VOLUNTEERS SURF and SCRUB THE WEB TO HELP RECONNECT FAMILY AND FRIENDS

FOR MEDIA:

Contact: Sue Cline: Volunteer : Katrinalist.net : Communications & Media Phone: (804) 230-3456
Contact: Marty Kearns: Volunteer : Katrinalist.net : Communications & Media (C ) 202-487-1887
Contact: Zack Rosen: Volunteer : Katrinalist.net : Technical and Engineering Lead (C) (724)612-7641

WASHINGTON, Friday, September 09, 2005 — The largest collection of data on the web about evacuees and survivors has been pulled together by volunteers and programmers working long hours for the last week. The http://www.katrinalist.net is a collection of survivor information from across dozens of sites. The project was launched to provide information on survivors to family and friends across the web. The http://www.katrinalist.net site forms a needed complement to a pending launch of newer efforts to organize data by the Red Cross, FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security.

The "official sites" will be focusing on new more structured data collected from people in shelters and from those interacting with government programs and relief organizations. http://www.Katrinalist.net is the complement to whatever official collection all the informal data from bulletin boards, discussion forms and sites across the web. Katrinalist.net will provide data to Katrinasafe.com (also know at this blog as the jagoffs.)

Those seeking information on family should first search www.katrinasafe.com and then www.katrinalist.net. These sites represent the best collection of data and the best hope for helping family and friends locate each other.

Evacuees wishing to inform loved ones of their location can register or post information about survivors at http://www.katrinasafe.com/WebEntryApplication/entryform.aspx

Report a Missing Person at http://www.katrinasafe.com/WebEntryApplication/InquiryEntryForm.aspx

These are all voluntary and self-reporting tools. All media outlets and those hosting discussion boards, search tools and other information on survivors or offering connections to families are asked to redirect search traffic and data input to these sites.

Additional Background:
The project was launched as the core team started to realize that too many sites were collecting data and stories on families looking for or posting the status of their friends and neighbors. In the moments leading up to the storm dozens of sites launched services to help their members, including: New Orleans Newspapers (NOLA.com), TV and radio sites, Craigslist, CNN, MSNBC, Yahoo, Blogs and the Red Cross. In the hours following the storm companies, college students and volunteers began to set up databases for people to add and search information.

On Friday the 9th, The American Red Cross, with support of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement launched a web site and hotline to help assist family members who are seeking news about loved ones living in the path of Hurricane Katrina.

Dozens of message boards have sprung up around the country since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, promising to throw a technological lifeline to families that have been ripped apart. At the same time, the proliferation of registries has also made it increasingly difficult to figure out where to find information on missing loved ones.

"If I'm a refugee trying to find my brother, I would have to search 20 databases and 25 online forums," said David Geilhufe, chief executive of the Social Source Foundation, a charity set up to create software for other non-profits. "It's a huge problem."

Enter Katrinalist.net. The all volunteer team created a searchable directory of persons displaced or affected by Hurricane Katrina, consolidating over 25 different online resources into one central, searchable repository. PeopleFinder Interchange Format, (called 'PFIF') is a new, standardized data format implemented in XML.

Katrina People Finder (www.katrinalist.net) helps in the organization of data about people affected by major storms such as Hurricane Katrina and speeds searches by allowing many organizations to contribute to a central repository. The interchange format of Katrina People Finder makes automated search and retrieval of data about people quick and easy. Common data will help automated systems to connect displaced individuals via automatic categorization and matching.

The Kartinalist.net PeopleFinder database now contains just barebones information -- such as name, phone number, last known address and status. But Dean Robison of Salesforce.com, a San Francisco software firm that is providing the technology to run the consolidated database, said it could easily be expanded in the future to speed rescue and relief operations in further disasters.

The Power of Community

The Katrina PeopleFinder Project mobilized hundreds of volunteers over the Labor Day weekend to make an immediate difference. That immediate difference is at http://www.katrinalist.net/, a searchable database of almost 400,000 PeopleFinder Interchange Format-compliant, volunteer-entered, missing and found persons reports from across the web. Having a single, searchable resource is critical due to limited internet access for evacuees and their families. The team plans to turn its attention to housing and job solutions next, creating a centralized technology solution that aggregates a comprehensive resource set from sites all across the web, standardizes them, and makes them searchable from anywhere.

Project Contributors
CivicSpace Labs (http://www.CivicSpaceLabs.org) is a funded non-profit organization and community collaborating with the Drupal (http://www.Drupal.org) project to develop a free/open-source software platform for online community organizing. CivicSpace enables bottom-up people-powered campaigns to operate on a more level playing field with more traditional top-down organizations, and, similarly, allows top-down organizations to leverage the power of grassroots organizing.

Salesforce.com Foundation (http://www.salesforcefoundation.org/index.html) was officially launched in July 2000 by Secretary of State, Colin L. Powell. The launch of the Foundation came less than a year after the launch of the company with the goal of building philanthropic programs at the very beginning of the company's existence rather than waiting until the company had reached a certain level of 'comfortable success'. Our belief is if emphasis is placed on social programs from a company's inception, the value of service will be a core cultural value that is built into the fabric of the company.

Social Source Software (http://www.social-source.com/) creates world-class software specifically for nonprofit and non-governmental organizations, usually under an open source license. Social Source Software works with organizations seeking to create enterprise grade websites, web applications, and other types of software.

Craigslist (http://www.Craigslist.org) From its humble beginnings as an e-mail newsletter sent to friends in San Francisco, Craigslist has grown to be one of the largest online community bulletin boards, with 175 Craigslist sites in all 50 US states, and 34 countries. Craigslist was one of the earliest community sites to coordinate hurricane relief, rescue and reunion for Katrina survivors.

It is a sidewalk. Not roller blade way nor speed way. No bike riding here.

Don't ride your bike on the sidewalks of the South Side! Get off and walk. A few customers of stores have gotten run down by fast moving bike riders in recent days. Get onto the street and go fast or walk on the sidewalk.

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances: RIP to the ICA

We need oversight. The ICA isn't dead yet. It has acted like it is worthless. But that is another problem.

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com R.I.P.: The Pittsburgh oversight board. With the departure of Bill Lieberman from the board, there's really no need for the board to exist. Gutted of any members who don't have marionette rods attached to their mouths, the board has been reduced to a rubber stamp of the companion Act 47 board. It's a great victory for gubernatorial thuggery; it's a very sad loss for the concept of independent oversight.

I've suggested that Joe Weinroth be nominated to fill the open position on the ICA board.

The need for the board is there because the Act 47 folks can't be trusted, nor can the city's leaders. We do have a need for oversight. The reasons are there as sure as the debt is huge.

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - Parking

City council does have some skin in the strike by the union that operates many parking lots.

Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances - PittsburghLIVE.com To Pittsburgh City Council. It passes a resolution in support of the striking parking lot attendants and accuses the lot operators of 'union-busting.' First, the council has no business entering this fray. Second, its resolution only affirms that it doesn't have a clue about finances in general. It's this kind of mind-boggling lapdogging that played a major role in Pittsburgh's fiscal downfall.

The city owns the PARKING AUTHORITY. The Parking Authority should be taken apart.
I spoke to the union leader and he agrees with me. The Parking Authority is part of the problem. The Parking Authority should be NUKED.
Furthermore, the URA is building parking garages. That's an important connection that can't be ignored. The city council has a seat on the URA board. That is another connection.
That said -- I don't think that the resolution was worth hill of beans. But, there are ways to get involved and do better work than what we've seen.

Statement in the Aftermath of Katrina via OMB. My reactions within (long)

The essence of needing and expecting action is fine. But, how actions are accomplished and what is asked for (in hindsight) is strange in this OMB statement.

OMB Watch - An OMB Watch Statement in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina reminds us why it is necessary to have a strong, accountable federal government. In a time of crisis we need a unified, coordinated and effective response. To accomplish this, the federal government must exert leadership and be prepared to act. Hurricane Katrina has demonstrated -- as no sloganeering about the role of government could -- the dangers of assuming that smaller government is always better, or that federal responsibilities should be shifted to others. As Katrina has shown, when the federal government refuses to shoulder its responsibilities and chooses instead to pass the buck, lives are put at risk and chaos ensues....

I think Katrinia reminds us why it is necessary to have a diversified and effective response. The unified part was the problem, not the solution.
Leadership is earned -- like respect. It isn't something to EXERT. When the Federal Government MUST EXERT LEADERSHIP then we've got serious problems brewing, much worse than even Katrina.

True, many of our elected leaders who we expected to act didn't. They were ill prepared to lead, to act, to work, to fix and to help. They were frozen in time. The outcomes were glaring and caught on television news.
I am one who generally clamors for "smaller government." I don't ever say smaller is ALWAYS better. Always and never are avoided, as are "first" and "only."

We agree:
No doubt, the Fed need to shoulder responsibility.
No doubt, lives should not be put at risk.
No doubt, chaos ensues after a disaster. But, more chaos would occur if a unified effort shifted more responsibilities to itself, at the expense of other efforts, and then broke down.

It is like data. Back-ups are always a good idea.

We need good backups. We need redundant systems.

Just think of the World Wide Web. It thrives because all the data and efforts are not in one place with one god-like place of responsibility.

Just think of nature. The diversity is what makes splendid results. The king of the jungle is but a name. Ants, birds and reptiles all function without needing to get permission from the lions -- yet alone wait for the lion to live life for them.

Do doubt we need coordinated and effective. Unified, however, not so much.

We'll be stronger when there is diversity.

We'll be more accountable when there are other systems out there doing the job too.

The Feds are being held accountable today (or in the weeks to come) because the news crews (CNN, Fox, etc.) were at the New Orleans Convention Center and the reporters didn't find clean water, organization, doctors, nor food. Other voices and other avenues need to be free flowing -- not controlled from one central command.

I want accountability, but a great deal of that happens with marketplace forces that are proven in moment to moment efforts.

The one size fits all approach takes a lot of time at the tailor's shop before it can be applied. Meanwhile, deaths mount higher. We have to think it through and plan in advance. But there are times to act. A smart network has smart nodes. I want strong independence throughout.

Why has it been acceptable to provide tax breaks primarily for the richest in our society when basic human needs have gone unmet for so many?

Because they had the votes, that's why.

You want tax breaks, you line up some good reasoning, some good arm twisting, and you deliver the votes. Often the votes can be purchased. We have too many in the political realm who are able to be bought. That's special interest and money at its worst.

By the way, I hate corporate welfare. That is one of the worst types of tax cut.

I agree again that we need to have our government tackle the jobs of what government should be doing. Dams, locks on the rivers, road re-paving, bridge repair, rodent control, etc. They need to stick to the knitting. They need to watch the public treasury too. Large scale projects that make sense for the collective good need to be done. But, too many large scale projects are PORK and sexy. Those efforts take away from the non-sexy, routine, boring projects.

If you take care of the basics and repair what you have as top priorities -- you won't get ahead in politics and government. There have been millions poured into our state (Pennsylvania) for GAMBLING interests. We don't have gambling, but that is where the money is. The money is for the new, not the rehabs. The money is for the change, the churn, the speculators -- not the inner city.

It is easy to focus on one developer and a greenfield vs. a diverse neighborhood and many owners with many stakeholders. Easy does not deliver the best solutions however.

In our city, it is easy for the mayor or the county executive to call to the north side and have a meeting with four people all in the office: Rooney (Owner of the Steelers), McK (owner of the Pirates), S. (owner of leases to parking), URA (urban redevelopment authority). Easy. No home owners are there to deal with. Perhaps if the meeting get a bit wider in scope, they'd call HEINZ (woops, Del Monte) and talk about the catchup factory (woops, loft apartments). No need to call Pgh Wool -- eminent domain took them out of the picture years ago.

Meanwhile, if the mayor wants to call to the south side and have a meeting -- that meeting is going to erupt into a thorny brew-ha-ha with special interest groups, block watches, small business, non-profits, kids groups, out the wazoo. Once parking is raised, then nothing gets done for another week of venting. Its a mess.

Democracy is messy. Government is messy.

The South Side is thriving.

The top-down plans of the north side suck. The latest move is to spend $400-million on a subway line extension that goes under the river to get more people to the ball games. Nuts. Nobody wants that -- except for the four people who meet at regular intervals in the mayor's office.

I agree, we have too many misplace priorities.

By the way, our Democratic Governor who might one day run for President, Rendell, wanted to cut the gas taxes right away. That was his quick solution. And now that stance is being put onto the back burner with him.

BTW, this rub with the estate tax to help nonprofits (good for Red Cross and others) does not square with the idea that the government needs to shoulder the responsibility. The thinking became unclear to me with that example.

The cuts to food stamps, Medicaid and student loans are made so bigger bailouts can be made the next cycle. The university community of LA was just before Congress yesterday to ask for $500-million. So, a cut in student loans last season turned into free tuition and retention pay for professors next season. My point, is that there is a lot of smoke here. The knee jerk reactions are going to rule the day. The powerful gain power by controlling it and giving it out as they desire -- while noise and FUD (fear uncertainty and doubt) justifies the take-it-while you can mentality.

One shocking element about the events unfolding as a result of Hurricane Katrina is that few people, if any, have accurate, up-to-date, life-saving information. With a toxic stew roiling through the streets of New Orleans, the public's right to know about dangerous chemicals in their communities and the present dangers of large scale commercial coastal development becomes ever more important. Thousands of facilities in the Gulf Coast area -- ranging from gas stations to oil refiners to large petrochemical plants -- were buffeted by Hurricane Katrina and many may be leaking into the flood waters, but there is little information available about these facilities. Every community has dangers and knowledge about them can help us prevent disasters and react more quickly and properly when disasters strike. The federal government should take affirmative steps to insure that emergency responders and the public know about dangers in New Orleans and in all of our communities and require that companies make responsible efforts to minimize these dangers.

Agree.

The best way to get the info out to the people is to avoid a unified approach. Peer review, multiple sites, multiple flows of information are needed.

Meanwhile FEMA and Microsoft are teaming up to put a unified database of survivors together -- locking out others.

Underlying all the Gulf Coast devastation is a shocking injustice that must be addressed: a disproportionate number of poor and people of color were affected, reflecting broader and persistent societal inequities. The issue is not new, it has just been ignored. Some would argue we have been losing ground on this front for years. Here, too, there is a positive role the federal government can play, yet little leadership or political will is in place for that to occur. Ronald Reagan once quipped, "My friends, some years ago the federal government declared war on poverty -- and poverty won." As Hurricane Katrina has made so clear, this is no laughing matter; it is time the fight be taken up once again.

Agree: The governments fight on the war on poverty was a loss. Poverty won. So, why then do you want to increase food stamps, increase governmental handouts, increase student aid -- via governmental sources. You're conflict within your statement are hard to understand.

Poverty beat the feds -- so some advanced the fix to come via the faith based programs.

Determining what went wrong in New Orleans and other areas of the Gulf surely will be complex; a veritable labyrinth of local, state and federal actions -- or inaction -- is in play.

It isn't hard to understand, but it can be made into a complex problem.

A huge storm hit. Before the punch of the storm was delivered, people were not nimble enough to flee. Too many were not free and capable of moving quickly and on short notice.

Before the punch of the storm was delivered, too many people were in unprotected spaces. Buildings and security were not strong enough to weather the storm.

One system break-down leads to other systems breaking. Electricity, phone, power in hospitals, etc., etc. Not enough freedom, choice, back-ups, flexibility, individual decision making throughout.

After the storm hit, the wave of relief needed to be matched with a counter punch. The leveraged power of the counter punch was hindered on many instances. It was slow and weak at first.

The rush of relief faced many red-tape hurdles. For example, doctors were sitting for days with mini hospitals -- but could not treat the needy because of a state license issue. The hurdles were killers.

To run and be coordinated, our body has one group of muscles that flex and contract while other muscles lengthen, loosen and relax. Step after step this happens. Move - Relax - Move - Relax. Its the coordination thing! There seemed to be a lot of counter moves that stopped actions of willing helpers. We needed to be able to RELAX rules (and laws) to permit doctors to come in and treat our sick without the fear and uncertainty of loosing one's license a month later.

So, there isn't much flexibility built into our system. We are not good at relaxing as a society because we have too many hyper rule makers who don't think it through and see the bigger picture.

Individuals can make good decisions. All the decision making can't be uploaded to one mega brain.

Better decision can be made if things are out in the open for all to see.

As the toxic stew of flood waters recedes and assistance accelerates in aiding the people affected by Hurricane Katrina, Congress is beginning to look at what went so terribly wrong in responding to the crisis. That process must be independent of politics, as was the 9/11 Commission, and it must be open and accountable.

Agree with open and agree with accountable -- but we don't agree about the politics part. Dream on. This is Congress. Plus, politics is a part of life.

Push for open ways -- and don't push for the avoidance of politics. Expect it. Deal with it.

If we had Libertarians and Greens run the INDEPENDENT Investigation -- then we might have something to talk about. But Ds and Rs are going to be themselves, as they were before the storm. I'd like to see more parties with people in Congress. That would help to defuse the red-state vs blue-state games they both play.

Politics is part of the fabric of America and it needs to be dealt with -- not ignored or wished away. To ignore politics or wish it away is childish.

But we call on Congress to go beyond investigation and recommendations for fixes to the Gulf Coast disaster. Now is the time to move beyond ideology and realign our national priorities. True leadership requires action: enact responsible policies and budgets to support the safety and productivity of all Americans, not just in the aftermath of this storm, but over the long haul, no matter their race or status.

I'd counter with this closing statement. True leadership requires votes -- plain and simple. If you want to realign our national priorities, something that I agree we need to do, we need to realign our votes. Then its done. There is nothing so powerful.

We need to make sure all those people can vote. Plus, we need to make sure that all voters, everywhere, are casting smart votes.

Getting good people into office for the right reasons is going to fix a lot of the problems that plague our country. Kicking other people out of office for the right reasons is going to work wonders too. One is positive, the other is negative. We need to be strong on offense and not give away any gains on defense. Put the right ones in -- and toss the bums out.

The right ones (i.e.,creditable individuals who are candidates) are not going to be thrilled to build gambling casinos on the coast lines. The right ones are not going to be thrilled to make a Super Dome for $500-million and let neighborhoods be endangered due to cracked and crumbled infrastructure -- ripe for flooding.

I think this is going to boil down to the power of the voters and voter education. We must make smarter use of our votes in every office from local to national.

Rats!

Officials spar over city's rodent funds A proposal to take on the city of Pittsburgh's rodent population had city officials gnawing at each other yesterday.

What a shame and pitty. We can't even get on the same page, from within the same party, to take care of this pressing problem with rats.
Nobody is going to want to keep living in the city with these rats running around.

Flashback quiz: This isn't a rat nor is it a bobcat. Furthermore, it isn't a racoon. What is it? (Click to see comments for answer. Click the image to see a larger version.)

In football, the Ohio University Bobcats play the Pitt Panthers tonight -- in Athens, Ohio. Safe travels to all. Enjoy. Be sure to watch the OU band play pre-game, halftime and post-game. That is well worth the trip. That's what I'll be missing the most.

MoveOn -- OMG

Last night's 11 pm news showed a short story from Washington DC and Katrina. MoveOn sent protesters to rally in DC as to how the federal response in the Gulf was too slow, etc.

My wife (not too political) wasn't happy.

Her thoughts -- rather than a picket and a protest in DC, grab a broom and get to work helping someone somewhere.

One does not need to go to the Gulf Coast to help, by the way.

Main Page - Recovery 2.0 - a WIKI and people are gathering next week in S.F. too

Main Page - Recovery 2.0
Our goal is to be ready for the next disaster so people can better use the internet via any device to better:
1. share information,
2. report and act on calls for help,
3. coordinate relief,
4. connect the missing,
5. provide connections for such necessities as housing and jobs,
6. match charitable assets to needs,
7. get people connected to these projects - and the world - sooner.

WorldChanging: Another World Is Here: People Finder Tech

WorldChanging: Another World Is Here: People Finder Tech: "There are over 50 sites on the web set up to help New Orleans evacuees and their loved ones find each other. Problem is, none of these sites talk to each other, so people trying to find their family and friends end up having to find and search every one of the sites, just in case the names they were hoping to see only ended up in a single database. The PeopleFinderTech team has set out to implement a standardized data format (PFIF, or PeopleFinder Interchange Format) for these sites, making it possible to search many (hopefully all) of the databases in one go. The database, when completed, will live at http://katrinalist.net.

The project is well underway, but still has some major hurdles to leap before it's ready -- and here's how you can help.

To apply for FEMA aid online, Katrina survivors will need IE 6 - Computerworld

Jagoffs smell.

To apply for FEMA aid online, Katrina survivors will need IE 6 - Computerworld To apply for FEMA aid online, Katrina survivors will need IE 6 Mac and Linux users will have to seek FEMA help by phone.

Just a few minutes ago I wrote a letter to the Creative Commons talk list with an update. I'll put that in the comments of this post.

Univ. of Pittsburgh has a club for LIBERTARIANS. The first meeting report follows.

Hi all! We had the first meeting of the Pitt libertarian club last
night, and I think it was a great success!

We had around 15 people come, many of them freshman students.

A few of them were there to get more information, and we had several that already knew alot about the LP that wanted to be very active (perhaps even meeting more than monthly) and raise funds.

We ate 4 out of the 5 pizzas we had (the 5th one was free...they had an extra one I think), cracked some jokes, discussed the politics of South Park and threw around some T-shirt ideas (one student's idea and later drawing of an elephant humping a donkey and the resulting hybrid was hilarious).

We also have another student named Scott, who is in the National Guard, whom shall be interesting to talk to in future about the geopolitics of the military.

Re: Dave E and CMU Libs: It turns out that 7 PM is too early, as there are several people that had night classes (Scott even skipped his first Calc class because he wanted to attend so badly!), so we decided to push the time back to 8PM, perhaps with a video to start things off and let the stragglers coem in. Dave, do you think you and the CMU people can work with this?

I've got to run now...more later!
DaveP

Evil Jagoffs = MS and Katrinasafe.com

http://www.katrinasafe.com/OtherLocatingSites.htm

These guys can rot in hell.

The list on that page has 27 sites but does NOT include KatrinaList.net. Meanwhile, a group of volunteer netizens in a loose network there (and elsewhere) pounded the web and merged data from countless sources and crammed tens of thousands of records into a new standard interchange format. People were working their fingers to the bone and not a link to that site -- nothing.

The FEMA, Red Cross, Microsoft corporate folks did a hijack and some seemed to have left the citizen centric project after unloading poison pills.

Jagoffs.

This is ten days after the storm and that end-all, be-all mega site is just coming online.

By the way, all the work done in terms of bits and bytes by the volunteer network has been submitted and uploaded to the jagoffs' site. They got the data already. And they should have been given it. We all agree that the data should be out there -- far and wide. But, the data ain't coming back. And, the net isn't going to be there for the next update yet alone the next crisis.

I really gets me mad when some people don't play well with others. And, when it is by design -- it is worth a little name calling.

It feels like Steve Leeper or Tom Cox has their hands in this.

Well, more windmills await around the next bend and in the days ahead. Perhaps good, open cooperation will champion for 10-weeks then, rather than 10 days.

Perhaps after all those boneheads at FEMA get sacked, the next crew will arrive and see the stupidity and fatal flaws in thinking and process and security and accessibility and outreach and stability, etc.

Or, there is always the "INVESTIGATION" to come.

Flash slide show of 55 images from Katrina

Defining images of a disaster, from PaynterExtra.org that requires the Flash plugin.

SI.com - Olympics - Koreas agree on unified team for 2006 Asian Games

Playing well together is nice.

Generally I say that the mind leads and the body follows. Sometimes the body leads and the politicians follow too. Sports are a venue for improvements of relationships. I love to see advances in sports be transfered to other pursuits in life.

Sports Illustrated The two Koreas agreed to field a unified team for the 2006 Asian Games.
The agreement came during a meeting between the heads of the North and South Olympic organizations in the Guangzhou, China, the South Korean Olympic Committee said Thursday. Details are still to be worked out.

The nations also tentatively decided to form a unified soccer team for exhibition games against Brazil next spring in Pyongyang and Seoul.

Sports exchanges between the Koreas have flourished following a breakthrough meeting of the two nations' leaders in 2000. Athletes from the North and South marched together at the opening and the closing ceremonies of the 2000 and 2004 Olympics.

The 2006 Asian Games are scheduled for Dec. 1-16, 2006 at Qatar.

A geek's-eye view of hurricane relief - Science - MSNBC.com

Good ink on a project I'm assiting with -- slightly.

A geek's-eye view of hurricane relief - Science - MSNBC.com

But now there is much more brewing -- another storm. A fork of sorts. The FEMA and Red Cross and Microsoft folks seem to want to be a uni-center for data. But there are many others who are skeptical.

Katrina: Recovery Information Protection Act (RIP A)

Dan Chaney sent an email to katrinadev. We are working on a people finder application for use in the wake of Katrina. His post is at the top, followed by my reaction.

The Recovery Information Protection Act (RIPA, a term I completely made up as I was typing this in...) would be legislation designed to protect the information being posted in order to find survivors from being used for any other use, such as spam, commercial interests, etc. With the best of intentions, people are providing data on themselves and other individuals in order to find them. However that same data can be used for less altruistic purposes unless there are specific prohibitions against it. As generators of systems that collate and expand that data, we need to be aware of this issue. I am NOT suggestion we scale back efforts in any way, shape or form, the priority of finding people remains the highest priority (I'm not changing FamilyMessages' input screens, for example and we're continuing the PFIF implementations.) Nonetheless, a parallel effort to protect the use of that data should begin.

1. Does anyone know of existing legislation that would cover this issue?

2. Can anyone recommend US Congressional contacts that would be helpful here? I believe this would require quick action at the federal level (and that isn't the contradiction it seems if it can be a rider onto an emergency funding bill) but federal level is the only way to make it apply safely to the Internet.

3. Is there a downside to such legislation? (Let's assume it is narrowly drawn but precedent setting nonetheless)

I recognize this isn't a key issue for most of us focused on the technological, immediate and demanding issues but I'm hoping to help them head off another set of problems tomorrow by sidestepping them today. No one in their situation needs to deal with a million telemarketers with scams designed to play on their misfortunes,
financial or otherwise.

-dan

---

Hi,

Dan, Good, proactive thread... Nice thinking. You open a big can of worms.

However, I don't think your proposed legislative direction makes for a good outcome. It is NOT something I'd want to push in the real world. But after slamming the core of the ideas -- I'll attempt to offer a better solution / direction / approach (perhaps we'll agree). So, Dan, nice jucy can of worms -- but no thanks. I'll take a different flavor -- say a JAR of worms.

READERS, this has NOTHING to do with "DEV" on the pressing software / network application. So, it will be my ONLY posting to this list. I'll take the concepts to the WIKI, however, and my personal blog. You can stop reading now if busy and only interested in the bits and bytes.

First off -- there is a NATIONAL Do not call database. They also exist on a state by state basis. We also have one in our state.

(FYI, I don't agree with DO NOT CALL LISTS either -- and my name and #s are not in that db. But, that is another point well beyond this.)

Plus, local state attorney generals can be at the forefront of your concerns. An attorney general could -- and should perhaps -- stand up at a press briefing (while talking about gasoline price gougers, etc.) and cover what you put forth in your concerns. The attorney general can say -- "HANDS off to the unscrupulous." Otherwise, you'll feel the wrath of my office, blah, blah, blah.

I'm fine and would even support you taking these concepts to any and all Attorney Generals of each state.

Next, in the marketplace, there is sure to be a lot of backlash to any firm who might mine for sales given these reports. Is Lands End going to do a special Down South Gulfin catalog for the fall season and try to target victims of Katrina? No way.

The data, as we'll be finding out, is going to be very, very fluid. People are on the move. A relationship with a moving target is hard to use in a direct marketing campaign.

Next there is delivery of goods purchased, etc.

But, on the other hand, the people are getting, so says the news, a $2,000 debit card. So, catalog sales and efforts would be possible.

Then there is the matter of the necessary navel gazing that needs to be done by those in office now -- as to the delays and investigations, etc. These guys need to take a long, hard look in the rear view mirror. They are in a reactive mode, sadly. This effort for new legislation is proactive and where they should be -- but they are not. I don't think it will resonate with any office staffers at this time.

This could be a good campaign point to mention in 2006 races, for sure. But it would need a lot of buzz to take root -- when roots are so frail.

Furthermore, why don't we allow the marketplace to heal when it can -- not make these people islands where there can't be outreach. Some want normal relations without "special interest" pockets of "isolation."

For example, perhaps there is a truck load of work boots for $5 a pair headed to the Gulf or a shelter -- and handbills are delivered. Who is to say that those efforts ( relief in part, commerce in part ) CAN'T occur except by special order of FEMA or some other bureaucrat.

I think the tone needs to be "buyer beware" and "protect yourself" and "don't be slopp with your personal security."

However, this does lead to the points of ELECTIONS and VOTER Registrations.

Since 2001's hanging chad fumbles and follies -- we've done more damage than good in efforts of Voter Protection, vote counting, and so on.

What if you are running for school board in Houston and there are 15,000 new neighbors -- and you gotta go door-to-door in the next month, before a November election. ???

We do need, as open-source folks, have good measures of freedom and responsibility -- BOTH are needed.

Furthermore, I think we need to elbow a few along the way in terms of "democracy" and "inclusion" and allowing every voice to count and/or be heard.

This (people finder) is a massive project where each individual needs to be accounted for. The same is true in our American society with voting. Each individual needs to be able to have the opportunity to cast a vote. Not just men. Not just land owners. Not just residents since before Katrina. There is a dignity and worth to every human that DOES not change because of situations (skin color, neighborhood,
parents, job status, etc.)

I don't think we need to be MORE controlling -- but instead insert more LIBERTY -- and have a big sense of the core justice avenues. In America -- we vote. We do JURY Duty. We are all innocent until proven guilty.

Generally, too, we have freedoms to associate and free travel -- and free trade.

We are sure to need efforts of protection -- but, IMHO, they need to be geared to inclusion -- not isolation.

---

More to come, I'm sure. I just thought of another option.

How about a Creative Commons License that prevents commercial use? I'll email Lessig.

Polo anyone? I hope so. Play begins this weekend at CV.

Dripping with desire -- I'm ready to re-enter the game.

In the early 1990s, I published what is thought to be the best book on water polo, authored by then four time and now five time Olympic Coach, Monte Nitzkowski.

Around the same year, I started some water polo activities at Plum High School. We played there twice a week with adults and high schoolers in a co-ed practice. We did drills and wash-scoring mini-games.

When I coached the Foxes, two of the seniors did "senior projects" with water polo. We even had a joint practice with another high school team to play polo. And, our Firday AM workouts were designed to not include lane lines. We often worked on water polo skills as a change of pace in our overall conditioning sessions.

When we went to China in May and June, 2005, I got to play twice a week with the men's squad against a college women's team. The Physical Education College was starting a water polo team for the women and they needed competition. I was happy to participate.

This weekend a new water polo program is starting in Pittsburgh, at Charties Valley High School. It is open to kids from throughout the area.

The Pittsburgh Water Polo LeagueAction and sign-ups are to start this weekend. The league presents the youth of the area an opportunity to join a water polo team and compete against other teams for the league championship. It is more like an "in-house league" as all the players come from the same location and no travel is involved. It is a great chance to learn the sport and play games against your friends.

This league is open to any boy or girl in 9th to 12th grade.

We need to have many additional water polo programs in this region. It is a great game and keeps many more kids in their respective aquatic programs.

In California, there has been a recent (last 8 years or so) trend to build mega water polo programs for kids of all ages. Some of the teams there now have a couple thousand participants.

I think a good program in the area could include adults as well. And, of course, it is a co-ed activity.

Best of luck to the participants and leaders at the CV program. I'm hopeful that I'll be able to attend, even as a spectator, one weekend in the future. I would have like to be more involved on a day-to-day basis, but our travels this fall prevent me from attending too many of the sessions.

The guys were larger, older and stronger -- but the water makes everyone much more equal.

Photo flashback: More water polo photos from June 1, 2005, while in China.

RUMOR: Show Me State converts prison into apartments / shelter for 10,000 Katrina survivors

This is a working post where the outcome isn't known -- yet. Help with insights is welcomed. Just leave a comment below, please.

I heard in Pittsburgh (from a trusted source, a grad student at Pitt with family in Missouri) that 10,000 people are taking shelter in apartments that were converted from a former PRISON.

Kwel idea. Take a closed prison, rush to convert the spaces to apartments, host your neighbors in need.

But, I can't find any news of this -- yet. Pointers would be helpful. So, in my search I wrote to a journalist with a byline in MO who had done a recent article on ways locals are helping and he replied within minutes:

To the best of my knowledge, that's merely a rumor.

Missouri recently closed an old prison and opened a new one, and I know people have floated the idea of using the old prison, but I don't believe it's happening.

Thanks!

Tony

Meanwhile, what has become of the old Allegheny Prison on the North Side?

Niagra Falls visit

There is little else for me to blog about now -- as I'm booked for a flight over the Pacific next month.

The Globe and Mail: Chinese leader still a mystery The President's latest crackdown on dissent has included the arrest of writers and journalists, tougher controls on the Internet, tighter police surveillance of activists, a clampdown on non-governmental organizations, forced propaganda education classes and verbal attacks on the 'bourgeois' system of Western democracy.

Mark your calendars: Pittsburgh Ballet picketing

Dance with musicians in the streets of the cultural district for labor and the arts!

Dear AFM Sisters & Brothers and Pittsburgh Ballet Orchestra Supporters,

On August 18th we held what we believe to be a very successful demonstration and gathering of audience support at the Pittsburgh Ballet's free public performance at Hartwood Acres in Pittsburgh.

Now comes the opening of the season's performances of the Pittsburgh Ballet WITHOUT THEIR ORCHESTRA. It is our goal to flood the streets in front of the Benedum Center Theatre with as many people as possible, who feel that this situation is not only a severe injustice to the Pittsburgh Ballet Musicians, but has serious ramifications for all AFM musicians who play for Ballet and other pit productions. We believe our Hartwood Acres demonstration DID make a difference, and a large demonstration for these opening productions will go a long way towards settling this dispute.

The dates and times of the picketing are as follows (shows start a half hour later):
October 6, 2005 7:00PM
October 7, 2005 7:30PM
October 8, 2005 7:30PM
October 9, 2005 1:30PM

ALL performance will be at the Benedum Center Theatre in downtown Pittsburgh-719 7th Street, 15222. It is on 7th Street between Penn and Liberty Streets.

Please come and join with us in these most important demonstrations. If you are coming from out of town, please do advise the Pittsburgh Ballet Committee and the Pittsburgh Musicians' Union via email (see addresses in the "copy" section), so we may have sufficient signs for everyone, and perhaps arrange for some hospitality.We also hope to have a large turnout from various segments of the Pittsburgh area community.

We hope you can join us in Pittsburgh; together we can win this fight.

Nathan Kahn, Negotiator
Symphonic Services Division
American Federation of Musicians

Leave My Child Alone -- well -- what do you (running mates) think of this?

Here is a pointer for something I've yet to examine. I need to do the homework. But, how about you? What do you think?

Leave My Child Alone Opt Out!

By completing the steps on these pages, you can create letters that will opt your child out of BOTH local and Pentagon databases.

Technology News via Reuters.com talks of Wiki wildness

If you still don't know what a wiki is -- its time to learn.

Technology News Article | Reuters.com News junkies find Wikipedia more than encyclopedia

Can I take my cat to swim at the Sandcastle wave pool too?

Animal Friends has a last splash of summer. Good place for fodder for cat blog postings.

Cats attend sporting events too! Flashback: Can you tell where this photo of a cat at a sporting event was taken? I also saw a dog or two in the stands as well, but didn't get a good photo of them.

Homework -- not just for Republicans: Young Patriots Essay Contest

Go for it. Don't simply just copy my blog postings. GOPUSA - Young Patriots Essay Contest Young Patriots Essay Contest

PARTY COMMITTEES begin to fracture because of the payraise

There appears to be some backlash aimed at the incumbents - from their own party committees! One county GOP committee has publicly denounced its own incumbents for their payjacking votes. One Democratic county committee is considering adopting a resolution condemning the payjack.

Dems, see the comments for a news story from a fair petition effort at a Dem booth that got hot.

The GOP state committee has a committeeman that is to propose a resolution condemning the payjack at their meeting this weekend.

These developments are particularly important to keep our eyes on as it is these committees that endorse candidates (incumbents) year after year. As such, PACleanSweep holds these committees responsible for their role in tainting the electoral system for all Pennsylvanians.

PA Clean Sweep: PCN call in show at 7 pm on SEPT 7

PACleanSweep founder Russ Diamond is slated to join PCN for a live call-in show about the pay raise issue. Russ will be in-studio for an hour to field calls with host Brian Lockman.

September 7th (tonight!!) at 7:00 p.m.

Call 1-877-726-5001 with comments or questions.

PA House Democratic Whip, Rep. Mike Veon, was also scheduled to appear on the program, but backed out for some strange reason. Rep. Will Gabig, reported sponsor of a bill to repeal the "unvouchered expenses" portion of Act 44 is now slated to appear instead.

See comments for tips on good questions to ask if you call in.

Lieberman quits. Another one bites the dust!

How is the Lieberman bid for a gambling casino going? Didn't he show some interest in obtaining an interest in the lone city-located gambling site to open in the future?

Lieberman quits - PittsburghLIVE.com Speaker of the House Rep. John M. Perzel, R-Philadelphia, will appoint Lieberman's replacement on the board, formally known as the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority.

Plus, I hate it when folks retire to spend more time with the family and the excuse is used as a smoke screen. Spending time with the family is a valid reason to not work. But, it is used by too many as a crutch and cover to save face. I expet we'll see Lieberman on the golf course -- but -- I'm not on the golf course as I'm spending time with my family. Oh well.
Suggestion to Perzel: Appoint Joe Weinroth for the open seat on the ICA. Weinroth is a Republican.
Suggestion to Perzel: Don't appoint someone who was a Democrat and helped with the downfall of the city in the past -- say like an ex-City Councilman or even Mike Diven. Here is another suggestion: Don't put a suburban Republican in the slot either.

Chats: Hurricane Katrina and Schools, 3 pm Sept. 7 and last night with Find People Database

At 3 pm Eastern Time on Wednesday, Sept. 7, a web chat on the effects of Hurricane Katrina on schools and students is slated at http://www.edweek-chat.org/

EDUCATION WEEK Assistant Managing Editor Robert Johnston and a crisis-response expert from the National Association of School Psychologists will take your questions on how schools can help students displaced by the storm, how teachers and other education employees have been affected, and how states and districts in the region are responding to the crisis.

Last night I was part of a group phone call among open-source advocates working hard to build a database to help locate people. This search utility should be going live today. Nearly 100,000 records from many sources were flushed into database containers. The site will spider other data sets. An XML stream and standards have been established. More to come.

NPR : Evacuees Find No Easy Way Locate Family Members

Running Mates and readers everywhere.... this is important. Listen to the news from NPR.

In the past days I've been doing some lifting in these efforts of a People Finder project. The problem is massive and won't go away quickly.

The solution is volunteer techies -- data managers who mold chunks into a searchable format -- and a WIKI with chats and email lists.

NPR : Evacuees Find No Easy Way Locate Family Members Evacuees Find No Easy Way Locate Family Members
by Joseph Shapiro
Morning Edition, September 6, 2005 -- From the airport in New Orleans, tens of thousands of medical patients are airlifted to shelters in hospitals in often distant cities. That effort was coordinated by the U.S. military and government agencies. But there was almost no coordination to keep good lists of who was sent where.

Tonight at 9 pm there is a conference call among tech, database and webmaster / advocates.

Should pets be included or not? Yes, if there are those that want to do the work.

Should voter databases be available for extra searching needs? Yes -- if we can get the records and not have the weight bog down the system.

Does the American Red Cross have a survivors database? Yes, sorta. Internation Red Cross has a world-wide database, but it is but a fraction of what's needed. And the Red Cross database has picked up content in the first week from this open-source effort.

Which way is up to you? More give and take with The Trib. And Dave Copeland's perspectives too.

If the shoe fits... Which way is up?

Pittsburgh City Paper - Main Feature ... having two papers is supposed to be a good thing for readers.

Yeah, right.

Dave Copeland was and is a great reporter. I miss his blog. The article speaks to me from a few perspectives.

The real losers are Pittsburgh’s readers, who have not one but two daily newspapers that under-serve them by remaining stuck in the past and out of touch with what’s important to real people.

Furthermore, it also seems odd as hell to me that the Trib spent years working on articles that embarrass the mayor, yet can't even contact his administration's opposition. When I ran for Mayor, in 2001, I didn't get any satisfaction from the Trib. Zippo by design.

If Kwiecinski (Mayor Murphy's spokesperson) knew what we were working on, we were told, he would tip off the Post-Gazette. Of course. The PG has been a great fan of the mayor.

What I left behind was a newspaper culture that rewards ass-kissing by subordinates and maintenance of the status quo. In such a culture, two dailies in one town might be two too many. Bingo! A hope of mine is to create media as getting media coverage that makes sense is not to be counted upon.

Dave finishes the article with a Q: "The question for the Trib is: How long will readers wait?" Well, I think a better question that gets to the roots of the issue is how long can people in Pittsburgh survive? Those that are stuck here are forced into waiting. That wait will be forever. But, people are moving out of town. People might keep the Trib -- and/or the PG -- but might move out of state first.

The voters vote with their feet. Same too with customers. The readers of The Trib might hang on for some time -- but -- because of population decline in the region, the Trib is in decline. Same too for KDKA, etc.

The media and the governmental types are being brutal to Pittsburgh.

Wanted: Some new individuals to join the Elect.Rauterkus.com committee

Labor Day, generally, marks the start of the fall campaign season. Real outreach in my next campaign is ramping up.  

If you'd like to be a part of the political process, locally, we should talk. I'm in an active search for new people on various committees for the future. Email me, Mark@Rauterkus.com, if you are interested or know of someone I should talk with on these matters.

The city council seat (district 3) is expected to open and a special election might happen after the first of the year. This is the time for our efforts to mobalize too.

Gearing Up for 'That Dam Ride' - a two day bike trip with Erik

Bike salesman in Chengdu. 

My son and I are slated to participate in That Dam Ride this weekend. We won't be on a three-wheeled bike like we rode in China. The photo above was taken with the guys who sold and fixed our bike there, this past spring.

The trip is 69 miles on Saturday and 69 again on Sunday. Erik has a big case of "cold feet." But, I'm dragging him anyway. He'd be okay with a back seat bench I bet.

Peduto to introduce fix for housing court

Peduto to introduce fix for housing court 'Right now, the system isn't working,' Peduto said. 'Absentee landlords are able to escape [citations] without any penalty.'

Almost everything is broken. Why did the changes occur in the first place.

Gene R, an expected District Magistrate for the future, and president of council, should have something to say about this topic. And, it should have been aired months ago. What's up with his voice, issues and leadership on this issue?

Campaign season starts. Truth is dead already, again, as expected.

In war, the first casualty is truth. Dave Brown, the Trib reporter, rang the bell loud and clear on that front, again, with this story.

The ballot for the Mayor's race is determined. However, the coverage of all the candidates is absent. Brown missed most of the options in his reporting.

Objectivity matters.

The Socialist didn't get ink -- and the socialist are often right from the ranks of labor. The Green didn't get ink. Nor did the Indie.

The other kisses of death for the Republican -- the 5-1 outnumbering and the seven decade streak also got bigger mentions than both the people involved and the issues. It is nearly impossible to make history when those in the media -- even from conservative papers -- are a slave of history.

Pittsburgh's downward spiral picks up speed with coverage and reporting that include watchdog acts such as this.

Campaign season starts - PittsburghLIVE.com: "Although the Pittsburgh mayor's race has been settled in the Democratic primary for seven decades, as registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 5-1 ratio in the city, Republican nominee Joe Weinroth vows to run 'an aggressive campaign' against Democrat nominee Bob O'Connor. O'Connor, a former City Council member from Squirrel Hill, handily defeated six opponents in the May primary. Weinroth, a Squirrel Hill attorney, was unopposed for the GOP nomination.
'If Pittsburgh voters listen to my plan -- and vote without regard to party affiliation -- I can win hands down,' Weinroth said. 'It's going to be a positive campaign about the issues that are important to the people of Pittsburgh.'
O'Connor spokesman Dick Skrinjar said the Democrat is taking nothing for granted, although political odds-makers give Weinroth scant hope of pulling off an upset.
'We've spent all summer refining our agenda,' Skrinjar said. 'Now we want to reinforce and re-emphasize the message. The campaign is still based on Bob O'Connor's ability and experience to lead Pittsburgh.'
David M. Brown can be reached at dbrown@tribweb.com or (412) 380-5614.
The opposition leaders can't bring balance to the landscape and lead the city forward when the 4th estate is most concerned with looking into the rear view mirror with a telescope.

Pity Party at Labor Day parade -- historic pimple

Historic? Hardly.

Historic like the last pimple on the rear end of a donkey (i.e. party mascot). But who is looking yet alone counting other than Jean Milko? I'm not.

Katrina disaster on minds at Labor Day parade "Do you realize this is a historic day?" asked Jean Milko, the Allegheny County jury commissioner whose office was slated for elimination in a countywide referendum. "This is the last year jury commissioner signs will be carried in the Labor Day parade."

Photo in Trib of American Flag is WRONG -- Photo editor must be on vacation! Fire the intern then.

The Trib's photo placement of an upside down American Flag is offensive.

URL: http://pittsburghlive.com/photos/2005-09-05/0906flag-g.jpg

If I published that paper -- I'd fire the person responsible.

The photographer is not to blame for taking the photo. Shoot the photo, fine. Generally the photographer is not responsible for the placement of his/her images within the page of the final paper. But, then again, I don't know the workings of the Trib.

I would imagine that yesterday was a vacation day for the regulars, being Labor Day. Hence, some inexperienced editor or intern had a job to do.

If that image is the only one that had to run in the paper -- it could have been displayed with a 90-degree turn showing the flag in a march upward, to the top of the page.

Old true story: When I was in a photo editing class at a top journalism school (hint: Pitt plays football there this Friday night) each student needed to subscribe to different daily, big-city newspaper. However, the professor insisted that none of the students subscribe to either of the Pittsburgh newspapers.

There, now I've slammed both the Trib and PG in one blog posting -- and there isn't even a joke involved.

I predict that page B8 of the Trib from Sept. 6, 2005 , will be used as a classic, textbook example of how NOT to publish photos of the American flag.

Join the Katrina PeopleFinder Project

Netizens with the ability to copy data into a form are needed.
Join link.

Separated and without a clear way to find each other, hundreds of web sites are gathering thousands of entries concerning missing people. Many want to let others know they're okay.

The problem is the data. Various sites face data in no particular form or structure. It's almost impossible for people to search or match things up.

The Katrina PeopleFinder Project NEEDS YOUR HELP to enter data about missing and found people from various online sources. We're requesting as little as an hour of your time. All you need to do is help read unstructured posts about missing or found persons, and then add the relevant data to a database through a simple online form.

Get started


Questions? Email katrina-people (at) activist-tech.org

Because there's not yet a search interface for the database, it doesn't make much sense to publicize the database to the general public, yet. Hence, this is outreach publicity to potential volunteers. After the search interface is working, then we'll publicize the database to the general public.

Sources: Rebecca MacKinnon, Research Fellow, Berkman Ctr. for Internet & Society
www.GlobalVoicesOnline.org -- "The world is talking. Are you listening?"

Weblog: www.RConversation.com
North Korea zone: www.NKzone.org
email: rmackinnon@cyber.law.harvard.edu

via the DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list, http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide

Hard to reach - even for email

Pay grab judge is hard to reach - PittsburghLIVE.com Cappy 'has an e-mail address, but it's not for the public,' she said.

If the email isn't available, and the property ownership database of the county is not available -- then the knock of being "out of touch" comes true within a blink.

Public officials and judges that own property should be listed within the data in the Allegheny County website. And, the government email address should be posted on other web pages.

Pittsburgh wooing New Orleans conventions

The folks who are responsible for the utilization of the NEW Pittsburgh Convention Center should NOT be digging for new business by flogging events slated for New Orleans. Rather, Convention Center organizers should be drafting plans to jetison the debt and on-going burdens of upkeep of the white elephant.

Many gambling casinos got wiped out with the storm. Go to those workers and ask them to come to Pittsburgh to transition the convention center into a new casino. We should be striving to set up the new casino slated for Pittsburgh to be within the convention center.

Pittsburgh wooing New Orleans conventions Pittsburgh wooing New Orleans conventions

If Pittsburgh's officials took a proactive approach, this casino in Pittsburgh could open the day after the Major League Baseball hosts the All-Star Game in Pittsburgh in July 2006.

Psych Up for Back to School

Back to school. Let's start to count the months, weeks and days -- and make the most out of each moment. The photo shows Grant and Erik outside a school in China. We had purchased a smaller version to bring to Cameron, a cousin. Sadly, the gift broke in transit.

Cameron is starting his Junior year at Middleburry College. He'll go back to school this week too.

The family Labor Day picnic brings us time to play with other cousins who live in the North Allegheny school district. They all start to school tomorrow.

Grant already gave notice that second grade won't include as much fooling around as first grade.

This year (academic 05-06) is our last "gravy year" for our family. Both of our children attend the same school. Next year Erik is slated to attend FRICK Middle School for sixth grade.

Erik is in a reading club and is diving into the book, Library Card. And he has begun to tackled the first draft of his first essay. That's what I need -- more drafts of my comments before they are "finished." However, he can NOT write on the computer. He needs to be doing it on paper so that the edits can be clearly seen.

One day we'll look back at paper based homework and giggle -- how old fashioned. Old fashioned, like what is shown in the photo above.

Labor, Legacy and Lucky HEX

In these parts, we have a serious relationship with "labor." It stretches far past a giant parade and has much to say about politics and how we govern ourselves.

I've run for public office twice. Both times I was a serious underdog. Neither time did I get a penny as a donation from any "labor group." I'm not sure if that is a complaint or a brag. Perhaps it is a bit of both.

My wish is for open-mindedness. But, those in control have a good way of controlling information. When information is controlled, other system-wide controls are easy to maintain.

Labor gives its money and its endorsements to candidates. Those candidates are generally the candidates that are going to win. When the established candidates win -- and win with such frequency and domination -- then the citizens generally loose. Our downward spiral continues.

We need labor to help snap the cycle that has caused such a downfall to our greater, public landscape.

The labor endorsement should NOT be given with a wink, a handshake and a three or four figure check. And, there are those who know what really occurs -- so there is a major turn-off in many ways. Candidates who would be great public officials for the rank-and-file are rejected without hesitation.

The oak hex, illustrated above, stands for "courage" and "strength." I long for the time when labor's political quarterbacks leverage additional "courage" and "strength" with serious research into all possible options entering the public realm.

Too many ballot box decisions are made far in advance of election day. Labor has had a huge role in causing the cancer of our body politic to persist.

From what I've seen -- many union memebers have been working to change the status quo. Those efforts need to turn a corner and become more than a 'steamfitters' pipe-dream.'

Today's offers:

I'd be glad to meet with any union leadership team or union members so as to talk about my campaign. That's a no-brianer.

Furthermore, I'd be happy and eager to talk about how improves to our political landscape can occur when considering serious, system-wide adjustements to to political outreach among unions.

Union members: Be strong. Be with courage. To many candidates, a good way to act with courage and strength is to generate endorsements and donations to all candidates in the race, even Indies. And, another avenue of strength is going to build as labor takes the effort to look harder and longer at those who are NOT already in the office presently.

Happy Labor Day!

The weather could not be better.

Next weekend, Erik (my oldest boy), 10, and I are going to to make a bike trip. That Dam Ride goes 69 miles on Saturday and a return trip on Sunday with tent camping and group meals.

Next Friday night brings a trip for many Pittsburghers to Athens, Ohio as Pitt takes on the Bobcats.

I hope the weather smiles upon us next weekend too.

Now, we're headed to the parade.

John O's art of PSU player walking again

Artist site.

Hat tip to KDKA TV interview.

Jury Rights Day 2005

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

For Immediate Release:
Date: 09/05/2005

For more information contact:
Doug Leard (Media Relations) or David Jahn (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS

Recognizing the power of jury nullification

The Libertarian Party acknowledges September 5, 2005 as Jury Rights Day and calls for greater public awareness of the powers and duties of jurors – including the largely ignored power of jury nullification.

LP spokesman Tim Crowley, explained that, "Juries are empowered to consider matters of fact as they pertain to guilt or innocence, but they also are empowered to consider the morality of the law in question. That’s the power of jury nullification."

This power is seldom mentioned in today’s courtrooms, but it is real and has a long historical tradition in the U.S. and England. John Jay, first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, said in a 1794 ruling, "The jury has the right to judge both the law as well as the fact in controversy."

This is by design. Our Constitution and its Bill of Rights specifically inserts juries into this process. It gives citizens a final say over lawmakers.

We should be thankful for this final say. An English jury stopped the religious persecution of our own William Penn. Juries protected members of the Underground Railroad. Juries sent a message that helped to end Prohibition.

Henry Haller, 2002 Libertarian candidate for Lt. Governor added, "Unfortunately, jury rights advocates have been arrested for distributing juror nullification pamphlets on the same city block where courthouses are located. Judges never inform juries of this power and believe it represents a threat to their domain."

Conscientious use of this pow! er represents anything but a threat. It can represent dignity for suff ering terminal medical marijuana patients victimized by cruel unintended consequences of drug laws. It can represent self-preservation for citizens confronted by a government that wants to disarm everyone but violent criminals.

For more information on this critically important power held by everyday citizens, contact the Fully Informed Jury Association, 1-800-TEL-JURY.

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.

Schools and Katrina

Thanks for the pointer to the offers from various colleges to absorb students. See the pointer in the thread about Semester At Sea.

Visit www.edweek.org for DUCATION WEEK's continuing coverage of Hurricane Katrina and its impact on schools. Recent stories include a roundup of efforts to educate displaced students, insurance complications for the schools affected, the impact of previous natural disasters on schools, and a look at the management challenges ahead for the New Orleans school district.

http://www.edweek.org/ew/collections/hurricane-katrina/index.html

Pointers: Schools Open Doors to Katrina Victims as Recovery Begins
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2005/09/02/02region_web.h25.html
Houston-Area Schools to Enroll Evacuated New Orleans Children

ACORN is on the move

We started the day with every ACORN member we could reach calling their Congresspeople in outrage about how the people of New Orleans were left low and wet! One woman called me back to tell me that she told Santorum's aide that they got soldiers over to Iraq to start a war faster than they could send soldiers to NOLA to save people in the disaster!

So many of our staff and members are missing. ACORN's National Headquarters was in New Orleans. It is so horrible. Today, we found twelve ACORN families in various places, hungry, wet, thirsty, but alive. One family had nineteen people, cousins, grandmother, kids, etc. They suffered much, but searched for each other then stayed together. They have found homes with other ACORN families in Houston, and do not have to live in the Astrodome.

This heartened me, and I sent out a challenge to my church- I will take in a family, will you? We have several families who would open their homes. I think we should send out a church challenge to every church- we will find many takers.

Fundraisers, two are in the planning stages. The first, a fundraiser by Jazz musicians to benefit Jazz musicians who are victims of the hurricane. The second, a big fundraiser by several local musicians who have huge followings, which will raise money for resettlement, as well as temporary needs.Both of them will be staffed out by ACORN staff and members. We are looking for volunteers. We asked Rev Johnny Monroe from Grace Memorial Church to take care of the financial conduit, and he said he would.

See you in church on Monday.

Maryellen (see comments for contact info)

Tulane -- purchase the Semester At Sea challenge / opportunity

What's up with Pitt's Semester at Sea program -- other than its last tour? If I'm at TULANE or LSU -- I'd be happy to get a visit from those who run the Semester At Sea program.

KDKA: City, County Ready To House Katrina Refugees

KDKA: City, County Ready To House Katrina Refugees: "They are also waiting to see how many people in New Orleans would be willing to travel the long distance -- nearly 1,100 miles -- to Pittsburgh.

My only advice -- "Don't wait. Go. Go as soon as possible."

The details of the exact number can be ironed out after the buses get loaded. Send ten. Perhaps five return right away. Perhaps five return a few days later.

Fill the buses with some supplies and hit the road. Drop the supplies as you move southward. How many frozen perogies can you get in 24 hours on one of those PAT buses?

And, I'd not be too, too worried about getting all the people from New Orleans proper. Go to Dallas. Go to Houston. Go to the other counties and pick-up some people who are interested in the offer.

Otherwise, I'm very happy to see this news. I'm happy to see the outreach from city and county officials. Way to go.

My only tip -- (hardly advice) -- is to get 10,000 or so copies of a two or four page newsletter together that puts on paper the offer for travel and housing to Pittsburgh. Put the basics into words and make a few maps. Show the distance to Pittsburgh. Show the set-up around Allegheny County as to what areas have the spaces. Give a sample of the set-up. Give some phone numbers, web sites, and more FYI content.

It might be an impossible sell to get folks to Pittsburgh without a hand-out. Once people see something on paper -- and it doesn't need to look slick and glossy -- it becomes easier to understand and believe.

My only other hope -- (hardly advice and hardly a tip) -- is that the educational community is ready for the influx too. That extra capacity for the Pgh Public Schools doesn't look like a waste of money when you consider what those in Houston are facing. What suburban schools and what private schools are okay with students too? And, are the university leaders working their networks too?

A friend at LSU is still without email. However, a school in Florida has set up those professors and are offering services. That was quick thinking on their part -- and the benefits are sure to follow.

Water, Swimming, Boating and even Floating is getting a lot of media coverage these days -- for the worse and otherwise.

Total Immersion Swimming Swimming in Saddam's Pool -- or -- How to Practice TI in a War Zone
By CDR Bryan Caraveo

The link above is an interesting read.

As a coach, I know about "swim like a fish" techniques. As a participant in the Pittsburgh Triathlon, I did compete in the Clydesdale division too. But that limit was set at 190, not 200. My goal for the next time, is to be under that weight.

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are.

Click image for larger view.


Quote from Mary Jean Iron. Card by a friend who is putting some of the income to relief efforts. 

The Community Artisans' Bazaar is starting to heat up with talents and efforts for those in the wake of the storm down south. Louisa Wimberger, creative force behind weehah! cards from Charlottesville, VA, was inspired by Amy Carol Webb's recent donation idea and designed this quotation card.

I find the quote SO relevant right now, when I am feeling grateful for even being able to buy a loaf of bread at the store, drink tap water, walk down a street, or pick up a phone and talk to friends/family.

My oldest childhood friend has lived in New Orleans for almost 15 years, and she and her husband just finally bought a house right in the city two years ago. All gone now, as you know. I can't get her off my mind, and feel quite helpless. So, here's my little effort from Charlottesville on a beautiful and sunny day.

The cards are $3.00 each, or a pack of 8 for $18.00. For the month of September and perhaps beyond, she will give half the proceeds of this particular card to the American Red Cross. Her donor plan allows her to cover the necessary costs but still set aside a substantial amount to donate to the relief efforts. She accepts orders via phone (434.923.0561). Cards can be sent for a minimal postage fee.

James, we miss you.

My kids had their second day of school today. James, a teacher's aid, has not yet been to the school. He is generally in the same classroom as Grant (my youngest on the left).

The last time we saw James was in Thailand. He took us to a Thai Boxing event, where this photo was taken.
James is flanked by Grant and Erik in this picture.  

Erik's teacher from last year, Dr. Smith, is not in school either. She is taking a year to study in Mexico. Erik and Grant are both in the Spanish magnet track at our local school. We wish Dr. Smith, a 4th grade teacher, great success in her year that is sure to bring lots of exploration abroad.

At the open house before school started, I did get to meet the new Mark R, the boss of PPS. But, I didn't take any photos.

The football schedule for Pittsburgh Public Schools got an adjustment from the past. For starters, South isn't in the league. Games at Cupples Stadium, on the South Side, occur on Thursday night, 7 pm; Friday at 7 pm; and three times on Saturdays at noon, 3:30 and 7 pm.

Bloggers Debate Code of Conduct for Political Sites - Pgh Bloggers drink beer without any agenda or even wireless gathering place

Bloggers Debate Code of Conduct for Political Sites On Saturday, more than 50 of the state's bloggers -- on the right and the left, the young and the old -- spent a day meeting each other and debating whether there is a need for a common moral compass for this new form of political communication.

Pittsburgh's bloggers gather to drink beer and eat wings -- every other month.

The idea that "no one has any business telling them what they should say or how they should say it" is only one side of the coin. There needs to be more said in terms of "responsibility."

I long for "peer review" as is the case in the academic world. Peer review is an important element among watchdogs -- and it is often absent.

Furthermore, the common moral compass resides within each person, not in some other agency. The hook to each moral decision resides with the person -- each with a name. This means that faceless, nameless and undercover phantom postings of blogs with content of consequence are out of bounds.

I am certain that many politicians and lawmakers are knocking on the doors of state board of election officials to raise concerns to keep their jobs and mask the flow of truthful reporting. My wish is that governmental workers document those concerns and statements and post them. Then people can see the thought (or lack of thought) process and in turn, vote the small-thinking and selfish out of office as soon as possible.

I have no use for any lawmaker who aims to make new legislation for bloggers.

A blog conference with meaning and purpose is a great idea.

If Virginia's political bloggers want more influence and credibility, they should begin by earning reputations for telling the truth, being upfront about who they are, and treating their audiences with intelligence and decency.

Philadelphia Inquirer - Election test starts online donations

Changes to the rules come very late in the game in New Jersey.

Philadelphia Inquirer | 08/29/2005 | Election test starts online donations: "With the deadline to qualify in New Jersey's first 'Clean Elections' only eight days away, rules have been eased for collecting the 1,500 small contributions candidates need to participate in the public-financing pilot program.

This is junk. Citizens are being asked to make $5 and $30 donations and the transactions are at a State Treasury Department site that isn't even open yet.

Prior planning prevents poor performances.

On the other hand, at least they are trying. Meanwhile in Pittsburgh, seems as if efforts are dead in the water. Peduto was to champion a campaign finance reform bill, and I've heard NOTHING about this in months. Nothing, and I was on the committee.

A total of 2,500 guardsmen from Pennsylvania have gone or are going to New Orleans.

There is no schedule for their return; they will stay as long as they are needed. (KDKA TV is the source.)

Flashback: The Great Wall

Grant Rauterkus stands at The Great Wall in China in 2004. 

I'm in the process of uploading a lot of new images to the blogs. Some of these came from our trips to China. I'm not sure, yet, how to best handle the images for regular visitors of this blog. The utilities Picasa2 and hello from picasa, are sweet.

To live in die in 2005 is nothing more than poverty, age and skin color ... so it was said

A Represenative from Georgia is sounding off now about the conditions in New Orleans. He is strong in his talk about this saga being all about poverty and the frail urban treatments. This problem brews beyond New Orleans' dire situation.

This is a topic that we should be blogging about. But, it is hard to write and break into a conversation as talk can be taken out of context.

First things first. We need permission to blab. And, we need safe places to do so. And, frankly, this blog is not a "free flowing, anything-goes" space on the digital landscape.

Next, we need pointers to what he and others are saying. We need to pull those comments out for others to find or repost (even here). Then, after the light gets put onto the statements, in fair treatments, then we can reply and respond.

Parts of what is being said make sense. On one interview I heard him say that the US Senate's passage of a bill for $10.5 BILLION was not nearly enough. He was seeking $200 Billion for all urban centers to make programs to fix these urban poor situations. Humm....

At first blush, I find myself at odds with that concept ($200 Billion of new Federal money for urban programms).

I don't think they should start the printing presses so as to print new money to give away in new urban programs.

Now, let's see what we can find and begin to get a sustained conversation on these matters -- somewhere, somehow.

Clean sweep advocates need all the various tools at the ready -- from mops, to brushes, to brooms. 

A Clean Sweep Needs a Better Ballot Access Broom

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

For more information contact: Doug Leard (Media Relations) or David Jahn (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS

The Voters Choice Act

Harrisburg, PA – The state legislature’s pay increase has created outrage across the state causing groups such as the PA Clean Sweep organization (www.pacleansweep.org) to call for a “no incumbent” election in November.

Some challengers will confront the Democratic and Republican incumbents head on in the Primary Election. Other frustrated voters are turning their backs on the old parties and seeking third party and independent candidates with innovative new approaches to today’s challenges. However, third party and independent candidates face a critical challenge with Pennsylvania’s ballot access laws.

Under current law, Democrats and Republicans will need to gather 2000 signatures in 2006 to have their names placed on the statewide ballot. By comparison, third party and independent candidates must collect over 67,000 signatures, more than 33 times as many. This inequity seems to violate provisions of the state constitution requiring all elections to be “fair and equal”

“We must run a state-wide candidate in order to maintain our minor party status,” stated David Jahn, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania. “The two old parties have their drawbridges up and moats filled. These insurmountable barriers are obviously designed to protect incumbents by denying Pennsylvania voters a choice of candidates. This protection squashes the democratic process and makes it difficult to provide voters with new choices on the ballot.”

Currently, the Libertarian Party is working with the Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition (www.PaBallotAccess.org) to reform the state’s unfair ballot access laws. On Saturday, September 24th, at 4 PM, the Coalition will hold a kickoff rally in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg to introduce their Voters Choice Act with a reception to be held immediately afterwards at the Harrisburg Hilton, Second and Market Streets in Harrisburg, beginning at 6:15 PM. Both events are open to the public.

Per L.P. spokesman Doug Leard, “in November 2006, we need to send a strong message to Harrisburg about their under-handed pay increase. To do so, we need improved ballot access to provide the voters of Pennsylvania better choices. We are asking citizens to contact their legislators asking them to sponsor and support the Voters Choice Act.”

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.

Neighborhoods want slice of slots pie

Greed is deadly. Envy has been driving too many decision in Pittsburgh for too many years.

Neighborhoods want slice of slots pie: "But Pittsburgh Council President Gene Ricciardi yesterday proposed eliminating the middle man all together. He said the city itself should apply for the slots license.
He said an estimated $250 million in revenue the city could glean as a slots operator could eliminate city property taxes, reduce the debt, improve infrastructure and help fund a new arena.
Ricciardi said he'd ask council to pass a resolution supporting such an application. Council lacks the power to force such a move, however.

The city can't even do a decent job in the oversight of an ice rink, nor the management of outdoor swim pools, nor its own budget and pension funds.

Now a city leader wants to run a casino.

The city can't build a convention center that gets proper use because it forgot about the hotel space for visitors.

Deals don't get done to take care of the whole problem.

The city needs to focus on fixing roads and bridges -- not running a casino.

If you want to cut out the middle man, then give the casino license to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. That would be much better than what Ricciardi suggested.

PA Dem Candidate takes a page from my playbook from 2001 efforts

I ran for Mayor, City of Pittsburgh, in 2001 in the Republican Primary. I didn't win, but I did put forth some bold stances. My "twisted logic" as many would say, made perfect sense to me and our situations in Pittsburgh.

I spent a lot of time in 2000 and 2001 in the recruitment of candidates to run against. I wanted others in the race I had entered.

I tossed my hat into the public arena as I announced my intention to run for mayor in August 2000. The Primary was in May 2001. And, I went out and talked to more than a dozen "serious" people who strongly considered my suggestions.

In time, a loyal opponent did step forward, James C. Carmine, Ph.D. He edged me in the vote total among city Republicans by a couple hundred votes.

Today some satisfaction comes in understanding that the forumla that I advanced in 2001 in Pittsburgh has taken root with others in other locations throughout the state in a long-shot congressional race.

I advanced the formula -- but would never claim to be the "founder" nor "inventor" nor "first" in these pursuits.

GoodWorks-PAC.org Democratic Congressional Candidate Calls for Competitors in Primary

GoodWorks-PAC.org has joined its first Congressional candidate, Joe Otterbein, in announcing his novel campaign (see story http://ydr.com/story/politics/81455/). Joe is following the GoodWorks-PAC game plan by calling for more Democrats to compete against him in the Democratic primary.

It’s counter-intuitive, but having more Democratic opponents in the primary campaign can actually help Joe win in November, 2006.

In Pittsburgh in 2005, sadly, the Republican candidate entered the primary without opposition. To be certain, I have yet to see Joe Weinroth run at all. But, his name was the only one put on the ballot. He is toast.

Bogus Blight Designation is the seed that starts the saga for taking land.

To fight eminent domain -- we should elminate the designation of blight in the city. With the stroke of a pen upon the legislation, property rights become fortified.

PLANK (repeated): I'd work hard to put a stop to all eminent domain efforts from any and all agencies in the city and the county -- as best I can.

Philly Future - Philly Blogs - The News YOU Write | Eminent Domain & Our Ardmore Story: "Lower Merion Township was using a fairly common tactic of creating a bogus blight designation that enables them to abuse the power of eminent domain to take private property from its own citizens and pass that property to another private party.

Faith, Fortitude and Friends -- helping in the wake of Hurricane from Indie Musical "Friend" - Amy Carol Webb

Amy Carol Webb Our friend has a great offer as a way to help raise funds for the American Red Cross. Running Mates, it is time to buy some Christmas presents.

Dear Friends and Family:

Give music and give help at the same time! Starting now, all proceeds from the sale of my "FAITH-FORTITUDE-FRIENDS" CD from my CDbaby page are going to the American Red Cross.

So many are suffering the wake of Hurricane Katrina, including musicians dear to us losing everything except the guitar they carried out with them. There will no doubt be benefit work on their behalf as soon as we can get organized and I will keep you up to date on that.

In the meantime, click to http://cdbaby.com/cd/acwebb3 and buy CD's for yourself, for your friends, for your church, school, community center, library, neighbors, Chanukah, Christmas, Solstice, Kwanza, birthdays, Halloween, Thanksgiving, everything you can think of - and then send this link on to loved ones and colleagues in your circles. Everybody wins - music lovers get more music, and more people get more of the help they need.

Better yet, buy a couple CD's and then go give blood. Hey, take a CD to the bloodmobile and give it away! Find your nearest blood donation center here https://www.givelife.org/index_flash.cfm?

Many CD baby artists you know and love are participating at CDbaby.com, and what a great opportunity to explore artists you don't know, donating along side the ones you do. Check it out at - http://cdbaby.com/group/redcross?cat=15 - buy a pile! Derek Sivers, founder of CDbaby.com, is a genius with a heart to match his smarts. We thank him for setting this up.

We thank you for supporting independent artists - and through us, the long and arduous relief effort ahead.

Blessings,
Amy

Amy Carol Webb, singer and songwritter. Her outreach to those in the Hurricain's path comes via her talents -- all the proceeds of the sale of her CD. 

mcall.com - Legislature owes state real reform, not just distractions from their follies

Morning Call: Editorial about the bigger picture and real reform Legislature owes state real reform, not just distractions from their follies


In the waning days of the Roman Empire, the caesars placated the angry populace with circuses and bread. They diverted people's discontent with bloody spectacles at the Coliseum. None of it fixed any of the corruption that was consuming the republic from within.

There's a modern day group of little caesars who consider the state capitol their palace. And, it is a magnificent building, with a rotunda that is resplendent with classical architecture and gold leaf. Its denizens have been whiling away the days of summer hoping that angry Pennsylvanians will forget their greed. But Pennsylvania's plebeians aren't forgetting.

The international rush to help -- or not??

Do you think China will lend a hand to help in the clean up efforts of New Orleans? What's your guess? What can be expected from the international sources? 

Young Libertarian email open-ended question seeking negatives

Dear Mr. Rauterkus,
As, a newly found Libertarian, there are things that I would like to learn about this incredable party. I am a Senior in High School, am 17 years old, live in Sharon (Mercer County) and I have political aspirations someday. I want to be able to have discussions with people at lenghts and be able to defend the party and empress the greatness of the party to the people that don't necessarily follow politics that much. I visit lp.com often but that only says the good. I want to know the negative as well, so I know what I may be up against in a political debate with my Socialist friends, Democrat teachers and, sadly, this Republican society in general.

P.S. I would greatly appreciate an e-mail response back.

Sincerly,

My quick reply:
There is an upside and downside to each decision. The Libertarian pathway has its hurdles, but I'd not say there are many "negatives."

Freedom has to have an equal dose of RESPONSIBILITY. If you lack -- or if the community lacks -- the responsibility part of the solution -- then Freedom is chaos. That's the big negative. We don't generally know how to take care of ourselves. The do unto others as you'd do to yourself breaks down because people don't do well to themselves -- sadly.