Olympics - Russia-China alliance troubles USOC (sorta)

SI.com - Olympics - Russia-China alliance troubles USOC - Friday July 15, 2005 4:50PM COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) -- The Chinese are looking beyond their own 1.3 billion countrymen in an attempt to beat out the United States in the Beijing Olympics. They want Russia's help, too.
In an arrangement the head of the U.S. Olympic Committee says could 'clearly be suspect,' Olympic committees from Russia and China have agreed to work together in hopes of knocking the United States from the top of the medals table in 2008.

'To beat America we need to unite our efforts and knowledge ... to achieve better results in swimming and track and field, where they are strong,' Russian Olympic Committee chief Leonid Tyagachev told The Associated Press last month.
And while USOC chief executive Jim Scherr says he isn't against countries working together -- sharing training techniques, advances in medicine and the like -- he has a problem if the effort is targeted at a single country, specifically his.
'It's not uni ...

Suspect???? OMG.

Sports is to be all all about cooperation AND competition.

Interesting to note, the name of the head of the USOC wasn't put in the lead of the article. The first name in the article was that of the Russian. The American on the hook with me for sillyness is Jim Scherr.

I'd say it is fine to have the world's best athletes looking to out perform the American team. I'd be flattered. I'd be proud. I'd be getting on to more work and excellence. The USA squad is rich with talent in these times. Mostly due to the fact the the rest of the world is so weak. And, because the rest of the world often sends its best athletes to the USA for ongoing training. We thrive, if you think we do, in part because we accept the participation of the foreign athletes.

In the medal standing, as the Games go to Beijing, I expect China to be in the top three -- if not first -- in total medals. Understand, that no country wins the Olympics. That is just a media scorecard. However, that is what happens.

2004 (Athens) Olympics
Nation, Gold Medals, All Medals
USA = 35, 103
Russia = 27, 92
China = 32, 63

This is a most funny statement to me, "The elaborate Beijing national training center." There is some history here. As a book publisher, I did a few books with the first western athlete to ever enter the national training center in Beijing. To couple the word, "elaborate" with that description -- back then -- is folly. You'd have to read the book, Search for Greatness, and know what I'm digging at.

The first foreigner from the west to be invited to the center was Dr. Judd. His story is in that (rare) book.

These days, the center has had a facelift, to say the least.

But, back to the gist of the article. -- It is fair! I have no problem with the new partnerships with China and Russia to beat the US -- even in swimming.

Stan to get into politics?

Jon Delano wrote in his PSF email newsletter:

FoxSports broadcaster Stan Savran is taking a serious look at the race (for US Congress as a Dem to oppose Republican Congressman Tim Murphy). Stan is well-known to Pittsburgh Steeler fans as host of the "Bill Cowher Show" featuring the Steelers coach. Also looking at the race is Allegheny County clerk of courts George Matta of White Oak. Matta is about to lose his job because of county row office consolidation.

But the 1000-pound gorilla in the race, so to speak, would be (now a Dem again) Barbara Hafer, well-known to all, close to Gov. Ed Rendell, and unafraid to take on Murphy mano-a-mano. In 2004, polls done privately for Dems showed her beating Murphy in a match-up race, and the Dem consensus is that Murphy is weaker today than he was a year ago. She has not yet made up her mind and is still consulting with political leaders.

Where does Stan live? I'll have to look that up in the voter database.

City funds appear short - PittsburghLIVE.com

Let's blame this on the NHL and the Penguins.

And, I'll take a little of the blame too. I didn't buy a swim pool tag for our family this year. We're swimming a lot -- but not in the city pools in rec swim times.

City funds appear short - PittsburghLIVE.com By the end of June, the city budget projected collecting $242 million in taxes, fees and donations. The city actually took in about $236 million, according to second-quarter numbers released by city Controller Tom Flaherty.
'From the revenues side, things are certainly not good,' Flaherty said.

Parking is an interesting point to note. By now we should have had a full report and coverage on the parking tax increase. Have the higher fees raised higher incomes to the city? Or not? It seems as if the City Contoller's numbers are at odds with what some of the downtown merchants and business people are saying.

Pittsburgh City Paper - News on The Hill and the long-awaited Grocery and Pharmacy

When it rains, it pours.

Pittsburgh City Paper - News: "When City Paper spoke with Udin in May before that election, Udin said any talk of him obstructing proposals from Williams were "pure rumor."

Pure rumor. Humm... The rumor is true? The rumor is so thick that the pulp is still in it?
Part of the trouble is that the developers have to go to the URA and the City Councilmembers. The red tape slows down the marketplace advancements. So, it doesn't advance. The article, in the comments, has a nice recap of the various vision as they begin to unfold.

The Big Green Bus from Dartmouth rolls in to play an game of ultimate

There was a time when Mayor Tom Murphy cut a deal with the Ultimate Frisbee young professionals. Murphy promised to build them new frisbee fields in Highland Park.

That was another empty promise the second it was made. I knew it -- and told folks about that in no uncertain terms. Furthermore, Murphy wasn't going to allow the Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network volunteers work to install mini-computer labs within the Rec Centers. Then a few months later the Rec Centers would be closing -- in the scare move by Murphy to claim how distressed everything was -- mostly by Murphy's own making.

Well, to this day, I feel sorry that I had to much such a stand upon the cause of the rookie ultimate frisbee folks. They were getting suckered, Murphy style, and I wasn't okay with them being taken for such a ride.

I'll do my best to attend this event. Sounds like fun. I'll even wear my tye-dye t-shirt, man.

Big Green Bus at Frisbee Fuel Fest

PITTSBURGH ULTIMATE FRISBEE
Tuesday, July 26th
4:00 PM until dusk
McKinney Field in North Park

Fifteen Dartmouth College students conceived of The Big Green Bus as an effort to spread information about alternative fuels and social responsibility by networking through their favorite sport.

Dartmouth will first square off against a Best of Pittsburgh's Youth squad, comprised of students from the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, as well as the best juniors from the Pittsburgh High School Ultimate League. Later, the finest athletes from Pittsburgh's 24-team recreational summer league will challenge the Big Green Bus with an All-Star squad, whose players will range in age from 15 to 45.

In between games, Dartmouth will make presentations and answer questions about their other passion: alternative fuel. While the world's increasing dependence on fossil fuel consumption will necessitate change for all of us, the Big Green Bus demonstrates that there are alternatives available right now.

For more information call 412-628-0882 / bram101@gmail.com.

Run, Mary, Run

I hate the name. I'm not looking to see "babies" on the ballot. We've already got too many of them. But, the concept of getting people out to seek public office is a great one. Furthermore, I hate to see the exclusion of anyone -- even guys! The for women only meeting is bogus.

However, I expect I'll be there, at the door, to give away a gratis CD with some great content for would-be candidates and serious citizens. Here is the news on the date:

Run Baby Run

September 17, 2005, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m at the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh, 305 Wood Street.

Registration: $15 (includes lunch)

The Women & Girls Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania is sponsoring a workshop that'll give you the information you need to run for office. Elected Officials & campaign managers will share their knowledge and experience with you.

If you're considering running for office, the Run, Baby, Run workshop will give you the information you need. In this one-day session, elected officials and campaign managers will share their knowledge and experience with you.

This workshop is designed for women only. A limited number of scholarships are available.

Contact: gloria@run-baby-run.com or download the registration form at http://www.run-baby-run.com/

I read with interest the numbers you provided ... Q&A with Mary about going to the "D" side.

Mary wrote an email to me saying:

I read with interest the numbers you provided in your most recent mail and checked the PG results the day after the election to see how you did in my voting precinct.

I wondered if you might ever consider reregistering for the next run at office as a Democrat?

How many voters can really define "Libertarian"?

I know you are right to be encouraged at the numbers, but many people tend to do little research, and I feel you would optimize your chances if you would consider the idea. I realize it is easy for some of us to disdain participating in "the machine", but things change so slowly locally that I really think it is something you should discuss with your advisors.

Good points.

Others have suggested I move to the "D" side to win the race.

However, I won't do that for now. I'm not interested in being in the same party that has, in the city at least, driven us so far down. I can't be in Tom Murphy's party. He is the #1 Dem in Pittsburgh. That is not my cup of tea. And, I'm not too excited about Bob O'C either. Those Dems need viable challengers.

So, I'll stay as either a Libertarian or Indie. But, being an Indie in the 3rd race would be a third party for me. So, I bet I stay as Libertarian.

The next email she wrote to say:

Okay, Mark. It is just hard for some to keep waiting. I am just concerned that in this city your chances of gaining office as a Libertarian are miniscule. I find things to be so upside down when someone like Tom Flaherty, with no courtroom experience, can win nomination as a judge. He was Dem party leader. He is highly visible as city controller. I do respect your conviction.

My reply:

I think my chances are okay. Not great, but okay.

And, if I would win -- it would be a major, major victory and celebration. So, let's shoot for the stars. Then, getting things done in office will be much easier. A sweet victory in the election will set the stage for some serious actions once in office. That's what we need -- breaking of the status quo.And, we need to go in the right (prudent, democratic, grassroots, more liberty-like) directions.

Thanks for asking.

BlogShares - Fantasy Blog Share Market

I just discovered this interesting site. Talk about naval gazing.

BlogShares - Fantasy Blog Share Market BlogShares is a fantasy stock market for weblogs. Players get to invest a fictional $500, and blogs are valued by incoming links.

I think this blog is grossly undervalued.

News feed Syndic8.com
Valuation B$9,448.78
Added 15:11 29 Jun 2004
Last Updated 19:33 12 Jul 2005
Status Available to Trade.
Industries None

The game is still young, however. There is sure to be a lot of new activities in the weeks to come. Plus, I've got a lot of photos yet to upload to the blog. So, the futures look good, IMNSHO.

Buy, buy, buy!

Coverage about gambling crime from another state

The first blog posting was on June 19. And update in the comments was posted on July 15, 2005.

Peoria and Pittsburgh are similar in a number of ways. I lived in Peoria and coached a number of kids from Pekin. Here is a nice article to consider as gambling knocks on the doorway of Pittsburgh's future.

STLtoday - News - Illinois State News: "Gambling-related crimes no longer shock Pekin, Ill.
By Kevin McDermott, Post-Dispatch Springfield Bureau

PEKIN, Ill. - The mayor is facing criminal charges of betting city funds at the local riverboat casino, but that's not necessarily the most startling thing about Pekin's latest gambling scandal.

Full story with click to that site (no registration required). Or, see it in the comments of this blog.

I don't like gambling's arrival to Pittsburgh. We need to monitor and have strong watchguards on that entire endeavor.

Furthermore, when the gambling incomes are diverted to pay off debt such as desired with the SEA (Stadium and Exibition Authority) and the Convention Center overhead, we are sure to be a loose twice.

The upside with the gambling incomes needs to be robust, helpful, meaningful and boost the overall community. If the upside is going to lead into nothingness, then it would be much more prudent to do without.

The proposed gambling incomes are over hyped. The promises are sure to be broken. The total amounts are fabrications. The "upside" isn't that high at all.

Council calls for diversity in appointees. That is the WRONG verse and WRONG tune.

Council calls for diversity in appointees - PittsburghLIVE.com

Nice thought. But, this call is for the wrong goal.
If we had democracy and accountability that was tied to the appointments, then we'd be sure to put the shoulder to the diversity call.

This goes to the notion of, "Queen for a YEAR" flubbery.

Put all appointed board members into a process that requires retention votes.

Liberating Fifth & Forbes, Trib op-ed by J. Potts (blogger too)

Liberating Fifth & Forbes - PittsburghLIVE.com
Pittsburgh received what could be good news last month when developer Carl Dranoff dropped out of a plan to redevelop the Fifth and Forbes shopping district Downtown.

The op-ed ran, but just a day or three ago, the URA announced it was to purchase MORE properties.

The call of the mall - PittsburghLIVE.com The call of the mall

New exit on Rt. 28 and bingo -- the hook is there for a new mall. Yet to come, Deer Creek Crossing, with its TIF too.
The churn and sprawl continues. Plus, it gets a good push on new energy from government funding and government screw-ups too.

When I was a kid, we went to the Monroeville Mall -- with its indoor ice rink. I fail to see how bumper cars are a new trend.

Potts writes, "the solution is simple." I generally agree. Potts calls for the sell of of URA property. I think that is wise. But, for years now I've also called for the selling of the Parking Authority properties as well. The Parking Authority is another place that needs to be taken away from the city powers and put into play with the marketplace forces.

Yes, The city needs once and for all to get out of the Downtown real estate business.

However, the two of us turn at this mention, "Free parking for residents would be a good place to start." Parking is a priority -- but the simple solution isn't to just make it free. It is rather to free the authority from itself.

Potts also hits hard upon the eminent domain issue and gets right into the talk of "blight." Right on, again. The simple solution, hinted at but not talked of directly, is to eliminate all blight downtown. Take the designation away. Without "blight" the steep climb to eminent domain is back in the favor of the owners.

My clincher isn't about turning downtown as a hub for youth, student, single, loft, and empty nesters. We don't want -- nor should we strive to do subsidized housing deals for rich folks. Rather, when we figure out that the best way to make disversity is to do housing that urban families can enjoy as well -- then we've turned the corner.

If you are trying to mastermind with the building a global village, anf if that space isn't suited for families -- then you're building a failure.

AntiRust: Tom Murphy Spins History

Point counter-point on the Murphy written op-ed. Well done. Thanks.

AntiRust: Tom Murphy Spins History

Eternal vigilance: Books: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

A running mate, Adam, has his own blog and gives a great peek into Harry Potter. Get in the groove again, as the next book is due out on Friday night -- 12:01.

Just after midnight, I'll be standing in line at the South Side Works -- not to get a beer but to get a new copy of the newest book at the Joseph Beth Bookstore. We've got a copy "on hold."

Adam does such a great job in his posting, that I'll say nothing more -- just go surf there to get back in the groove.

Eternal vigilance: Books: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Books: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
I recently finished reading the fifth book in the Harry Potter series and not only am glad for the entertainment, I'm also impressed with the growing sophistication of these stories. The stories provide a rather detailed illustration of the many ways that one can deal with power--both with having power and having power used against one's self....

HEADLINE you've not seen: Murphy to seek re-election as mayor

This story is legit. It is breaking in another market.

Newstimeslive.com Murphy to seek re-election as mayor Murphy to seek re-election as mayor ...

What's going to happen next. Do I stoop so low as to report the old news that O'Connor is to retire from public life -- or speculate with the teased headline of who is going to take the place of O'Connor, in the Supreme Court.

Financial outlook

Questions cloud city's financial outlook - PittsburghLIVE.com Pittsburgh hasn't received any of the $6 million in contributions promised by nonprofit groups. The Pittsburgh Public Service Fund Board, an umbrella group for city charities, has yet to vote on whether to provide the money.

Don't hold your breath. That money was never going to materialize.

The budget process in city hall has always been a total joke. Peduto can buy expensive garbage cans for his district from money that wasn't spent three years ago. The cans, the process, the garbage -- it's all crooked. The harder it is to figure out, the more those in power like it. Confusion gives comfort to the weenies who can't get comfort any other way -- like with 'respect.'

Going after the non-profits for $6-million per year is a dead end opportunity. Pittsburgh might as well start its own space program and use those windfalls too. NASA couldn't get a lift-off yesterday. The Buhl is being talked about as a historic building. Perhaps they'll hook a shortfall in 2006 on some squeezed money there -- to the tune of $10-million. Point is, it's smoke and mirrors. Blame the non-profits for the ills of the city.

Another link on the same news in the PG: Councilman says city revenues are lagging

Think again.

2 Political Junkies report that Howard Dean will visit Pittsburgh next week. I won't be there.

If anyone wants to get some kwel Elect.Rauterkus.com buttons to pass around at the event, let me know.

2 Political Junkies Mean, scary, CRAZY man...savior of the Democratic Party...or just someone who speaks the unvarnished truth? He speaks, you decide:

Please join

Governor Howard Dean
Chairman of the Democratic National Committee

Tuesday, July 19th
5:30-7:30 p.m.

The Church Brew Works
3525 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15201

Only $25

To recoup cost: #1 = Don't delay. #2 Plan, plan, plan

I've called for the use of the new Pittsburgh Convention Center as the first venue for the new gambling casino. Gambling is coming. When is another matter.

The decision has been made. Doing it is another matter. These leaders are fine to do nothing. Now that the gambling commission is set and they all have their cars and expense accounts -- no need to rush things along.

Look at the buildings in Athens. One looks a lot like the Convention Center. They are idle. They are used as much as about 20 outdoor swim pools in various neighborhoods -- not at all.

The convention center can't pull its own weight. We need to take that building and get rid of it. Get it into operation in another capacity and off the backs of the public operators.

SI.com Athens seeks ways to�recoup Olympic's cost Such sights have led to criticism that the government has not acted fast enough to cash in on the legacy of the Games.

'I think there were a lot of serious delays and I cannot find the cause for these delays. I think there is now confusion about the future,' said opposition parliamentarian Nassos Alevras, who was responsible for Olympic works for the previous government ahead of the Games.

Barnestormin - new blog with some new thoughts to spread

Welcome to the blog landscape. Barnestormin Barnestormin
Columns and personal essays by Jonathan Barnes, covering Pittsburgh news, writing and other topics.

Are we going to see a spending spree as the Murphy-ites flee? -- URA set to buy property on Fifth

URA set to buy property on Fifth The URA is proposing to pay $246,000 for a small four-story building at 212 Fifth owned by Candy-Rama Inc. It plans to pay $630,000 for a larger four-story building at 214-218 Fifth owned by Alfred B. Nunan next to G.C. Murphy's that currently houses three businesses, including a hat store that has been at the location for decades.
The acquisitions will add to the 15 properties the URA has purchased Downtown as part of Mayor Tom Murphy's effort to assemble land for the proposed redevelopment of the ragtag Fifth and Forbes retail corridor.

My view is NOT shared by that in the article. Herb Burger said that "anything the URA acquired Downtown is good new." Herb, my advice to you is, Think again!
We are getting a new mayor at the first of the year.
This might be another golden opportunity for those who might want to be the next Pittsburgh mayor to say something in public -- or on the internet.

Mount Washington to host Run for Roch

Another run for the running mates. The notice of this event came to me from a Mt. Washington friend, Tracy.

Mount Washington to host Run for Roch
Race to remember well-known runner who drowned last July...

Email blast: Come out to race with me - or worship instead

Hi Friends and Neighbors,

I hope your summer is going as well as ours. I'm still blogging. http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com

Since I've not sent much email since the election, let me say thanks again to all who have helped, voted, or just watched and tolerated -- in any way. Your listening, awareness and occasional critical remarks are huge helping acts from my perspective.

Our 2005 race for PA Senate is behind us. Next up, another type of race, the Pittsburgh Triathlon. http://www.PittsburghTriathlon.com. See my blog to order fan club and running mate t-shirts. =;0

After surviving both the senate race and a swim-bike-run, we'll strongly consider a race for the open seat in my district for Pittsburgh City Council.

If the triathlon isn't your cup of tea, the other Sunday invite is to a more spiritual pursuit. Consider a concert / service from our friend, Mindy Simmons, at First Unitarian in Shadyside on Morewood at 10 am. http://www.first-unitarian-pgh.org/

Mindy provides the splendid song, "One World" for our community and campaign CDs. She is a gem with voice and guitar. Cost is $0.

Shifting gears, here are some ideas I've been spreading around for Pittsburgh's sake.

++ Sell Pittsburgh's new, Convention Center to the pending casino operator as part of the deal. Put the casino within the Convention Center. The Convention Center is a white elephant and is a drain on taxpayers. The casino operators can better deal with market conditions -- not the Stadium and Exhibition Authority. This solution gets income more quickly and with multiple sources (gambling windfall + building's
value).


++ Extend the URA's sale of its excessive land parcels within neighborhoods by allowing not only the "adjacent property owners," but also the "near by property owners" to take ownership from the city / public authority. Vacant lots sell for $500, minimum, but just to the willing who are adjacent. The URA owns more than 10,000 lots and parcels throughout the city. The URA inventory of land -- still in
limbo -- is still absent.


++ In 2001, as a candidate for Mayor, I called for the end of all Eminent Domain -- as a bold, strong, local measure. With the recent Supreme Court ruling, more are tuned into the trend and issue. When property can be taken, investments are sure to occur elsewhere. Beyond the struggle for "rights," their saga leads to dropping property values. That cycle generates storms for cities and individuals in many ways. The call to "end eminent domain" has become more "mainstream" and "urgent."


++ As a recent Libertarian candidate for PA Senate, let me assure you, I'm NOT getting any $10,000+ pay raise -- like both of my opponents. Shamefully, NEITHER raised a negative peep nor objection while on the legislative floor in Harrisburg. I'm not so tight lipped. Being "prudent" I would have never gone for the pay raise. Being "open" and "outspoken" I would have sounded alarms and raised my voice in loud
protest.


++ Allow Kennywood a "free ride" on the collection of the one-percent RAD tax. Kenneywood's gate helps subsidize its competitors. Furthermore, let's "think again" on the entire RAD tax plan.


== Mini recap of my ballot participation in the May 17, 2005, special election includes: ==

I was out-spent 250-to-one by the Republican candidate but out-voted by a five-to-one ratio.

In the 250-polling places, 249 scored votes for me.

I did equally well in the city and the suburbs.

My Democratic opponent generated nearly 20,000 votes from a base of more than 90,000 registered Democrats registered and within the 42nd district. That means that each Dem netted about 1/5th of a vote for Fontana. Meanwhile, my 2,542 total votes flowed from a base of just 250 registered Libertarians in the district. I'm proud to say each Libertarian generated TEN votes for the Libertarian while each Democrat delivered one-fifth of a vote for the Democrat.

My cost per vote was $1.30. Meanwhile, my Dem and Republican opponents spent nearly $2-million for 33,187 total votes giving them an AVERAGE cost per vote at $60. Diven's performance was worse!)

Athe ballot box just two blocks from my front door, in our three-way race, I got 23% of the vote.

Thanks again for everything. I'll be back.

Throw 'em all out - Letters in the Trib go 1, 2, 3 and Brian O of PG tells it best

Throw 'em all out - PittsburghLIVE.com
It is time for all taxpayers to become diligent voters and vote against all incumbent members of the state House and Senate.

See comments for each letter, all strong. The tide is rising.

Pay raises for legislature hooked to raising the minimum wage - reactions from Ls

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
3863 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
1-800-774-4487
www.lppa.org

For Immediate Release:
Date: 07/12/2005

For more information contact:
Doug Leard at 215-646-1502 or
David Jahn (Chair) at 610-461-7755


Governor Rendell recently told reporters that he would demand a minimum-wage increase from lawmakers in exchange for endorsing a legislative pay raise. Rendell favors boosting Pennsylvania's minimum wage to $7.15 an hour.

Our legislators are already among the highest paid in the country and their performance does not warrant a pay raise. Rendell compounds the damage to Pennsylvanians by using the pay raise as a hammer to pound through a minimum wage increase that will hurt Pennsylvania’s economy and poor.

How does a minimum wage increase damage our economy and hurt the poor?

First, minimum wage increases destroy jobs. Unless a business creates additional revenue to cover the enlarged salary expenses, the business must spread their work among fewer workers. Companies are thus pushed to inhibit hiring and potentially eliminate existing jobs. Teenagers and others seeking initial job experience that will allow them a first step onto the economic ladder are usually the ones impacted.

A study in 2004 by Duke University supports this claim. The study found that increases in the minimum wage decrease job prospects and increase the number of unemployed minimum wage workers.

Second, minimum wages limit businesses and workers economic freedom. As Doug Leard, Media Relations Director of the Libertarian Party explained, “when I first started working, I was willing to work below minimum wage to get established in my field of interest. Once in, I was confident I could work my way up the ladder. Increasing the minimum wage makes it harder to get that first step onto the success ladder.” This sentiment is supported by a study of economists at Florida State University and Miami University of Ohio that found that full-time workers hired at the minimum wage received a median pay increase of 13 percent within their first year.

A minimum wage increase hurts the poor by destroying jobs and providing workers with less employment options. Rendell’s proposal is bad for Pennsylvania!

The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the United States with over 600 officials serving in office throughout the nation. Please visit www.LP.org or www.LPPA.org for more information on the Libertarian Party.

Positive pressure to support the schools' I.B. program and foreign language studies

A dedicated crew of parents from various schools have been meeting to insure the continued strength of the language programs within magnet schools among varous Pgh Public Schools.

A resource listing that gives research as to why this type of studies is so effective can be sent to you via email if you notify me.

Time will tell what the next boss of the school district plans to do.

Race Uniform

Wear a real fashion statement and make a positive, political, community statement as well. Get your own t-shirt for $15. Simply make a $15 donation with the Pay Pal donation button (found on the left-hand side of this blog) and then send an email saying you want a t-shirt too. We'll get the first five who order their new t-shirt at the Triathlon. Otherwise, we'll get it to you around August 1.

The Elect.Rauterkus.com logo is printed on the front and back, to be better seen as we come and go.

The shoulder logo says Platform.For-Pgh.org.

Dear Registered Athlete, (gulp) That's me. Our t-shirts / uniforms for pick-up soon!

The 8th Annual Seagate Pittsburgh Triathlon & Adventure Race is only a couple days away! Friends of the Riverfront is proud to bring you this exciting event on Sunday, July 17th at North Shore Riverfront Park.

Seagate returns as title sponsor. Seagate is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacturing and marketing of hard disc drives, providing products for a wide range of Enterprise, Desktop, Mobile Computing and Consumer Electronics applications. The Company is committed to delivering award-winning products, customer support and reliability, to meet the world's growing demand for information storage.

Race packet pickup and expo will be held at the North Shore Riverfront Park on Saturday, July 16th from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, to be followed by a pasta dinner from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Trizilla , Western Pennsylvania's first and most complete world-class triathlon specialty bike store and training center will be on hand to perform bike inspections and showcase its wide array of products. You can also stop by the Trizilla store at 15 Freeport Road, Aspinwall, PA on Tuesday (7/12) through Friday (7/15) of race week to get your bike inspected.

An athlete information guide (PDF) with everything you need to know about the race, including a race itinerary, course information and maps, race awards and amenities, driving directions and lodging information is online.

PLEASE REVIEW THE ATHLETE INFORMATION GUIDE CAREFULLY, AS IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING PRIOR TO THE RACE.

Working against yourself often Governor?

Rendell Declares Tremendous Victory' As Own Plan is Defeated
In a classic effigy of Jekyll and Hyde, Governor Ed Rendell claimed victory against himself this week by announcing he had negotiated a partial restoration of the cuts to the Medicaid budget he proposed in February.

"Only Gov. Ed Rendell could claim victory against himself," said Republican State Committee Chairman Eileen Melvin.

Led by the voices of the state's hospital and nursing home communities, Gov. Rendell's Medicaid proposal drew a chorus of criticism from medical caregivers and providers.  If the governor's plan would have become law, limits would have been imposed on the number of times eligible women and children could access hospitals for their medical care and the number of monthly prescriptions available to enrolled recipients, most notably scores of Pennsylvania senior citizens.  The Rendell strategy would have created huge fiscal strains on the state's hospital systems through a precipitous rise in uncompensated health care costs.   

Gov. Rendell's proposal to enact the $500 million in cuts to Medicaid was roundly defeated late last month as both Democrats and Republicans in the Pennsylvania House voted down the plan in unanimous fashion.  After negotiations with Republican legislative leaders reached their apex over the July 4th Holiday, Governor Rendell was quick to claim credit for the restorations saying, "This is a tremendous victory"  (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 7/5/05)

"Coming from a governor who vetoed his first state budget, I guess this move should come as no surprise," added Melvin.

Top Minister says that all public sectors need open source solutions

Put this up into the scoreboard as another way we are falling further and further behind.

EUROPA - IDABC - Norwegian Minister says that all public sectors need The Norwegian government is taking large steps in their software policy: everybody in the public sector has to develop a plan for use of open source solutions within 2006. The Norwegian Minister of Modernization, Morton A. Meyer, presented new plan for information technology in Norway called "eNorge -- the digital leap," where one of the points concerned open standards and open source.

You know how the Pittsburgh Pirates are always way behind? That feeling is creeping over the entire country, and mostly our city, in terms of technology. We are behind. We are way behind.

When I ran for mayor in 2001, I had a strong open-source policy. That type of thinking has taken root elsewhere.

Do you think Bob O'Connor is going to be talking about open-source software?

Do you think Ed Rendell is going to be pushing open source either?

Pittsburgh still needs to get its act together, and we've got a long way to go.

Drenched with Dennis

Dennis is blowing around the heartland and might be in Pittsburgh in a day or so. What's your take on the weather?

Our Green Tree Great White Sharks Swim Team had two rain out meets called two or three weeks ago with the Crafton squad. Twice, mother nature rolled in a big thunder storm. This week is a make-up date. Figures.

We've got two evening meets this week. For our league, that is a lot.

Then the other worry is the pending, Sunday morning Triathlon that includes a 1.5 k swim in the Allegheny River. If we get a good bit of rain, the river is going to be fast, high and nasty. If we get a lot of rain close to the event, the swim might be too dangerous.

Predictions welcomed.

Hogs -- Trib and the pay raise for state reps and state senators

In Harrisburg, the hogs slop themselves. See the comments.

Pandas and Parenthood

Baby Panda lives to be one-day old in DC.

Photos and more insights to come soon.

When in China, we got to visit the Pandas in a special Panda reserve. This year, our favorites were the "RED PANDAS."

City's slip in population isn't all bad news -- sugar coated news spin

City's slip in population isn't all bad news... But lately, he's been unable to get the city to rein in nuisance bars near his home. 'I'd like to live in a small city with some normalcy,' he said....

Exactly.

If we have a small city feel -- why do we have the big city burdens?

If we have the quaint burgh attitude -- why do we have the big-city headaches?

If we have that kwel neighborhood character -- why do we have the overspending of a metropolitan glitter that isn't helpful, isn't prudent, and isn't going to spread the neighborhood character?

The one's in power in the past have been trying to make Pittsburgh what it isn't. We have to be what we are. We have to be ourselves. We have to be with comfort when we look into the mirror.

I'm not saying we can't aspire to greatness, work to solve the cancer problems and have our kids flourish.

We are not Disney. We are not a beach town. We are not the Big Apple. We are not just about entertainment.

Our needs and our wants have not been on the same page between those who live here and those who have been getting elected.

Huge casino perils Downtown's profile - Think Again

Huge casino perils Downtown's profile
Planners worry how building could change the look of cityscape

Imagine dropping a building nearly the size of a Wal-Mart Supercenter on the Downtown riverfront. Or in the heart of the Golden Triangle. Or near the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

Think again!
Rather than the massive new building as a casino, I think we should sell the new, under-performing, high-cost to maintain, convention center, owned by the SEA (Stadium and Exibition Authority) and make it the casino.

Sell it now, or soon.

That's the deal for Pittsburgh. The casino operators can re-tool it for the slots and allow for business to flow with the conventions.

Turn the Convention Center into the Slots Parlor. In a way, this is a move to privatize the convention center and get it off the backs of the government officials.

Face it, the convention center and the casino are going to be either friends or foe on each and every convention that comes to town. Put the ownership under the same, white elephant, sloped roof.

Suspect mentions missing girl in blog

This is one way to drive traffic to your web site.

Suspect mentions missing girl in blog - PittsburghLIVE.com Suspect mentions missing girl in blog

MINNEAPOLIS -- The convicted sex offender accused of kidnapping two children in Idaho wrote about a missing Minnesota girl on his Weblog, and investigators are now looking into whether he might have had anything to do with her disappearance.

I want the authorities to check every lead. But, some in power seem to be going hog-wild about the internet and computers.

In other news, from Friday's PG, we learn of another bone-headed mistake from a school bus driver. The kicker at the very end of the story, police seized his computer.

Driver who forgot kids is charged

July 8, 2008, Jonathan D. Silver, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A Kennedy school bus driver was arrested yesterday on charges that he left two 4-year-olds with special needs belted into their seats for more than two hours in his driveway and never dropped them off at school.

Milton Kappert Sr., 65, was released on his own recognizance after being arraigned before McKees Rocks District Judge Mary Ann Cercone.

"Stupid mistake," Kappert said, shaking his head as he sat in Cercone's office.

Allegheny County police charged him with two counts each of reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of children.

Police noted that the temperature was in the 80s on June 30, and the children's parents said in interviews with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that the youngsters were sweaty or excessively thirsty upon returning home.

In an affidavit, detectives said Kappert picked up the children to take them to the Early Learning Institute in Kennedy but they never arrived.

Kappert needed to go to the bathroom, but decided he could not wait for a line of buses unloading students at the school so he went to his home on Ellwood Court nearby, police said.

Kappert told police he left the children belted into their seats with their windows opened about six inches and went into his house. He spent five minutes in the bathroom, took a five-minute phone call and "then forgot that the children were still on the bus and went into his 'normal afternoon routine.' "

Police said Kappert told them he did not realize his error until 2:10 p.m., when the son of Samantha Ray of Ingram walked into his house. The other boy, the son of Leanne McClean of Robinson, was still in his seat.

Kappert works for the Montour School District, which provides transportation services to the Early Learning Institute's Kennedy facility. He said he has driven a bus for eight years and is a former electrician.

The district has put Kappert on unpaid leave pending an internal investigation.

Kappert's attorney, Michael Santicola, said police seized Kappert's computer.

Make no mistakes, please. One can't agree with wrong-headed actions, especially against children. I wonder, why in the world did the police take his computer.
As a footnote, it is great to have back-ups, off site no less. It is great to have services such as Gmail and Blogger.com. Then the data and applications are off site and can't be "taken" by "greedy authorities" for little reason.
I hope to learn that this a bus driver gave the police plenty of other, valid reasons for the taking of his computer. Tell me those reasons, please. Or, what might they be?

Two additional swim pools open - splashing again in Mount Washington and in a RAD park

City to open pools in Mount Washington, Perry North ... businessman Ed Dunlap agreed to pay for operation of Ream Pool, and the city shifted sales tax funding to cover Riverview Pool...

State Rep. Harry Readshaw, D-Carrick, had sought to identify state funding for McBride Pool in Lincoln Place. But Ashley said that funding hasn't materialized.

Riverview Pool is in a RAD park. The four RAD parks should not have seen their closing as the money flows from a different source.
RAD funding is a tangle that needs to be cleared and understood. In my humble opinion, the RAD tax and the RAD board and the RAD operations need to be moderized and put into the junk heap in favor of a new, democractic, Pittsburgh Park District.

In 2004 we had Save Our Summer. Plus, the 2004 efforts saw a big donation come from Paul Renee to open the REAM pool after it was closed for two or more months. That was a band-aid.

Now we have another gracious citizen giving money to open REAM again. Well done there. But, we don't have much beyond the band-aid approach.

Pay raises by the numbers: Who gets how much

The rich get richer:

Pay raises by the numbers: Who gets how much Cabinet officials: Currently ranges between $112,013 and $124,458, would rise to $153,085, or up to 37 percent, for all 18 officials.

Can you name any of the 18 officials in the cabnet? There are 18! Name em, please.

Diamonds dropped in London

SI.com - Olympics - IOC drops baseball, softball from 2012 Olympics Baseball and softball were tossed out of the Olympic program for the 2012 London Games -- the first sports cut from the Summer Games in 69 years.

Baseball and softball will be played in 2008. So, the the sports live for now in terms of Olympics still.
I never liked seeing baseball as an Olympic sport. Good bye. See you in October.
This summer, being the trend setters that we are, it must have been news to the IOC voters that my boys, (ages 7 and 10) have yet to pick up a baseball throughout the summer. The gloves and balls sit here and don't get used. We go in waves with various activities, and the baseball wave has yet to hit in 2005.
I don't have a problem with baseball. I just don't think it is well suited as an Olympic sport. Softball is fine, if both the men and women were to play.

I don't think that this move is a "big mistake" as does Lasorda.

I do think that baseball and softball should be sports in the Senior Olympics and in the Keystone Games. But spare us of those sports in the Olympics. I love scholastic baseball and softball too.

Figure what would have happened if NYC got the Olympics in 2012 and the IOC pulls baseball from the line-up. They were boasting that Yankee Stadium would have been used as a venue for baseball in 2012. Hillary and company should have offered to use Yankee Stadium as a boxing venue. They might have been backing the wrong horse, so to speak.

Baseball also got nailed because of the steriod scandals, as well as the other drugs too I guess. Doping is a big, big topic in international sports and baseball has been lax to the highest degree. Pittsburgh is keen on "between the lines" and the other uses of drugs in the game as well. Those behaviors don't wash in the global world.

Furthermore, the USA Baseball team has been much worse than the USA Hockey squads. Plus some of the best ballplayers in central America don't play internationally either. The sport didn't cover all the bases with a strong line-up, so to speak.

The downside, no other sports were put onto the agenda as official medal sports. I figure that the UK pressures will get rugby and cricket as demonstration sports.

The most damage, however, comes to the entire process. The openness of the vote was absent. The bull-headed meeting organizers wanted to put this just to a voice vote and the IOC booed. The vote totals were not announced. The movement has plenty to learn and understand in terms of democratic leadership. Many of the IOC members felt skunked at the way the meeting fell apart as sports were being considered.

Vast rightwing conspiracy exposed!

I'm wondering what some of you might make of what follows. It could be an interesting launch article.

If nothing else, there are some interesting talking points about the reach and viability of the net. And, with The TRIB such a big role in this, it is worthy of peeking at, even if only for a good chuckle.

WorldNetDaily: Vast rightwing conspiracy exposed!
That was the gist of Hillary's "vast rightwing conspiracy."
The 'unregulated' Internet
What made the whole system work was the Internet. The report singled out the World Wide Web as a special threat, devoting an entire section to the subject. It decried the Net as a perfect conduit for Scaife's 'stream' of 'conspiracy commerce.' The report stated:

The Internet has become one of the major and most dynamic modes of communication. The Internet can link people, groups and organizations together instantly. Moreover, it allows an extraordinary amount of unregulated data and information to be located in one area and available to all.

State argues against closing air wing -- and I'm starting to look for the pointers to all the details. Help hoped for, please.

State argues against closing air wing Top officials tell base-closing panel Pentagon is wrong

Friday, July 08, 2005 By Maeve Reston, Post-Gazette National Bureau

WASHINGTON -- Several hundred yellow-shirted Pennsylvanians converged in Washington yesterday to show support as state officials told an independent commission that the Pentagon was dead wrong this spring when it recommended closing the Pittsburgh-area 911th Airlift Wing, an Air Reserve unit in Moon, and the Willow Grove Naval Air Station, which is north of Philadelphia.

I'm going to go out on a limb and tip my hand at a hunch I've got. Then, I'll ask for your help. This speak first, ask second approach works on one's own blog -- as I can go back and NUKE the dang posting if I wish. That said, ....

I have no problem telling top officials that they are wrong. I do it often. I respect those who have the corage to do the same.

However, if I need to side with one or the other and the options are STATE OFFICIALS and PENTAGON -- that becomes a hard call and I'm more in favor of leaning on the side of the PENTAGON.

Those in the Pentagon have a job to do. They are trusted with a massive duty. I'd rather let them be free to set up their resources as they see fit.

Most of all, I don't want to see a line of reasoning from locals about how the bases are an economic asset that can't be lost. That line of thinking came out in short bursts early in the sound-bite process. I do hope that cleaner lines of thought prevailed and those mentions were left unsaid since then.

So, for now.....

WHERE can one find all the details of what was presented to the base closing commission? Are the materials made available online? Are there transcripts online?

I didn't tune in to see the coverage at PCNC or C-SPAN. Is some of that archived?

I'd love to read the works and have those materials that were presented online.

Thanks for the pointers.

Beijing 2008 equestrian events to be held in Hong Kong

SI.com - Olympics - Beijing 2008 equestrian events to be held in Hong Kong - Friday July 8, 2005 1:45AM SINGAPORE (AP) -- Equestrian events for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will be held in Hong Kong to ensure the 'best interests of the competition and the well-being of the horses,' the International Olympic Committee announced Friday.

The agreement finalizes Beijing's push to have the equestrian competition moved about 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles) away to Hong Kong due to concerns about equine diseases on the Chinese mainland.

The best interests of the horses? Perhaps S.I. just ran the press release for the organizers as the lead paragraph. The true worry, and it is a valid one, is about diseases. No problem. Just tell it like it is.

Pitt football is moving beyond MAC opponents for non-conference games -- yes!

PittsburghPanthers.com - Football Stories The University of Pittsburgh will add five high-caliber opponents to its non-conference football schedule in the coming decade.

Pitt athletic director Jeff Long announced today future non-conference games with Iowa, Miami (Fla.), NC State, Virginia and Virginia Tech.

This year Pitt is to travel to Ohio University in Athens to play a Friday night game in September. I'm an OU grad. I love Athens and my time there was great. But, I'm not planning on going. But the big news is how Pitt is choosing to play Va Tech in the future, and sidestep the likes of the OU Bobcats and Furman.

It is a good move to see Pitt's football schedule filled with more worthy, traditional powers.

The other point of interest is how IOWA is going to show up. Visually, when Pitt takes the field against the Hawkeyes, there will be many in the Burgh and western PA who won't know who to cheer for at first glance. The TV highlights most of all will look like Pitt is playing against the Steelers.

IOWA's colors are black and gold and the uniforms greatly resemble the outfits of the South Side Sabres. (giggle)

ACLU and Patriot Act call

Decisive House and Senate votes on the future of the Patriot Act are right around the corner. For nearly four years now, our government has claimed the kind of unchecked power and lack of due process that challenge our most fundamental principles of freedom and democracy.

While the Bush Administration and some leaders in Congress want to make every one of those powers permanent (and even expand the Patriot Act's assault on fundamental freedoms) there is good news: Democratic and Republican members of Congress, and liberal and conservative opinion leaders, are speaking out against the most extreme provisions of the Patriot Act.

Join the ACLU and Working Assets to make your voice heard. Tell Congress that the Patriot Act should not be made permanent, let alone expanded:
http://action.aclu.org/Petition3

JP's blog: The Conversation covers the passing of a RUNNING MATE: What was he doing with Perot?

The Conversation: What was he doing with Perot?: "What was he doing with Perot?
I am embarrased to admit that until he died, I knew Admiral James Stockdale ....

Great feats and good posting, well worth the read.

Bigger Budget and Bigger Pay for Harrisburg's Politicians

The state house and state senate put in a late budget and is about to get some pay raises. The pay increases are going to state lawmakers, judges, and top honchos within the executive-branch.

The 2005-06 budget of $24.27 billion represents a 6.1% increase in spending over this year's budget of $22.87 billion. This marks an 18% increase in spending for PA since Gov. Rendell took office in 2003.

The pay increase for lawmakers increases base pay 16% from $69,647 to $81,050. Committee chairmen pay increased by 28% to $89,155, and committee vice-chairmen pay increased by 22% to $85,103. Majority and minority leaders' pay increased 24% from $100,911 to $124,788. Pay for the Speaker of the House and Senate President Pro Tempore increased 34% from $108,724 to $145,553.

The pay rates, since the time of Gov Ridge, were hooked to the rate of inflation in Phili. This pay hike goes above and beyond that one that was to last deep into the future.

The PA House and Senate members' I ran against, Diven, R, and Fontana, D, both voted for the tardy budget and voted against the pay raise.

Aug 20 date from Herb. Healthcare discussions slated.

Herb sent out an email:

In Chester County (population 500,000), at least two head trauma patients have died during the one-hour ride to Lancaster General Hospital. Why? Because there are no full time neurosurgeons and no trauma center left in Chester County.

In Titusville, just north of here, the last orthopedic surgeon left earlier this year. Across the state, OB/GYN’s have dropped obstetrics from their practice.

And at present, only 4% of the doctors in Pennsylvania are under the age of 35.

What’s going on? The answer is that the high costs of medical malpractice insurance (and also the high probability of being sued) are driving physicians out of the state or into early retirement.

In 2003, though, the state legislature passed a reform bill which has had a positive effect. The 1,815 medical malpractice suits filed in 2004 were a 34% drop from the 2,751 average of the years 2000 to 2002.

The state representative who spearheaded that bill, Mike Turzai introduced another malpractice reform bill in June of this year and is coming to the Rogues breakfast on Saturday, August 20 to tell us about it. And to tell us how we may be able to help get it passed.

When: 9 AM, Saturday, August 20, 2005
Where: The Holiday Inn on Fort Couch Road in Bethel Park
Cost: $13.00

Please RSVP by Friday, Aug 19 to 412 279.1222 or email Herb so that I can get a count for the Holiday Inn. You may still attend (PLEASE) even if you don't RSVP.

Please pass the word to people you know and invite them to join us this Saturday. This should be an informative session.

Brewski Laverne and Shirley style: PabstCity funding clears key hurdle. Meanwhile Iron City web site still drunk on saving city.

JS Online: PabstCity funding clears key hurdle The proposed PabstCity entertainment and retail development should get $41 million in city financial assistance, based on a recommendation Tuesday by a Milwaukee Common Council committee.

Perhaps Iron City could be saved if we turned the brewery into loft apartments and did a "metro-pole" disco downstairs.

Well, we tried that with the Duke Brewery and have the Brew House artists' lofts on the South Side. That's the building complex near the South Side Hospital and the one with the big clock. And, it isn't so "upscale." But, it happened without the $41-million in public money.

What's up with Iron City anyway? Did the water bill issue get resolved?

The iron-clad irony of the I.C. Brewery saga was the opening, about a year ago, of the Save Our City web site, with its distinctive oval label. As is the case with most beers -- the head was mostly foam. The chuckle of a company doing a web site to save the city while the company was going under and beholden to the grip of the Water And Sewer Authority was intoxicating.

Don't drink and drive nor blog.

It's time to pull plug on monorail

Here are a few great examples of how NOT to do it right. But, as is the case in most ventures in life, there is never a shortage of scripts for failures. And, what plays well in one area may not work in another.

It's time to pull plug on monorail My sense is that the Seattle Monorail Project has entered a lengthy, costly death spiral.

It's time to show mercy on Seattle's squeezed middle-class taxpayers. Let's pull the plug on this exercise of duplicity and waste.

The agency has managed already to pile up a $100 million debt, with what to show for it? It is chugging along at $4 million a month. Interesting to see will be cost figures on the spasm of advertising churned out to defend the discredited financing plan.

In Pittsburgh, at least, we've not spent too much money on Maglev. Sending Brenda to a German vacation or taking some photos while we're in China is not a big deal.

But, we've already spent a lot of money on the plan for the tunnels under the river to the ball parks on the lower North Side.

This is when it takes courage to pull the plug. After spending a good bit of money, it is harder to stop. But, it makes sense to do so from time to time. Don't toss good money after bad. All the spending in the world might not save some projects and turn them into prudent projects that are community centered and sustainable.

Even the convention center enters this type of thinking. Great building, but great burden with overhead and upkeep. Its costs to operate are high, year in and year out. So, we should consider a cut to those losses. I don't mean we should tear it down. Rather, we should sell it off.

Turn the convention center into the slots parlor. Then let the operators of the slots parlor also be private venture for the stadium and exibition authority. They'd run the convention center without any public money. They'd buy it from us.

Then if they want to build another slots hall -- fine. Do it while they operate the one in the Convention Center and then they'll be able to turn the Convention Center into something else -- on their own.

The city and county don't need to be in the big gambling business of being a conention center operator. But, we've got it now. And, we can get out of it soon, with the slots license.

As a zoning move, we could zone the convention center as a facility that is okay for slots. Then the ball is rolling in our favor.

Not Sore Loser. Rather Sore Victor. To the victor goes the spoils.

I'd rather not say anything here and now as I don't want to get "paved over" nor "railroaded" nor "9-to-5-ed" (whatever that might mean).

I did see Diven driving to town yesterday in his big black SUV. I guess he had a court date. Did he miss the budget session in Harrisburg for this?

Libel lawsuit has undercurrent of South Hills political battle Libel lawsuit has undercurrent of South Hills political battle

Wednesday, July 06, 2005
By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A long-running battle for political dominance in the city's southern wards went litigious yesterday, as a city councilman sued a foe backed by a rival group.

Going to the Games and checking out Big Ben

Big Ben will look great decked out in Olympic rings. Not #6. London in 2012.

I see London. I see France. I see Kennywood is expanding too. What's up with that?

Trivia: Kennywood has a mono-rail that it purchased a few years ago. Presently, that eqipment is in storage. For Brenda's sake, it isn't a 'high speed' ride.

High Speed Train to Harrisburg in one hour, so wants Brenda. Think Again!

KQV did an interview with County Councilwoman, Brenda Fraiser who is back from a seminar about high-speed trains in Germany. She'd like to go from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg in one hour.

OMG.

We took a ride on Maglev in China. Stay tuned....

One slight peek at the difference between the China and PA high-speed train experiments -- people. They've got millions of people all around there, yet that train was still mostly empty.

Another org outraged by PA Budget -- Club for Growth

FOR July 5, 2005 from: Kathryn English, 717.541.5000

Pennsylvania Club for Growth Challenges GOP Leaders to "just say NO"
What happened to the Pro-Growth Agenda for PA

HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Club for Growth challenges all General Assembly members to say NO, not only to the $24 billion proposed budget but NO to their own 14% pay increase.

The PA Club and its members are somewhat confused by the recent embrace of lower taxes and limited government by the General Assembly GOP leadership, yet with a 110 to 93 republican majority it is rumored that not only will Governor Rendell get his $23.8 billion budget passed but it will be increased to approximately $24 billion, an estimated 4.8% increase will be approved in the late evening tonight. It was this same leadership in 2004 that not only passed a budget that was more than double the rate of inflation, but even upped Gov. Rendell’s spending plan by $160 million more.

PA Club for Growth Executive Director Kathryn English is questioning, “what happened to House Bill 1663 sponsored by Rep. Feese and co-sponsored by 81 Pennsylvania Representatives, including 5 of the 7 House Majority leaders?" House bill 1663 would constitutionally limit annual increases in state spending to the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index, this year limiting spending to 2.8%. "Although not ideal this is far better than the approximately 4.9% proposed increase" stated English.

To add insult to injury for the taxpayers of Pennsylvania, the General Assembly is considering voting themselves a $10,000 or 14% increase to increase base salary to $79,647. In January, legislators already received an automatic annual cost-of-living increase of $3,700 – more than 5%. In addition to their salaries, most state lawmakers receive $128 a day in expense money when they are in Harrisburg and each member may charge up to nearly $8,000 a year for auto expense.

"What happened to Senator Brightbill’s “Taxpayer Fairness Act," introduced this spring with the co-sponsorship of 28 of Pennsylvania’s 50 Senators,” questioned English, and added “if 28 of the 50 Senators sponsored legislation that allowed for only a 2.7% increase in budget, how did the Senate pass an approximately 4.9% budget increase?”

"While we hope this package of bills represented a true change of heart on the part of GOP leadership, the Senates (30 Republicans – 20 Democrats) approval of Governor Rendell's proposed budget and the expected House passage is in a conflict with the previous proposed legislation. English added, "We'll be watching to see how the sponsors and co-sponsors of House Bill 1663 vote, not only on the proposed budget, but their own pay increase."

The Pennsylvania Club for Growth, which supports strong fiscal conservatives who run for the state legislature, will continue to work with lawmakers to move forward a pro-growth agenda that includes tax cuts and other smaller government issues. "Our goal is to either reform or remove RINOs (Republicans In Name Only)," said English. "If the GOP leadership — with huge margins in both houses of the legislature — doesn't start giving more than lip-service to fiscal conservativism, they can expect the Club and its members to start working toward their early retirement."

The Pennsylvania Club for Growth is a group of citizens dedicated to expanding the prosperity of working families through the Reagan Doctrine of lower taxes, smaller government and strong free enterprise. As the Pennsylvania chapter for a rapidly growing national organization, we are committed to seeing that Pennsylvanians regain their voice in Pennsylvania politics. For far too long, elected officials who claim to be fiscal conservatives have cast aside their beliefs to partake in a bloated government that insists on taking more and more from families trying to achieve the American Dream. To that end, the Pennsylvania Club for Growth is committed to supporting and electing men and women who are advocates of the Reagan Doctrine. For more information, log on to www.paclubforgrowth.org.

Commonwealth Foundation chimes in on PA budget mess

Solid data follows with blogmaster's highlights. Neither Fontana nor Diven were a part of the prior efforts to keep the budget in check. We'll be watching what happens.

NEWS RELEASE on 07.05.05

Public Service vs. Lip Service
Tonight's Budget Vote Will Reveal Members' Commitment to PA Taxpayers

Harrisburg, PA - As Pennsylvania lawmakers enter the final hours of the budget process, the Commonwealth Foundation reminded the 28 Senators who sponsored Senate Bill 4 and the 81 Representatives who sponsored House Bill 1663 that their budget vote tonight will reveal the true level of commitment to fiscal restraint.

Gov. Ed Rendell proposed a FY 2005-06 budget of $23.845 billion -- a 4.2 percent increase in spending over last year's budget of $22.876 billion. But if House Bill 1663, sponsored by House Appropriations Chairman Brett Feese, or Senate Bill 4, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Chip Brightbill, were law today, the increase in state government spending would be limited to 2.8 or 2.7 percent, respectively.

According to calculations by the Commonwealth Foundation, if Rep. Feese's spending limitation were applied to the FY 2005-06 budget, Pennsylvania taxpayers would see a budget of $23.527 billion -- or $318 million smaller than the governor's proposal. And if Sen. Brightbill's spending limit was in effect, the burden to Pennsylvania taxpayers would be more than $351 million less than under the governor's proposal-a total spending plan of $23.494 billion.

Senator Brightbill's "Taxpayer Fairness Act" would limit state spending growth to the lower of either a) the average rate of change of inflation plus state population growth for the three preceding years or b) the average rate of change in state personal income for the three preceding years.

(See comments of this blog entry to view the listing of names of the 28 PA Senators and various PA Reps who had signed onto those prior acts to keep down the budget's growth.)

"Tonight's vote on the budget will reveal if Pennsylvanians are getting public service or just good old lip service from these elected officials," said Commonwealth Foundation President Matthew J. Brouillette. "And we look forward to praising those who put taxpayers' interests ahead of special interests."
The Commonwealth Foundation is an independent, non-profit public policy research and educational institute based in Harrisburg.

T.J. Think Tank hits on stem cell research

From the slated speaker, Greg Yoest:

Tomorrow night, Wed., July 6th, I'll be giving a talk at a local North Hills politics-and-public-affairs monthly dinner and discussion group called the Thomas Jefferson Think Tank. The talk's called "Stem Cell Research: The Science, The Ethics, and the Politics."

It's pretty much what the title says it is, a 45-60 minute talk about stem cell research and several of its different angles, followed by as long of a formal and
informal Q & A period that the restaurant allows us to have (usually up until 9pm in their meeting room, then 10pm? 11pm? midnight? at their bar, if anyone wants
to stay that long!).

The talk begins around 7:15-7:30, and many people attend just for the talk--if you want to have dinner, try to get there early (6pm? 6:30pm? not much later than 7pm) so as not to overload their kitchen. (try to rsvp, as late as late afternoon tomorrow, if you're attending so we don't get SUPER-swamped!) Super-informal but we will try to stick to this stem-cell research topic and not veer off onto a tangent like taxpayer-funded sports stadiums :-)

Who? What? Where? When? How? WhoKilledKennedy? etc:

Where: Silvioni's Restaurant, 2125 Babcock Blvd. in the lower North Hills, just off of McKnight Road near where it connects w/ I-279-N just outside of the city. (Immediately next to Evergreen Fire Hall, near the Thompson Run/Monte Cello's intersection, 2 places up from Best Feeds Garden Center; many of you remember
that neck of the woods well!) Or call the restaurant (412-821-9895), or MapQuest 2125 Babcock Blvd Pgh PA for better directions.

When: Wed., July 6th, speech ~ 7:20pm (tomorrow night!!!---sorry for the late notice but there's a core group of regulars who attend every month and I'm just informing you all fyi in case you're REALLY interested in this topic; if nothing else this e-mail'll re-connect me to all yinz getting it, maybe more the reason I'm sending it along than anything else! I'll be videotaping it and I can make copies if you're
REALLY interested in this topic!!!!!)

What: a talk on "Stem Cell Research: The Science, The Ethics, and the Politics" geared towards a generally-literate and interested audience..sort of what like Carl Sagan did for astronomy in the late 1970s!!!!!!

Who: I'll be the (main) speaker and discussion leader; anyone who wants to attend is welcome!!!!

Why: gotta eat dinner somewhere!!!!

How: verbal, spoken-word speech, with some visuals thrown in for good measure :)

All F.Y.I and if I don't see yinz in person soon I surely will by long-overdue e-mails!!!!!!

Sincerely, Greg Yoest

Sorry, I'll be at a swim meet. :(

Crafton Crocs and a biathlon

July 4th, we did a run and swim biathlon. This was in the parking lot as you can notice the caution tape. 

Classic watchdog line in PG about city government

Deep within an article by new PG jouralist, Rich Lord, concerning the City's (mostly Mayor Murphy) effort to privatize the garage that fixes and maintains the trucks and autos of the city one reads this classic line:

The city seems on track to save less than it bargained for.

Excellent summary. Nuff said.

The garage saga seems to be another deal from Mayor Murphy's Administration (and City Council) that won't add up to what was promised. Broken promises. False hopes. Changes that come with pain, but changes that do not impact the bottom-line. The city's position is worse than before.

That bad news has an upside however. This time it isn't the message, it is the messenger. That article, rather long and insightful, was printed in the PG. And, it ran in July, printed before the year-end. The garage is a 'done deal.' But, the article provided 'follow-up coverage' on a newer program. The coverage was on a 'work in progress.' The article delivers real-time news reporting on a technical matter beyond a knife fight or a job promotion at a real estate office in the metro area.

I am more than pleased to see Rich Lord as part of the Post-Gazette's staff. We've got a watchdog at the big city daily, finally.

Articles such as this would never have happened in the Post-Gazette three, five, seven years ago, in terms of city government.

By the way, it seems to me that the two oversight boards are not making any noise. The I.C.A. is going to cost the city's budget $2-million. However, the ICA hasn't held a meeting in a month. The next meeting hasn't even been scheduled, to my knowledge.

The Act 47 Team came to town to watch out and restrict the over-spending by those on Grant Sreet. Are they really watching? Do they really care? They've been here more than a year and their programs have taken root in some quarters. Where is the windfall from those efforts? I hope that the Act 47 team delivers some value on the long list of items still lingering on their to-do list. But I won't be holding my breath.

Pittsburgh is in a sad position when watchdogs are necessary for one's who are on duty to provide oversight. Thankfully, with Rich Lord's arrival at the PG, a spark of a bark has been awakened. This is a great trend that needs to continue and snowball.

Privatized fleet maintenance saving city less than expected Privatized fleet maintenance saving city less than expected
Monday, July 04, 2005, By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

This type of journalism might lead to increased public pressure, accountability, and even controllers who have a grip of control and overlords with the vision for oversight.

Sticking with China: Local firms -- shrugging off criticism of China's currency, acquisition moves -- press on with plans to expand in world's most po

Lead story in the PG's Sunday Business section on China.

Sticking with China: Local firms -- shrugging off criticism of China's currency, acquisition moves -- press on with plans to expand in world's most populous country Sticking with China: Local firms -- shrugging off criticism of China's currency, acquisition moves -- press on with plans to expand in world's most populous country

Sunday, July 03, 2005
By Jim McKay, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

While the takeover bids by Chinese companies for Unocal Corp. and Maytag are grabbing headlines and roiling public opinion, Bayer, Alcoa and other companies with ties to Pittsburgh are quietly marching forward with large projects in China.

The other story is of interest too.

Critics say China's currency policy gives it unfair advantage: "Critics say China's currency policy gives it unfair advantage

Sunday, July 03, 2005
By Jim McKay, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

From Dave Frengel's perspective, there's not a lot of good to say about China these days.

The government affairs director for Penn United Technology, a tool, die and spare parts manufacturer in Cranberry, says he's all for global trade but believes China is being given too much of a free hand.

Let's talk about some miss-information a bit. The Yuan, the casual name for China's currency (RMB is its more formal name), has a rate of exchange that is hooked directly to the U.S.A.'s Dollar. The excange rate for the YUAN and Dollar is always at 8.1. They don't change. That's the policy set up by those in power now in Beijing.

There is nothing unfair about that policy. Zippo. What's unfair is all the crying that it's unfair. The Beijing policy means that the American politicians can't pull a fast-one on the world and deflate the value of the dollar -- or increase its value. The magic of the economic wizards -- or at least the wizards like to think of themselves as such -- is only a wish that can't be obtained nor controlled via DC's power brokers.

There is no 60% tax on US exports to China unless one thinks that there is a 100% tax on US goods to Japan because its dollar exchange is more like 1 to 100 (close enough for this blog) and not 1 to 8.1. It's just math. The US Dollar to Thai currency is 1 to 40 (or so).

That's taxing on small minds. It's called math. But, it isn't a "tax." It's called an exchange rate. Remember the lesson apples to apples and not to oranges.

I don't think it is wise for US Senators to force CHINA to revalue China's currency.

Funny then how the PG paper talks about Greenspan's meeting. The PG news is more than a month old. It is stale. China's policy was pondered. They did a double-clutch. They were going to set up a new export tax in China, but it was pulled a couple of days later and was never put into effect.

The PG must have run an old AP story. It is bad news.

Bristle onward Frengel, you protectionist who knows what is careless and reckless. Yeah right.

Wikimania - perhaps we could organize a Pittsburgh huddle as theirs concludes or is in progress?

Main Page - Wikimania: "Wikimania 2005: The First International Wikimedia Conference will be held in Frankfurt am Main, Germany from 4 August 2005 to 8 August 2005.

I'm not going to Germany, but I'd like to if I could. No money. No time. No driving need to be away from the homefront. And, what I'd really love to see and explore is a way to get some Pittsburgh folks to gather to talk about WIKI matters. Perhaps we could use this meeting in Germany as a good excuse to hold a MEET-UP like huddle in Pittsburgh in early August too.
I'm going to spend a good amount of time in July on the Platform.For-Pgh.org wiki.

UnSpace provided to great blog posts -- so far on the Tour de France. Keep it flowing please.

UnSpace Blog Archive Tour de France Stage 1 Results David Zabriskie (26 y/o, CSC) took the maillot jaune (Yellow Jersey) for the first stage with an amazing 20:51 with Lance Armstrong (33 y/o, Discovery) finishing 2 seconds and Alexandre Vinokourov (31 y/o, T-Mobile) a relatively distant third at 53 sec. George Hincapie (32y/o, Discovery) took 4th at 57.

I'd love to follow the race through the blog posts of others.

Re-banged: New bicycle saga for a first-time rider

Grant, now 7, our 2nd boy, now rides a bicycle. This is a monumental advancement! He is so proud. We are all thrilled.

The training wheels were taken off of Grant's bike a few days ago. Now the only thing comming off is skin.

To re-bang, or spelled without the hypen, rebang is to fall and re-injure the same spot on one's body. Grant has been re-banging his elbows the most.

Today, for the first time, Grant and I rode along the bike-path next to the Mon on the South Side to Station Square. He fell four times. He had a blast.

Today Erik, 10, went white-water rafting on the Yough with a friend's family. That was his first on that river, riding cat 1 and 2 water. He's back with any bruises. My wife wasn't too relaxed throughout the day.

We love the water and have done some canoe trips on the New River in Virginia and even got to raft in a tame (tourist-type) Snake River in Wyoming.

One day, so goes my dream, we'll buy our own kayaks and spend lots of time on the rivers, lakes, ponds, oceans and pools as we grow up -- for fitness, fun and education. For now -- let's be happy with the bike time and occasional river voyage.

Eminent Domain -- once a buzz, now a swarm -- potential stingers

In 2001, as a candidate for Mayor as a 'free market republican' in a contested primary, my pledge was to work against any and all forces of eminent domain. Back then I had thought we had gone overboard. Perhaps that whine came before its time!

The flap over Eminent Domain is now more than ever.

In 2005's race, I stood against eminent domain in my platform. It went to the matter of our willingness to over litigate and reach solutions that are not 'ideal.'

As we know, in 2001 and in 2005, I didn't "win" at the ballot box. However, some points were scored in the discussion. And, opportunities exist to make eminent domain a more pressing issue for all politicians and all races for the years to come.

The PG's Sunday paper had two more letters to the editor. The author of the first letter, Scott B, came to Pittsburgh a number of times in the past to help the locals fight eminent domain. He has some family in the area. I had the good pleasure of meeting him and assisting then (a bit) with those efforts. The second letter comes from fellow leader of the Libertarian Party in Allegheny County.

Be very afraid of this decision on eminent domain

Your editorial "Eminent Sense" (June 28) defending the U.S. Supreme Court's appalling eminent domain decision was entirely inaccurate. You sought to reassure Pittsburghers that they had little to fear from the court's ruling. Nonsense.

People in Western Pennsylvania should be deeply concerned about the court's ruling and should work to change the law in Pennsylvania. As Justice Sandra Day O'Connor powerfully wrote in her dissenting opinion: Under the court's 5-4 decision, "nothing is to prevent the State from replacing any Motel 6 with a Ritz-Carlton, any home with a shopping mall, or any farm with a factory."

But an amazing thing has happened in the wake of this decision. One would be hard-pressed to think of a recent Supreme Court decision that has generated such uniform and widespread outrage across the country and across the political spectrum. Americans are virtually united in opposition to it. The homeowners in New London, Conn. have been overwhelmed with phone calls, letters, and e-mails of support. Messages of opposition have filled newspaper letters-to-the editor pages nationwide, including those of the Post-Gazette. Online polls on national Web sites show upwards of 96 percent opposed to the Supreme Court's decision. Clearly, Americans understand how threatening the court's decision is for ordinary home and small business owners.

Now is the time to take this genuine grass-roots anger and energy and transform it into productive activism to change the law in Pennsylvania and throughout the country. For citizens interested in learning how, please go to the Web site of the Castle Coalition (www.castlecoalition.org).

SCOTT BULLOCK, Senior Attorney, Institute for Justice, Washington, D.C.

Editor's note: The Institute for Justice represented the business owners challenging the potential use of eminent domain in proposed development in Downtown Pittsburgh in 2000.

---

No friend

I was quite disappointed to read your June 28 editorial ("Eminent Sense") supporting the Supreme Court's Kelo decision concerning the use of eminent domain.

To support the authority of "Big Brother" to take the little guy's home away from him when some vague and unproven central plan is proposed implies your support for sacrificing the individual for the collective good -- or, at least, the good of the government itself and the powerful who are politically connected to it.

And I thought the PG was a friend of the average working person.

JERRY GLOEKLER, Bellevue

---

Andrew's a short article about Kelo on Freedom's Gate, comes from another area Libertarian. He's already had LTEs published in both the Trib and the P-G. See the
links from his blog.

DON'T PANIC: Sally Struthers, eat your heart out...

A few years ago I helped with a local PCTV 21 show called The Art of News. That was fun. The shows that were produced were a real hoot. This blog post would make for a great script for that show, if it was still being developed.

DON'T PANIC: Sally Struthers, eat your heart out...: " Senate Democratic leader Robert Mellow isn't shy about pushing for a $10,000 raise for state legislators -- to take their pay up to $80,000 a year.


Hmm... it kind of sounds... greedy. This might take a real PR push, but I have the perfect idea for the commercial:

I still long for The Art of News writters meetings.

RedState.org has a section devoted to FEC (Federal Election Commission)

FEC dot RedState dot org Section: FEC

This technical, legal, political stuff is for some die-hard activists. Yummy.
http://www.krempasky.com/redstate/images/fec.jpg

Generally -- after almost every move of pending move from the goverment weenies who are so quick to mess with our freedoms and democracy -- one only needs to post, "Think again."

The, "keeping the options open" avenue is a well worn pathway for them.

NYC hopes Senator Clinton can boost its chances to land 2012 Olympics

SI.com - More Sports - NYC hopes Senator Clinton�can boost its chances - Saturday July 2, 2005 4:15PM SINGAPORE (AP) -- Other cities are bringing presidents, prime ministers and royalty in hopes of landing the 2012 Olympics. New York is bringing Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Okay, here comes my best wishes with a political mind: I'd love to see NYC get the Olympics. That's official.

I've got a lot of friends and even some family in NY and the general area. I could stay with them for a month in 2012 and earn my keep by trading pins and offering to wash auto window in bump-to-bumper traffic outside a tunnel.

My circle of friends in London, Moscow, Madrid, and Paris is much more thin, presently.

Otherwise, there is sure to be a big party in one of the cities in a couple of days when the news is released. It would be fun to be in Madrid or Moscow when, and if, that decision comes to be known.

When Syndey got the Olympic bid, that city was over joyed. And, the glow lasted for months, if not years and right up the to hosting of the games.

The tone in NYC isn't expected to be the same, I dare predict. A great many there be happy, no doubt. But I don't think we'll see the gushing, ga-ga reaction.

City's loss is UPMC's soon

The saga with the #3 guy in the Murphy Administration gets another article to freshen the thread.

Kennedy won't be involved in EMS talks in new job Departing City of Pittsburgh Operations Director Bob Kennedy probably won't have an opportunity to finish the biggest job he's left undone: the transfer of the city's paramedic service to local hospitals.

Older (June 29) posting on this blog about Kennedy:

Pittsburgh losing operations director to UPMC Pittsburgh Operations Director Bob Kennedy will leave the city post this week to become a vice president for government relations at UPMC Health System.

Humm....

A couple of years ago, I called upon some of Pittsburgh's biggest employers, and that would include UPMC for sure, to do the city a big favor. I asked that the big employers HIRE Mayor Murphy and some of his cronies in City Hall -- for the good of the city.

Often, when you get into a tangle, the best thing you can do to get beyond is to show the oppostion a better exit. Getting the trouble to leave with grace is a great way to win in the end.

Well, back then, no outfit (not Mellon, Giant Eagle, PNC, UPMC, nor the Peace Corps) offered Tom Murphy a corner office, parking space, secretary. Tom Cox still works for the city too. Others flew to Detroit and Cinci. Whew.

Now comes the news of Kennedy's departure. Did UPMC finally get the message? Let's not kid ourselves.

How about a package deal?

But really, given this time -- what's the worry. Who cares if they go to the private sector or to unemployment?

Kennedy, on the other hand, isn't the worst of the worst. But, why would UPMC hitch its GOVERNMENT RELATIONS post to a person from the MURPHY ADMINISTRATION?

Either: UPMC doesn't understand the horrors of the Pittsburgh legacy of the Murphy Administration; Or, UPMC thinks the #3 guy in the horror-filled administration is not a culprit too; Or, UPMC is holding up its civic duty to take him on as a rehab case-study; Or, Kenneydy might hold value with a EMS deal yet to unfold in the past decade; Or, Altmire made em do it; Or, you can tell us what you think in the comments below.

If AGH hires Murphy and Tom Cox goes to work for Alcoa, the PG, the Steelers, or even American West Airlines, I'll be happy for them, personally. My only wish was that those shoes would have fallen two years ago.

Mr. Kennedy, way to go on getting the new position. Hope you have a splendid career henceforth.

Legislative Pay Raises

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
3863 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
1-800-774-4487
www.lppa.org

For Immediate Release

For more information contact:
Doug Leard at 215-646-1502 or
David Jahn (Chair) at 610-461-7755

Pennsylvania legislators feel they do not make enough money. Yet, our legislators already rank, with California, New York and Michigan, as the highest paid state legislators earning over $69,000 per year. In addition, they receive a generous daily expense allowance of $125 per day, a car with insurance and health insurance. Plus, they receive an automatic cost of living adjustment each year.

The Libertarian Party strongly opposes this excessive compensation of our legislature. Neighboring states pay significantly less to their legislators. New Jersey pays $49,000 per year while Delaware pays $36,500. Neither state provides a per diem expense allowance.

Other states manage their affairs paying far less than this. For example, New Hampshire pays just $200 for a two year term of office. New Hampshire also has no state income tax and no state sales tax. If only our legislators could exercise that kind of tax restraint.

Perhaps our legislature should be paid for performance, not politics. Their salary could be tied to the change in the inflation adjusted state budget. If the inflation adjusted state budget increases 4%, then the legislature gets a 4% pay cut. If they hold the line per inflation, they get the inflation rate. If they cut spending 3%
below inflation, then they get 3%.

Performance pay -- perfect for Pennsylvania.

The Libertarian Party, the third largest and fastest growing political party in Pennsylvania and the nation, continues to provide a beacon of hope for voters disillusioned by the fog of Big Government.

Letters to the editor: 7/01/05

Two interesting letters to the editor on education follow. They are from today's PG and hold different views.

Letters to the editor: 7/01/05

---

Moving for school

As someone with a young family who is actually moving back to Pittsburgh, I have to speak up about the Board of Public Education's new hesitation to approve the design and construction of the addition to Colfax Elementary School, as reported in the June 23 Post-Gazette. An addition is necessary to accommodate the growing population at Colfax.

This is occurring long after the board approved the change to a K-8 school and new grades have already been added. How the board thinks making and breaking decisions from one year to the next will lead to any improvement and stability in the schools is beyond me.

Our decision whether to live in the city instead of the suburbs rests on a good public school system. I visited Colfax. The active, engaged learning I observed, the diverse population and the fact that it is a K-8 school are the reasons that we want to move back into the city. Why else when I can get a nicer house for less money and pay far less taxes in the suburbs?

Believe me, I understand that there are financial problems. Our children are coming from the Baltimore school system, which has had even greater financial difficulties. I witnessed the Baltimore board change plans after decisions were made. And I saw the devastating effects these constant changes had on schools that had been steadily improving and had been generating renewed support for the public schools. Uncertainty and instability doesn't help students, schools or communities. I hope the Pittsburgh board will do better.
SARAH BERMAN, Baltimore, Md.

---

Quality, not size

With all respect to Principal David May-Stein and the parents who so badly want $15 million to support Colfax Elementary School's expansion to K-8: Even if K-8 is better for the middle-school years (we can find studies that prove both good and bad), your kids aren't the ones who need it the most.

Your children have the options to go to some very high-performing middle schools: Frick International Studies Academy, Sterrett Classical Academy or Rogers School for the Creative and Performing Arts. None of these schools is far from Squirrel Hill and none of them are in dangerous neighborhoods. They all have high test scores and their graduates have gone on to do great things.

The kids who may benefit the most from a small middle school environment such as would be provided in a K-8 setting are the ones whose parents probably can't write letters to the editor, attend school board meetings en masse or even supervise their kids' walks to school or homework.

If the Pittsburgh Board of Public Education chooses to add K-8 programs, it should allocate the district's dwindling finances to the kids and neighborhoods that need improved programming the most. And Squirrel Hill is not in that category.

I'm a parent, too. I've sent four kids through East Hills Elementary School. Three have gone through Frick (one is just about to go) and two are in CAPA High School now. I could complain about lots of small issues, but I prefer to praise these schools for their overall programs. The fact that we have any of these choices is remarkable.

Nearby high-performing school districts such as Mt. Lebanon and North Allegheny all have large middle schools. I think the issue is not so much K-8 vs. middle school only but how these schools are funded and operated. Small classes, good facilities, well-trained teachers...
ROBERTA MINTZ, Shadyside

---

The dynamics in the city school are not like those in many other places around here. Some people go to city schools and are stuck here. They are not leaving. They can't leave. Leaving isn't an option. They cope and deal as best they can with what they got. Kids grow. Go with the flow of life -- but getting a new home in the suburban areas is asking way to much. It's not going to happen.

Other people are here by choice. They can move. Many do. Some choose to stay. To stay makes a constant decision. Once the situations are so bad at home, then the grass looks much greener elsewhere, then the family packs its life and finds a home and schools elsewhere.

Mostly, those who are the poorest are the ones who are in the first situations. They are stuck, in part, because they can't afford to move into a more expensive home, lifestyle, district.