City: Nonprofits pay fraction of tax rate of what their taxes would be

Plenty of other places -- such as Evanston, Illinois, home of Northwestern University, have a larger percentage of its space devoted to nonprofit ownership. Pittsburgh has a bunch of nonprofits, to be sure. However, those nonprofits are nonprofits by design. The benefits of the nonprofits are too great to calculate -- by the likes of Tony Pokora.

City: Nonprofits pay fraction of tax rate of what their taxes would be Large, cash-rich universities and hospitals are paying the city of Pittsburgh small fractions of what they would if they were taxable institutions, acting city Controller Tony Pokora said in releasing an audit yesterday.

Mr. Pokora looked at the property owned by eight institutions of higher learning and 14 health-care concerns, in an effort to find out what they would be paying in taxes if they weren't exempt. Some are members of a group called the Pittsburgh Public Service Fund that channels voluntary contributions to the city, but has not agreed to do so beyond this year.

Tony wants to tax the Cathedral of Learning. Tony is barking up the wrong tree.

When I'm in charge, I'll change the tune.

First, how much space is owned by nonprofits. I want to know the square foot space. Value doesn't matter. Value changes. Let's inventory the nonprofit space and make a list of the parcels and total the size of each.

What is the nonprofit footprint of space in Pittsburgh and in each municipality of Allegheny County.

With this research, we'll also begin to get a handle upon how much space and how many spaces are owned by governmental agencies. The city, the county, the URA, the Parking Authority, the Stadium Authority (they still are paying on Three Rivers Stadium I think) and others have lots and lots of space.

Then the mission would be to greatly reduce the governmental ownership of land throughout the city and the county.

Furthermore, at the same time, a moratorium on nonprofit land expansion must be put into place for the city and the county.

UPMC should be able to grow all it wants -- if the growth is upward on land it or another nonprofit already owns.

Lots of nonprofit space in the city and county are used poorly. That's the big crime. That is what needs to change. The nonprofit sector has been taking more and more space, year to year.

Pokora doesn't get it. He needs to clean up from within -- and look at the city's holdings first and foremost. Then he can look at the bigger trends of nonprofit expansion.

Super 14: Bulls defeat Crusaders 27-12 - International Herald Tribune

Our team is the Crusaders. They lost. The theme has been infringements, rucks and mauls -- on the field and off. The night after their last home game -- a few of the players punched up a few others on the steets of Christchurch -- at a bar (of course) -- because of "cheeky" comments.

Super 14: Bulls defeat Crusaders 27-12 - International Herald Tribune: "The Bulls were then able to take advantage of errors the opposition made in trying to break the stranglehold.

Crusaders captain Richie McCaw was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes at the start of the final quarter for repeated infringements at rucks and mauls, and Hougaard kicked the resulting penalty to stretch the lead to 24-12.

The game was played in South Africa and was on the air at 3:30 am (local time). It was on "sky tv" -- a station that we don't get here at the house. So, we didn't watch the game.

I had offered to the swim coach to open up a swim team party and hold it at the swim pool in a 'lounge' -- where there is a TV. Then we could have had a half-time basketballl game and a morning swim practice. Martin said I was full of many 'wild ideas.' Then he pointed out how he isn't into rugby, much. He likes the world cup. His sport is soccer. And, he is from the UK.

I asked a dozen kids on the team if they were going to get up to watch the game -- and none were psyched about the game and none were going to miss sleep to watch. A few parents or siblings were expected to watch.

Whistleblower fired from campaign job

Whistleblower fired from campaign job 'I'm the only person in this scenario who didn't break the law, but I'm the only one who loses their job,' said Jason Phillips, who on Wednesday showed media evidence of a political phone call made on city time from a city office by a member of Mr. Koch's staff.

Bummer.

The Conversation: A foundering ship

The Conversation: A foundering ship

J.Potts talks about the void in Pittsburgh political circles among those now hired on Grant Street.

Thanks for the mention at the end of the post. Read it on his blog.

Steelers President Demands Casino Traffic Study, Threatens To Sue - Sports News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh

Steelers President Demands Casino Traffic Study, Threatens To Sue - Sports News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh Sue-i!



Art Rooney II -- you are a renter. You don't own Heinz Field. You don't have standing.

At least the owners of Majestic Star Casino are going to buy the land and build the casino with their own money.

If Art Rooney is worried about the land around the stadium -- he should start by buying the stadium. Take it off of the backs of the taxpayers. Make it his own.

Then, let's talk.

tonight's practice and activites from our day

We'll play a bit of catch-up.

Yesterday the boys had a violin lesson. The teacher came to the house. She was good and teaches for many home schooled children. The boys have a new song to learn -- a tune from the N.Z. tradition.

Today we went to the bike shop and got a new bike for Grant. His was giving some troubles in the shifting of gears and a rattle on the chain often between gears. So, a new (to us) yellow bike is his ride.

On the way, we hit a big rain and wind storm. They said that the rain comes and goes if the wind is with it. Without the wind, it will rain for a long time. We had wind today. Sure enough, the rain stopped about an hour later. With the dark sky and wind and rain -- we used the time to play in the gym at Wharenui. The boys and I played basketball for 90 minutes or so.

After Grant's swim practice he got to go with a swim buddie to the mall and KFC.

I coached the 'development group' and then hung around with the national group too. They had a spring workout.

The group I'm coaching has done a great job with a few of the challenges I've given them so far. Yesterday we devoted some time to dive 25s with fins -- kicking fly underwater in a streamline -- trying to get to the other end of the pool without a breath in as few kicks as possible.

At the start, some of the kids were hitting 15 to 20 kicks. After a few, they were 12 and 10. Then a few more and some were at 5, 6, 7 kicks to get the length of the swim pool.

Today we reviewed a bit. Then the swimmers were asked to go as far as possible after a dive with fins and only TWO kicks. One swimmer was able to get nearly to the flags at the other end. All of the swimmers were past half-way.

In the national group, I helped with some starts. On the last start the swimmers went underwater, streamlined, kicking breastroke, counting the kicks for a length. They were asked to get as few kicks as possible. Some kickers were at 7 and 8. Most were around 10.

The head coach, Martin, is going to swim in the AM practice and I'll lead the session. We train from 7 to 9 am on Saturday mornings. We'll have a combined group with National and Developmental kids in the water.

I got a good bit of video and some photos tonight of the swimmers so as to pull together a technique presentation. But, I'm not going to post that to the web. And, I'm going to avoid speaking about any one swimmer.

We're going to Willowbank tomorrow. I went there with Erik and Grant the other day on bikes. But we'll go in the evening and see a Maori Cultural Show with a Haka, I expect. Then a tour. The kiwi (a bird) is nocturnal. They run around in the day as they have a darkened room. So we saw them the other day -- but it was way to dark for cameras and there were lots of signs about no cameras too.

California Republican debate transcript - The Debates - MSNBC.com

California Republican debate transcript - The Debates - MSNBC.com: "California Republican debate transcript"

So, National City's credit card doesn't work any longer -- and we're in New Zealand

Sux to have a snafu with a credit card while on a trip to New Zealand. Way to go National City. Putting a new credit card in our mail box at home isn't going to help us while we're in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Jeepers.

Councilman puts roadblock on potential Onorato gubernatorial bid - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Councilman puts roadblock on potential Onorato gubernatorial bid - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato could be forced to leave office to seek the governor's mansion if a potential referendum being advocated by County Councilman Matt Drozd gets support at the polls this November.

Drozd said he plans to introduce an ordinance calling for the reform at a County Council committee meeting tonight. The measure, if passed, would require a chief executive to resign if he or she sought any other public office.

'I can't accept these people that are governor and want to be president ... and they're still being paid to be governor,' said Drozd, R-Ross. 'I don't want to be paying (a campaigning politician) on taxpayer dollars.'

Onorato, a Democrat running for reelection this year, has not announced plans to succeed Gov. Ed Rendell, though many speculate he will enter the 2010 gubernatorial race.

Go Mr. Drozd. Great idea. Onorato should run for governor as a private citizen.

Koch's campaign for council faces new questions

Humm...

Koch's campaign for council faces new questions Mr. Phillips said Ms. Conroy 'basically told me she was calling me to ask if the councilman could use my name on a mailer that his campaign was producing. Apparently the campaign is attempting to put together a piece that shows all of the former candidates in the March special election support Jeff.'

My phone number is 64-03-364-2715. You'll need to call New Zealand to speak with me.

I don't think that Jason, as the article said, will put his name on the list.

I don't think Mike Walagorski will put his name on a list for Jeff Koch either.

I won't put my name on a list as well -- but -- I'd be willing to take a phone call at a decent hour to talk about the matter. I'm going to run against either Jeff or Bruce -- depending upon who wins the D party primary. Or, I'll get another to do so under the Libertarian banner.

I do have the strong impression that in 2006, headed into the March 14 special election with nine candidates, that Bruce Kraus was the lone man out. Had any of the other eight had broken with Kraus -- he could have won the race. But, Kraus had been double-talking throughtout the campaign and wasn't getting any love from any of the other candidates.

I was very happy that Jeff Koch beat Bruce Kraus. Kraus is much like Tom Murphy -- a double talker who offered too much to everyone -- and it was always a different offer. And, those offers were only empty promises that would have never been kept.

Kraus has no sense of what government is about and what it should be doing.

Kraus is not worthy to serve in public office in my humble opinion. IMHO, Kraus would be a wedge and source of underhandedness on council.

Even the quote in the P-G from Kraus is a load of crap. Mr. Kraus yesterday said there is "a pattern of behavior" of using city resources for his opponent's campaign. "People under his authority are using city time and resources for his campaign," he said, adding that he thought the involved workers were not at fault and were "caught in the middle here." So, Kraus doesn't want to peg the employees. What's up with that. Kraus is the one who is always caught in the middle.

Meanwhile, I am not impressed with the folks on city council nor with the leadership from the mayor's administration. They are driven by spite and envy. The sense of purpose is absent. Principles are down the drain.

Mode of transportation

 

We've been doing most of our travels on bikes. We wear these bright vests. Erik has leg straps to help keep his pants out of the chain. Grant's vest was purchased at a recent trip so we could get one that wasn't so large (adult sized). Generally I go first. Grant is in the middle. Erik brings up the rear.

People on bikes MUST wear helmets in New Zealand. It is a law.

I packed our bike gloves from home.

My bike has two saddle bags on a rack off the back. That's where the swim bag, camera and spare tire goes.

Getting into the game at Wharenui

Tonight, I coached.

In the photo, Martin is coaching the national group on the left. I'm starting our practice with the development group on the right.  

PDF 2007 UnConference

PDF 2007 UnConference* Got an idea for a hands-on workshop?
* Eager to hash over your latest project?
* Dying to dig deep into the latest technology tool or trend?

At the PDF unConference, there is no audience, only participants. There are no 'official' sessions; you drive the agenda. We'll provide the space, the food, the caffeine and the wifi; you do the rest.

Come Saturday and be part of the solution.

Sounds a lot like PodCamp.
alt="PDF Conference/UnConference" width="183" height="187">
Too bad there does NOT seem to be a wiki to organize the event before it begins -- until after you pay the $35. What's up with that. Why not open the wiki for all before they sign up?

To provide the space, wi-fi, lunch and engine from the day before is nice. To help with the PR is great too. But, I would hope that this would be a real grass-roots tool with the ability to make for associations in advance of the meeting. But, nice try and effort. Hope it becomes fruitful.

Koch gets full time campaign workers now

We've been watching public works crews here in Chirstchurch -- thinking about you all in Pittsburgh. It is fall, so there is a lot of leaf collecting. The gardens are everywhere and are still blooming with plenty of different flowers. Plus, it is rugby season and there are fields everywhere. All are in great condition too.

Now I notice that Jeff Koch has picked up some fulltime campaign workers now that a few from the public works crew have been given a five day suspension. When they were on the job -- they needed to work.

If I was Bruce Kraus -- I'd be careful for what to wish for. Kraus should ask that the suspensions begin on May 16.

Watching the money

Watching the money The mayor's five-figure fans

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl finished out April with $695,906 in the bank, and nobody to spend it against, since his Democratic rival Councilman William Peduto dropped his mayoral bid in March.

Ron Paul's debate performance is setting the net ablaze

Great news starts to fill the sails of the campaign for the guy who should be the next US President.

ARLINGTON, VA – Congressman Ron Paul's support has soared since the first Republican presidential debate. Conservative commentator John McLaughlin, host of "The McLaughlin Group," cited Ron Paul as having given "the best performance of the debate." In fact, the Paul campaign's apparent strength has many other pundits scrambling to explain it. Paul campaign officials offer the following examples of the candidate's rising success.

Since the debate on May 3, Ron Paul:

1. Handily won two post-debate polls posted by event sponsor MSNBC.

2. Placed a close third (18%) in a post-debate poll on the conservative Drudge Report.

3. Won an ABCNews.com online debate poll with 84%.

4. Won a C-SPAN online GOP candidate poll with 69%.

5. Became the third most-mentioned person in the blogosphere, beating out Paris Hilton, according to the reputable Technorati.com.

6. Produced a YouTube.com video that was ranked the 8th most popular overall video, and the most-viewed political video.

7. Was featured, by popular demand, on the front of Digg.com.

8. Generated so many bulletin posts on MySpace.com that the site owner News Corp. blocked all additional posts about Dr. Paul.

9. Became a "most searched" term on Google and Yahoo!.

10. Saw a quadrupling of daily visitors to RonPaul2008.com.

"These figures speak for themselves," said campaign chairman Kent Snyder. "Ron Paul has quickly become a strong contender for the GOP nomination because of his powerful message of freedom and limited government."

Mayor, Police Chief Address String Of Violence - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

Mayor, Police Chief Address String Of Violence - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh Added Chief Harper, 'In addition, we will beef up our police presence in high crime areas and saturate the neighborhoods with bike patrol. In order to stop the cycle of violence, we must eliminate the target.'

The campus police in Cantebury use segways. The segway is a two-wheeled scooter that has computer chips to balance, big left and right wheels and an electric engine -- so speed is very good.

Police on bikes is a good thing for many reasons. However, the police on bikes need to stay off of the sidewalks while on their bikes. All zipping bikes need to be off the sidewalks.

Weekly swim plans for the national squad

By Martin, the head coach.

How sad is it to have a ribbon cutting for this

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Marmaduke Park is slated for Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 2:00 pm for the new concession stand and bathroom facilities.

Great news. A place to get hot dogs and take a whiz opens. Let's cut a ribbon and have a ceremony. Wonder if the ribbon looks like a roll of toilet paper.

About the Southern Trust

At our swim pool in Christchurch, there are two major sponsors. One is McDonalds. The other is the Southern Trust. I looked at the logo and name and thought it must be a bank or a credit union or some sort of financial organization for consumers. Well, it is -- kinda. And, it plays a role that Pittsburgh is trying to get a handle upon too -- with hockey arena funding and Hill District residents.

About the Southern Trust About the Southern Trust
Funding the Community

The Southern Trust works on behalf of the community in two important ways. We play an administrative role both in the generation of revenue from gaming machines and the returning of these revenues to local communities in meaningful ways.

Community Grants ...

Read more at the site.

Staff schedule for coaching

Hungary for hockey coverage and international sports

Posted by Steve Klein

NHL Capitals to Make News by Reporting It

It's no longer news to anyone that the Internet makes everyone a publisher. But does mainstream media fully understand the implications, and that alternative sources are becoming the news provider of choice -- especially when there is no choice?

The Washington Capitals (http://www.washingtoncaps.com/index2.html) plan to send four reporters to Moscow to offer hockey fans unprecedented coverage of the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship (http://live82.ihwc.net/english/) now underway through May 13. The Capitals will partner with Clearspring Technologies (http://www.clearspring.com) to deliver audio, video and text content to their site for Caps fans, as well as to local, national and international media outlets via a specialized widget.

The Capitals have five players and two prospects participating in the tournament -- including their leading scorer and star, Alex Ovechkin (http://www.washingtoncaps.com/team/player.asp?player_id=17) , who will play for Russia. Although coverage will focus on the Capitals players and prospects, the reporters will provide coverage that will appeal to a world-wide audience.

The coverage team includes Mike Vogel and Sean Parker from the Capitals along with John Keeley and Mike Rucki of On Frozen Blog (http://www.onfrozenblog.com/) . Vogel and Parker produce the majority of the editorial content on the Capitals' site (http://www.washingtoncaps.com/index2.html) , named the NHL's best team site last year by Forbes.com. Vogel also writes the blog Dump 'n Chase (http://www.dumpnchase.blogspot.com) .

Keeley and Rucki are part of a four-person group that launched "On Frozen Blog" in October 2006 as "a haven for the hockey malnourished." And that's what this initiative by Caps majority owner and chairman Ted Leonsis is all about: Providing content and coverage in under-covered niches that mainstream media ignore for a variety of reasons.

"Our local media -- either because of lack of interest or lack of budget due to declines in circulation, ad revenue decreases and newsroom layoffs -- are not covering the World Championships of Hockey in Moscow," Leonsis wrote May 3 on his blog, Ted's Take (http://ted.aol.com/index.php?ID=873) . "The tournament is big news around the world so we have decided to invest and send four people to cover the event and then put all coverage on the Web for free. We will share the news with new and traditional media outlets and syndicate it far and wide.

"Web 2.0 makes it possible for us to get our coverage out to millions and millions of people, promoting our sport, our team and our players. Our coverage on the Web and in the blogosphere is starting to look like a well heeled major media enterprise compared to many traditional media outlets that must curtail their coverage due to lack of budget based on the fragile state of their old business model."

The Capitals have not made the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs for several years and often are treated like an afterthought in the NFL-Washington-Redskins-crazed D.C. metro area media. Leonsis is probably best known for his longtime significant relationship with AOL. But the Capitals are no plaything as far as Leonsis is concerned. He's obviously tired of waiting for the media to come to him and the Caps.

The coverage will include stories, audio and video interviews, photos and podcasts. The Capitals, through their relationship with Clearspring Technologies, will deliver the content directly to interested media and online outlets via a specialized Web-based widget. Media outlets and individuals with blogs or social networking pages can post the widget directly to their sites, where others can access the information.

I love the fact that there will be expanded coverage of international sports in the US. Generally, the US is way behind the rest of the world in all understandings of global discussions -- including sports.

Furthermore, I ask about the weirdness of the journalists that hail from the Washington Capitals. This crew to cover the games is not from the Washington Post. They are working for the NHL team.

Wonder what Mark Madden has to say about this?

The hotel rooms in Olympic Villages have never been the same since the hockey teams have come, crashed and departed. Now, perhaps, the apartment managers are going to need to watch out for the journalists too.

Newcomer challenges Onorato for Allegheny County post - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Newcomer challenges Onorato for Allegheny County post - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review And when a friend complained to him that Onorato was getting a free ride because no one -- Republican or Democrat -- wanted to take him on, Swartz, a Democrat, started his first political campaign.

No one. Well, there are some.

It is bad when the MSM (mainstream media) can't do math. And, when the math is only on one hand -- it is even worse.

One is bigger than none. Two is more than one.

Mayor's tax plan leaves out some city locations

The Luke plan is a bad plan. Luke's plan is a plan that plays favorites. Luke's plan is typical Pittsburgh. Luke's plan was hatched because Bill's plan was seeded. Both are bad.

Mayor's tax plan leaves out some city locations At a recent City Council hearing, Brightwood advocate Ed Brandt, fired by frustration, called the applications 'capricious and arbitrary. I have spent 15 years working on the North Side, and nothing tells me the logic of why Spring Garden and not Troy Hill, why Fineview and not Perry Hilltop [Perry South], why Manchester and not Brightwood?'

The way to fix this unfair plan, the Luke lie, is to give everyone a tax break.

A sift back to the land-value tax is a move in the right direction. It is fair. It is universal. It promotes freedom. It respects the marketplace. It works to insure a dense, urban landscape.

Move afoot to return marathon

Move afoot to return marathon In some incarnation, the Pittsburgh Marathon might be coming back next year.

Christchuch has a marathon. It will be held soon.

Where in the world is Grant?

From NZ train-trip

How many kids do you see?

The gang, (Catherine, Erik, Grant, and the two Pitt grad students) took a trip via train into the center of the south island to the Southern Alps. Then they had a four hour tramp. Then took a return train ride back to Christchurch. Some of the photos are now on in a Picasa album.

From NZ train-trip

Ron Paul on the debates

Part of BootCamp Pgh and our media + internet + politics session

Jennifer England from the League of Young Voters and I gave a presentation for an hour at the recent BootCamp.Pgh.org event about politics, media and internet. Here is a bit of that talk.

Pittsburgh - Swartz And All - Just don't say you didn't have a choice this May 15 - Views - Potter's Field - Pittsburgh City Paper

Pittsburgh - Swartz And All - Just don't say you didn't have a choice this May 15 - Views - Potter's Field - Pittsburgh City Paper

New Zealand has a certification level for assistant coaches

Not your typical rugby play. From last night's game

Enjoy some football!

Tickets for next week's game go on sale at 9 am on Tuesday. Let me know if you'd like to come and tailgate for the playoffs.

All aboard

From New Zealand

Saw a kiwi today

On the way to QEII swim pool today, on my bike, and passed a wetland area next to a park. There on the edge of the bike path -- none other than a small flock of kiwis. Kiwi's are birds. They are sorta rare. Nice treat.

Today I took in an aquatic class. More tomorrow.

On the way home -- I got our second flat tire on the bike. Called home and got a lift as we had some guests over for a family party. Now to fix the flats.

At the pool we got to see some canoe water polo too.

Libertarian in limelight in MSNBC poll -- by 5 %

Ron Paul steps into national spotlight

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2007

ARLINGTON, VA – Congressman Ron Paul finished first in the MSNBC poll following the GOP primary debate last night held at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California. Dr. Paul received 43 percent, beating the second-place finisher by five points, and crushing the rest of the field.

"Last night, Americans met Ron Paul and loved what they heard," said Ron Paul 2008 campaign chairman Kent Snyder. "Dr. Paul's message of freedom and limited government resonates with Republicans hungry for a return to their party’s core values."

"Ron Paul is the only true conservative in the GOP race. Americans saw that last night," continued Snyder. "The campaign looks forward to further debates and opportunities so even more Americans will discover Dr. Paul's message of freedom, peace and prosperity."

My tunes are already picked and on the CDs

Allegheny County officeholders invest in future political roles - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The continued fundraising could show how special interests are trying to peddle influence with regional leaders, say watchdog groups.

'He who pays the piper picks the tune,' said Meredith McGehee, policy director with the Washington, D.C.-based Campaign Legal Center. 'Those who can afford to play ... buy one thing for sure, and that's access.'

I love the musical element found within the quote.

Playground for hearing-impaired opens

Playground for hearing-impaired opens 'In a city that can't afford to maintain playgrounds, let alone build them, this is a great win for Shadyside,' said city Councilman William Peduto.

Got a point. Lost the game. Saw the horses. To host a semi finals next week.

Rugby!

We saw the Christchurch franchise in action tonight. Our team lost, but, they scored a touchdown at the very end of the game. Those points were needed to secure a point in the match. That point insures that the home team will play a home match next weekend -- the first round of the playoffs.

This is a league of 12 teams -- some from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

We were told that the Crusaders squad tonight has have or had 10 players who were also on the All Blacks.

At the start of the game, a lone horseman rides around the field, banishing a sword. He's a Crusader, of course. Then after one lap, he goes to the castle and calls out nine others to join him. They gallop around the field, like the USC Trojan, sorta. But, ten times better as there are ten of them. And, they exit a castle with gas fired lanterns at the draw-bridge / gate.

We took a cab to the event. Came home via bus.

Still got in our swim practices too. That ended at 6:30 pm. Home by 7, on our bikes. into a quick jacket change. Good luck with the taxi. And we, all 6 of us, got to the stadium by pre-game to see the horses. Game began at 7:30.

Tickets for next week's game go on sale at 9 am on Tuesday. Tonight's game was NOT a sell out. The stadium holds 30,000 or so. Had about 22,000 in the place.

My take on the game -- being I hardly know the rules -- ball handling. The Crusaders just didn't make great passes nor handle the ball well. Too many fumbles and turnovers.

There were some big-time hits. One was right at our corner of the field. Ouch.

Next up, playoffs. The squad better do better talking care of the ball, if you ask me.

We'll cheer against the Chiefs tonight

Our squad is the Cruisaders -- black and red. They play against the Chiefs. Tonight's game is in Christchurch. We hope to attend.

Crusaders Home - Canterbury Rugby Football Union The Chiefs pose a real threat on Friday night as Jade Stadium hosts the final round of the Rebel Sport Super 14, with semi-final positions and home seedings on the line.

Viewing our clan before we dunk ourselves in the Pacific to swim with wild dolphins at Akaroa, New Zealand

Viewing BCAK705038294543 Daily Photos

Family photo is BCAK705038294543

Or, here it is at my Picasa site.

From NZ - dolphins

The Finance Coach, LLC

Travis has opened his new web site.

The Finance Coach, LLC: "The Finance Coach LLC"

NPR : Rethinking How Title IX Is Applied

NPR : Rethinking How Title IX Is Applied Column by Frank Deford: Sweetness and Light

Rethinking How Title IX Is Applied

Listen to this story...

Morning Edition, May 2, 2007 -- As more young women go to college, funding for some men's sports will be reduced to comply with Title IX. That's the federal law requiring schools to offer athletic programs in proportion to gender population. Should the law be tweaked to address inconsistencies?

My heart has been broken by the cutting of swim programs -- and of other teams -- at my ex-univeristy, Ohio U, -- and elsewhere. This is bad news for all of America.

Pittsburgh - City Council District 1 - Two challengers take on a controversial incumbent - Main Feature - Main Feature Extra - Pittsburgh City Paper

Pittsburgh - City Council District 1 - Two challengers take on a controversial incumbent - Main Feature - Main Feature Extra - Pittsburgh City Paper Another way to invest, she says, is to reach out to the 'braintrust' of university students who often leave the city after earning their degrees. 'We should be marketing our neighborhoods to the students,' she says, many of whom never leave campus or the immediate neighborhoods. 'If anyone had not been to the North Side, they'd never know about our parks -- you can buy a house on the North Side and live next to a mini version of Central Park.'

Hummm....

The Pittsburgh mini version of central park is but a nice place for you and your dog to walk while on a leash. What we've got isn't going to please those with brains. If you want to get to the 'braintrust' folks, you need to have something more than a green space for you and your dog.

You want to talk about city parks -- let's visit Christchurch. Oh my gosh.

Once again, Pittsburgh's problem isn't a hardware thing -- it is about the 'software.'

I'd like to see a robust race in November between the winner of the D primary (and I hope that isn't D. Harris) and David S.

A 'female Bob O'Connor' -- oh the things that get reported by the MSM.

Steelers Nation extends -- even behind bars

Talking Sports from Death Row with Kevin Cooper By Dave Zirin

Kevin Cooper is a sports fan. Kevin Cooper loves the Steelers. Kevin
Cooper makes his home on death row at the notorious San Quentin Penitentiary in California. Cooper awaits execution for a crime many observers are convinced he did not commit. He was to be injected with poison until his heart stopped on February 10th, 2004 but received a stay after massive public pressure was brought to bear. The holes in his murder conviction were that egregious, that shocking. As one federal judge put it days before the execution, "When the stakes are so high, when the evidence against Cooper is so weak, and when the newly discovered evidence of the state's malfeasance and misfeasance is so compelling, there is no reason to hurry and every reason to find out the truth."

Here I interview Kevin Cooper about his love of sports. There are two reasons why I wanted to hear Cooper's thoughts. The first quite simply is that I oppose the death penalty. Kevin Cooper's case exemplifies everything that makes my stomach turn about capital punishment: it's racially biased. It punishes the innocent. And every last person is on death row -- innocent or not -- because they couldn't afford the representation that would have saved their lives. As the saying goes, "Those without the capital get the punishment." When we actually read and hear the voices of those on the row, it makes it that much harder for executioners like Schwarzenegger to sell the idea that they are somehow less than human and should be put down like dogs.

The second reason is that Kevin Cooper through his writings and public statements has proven himself to be a sharp and thoughtful observer of society. Often with writing, vantage point is everything. Cooper takes his status as "Dead Man Walking" and refuses to let his mind die. Spike Lee said, "If you want to learn about the world, start with the sports page." Here we learn about the world of sports by talking with
a man who refuses to be defined by death.

DZ: How able are you to keep up with sports? Are there particular teams or players that you follow?

I am able to keep up with sports by way of radio, TV, and newspapers. I follow the Pittsburgh Steelers football team because Pittsburgh, PA. is my hometown.

KC: What are your earliest sports memories? Are they positive?

All of my earliest sports memories are positive, and that's because during the 60s when I was growing up the only positive Black people who were seen in the media were sports stars. I looked up to black athletes, and not just black athletes; my earliest memories are trying to play baseball like Roberto Clemente.

DZ: How have you seen the world of sports change over the course of your life?

KC: The inclusion of women in just about all sports has changed the world of sports in my lifetime, as has the fact that Black men are no longer seen as "unintelligent" and therefore "unable" to be quarterbacks, head coaches, baseball managers, or front office people or any other job that requires them to think. AND that people have, for the most part, stopped calling Blacks "natural athletes."

DZ: What are your earliest memories of some of the most political athletes, like Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, or Billie Jean King?

KC: Some of my earliest thoughts about Jackie Robinson changed after I found out that he spoke out against Paul Robeson and others who were doing their part in their own way to fight for Black people. Doing their part in their own way just as he did in 1947 by not just going in to play pro baseball but signing an agreement saying that he wouldn't fight back or speak out when he was disrespected by white ball players. He signed that pledge in order to do his part to help Black people.

Concerning Muhammad Ali: he's simply the best and the greatest, and my thoughts and earliest memories of him have only gotten stronger after all of these years. In fact, I honestly use him to help keep myself strong and focused as I fight for my life and try to end the death penalty here from this cage on death row. Billie Jean King is someone I didn't really know about growing up, but I do know about her now. Her contribution to women's equality in tennis is truly a great thing. Because of her doing what she did back then, standing up for her rights, women today in tennis get paid a hell of a lot more respect than they did when she played. And of course they make more money, too.

DZ: Can sports be a site of resistance today, given how commercialized the culture has become?

KC: If the athletes of today had the same mindset that people like Ali had, or John Carlos and Timmy Smith had during the 1968 Olympics, then, yes, today's athletes could make sports a site of resistance. The only athlete that I know who is of the mindset of Ali, Carlos, and Smith is Etan Thomas, though there may be others. Sometimes it seems to me that today's athletes are too worried about getting paid for the most part, and in getting that they're losing out on what's really important. Especially since sports provides a platform for them to make positive change that not many other professions do.

DZ: Why has sports, in your mind, become such a central part of the Black experience in the United States?

KC: Throughout the history of America, white people have always loved to be entertained by Black people, especially Black men. The masters of certain slaves would put their slaves up against other slaves from another plantation and they would fight, sometimes to the death. Just as dogs or roosters did. This evolved into sports such as boxing and wrestling. As new sports were invented, and more white people wanted to be entertained, more Blacks were either forced to participate against their will, or they joined in because they found some type of respect if they were good at it. The master's prize fighter got good food, access to women, and was respected and treated pretty good -- That is until he lost.

As time went on, and the white man refused to give jobs -- at least good-paying jobs -- to Blacks because of racism, a Black man found that, through sports, he could make a decent living. Just look at Jack Johnson and the opportunities the Blacks had in society when he was alive. These same conditions exist today, in so much as that a Black person, male or female, knows that in this country if you can make it in sports, you can make it big, and can become rich. That is our collective experience in this country.

DZ: What do you think of NBA commish David Stern's efforts to impose a dress code on players?

Imposing a dress code on NBA players is stupid to me. It's not the outside of the players that matters, it's the inside. If anything needs to be changed, it's their mentality. The deadliest person of all is a police officer in a suit.

KC: In New Orleans, when Katrina hit, the only place available for emergency shelter was the stadium, the Superdome. What does that tell us about our world today?

After Hurricane Katrina hit and the poor people of New Orleans found themselves in the Superdome, it showed the world that, in this country, if you are poor then you are shit out of luck. Nobody will help you when and how you need help, and if you can't make it on your own you are in trouble.

DZ: The last one is all you, Kevin. Is there anything you want to share about sports and life?

KC: Sports and life are both full of contradictions because both have rules and sometimes the rules are broken and ignored. Mistakes are made but not admitted to. Certain people make calls in both, and for the most part it is the ordinary people who suffer because of the calls made by the leaders or owners. It's the people at the bottom who pay for the mistakes made by the people at the top. It's a dog eat dog world, the winner takes all, and too many people are set up to lose from the get-go.

In struggle from death row,
Kevin Cooper

For More Information on Kevin's case, visit freekevincooper.org

Dave Zirin is the author of the "The Muhammad Ali Handbook" (MQ Publications) and the forthcoming "Welcome to the Terrordome:" (Haymarket). You can receive his column Edge of Sports, every week by going to http://zirin.com/edgeofsports/?p=subscribe&id=1. Contact him at edgeofsports@gmail.com

Nickers in a knot about a meeting at Peabody without many participants

The Principal at Peabody and Rick F. of the Bloomfield Garfield Corp, as well as others around town, have their nickers in a knot concerning a public meeting slated for 1 pm on Friday, May 4. at Peabody High School. The pow-wow is to talk about the planning for a larger community meeting about schools. Not many are signed up to attend. I think there is a planning meeting on May 4 and a big meeting slated for May 12th. I could be wrong.

Here at the University of Canterbury, students wanted to know if they should get their nickers in a knot about a pending quiz today in the course my wife is teaching.

I've posted two email follow-ups below that hope to drive more community members and parents to the meeting.

My angle of attack for Peabody and Westinghouse, to benefit the entire city and region, would be to kick-start a discussion to make both schools single gender. Pittsburgh should have an all boys public high school -- and an all girls public high school. Take one campus, either Peabody or Westinghouse, and devote it to one gender and, of course, the other to the other gender.

When I've talked about this in the past, the strong feeling from some is that the time to turn to same gender education should not be at 9th grade -- but sooner. Many have told me that they would like to see the single gender campus open for those in middle school as well as high school.

If the "excellence for all" had some 'red meat' visible -- such as a push to single gender schools -- then there would be standing only attendance at the meetings, perhaps.

Here is what they posted: R. Flanigan:

WE CAN SUCCEED--ALL WE NEED TO DO IS WORK HARD AT IT...

We agreed to hold ourselves accountable for turnout for the Excellence For All: East End Community Building Event. We agreed at out last planning meeting that we would have 200 registered by the May 4th (Friday) final planning meeting that begins at 1 p.m. at Peabody High School. The 200 number was not to include Peabody students.

If you take out the Peabody students we have about 60 people registered.

Few registrations have come in from the "Planning Agencies" that comprise the leadership group conducting the event. Are you registered?

All of us need to spend some quality time--lots of it--or we are going to fail.

RECRUITMENT IDEAS: (Personal Invites Are Critical)

1) Attached is a letter that you can change to meet your needs. Send the letter and brochure out to a targeted group you would like to recruit. Call everyone you send the letter to. Register the people that commit.

2) Take these same materials and email them out to as many people as you can.

3) Meet at my office (Youth Development Center, 5129 Penn Avenue) at 9 a.m. on this coming Saturday in order conduct door to door pass out of the brochure.

4) Have all your staff register and Board of Directors register.

5) Call all your program participants. Get their approval to register them.

6) Call everyone you know that could benefit by this event. Register them.....

PLEASE RECRUITMENT-- NO EXCUSES--WE NEED 500 PEOPLE AT THIS EVENT...

See you Friday.

Rick Flanagan (cell phone cut by blogmaster)

---

The next letter came from the Principal at Peabody:

Hello Valued Community Partners:

The 12th is almost upon us! We are progressing nicely. The only thing missing are participant registrations. I'm confident that with your help, we will meet our goal of 200 participants for tomorrow.

As you know, the final planning meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, May 4, at 1:00 P.M. here, at Peabody. We will devote much of our time to turn-out and last minute details and expectations of participating organizations. We will have all the procedures in place for drop-off and set-up of materials. Additionally, Breakout Rooms and procedures will be provided so everyone knows exactly what needs to be done.

We will be working feverishly at the school today and Saturday, calling the homes of all our students. Additionally, three of our office staff will be making an East End Business Blitz on Friday to garner last minute donations. Please call the school if you wish to join us.

Cle Sloan is scheduled to be on WAMO at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, May 11, 2007. Please tune in. We also have another addition to our program - the Frick Middle School Steel Band scheduled to perform during the 8-9:00 A.M. registration period. They will provide us with light background music in the gym prior to the 9:00 Kick Off.

Mr. Flanagan has also sent out emails detailing strategies that have been proven successful for recruitment. Please take advantage of this advice. Let's make this a truly memorable Event because of the excellent turn-out, not a disappointment because we had a wonderful program but limited participation. WE NEED YOUR HELP!

John Vater, Principal, Peabody High School

515 North Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15206
email: jvater1@pghboe.net
phone: (412) 665-2050
fax: (412) 665-2077

Let me know what's going on. And, most of all, let me know what they think about two single-gender schools in Pittsburgh's mix of schools.

Central Catholic and Oakland Catholic do well, it seems to me. How about if we had public-school options to match those Catholic schools.

City Police Officer Uses "Ignorant Of Law" Card In Residency Sting

What in God’s name is going on here? Philip Dacey, 54, the former acting commander of the East Liberty police station, believes he is entitled to a $35,000 annual pension, even after quitting a job he was patently unqualified for in the first place.
You see Dacey got caught with a phony “home” city address, all the while commuting to the posh northern suburbs. Ignorance, he said on television. “Everyone else is doing it.”
What a goof-ball, dishonest answer from a police officer who has heard that same argument from criminals on the street, presumably for his entire career. Arrogance is more spot-on.
Pittsburgh requires that municipal employees reside full-time within city limits, just like the Mayor, city council, and other elected officials. The same is true for fire fighters. Somehow a few years ago the city schoolteachers union used its vast, hulking leverage and had their residency requirement waived. As a result, they pulled up stakes faster than a senior citizen will yank on the “one armed bandit” at any casino in the country.
Statistics prove that all of these professionals receive extravagant pay, especially firefighters. How else can you explain all of the expensive homes? That being said, firefighters explain that they are “the good guys” who save people from burning homes and everyone wants to be their neighbor. Cops say that neighbors always have an eye on them. Who knows about teachers, as most of them need the highway to get to their desks each morning.
Rumor had it that Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, who presumably lives somewhere on the North Side and not in an expansive Butler County farm as former Mayor Tom Murphy was often accused, had plans to fire 100 city workers with the unmitigated audacity to receive city tax monies in the form of paychecks, all the while digging their financial resources in far-off, sidewalk-less lands.
If Ravenstahl has any pluck whatsoever—and why should he since everyone with any influence whatsoever has paved his way to sit in the fifth-floor Grant Street West Wing for at least 10 years—he would immediately terminate anyone who sets foot across city lines five minutes after clocking out. He won’t.
Now Dacey finds himself playing the victim. Favoritism, he says, has disallowed him from a fancy new promotion. Perhaps one paying him enough to sell his squalor in one of Allegheny County’s nicest digs for a Joe Hardy-worthy castle in tax-light Washington County. That, and not being embarrassed by a residency sting operation, has forced him to turn in his badge.
Perhaps Dacey can move onto his life’s work as a small-town detective making $9 an hour. A 27-year veteran, it would be curious to see how long Dacey has been perpetrating fraud on the city payers within the city of Pittsburgh and, in essence, cashing illegal paychecks?
I’ve heard from numerous city police officers who don’t want to run into people they’ve locked up while grabbing ice cream with their family on the South Side, catching a movie off of Carson Street, or digging into a lobster on top of Mt. Washington. As if those same criminals don’t attend the latest Adam Sandler flick in groovy Pleasant Hills, grab a coffee along cosmopolitan McKnight Road, or swing by the Barnes and Noble bookseller near George Romero’s Monroeville Mall.
Dacey deserves to have his pension revoked. He’s lived deceitfully on the city dime for long enough. So have at least 99 others. We’ll see if anyone has the political might to do what’s right. In Pittsburgh, where city officials blatantly shell out thousands upon thousands of dollars to family friends for plagiarized white papers and barely register a blip on the newsmaker radar screen, I sincerely doubt it.

We swam with the wild dolphis today -- and it was great

Big day. Too much to post about. But, we had a wonderful day and got to swim with the hector dolphins. Wow. More photos and insights later.

Ron Paul to mix it up with others on the debate stage

The first debate among the candidates for the Republican nomination for president will take place on Thursday, May 3rd at 8:00 pm EDT.

Congressman Ron Paul will be on stage standing between Senator John McCain and Rudy Giuliani. The 90-minute debate will be broadcast live on MSNBC, and streamed live on politico.com. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library will host the event.

First swim practice at Wharenui

From NZ Wharenui pool

Can you pick out Erik in the water? We can blend in a bit more with the locals on this trip, until we open our mouths.

Some photos from our house in Christchurch

From NZ home

Kennywood's open = code words for check your fly

When you are told, "Kennywood's open" -- it means you should zip up your fly -- and not on your tent.

Well, Kennywood is really open now. I look forward to seeing what's up with their efforts to use local media and video. They put out an interesting call a few months ago. I didn't reply, but, it seemed very kwel.

Sandcastle is still growing. Next year it will be the location of the I.C. Light Tent, we hear. That is a music venue in Station Square.

Speaking of "code" -- I posted a bit about the DVD code over at one of my other blogs -- devoted to techie evote elements. http://eVote.Blogspot.com.

Dude! South Side video store gets sued over Ninja Turtles trademark

Dude! South Side video store gets sued over Ninja Turtles trademark Dude! South Side video store gets sued over Ninja Turtles trademark

Hector Dolphins, here we come

We might have a dolphin experience tomorrow.

It rained all day today. But, we still got to a welcome tea via bikes. Then we went to the local bike shop and got some reflector tape/bands for Erik. He wanted them for his legs to keep his pants out of the pedals.

Tonight both Erik and Grant had swim practice with their respective groups. Each are in with about 36 others of similar abilities. Erik's group was 6 to a lane (4 lanes). Grant's was slightly smaller. Both the boys swam well.

Both are doing very well on the bikes as well.

We booked a bus ride and dolphin adventure for tomorrow. The van / shuttle will pick us up at 7:45 am and take us to a 'French' village, Akaroa. The names are French, but not much else. We'll see.

Glad it is raining here and not in Pittsburgh, as our house is without a roof. So, we'll take the bitter weather pill here. Plus, Australia is in a massive dry spell.

Catherine discovered that when you go to the market, you can't order a pound of turkey breast.

Got a $.5 coin today that is worth $0. I'll do a video blog on that soon. Quiz time.

The class began on campus today as well. And, it seems we'll be in some swim meets as well.

Saturday and Sunday, I've signed up for training.

Our phone # is 03 364-2715. Please don't call. Send email.

Final quiz; The swim team -- how do you say it? Wharenui is how it is written.

Swimming Pool Christchurch - Wharenui Swimming Club & Sport Centre

Swimming Pool Christchurch - Wharenui Swimming Club & Sport Centre Welcome to the Wharenui Sports Centre, the home of the Wharenui Swim Club in the heart of Christchurch.

We swam here yesterday. Will return tonight.

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

The big boot of enforcement now has a new patron saint.

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today announced that local law enforcement agencies will soon be able to apply for grants to enforce and prevent the unlawful operation of slot machines.

The grant program was developed and approved by the Legislature as part of the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act and funded with $5 million annually from money generated from slot machine facilities.

David Adams, candidate for city council in NOVEMBER, gets a TV interview

David Adams, a candidate for Pittsburgh City Council in district 9, (Twanda's old seat) is slated to be PCNC's TV show on 8 pm on Friday -- live.

Peace and Blessings from the invisible man, (nick named for the obscurity in this political process)

I thought I would share with you all my opportunity to "step-out" as a candidate will be live Friday on the cable news station PCNC, as I will be part of a panel discussion. P.J. Mahony from 1410 KQV will be the host at 8:00pm until 9:00pm with encore presentations 2:a and Monday 5/5 at 5-6p.

With the few days we have left I wish all my colleagues godspeed in their endeavors.

Dave Adams

David had been registered as a "republican" but switched to 'no party' affiliation recntly (before the deadline). He is going to be on the "Libertarian ticket" I've been helping to establish.

Appeals court allows smoking in bars, for now

Appeals court allows smoking in bars, for now Enforcement of the smoking ordinance in taverns and restaurants is on hold again.

Johannes Ernharth posted:

Re: PG Editorial: "Disarm America? Here's how"

Sorry for poaching your observation on the 1st being protected by the 2nd. but it can't be said enough...

Someone else should target their moronic insistence that the right to bear arms is extremist. What? As extremist as an Orwellian door-to-door confiscation?

Also, make sure to post LTEs to the lppgh.org website.

---

Before accepting Dan Simpson's gun abolitionist suggesting outright, I ask readers consider these points before rallying to such short-sighted causes.

1. How ironic is it that Mr. Simpson's right to his own career is protected by the 2nd Amendment he wants to shred? All individual freedom to say "no-thanks" to government force (even in a democracy) is similar.

2. With over 200 million guns in the U.S. alone, its fantasy to believe a meaningful ratio of guns will be confiscated. Only the law abiding will comply (although this proposition would meet stiff resistance) and criminals with guns will have an easier time with crime.

3. Disarmed people are potential victims entirely dependent on others for their safety. Experience shows us the police mostly curtail V. Tech-like events long after they start. Often, they arrive only in time to count the dead and start an investigation, as it is with most any murder. Even an armed, uniformed guard could have been an easy, unsuspecting target for the well-planned Seung-Hui Cho.

4. Imagine the V. Tech outcome if, after Cho shot his first, he was greeted by 5 randomly drawn pistols operated by trained, decent individuals? What if Cho knew this was a possibility beforehand?

5. History shows that individuals can only kill a limited number before they are stopped. Governments have killed hundreds, thousands, even millions at a time.

The truth is we'll all be safer if more trustworthy people trained to safely operate and carry guns vs. some Orwellian confiscation.

Pirate's to host technology night at PNC Park - Sept 7

The Pirates are going to host a 'technology night' at PNC Park on Sept. 7, 2007. This should be fun. More news later.

Takes $25,000 to get onto the ballot in S.C. for President

The debate is on May 3. Should be interesting. The fee to file to be on the ballot in S.C. is $25,000 -- for candidates for president.

Ron Paul Files in South Carolina

Republican takes important step toward securing GOP nomination

May 1, 2007

ARLINGTON, VA – South Carolina Republican primary voters will be able to choose Congressman Ron Paul when they vote for the Republican nominee for president. Today, Dr. Paul filed the necessary paperwork with the South Carolina Republican Party and paid the required $25,000 fee.

“With Ron Paul on the ballot, South Carolinians will now have a true conservative they can support,” said Ron Paul 2008 campaign chairman Kent Snyder. “We know that Dr. Paul’s message of freedom and limited government will resonate with the citizens of the Palmetto State.”

Officially joining the field in South Carolina comes in the midst of exciting times for the Ron Paul 2008 campaign. Dr. Paul recently returned from successful trips to New Hampshire, Arizona and Iowa. He will participate in the first Republican presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Library this Thursday, May 3.

War, future, and Ron Paul's remarks

Getting Iraq War Funding Wrong Again
April 30, 2007

This week, Congress finalized the controversial $124 billion Iraq emergency supplemental spending bill, with the House and Senate both voting in favor of final passage. The majority of my Republican colleagues and I voted against this measure, and the president has vowed to veto the legislation.

In this final version, the House leadership retained billions of dollars in pork meant to attract skeptical votes, retained a watered-down version of the problematic “benchmarks” that seek to micromanage the war effort, and continued to play politics with the funding of critical veterans medical and other assistance. In other words, this final version was even worse than the original in almost all respects.

As I wrote when this measure first came before the House, we have to make a clear distinction between the Constitutional authority of Congress to make foreign policy, and the Constitutional authority of the president, as commander in chief, to direct the management of any military operation. We do no favor to the troops by micromanaging the war from Capitol Hill while continuing to fund it beyond the president’s request.

If one is unhappy with our progress in Iraq after four years of war, voting to de-fund the war makes sense. If one is unhappy with the manner in which we went to war, without a constitutional declaration, voting against funding for that war makes equally good sense. What occurred, however, was the worst of both. Democrats, dissatisfied with the way the war is being fought, gave the president all the money he asked for and more to keep fighting it, while demanding that he fight it in the manner they see fit. That is definitely not a recipe for success in Iraq and foreign policy in general.

What is the best way forward in Iraq? Where do we go from here? First, Congress should admit its mistake in unconstitutionally transferring war power to the president and in citing United Nations resolutions as justification for war against Iraq. We should never go to war because another nation has violated a United Nations resolution. Then we should repeal the authority given to the president in 2002 and disavow presidential discretion in starting wars. Then we should start bringing our troops home in the safest manner possible.

Though many will criticize the president for mis-steps in Iraq and at home, it is with the willing participation of Congress, through measures like this war funding bill, that our policy continues to veer off course. Additionally, it is with the complicity of Congress that we have become a nation of pre-emptive war, secret military tribunals, torture, rejection of habeas corpus, warrantless searches, undue government secrecy, extraordinary renditions, and uncontrolled spying on the American people. Fighting over there has nothing to do with preserving freedoms here at home. More likely the opposite is true.

Croc Coach Bios

Coach Mark Rauterkus
Coach Mark, dad of Erik, 12, and Grant, 9, has a long swim coaching history including six seasons at NCAA Division I Programs (Ohio U, Baylor U, Bradley U). He coached state-record breakers in PA, Ohio, Illinois and New England. Mark had been helping with Green Tree but joined the Crocs in 2006 to continue working throughout the year with Coach Mike and the Carlynton Swim Club. Before parenthood and politics, Mark published many sports books. In recent time, Mark and the family have enjoyed swim experiences in China, Canada and New Zealand. In 2007, Mark looks forward to organizing a biathlon (1K swim + 5K run) on the morning of July 4, 2007. Two water polo clinics are also planned. One in the evenings with Crafton Celebrates and the other in the mornings in August.

(Insight to other coaches in the comments.)

Just for the record, our cat and house sitter is a guy who ...

We've got people staying and even working in our house while we're away.

I'm going without a cell phone!

To reach me, send an email. Don't call. I'm not going to check my voice messages until June 11.

We could set up a telephone conversation via my private TalkCast area on http://www.TalkShoe.com. However that is going to need to be set up via email prior to the meeting.

Should we need to talk or have an interview, call: 724 444 7444 and my private group call room is with Talkcast ID: 901. I'll need to log into the system via voice over IP.

Rally to Stop the Bus Cuts: We need him to lead us...

We need Santa Claus to lead us in the fight to put religion back into holiday of Christmas.

We need Barry Bonds to lead us in the fight against the use of steroids in major league sports.

We need the Roman Catholic Pope to lead us in the fight for the women's right to choose to reproduce.

We need Dan Onorato to lead us in the fight against the drastic bus service cuts of the Allegheny County's Port Authority Transit.

Let's be careful with what we wish for in terms of our leadership.

PA's Governor, Fast Eddie Rendell, has his driver speed him around Pennsylvania. Today's news buzz spoke of his willingness and eagerness to zoom around at 90+ MPH on PA roads. In my opinion, Ed Rendell should NOT be the one to stand for safe driving, safe highways and responsibility.

---

Dan Onorato wants a free ride in his elections. But, Dan Onorato doesn't want to insure that the citizens of Allegheny County have the freedom to travel around the county on public transportation.

New bits on YouTube have been uploaded

Some content has been posted to my site on YouTube.com. Watch -- or better yet -- subscribe -- to my YouTube.com feed. http://www.YouTube.com/Rauterkus

This is one bit. The others are on my page.
Reactions welcomed. Feel free to forward what you wish to others.

Everyone, out of the pool. No swimming again at Carlynton High School

Yesterday, Thurs, April 26, 2007, there was another bomb threat at Carlynton High School. (Carnegie, Crafton, Rosslyn Farms) So, swim practice, swim lessons and even home and away sports events were nixed for then and today.

Sorta sux for the kids and programs.

Candidate forum set in advance of May 14 primary election

Candidate forum set in advance of May 14 primary election On May 10, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and challenger Rick Swartz will meet at 6 p.m. at Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1000 Bryn Mawr Road., Hill District.

I would love to see this on YouTube from New Zealand. Help!

Group pressures Onorato on cuts by Port Authority - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Wow, 20,000 signatures. Wonder how many don't have 'middle initials' nor are from registered voters with signatures on file that match election department records?

Seriously, I signed. I'll be there. This effort was wonderful.

Group pressures Onorato on cuts by Port Authority - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "The Campaign to Stop the Bus Cuts wants Onorato to gain greater access to Port Authority of Allegheny County's financial records and specifics of service cuts that will start June 17.

Hundreds of group members plan to deliver the petition to Onorato's office at noon. The group includes members of several community organizations, including the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, The League of Young Voters, and Save Our Transit."

Imagine that -- Onorato doesn't have a good handle on the financial records. Onorato has been saying that the $25-million that the county pays into the PAT budget is the single largest line item within PAT's budget. But, that amount hasn't changed in years. Furthermore, it shouldn't be the biggest amount. Passenger fares should be greater.

Some are 'stealing' bus service, and I know right where these folks hang out. You'll find them on the bus. Not all, but some.

PAT's ridership needs to better pull its own weight. And, PAT's management hasn't done anything to fix this problem. Folks who get onto the bus in a park-and-ride in Marshall Township and ride into the city, avoiding car expenses and parking costs, are not paying enough.

Students, faculty and staff at Pitt who get on the bus without putting anything into the fare box are getting too much for too little.

Every area that can needs to do more. Onorato and Bland have not looked at the entire picture, yet. Raising fares isn't the first thing I'd have done. But, raising fares should have been done by now, especially for the institutional customers and those that live in the places of sprawl, beyond the central core.

PIIN Banquet -- powerful statement from Dick Gregory

Well done PIIN. The banquet was tonight at Station Square.

Great talker. I saw a video camera. Perhaps they'll put part on the web?

State court blocks McKeesport directors from seeking second seat

There is inside baseball. Then there is inside inside baseball.

State court blocks McKeesport directors from seeking second seat: "The Harrisburg court's ruling April 13 affirmed an order by the county Common Pleas Court that resulted in board members Dave Donato and Lori Spando having their names removed from the election ballot because each member is halfway through a four-year term.

Act 45 of 2006, amending the Pennsylvania Election Code, prohibits candidates from running for an office they already hold if their terms do not expire in that election year. Both Mr. Donato and Ms. Spando, who had successfully run for re-election in 2005, with two years remaining on their terms, said in their appeal that Act 45 was unconstitutional.

I promise, if I ever get elected, I won't ever run for relection for my seat until the term expires.

Ron Morris' - The American Entrepreneur Newsletter publishes my article on accountability

Ron Morris' - The American Entrepreneur FREE Newsletter The new age 'Scarlet letter' by Mark Rauterkus

Frequent TAE contributor Mark Rauterkus puts a new spin on a concept that's centuries old in the name of political accountability. Mark's website is http://rauterkus.blogspot.com .

The talk of reform in Harrisburg is starting to buzz. Two ideas recently presented to lawmakers at a hearing in Pittsburgh have roots in a business mindset.

First, show us the money. Second, if you cheat, we'll never do business with you again.

(Continued at his site, Ron Morris' - The American Entrepreneur FREE Newsletter .)

Take your child to work day -- smashing

One of our guy's buddies has been at work, putting people on the phone on hold.

Another set of girl office workers now has my campaign info and DVD movies -- America: Freedom to Facsism.

A boy was on the roof helpnig his dad -- above my head most of the day. We are getting a new roof.

Was your day filled with little child labor law breakers too?

Some of Erik's middle school kids were very sleepy in the school day -- after working the night shift with either mom or dad. Others were absent from class. More news tomorrow.

I always loved the times I was able to go to work with my dad. He was a school teacher. But, I didn't go often -- just once in a while. And, it was generally for a social, musical or sporting visit.

Our address in New Zealand

We don't expect many visitors, but you are welcome to drop by. Many have been invited in the past year.

93 Clyde Road,
Ilam, Christchurch 8041
New Zealand

(Ilam is pronounced as "ai-lem").

You'll find the NZ very strange and hard to understand but you will get used to it by the end of your stay. You never know you might subconsciously pick up some kiwi words and use them regularly in a few weeks. It took me almost 3 months to get used to it (actually found it very annoying) although I have lived in Australia for 10 years. I am perfectly okay with it now.

If you are bringing any food items into NZ, I would advise you to pack them all in one bag to avoid food and biosecurity NZ opening up all of your bags for inspection. It is perfectly okay to bring food (dry food especially) but you MUST declare at the airport, When you declare, you will go through a different line (but this doesn't really slow you down a great deal so don't worry) . The upside of this is that the food doesn't get gamma-radiated if it gets personally inspected.

Golden Age of Pittsburgh Bloggers has just left the building

Pittsburgh's Golden Age of Blogging was fun while it lasted. It is behind us now. Perhaps I'll be proven wrong. I'd gladly be forced to eat these words -- along with the Booblehead Pierogie candidate for Mayor from Pgh's City Paper.

This period of calm could be the eye of the storm -- a rather big storm. But I doubt it.

Generally, I get to stand up and say -- "I'm not going anywhere." But, today -- I'm packing. I'm going somewhere. We're headed to New Zealand.

I've put out a call to some running mates to ask them to lace up their sneakers and carry the ball while I'm elsewhere. So, guys -- check in. Sound off. Others interested in running mate status on this blog, email me.

It was fun.

Let's hope things heat up again in September or October when my book hits the shelves. There is always the hope that Jim Motznik might re-start his blog.

Project Run Away and Young People

Hat tip to Antirust.

Project Run Away | The New York Observer: “I am completely and utterly against the idea of helping young people,” I told the gobsmacked crowd. I then ranted on about how I was sick of hearing about young people’s hopes, aspirations and career goals—how come nobody wants to help old people?—and that I had been driven so insane by the current generation of Eve Harrington–esque overachieving fashionistas (Mr. Baldwin would probably call them “ungrateful little pigs”) that I had reached the point where, instead of helping them fulfill their dreams, all I wanted to do was crush them. Just call me “the Dream-Crusher.”

Goofy Old Party: Local Republicans need to get their act together

Goofy Old Party: Local Republicans need to get their act together As a more common person than Lord Acton said, you got to be in it to win it. Republicans are too often not in it. The local party is pathetic. How pathetic? A liberal-leaning editorial board has to call for a conservative revival for the benefit of the local democratic system.

The P-G hits hard against the local GOPers. However, they fail to make the distinction between the city GOP leadership and the county GOP leadership.

Why is it so bad to not have a mayor's race candidate and ignore the need for a candidate for the county-wide office for county executive?

The one that has really messed up so far and the one office that is more winnable is the Allegheny County Chief Executive post. Dan Onorato has not done anything good and has done many things poorly. Dan Onorato went into office with promises that didn't happen since. And, he followed a person who seems to have been a Republican, Jim Roddey.

The biggest problem for the Republicans is Bob Glancey and others like him, including Jim Roddey. Roddey has gone around for years saying that there isn't any chance of electing a Republican in the city because he figured out he could not be elected as the city's mayor.

The Republican in-fighting is that of legend. And, it has been undocumented.

This move to float a candidate for write-in who can't even swim (i.e., just hope for shallow water after you toss him overboard) is just another bone-headed move by Bob Glancy and the RCAC (Republican Committee of Allegheny County).

At least this ploy makes sense for one reason. The RCAC folks need some new scandal so as to cover up the outright stealing of major amounts of money from an older, wealthy, woman from Upper Saint Clair by a candidate. That poison gives the Republicans in Allegheny County a scorched earth policy that will linger for four or five election cycles.

The Republicans are zombies. They've got neo-cons in the White House. They've got poison in the pipeline of the county machine in many different flavors. A whole flock of leaders need to resign.

The only thing worse than the status of the Republicans is that of the MSM editorial boards.

Reading newspapers in China happens in the park, and other places where citizens gather. In Pittsburgh, the newspapers are not worthy of attention in any setting of note and nature. From planning-urban

Power is not an equal-opportunity despoiler when one comes from the perspective of liberty. Libertarians and Constitution lovers would cut me off at the knees after they cut my head off as soon as my perscription for civic leadership hinted at the same-old approach from the same-old problem parties.

Here is the example I like to explain. Consider Poland in 1937 and 1938 -- just before World War II. To the east was Stalin, to the west was Hitler. The people of Poland were stuck in the middle. They couldn't run east nor west. There wasn't a winning exit and winning action. They had to hunker down.

The people of Pittsburgh have been much like the people of Poland in those pre WWII months. They have no place to run and no place to hide. Many have left, of course. Many have died. Few remain with the capacity to fight.

But, there is an underground, with little ammo and little "wood behind the arrow." But, the voice of the "nay sayers" has been kept alive.

Part of our underground is nameless. We have bloggers who are out there that have online identities but not a matching voter record. We have friends in the D party that would clearly help in smuggling efforts. But, most of the others in this community is walking on egg shells.

The backlashes are not to be taken lightly. This is why I have said that I am standing for five offices. I can be a place holder for a few others who don't need to expose themselves for the pleasure of trying to get onto the ballot. People should not need to have their lives subject to anguish for the pleasure of marching onto the ballot. This is the inverse of the old adage of killing two birds with one stone. Not one, but five, and not killing -- but setting free.

With me running for five offices and with me running with other running mates, we're in the process of flight training for a flock of birds with one coop.

Our flight includes feathers to the left and to the right and tail. Our flight includes smart approaches where freedom and liberty matter greatly.

Goofy Old Party: Local Republicans need to get their act together

Goofy Old Party: Local Republicans need to get their act together As a more common person than Lord Acton said, you got to be in it to win it. Republicans are too often not in it. The local party is pathetic. How pathetic? A liberal-leaning editorial board has to call for a conservative revival for the benefit of the local democratic system.

The P-G hits hard against the local GOPers. However, they fail to make the distinction between the city GOP leadership and the county GOP leadership.

Why is it so bad to not have a mayor's race candidate and ignore the need for a candidate for the county-wide office for county executive?

The one that has really messed up so far and the one office that is more winnable is the Allegheny County Chief Executive post. Dan Onorato has not done anything good and has done many things poorly. Dan Onorato went into office with promises that didn't happen since. And, he followed a person who seems to have been a Republican, Jim Roddey.

The biggest problem for the Republicans is Bob Glancey and others like him, including Jim Roddey. Roddey has gone around for years saying that there isn't any chance of electing a Republican in the city because he figured out he could not be elected as the city's mayor.

The Republican in-fighting is that of legend. And, it has been undocumented.

This move to float a candidate for write-in who can't even swim (i.e., just hope for shallow water after you toss him overboard) is just another bone-headed move by Bob Glancy and the RCAC (Republican Committee of Allegheny County).

At least this ploy makes sense for one reason. The RCAC folks need some new scandal so as to cover up the outright stealing of major amounts of money from an older, wealthy, woman from Upper Saint Clair by a candidate. That poison gives the Republicans in Allegheny County a scorched earth policy that will linger for four or five election cycles.

The Republicans are zombies. They've got neo-cons in the White House. They've got poison in the pipeline of the county machine in many different flavors. A whole flock of leaders need to resign.

The only thing worse than the status of the Republicans is that of the MSM editorial boards.

Power is not an equal-opportunity despoiler when one comes from the perspective of liberty. Libertarians and Constitution lovers would cut me off at the knees after they cut my head off as soon as my perscription for civic leadership hinted at the same-old approach from the same-old problem parties.

Here is the example I like to explain. Consider Poland in 1937 and 1938 -- just before World War II. To the east was Stalin, to the west was Hitler. The people of Poland were stuck in the middle. They couldn't run east nor west. There wasn't a winning exit and winning action. They had to hunker down.

The people of Pittsburgh have been much like the people of Poland in those pre WWII months. They have no place to run and no place to hide. Many have left, of course. Many have died. Few remain with the capacity to fight.

But, there is an underground, with little ammo and little "wood behind the arrow." But, the voice of the "nay sayers" has been kept alive.

Part of our underground is nameless. We have bloggers who are out there that have online identities but not a matching voter record. We have friends in the D party that would clearly help in smuggling efforts. But, most of the others in this community is walking on egg shells.

The backlashes are not to be taken lightly. This is why I have said that I am standing for five offices. I can be a place holder for a few others who don't need to expose themselves for the pleasure of trying to get onto the ballot. People should not need to have their lives subject to anguish for the pleasure of marching onto the ballot. This is the inverse of the old adage of killing two birds with one stone. Not one, but five, and not killing -- but setting free.

With me running for five offices and with me running with other running mates, we're in the process of flight training for a flock of birds with one coop.

Our flight includes feathers to the left and to the right and tail. Our flight includes smart approaches where freedom and liberty matter greatly.

Carnegie Mellon: New Swimming & Diving Coach Hired

New coach moves to town! Welcome to Pittsburgh!

Carnegie Mellon: Swimming & Diving Matthew Kinney Named Head Swimming Coach

Apr. 25 - (PITTSBURGH, Pa.) - Carnegie Mellon University’s Director of Athletics, Susan Bassett, has named Matthew Kinney the new head men’s and women’s swimming coach. Kinney joins the Tartans staff after serving twelve years as head men’s and women’s swimming coach at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Newsmaker: Audrey N. Glickman - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Another women after my own heart. She is more than a running mate -- as she thinks too!

Newsmaker: Audrey N. Glickman - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 'Statewide we have major issues of ballot access. No one candidate should ever have to obtain 67,000 signatures just to get his name on the ballot. And no candidate should have to watch while half of the obtained signatures are thrown out just because the signatory wrote 'Punxy' instead of 'Punxsutawney.' As for this election, we'll be monitoring it as we have the last two elections with a diverse group of monitors.'

U.S. Steel to help Great Allegheny Passage - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Great news.

U.S. Steel to help Great Allegheny Passage - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review U.S. Steel is donating a 1.89-mile stretch located near Kennywood Park in West Mifflin, said company spokesman John Armstrong.

Thanks John.