Ravenstahl backs blight bill - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Let's talk about this bill.

Ravenstahl backs blight bill - Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewPittsburgh lawmakers could begin requiring vacant property owners to register their deserted domiciles so the city can ensure they are sealed, demolished or renovated.

From people & vips

The first priority of both City Council and the Mayor's Office should be to redd up their own properties.

From playground - usa

The city owns a lot of wasted spaces that are 'wasted away Margaritaville.' Closed Recreation Centers. Closed swim pools. Falling down stairs. Broken streets. You name it. The city's inventory of bad spaces needs to be made public. At the top of the city's fumbles needs to be the city owned ice rink on the South Side that still has not seen a R.F.P. promised months ago and years ago.

From playground - usa

The city needs to get its own house in order before they go into the neighborhoods and get on the case of property owners who have paid their taxes.

Then, if the city has a problem with property owners who have bad buildings, use the building inspectors.

Carl Sutter went into City Council this week with photos of a building that has been a mess for years. YEARS. These guys know of it. They do nothing.

Enforcement sucks. The problems are known. They don't need a new list. The requirement for property owners to do something else is worthless until there is some follow-through with their own duties that mount.

We don't need to demolish properties that are worth saving. Everyone can't buy a condo downtown, for Pete's sake. We've got affordable housing in the neighborhoods that needs to be kept when possible.

The fire in Hazelwood that took down a vacant property and some nearby properties was no secret to the folks on Grant Street. There were complaints made monthly. It sat and nothing was done. Then a tragic fire occured. The fire caused losses that didn't need to occur.

But the point of the matter is that the list was there. A new ordinance isn't going to help put out that fire. A new ordinance is worthless.

To fine building owners $300 a day is insane -- because they don't submit for the list!

From playground - usa

Let's fine Pittsburgh Public Schools $300 a day for its vacant South Hills High School. That building sits in a neighborhood. For months, -- NO -- FOR YEARS, there was a deal that was to happen so that the city's URA (Urban Redevelopment Authority) was to purchase the property from the Pgh Public School District. Just this week at the school board meeting one of the board members, Skip Mc., asked a URA official -- "why in the hell didn't the URA purchase that property already?" -- Skip didn't say "hell" -- but I did. Its my blog.

Screw the URA for screwing the city school budget for so long. The deal with that property was done years ago. The URA is the problem. The city is the problem. There are developers who want to take the building and they've been stalled forever.

From playground - usa

We should charge the URA $300 a day for their blunders and folly.

Recently, 22 schools were shut. Some are getting re-use as other schools. But dozens of school buildings were already in mothballs.

From playground - usa

Gladstone Middle School for example. What about South Vo Tech High School? Nothing is being done there. Beltzhoover needs help. The asset is sitting there, idle.

If the city wants to work on blight, then the city needs to light a fire under the URA. Work on the pressing needs of the school district. Work on the other public assets that are rodent havens.

It is the URA properties that make for the biggest pimples in our neighborhoods.

From playground - usa

Len Bodack and Dan Deasy -- get off the backs of the private citizens and get to work on mending the properties that the city owns. Be good stewards with your acts with your own spaces.

Other empty buildings owned by public agencies.

From playground - usa

Can you name this building, along the river. What good is that? Perhaps we should use this as a Youth Hostel? Perhaps this is the site that is given to the Pens for a new arena.

The Ideas Bucket: Speaking of Bloggers... Peduto Hops on the Blog Wave.

Comments about technology and blogs follow.

The Ideas Bucket: Speaking of Bloggers... Peduto Hops on the Blog Wave."The internet is the future," you wrote.

What about the present?

From Art from friends

Jeepers. Two days ago I went to PAT's second Public Hearing and Bob Grove, PAT's media guy, wouldn't give me a press kit. Then yesterday at PAT's public hearing, a PAT Police Officer took me out of the room to say I could not video tape the public hearing from my seat with my little video camera. This a a public event about a public agency that spends lots of public money. Its about public transportation!

Then today, I get the message, screen shot show above, from a campaign blog. Bill Peduto's blog is off limits to me, for now.

Things up and down on the internet all the time. Content moves and changes. Edits are fine and good. No big deal. So, I expect that this "Do not enter sign" is just a temporary bit of housekeeping with the blog. Let me know when the stop light changes to green as I don't want to generate an automatic traffic violation nor get a citation in the mail from some internet highway 'red light camera.'

Now to look for the YouTube action.

Pop City - The Philadelphia Story

A BID is a "Business Improvement District." Bids are a way to raise taxes without representation. BIDs do the job that should be done by government, because government is corrupt and failing to provide services.

If Philly is doing so well, why did Comcast need PA Taxpayers to give them $300-million to build downtown?

Philly's BID zone is 120 blocks. How many blocks are in our downtown? What, about 30?

Those community service reps with radios should be crossing guards. In Pittsburgh, we've taken the radios away from the crossing guards. I'm not interested in downtown ambassadors to help direct an adult with a briefcase around a homeless person.

Rather, let's hire some algebra teachers for the kids in school who are failing then out on the streets. Rather, let's hire some coaches and motivate them to be fit, to compete, to learn about teamwork and giving an extra effort in gangs that we control. I'm fine with gangs, such as an orchestra and a swim team.

Pop City - The Philadelphia Story The 120-block district formed when city business owners agreed to create a special taxing district; extra taxes would be levied on businesses in the area to clean up graffiti, beautify streets and sidewalks with seven-day-a-week uniformed service, enhance landscaping and lighting, and increase police protection in the area.

Now, the 3-square-mile area of the 100-square mile city is Philadelphia's economic engine, Levy says. The center city tax on more than 2,000 businesses raises $14 million a year for such amenities as community service representatives with radios to notify police of problems.

'Little changes in the environment can create big psychological changes in how people think of downtown,' says Paul Levy, president of Philadelphia’s business improvement area dubbed the Center City District.

Another way to get the economic engine on overdrive without a BID is to shift back to the land-value tax. Don't reward folks who create blight. A surface parking lot in a downtown space that occupies the same footprint as a ten or twenty story building should be taxed equally as the building. When you tax the land, development skyrockets. Poor performing places are sold rather than sit idle for later spculation.

I don't stand for tax breaks for rich developers for their rich people tennants so they can move out of neighborhoods and live downtown with subsidized parking spaces.

I want a mixed community. That means kids are welcome.

Serious crime in Philly was and has always been far worse than in Pittsburgh. They need to copy what Pittsburgh does. They get crime more under control to come up to our standard -- and then we want to copy their remediation?

Computerized crime mapping would make for a great tech investment and it should be mission critical and paid for by taxes for everyone's benefit. I don't want "Pay To Play" on basics, such as crime watch.

Did the crime move from the business district to the next neighborhoods?

In Pittsburgh, they'll make a sweep and pile certain problems from one area into another. That's not progress. That's elitism. That's called a blind spot. The laws on the books in Pittsburgh do not allow for the feeding of folks in Market Square. So they eat on the Blvd. of the Allies, except in All-Star Weekends. Then they get steaks and eggs in Carnegie, I guess.

Fix the problems -- the root problems. These ventures and our history shows that the current crop of politiciians are happy to bat at the leaves of the tree of suffering, not attack at its roots.

Pittsburgh has plenty of BID experiences. Not sophisticated at the application of band-aids. We don't need that type of sophistication -- err -- governmental remediation.

Philly might have great reform schools too. That's something I don't envy because I want our kids in real schools. We should aim to do the right things at the right times in the right places -- as a normal course of operations.

Their reform complicates matters and amounts to a deformity. That's DE-FORMED. That's because they screwed up so badly over the years.

We, in Pittsburgh, have a challenge to fix what we got. We have to do better with what we have.

I don't want a 120 block B.I.D. I don't want any BIDs. Then what! We'll be the envy of cities everywhere because we govern as we should.

We should be safe everywhere. We should look without blind spots. We need to deal with problems in an honest way.

BIDs are a sign of bad government. I'm against BIDs because I'm for good governement.

BIDs are a sign of BIG Government. I'm against bigger and bigger government -- and would rather have smaller, more limited governement.

I don't want tax bills from BID liabilities to come and pile on other tax bills from the city, schools, county, state and feds.

Foundation people that want to toss money around can spend it as they wish -- in private sectors. Go nuts. Don't come asking for special services and special treatments because you are rich and buy and sell police and politicians and public service workers.

We're Pittsburgh. The worth and dignity of everyone counts in these parts, still, thankfully. Let's make sure of it.

Police chief claims cameras at red lights would help police

Police chief claims cameras at red lights would help police Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate Harper endorsed the concept of putting enforcement cameras on traffic lights yesterday, saying automated ticketing could help the bureau 'do more with the amount of officers we have.'

The problem is, I don't want the police to do more. The goal isn't do more. The goal is safe streets.

The army general or a hawk president can give the order to invade another land to 'do more' -- and that would get to that outcome. But, why?

And if the cameras are doing the work, are the police really doing MORE? Or, are the police going to be taking time to do camera work and not police work?

The doing of more is by an outside firm that installs, operates and maintains the camera -- not the police. So, our police work is being done by others who are NOT police. Privatization of enforcement needs to be examined for what it is. This is a step away from a merger of services among city police, county police, PAT Police, Housing Police, State Police, Sheriff, University Police, and now -- traffic camera police?

No doubt, the police always want the toys and expensive utility. But, this takes us down the pathway to the police state.

The alternative, crossing guards that issue tickets. I'd rather invest in a person on the corner with radios, with communication devices, with back-up, with training, with a voice and judgement.

These cameras are put in for revenues. And, with this plan, the incomes are put only into a container. We don't need new trust funds nor do we need new commissions.

I'm not dead set against this effort. But there are a number of ways it can be improved upon.

Internet becoming crucial tool for political campaigns

Internet becoming crucial tool for political campaigns Internet becoming crucial tool for political campaigns

Bar Bill plays to packed planning meeting

It was standing room only at a second public meeting this afternoon. On the South Side, there was a meeting from 10 to afternoon about PAT's service cuts. Meanwhile, South Siders jammed into the City Planning Meeting at 200 Ross Street for an afternoon session about the Bar Bill. The turnout from fellow citizens was fantastic.

I don't like the proposed bar bill. It isn't good for a lot of reasons. But, I love the fight. I love the effort. I love the spirit of citizens getting an upper hand on what is happening in the neighborhood.

The bar bill provides a new beach head for the war over our city and urban lives. That is good. We've opened another front and this will be an avenue for some to use to fight back.

One simple question, perhaps my first of many, is, "What about the upward measurement?"

The bill calls for no additional establishment (bar) to be built within a 150 foot distance of another bar, as measured from closest corner of the property to the other location's closest corner.

If, for example, the USX Tower had a pub on the first floor and then a TOP OF BUILDING nightclub wanted to open. Then what? Or, are they both within the 150 feet rule? The property lines overlap.

I want density. I want bars on the roofs and top floors of taller buiildings. I want street-level places too. If a new hotel is built -- say six or eight stories at South Side Works, then I'd love it if that building could have a club on the top floor and another on the first floor. But, the bar bill might prohibit such acts.

From china - bike ...

What do you think? How did the meeting go?

I did notice a lot of questions from the planning committee about other parts of town, not the South Side. They were more interested, it seemed, in Shadyside, Sq. Hill, and other neighborhoods -- not the South Side.

Hats fly into ring for city controller, council

Hats fly into ring for city controller, council Tom Fallon, of Morningside, a member of state Sen. Jim Ferlo's staff, said yesterday that he plans to run for the council seat held by Len Bodack. Pittsburgh School Board member Patrick Dowd is also challenging Mr. Bodack.

A New Aquatic Center for Mt. Lebanon…

This should be fun.

A New Aquatic Center for Mt. Lebanon… ... four scenarios that the consultants who conducted the feasibility study for a new aquatic center for Mt. Lebanon have recommended for consideration. The scenarios include concepts and projected costs for three outdoor aquatic centers and one indoor natatorium.

Jason Phillips has a new job and won't run for city council

Jason Phillips is working for a state-wide campaign for judge. This new role is exciting for him. So, he won't be entering the race for Pittsburgh's City Council District 3.

Jason ran in the special election as a member of the Green Party. He then re-joined the D party and is on the local D committee.

If I get the specifics as to who's campaign he is working for -- I'll be glad to post them, or he could do that in the comments himself.

I'm too angry to post about this at the moment. Interaction with a detective / PAT Police at public hearing.

A women came to me while I sat in the front row of the 3rd public hearing hosted by PAT about its looming service cuts. I had testified a few moments ago. The place was packed, but they were running ahead of the slated agenda time. I spoke quickly about the Octopus Card. These electronic bus passes would provide PAT with much better data on trip "segments." Better access to data would lead to better decisions on routes and price adjustment options. (More later.)

This women comes to my side. "I'm from Achieva," she said. "Could you come with me?"

Well, okay. I packed my coat, briefcase and camera. I had heard about 10 folks give their rants. Its is all 'rip your heart out' insights, as Steve Bland was quoted in the radio news today about yesterday's experience. As a speaker ended, I moved from my seat to the back of the room. She wants me moving faster, and then wants me to move with her out of the room and down the hall and away from everyone else.

"No way. I'm not going into some private room with you, woman. What is it you'd like from me?"

She insists, but I'm just outside the door to the main room, and I'm not moving. Then she shows me her badge attached to her belt. She idenitifies herself, now, as a police officer.

Fine. Now that I know you are a police officer, and not working for Achieva, a nonprofit agency that owns the building where the hearing is hosted and does wonderful work with special needs populations -- I'm still not going down that hallway and leaving this public gathering.

You can whisper what you'd like to tell me now.

She says, "We were talking, and my camera is making people uncomfortable."

Humm....

"Yes, I've got my I.D," I tell her. I easily offer my name, address, a peek at my check-book that was handy in my back pocket. "No, you don't need to see my drivers license. No, you don't need my social security number either, for your report."

I stay cool, but puzzled and say I'll keep my camera in my bag and go back into the meeting. Clearly, she doesn't want any video of the meeting.

I let uon the I think it must be Steve Bland, PAT's CEO, that has become uncomfortable. PAT is a public agency. The detective grunted.

I wish I had the camera running when I went back into the room for an additional 20-minutes or so. PA's Auditor General, Jack Wagner, showed up at the meeting. And, I wish I had the pep talk presentation from Ken Z, the dude who is yacking at every hearing from the transportation committee of the Allegheny Conference. Oh well.

At City Council's meeting today, also at 10 am, I had just talked about cameras. (More on this blog about that later.)

I've got another meeting on "red light cameras" to attend at 1:30 today.

For the fourth meeting today, there isn't any public coverage concerning the 2 pm meeting at 200 Ross Street about the South Side Bar Bill, in City Planning.

The PAT public forum today was packed, just like the prior two hearings. Bring your camera if you dare.

Gotta run, and do a cool down. Her name is Kerr, and she works for the PAT Police. And, I don't want to read about this in some Yapper blog in two years. For what its worth, I wasn't handcuffed.

(First posted at 1:15 pm.)

Blogger is tossing all sorts of errors. Not able to update easily.

I've got to pull the switch to get to blogger 2.0. Or, I should re-locate the blog to my own site. But now, I'm getting a lot of errors, sadly.

Form letter from Dan Onorato about the silly spending of the tunnel under the rivers

January 22, 2007

Dear Mr. Rauterkus:

Last week during my monthly radio program on KDKA-AM, Marty Griffin shared your e-mail regarding the North Shore Connector. Thank you for sharing your thoughts regarding the project.

The North Shore Connector has been in development for a decade and was supported by prior County administrations. The federal government has committed to paying for 80 percent of the project, a level of subsidy that will not be available for future transportation projects.

I requested the money to be used for another project in Allegheny County, but was told by the Federal Transit Administration, in no uncertain terms, that if we did not move forward with the twin tunnels under the Allegheny River, the $348 million in federal funding would be transferred to a transportation project in another region. Please be assured that I am also working with County Council to limit the County’s financial exposure on this project.

The North Shore Connector will be a crucial link in the regional transportation network in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The extension will serve regional assets including CCAC, Carnegie Science Center, Heinz Field, PNC Park and the new Majestic Star Casino. The project also represents the first leg of building light rail from downtown to Pittsburgh International Airport, as well as possible light rail extensions to the North Hills and Allegheny Valley.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your comments. I truly appreciate your input.

Sincerely,

Dan Onorato
Allegheny County Chief Executive

This doesn't wash with me. A decade ago Dan was on City Council -- in that part of the city. Then he became County Controller, and had the ability to audit the agency. Dan helped to make this project occur.

The airport is on the other side of the river, last I checked. If this is the first leg to the airport, then we're talking about the first blister on a million mile march.

The design of the light rail takes it to an end at the West End Bridge. The rail lines will NOT be able to navigate around the West End Bridge without another serious investment.

Furthermore, I'd not be so upset about the extension of LTR's system if the stops were placed at CCAC and Allegheny General Hospital. But these stops are for the stadiums. With some effort they could have taken the line to the business district up farther on the North Side.

Raw video of first day of PAT Hearings from Oakland event

Watch the Video Nothing special. About 13 minutes.

WAS: Russ Grimm -- still available to run for at Large Seat on Allegheny County Council -- as Libertarian

UPDATED on Jan 24, 2007: --- NEVER MIND. ---

---

Russ. Give me a call.

If you are looking for something meaningful to do in the fall, other than football, I've got a great challenge that might be perfect way to shape your future. Let's do a rush on liberty. Let's protect the constitution. Let's huddle and then call plays with the people.

Perhaps we can get Lynn Swann on the team as a policy advisor or finance guy. Swann could build his resume and distance himself from the neo-cons.

You know, Chuck Knoll got a number of write in votes in the November 2006 election. No joke.

UPDATED on Jan 24, 2007: --- NEVER MIND. ---

YouTube - Bill Peduto for Mayor ad

YouTube - Bill Peduto for Mayor ad Bill Peduto for Mayor ad

Are we still up the creek? Is Bill a paddle?

Will messages like this get more than 200 visits this time around?

Pittsblog: Sports in Perspective

Pittsblog: Sports in Perspective: "Sports in Perspective"

My comments posted at Pittsblog.

Nice article.

Thanks for the pointer.

But you know, what Mayor Tom Murphy and Tom Cox did in Pittsburgh is worse. Way worse. No joke.

The Pgh Interfaith Group had lined up free computers, free service, free install, free support, free network connectivity -- and a plan to put 4 PCs into 6 Rec Centers in the city. Tom Murphy, MAYOR, said no. The city's cost was $0.

He said the cost would be more than $200k and that if the demand was there he'd put it on the list for Citiparks to do in a year or so.

Six months later he closed all 32 outdoor swim pools and 16 rec centers. Closed. Locked down. Stayed that way for more than 6 months. Only then did we pry the keys off him to open a few centers where there was booster money and skin in the game for our kids.

From playground - usa

These were and still are -- OUR FACILITIES.

Meanwhile, Tom MURPHY promised to make Ultimate Frisbee Fields in Highland Park, near the bike oval. That was a broken promise, but Tom needed to get the support of the ignorant young people. They bought it hook, line and sinker -- until I showed them the light of day.

Then, Bob O'Connor said if he was elected mayor, he'd open ALL the swim pools. Yeah, right.

The All Star Game came and there was a red carpet from the downtown hotel to PNC Park for convertables and million-dollar ball players.

Little has been done.

Pittsburgh does not need to take a back seat to anyone in terms of the lost opportunities we steal from our kids.

No wonder people vote with their feet. No wonder the Pgh Public Schools are shrinking faster than expected. No wonder our kids shoot each other -- as there is nothing else for them to shoot for!

P.L. is a natural at this. Try it. It is hard to do.

But how do you make these images look better? They seem too fuzzy to me.

Blast from the past: T-shirt story

From S6 Concert Hall

Thanks L for the tip. At the Pgh Podcamp I asked her if she had any Libertarian t-shirts and she said, "No."

iheartpgh.com The PG is looking for your t-shirt stories
Posted on 01.20.07 by Lindsay @ 12:40 pm

I saw this little post on the website for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette today. I thought this might be of interest to some of our blog readers. I am not sure if they are only looking for Pittsburgh stories or for stories from all over. I think I might submit my story about myIheartPGH t-shirt. I am looking forward to reading this article when it comes out.

Seeking Your Help: Your favorite T-shirt
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Every favorite T-shirt usually comes a with good story on why it’s so special to you. Maybe you were wearing it when you met your future spouse. Or you got it at the best concert you ever attended. Or it’s from a special reunion. No matter how old or how tattered, you’ll never give it away. We’d like to hear your stories about your favorite T-shirts. Please send your reflections to Virginia Linn at vlinn@post-gazette.com. Include your name, home town and daytime phone number.

I made up a batch of t-shirts last year before the Steelers won the SuperBowl XL.

But there is more to this story as I was a candidate for Pittsburgh City Council in a special election on March 14, 2006, as a Libertarian. And the t-shirts went to everyone who attended our first ever house concert. Johnsmith, singer from Wisconsin, was here with his song, "Don't Put Me In a Box" (another theme of the campaign).

An opponent, Bruce Kraus, D, who didn't win -- thankfully, stood up at a community forum hosted at City Theater and said that all the different neighborhoods in the district have all sorts of different needs. What the people need in Allentown is different from what they need on the South Side Slopes. The needs in Oakland are so much different from what the people want on the South Side Flats. All this diversity presents a big range of needs to a city councilman to fill. One size does NOT fit all he claimed. Blah, blah, blah.

In the line of candidates, when it was my turn to speak, I stood up and blasted the concepts put forth by Mr. Kraus. I said, "I can't disagree more with Bruce Kraus. He is wrong because I feel strongly that one size does fit all. The Founding Fathers had it right. We need freedom, liberty and justice for all. That fits me well. That fits my neighbors well too -- regardless of the neighborhood residence. Liberty is what everyone in Pittsburgh needs, and that comes in one size. I want Extra Large Liberty, Liberty XL.

The affinity of the XL from the SuperBowl -- made the shirts popular and warm to all. One gal took the shirt to Detroit with her to wear to the game -- under the black & gold jersey, of course.

Of course the Steelers won, but I didn't win the election. But my message scored a touchdown. The t-shirt history lesson did make the goofy candidate for city council change his tune. He didn't campaign and express those silly thoughts again. Not with me around, at least.

See this image of the t-shirt:

http://picasaweb.google.com/mark.rauterkus/S6ConcertHall/photo#5023045145074368690

And look around the photo album of our S6 House Concert venue -- in our game room.

All my images are in the public domain.

Mike Tomlin - Wikipedia

Mike Tomlin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mike Tomlin (born March 15, 1972 in Hampton, Virginia), is an American football coach and is the new head coach of the National Football League's Pittsburgh Steelers.

Mayor pledges clean campaign

Where is this 'pledge' exactly? Is it a headline, or a real promise? And, what if the promise is broken? Then what?

Ravenstahl pledges clean campaign - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

If the pledge can't be put into the news article, I'm not sure how we can expect the thing to be followed.

To promise a clean campaign is much like a redd up campaign.

The League of Women Voters is as spicy as ginger. The pledge that they offer is not that bold as they are not that bold. Expect pledge breakers to be scolded with a frownie after lunch.

I can't rant in a negative way because the pledge is a nice step, and because I'm slated to speak to the League of Women Voter's meeting this weekend on How To Run for Public Office.

I'd like a pledge with the media. I'd like a pledge with the parties. I'd like a pledge with the unions. When the fur flies, the ones on the stump can generally shrug and say that it wasn't his fault. Michael Diven and Wayne Fontana were negative as hell. They didn't sign such a pledge, but if they had, they just give an excuse that the money flowed from other political sources, not their direct campaigns.

By the way, the League of Women Voters as well as the non-partisan watchdog thingie org that came out in 2005 spring were asked to engage in elections beyond the mayor's race primary. But, they choose to stick to the knitting, go after the headline and not rock the boat in other races in our region.

What statements would you like to see in a pledge?

Can We Achieve Peace in the Middle East?

Can We Achieve Peace in the Middle East? Practically speaking, our meddling in the Middle East has only intensified strife and conflict. American tax dollars have militarized the entire region. We give Israel about $3 billion each year, but we also give Egypt $2 billion. Most other Middle East countries get money too, some of which ends up in the hands of Palestinian terrorists. Both sides have far more military weapons as a result. Talk about adding fuel to the fire! Our foolish and unconstitutional foreign aid has produced more violence, not less.

Will there be coverage or podcasts of today's events?

I'd love to have the podcast or coverage of events in the community today. Two four hour sessions with lots of citizen speakers is slated. Plus, Mr. Peduto finally tosses his skate into the ring as mayor. If things do get uploaded, please let us know.

Rally and Speakers, Rise UP against PAT. Hit em high and hit em low!

The floodgates open today. The citizens speak and we're ready. Take your gloves off when you step on the soap box. Break a leg everyone as that is what these cuts are going to feel like once they've been implemented. Our mobility is never going to be the same. Our quality of life is to spiral downward, again, for many compounded reasons.

Fewer buses mean more cars.

Get to know him. Biographical Information of Ron Paul -- candidate for President of the USA

Local and libertarian.

PAUL, Ronald Ernest - Biographical Information PAUL, Ron

State College grew despite status as inaccessible

Do you think that the Mon Valley could take a page from this example?

Centre Daily Times | 01/21/2007 | State College grew despite status as inaccessiblemThe joke is as old as the Farmers High School and may even predate the institution chartered in 1855.

An outsider asks directions of a local man who, happy to oblige, answers confidently at first, but has to stop and restart several times.

Finally, in frustration, he sputters, 'You can't get there from here.'

The Mon Valley Toll Road is a project that should not be built. The worst part of it is the leg that rips into the foot of Bates Ave at the Oakland Exit of the Parkway East and crushes Hazelwood. That last part should NOT be built.

For the record, I've been against the Mon Valley Toll Road for many years.

The article talks of jitney drivers. We'll be talking more and more of this hired car, like a taxi, as the buses depart.

The roads to and around State College are not as they were even a decade or two ago. Wide highways have been built.

Summit Against Racism

Updated.

I went to part of the annual program organized by the committee -- called a Summit Against Racism. Powerful stuff. I've got some video.





Click to watch video, 13-minutes, keynote presentation by ex-police officer.

How do you post a 13 minute video on YouTube?

A video file is 51 megs in size and runs for 13 minutes and some change. When posted to YouTube, an error message is generated as the limits are 100 megs and 10-minutes in length.

What are some of the work-arounds for posting longer videos to YouTube?

I'm sending the file to Rauterkus.blip.tv now.

Are there better options?

Update: http://www.DailyMotion.com/Rauterkus My first upload didn't work. Mostly French it seems.

Steelers pick Tomlin as head coach

Steelers pick Tomlin as head coach Steelers pick Tomlin as head coach

He isn't Mike Singletary, but I'm happy with this choice.

Perhaps we can get Russ Grimm to run for the at-large position on Allegheny County Council as a Libertarian, now that he needs something to do this fall.

Pittsburgh - Bus Cuts Unkind - News - News Briefs - Pittsburgh City Paper

Pittsburgh - Bus Cuts Unkind - News - News Briefs - Pittsburgh City Paper Kay Parker, Carnegie, oakland

I find it unacceptable that the governor, mayor, and County Chief Executive Dan Onorato is putting so much energy toward saving the Penguins and not advocating for saving our transit. Do they realize how these route cuts will paralyze our city???

Agree. Dan might say he is doing something. But, I say he has done the wrong thing. And for the past four years he has done little to nothing.

Dowd enters council race. Stupid statements on day 1 occur.

Not a good way to break into the realm of city council politics, if you ask me. He talks of TIFs. That is madness, D-party madness. The vision is missing on council as it has been a rubber stamp for all the TIFs that have come down the pike. Few if any have worked. I'm not in favor of any TIFs given the unaccountability of the process and the hurt it causes for the marketplace.

TIFs do NOT encourage people to live in the city. TIFs are a good reason why people move out of the city and vote with their feet. Tax breaks for some, and not others, is a great way to was away the concern for justice.

Quotes from Mr. Dowd's campaign manager re not welcomed either. Let the candidate talk for himself.

Likewise, I feel that city council needs to do more about transportation and advocate for the benefits of the city. But, we need smart actions, not just hyper activity without purpose. What smart solutions does Patrick have about transportation? Complain louder doesn't cut it with me.

Then Patrick talks in glowing terms about the Pittsburgh Promise. It is sure to be a broken promise. The lie of that program is not something that I'm going to rest on the backs of our kids.

Patrick is leaving the school board at a bad time. The schools are NOT in a good position. The gifted education program, magnet schools, and high school situations are all on the rocks.

Mr. Roosevelt is a darling of the foundations and a foe of parental involvement. He wants to make discipline a priority for next year. Why wait? Discipline needs to take root now. I don't want to have the work of the board and administration hide behind a task force. I want that to come to the surface in real time, with real discussion, with real input from all.

The plan to rightsize called for the closing of small schools. The plan for the high schools calls for opening of small schools. What is it?

I want our educaitonal system to fit the city and the buildings that are part of the landscape. Not do more with less. Rather, start with what you got and do a splendid job with what is presented. Then evolve as necessary. Don't close 22 schools in one cut of the ax and wonder, where did all the people go?

I'd like someone to be on council that can stand up to the URA. The South Hills High School should be owned by the URA, not Pgh Public Schools. The transfer of that building is lagging. That needed to be done. We need to work between the city and schools -- and the schools are getting the short end of the stick at every turn -- and Dowd has helped that along.

Then the alternative in the D primary is Len B. He gotta go. I'd take Dowd over Len -- I think. But, neither do anything for me as a concerned citizen of Pittsburgh.

Patrick's got another opportunity to sway my opinions when he begins to speak for himself and when he publishes a web site. But thet talk so far gets him a F-minus!!!! And, he is 'experienced.'

Patrick, why are the city school sports teams not in the WPIAL yet? You could have fixed that, and didn't. Why are the city sports coaches still tied with those ugly union contracts -- forcing good coaches to retire from the sidelines just because they retire from the classroom? You could have fixed that too.

Dowd enters council race The council, he said, currently lacks the vision necessary to deal with the 'bigger issues facing the larger framework of Pittsburgh as a whole,' such as housing reform and public transportation. Dealing with these two issues, he said, will make Pittsburgh more competitive in the future by encouraging people to live in the city.

One of Mr. Dowd's initiatives for housing involves creating residential 'zones,' areas for the council to establish tax increment financing for home buyers. Such tax incentives would offset property tax payments and encourage more people to move into the city, said Abby Wilson, Mr. Dowd's campaign manager.

Mr. Dowd also sees public transportation as a crucial issue for city residents, who make up the majority of Port Authority riders.

'I definitely think City Council needs to be advocating more on this subject,' he said. 'This is a question of equality and public development.'

Mr. Dowd said he would also focus on public safety, government reform, arts and recreation, the environment and energy, and economic development.

Drawing on his experience as a school board member, Mr. Dowd said he would bridge the relationship between the board and City Council, noting that the proposed Pittsburgh Promise scholarship program was a starting point.

'City Council needs people who believe that education is a priority,' he said.

Mr. Dowd, the father of six and a history teacher at The Ellis School in Shadyside, has served on the school board since 2003.

During his term, Mr. Dowd has been a supporter of school Superintendent Mark Roosevelt and has been leading the effort to extend the superintendent's three-year contract beyond August 2008.

In searching for Mr. Dowd's District 2 successor, the same grass-roots coalition that helped him win in 2003 has backed candidate Heather Arnet, 32, also of Highland Park. The District 2 School Board Coalition voted Jan. 6 to endorse Ms. Arnet, executive director of the Women and Girls Foundation of Southwest Pennsylvania. She also supports Mr. Roosevelt.

Furthermore, I'm not happy to have a sub-group hold an election and take away democratic powers of the citizens, before the real election occurs. Perhaps there is a need for more coordination to rid ourselves of a sitting politicians who is clueless -- like Patrick did with D. Harris years ago. But the need for that type of authority and call for lock-step boosterism for an open seat is a poor way to govern.

I'm in favor of an open election. Hold forums. Hold debates. Organize point-by-point match-ups and sustain the conversation for fixing our city. Don't annoint a person as a favorite son or daughter.

Finally, what about the pledge from Patrick to NOT use the office of school board member as a rung in the ladder of political ambition? He wasn't going to be a candidate for other office. He was going to be a school board member -- and not do just what he was doing. That was a pledge that is valid. Now it seems to be ignored.

I want all Pgh Public School Board Members to NOT run for other offices -- as a part of our city's charter, if need be. They use the position for power grabbing, not for serving the needs of the kids and education. I'd rather require that the school board offices be terminal roles then we'd have a different quality of discussions and self-interest of the people on the board.

Give something better than not Len, please.

Patrick Dowd, Dr. John Thompson, then Superintendent of PPS; Mark Brently (far right). My photo from Pgh Interfaith Impact Network public event in October 2004. people & vips

UPDATE: Don't pass over these comments. One is from the Dowd campaign manager.

China's wide-open adoption door closes

China's wide-open adoption door closes China soon will bar foreigners who are single, obese, blind, deaf, over 50 or twice-divorced from adopting

Another B.M.I. article mention.

One's ability to parent may or may not hinge upon one's weight. But the measurement of being a non-smoker isn't going to fly in China where smoking is so pervasive. That's why not smoking.

The quote about no kid ever being harmed by second-hand fat is a cute. But the expression, "Pull Your Own Weight" is a bit harder when one's weight is too much. The other expression, "Do unto others as you'd do unto yourself" is put on its head when one's own treatment of oneself is too "over-the-top."

China can't afford to send so many of its girl babies overseas. We knew that this door closing was sure to occur.

The relationships in China are complicated. The values are hard to understand. I'd not want to second-guess their cultures. Thankfully, many have come to join in in the states in the past.

Wagner dynasty may line up behind ...

The Wagners might support Peduto. And, they might support me too. And, they are known to celebrate Christmas too.

Wagner dynasty may line up behind Bill Peduto - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review A run for governor is believed to be the only reason the one-time City Council president isn't launching his own mayoral candidacy.

And it would be an easier path to the governor's office for Wagner if the Pittsburgh mayor was his political ally rather than an Onorato confidant.

Point Breeze students' city design takes first - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Jarr Jarr Binks would be proud.

Point Breeze students' city design takes first - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Others, like the team from Mary Queen of Angels School in New Kensington built their cities in an equally improbable place -- under water.

Year's ago it was suggested that the new hockey arena should be built on the bottom of one of the rivers. Then getting its own t-stop would be easy.

From planning-urban

Extreme makeover: City edition - Youngstown & Pttsburgh

Extreme makeover: City edition - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- When the steel industry collapsed, a vacuum took over.

Trib now covers a story we (bloggers) visted weeks ago at AntiRust.

Gonzales Questions Habeas Corpus

Speechless.

Robert Parry | Gonzales Questions Habeas Corpus Responding to questions from Sen. Arlen Specter at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Jan. 18, Gonzales argued that the Constitution doesn't explicitly bestow habeas corpus rights; it merely says when the so-called Great Writ can be suspended.

'There is no expressed grant of habeas in the Constitution; there's a prohibition against taking it away,' Gonzales said.

Gonzales's remark left Specter, the committee's ranking Republican, stammering.

'Wait a minute,' Specter interjected. 'The Constitution says you can't take it away except in case of rebellion or invasion. Doesn't that mean you have the right of habeas corpus unless there's a rebellion or invasion?'

Gonzales continued, 'The Constitution doesn't say every individual in the United States or citizen is hereby granted or assured the right of habeas corpus. It doesn't say that. It simply says the right shall not be suspended' except in cases of rebellion or invasion.

'You may be treading on your interdiction of violating common sense,' Specter said.

The N.F.L.’s Blue-Collar Workers - New York Times

The N.F.L.’s Blue-Collar Workers - New York Times But despite all the trappings of a modern business empire, football — or more specifically its labor system — harks back to the 19th century. Like miners and dock workers of that time, the N.F.L.’s work force has little protection against job loss. Workers frequently toil outdoors in freezing temperatures. And they often literally put their lives at risk, as we were reminded last week when a neuropathologist claimed that the suicide of a former N.F.L. player, Andre Waters, was linked to brain damage he sustained while playing football.

“It brings to mind the high-risk jobs of the earlier industrial period,” said Raymond Sauer, an economics professor at Clemson University and founder of the Sports Economist blog.

To be sure, football players, with their generous paychecks, do not seem as exploited as those rail-thin miners dusted with coal. But compared with athletes who ply their trades in two other big-money sports — basketball and baseball — they’re strictly blue collar.

Pitt guys are mentioned. And, these are not Pitt stars from the gridiron. Rather, Pitt doctors.

Idealist.org - Imagine. Connect. Act.

Welcome to Idealist.org - Imagine. Connect. Act.: "Imagine Pittsburgh at the Strip's Leaf and Bean"

This is a call that is very much like the past. But, it is valid, even if it is a repeat. A person has already stepped forward to host a meeting. It is now on the Rauterkus public events Google Calendar, something that can be subscribed to.

CENSORED!!! by Russ Diamond

On May 15, 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution directing each of the thirteen colonies to develop a constitution in order to plan for self-governance in anticipation of breaking ties with England. On July 16, less than two weeks after the official Declaration of Independence from the king, Pennsylvania's first constitutional convention opened with the unanimous election of Benjamin Franklin as its president.

On September 28, the convention unanimously approved the new Pennsylvania Constitution. The document was a two-chapter affair, including a Declaration of Rights and a Frame of Government. The plan for governing the Commonwealth included provisions establishing a legislative branch consisting of elected representatives in a single chamber, an executive branch embodied in a President and a twelve-member Council, and a judicial branch overseen by a Supreme Court.

Well aware of the temptations for the abuse of power, and themselves victims of abuse under the king's rule, the framers included an important provision within the Constitution to keep ultimate control of government in the hands of the people. Chapter II, Section 47 provided for a Council of Censors to be elected from the citizenry every seven years to review the actions of those who govern.

The Council would be charged with determining if the Constitution had indeed been followed over the previous seven years, if those who governed had abused their power and if any taxes levied had been fair. Finally, the Council was authorized to determine if the Constitution, or any part of it, was so unworkable that it required a rewrite under the guise of another convention.

Throughout the American Revolution, Pennsylvanians lived and governed themselves under the Constitution, but there were some elected officials who clearly had desires to alter the established plan for government. In 1777 and again in 1778, the General Assembly passed resolutions calling for another constitutional convention.

The motives of those who wanted a new convention were apparently: dividing the General Assembly into two chambers, further empowering the executive branch, and curiously, abolishing the Council of Censors years before it was scheduled to meet. The citizenry, realizing that the power to call a convention belonged exclusively to the Council of Censors, overwhelmingly rejected the notion and the Assembly rescinded its resolutions in 1779.

In November, 1783 the duly elected Council of Censors met for the first time to carry out its duties, but it was obvious that the primary intent of some members was to follow the earlier whims of the General Assembly. The divided Council ignored or delayed most of its duties, focusing instead on altering the Constitution. In late January, 1784 the Council produced its preferred constitutional changes and recessed until June. A dissenting opinion was issued by the minority, objecting to the call for a convention, primarily on the grounds that two-thirds of the Council had not approved it, as required by the Constitution.

By June, it was clear the inhabitants of Pennsylvania overwhelmingly sided with the dissenters. Nearly 18,000 citizens signed remonstrances against a convention while less than 300 petitioned the Council in favor. Additionally, two members of the Council were replaced during the recess and another pair who did not attend the first session were in attendance at the second, allowing a new majority to steer the Council on its proper mission of judging the constitutionality of government action during the previous seven years.

The Council's findings were scathing. It found many instances of the General Assembly and the Executive Council overstepping their bounds. By far, the biggest fault it found with the legislative branch was the hasty passage of legislation. Chapter II, Section 15 of the Constitution mandated that all legislation produced in any given session first be published, with voting delayed until the next session "except on occasions of sudden necessity," ensuring that all acts "may be more maturely considered."

Modern government observers would find many familiar themes among the body of legislation passed in violation of Section 15, including massive pay raises for elected officials, authorization of per-diem payments, increases in ferry fees, government giveaways to widows, children and the poor, appropriations for questionable public projects, dubious uses of private property (including one estate appropriated as a stable - including free oats and hay - for the horses of Representatives and another as a residence for the Chief Justice), and other acts passed to favor the friends of officials.

The Council cited a "striking example of the mischiefs" in a bill which consisted of a mere 26 lines of text during its first two readings, but upon third reading was found to have been altered to include "sundry new paragraphs" establishing the collectorship of the port of Philadelphia. The bill was approved by the General Assembly within two days, yet another violation of Section 15.

The Council concluded its proceedings in late September and authorized a written address to the citizens of the Commonwealth summarizing their findings, including their reasoning for not calling another constitutional convention. They noted that those among the minority who did support a convention did so for reasons which were "highly pernicious, and utterly inconsistent with liberty."

Under the Constitution, the next Council of Censors was due to convene and sit in judgment of government after the general election of 1790. The General Assembly, perhaps in anticipation of another negative report, short-circuited the process by again calling for a constitutional convention in 1789 by a 41-17 vote in March and a 39-17 vote in September.

The dissenting opinion on the first vote noted that such power was not invested in the legislature, but instead belonged solely to the Council of Censors, and warned that "if we begin to tear up foundations, we are persuaded a much more dangerous system will be established in its stead." The second vote's dissentient declared that "this house is not competent to the subject" of calling a convention and that "this measure at once infringes the solemn compact entered into by the people of this state with each other."

Despite those warnings, the General Assembly's convention was hastily convened in November of the same year, eventually producing the Constitution of 1790, which divided the legislature into two separate chambers, established the office of Governor, and - conveniently - abolished the Council of Censors.

In form, the convention turned the Constitution on its head. While the Declaration of Rights existed as Chapter I in 1776, the plan for government took up the first eight Articles of the 1790 version, relegating the rights of the people to Article IX. This was eventually corrected in 1874, but remains as haunting evidence of the true motives of those who occupied the seats of power at the time.

In 1789, the General Assembly usurped the power of the people - via the Council of Censors - to define the structure of government. Today, elected officials continue to mistakenly insist that they and their bi-partisan committees are the best arbiters of how government should be constructed.

At any given time, a good and virtuous system of government cannot be created by those who occupy elected offices at that particular moment. Rather, those officials should prostrate themselves before the citizenry and allow for objective and independent judgment of any prospective form of self-governance.

Russ Diamond. From my photo collection called people & vips.

California here we come. Next week's mission.

Next week we're going to California. I'm going to interview as coach at Oakland Raiders. If my agent can't come to terms with them, then I expect I'll come home and be ready to run for one or all of these positions:

County Executive

County Council Member at Large

County Council Member - district 13

Mayor

Controller

City Council - district 3

For now, I gotta keep the laundry moving.

Thinking about the summit for racism

Here is a blast from the past, April 2001. It was a bit of back and forth with me and Rich Lord, reporter, now with the P-G and then with the City Paper.

Details to Rich LordUploaded on April 12, 2001

Stepping to the Serving Area

City Paper Reporter, Rich Lord sent an email claiming that he is working on an article. Yeah! He noticed that Jim Carmine, my loyal GOP opponent, and I are both actively discussing issues of interest to African-American voters.

Read the rest at the site.

I'm going to change my site in major ways in the weeks to come. Some of this digital dust might get dusted.

Onorato lacking GOP opponent - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Onorato lacking GOP opponent - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review GOP leaders have spoken to as potential challengers include state Reps. Mike Turzai of Bradford Woods and John Maher of Upper St. Clair, county Councilman Dave Fawcett of Oakmont, former U.S. Rep. Melissa Hart of Bradford Woods and U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan of Fox Chapel, Glancy said.

Come out swinging. Humm. Come out spending is what they want.

Celebration: Bloggers make big boom!

Loudness. Potential. Witness. Visible.

The dance on the net hit a new groove among MSM.

The pre-game thug and later shrug and specifics neither worry nor please me. But the bigger story is the observation of the big gun. Boom. The net rattled and people heard. The MSM didn't yawn. Blogging became bigger by gosh.

A Silent Cacophony: The 'larger' Army

A Silent Cacophony: The 'larger' Army Here's another interesting dilemma facing the military in terms of reaching its recruitment goals, and this one doesn't have anything to do with the war in Iraq. It's the problem of a literally growing America's ability to muster enough volunteers who 1. Want to join; 2. Meet the minimal physical and mental standards; and 3. Are lean enough.

To All Who Will Listen by Coach Chuck Klausing

Jerry S., a regional business owner who has multi-media tools for coaches, sent along this story from coaching legend Chuck Klausing.

I failed with the greatest football player I ever coached. He played for me in high school and I predicted he would be a great pro player someday. He led us to three undefeated seasons. People told me he reminded them of Jim Brown the great Cleveland back.

No player was more coachable… he believed in me and would always listen. Maybe, because of two incidents that occurred during his high school years when he played for me.

The first was when he was a sophomore linebacker. He collided head to head with a teammate and dislocated his jaw. The joint was up around his ear. No doctor was around so I used my first aid training and relocated it. The pain was terrible, but afterwards, he remarked, “Thanks Coach, I will always listen to you”.

The second incident occurred during training. We would go to pre-season camp and had no place to shower so we bathed in a small river. He wandered out too far and went under. I swam out and brought him to shore. He remarked, “Thanks Coach, you saved my life, I will always listen to you”.

With his success, he played in the Big 33 game and was awarded the Most Valuable Player. In college he was named the most outstanding sophomore in the Big 10.

At 21 years of age, he died of a drug overdose.

I went to his funeral and I prayed at his coffin. His parents told me it was my fault he died. I was stunned, “How could it be my fault” I wondered. They said he would have listened to me. He never smoked tobacco or drank liquor because I told him not to – these were my rules; no tobacco, no alcohol. I never mentioned drugs. Drugs? In the 1940’s and 50’s? I knew nothing about drugs then, but they are certainly with us today.

I am very concerned about the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco by kids. I have 12 grandkids and 3 great grandchildren. I hope to get this message to them.

If you’re a coach, don’t take the players in your charge lightly. A coach is a teacher, a role model, an authority figure and a protector. It’s a powerful role. Please learn from where I failed and respect that power.

More on Chuck Klausing

Chucks Podcast

Supporting video from one of life's sunsets.

Honz Man Spouts about Blogs

Honz is in a rant about blogs on Friday at his show -- noon to 5 pm.

He wants to hear from us. Giggle.

One of Fred's points, the mainstream media has rules. Blogs don't. For the record, I'm a grad of Ohio University, school of journalism. I understand the rules.

My last conversation with Honz ended when he said, "You have some good points. Many agree with you." Click. But trust doesn't mean anything. So if we are going to pick-up the conversation on rules and ethics, Honz has to come clean with me on this little point of 'trust.' I blogged about this and we had a good chuckle because the very next thing out of our radio, after turning up the volume, was "KDKA, news you can trust."

A blog expert is slated to be on the air shortly, I guess. Fred, I'd be glad to have serious conversations with you, any time.

The Pittsburgh Comet and its sick name-calling

The Pittsburgh Comet It's hard to blog about 'Prescription Pennsylvania.' Not even Rauterkus has tried yet, and that guy's a machine.

Machine! I'm not a machine politician. I'm sorta sick of Rendell.

Rendell was so-machine-like when the Gov let this cat out of the bad the day after starting his second term while NOT talking about these efforts for even a dying breath in the campiagn season of 2005.

But, to be honest, I did blog, slightly, about this. And, some views on healthcare are on the wiki. Platform.For-Pgh.org. Senate Bill 1085 was nice.

I'm more about wellness. But I'd love to have more detailed views into what's what.

Thanks for the pointer.

Jon Delano news flash: JD admits: "Truth is, you have to think!"

Delano's serious back-peddling came on the air with KDKA Radio today. He contrasted what he said yesterday on the very same show.

My message to "Dime a Dozen Delano:" Pittsburgh should be so lucky to have political bloggers at dime a dozen rates.

Then he asked this question on the air: The fundamental political question, does it really matter? YES!

There is more out there. Out there is out there.

In the end, Pittsburgh is going to be a better place when we are more caring, loving, open and honest -- and online. We need political bloggers to care and cover issues. Next, we need politicians to get into the game of living in the open. We need debate and dissent. We need opposition. We need a ying and a yang among all yinzers, even elected ones.

Yesterday, Jon Delano said political bloggers are a dime a dozen. To bad this value wasn't the case a decade ago. If bloggers were a dime a dozen then, news crafters would not have been able to sweep this (see example illustration) under the rug.



I'm dancing in the street because this is the week when political bloggers made a hit. We have an impact.

Yesterday I sent an email to Marty Griffin when he was talking with the old County Executive and the long-time Political Eore, James C. Roddey. I'd be happy to share my thoughts on why people will and will not run for public office in Allegheny County -- including Republicans. Dan Onorato is NOT un-touchable. Marty sent a short message about booking me on the show, and I look forward to that early next week.

Today's email to Marty was to ask MacYapper about his triumph with Betty Ford. Not the clinic, the person. Yes, J.D., you still have to think. Some things are just funny. Other things are for real. And the internet is so nice because the things that one thinks is real can be turned into what it is worth in short order. The cycles are quick. The reach is long. The depth of knowledge is way bigger than any one group of cronies.

Truth is, you have to think. And, you have to think with others. And when yo think out in the open -- like on the internet -- then soaring becomes possible. Even probable.

Now if the Pgh MSM (main stream media) would just drink from the well more often -- we'll be much more free and prosperous.

Another fitting bit of digital dust from 2001:

Humm.... I don't think that these are open souce contracts.

No longer just developing software used to let somebody ELSE make the better weapons, CMU has beat out Lockheed-Martin for a contract to actually make six prototype search-and-destroy robots.

MacWorld S.F. feedback. This is sad to have a closed phone.

Revolution Newsletter Walking around the show floor, I was struck with how commercial the show has become. It seemed that outside of Apple, there was little to see that was innovative. There were lots of people selling 'stuff' like cases for ipods. But what was missing for me was the smaller creative software companies showing the exciting new features of their products. And is it surprising? Apple has made it harder to be a part of their experience. Once they invited us in, giving us free space and promotion. Now there is discussion that the iPhone will not be open and thus all the creative people who want to express themselves by creating programs for this device may not be able to do so.

Justine, you might want to have some extended pillow talk with your husband about this.

Death of a utility. The day the photos died. I miss my blogger bot!

We will live to fight another day. We will survive. But, rest in peace, dear blogger bot. I loved using the button and zipping a photo to my blog. Now I've got to do some other tricks -- or else I might need to break down and build a new widget.

March 16, the early show, with passport

Some promo is to happen with The Early Show and March 16 in Pittsburgh. Get a free trip to some place around the world.

Look to apply on the web. Gotta take the kids to school and pack for New Zealand. So, if you win, perhaps you can visit us there.

??

Pointers welcome.

County eyes storage site for new park; riverfront plan targets Atlas Self Storage land | YourPennHills.com

County eyes storage site for new park; riverfront plan targets Atlas Self Storage land | YourPennHills.com: "County eyes storage site for new park; riverfront plan targets Atlas Self Storage land

Vera Miller
Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Allegheny County officials who want to create a riverfront park have their sights set on a Penn Hills property being developed as a storage facility."

City authority OKs free parking schedule - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

This is so Jim Ferlo-ish.

City authority OKs free parking schedule - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Free parking is so romantic.

Sweethearts who travel to Downtown on Feb. 14 will be able to park for free on the first of seven parking holidays this year at the Pittsburgh Parking Authority's 5,000 garage spaces and 800 parking meters.

Free parking on Valentine's Day will be from 4 p.m. to midnight.

The other free days are Nov. 23 and the five Saturdays between Thanksgiving and Christmas: Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, 8, 15, and 22. They will last all day.

Perhaps this is a the sentimental "bobble" to smoothen the jilted relationship with the public. You know. Some couples have a 'spat' and then the Mrs. gets a new family jewel. I think this happened with some NBA player who was caught red handed, right?

So, for Pittsburgh, the citizens get to feel the day-in-day-out sting of high taxes on parking -- but -- get to park for free on a few Saturdays. Sparkle season smiles.

This kiss and make up deed and news release costs $100,000.

Why not give $100,000 to the pipe dream called the Pittsburgh Promise? That's the hope that city kids will get college scholarships and only $10,000 went into the kitty.

This is weirdness as well when David Onorato starts to speak for the private parking operators. The Parking Authority is a steward of our public assets. They feel that they are entitled to give away $100,000 as they wish to who they wish. But, he has to have his head examined to say that the private parking business folks MIGHT offer a similar give-a-way.

Is this public servant going to show up in other private marketplaces and demand that others give away free trinkets too?

If he is trying to figure out the best way to serve the public then he needs to think again. The give-a-way is a positive thing for his self interest.

Here are a few free parking spots:

From merge city

From china - bike ...

Pittsburgh Penguins, National Hockey League - CBS SportsLine.com

Why do anything in public when it is so easy to be private with the spending of the public's money. As these guys jump into bed together, it shouldn't be done in the family hours of programming time. I'm happy Rendell waited until after 9 pm before he popped into the scene. But, I wouldn't mind if this courting wasn't so 'hush-hush.'

Pittsburgh Penguins, National Hockey League - CBS SportsLine.com Asked why neither side was talking - unlike the previous meeting, when Lemieux and Rendell both appeared optimistic during interviews -- Ardo said, 'We don't intend to negotiate through the media.'

Ardo said no face-to-face meetings are currently scheduled, but, he said, 'Negotiations are continuing' with an agreement hoped for 'as soon as possible.'

A surprise guest at the talks was Don Barden, the Detroit gambling casino owner who was picked by a state panel last month to build a new slots machine parlor in Pittsburgh. Barden has agreed to contribute $7.5 million a year toward the arena costs.

'I want to do everything I can to see that the Penguins stay in Pittsburgh,' Barden said.

Before the meeting, Onorato told reporters, 'We're coming down to try to finalize the deal' - the most optimistic comment any of the principals have made to date. But Onorato also cautioned it would take time to work out details such as the Penguins' lease and financing.

Back-room deals have killed this town. This one is sure to be just another milestone, if not headstone.

Purchasing merger timetable proposed

Tossing money out the window is a Grant Street sport.

Purchasing merger timetable proposed 'We've seen enough studies,' said Mr. Peduto, who is set to announce his mayoral candidacy Monday. 'We know exactly what the savings will be. ... We can't afford not to do this. It's time we stop throwing money out the window.'

The other game played there is leap-frog.

Hurry and form another task force.

Connect the dots. The one wants to buy printing with a joint purchasing department. This means that those borchures about the bulk gargage pick-up days can be with more color and gloss. One doesn't have his face on all the junk mail in the city yet -- but -- should he win he would and he'd have suburban taxpayers pay for it.

Then again there is the dog license merger thingie that was big-news in the last election. Why hasn't Peduto fixed that yet? Is he saving it for after he announces? Or, is it a low priority because Michael Lamb is only running for controller? Or, do they want Mr. Lamb to keep using his old lines for the pending cycle. Everyone loves puppies.

From china - bike

Blogging Causes Ravenstahl Incident To Hit High Water - News

Explosive. But not like thugs, right?

Blogging Causes Ravenstahl Incident To Hit High Water - News McIntire's decision to go public unleashed the explosive power of the Internet in a way never before seen in Pittsburgh's politics.

Funny quote: These blogs are not affiliated with WTAE-TV. Some of them may contain rough language. Too bad the fourth estate, the jouralist-watchdogs, don't bark with "rough language." Rough-ruff! =:0

Gotta love the headline of hitting high water. Worth a video clip. You write the caption to the video clip in the comments.

Click for short video of high water.

Political Bloggers: "Dime a dozen" says Jon Delano

Dime a dozen. Jon Delano just earned new nick-name from me. Dime a Dozen Delano.

What I post on this blog is MORE accountable than what goes out on the air at KDKA-TV because there is a "comment button" here. One can't talk back to the TV with any satisfaction.

The press is free as long as you have one. I do, too.

Marty Griffin and Jon Delano were talking about one of their own, the MacYapper. Delano said that the bloggers can say anything they want and the Main Stream Media (MSM) would never stoop so low. Giggle. It was the MSM guy, the recent KDKA-radio show host, that is taking about thug-like behaviors.

Oh well. Let me edit this audio file in the days to come.

Bar Legislation goes to City Planning Meeting - Jan 23 at 2 or so

It's called an Exhibition: Council Bill 2006-0935 – Sections 911.02 and 911.04 (Bar legislation) is the last item on the agenda for the PLANNING COMMISSION (as part of the Dept. of City Planning) at 200 Ross Street to start at 2 pm on January 23, 2007. This is the last item on the agenda, so you might not need to be there until 2:30.

MacYapper -- should be a 2 way race at the end of MAY, not day.

John posted, in part:

MacYapper ... ruminations of countless pols, hacks, ne'erdowells, scalliwags, and scumbags, it looks like it's a two person race at the end of the day. Or at least, at the end of the sentence.

The race for mayor comes in two waves. One is at the end of 'may' -- or middle in the month of May, 2007. That's the primary.

The other wave comes in November 2007.

Plenty of races are looming on the ballot this year. Any scalligwags who want to shout out here can do so. Or, send me a pointer to your site / news.

School board and municipal elections happen this year. I hope that the bench is packed and the opposition is present, for both the spring and fall elections.

4,832 Votes in Allegheny County didn't count in November 2007 election

After some digging, here is a report about the recent election.

When Allegheny County Executive says that the election went on without a hitch -- he lied.

Tim Martin, Libertarian, candidate for US Senate against Rick Santorum and Bob Casey and Carl Romanelli, got 45 votes. None were reported from Allegheny County to Harrisburg. Zero.

Carl J. Romanelli got 107 votes.

Scattered votes = 595.

For Governor, Swann lost to Rendell. Russ Diamond scored 46 votes and NONE were reported to the state. Zero.

Marakay Rogers / Christina Valente got 50 votes that were reported.

In the 14th District for US Congress, votes were given to Michael Keaton, Mike Turzi, Bob Logue and Jim Quinn -- but none were reported. The reported amount of scattered votes is 577.

In the race that I wanted to enter, PA Senate, 42nd, against an un-democratic democrate without any other opposition, Michael Diven got 29 votes, Mark Harris got 16 votes, I got 14, and 588 votes went scattered to others.

All in all, in this year's write in votes I was suprised at how poorly the Disney characters did in the totals. But, I was very impressed with the creativity of the citizen voters. But the bottom line, we're not being told. Many vote didn't count.

A summary of the scattered votes, by my count: 4,832.

Other counties report the results of every voter, vote and candidate. Allegheny County doesn't.

These insights are not going to change the course of the world. No candidate stands a chance to be beaten by scattered write in votes. But, nobody should have confidence that everything is on the up and up.

The 'fat letter' - got ink in a Trib article

The 'fat letter' - Tribune-Review "'It's a pretty flaky measurement,' said Mark Rauterkus, whose two sons, ages 9 and 11, go to Phillips Elementary on the South Side. 'I wouldn't hang my hat on it.'

Rauterkus said he has coached youth swimming for several years, and thinks a more accurate way to measure kids' fitness is looking at body fat percentage, or by physically measuring how many pull-ups a kid can do.

The doctor quoted in the article, Dr. David, is our family doctor. He says good things too.

Nice article.

Years ago I published a book, Pull Your Own Weight. The author's philosophy was to have the kids to pull-ups, or chin-ups. And, it connected with a new weight equipment device, the Total Gym. Chuck Norris has sold the Total Gym on TV info-comercials for years since then.

The Pull Your Own Weight concepts were put into practice with a group of at-risk kids at a public school in Rock Island, Illinois. They made great improvements. All the classrooms to the school had pull-up bars installed in the doorways. Kids had some special attention each week with their pull ups. Generally, the kids were assisted by an adult to complete the pull ups.

Some of the kids at the school that year got very strong. I saw the results, and this was years ago. I think, if memory serves me right, there were more than a dozen kids who could all do more than 12 pull ups. The school record climbed to 23 or some such number, way higher than anything I could ever dream of doing.

Check out the article. It is posted in full in the comments of this blog post.

As a note: It is a typical clash of cultures to have my former opponent and heavyweight senator, Wayne Fontana, quoted in the news concerning the Penguins saga and a give-a-way of more public money to the team through the cover of the venue -- while at the same time have a newspaper quote from me in an article about kids -- and FAT measurements. (See the post below.)

Rendell to meet today with Penguins on arena

Rendell to meet today with Penguins on arena No one is predicting, however, that a final accord will be announced as part of this evening's gathering.

'I think they're getting closer to a deal,' said state Sen. Wayne Fontana, a board member of the city-Allegheny County Sports & Exhibition Authority, which has been involved in the talks. 'I'm confident that progress is being made.'

If the Pens get a greater share of the Mellon Arena revenues, then don't say that no new dollars are part of the deal.

Pay SMG $5-million, up front! What's up with that?

Do they just print the money and give it to SMG?

City wants Downtown blueprint for disaster. Other, better ideas offered below.

The city wants, err, ... this citizen wants no such blueprint. Naysayers say it will cost nearly $600,000 when the net result is a best-practice strategy of "run like hell."

From Paddle-kayak

City wants Downtown blueprint for disaster - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Pittsburgh officials must specifically tailor their evacuation plans for Downtown to avoid the confusion that has accompanied past emergencies, the city's top emergency coordinators said Wednesday.

I would do much better than this for much less.

How about if we take the basement of the city county building an use it for storage of:

Twenty thousands of water bottles, empty.

Suitable inventory of water buffalos to fill bottles when and if needed.

5,000 bikes with helmets and handlebar baskets

From Paddle-kayak

3,000 canoes with paddles and lifejackets.

From Paddle-kayak

A dozen bells on wheels. Every toy box needs noise makers.

Hear the bell being suggested.

My plan costs $0 for the blueprint, but it is priceless. Furthermore, the plan that has a blueprint cost of nearly $600,000 has no scope of work that is understood. Their plan might still call for all the above.

Bonus package: I hear that the Eastern Mountain Sports store in Ross Park Mall is holding a going out of business sale. Perhaps the order of necessary equipment can be purchased at that sale.

Early Returns reports on example of haste making waste

Haste makes waste.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Local News - Early Returns Turns out the Pittsburgh Building and Construction Trades Council quietly endorsed the mayor in mid-December, according to its Business Manager Richard Stanizzo. Why didn't they announce it back then? 'We left that up to [Mr. Ravenstahl], to use when he wanted to do it,' he said.

Often I rant against those who do too little too late. Often nothing gets done. Generally, doing nothing is a bad option.

However, doing something that is worse than nothing is easy to do too. Here comes a low-blow from a union that needs to be understood by everyone.

The Pittsburgh Building and Construction Trades Council picked a candidate for its endorsement before a race even began.

This isn't a new practice among unions in Pittsburgh. However, it is a brazen example of a union that made the choice to not even think at all. And this union has no respect for democracy.

John Mac's Question at MacYapper gets an answer from me

MacYapper WHO'S GONNA BREAK IT FIRST?

The answer is you, John. You broke it first.

The MSM (main stream media) is less and less important. Don't hold your breath waiting for the MSM. In the end, the MSM is there to sell soap. And, at the outset of any type of coverage, the other question of, 'is this news break going to help us sell soap' gets asked. Hence, you've got the answer as to why the MSM is so silent on most instances of important watch-dog matters that have a bit of a 'bite' to them.

I've said for more than a week that the court case is a lose-lose and should have been settled. Why wait? Wait to fire the city solicitor, George Specter, then settle?

In other matters, more than $300,000 in contracts went before city council for initial approval so outside attorney fees could be secured. That's money that goes to contractors who are attorneys. There's no 'security' in that spending, if you worry about the taxpayer and citizens of the city. The question came, why even have a city legal department if they can't do the heavy lifting, legal work of the city?

I don't want my mayor, regardless of who it is, to be in a legal battle with a police commander. That isn't healthy.

Peduto won't get much wind in his sales, despite where the pope sqats. Remember, Bill Peduto taught the city about "pay to play contracts." Peduto seems to be fine with the racking up of more than $300,000 in outside legal fees. And, Peduto seems to be fine with the spending of nearly $600,000 on a contract about an evacuation plan for downtown. Those contracts are either corporate welfare or a play-to-play deals. The later, to Michael Baker Corp, goes to the firm that put the worthless, yet very expensive hole in the center of the West End Circle.

Big spenders can't benefit on the fall out of thugs who are also are known the world over as big spenders. The thuggery in contrast is not a big deal vs. the big deal spending.

Both bad habits on display (thuggery and spending) stink. But what is really welcomedis an option that isn't with such illustrations of thuggery nor spending.

Getting cold enough for some real winter fun

Introducing Table Hockey on Real Ice Introducing Table Hockey on Real Ice

How handy are you?

Issues of the hour in City Council: Prop Pgh and a $.6 M contract to M. Baker Corp for what!

My prepared 3-minute statement slated for city council chambers on transportation and PAT (Port Authority Transit) got put to the side today because of pending conversations devoted to the bills on the agenda. Preliminary talk and votes among the nine members was to come. I felt the need to express views on a pimple-faced Propell Pittsburgh legislation effort to creat a new commission in the city. Plus, a give-away to a corporation to the tune of nearly $600,000 was on tap. The expected contract approval came without a clear scope of work and centered on a silly downtown evacution plan process.

Oh my gosh. These typical yet goofy elements get chucked to city council's realm and there is only a short window of time when the public can put in its two-cents. I called on council to think again about both matters. What the heck is the administration thinking? My comments help set the tone of the meeting that followed. Both agenda points were de-railed -- or perhaps delayed.

So, I played a role by speaking and offering up the typical nay-sayer protest. But, this time, today, they listened and back-up was provided.

The Propell ordinance got push aside and will become a topic of a pending public hearing. Great. Calling for public hearings is a great way to shine more light on half-baked proposals. Getting more people engaged is always welcomed on Grant Street.

Pittsburgh needs a new commission like it needs another hole in its head. This Propell Pgh effort isn't about boats. Rather, it is for those 'propeller heads' that seem to vote with their feet and depart Pittsburgh. The sacred 'young people' are to be given their own commission from Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. Humm. It didn't smell right to me. I'm trying to work to smaller and more limited government and the Mayor wants to make it bigger. No thanks. Booster groups are fine, but the booster groups should reside outside the realm of an ordinance and change to the city's code (laws).

A pre-agenda item was the approval of a new member to the Pittsburgh Clean or Green Commission. Whatever. The folks on city council didn't know what that city-sanctioned group did. Neither did the appointee, who is a a current member of the mayor's administration. Duhh.

The approval of the contract to Michael Baker Crop. got voted upon and advanced with a 3 yes, 1 no and 3 abstain margin. But, there are nine members of council. Weirdness prevailed instead of the regular white-washing.

(More to come shortly.)