, Larry Lebowitz, and Bill Cooper- http://www.voteccl.com/

Best,

Dan Miller

5th Ward Commissioner

Meet the Press

2011-10-31T17:19:00.002-04:00

How to fix the US Congress

2011-10-31T17:09:00.001-04:00

Warren Buffett said: "I could end the deficit in 5 minutes." Speaking with CNBC he said: " You just pass a law that says anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election. The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18-year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971... before computers, e-mail, cell phones, etc. Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took a year or less to become the law of the land... all because of public pressure.
Warren Buffett is asking each addressee to forward this email to a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask each of those to do likewise. In three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one idea that really should be passed around.
*Congressional Reform Act of 2011*
No Tenure/ No Pension. A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.
Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.
Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of the CPI or 3%.
Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/2012. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their terms and then go home and back to work!
If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will only take three days for most people (in the U.S.) to receive the message. Maybe it is time.
THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!!!!! If you agree with the above, pass it on.

Judge for sale: David W.

2011-10-31T14:01:00.000-04:00

A press release issued today by the Republicans regarding the Democrats' attempt to buy their way on to Pennsylvania's Superior Court.

Judge For Sale

After issuing a pledge to refuse contributions from "third-party, big money, special interest groups" that have an "infecting influence in Pennsylvania elections," Democrat candidate for Superior Court David Wecht took $300,000 from a PAC bankrolled by Philadelphia trial lawyers in a desperate attempt to buy his way to victory.That's $300,000, or 60% of his fundraising, coming from a special interest group.

Sound suspicious?

We're sounding the alarm on David Wecht's attempt to buy his way onto the bench and I hope you will join our fight.

There are a few things you can do:

-Contact your local newspaper and write a letter to the editor denouncing Wecht's attempt to buy justice. E-mail us if you need assistance.

-Donate to the PA GOP and help us fight against these special interests

-Help us elect principled candidates to the bench instead and volunteer for Vic Stabile for Superior Court and Anne Covey for Commonwealth Court.

I hope you will join us to send a simple message: justice is not for sale.

Valerie CarasCommunications and Technology DirectorRepublican Party of Pennsylvania

www.pagop.org

Short Political Ad for Ron Paul

2011-10-30T14:53:00.003-04:00

Fwd: Fw: Multible Employment Positions Available--please share--Hiring immediately

2011-10-28T23:06:00.001-04:00

From: RFlanag@aol.com

(Far below is information on positions available with the Community Learns program operated by Neighborhood Learning Alliance, 218 N. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206.

After School program Site Coordinators, Assistant Site Coordinators, and Tutors/Classroom Assistance positions are available. Send your resume to Steve MacIsaac, Executive Director----macisaac2@neighborhoodlearning.org)

FULL TIME OPEN POSITION--Please share out..

Employment Outreach Coordinator

EASTSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD EMPLOYMENT CENTER

Pittsburgh CONNECTS, 5321 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224 – 412-362-8580

Title: Employment Outreach Associate

Reports to: Managing Director

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employment Status: Full-time

Salary: $30,000 to $34,000

To Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume to Rflanag@aol.com.

Job Summary

Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center (ENEC) serves as a regional resource center for job seekers that primarily reside or work in the Garfield, East Liberty and Lawrenceville communities, and manages the employment component of the Garfield Pittsburgh CONNECTS Computer Lab. Pittsburgh CONNECTS serves to expand broadband access across Pittsburgh, and has a four-fold focus on technology, health, education, and employment. Both ENEC and Pittsburgh CONNECTS labs host multiple programs each month, and operate as drop-in centers for the community. On average over 250 people utilize our services each month.

The Employment Outreach Coordinator role is a dynamic and diverse position providing support for the ENEC to implement the employment component of the Pittsburgh CONNECTS lab. Working primarily in the ENEC employment lab, the associate will assist clients with computer use and employment resources. Additionally, this position includes managing and organizing recruitment and marketing efforts for each of the initiatives. In participation with the East End Works, the associate will also assist clients in three satellite employment/tech center sites located in the Pittsburgh area. Recruitment efforts include both social media and outreach work in the community.

The Employment Outreach Associate must be a highly motivated, independent person who has a passion for community engagement, the will to push an agenda, and the expertise to effectively perform this multi-faceted position. The associate will be responsible for the following:

•               Manage recruiting and marketing campaigns for ENEC and Lab events and classes, including planning and developing recruitment strategies in the community.

•               Provide daily assistance with clients utilizing the drop-in lab around employment resources and computer literacy;

•               Assist clients with resume building, online job search and online applications

•               Network with regional leaders and local businesses to secure new employment opportunities

•               Utilize and update our powerful database system for clients and employers ;

•               Performs any and all other duties assigned for which the employee is qualified and physically able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation.

What it takes to be a Community Outreach Associate:

•               Must have at least a bachelor's degree and be comfortable using computer and internet technology; experience with marketing preferred;

•               Proven experience with grassroots organizing and recruitment preferred.

•               Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, with ever shifting priorities.

•               Excellent writing skills, highly organized, and the ability to easily maintain paper and electronic files;

•               Strong listening and verbal communication skills, exceptional interpersonal skills and a customer service background;

•               3-5 years experience in social services or employment services;

•               Proficient in Microsoft Office (including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel); Strong internet navigation skills;

•               Current (or ability to quickly receive) Act 33/34 clearances

•               Valid Driver's License and proof of car insurance.

Working Conditions

The incumbent will perform the duties of the position in the employment/computer lab and in the greater Pittsburgh community. He/she will have extensive direct contact with clients and will spend a large percentage of their time out of the office. Extensive communication with other agencies and employers is necessary. The position involves using a computer, modem, social media, copy machine, telephone, and periodic automobile transportation will be necessary. The position involves working with highly confidential information.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related tasks that are within their abilities other than those specifically presented in this document.

Chip in for fighting with the SEA to save the Civic Arena

2011-10-28T12:22:00.000-04:00

www.reusetheigloo.org

www.preservationpittsburgh.org

Last week, a judge denied the SEA’s request for “summary affirmance”. This means that the case to prevent demolition of the Pittsburgh Civic Arena will likely be heard and we must file additional paperwork for our appeal next week unless we withdraw the case due to lack of funds!
In Thursday’s Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Mary Conturo, SEA Exec Director, confirmed that the SEA still intends to apply for federal funding. This statement adds further validity that the SEA is breaking the spirit, if not the letter, of the federal preservation law in demolishing the Civic Arena. This could provide further ammunition for our appeal. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11300/1185326-53-0.stm
Board members of Preservation Pittsburgh are tentatively committing an additional $20,000 in pledges toward our legal fees. We need a match for us to reach our need of $58,000 We need to act quickly!
Even though demolition of the roof has already started, the SEA has not yet deconstructed the structural part of the roof – only the removal of surface stainless steel and asbestos. We don’t know when our appeal will be heard. If we should win, we could ask for an injunction to stop further demolition before our case is heard in district court. In the meantime, demolition continues.
This case has the potential to set national implications for the anticipatory demolition provisions of Federal Law. Preservation cases around the country could be affected by the outcome of this case. We also need time to recruit a world class organization, Cirque du Soleil as a prime tenant! Go to www.reusetheigloo.org to learn more!
Scott Leib, Preservation Pittsburgh
Rob Pfaffmann, Reuse the Igloo!

Free Weekly Workshops at 3 Trek of Pittsburgh locations.

2011-10-27T19:06:00.001-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------

These are mostly beginner workshops, though we're planning more
advanced topics for early in the new year. If you're new to cycling
or know someone is, come join us/spread the word!

Beginning November 8, each Trek of Pittsburgh location will host a
free weekly clinic*. For your convenience, the topic of the week will
be covered Tuesdays at the Robinson store, Wednesdays in Cranberry,
and Thursdays at the Shadyside location. If you can't make it to your
neighborhood Trek of Pittsburgh, catch the session across town on
another evening! The talks will begin at 6:30 pm. As a bonus,
participants will earn five T.O.P. dollars for every unique seminar
they attend! Plus, take advantage of a smoking deal on the featured
item of the week. Check our home page for updates on these exclusive
offers.

* Please note: Some weeks will be skipped in observance of the
holidays. See the schedule below for details. Visit www.trekofpgh.com
for directions.

Schedule:

Week 1 November 8, 9, 10 Maintenance on the go/ Fix-A-Flat

If you haven't yet mastered the art of fixing a flat, you'll have it
down by the end of this clinic. Bring your front wheel and some elbow
grease, and we'll have you prying like a pro. In addition to flat
repair, the workshop will cover what to take with you on your rides
and some other basic maintenance topics like chain cleaning/lube.

Week 2 November 15, 16, 17 Say "NO" to the off season

Not ready to say goodbye? We share your sentiments. With the right
gear you can keep riding outside year around. In this seminar, we'll
teach how to stay comfortable from head to toe in a variety of weather
conditions. Come learn about the key to it all-- the base layer.

Week 3 Nov 29, 30, & Dec 1 A Guide to Indoor Training

Unlock the mystery of the indoor trainer. We'll begin the clinic by
explaining the differences between the various models, then we'll let
you try them out and compare for yourself. This workshop will also
cover how to set up your bike and some tips and tricks for keeping
your workouts fun and interesting.

Weeks 4-10 TBA Check Back!

--

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

Fwd: Red Light Camera Bill Passes PA Senate

2011-10-27T06:09:00.001-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Gary Denese

SB595, An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for display of registration plate and for automated red light enforcement systems in first class cities, was passed yesterday by a vote of 35-14 with one abstention. Southwestern PA senators voting against the measure were Jim Ferlo (D-38), Jane Orie (R-40) and Elder A. Vogel, Jr. (R-47). John Pippy (R-37) was the lone abstention. The bill would permit more Pennsylvania cities, including Pittsburgh, to install red light cameras. Similar legislation in the House, HB821 , providing for automated red light enforcement systems in second class, second class A and third class cities, currently sits in the Transportation Committee.

Get ready for more Big Brother surveillance, state revenue raising and vehicular accidents.

Installing red-light-running cameras statewide was one of the recommendations made by Governor Corbett's Transportation Funding Advisory Commission in it's final report on long-term transportation funding options for the state released in August. Scroll down to "Traffic Control, Enforcement, & Safety" on pages 26 and 27 (PDF page 16): ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/TFAC/TFAC%20Final%20Report%20-%20Spread%20Version.pdf

Last year, Senator Ferlo told the Pittsburgh Tribune Review that he hopes the red-light camera plan 'dies a slow death', stating "this thing is very Orwellian", and the bill (at that time) "is just fraught with problems and associated with a lack of due process", and that he thinks "it's fundamentally about raising revenue".
Mr Ferlo, it seems, is correct on all accounts.

In an interview with Liberty News Network's Sam Antonio at the Liberty Political Action Conference 2011, Shawn Dow, a member of the Arizona Campaign For Liberty Board of Directors, stated that the issuance of red light camera (or photo radar) tickets violates the Fifth Amendment right to due process. There is no right to discovery and no way for issuees to fight the tickets in court. They are denied their right to question their accuser, because the tickets are signed electronically by a law enforcement officer (the accuser), and he or she never has to testify that they issued the ticket. The tickets are actually issued by a private Australian company traded on the Australian stock exchange tracking people via Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR). Issuees are essentially forced to testify against themselves. Law enforcement authorities don't know for sure that you were the driver at the time the infraction took place unless you admit to it, but according to Mr. Dow they don't really care, because they have lowered the burden of proof down to the preponderance of the evidence, so you're still considered guilty no matter what you say. They consider you responsible simply because the vehicle is registered in your name, so you're guilty until proven innocent and charged with a crime you didn't commit if someone else was driving your vehicle.

It also violates the Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial if the fine exceeds $20 (some of these tickets exceed $700) and the Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection clause, because so many groups and classifications of people are exempt from the issuance of photo radar tickets like law enforcement officers, judges and elected officials, those with vehicles registered under corporate names or trusts and people from out of state or country.

Red light camera proponents, including politicians, argue that they reduce the number of intersection crashes, which is cited in the PA Transportation Funding Advisory Commission's report (see pages cited above), but Mr. Dow states that there are numerous studies proving that red light cameras have actually increased accidents, and by as much as 480% in Peoria, AZ, where the cameras are now being turned off, thus proving that the politicians are lying about the issue and are actually putting people at risk. When the cameras are installed, the yellow signal time is immediately lowered, thus making the intersections much more dangerous, but the authorities get to make more money off of it, because 95% of all people issued tickets by red light cameras are making righthand turns on red. The cameras can't tell the difference and only see that someone is crossing the stop bar line.

Mr. Dow essentially says that these cameras are not at all about making people safer, but are simply another revenue raising scheme designed to cover up politicians' inept budgeting skills. The efforts of Campaign For Liberty activists have gotten the cameras banned in 15 states and 18 cities, including Los Angeles, where authorities couldn't get anyone to pay the tickets, because people knew they were illegal and could just throw them in the trash without responding to them and they'd get dismissed in 120 days. It was finally decided that there was no point in continuing to put the public at risk, because the revenue promised by photo radar tickets was not materializing.

Shawn Dow Interview LPAC 2011 - YouTube
Red-Light Cameras IncreaseAccidents: 5 Studies That Prove It
Santa's helpers disable naughty cameras in Tempe - YouTube

Gary D

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Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

Pittsburgh councilman proposes expanded tax abatement program

2011-10-26T13:32:00.000-04:00

Bill Peduto, this is called "Corporate Welfare" -- and it sucks.

Pittsburgh councilman proposes expanded tax abatement program: Pittsburgh City Councilman Bill Peduto today introduced legislation that aims to stimulate development with a modified tax abatement program.

The Tea Party Nation's Sellout

2011-10-26T08:08:00.001-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Nelson Hultberg - Americans for a Free Republic

The Tea Party Nation's Sellout

On February 19, 2009, CNBC commentator Rick Santelli put forth a marvelous patriotic rant for several minutes declaring that Americans should stand up and protest the Obama administration's outrageous socialist policies. And he promised to organize a Chicago Tea Party to help publicize the cause later in July.

Little did he know at the time what he had wrought. He was cheered vehemently by millions of libertarians, conservatives, and independents throughout America. By April 15th "tea parties" in more than 750 cities held demonstrations. The fervor for revitalizing Samuel Adams' 1773 Boston Tea Party rebellion against the oppressive English spread in waves across modern America. The call went out to stand against Washington's domination of our lives just as the patriots of our founding era had done. And it was met magnificently. The protests swelled into July and culminated in a massive "taxpayers march on DC" on September 12, 2009 that numbered several hundred thousand marchers.

Out of this, many of us in the libertarian and conservative movements developed high hopes that the history of Lexington and Concord could be repeated -- not violently, but intellectually and democratically. Could we not spawn a new Sons of Liberty for the modern day who would do as Sam Adams' boys had done in the beginning? The original Sons of Liberty in 1773 became the hub of a profound wheel that fanned out across the colonies with intrepid spokes of brilliance to galvanize Americans against the tyranny of King George. The combination of their provocative protests with the philosophical thought of the likes of Locke and Jefferson brought us the Declaration of Independence, the Revolution, and the birth of the world's first free nation at Philadelphia's Independence Hall in 1787. Out of such kernels of intrepidity, usher forth all the giant societal changes in mankind's fortunes. When heroic men and women of integrity become acquainted with great philosophical truth, they become willing to stand against the tides of corruption and conformity inherent in all statist establishments. To such revolutionary paragons we owe much.

It was a heady time to be alive in September of 2009. The contemptible Marxist-Keynesian political control over Americans -- orchestrated by professorial cheerleaders in the universities and enabled so shamefully by a lapdog media -- would surely now be brought to account. The dreadful decadence and destruction of our country that had been slithering over us for the past 50 years would be exposed. Americans would rally to drive out the Demopublican usurpers of our rights and liberties. New leaders would be brought to the helm of the Republican Party to challenge the vice grip that the neocon pundits, the corporatists, and the elite bankers held over the party's policy directives. The vision of Jefferson would be restored to Washington. Heady times indeed.

Einstein's Definition of Insanity

But throughout 2009 even though many of us held high hopes, we remained suspicious of any movement that set out to "reform the GOP." Such reform visions had been the goals of countless organizations and prominent activists ever since the early days of Barry Goldwater in 1960. And what had they brought us? Nothing but relentless capitulation to the welfare-warfare state for 50 years.

We realized a terrible fact that the Tea Party marchers were not facing up to: Republicans have, for many decades now, approached politics like mules -- stupidly and stodgily repeating the same course that they have trekked for decades. The history of the GOP is Einstein's definition of insanity -- doing the same thing over and over, yet expecting different results.

From Eisenhower to Nixon to Ford to Reagan to Daddy Bush to little boy George, the GOP has lived by one rule: once in Washington, waste no time in capitulating to Democratic socialism because that is where the votes are. Always put re-election above the country, above freedom, and above honor. If the Democrats increase spending by $200 billion in any given year, then Republicans must increase it also. Of course, our fearless Republicans only push for increases of $180 billion, and in so doing they conceive of themselves as brave defenders of the pass, as modern day Rolands at Roncesvalles. How paltry these GOP mules appear to those of us who have studied history and grasp the inherent weaknesses of human nature, to those of us who are willing to view the big picture rather than merely the next election and the assumption of power.

Neocons like Newt Gingrich and Dick Armey have done what we on the radical right feared. They have sucked the Tea Party into the black hole of their Demopublican monopoly. Gingrich and Armey quickly positioned their organizations to co-opt the Tea Party movement. And the Tea Party leaders, so flattered with this emergent courtship and accompanying media prominence, now conceive of themselves as "profound revolutionaries" that are going to heroically reform the GOP. This is the kiss of death for the Tea Party. Gingrich, Armey and their cohorts are the epitome of what is wrong with the conservative movement in America. They pay only lip service to freedom's ideals. When it comes time to match the rhetoric with action and adherence to principle, they cave in to the debt sirens like female groupies falling into the sack at a rock star's after-performance party. Yet Judson Phillips of Tea Party Nation writes worshipful articles now praising the merits of neocon Newt Gingrich for President. Power rather than principle is what Phillips and the Tea Party Nation want, and they will hop onto the backs of the most disgraceful of solons to get it. This game has been played by conservatives for five decades now, and it gets us nothing but bigger and uglier government.

To paraphrase biblical wisdom, what does it benefit conservatives to win power if it must be done by joining with liberals and neocons to expand the usurpations of the state? What has been gained but a disgraceful charade? This, I submit, is the political history of the Republican Party for the past 50 years -- a disgraceful charade. Even the fabled Reagan swelled the welfare state and debt prodigiously over his eight years in office. Does Judson Phillips actually think that the likes of Newt Gingrich and Herman Cain will somehow reverse the course of this runaway socialist freight train we have created in Washington?

Stop the Disgraceful Charade

If one is brave enough to face up to this disgraceful charade on the part of the GOP, then the next step is to be brave enough to stop being a mule, to stop blindly doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

Yet what do we hear from 80% of the conservatives in the Tea Party movement? "We need to concentrate," they say, "on electing to office better, more conservative Republicans who will go to Washington with a clear commitment to reduce government spending. We need to take over control of the GOP." These, of course, are the same platitudinous mouthings that conservative activists have been exhorting for 50 years. This is what I mean by being mules. A harsh word to call fellow conservatives; but unfortunately their blindness regarding the past 50 years dictates such a label.

Oh, Tea Party conservatives do have great aspirations just as those activists in the '60s, '70s, and '80s had. They envision an army of Republican Jimmy Stewarts, like his character in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, marching to the Potomac and turning the tyrannical federal beast into a true limited governing body again.

What the mules are missing, however, is that once the new conservative Mr. Smiths get ensconced in the capital city, they soon get bit by the power disease and realize that it is much easier to win votes by playing the pork and subsidy game, that it is much easier to get big campaign donations by conveying special privileges to the corporations. They quickly succumb to the sordid favor dispensing game and join the ranks of the Demopublican big spenders. Very few, if any, Ron Pauls emerge from these "better, more conservative Republicans."

Why? Because without a third-party in the race, and most specifically in the National TV Presidential Debates, there is no counteracting force to mandate that the Republicans continue to try and distinguish themselves from the Democrats. Without the people being aware of another vision (e.g., that of honest money and equal tax rates), they will not demand that the Republicans change their stripes. If there is no demand from the voters, then these "better, more conservative Republicans" quickly get consumed by the Washington beast of big government. That ol' devil human nature gets in the way of their original, noble aspirations. They end up choosing another term of acquiescence to statism -- with all its celebrity in Washington -- instead of fighting for true tax reform, which brings the risk of losing on Election Day and having to return to the obscurity of life in Midville.

Unless the tax system is changed to a genuine equal-rate tax that everyone has to pay (i.e., no exemptions for anyone) there is no hope to ever reduce the ruinous levels of government spending we now endure. The "infinite demand for government services" that is bankrupting us stems from our progressive income tax system that exempts 50% of the nation's voters from paying taxes. If those 50% are not dinged proportionally as everyone else is, then they can't possibly have any real desire to eliminate Washington's egregious conveyance of entitlements. They're not paying for them. This is one of the cardinal laws of economics. If government benefits are free, then demand for them will be infinite. Only by enacting a 10% equal-rate tax for everyone can this irresponsibility be ended.

Conservative freedom seekers are wasting their time with any and all political activism without this paramount tax reform. It is the all-important linchpin. And there is no chance to get such a radical tax reform measure passed unless an independent candidate makes a Ross Perot style run and gains entrance into the National TV Presidential Debates to sell 70 million Americans on such a reform's crucial necessity in stopping government growth.

Why? Because neither the Republicans nor the Democrats will ever adopt such a tax reform proposal because they both know it would spell death to their all-consuming desires to be re-elected. Only a third-party can bring such a proposal to the public in clear unadulterated form because only a third-party (if it was properly structured) would be in a position of not needing to win office immediately. What do we mean by "properly structured?" We mean that the third-party be first and foremost a "teaching party." Such a third-party would then put the necessary reform measure in front of the 70 million voters who watch the national debates because its goal would be primarily to get the ideas of "honest money and equal-tax rates" in front of the people and let election victory come later after these two policies have won the people over. A properly structured third-party's goal would be to teach the people the truth about what is destroying our country. It would be to act as a magnet to draw the people away from the nefarious views of Republicans and Democrats.

Thus die-hard Republicans in pursuit of an army of Mr. Smiths end up fulfilling Einstein's definition of insanity because their candidates want to win office immediately and repeatedly. They've been doing this for five decades, and still they never get the message. The Washington beast destroys all Republicans who start out with budget cutting aspirations, except for those rare and noble contrarians like Ron Paul. This is why "working within the Republican Party" can never bring us a restoration of limited government. It is why the GOP will always be a party of mules. It is what Judson Phillips and 80% of his Tea Party Nation followers are oblivious to. They will never be able to reform the mules by working within the GOP. They will succeed only in becoming like them.

Hopping into the Hot Tub

To those still unconvinced, consider the following. Why hasn't the flow of new conservatives to Washington over the past 50 years grown and helped to turn the tide? Because until there is a mandate for less government among the people, almost everyone of the new conservatives we send to Washington quickly conclude that if they are to be guaranteed re-election every two years, they must join with the Democrats to increase government spending. They end up as journalist Stanton Evans told us, "treating the sewer of Washington like a hot tub." They hop in and wallow in pork and privilege with the likes of Pelosi and Reid. Consequently for every "new conservative" we send to Congress, we lose an equally new conservative to the hot tub. The freedom movement stalls, and statism continues to grow.

Why? Because the people mandate it. The people possess infinite demand for pork and privilege because our progressive tax system exempts 50% of the nation from paying any income taxes. The "uniformity clause" for tax rates established by the Founders in the Constitution has been junked, and we now have an irresponsible electorate that gets billions of dollars worth of breaks and benefits for free. This is the nefarious lure destroying the system.

Oh, the 50% non-payers will protest that they pay their fair share because they are charged FICA taxes for social security and in many states have to pay sales taxes. But the truth is that these taxes don't even come close to paying for the massive entitlements they receive in the form of retirement benefits, Medicare benefits, food stamp benefits, welfare services, student loans, Head Start grants, earned income tax credits, unemployment insurance, subsidized housing, and all the other prodigal government programs that have inundated our Republic ever since FDR came to visit us.

Moreover the FICA taxes and sales taxes they pay don't come close to covering their share of the massive interest on government debt, the funding for the myriad of ABC bureaucracies that breed like bacteria, and the imperialist military expenditures that most non-payers continue to vote for every decade in acquiescence to Demopublican paranoia. Our social security program is broke. Our medicare program is broke. Our state governments are broke. Our federal government is broke. Our nation is broke. The ideal of a free, self-reliant America is sinking into a swamp of greed, stupidity, and the opiates of monetary inflation and "pilfer thy neighbor through the taxman." Could this travesty have something to do with the fact that 50% of the nation is granted an exemption from the responsibility of citizenship with multitudinous government functions given to them free?

Thus to continue sending conservative Republicans to Congress, without establishing a mandate to stop the growth of government, can only bring continued failure. To create such a mandate, we have to tell the people the truth about what is causing the relentless growth of government. We have to show them how progressive tax rates and fiat money inflation act as the fuel for exponential government growth. And we must do it in a sensationalized manner. We must get an independent candidate into the National TV Presidential Debates to instruct 70 million Americans in a matter of years, not decades. We must do what Steve Jobs continually encouraged his comrades at Apple to do: "Think Different!" The media and the academy will not tell the truth. The GOP will not tell the truth. Only a third-party candidate (who's not afraid of losing the election) will. My book, The Conservative Revolution, explains how to bring this about. CLICK HERE for a review.

A Corrupt and Ossified Institution

It is time to dramatically change our strategy. All conservative activist groups need to see the GOP for what it is -- a corrupt and ossified institution that no longer serves a meaningful purpose. The GOP is like the tragic protagonist in Oscar Wilde's nineteenth century novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray. Because Dorian Gray had made a Faustian bargain by selling his soul to the devil, he never ages over the years. Only his portrait becomes effete and grotesquely wrinkled, hidden away from friends in the attic. This deal with the devil enables Gray to continually live in debauchery. In like manner, the GOP sold its soul to the devils of massive debt and privilege and thus continually lives in debauchery. It conveys privileges to banks and corporations who donate money to them in return, and it creates massive debt for the free entitlements it grants to the lower 50% of income earners in return for their votes. To imperceptive observers, the GOP, like Dorian Gray, appears to be beautiful and idealistic. But in actuality it is like Gray's hidden portrait in the attic, a withered and decrepit gargoyle of greed and blindness.

Because of the Faustian bargain they have made with the banks, corporations, and seekers of "entitlements for nothing," Republican politicians will always choose to be Demopublicans and can never become Jeffersonians. The snare of fiat money and progressive taxation defines their existence. They will always be profligate Dorian Grays irresponsibly cavorting through life, stealing from the productive and bankrupting the future. Why? Because it is the only way they can get re-elected under our distorted tax system, and re-election is what they want more than freedom, more than honor, more than justice.

How do we end the tragedy of this Faustian bargain? Only by restoring the concept of "equal rights under the law" to our tax system. In other words, by repealing progressive tax rates and enacting a "10% equal-rate tax" that requires all citizens to pay proportionally for their government services. We cannot have equal rights without equal rates. Our progressive tax rate system is the cardinal evil that Democrats and Republicans signed onto decades ago.

The Dorian Grays of the GOP cannot and will not change this. Only a third-party can. Once a third-party based on "honest money and equal tax rates" is in the mix, everything changes dramatically. There would then be a chance for reform because the people could be shown an alternative political vision that is rational. They could be shown what is causing the tyrannical expansion of government. There would then be a competitor to the Demopublican monopoly and its Faustian bargain of tax and spend in return for votes. The flow of political ideas would be opened up.

The statist establishment controls the minds of the populace through its control of the schools, and it controls how they vote by controlling the flow of political ideas through the one-party charade of Demopublicanism. Until this monopoly is broken, Republicans will forever be mules fooling themselves in the worst way with hopes of reform.

This is simple human nature. Monopolies in the corporate world, in the labor arena, and in the ideological arena are all destructive. They stifle the flow of people, money and ideas. They asphyxiate the country in which they are tolerated. Well, we now have a firmly entrenched political monopoly in this country that is stultifying the process, and the ossified GOP is a major part of that monopoly.

Tea Party activists are playing a fool's game if they think the likes of Newt Gingrich and Herman Cain will do anything other than what Republicans have been doing for 50 years -- cross over the aisle to hop into the hot tub of pork and privilege to insure their re-election. If we are not wise enough an

Continued elsewhere.

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Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell

FW: Massachusetts Physicians For A National Health Program: The fundamental flaws in the Massachusetts (and ACA) model

2011-10-26T07:06:00.001-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Molly Rush

The fundamental flaws in the Massachusetts (and ACA) model

Mass-Care

Massachusetts Physicians for a National Health Program

October 2011

The Massachusetts Model of Health Reform in Practice

The reform has not addressed the health care crisis that most Massachusetts residents face, and that renders our entire health care system increasingly unaffordable. Health care costs – which are straining employer and household budgets, edging out all other spending priorities by the state and municipalities – have increased at even more rapid rates following reform. Administrative waste in the system has grown as a consequence of introducing new payers into an already bureaucratic health care system. Cost shifting under employer-sponsored insurance, particularly for small business employees, has accelerated. Reform has not achieved universal coverage, despite the mandate, largely because the state has been unable to ensure that truly affordable plans are available. Reform has not reduced the burden of medical bills or medical bankruptcy on Massachusetts' families. The demand for safety net services by the uninsured and underinsured has remained high, and has begun to grow, while reform and subsequent state policy has created a financial crisis for safety net providers serving low-income and minority communities in the state. Reform has not been able to significantly slow the rising use of emergency departments for care.

Most concerning, the modest gains achieved by the reform have come at a high cost – even after the state has successfully shifted many of these costs on to federal taxpayers. The costs of the reform are widely acknowledged to be unsustainable and the state has been forced to restrict benefits and shift costs to residents, employers, and federal taxpayers as a consequence. This may help explain the declining support for reform noted in recent years. Moreover, the costs of the reform have not been born equitably, with low and middle income individuals bearing a disproportionate share of the costs.

The Massachusetts reform has not addressed the fundamental deficiencies in the health care system. The reform contained no proven or robust cost-control measures and thus the state has had to struggle to afford expanded coverage in the face of unsustainable cost increases. The Massachusetts reform introduced new programs and rules to an already complex blend of public and private insurers, leaving the state with increasing administrative complexity – and increasing costs.

There is every reason to believe that the recently passed national reform law based on the Massachusetts reform (The Affordable Care Act) will result in similar mixed outcomes. Our hope is for an equitably financed health care system that serves all Americans in a cost-effective way, without requiring cost-sharing that prohibits needed care. A Massachusetts-style reform will not achieve these goals.

http://masscare.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/masshealthreforminpracticefinal.pdf

Comment: The Massachusetts plan has been successful only in nominally increasing the numbers of individuals insured, but at a trade-off of making almost everything else worse, including the insurance coverage itself. The federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) used the Massachusetts model, and experience with the implementation to date indicates that we can expect the same or similar fundamental deficiencies, making unaffordable under-insurance the new national standard.

In a PNHP press release, Dr. Rachel Nardin, assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School and co-author of this study, stated, "The Massachusetts reform built on a complex blend of public and private insurers, adding to the administrative complexity and cost of the system. To achieve cost-effective, high-quality and truly universal care, we need a single-payer system."

To better understand why the Massachusetts/ACA model can't work, it would be worthwhile to read the full 46 page report, accessible at the link above.

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Ta.

Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

http://FixPA.wikia.com

http://CLOH.wikia.com

412 298 3432 = cell