Minority Report - Pittsburgh ignores the plight of black citizens at its own peril - Views - Revelations - Pittsburgh City Paper

Woops. Pittsburgh's Nasty Little Secret gets some play at the City Paper, again.

Pittsburgh - Minority Report - Pittsburgh ignores the plight of black citizens at its own peril - Views - Revelations - Pittsburgh City Paper Ralph Ellison wrote about the 'Invisible Man'; I am going to talk about Invisible Leadership. I find it disgraceful that so many black and white elected officials (with the exception of Hill District state Rep. Jake Wheatley Jr.) could remain silent or neutral on these issues.

How do you remain silent or neutral about us losing our very lives? What does it matter if you have a good job or a nice car if you can get shot on your way to work or carjacked at every turn? If your kids can't go to school with other children because so many of their peers are ill-prepared and, therefore, poor role models? I saw a billboard for a K-12 'cyber school' the other day and it sickened me: Are we that removed from each other's essential humanity?

A question was asked -- and the answer is "sorta."

Some are, some are not.

Of course you can't 'privatize' a soul. But, you can mostly keep families gated.

To be honest, we do NOT need to 'interact' for any of us to survive. One can't 'have to' care. That graph is just a bit over the top to be taken without a blink. Think again.

We cannot privatize our souls. We can't keep our families gated. We are going to have to interact. And talk. And care about one another. Unless we do, none of us will survive.

But, right on about the rest. Indifference sucks.

Complaint Department rumbles with City Paper and Police Promotions --- sustain

Pittsburgh - Complaint Department - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper The whole issue of promotion shows there are real problems with the police force.

Tax UPMC and then what

Over at another blog I posted a reply to the notion that a tax on UPMC is what is needed.

---

Folks, think again.

If Pittsburgh's Politicians should move to tax UPMC, Pgh would be a REAL Ghost Town. Then we'd really be able to watch another chapter of the cancer spread.

It is the same type of observation of when talking about the downtown if you are the Pgh Downtown Partnership. The bums, hobos, street people are messing up the downtown streets. -- WRONG -- Fact is, the streets are so empty that the only ones you see are the more seedy folks. The problem is that they are the only ones you notice when nobody else is around.

UPMC isn't the problem. The problem is that everyone else has already departed.

Taxing UPMC won't bring everyone else back.

Envy can't drive the region and city into the future. That's not a formula for success. That's not how I want to raise my children. And, when they get mature enough to see it for themselves, they'll not want to stick around and be a part of it either.

Likewise, clearing the bums off of the downtown streets won't allow downtown to thrive again.

Think again if you think that the root of the problem is to 'tax UPMC.'

I can not tell a lie

Wizards are wonderful.

International Solidarity Commssion (ISC) of the IWW - All Star 2007, Community Collective Bargaining with the Home Team

July 11, 2007 marks one year since the Pirates Baseball Club hosted the All Star Game and promised the people of Pittsburgh that they would investigate working conditions in the factories sewing Pirates’ apparel. As the Pittsburgh General Membership Branch of the IWW reminds the Pirates at their July 8 game at PNC Park against the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh has high standards for workers’ rights. The City’s Sports and Exhibition Authority has recommended the investigatory protocols of the Workers Rights Consortium (WRC), disclosure of wages and factory locations, truly independent investigations, and a commitment to the factories where investigations take place.

The International Solidarity Commission of the Industrial Workers of the World stands alongside the Pittsburgh Anti Sweatshop Community Alliance and SweatFree Communities in requesting that all unions and solidarity organizations support workers sewing their Major League Baseball (MLB) teams’ apparel by holding their Home Teams – rather than MLB -- accountable for workers’ rights. MLB is amongst the largest licensers of copyrighted logos in the world. If MLB had any sincere concern workers rights, it would already be following WRC protocols, and previous investigations would have been more substantial than the public-relations-white-washes workers have experienced thus far. The Home Teams represent the people in their respective cities, and it is the Home Teams that will be held accountable for the working conditions in factories sewing team apparel.

It is up to each community to hold its Home Team accountable for sweatshop conditions in factories sewing team apparel. The ISC extends greetings of solidarity to all workers sewing baseball merchandise. The ISC will receive testimony from workers sewing apparel with any of the team logos and distribute that testimony to unions and solidarity organizations for presentation to their respective baseball teams. To that end, the ISC wants to familiarize workers with the MLB logo that appears on all licensed merchandise.

The National Garment Workers Federation of Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity have already provided specific testimony about the factories in which their members work sewing Pirates/Major League Baseball apparel. One year after the Pittsburgh Pirates promised to investigate working conditions, the team has dropped the ball, which makes the occasion of the 2007 All Star Game a sad day for the people of Pittsburgh.

At the pinnacle of the baseball season, when all eyes are focused on San Francisco, the ISC urges baseball fans, unions and solidarity organizations to leverage each team’s efforts to represent them and hit a home run for workers rights. By community collective bargaining with the Home Teams, we can set a new standard for accountability in the global apparel industry.

The ISC invites unions and solidarity organizations to join us in Chicago on Labor Day weekend for a SweatFree Baseball strategy session. We invite union activists to draw on the ISC as a resource when preparing apparel industry solidarity trips to Latin America and the Caribbean.

Contact: solidarity@iww.org
IWW SweatFree Baseball link (for information on New Era and Majestic) www.SweatFree.org/Baseball

Realbeer.com says put a buzz on PA -- in creation of a political buzz

Talk about seeing -- or saying -- double.

Realbeer.com Beer Therapy -- Blog Archive -- Beer Activist help needed in Pennsylvania Beer Activist help needed in Pennsylvania

Beer ActivistsSupport Your Local Brewery has issued an ...

RealClearPolitics - Articles - Freedom and Benevolence Go Together

RealClearPolitics - Articles - Freedom and Benevolence Go Together: "Doesn't it stand to reason that someone who wants everyone to be free of tyranny does so partly because he cares about others? Wishing freedom to one's fellow human beings strikes me as a sign of benevolence. But Moore and the left don't see it that way."

The Demise of Rachel Ray?

This morning on the radio I heard that Rachel Ray, the spunky little chef, is moving out of the digs she shares with her husband of two years and perhaps moving to an apartment.

What's Rachel cooking up? Adultry.

Will the rumored affair with Colby Donaldson of "Survivor" and razor blade commercials fame tarnish Ray's "Girl Next Door" appeal?

Will the housewives and female general populous continue to adore the plucky Rachel, as she whips up delicious recipes with a boy toy in the wings? I haven't seen Rachel's syndicated TV show in a while, I understand that Colby is a part of it now.

Don't get me wrong, even a straight-as-straight can be Republican like me can see why Rachel will throw her up-until-now blemish-free public image into the kitchen garbage can for a handsome cowboy like Colby. And we don't know anything about Mr. Rachel Ray; perhaps he's a cad.

Don't know.

It's just a question: will these shenanigans do anything to the empire that IS Rachel Ray? Perhaps she will be on Dr. Phil before we know it.

Boogie Man Thinking

This is an absurd statement in a posting on another blog: "Conservative thinking is what got us here."

The conservative tag, as well as liberal, and progressive is only a tag. None of them fit me well.

What got Pittsburgh into its mega mess is one-party rule by Democrats. We've had nothing but Dems. That's for sure. That's been constant. That's been a source of the problem. That is the first and NEXT log jam to fix.

The one tag that works throughout for all of us is ''screwed up city.''

Pittsburgh got in trouble because it was in a habit of giving too much away. Too much went to corporations. Too much went to the unions. Too much went to the developers. Too much went to the workers. Too much went to the sports teams. Too much went to the bankers for bond re-finance deals. Too much went where it should not have gone. Too much went to brownfields without any return.

We need government to focus on liberty, freedom and not the world of other things that are constant give-a-ways that are unfair to some and benefit others.

China executes ex-drug chief for graft - CNN.com

China executes ex-drug chief for graft - CNN.com BEIJING, China (Reuters) -- China executed a former drug and food safety chief on Tuesday for corruption in an unusually swift sentence which will serve as a warning amid a series of health scandals that have stained the 'made in China' brand.
art.

The Supreme People's Court approved the death sentence against Zheng Xiaoyu, 62, who was convicted of taking bribes worth some 6.5 million yuan ($850,000) from eight companies and dereliction of duty, Xinhua news agency said.

They don't fool around.

In the US, Libby gets a pardon. In China, he'd be dead.

Today's front page photo of Fast Eddie with a big smile with a solution to the budget -- days late -- might have a different outcome if we were in China. If they are known to be corrupt, and say, can't pass a budget. They would not lay off thousands of employees and close the parks, owned by the people. Heads would roll, literally. They are there to do a job. Otherwise, they leave.

Drink this and choke on Onorato's brew

Tuesday takes - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Onorato's stealth tax: Governor-in-training Dan Onorato, Allegheny County's chief executive, lost an incredible amount of goodwill by secretly lobbying state legislators for a 10 percent tax on all alcoholic drinks to help fund mass transit. It's one thing (bad) to publicly propose new taxation; it's quite another thing (one might say chicken-livered) to do so on the sly.

Another MSM interview -- or two -- about Ron Paul

Wars Costing USA $12 Billion a Month

This must be what a surge looks like.

My Way News - Report: Wars Costing $12 Billion a Month WASHINGTON (AP) - The boost in troop levels in Iraq has increased the cost of war in Iraq and in Afghanistan to $12 billion a month, and the total for Iraq alone is nearing a half-trillion dollars, congressional analysts say.

All told, Congress has appropriated $610 billion in war-related money since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror assaults, roughly the same as the war in Vietnam. Iraq alone has cost $450 billion.

The figures come from the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, which provides research and analysis to lawmakers.

PA House Bill about School Funding and Pittsburgh specific elements

(see comments for an update)


www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm

Check out House Bill (HB) 842 which is the state's bill to enact all education funding --including everything else they put in here. Take a look at the parts about Pittsburgh. Lots of Duquesne School District things there.

For Pittsburgh Public Schools specifically:

P. 12, Lines 1-15 Pittsburgh is the only district in the state classified as a Commonwealth Partnership School district. This new language gives the board the right to negate contracts -- but not teacher contracts.

P. 12-13 Gives Pittsburgh Supt. Power to dismiss employees. Can you say Lynn S.?

Insights and reactions welcomed.

Thanks for the pointer to Theresa Smith.

Costa To Run For Mayor? Why?

Guy Costa, the city's current Public Works chief, had to submit his letter of resignation to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl just like most of the others in charge of our underwhelming public servies.

Now the Tribune Review reports that he is contemplating a run for Ravenstahl's seat the next time up.

The T-R says that friends are urging him to run because of a perceived disrespect. Remember, Pittsburgh's side streets are totally and completely untouched with salt or snow plows during the winter months. In fact, I have no idea how my neighbors who live on a steep incline, get to work or anywhere else for that matter when it snows.

We're on our own out there folks, and Mr. Coast-a sometimes gets standing ovations from him friends on City Council.

There isn't a Costa in the entire city who isn't on the taxpayer's dime. Paul is a quiet state Representative, brother Jay is even more quiet in the state Senate. I think former city police chief Dom is a brother. Dom even had a few feelers out for Mayor this past time around.

They are all entitled to huge pensions. Don't get me wrong, all of these guys appear to be nice people. None are evil, and in Guy's case, he's in a no-win situation. If Public Works were excellent, it would be expensive. If it were deplorable...which at times it had been during the Mayor Murphy administration...suburbanites wouldn't be able to make it downtown. Don't think for a second that's NOT who most on Grant Street worry about. That's where the real money lies.

Why wouldn't Mr. Costa just get a private-industry gig. He undoubtedly would have friends that could help him land a job perhaps as cushy as the one he currently maintains.

Here's an interesting idea: could the Costa clan empower the Special Interest sector to vote for Republican Mark DeSantis? This is a union town, so they say. Hence the massive exodus to the suburbs and neighboring counties. Could the Special Interests vote in DeSantis, thus setting up a Costa-to-the-rescue union-estatic revolt in a few years?

With news that Costa is thinking of a run makes a Bill Peduto return unlikely. Peduto doesn't pander to the Special Interests that have a bloated influence on this town. That's why Peduto bailed this election cycle: reform is a dirty word to those pining for budget-breaking pension packages.

Ravenstahl played the game, but we are now been innundated with stories that showcase the Mayor's youth, inexperience, and some-say lack of decorum. He too is not a bad guy, but he was also a compromise city council president who was never expected to raise to the top of the city's food chain.

Pittsburgh is still desperate for a great new leader. That sound you hear is not the cavalry. They aren't on their way.

There are SEVEN notes in a musical scale. Seven, Seven, ohh Seven.

Chandler style poetry for 7-7-7 from Kansas City:

Hey everybody – it is that time of the year again.

Happy Seven-Seven-Seven!

Sorry to break my pledge of only bothering you once a month.

But since 01-01-01 I have written something for the date and this year should be no exception –

I warn you that on the 8th of August I will do it again.

So this little missive is brought to you by the number Seven.

For the past Seven hours I have been on I-70 doing 70 miles an hour.

Why was 6 afraid?

Because Seven ate 9

God created the world in 6 days and on the Seventh he rested.

Seven is the 4th prime number – and the first number to have two syllables – unless you count zero – and well… you don’t count with zero – which makes zero – if you believe in a circular universe - the highest number doesn’t’ it?

But I digress. There are Seven days in a week

The seven seas and the Seven Continents

The seven wonders of the world

There are seven holes in you face - and seven deadly sins.

Chastity, Moderation, Liberality, Charity, Meekness, Zeal, and Humility, and the seven virtues: sloth, letchery, gluttony, pride, envy, wrath and

In Proverbs 6:16 – 19, it is stated that "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:"

There was The Seven Year Itch, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, “Seven Plus Seven Is,” SeSevenen, seven swans a-swimming, 00Seven, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

Seven come eleven.

Seven Eleven, A touchdown and an extra point, Lucky seven, Michael Vick, The atomic number of nitrogen – which I think Michel Vick inhales a little too much of lately.

The Seven ages of man

The Seven colors in the rainbow

The Seven cities of Gold

Seven UP

Diet Seven-UP

Seven hills of Rome

Seven Liberal Arts

Seven Sages

Seven emperors Julius Caesar, Augustus, Galba, Hadrian, Nerva, Sallust, Vespasian

A Sabbatical comes every Seven years - A jubilee Seven xSeven years – 49.

David is The Seventh son of Jessie

And Jesus in SevenSeventh in a direct line to David.

Seven blessings made beneath chuppah

The Seven cul-de-sacs of hell, or The Seven terraces of mt purgatory – depending on which book you read.

The Seven heavans of Islam – Seventh heavan

Jesus says to Peter to forgive seventy times seven times.

The Seven joys of the blessed Mother Mary

And of course, The Seven sorrows of the blessed Mother Mary

There are Seven palms in a cubit

The Buddah took Seven steps at birth

The Seven Hindu Sages

The Seven islands of Atlantis

The Seven notes in a scale

The Seventh Seal

The Seventh Samuri

The Magnificant Seven

The Seventh Son

The Seventh Inning Stretch

Flight SevenSeven was used to attack the Pentagon on September 11th, 2001 – which ummm – has 5 sides, a top and a bottom – OH My GOD! That’s Seven that proves it – there is a conspiracy.

I am sure at least seven of you will writ me back and tell me much better ones than those.

Seven more of you will unsubscribe to this news letter – because # Seven is so lame.

I have Seven dollars in my pocket.

Drop by my website and review the archives if ya wanna read 01-01-01 thru 06-06-06

See ya later,

chandler

So much for brevity and the soul of wit.

Ron Paul in Iowa - video

Crap politics, as usual, "Mayor’s neighborhood forums" see on other site

- � mayor’s neighborhood forums Join Mayor Luke Ravenstahl for a Mayor’s Neighborhood Forum - the first in a series of ten community conversations throughout Pittsburgh neighborhoods. The Mayor will report back to the North Side Community on initiatives such as his Neighborhoods First Agenda and solicit input on the state and future of the community.

Thursday, July 19th
6:30 -7:30 pm
Pittsburgh’s Grand Hall at The Priory

This is junk. This should not happen in an election season.

The Burgh Report: Excellent Post by Mark Rauterkus

The Burgh Report: Excellent Post by Mark Rauterkus ... I really couldn't understand precisely what he was trying to do ...

Motivations are hard to understand. The easy questions in life are "who" and "when" and perhaps, "what."

The questions and insights of "how" and "why" are for the most advanced.

From time to time, I understand that I'm guilty of speaking over the heads of most of the folks in the audience. I aim to deliver content that goes beyond the basics.

I really confound my out of region friends and family. They don't know what's what in Pittsburgh. They don't live our Pittsburgh life. Our shared experiences of being in the Burgh -- is understood by a vast majority of my neighbors. So, lots of readers here, and lots of people who know me, my family, my passions, my work in other sectors are just "deer in the headlights" when it comes to a topical shift about Pittsburgh's political landscape. They zone out because they don't live in our 'twilight zone.'

Case in point, lots of the folks in suburban Pittsburgh felt good about Tom Murphy. Murphy gave them the Convention Center, PNC Park, Heinz Field, Lord & Taylor and an evacuation plan from the tallest downtown buildings in the wake of 9-11 fire-drills. My disdain for Tom Murphy and the logic of my objections to his leadership was lost on everyone 30-miles away from The Point -- and nearly everyone within 10-miles of The Point.

Case in point 2, few in the local media have a handle about what I'm about. Nearly none in the media have ever generate professional expressions that bolster and inter-twine with my positions and issues. There has always been a 'missing link' of sorts between myself and the MSM (mainstream media).

I've never been in the 40-under-40 crowd. I'm not going to show up on the Sunday Business Page shows. These are givens that are fine with me. But the point to make is that my mo-jo isn't defined by others. There isn't a focused, feature piece that connects the dots for John-Q-Public.

Complicated. Self-made. Multi-media, multi-dimensional, blah-blah-blah.

I'm a Libertarian too! I'm free. I'm stressing liberties. A framework for freedom isn't something that can fit in a downtown retail outlet with a tax-break. Home Depot, on the other hand, is something that you can drive to in East Liberty under a big orange logo that employs guys in bibs, each with a W2 on file, selling bricks and mortar. Go figure.

Finally, for now, I'm a coach. I love to push, pull, drag, trick, and cheer so that others get out of their "comfort zones." Education, like democracy, is messy. Community conversations are wild.

That's why. To kick up some dust.

I understand that my city, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 2007, is still not a place where my children and their peers will want to reside. I understand that what we got here today is lacking. The opportunities are better elsewhere. There are too many hurdles to both prosperity and freedom in our region. I want my kids and their friends and classmates to thrive. I want what is best for future generations.

Politically, Pittsburgh is nearly a wasteland. The weirdness that resonates from within our public sector crumbles all sorta of other aspects of our lives. Our community lives are with big weaknesses. We are all poorer and less able to live up to our potential because of those nagging problems.

I'm fed up and I'm NOT going to flee. I'll stay put and fight with issues, ideas, concepts and votes -- from time to time. With us thinking again, perhaps some physical violence will be kept at bay.

I understand that I'm fortunate in this period in my life. The flexibility that I have isn't by chance. But, it does summon a sense of duty and purpose to what I do. I do what I do in large part because I am able and others are not.

Thanks for asking. Hope to see you around town soon. I'm sorry if we haven't met yet. Cheers.

Transforming Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania

More reading from Mark F. -- from the past.

Transforming Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania: "Hold That Thought - Pittsburgh Quarterly Magazine"

Trivia time: My middle initial is "F" too.

Trivia time quiz: What's Mark F. DeSantis birthday?

Local scholarship fund with swimming, cancer, travel, and hope all mixed together

Home The Marissa Boyan Scholarship Fund is a 501 (c)3, non-profit corporation.

Here is where the Pittsburgh Bloggers should lend some attention, good will, and financial assistance.

Scholars: Divide Iraq Into 3 Regions

Scholars: Divide Iraq Into 3 Regions: With President Bush's war strategy clouded by limited results and mounting casualties, two scholars are proposing a partition plan that would divide Iraq into three main regions.

The authors, Edward P. Joseph of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and Michael O'Hanlon, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, are hoping to draw the attention of Bush administration policymakers.

They are circulating their suggestions within the Bush administration.

I always felt that this was a good idea and the way to go. But, it isn't my business to tell them how to behave and how to manage their own affairs. The trend is to break up big countries. Look at the USSR and Texas. Plus, there is a move to more regional unions too, i.e., E.U. The nation-state of Iraq isn't worth saving when there is so much bad blood. And, we've been in their civil war, anyway. They can decide.

I got upset when I heard US brass saying that we must keep Iraq as one nation, years ago. Think again.

IOC approves Youth Olympics; first set for 2010 - Thursday July 5, 2007 4:52PM

SI.com - More Sports - IOC approves Youth Olympics; first set for 2010 - Olympic leaders voted Thursday to create a Youth Olympics meant to drag kids from computer screens and onto the playing fields. The first is planned for 2010 for 3,500 athletes, ages 14-18.

It would be the first major international sports festival created by the International Olympic Committee since the advent of the Winter Games in 1924. The program was approved unanimously by a show of hands.

Democracy Now! | We Shall Overcome: An Hour With Legendary Folk Singer & Activist Pete Seeger

Democracy Now! | We Shall Overcome: An Hour With Legendary Folk Singer & Activist Pete Seeger: "We Shall Overcome: An Hour With Legendary Folk Singer & Activist Pete Seeger"

iPhone Supply Already Dried Up - Switched. Gadgets. Tech. Digital Stuff for the Rest of Us.

iPhone Supply Already Dried Up - Switched. Gadgets. Tech. Digital Stuff for the Rest of Us.: "According to Apple's own retail locater, the world iPhone supply has been suckled dry everywhere except Tigard, Oregon and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

My wife and I both got a new phones this week too. But, neither of us went with the iPhone.

As an extra feature of the iPhone for the Pittsburgh market, Steve Jobs and Apple's marketing department should have contracted with iJustine. She could have hand deliver the phones to any willing buyer. And, she could still do so, perhaps, if asked.

More pointers:
Red light district: Apple Stores out of iPhone stock

tuaw.com - Santa Monica,CA,USA
Apple's iPhone retail availability page is showing a nearly clean sweep of sold-out stores, with only stores in Pittsburgh, PA and Portland, OR lighting up ...

European wireless carriers camping in lines outside Apple offices
SiliconValley.com - San Jose,CA,USA
MacRumors reports that, according to Apple's online iPhone availability tool, the only Apple stores that still have units in stock are in Pittsburgh, Pa., ...

Advance article for A.E. about Mark DeSantis -- from Mark Rauterkus

I posted an article via The American Entrepreneur newsletter in advance of the Mark DeSantis interview slated for Saturday.

The American Entrepreneur - Newsletter Articles A business person, Mark DeSantis, is gearing up his political campaign against Luke Ravenstahl. A number of common threads appear beyond our first names, ambitions, age-group (DeSantis is 47, I'm 48), home towns, party politics and entrepreneur's spirit.

Here is the entire article on my blog too.

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Mark Rauterkus pondering Mark DeSantis and the 2007 general election campaigns

(Rauterkus is a candidate for city council, an advocate for Ron Paul in the 2008 Presidental campaign, and a free-wheeling blogger.)

A business person, Mark DeSantis, is gearing up his political campaign against Luke Ravenstahl. A number of common threads appear beyond our first names, ambitions, age-group (DeSantis is 47, I'm 48), home towns, party politics and entrepreneur's spirit.

Both of us jumped into the political fray to run for mayor of Pittsburgh under the GOP banner. My run in 2001 hatched from frustration too. Both of us are upset with the leadership from Grant Street.

Candidate DeSantis and I talked before his official kick off. My insights and tactical bits of wisdom, coupled with some action points, were delivered in person. Now is the time for public noise.

This year's race for mayor is going to be a two-way ordeal. I pondered the possibilities of running for mayor and county executive, in the same same election, as a Libertarian. Rather, my Elect.Rauterkus.com efforts for the next months are going to focus as a candidate, again, for Pittsburgh's city council, district 3.

We all have roles to play.

Mark DeSantis has two jobs. He needs to expose himself, first. Second, DeSantis needs to reveal a plan and process that gives voters confidence that he'd make a good mayor for the next two years. That's it for him.

Mark DeSantis is slated to be a guest with Ron Morris. I'll tune in and be sure to download the podcast. Furthermore, I'll attempt to reconstruct the issues and ideas DeSantis delivers. When DeSantis is a guest on shows, he is able to expose himself.

DeSantis needs to be everywhere. He needs to meet and greet on the buses, outside Giant Eagle, in the Strip District, at the bars on the South Side, and at little league games. DeSantis needs to be at churches, temples and fire halls. He'll have to invest in door-to-door, telephone, the works. People's comfort in Mark DeSantis has to skyrocket.

Second, DeSantis needs to perform and execute in the creative realm. He has to deliver a vision that makes sense and earns trust and support.

The rest, and there is plenty more that is yet unsaid, is beyond the control of Mark DeSantis within this election cycle. All of the remaining matters still unresolved are up to us. Voters, citizens, business people, fellow politicians, and of-course, the media have much more to do.

Mark DeSantis has two tasks. We, the people, have countless matters to attend to.

This campaign is about DeSantis and Ravenstahl, however, the city and region is about us all. Everyone has roles to play. Without real civic engagement in this election, the city is toast.

Hopefully, DeSantis can stick to his tasks. Meanwhile, everyone else enlivens and pulls Pittsburgh into the future with a sense of long-term hope. I think that the real burden of the 2007 mayor's race isn't upon the backs of either DeSantis nor Ravenstahl. Rather, it is with the leaders of all sectors throughout the region.

Mark DeSantis could be the next mayor of Pittsburgh. Anything is possible. However, that milestone isn't the real goal we are called to accomplish this fall.

As listeners, here are a few of our duties:

1. Luke Ravenstahl needs to be discredited. Mark DeSantis can't do much of that.

2. Eduction and experience needs to be valued. DeSantis has it. Luke doesn't. We need to point that out.

3. One party domination needs to be terminated for the city. Opposition matters. Opposition comes in many shapes and sizes against oppressors.

4. The stage must be set for the showdown between DeSantis and Ravenstahl. Real audience hunger for repeated skirmishes must be vocalized. Daily events must be organized, promoted and flung.

5. Hard questions, follow-up, and pushing for depth and scope needs to occur. We can't settle for the same answers time and again. When Michael Lamb ran for mayor two years ago, he told of the selling of dog licenses by both the city and county. I heard Lamb's dog licenses script a hundred times. Yikes. Sustain the conversations.

6. Buzz about Pittsburgh needs to resonate. Dividing the city is fine -- if passion builds. Bring it on. Create moments of political boldness that take people out of their comfort zones.

7. Expect flaws. Deal with them. Don't let a few pimples derail DeSantis nor the efforts of restoring hope in the city. For example, I love Ron Paul as a 2008 presidential candidate. Of course, I don't agree with everything he says. But his platform is wonderful and I want you all to know about RonPaul2008.com.

8. Teamwork, above all else is mandatory. Without teamwork, the downward spiral continues and Pittsburgh will become a ghost town of one-party jerks who are clueless in matters of liberty and wealth creation. Candidates need teams. Teams need to interact. Leagues and legions need to get orders, make maneuvers and skirmish. All team efforts start with recruitment. Find out now, who is in and who is out.

9. Everything in life is about either protecting equity or else building equity. Pittsburgh in 2007 has little to protect. The capital budget of the city has been at ZERO for years. Now we must do something, grow, be aggressive, conduct outreach. Pittsburgh is at the brink. We have to swim upstream with all our might. Shift to overdrive.

It is his campaign, but it is our city.

This Week on The American Entreprenuer, radio show, podcast, on Saturday -- AM 1360.

This week, Ron Morris and The American Entrepreneur will feature the
following guests and topics:

Mark Desantis, who will be the Republican challenger to incumbent Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl in this November's Mayoral election for the city of Pittsburgh, will join Ron in studio to discuss his campaign, and the ideas he'll bring to the city's business community.

Ron has podcasts of past shows at TalkShoe.com. If you look there you'll find a prior interview with Luke Ravenstahl. Later in his rants, he mentions the interview.

Channel crossing a tribute to friend

Channel crossing a tribute to friend Channel crossing a tribute to friend

Brent McAuliffe, right, will try to become the first Pennsylvanian to swim across the England Channel in mid-July. He is doing it to raise funds for Marissa Boyan, left, who has been battling a brain tumor for seven years.

Pittsburgh - On Your Mark … - Mayoral candidate Mark DeSantis prepares to run a race no one thinks a Republican can win - Main Feature - Main Feature

Pittsburgh - On Your Mark … - Mayoral candidate Mark DeSantis prepares to run a race no one thinks a Republican can win - Main Feature - Main Feature - Pittsburgh City Paper On Your Mark -- Mayoral candidate Mark DeSantis prepares to run a race no one thinks a Republican can win"

On Your Mark is the title of my podcast, by the way.

Funny how DeSantis jumped into the campaign on June 26, yet the write in election was May 15. Then go ahead and talk about 'standing still.'

He does sway when he speaks when standing. That's something that a few Toastmasters sessions would help to fix.

There it is -- the 'sacrificial lamb' -- label. Give it a rest. Time to eat gyros again.

The moral obligation to pin upon Luke for the next five years is three years too long. The next election will be in two years. This November we elect a mayor for a short term, a two-year term. It would be good to know what the hell you're running for.

I'm not sure if DeSantis is a "political outsider" or not. Good research in the article. Well done C.D.

How is your Russian? Sochi to host 2014 Winter Olympics

SI.com - Sochi beats South Korean city for '14 Winter Olympics Backed by the Russian president's personal lobbying, charisma and government support, the Black Sea resort of Sochi was elected Wednesday as the host city of the 2014 Winter Games.

Sochi defeated the South Korean city of Pyeongchang by four votes in the final round of a secret ballot by the International Olympic Committee, taking the Winter Games to Russia for the first time.

The kids that are 7 now will be 14 then.

The 4th of July by Glenn Beck

Celebrating Our Independence, and the Men & Women Who Make it PossibleThe Fourth of July is the day that we as Americans celebrate our independence. And while it's come to be a holiday that usually means fireworks, cookouts and time spent with family, we must never forget who we have to thank for that freedom to rest and relax: The troops. America's independence was achieved and continues to be maintained by the brave men and women who volunteer for the armed forces. When they step up and put on a uniform, they put themselves in harm's way...risking the ultimate sacrifice so that you and I can live a quality of life that is the envy of the entire world. I can remember a time in this country when a word like "patriotism" got people rolling their eyes at you, treating a love for your country as an outdated, nostalgic notion. Sadly, it took a tragedy like the 9-11 attacks to remind us of what our parents and grandparents knew far better and never forgot: Our nation is rare and precious—because of that, she is also vulnerable and must be protected and loved. We cannot afford to be indifferent or complacent because our enemies see our restraint and compassion as a weakness-we have been challenged once again, and I'm proud to say that America continues to stand tall. Since the 9-11 attacks, we as a nation have new-found respect for our men and women in uniform...I'm just sorry it took such a vicious wake-up call to remind us what we should keep in our hearts and minds all along. Other nations need to make military service mandatory-in this country, we stand as the world's lone superpower because those with the right stuff stand up and choose to carry a gun and stand a post. We have the most powerful military on the planet and it's not because of weapons and technology-it's due to the character and commitment of our fighting men and women. A gun isn't noble, brave or courageous...but the American carrying it is. Let us not forget that we are at nation at war-some of those fights have been declared (like the struggle in Iraq and Afghanistan), and some are happening more subtly, as with the growing threat of Iran and rogue terrorist states the world over. No one hates war more than a soldier-just ask one. But at the same time, no one knows better than a soldier that sometimes a fight is what's needed to save lives in the long run. Yes, July 4th we celebrate our independence, so let's take special time today to think of those in uniform both here and abroad. It's the least we can do for those who selflessly give the most. We are who we are because of them, and I for one am eternally grateful. -glenn

Crafton Celebrates 5K run and new biathlon, a success

We did it.

I'll get more 'official results' soon, but I've got some house work done to prep for our 4th of July party first.

The 5K run was a bit long. The distance was 3.5, not 3.1 miles. But, 110 runners and walkers participated. In 2006, there wasn't a race. This year was a revival of past years.

In the future, we'll have to have a race that goes 3.1 miles -- exactly. I promised that to Grant.

Seven athletes did the biathlon. YEAH!

In the competition with the running mates, Grant and Erik, I WON the 5K run. But, I got third in the 1K swim. Overall, Erik was first, then me, then Grant.

Official Results and New Course Records:

Key: Athlete (age-gender), Run/Walk time for the 3.5 miles (5K+) + Swim time for the 1K (1,000 meters / 44 lengths of 25 yard pool) = Total Biathlon Time

Chris Popovich (female): 27.22 + 17:56 = 45:18

Erik Rauterkus (12-male): 32.53 + 15.48 = 48:41

Mark Rauterkus (48-male): 31.28 + 19:24 = 50:52

Grant Rauterkus (9-male): 38.50 + 18:37 = 57:27

Sharon Gaitens (female): 50.24 (walker) + 18:50 = 1:09:14

Suzie Kozy (female): 60.05 (walker) + 20:12 = 1:20:17

Fin Swim Category:

Mary Luxbacher (female): 57.17 (walker) + 18:21 (with fins) = 1:15:38

We'll need to expand upon the fin swim and swim assist category. I love that as a competitive distinction. Next year, we'll advertise it far and wide.

It was a great experience. The boys and I loved our morning. The running award distribution concluded at 9:30. We went to the swim pool from 9:30 to 10:30, just as we expected.

Feminist Wire Daily Newsbriefs: U.S. and Global News Coverage

We make national news in this Ms. magazine published bit.

Feminist Wire Daily Newsbriefs: U.S. and Global News Coverage PA Activists Take Action on Promotions of Domestically Violent Police Officers

Women's rights activists in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania have galvanized over the recent promotion of three police officers with histories of domestic violence. Despite admitting that he was aware of one of the promoted officers' violent record, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced on Friday that he will not demote any of the three officers.

At least we are not Canton. (Read the article.)

You gotta Regatta. You gotta be joking?

What's up with the Regatta?

Is there one, really?

What gives?

I understand Point State Park is closed. (Dumb spending.) But is there really a Regatta? Is this an 'off year' such that it should have been called off until next year?

My next race is ....

We are set to hit it hard for my next race.

I was going to put this into an email blast, but my blog is good enough.

My next race is with my sons -- as we'll do the Crafton Celebrates 5K run and then hop into the swim pool for a 1K swim. It is a first ever biathlon. Two trials, same morning and I've got two nasty competitors.

From Frick-swim

There is NO WAY I'll win. Erik, 12, is the favorite. I'm fighting for respectability and a shot at 3rd among the three of us. It would be the same in the November 2007 mayor's race too. Oh, well... It is great family building.

From Erik

Predictions welcomed.

Last year, Grant (now 9) and I did 5Ks at Brookline Breeze and the Great Race. He did a 38 and then a 35. I ran with him on both. But, he out sprinted me at the finish. Throughout, he was a mule and I was a ram. It wasn't about 'grace.'

Well, a year makes a big difference in the life of a kid under 10. But, who knows what his attitude will be like.

We're up at 6 am (our regular time). And then we are at the park at 7 am. The 5K race starts at 8 am. We'll be done by 9. Then the pool is to open from 9:30 to 10:30 for the 1 K swim.

In the swim, last year, at Camp Chikopi, in the 1 mile open water swim, I beat Grant by less than 1 minute. Erik was about 9 minutes ahead of me.

The boys are in very good shape. I'm not. But, attitude and experience -- as well as plain old pride and bribes, are going to count for something. Erik might not be so keen on stepping out on his own. It may depend upon the girls in the vicinity as to what he does in the road race.

From Erik

My predictions among my main running mates:

5K run:
Erik = 31 min
Mark = 32 min
Grant = 39 min

1K swim:
Erik = 13:20
Grant = 15:50
Mark = 17:00

Biathlon totals:
Erik = 44:20
Mark = 49:
Grant = 54:50

Trouble is, Grant could go 39 on the run -- or he could go 45 on the run. Or, he could go 29 on the run. No joke. He is untested. Check back around noon to learn of the outcomes. I hope the weather holds.

From Grant

And, you too can be a part of one or both races. Cost is just $8 for the 5K.

Next year, this will be big! This year, we'll be there to establish new course records.

Liberty Dollar goes with a Ron Paul coin - check it out.

Liberty Dollar Commemorating Independence Day!

In celebration of The 4th of July, 2007 you are invited - even urged - to flex your independence with the Volunteer Network's 'secret weapon' - the Ron Paul Dollar bringing new meaning to the U.S. Mint's 'Presidential Dollars' and symbolizing the Congressman's values. WOW! Now the Internet's favorite Presidential candidate has his own money to help turbo-charge his shot at the White House.

Impossible, you think? Long shot? Dark horse? Think again. This election is different. Want to stand this Presidential election on its head? Well guess what? As utterly amazing as it may seem, we the people, could actually get Ron Paul nominated. Why? Because there are so many Republican liars running for President and the field is so fractionized, that a classic dark house candidate could win. And that is amazing!

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board says the Gambling application for Monroeville is in play

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced that as of today it has received four applications for the two available Category 3 licenses permitting the operation of up to 500 slot machines at a resort hotel. Applications were to be postmarked no later than June 29, 2007.

The following submitted applications:

CE-Palace, LP, a/k/a the Palace Inn -- The Palace Inn has 278 guest rooms and is located at the intersection of William Penn Highway and Mosside Boulevard in Monroeville, Allegheny County.

Monroeville as a gambling headquarters. Humm...

Ron Paul interview

Talking about parenting, internet, government regulation, youth, grass-roots, timing of primary elections.

Hogan's second book due soon

Hogan Hilling, a fellow proud dad, wrote to me with some news:

Mark,

My second book “The Modern Mom’s Guide To Dads” is scheduled for release in September 2007. I co-authored the book with a mom, Jesse Jayne Rutherford.

View the cover and learn more.

Hogan Hilling

Hogan and I were both stay at home dads. We met and interacted with hundreds of other dads around the nation and world with a wonderful network of other stay-at-home dads. To this day, those email lists (and there was more than one) and extended internet discussions were the best I've ever interacted with a subscription, postings and plain old lurking.

Hogan delivered a talk to the International Lamaze Conference when it came to Pittsburgh's Hilton a few years ago.

Ninth Grade Nation

Ninth Grade Nation Be the Change!

This seems wonderful.

A Dozen Show Up For Anti-War Rally

The Post Gazette reports that about a dozen people showed up for the Anti-War "Let's cheer on the Insurgence" Rally.

Of course the ONE person who protested the protest was described as a guy in a pickup truck.

We'll see what happens with TV news coverage. I'm still most proud of being at the Support the Troops rally at Point State Park a few years ago.

It's just too bad that Jerry Bowyer isn't on the air anymore. He would have been perfect to arrange another Support the Troops Rally.

Again, and I re-iterate, people are more than free to protest anything they want...this remains without question the greatest country on the planet. Just have some respect and not do it in the Independence Day news cycle.

100 year old house, right next to the Crafton swim pool and park -- what a find

Only in Pittsburgh can you get this:

A 7 bedroom 2 1/2 bath home. This is a 3 story home with a beautiful staircase and three stained glass windows. It has wood floors throughout. There are two mantels with fireplaces that are not functional. The upstairs bathroom has a large claw foot tub. It borders Crafton park and pool. It has a garage and a shed. The house was built around 1907. The furnace is new and the fuses have been replaced with an electrical panel. The roof is also fairly new and in good shape. There is a wood burning stove on the first floor. The front porch has a great swing. The asking price is $119,900. Please call Sandy Caine 412-922-4778 with any questions.

The address is on a tree-lined Stueben Street. An little D.Q.-ish (ice cream) stand in a short block away. A H.S. baseball diamond is on the other side of the street in the park.

Boosting tourism funds spurs hot debate point

This is bad.

Boosting tourism funds spurs hot debate point Area lawmakers are at odds over a proposal to shift about $1.6 million in funding from Allegheny County libraries, recreation and cultural programs to fund Pittsburgh tourism.

The hotly debated proposal passed through the House Urban Affairs Committee last week on a 15-7 vote.

Sponsored by state Rep. Thomas Petrone, D-Crafton Heights, the bill calls for VisitPittsburgh, Allegheny County's official tourism agency, to get 2 percent of funds that the Allegheny Regional Asset District receives each year as its share of the county sales tax.

Globally, I'm in favor of a complete re-do of the RAD tax. The RAD tax (Regional Asset District) is bad for Allegheny County. However, we need to re-think it from scratch.

Otherwise, if we can't do a re-do and 'think again' about the RAD tax, then it is bad public policy to take money from the RAD funds and pass them to the tourist organizations.

I'd much rather do things for people who LIVE, WORK, INVEST and RESIDE here rather than tourists who live some place else.

I don't want to give more money to the Convention Center. Rather, we should sell the Convention Center and get it off the backs of the public and the taxpayers.

I'm with John Maher and strongly opposed to Tom Petrone's bill.

iPhone and Ron Paul

Ron Paul Campaign First to Provide iPhone Platform

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA – The Ron Paul 2008 presidential campaign today became the first campaign to launch an iPhone platform. This new platform will allow iPhone users to access the campaign’s Web 2.0 applications, such as social networking tools and online videos, directly from their iPhones.

"The iPhone is an exciting technology that will help us reach potential voters across the country," states eCampaign director Justine Lam. "The Ron Paul campaign continues to utilize new technologies to spread Dr. Paul’s message of freedom, peace and prosperity."

Terra Eclipse of Santa Cruz, California designed this special platform for the Ron Paul campaign. "Our web development team has built a robust tool that will allow iPhone-equipped volunteers to bring Ron Paul’s online popularity into offline households in key early primary states," says Wyatt Hull, creative director of Terra Eclipse.

The Ron Paul 2008 iPhone platform is available at www.ronpaul2008.com/iphone .

Tux Paint has a new upgrade. Got kids -- then get this.

Children's software that rocks.

Tux Paint Tux Paint is a free, award-winning drawing program for children ages 3 to 12 (preschool and K-6). It combines an easy-to-use interface, fun sound effects, and an encouraging cartoon mascot who guides children as they use the program.

Where Have All The Heroes Gone?

It’s always a little disappointing to see anti-war protests like the one scheduled below, as they almost exclusively feature folks who have nothing going on in the middle of the day, other than have plenty of time to burn at misguided rallies. It’s possible I’d would have more reverence for a group of responsible business and community leaders—not drinking from the public through by the way—which would call for immediate pullouts. That just doesn’t happen.
The scheduled event will be highlighted with a veteran who calls the War in Iraq “reckless.” Nothing in the press release mentions his agenda, but don’t fret, as there is one. Let’s not hear the “he’s a Patriot for standing up against the administration,” as a July 3rd hate speech is the opposite of productive.
To hold such nonsense right before Independence Day is a slap in the face of our men and women overseas and on our own soil. I’ll even use the old chestnut: “They fight so you can protest.”
It is sad that we don’t have a whole lot of “heroes” being showcased in 2007. Marvel Comics killed off Captain America, surely in a thinly veiled way to tweak the Bush Administration for a war that some call unnecessary (I say let the experts do what they know best. Defending this country militarily isn’t in my comfort zone). Even John Rambo was originally supposed to come back and put a boot to Osama Bin Laden’s neck, but instead he will now be slitting the innards of a nameless goon in a little-known jungle somewhere.
Popular culture used to champion our troops, but now there’s barely a peep in support for them.
World Wrestling Entertainment, which made untold fortunes in the 80’s with Cold War Heroes like Hulk Hogan praising the Red, White and Blue. Rival AWA had Sgt. Slaughter vanquishing evil foes. Today, only WWE exists and a Red, White and Blue standard bearer is nowhere to been found. In fact, those heroes might be booed today, what with guys like John Murtha and Ron Paul turning their backs on Good Old Fashioned American Resolve for their own personal plan. Murtha needed a way to cement his legacy of pabulum; meanwhile, Dr. Paul needed something to set the Internet world afire (despite the fact that nearly none of his supporters are Republicans who would be able to vote for him. Republicans are “not cool” to the slackersomethings). Yes, I’m especially hard on Paul, as he’s not a bad guy and I actually agree with some of his other initiatives, but when Bill Maher is pimping your platform and getting applause from his uber-out-of-touch crowd, my pro-military/America stomach churns just a little bit.
Stallone’s other character, the more popular Rocky Balboa even wore Apollo Creed’s flag-emblazoned trunks to the ring when he faced off against Ivan Drago.
If I had my druthers, Captain America would be back stronger than ever, defending the nation’s patriotic causes in comic books that would be sent free-fo-charge overseas to our men and women who want to see unwavering support and not imprudent grandstanding.
We are seeing car bombs being set off in London. Don’t think for a second that if we take our foot off the accelerator, someone will figure out a way to blow a car bomb up here. There have been several foiled attempts to destroy something near and dear to our hearts in America since 9/11. Of course, under-employed protesters don’t care about such issues when there’s an opportunity to sit on the sidewalk and sing protest ditties.
Where are the true American heroes? It’s clear that they are the men and women who proudly serve our country without a complaint. They are the ones who will return to our land, and lead us into the future. Remember, Cindy Sheehan’s own family disowned her for her grandiose pomposity, but you don’t hear much about that.
Happy Independence Day everybody. And God Bless our American Heroes.

Local Vets blast the war and to hold protest before PA Congressman's office in Mt. Lebo

Running mates, check out this protest on the war. Attend if you can. I'd like to go but will be at swim practice.

Local Vet Blasts War - Help us Put Pressure on Rep. Tim Murphy to End the War

Be there, 7/3/2007 10:30 am to tell US Rep., Tim Murphy, R, it is time to abandon the Bush war policy! On Tuesday, 7/3, we will rally from 10:30 to 10:45. At 10:45, a local Iraq Veteran will speak about the reckless war policy. From 11:00 to 12:00, we will conduct a peace vigil on the sidewalk.

Help us put pressure on Tim Murphy to end this war!!!

Dress patriotic!! We will start celebrating our independence early and remind Tim Murphy who he works for!!

Any questions call Caleb at 202-486-8607

Location:
504 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon - Murphy's local office

Quiz: Why do we welcome Tuvalu and Montegro?

What's up with Tuvalu and Montegro?

See the comments for an answer.

Carbolic Smoke Ball

Carbolic Smoke Ball MAYOR WANTS OFFICERS TO ATTEND ANGER MANAGEMENT CLASSES

FOP WANTS MAYOR TO ATTEND CITY MANAGEMENT CLASSES

Ron Paul 2008 - Gets shut out of debate and trumphs the show from next door.

The sideshow in the GOP circus just out-flanked all the others.

Ron Paul 2008 Ron Paul Speaks to 1,000 in Iowa

DES MOINES, IOWA – Presidential candidate Ron Paul held a rally today celebrating life and liberty at the Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines, Iowa. The event was held immediately after and next door to a Republican candidates forum sponsored by the Iowa Christian Alliance and Iowans for Tax Relief.

Dr. Paul was the only GOP candidate excluded from the forum, so his campaign organized an event of its own. Despite being planned in less than a week, Dr. Paul's event singlehandedly outdrew the other forum and its six participating candidates by several hundred attendees.

'Today, Ron Paul demonstrated how deeply his message of freedom and limited government is resonating across the nation,' said campaign manager Lew Moore.

Dr. Paul, addressing a packed room, received thunderous applause many times and as well as several standing ovations. Observers believe that this event was the biggest rally for a Republican candidate in Iowa during this campaign cycle.

'Ron Paul has generated more grassroots excitement and support than any other candidate in the race,' continued Moore. 'The campaign is building on this momentum around the country as we drive toward the nomination.'

Ron Paul came into Pittsburgh on his way to Iowa, with a media crew. A photo ran in the P-G in front of his house.

Meeting in Belvue with Ron Paul supporters

Click here to check out
The Pittsburgh and Western PA Ron Paul 2008 Meetup Group!

MoveOn.org Political Action on 7-7-07

I was going to host a MoveOn.org meeting at our house on 7-7-07, a party for the planet. But, thankfully, some others have come aboard.

MoveOn.org Political Action: "Live Earth

South Side - Pittsburgh
07 Jul, 7:00 PM
Handicap accessible.
No Pets.
Smoke free.
Location: Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Host: Steve Root / Louise Silk
Status: Public, open for RSVP, 5 Guests (Max 20)"

I'm going to opt out of hosting my event then.

Blow a certain trumpet - Trib headline

From texture - misc.

Blow a certain trumpet - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Just as you have to break a few eggs to make that proverbial omelet, any reform-minded Pittsburgh mayoral candidate telling the truth will have to step on some toes. Actually, a lot of toes. And a lot of egos:"

Sadly, the biggest toes to jam upon are those at the Trib. The watchdog needs a big kick to awaken. The watchdog is not only sleeping, but also filling his landscape with waste.

The Trib is the first place that needs to get serious with coverage, issues, and politcal vision.

To look at the list from Colin, you'll find I agree with him as I've done the walk.

1. I've blasted developers, development deals, the URA and other mindless, costly, unproductive, undemocratic, unconstitutional happenings in our region. TIFs should end. Public dollars should not be used for things beyond roads, sewers and such.

2. I've blasted the nongovernmental organizations and elite weenies like few others. The South Side Local Development Corporation -- for starters -- here in my doorstep -- is a joke. The Planning Department, the Riverlife Task Force that didn't allow us to talk about the river's edge between the stadiums, etc., etc. The Allegheny Conference is poison to Pittsburgh.

3. The oversight boards are usless. Yes. And, I've called for the removal of the overlords. I've asked that they not be welcomed. Getting them out of town needs to be one of our very highest priorities in terms of vision and efforts in the week and seasons to come. I've called for them to meet. I've called for them to do different tasks. I've gone to their meetings and they've done nothing to help Pittsburgh except protect their own survival.

4. The organized labor stranglehold that the Trib calls upon DeSantis to break is funny. First, check to see if the unions have a pulse. Putting finger to the neck to feel for the beating blood from the heart so as to take a pulse might be called a choke hold to others. Frankly, it makes no sense to have government (in this case, the mayor -- or yet a candidate for mayor) be called out by an editor to strangle unions and organized labor. Better sense and actions would be for the strangle to be leveraged against the Trib's editors. But, I'm not in favor of anyone doing harm or calling for it. The unions are what they are. And, that ain't much.

For if the trumpet you say you're ready to blow should give an uncertain sound, expect few to join your battle.

Great hogwash Colin.

Last Place Pennsylvania

Lebanon Daily News - Getting up to speedPennsylvania is the last remaining state to fully grasp the power and utility of the Internet as a means of connecting citizens to government.

Some might think, given the state’s pitiful open-records laws, that those in power aren’t all that fired up about giving people access to the halls of power. Some might think that those populating those places of power have something they’re trying to protect — or hide. Some might quite possibly be right.

This is why we need to elect some people who are keen to making online advances for the sake of public knowledge.

New Native American Swimming Championships slated for Colorado

The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Four Corners Aquatic Team-Towaoc, in Towaoc, Colorado is putting out an invite for a new swimming meet that is exclusively for Native American swimmers. Contact: uteswim@yahoo.com

The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe would like to take this opportunity to invite all swimmers of Native American descent to compete in the first ever championship-type USA Swimming meet held exclusively for Native American swimmers: The First Annual Native American Swimming Championships, to be held in Towaoc, CO on July 20-22, 2007.

The intent is to create an annual championship meet that will serve to crown champions who are of Native American descent – a National Championship – so to speak!

The meet will be conducted as an “Approved Meet,” under the auspices of Colorado Swimming Inc. and USA Swimming. Those rules for competition will apply, and the competition will be officiated by certified USA Swimming officials. Swimmers need NOT be registered with USA Swimming in order to be eligible to compete.

We are also pleased to announce that some wonderful lodging arrangements have been made for our guests. At the Ute Mountain Hotel, Resort, and Restaurant, rooms are available for just $35/night (rate good for reservations made through July16th). A limited number of rooms are available, so be sure to make your reservations right away. Call 970-564-2500. Be sure to ask for the Native Swim rate.

Our meet information is also attached, along with the Hytek event template for email entries. Should you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me at the above addresses.

So why not be a part of history? We would love to see you here in the land of the Utes! Hope you can attend.

Dick Taylor, Meet Director

In New Zealand, there is a rugby team that is open only to those who have Maori blood, (see Maori). The team is called the Maori All Blacks -- go figure. The team is the third best squad after the All Blacks and the Junior All Blacks. It plays international test matches all the time, much like an all-star team.

Amy Carol Webb gets some buzz with her songs and music in competitions

Great news today comes from a singer/songwriter and dear friend, Amy Carol Webb.

From Amy Carol Webb

She posted:

Unisong International 11th Annual Songwriting Competition just announced its 2007 winners and I'm THREE of them! Yep -- finalist in two categories and third in another. Here's the scoop!

"With You Without You" -- finalist in AAA/Americana
"Narrow Places" -- finalist in Topical/Political

and ...

"Lay the Shovel Down" -- Third Place in the L.U.N.C.H. category.

The L.U.N.C.H. category is for social issues songs, which is teamed up with the L.U.N.C.H. Project [Local United Network to Combat Hunger], which continues the legacy of Harry Chapin! Doncha love the synchronicity!

Upcoming, there will be a "People's Choice" award on-line, so I'll send out that link and info when it's launched!

Here's to a wonderful weekend -- and I am ever grateful for your support, encouragement and enthusiasm for this music we love so much!

DesMoinesRegister.com reports on Tom Murphy's latest antics

Look out Iowa. Tom Murphy, Pittsburgh's mayor who nearly killed the city of Pittsburgh, is pushing for the cultural elite and new taxes.

DesMoinesRegister.com Ex-Pittsburgh mayor pushes for 'Destiny'
A tax increase would help cultural attractions flourish and would keeps jobs filled with young Iowans, he says.

When king's and their kingdom's covered the lands, the arts were able to flourish at the bequest of the throne. Court jesters, chamber music, salon musicians, and other cultural benefits thrived with a subsidy of the king. In turn, the kings, queens and people of the city enjoyed these cultural attractions.

However, consider the outcome when "cultural attractions" are put on a scale and measured next to another important attraction, i.e., "freedom." There is no comparison.

People will choose to die for the cause of freedom. Freedom and liberty rock the will and the spirit all people everywhere.

Great culture can happen along with oppression. Culture can go hand in hand with taxes. As taxes increase, freedom declines. In turn, the people notice and vote with their feet. They leave.

Tom Murphy has nothing to offer the people of Iowa, or anywhere else. As government chooses to back the arts, cultural attractions and regional elitism, expect one-way tickets to despair.

The Yes to Destiny sales tax is a joke. Don't fall for it. Tom Murphy is nothing but a court jester for hire.

Tom Murphy knows nothing about what really moves American society -- freedom.

Back the arts all you want -- with private efforts, not government supported taxes.

We love the arts. We back the arts. Music runs through to the highest degree.

Pittsburgh has a ballet that plays to recorded music. The orchestra was all laid off. Now the Nutcracker is danced to CD. There are a couple of productions where there is an orchestra. The "cultural district" in Pittsburgh has been more interested in doing real estate deals than really working on the arts. When the government officials play cultural gatekeepers, the cultural gatekeepers have to fill the void and become policy makers. When governmental officials play developer and use their master plans to try to impact what should occur in the marketplace, then the developers are the one's who pull the strings for public policy, again filling the need.

Public officials need to focus on freedom, liberty, defending the constitution. Everyone has a role to play. Don't let the public officials stray into arts funding. It is wrong. And, it doesn't work.

Tonight they'll play a major league baseball game in a public ballpark. The Pirates play at PNC Park -- a venue built and owned by the public -- not the baseball team. And the fans are staging a walkout in the third inning. Everyone in the region is disgusted with the baseball team, its ownership, the amount that they 'invest' into the operations. The team is a joke in terms of competitiveness. The team is one of the most profitable ones in baseball. However, the fans are getting a giant rip-off.

Tom Murphy gave sugar-daddy deals to the sports teams in Pittsburgh. This was justified, in part, to keep people in the region. Well, it didn't work. More people are moving away. The population decline continues in its downward spiral.

People move to places without baseball teams, without cultural attractions, without taxes. People move to places where government officials have their priorities straight and worry about public matters -- not the elite, cultural and unimportant.

Iowa should tell Tom Murphy to exit. We did. His type isn't welcome here any longer.

Iowa should go listen to Ron Paul. He'll make mention of a few more pressing matters that need the attention of elected policy makers and stewards of public matters.

Pirate walk out on Walk's Bobble-head night

We've been talking a bit about what we'd do if we were at the game and a walkout was called for by the fans.

From family - travels

I told my sons I'd be out of my seat.

The entire buzz about the game and protest is interesting to witness. Reactions welcomed.

My wish -- have the Pittsburgh Pirates buy PNC Park. Have the Pittsburgh Steelers buy Heinz Field. Sell those venues to the teams. Get ownership off the backs of the public.

From Grant

Text: Mayor's letter on police promotions

Text: Mayor's letter on police promotions The promotion of these police officers and the resulting controversy has provided us all an opportunity to see how flawed the City's long-standing system is for officer promotion.

Today I will start implementing several reforms to address this situation in the future. I am announcing a new policy that will set a standard of zero tolerance for domestic abuse.

The buck stops there.

Zero tolerance is for those who don't want to think.

Those who can't think again are not well suited for public office.

This is wrong on many levels.

For starters, the reform and future fix resides within the present, mandatory domestic violence. Great double-speak. A supplement to the mandatory training goes an extra inch, perhaps. Relief is sure to come from all concerned now.

Next, they'll conduct actual reviews of candidates. Before they must have just drawn straws. Could not have pulled names from a hat as then there would have been a 'written record.'No written recommendation by the review panel is submitted to the Chief now. That's why they must draw straws -- or else flip coins. The "rock, paper, scissors" options would have counted as documentation to them I imagine.

A list of "disqualifiers" is going to be made. Even Santa Claus checks his list twice to find out the naughty and nice. Our new reforms are going to bring us in line with North Pole like scrutiny. These disqualifiers COULD eliminate a candidate from consideration for promotion, or they could NOT. Sounds less like a disqualifier and more like a finger wagging.

Even eight-year-old swimmers in a competitive team understand what a disqualification means. When police could look the other way, then it is fair to say we've got a resounding enforcement issue.

Enforcement is always a top concern, along with parking, at community meetings these days. Enforcement could be a problem because what could occur and what should result is never clear. Crooked ways dominate.

An internal panel of senior supervisors are going to be the one's to examine themselves. This is peer review. This is just what we don't need from the Police. This would sustain bad behaviors. This is why we have a citizens police review board -- because the police are often at odds with reality when it comes to the management of each other in police affairs. The police gang have a code. The police networks are complicated, deep and standard for the job at hand.

Again, the mayor is passing the buck by putting more weight onto a panel of senior supervisors. The mayor is the city's most senior -- err -- top supervisor. The guy or gal at the top needs to be 'in charge.'

These are LUKE's works, not the reporter's transcriptions of things that may or may not have been said. Luke's letter has serious holes in each paragraph. The logic and outcomes are worthy for the trash.

What procedure is going to more closely track all Police Officer incidents?

The whole holistic approach sorta falls flat with mandates, when necessary.

The shift of burden onto the officers to avail themselves to this and that is but another way to say that the mayor is passing the buck to them. This is Luke's problem now. Luke didn't do the oversight when it was needed. The domestic violence is bad but the cluelessness from the mayor is worse.

Once again, Luke gets the city into a legal problem. Prudence is not on Luke's side.

Look, Luke looked at the rules of the city! Did he listen to the 'acting city solicitor?'

So, again, we have some enforcement here -- and some lack of enforcement there. Works for them, but not for others. This is ignored while that is followed.

If the city rules are obsolete, why didn't Luke change them when he was President of City Council? Why didn't the obsolete rules get fixed in the first weeks of the mayor's new administration. Why are we only here this as an excuse now -- when there is little else to put the blame other than on himself.

It is time that all zero tolerance policies be revoked.

It is time that all leaders (especially the mayor) take deliberate steps to manage, promote and demote people with integrity -- without needing to make 'hard decisions.' This is another 'no win' opportunity. We've got too many no-win choices because there is a lack of wisdom on Grant Street.

It is time that the city embrace pro-active leadership that goes beyond the same, stale Dem. Party Machine.

National Fatherhood Initiative Job Posting - DC based

Looking for a cool job with a nonprofit? Here is a posting that might catch your attention.

National Fatherhood Initiative ::: NFI Jobs Position Title: Director of Corporate Relations (DCR)
Status: Full-time, Exempt
Location: Gaithersburg, MD (National Fatherhood Initiative Headquarters) strongly preferred, although tele-commuting is possible
Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays, as well as occasional evenings and weekends
Travel: Variable -- might average 15-20% of time

Ravensthal will not reverse police promotions - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Ravensthal will not reverse police promotions - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Full speed ahead.

Meanwhile, the building of the new arena took a stumble today on the air with Marty Griffin. Seems the funds are not as available as they were hoped. Such a scam and mess of public trust and purpose.

OpenOffice Sports All-Around Improvements

OpenOffice Sports All-Around Improvements Time to get or update the WIN software called OpenOffice.org.

Scorched Earth. To the victor goes the spoils -- NOT. Blowback of Pgh Dems with envy and attitudes.

The weekly free newspaper called the South Pittsburgh Reporter had a rather long article about the recent behaviors of lame-duck city councilman, Jeff Koch. Mr. Koch is a Democrat who lost his bid to resume as the party's endorsed candidate for the general election. A four-year term goes up for election on November 6, 2007, for city -council district 3. Jeff Koch won't be on the ballot.

But some of the groups that were expecting some cash from the city council's office -- think WALKING AROUND MONEY, have been given a snub. And, the snubbing is clearly because of Jeff's recent loss at the polls.

Go figure. We've got Dems who promise and don't deliver. We've got Dems who are quick to spend money that comes from the taxpayers. We've got citizens who are silenced -- or else. We've got nonprofit groups that show their greed.

Councilman pulls funding for area community groups

Councilman Jeff Koch has changed the funding to nearly a dozen community groups receiving money from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

For at least the second time in his short tenure, Councilman Koch has used his discretion with CDBG funding to withdraw promised money to some community organizations and award those funds to others.

On Wednesday, June 13, 2007, the councilman proposed legislation that rescinded funding from: Allentown Community Development Corp., $4,000; Beltzhoover Citizen�s Community Development Corp., $2,000; Federation of War Veterans, $2,000; St. Clair Athletic Assoc., $2,000; South Side Local Development Co., $2,000; and, the Urban Mountain Gathering Place, $2,500.

The same legislation increases CDBG funding to the Beltzhoover Neighborhood Council, $2,000; the Beltzhoover Neighborhood Council Cheerleaders, $1,000; My Brothers Keeper, $2,000; the South Side Athletic Assoc., $3,000; and, South Side Saber's Youth Football Assoc., $3,000.

The additional amounts increase the amounts for each of the athletic associations to $8,000 for this year, a total of $7,000 for the two Beltzhoover neighborhood groups and $5,000 for My Brothers Keeper.

When questioned about the changes last week, the councilman admitted that at least two of the reductions in funding were related to the organization's board members supporting Mr. Koch's opponent in the last election.

When Councilman Koch was asked about the changes he said that the Beltzhoover Citizen's CDC owed "$80,000 in back taxes" and he wasn't giving them any more money.

According to the Allegheny County Website, the BCCDC owes approximately $3,900 in back taxes on three vacant lots and three buildings including the Hilltop Health Center on Climax Street.

Connie Wellons of the BCCDC explained that some of the back taxes are a mistake that they are working to clear up. She said the organization has paid some of the taxes in the past to "keep (the properties) off the sheriff�s block."

She said one of the properties in question, 121 Climax Street was originally purchased to be used for the Hilltop Health Center. It was later found to be too small for the center�s purposes.

Ms. Wellons said the building is now slated to be demolished by the city, with the BCCDC reimbursing the city for the work.

"What he's trying to do, is divide two organizations in a small community," she added.

Ms. Wellons said she would have preferred that the councilman has come to the organization and "help us" instead of reducing the funding.

"Jeff Koch is not the most honorable of politicians that we know," she said.

In reducing the South Side Local Development Company's allotment from $2,000 to $0, Councilman Koch said the Mayor�s Office was providing money to the organization and he didn't feel the need to give them any more.

According to SSLDC officials, the organization is receiving funding from the Mayor�s Office this year in the amount of $10,000. It was noted that this was the first time or at least in recent history, that the mayor has provided funding for the 25-year-old South Side organization.

The councilman's explanation for cutting the funding to the Urban Mountain Gathering Place, a non-profit gathering place on Mount Washington whose mission is to support at-risk children in the neighborhood, was simply that he "didn't think they benefited the community."

Mr. Koch said he reduced the Federation of War Veterans grant of $2,000 down to $0 because they hadn't used the money and it was just sitting there.

The councilman also increased the grants to several organizations. When questioned about increasing the grant for My Brothers Keeper, an out of district organization, from $3,000 to $5,000, Mr. Koch said the organization would be operating a program in Beltzhoover this year.

Last week, the largest increases for the biggest total came to the South Side Sabers Youth Football Assoc. and the South Side Athletic Assoc.; both had their grants increased to $8,000. Mr. Koch explained that he increased their grants because they worked with kids and the previous councilman didn't provide funding to the groups.

A check of records indicates that during Councilman Gene Ricciardi's tenure, he provided the Sabers with $5,966 in CDBG funding and the South Side Athletic Assoc. with almost $17,500. In addition, the former councilman provided support for the organizations for South Side Park Baseball Field and Quarry Park through Public Works and Neighborhood Needs money.

The biggest surprises came when Councilman Koch admitted that the reductions to the St. Clair Athletic Association and the Allentown CDC were politically motivated.

Mr. Koch at first said that he cut funding for the St. Clair AA because the organization recently received $30,000 in city money. When it was pointed out that there is a difference in what CDBG funding could be used for compared to Neighborhood Needs money the councilman elaborated further on his decision.

He said that on Election Day, members of the St. Clair AA Board of Directors were working the polls when an Arlington resident whose mother had recently died came into the building. At this time according to Mr. Koch, one of the SCAA directors said that, "his mother would be turning in her grave if he voted for Jeff Koch."

Mr. Koch said the comment just wasn't right and gave it as the reason for cutting the funding.

Questioned about the $4,000 reduction in the Allentown CDC�s funding the councilman said that the group "had a lot of money sitting there for a long time and they were just recently starting to spend it."

Without prompting, Councilman Koch added that, "a lot of their board members worked against me in the last election�so I cut them."

The week prior to the election Allentown CDC vice president Ken Wolfe took photographs of a city Redd Up crew wearing political t-shirts on the job, a violation of the rules. In addition, Tom Smith, editor of the South Pittsburgh Reporter, serves as an officer on the A-CDC board and endorsed Mr. Koch's opponent in the primary election.

Neither man was acting on behalf of the A-CDC when they took their respective actions. The A-CDC took no position for any candidate in the election.

A-CDC president Judy Hackel reiterated that the organization took no position in the last election. She said that it was "inconsiderate" of Councilman Koch to take away the funding after the A-CDC had planned and budgeted for using the money.

Further review of the boards of directors for the organizations that had their funding cut turned up similarities, including board members who individually supported Mr. Koch�s opponent. The organizations that had their funding reduced didn't support one candidate over another in the election.

However, some of the organizations that received funding increases seemed to have ties to supporting Mr. Koch's reelection bid. The South Side Sabers and South Side Athletic Assoc. were both listed as having made contributions on campaign financial documents the councilman filed in his election bids. In addition, one of Mr. Koch�s staff, Dawn Jones, is a board member with the Beltzhoover Neighborhood Council.

CDGB money is used by community groups for a variety of purposes including but not limited to paying for utilities, supplies and equipment. In order for the funding to be utilized, the organizations must submit a budget, have that budget approved and submit receipts showing the organization has already spent the money before it is reimbursed.

Each of the nine city council representatives receive about $75,000 in Federal funding each year to distribute at their discretion using the CDBG guidelines. Although city council approval is needed to disburse the funds, generally the funds are distributed according to the individual council representative�s wishes.

Occasionally the funding is rescinded if the organizations leave the money "sit" for a long while without spending it. This process often takes years before the council representative acts.

According to city officials, the council representative must submit the requested changes for the CDBG funding to the director of the program in City Planning. The director drafts the legislation and submits it to city council for approval. After city council approves the changes the only notification that is required is for city planning to publish the changes in a legal notice. It is not required for the community groups to be notified that their funding has been changed.
- South Pittsburgh Reporter Editor

Great news reporting to the South Pittsburgh Reporter. But, make no mistake, the South Pittsburgh Reporter has been happy to endorse the D opponent of Jeff Koch. Before the special election in March of 2006 a "news" / "editorial" ran that was suspect in my opinion.

Pittsburgh - Police Statement - For Ravenstahl, trust wearing thin on policing - Views - Potter's Field - Pittsburgh City Paper

The Told Ya theme is played again, this time with Chris Potter at Pgh City Paper concerning the police management folly.

Pittsburgh - Police Statement - For Ravenstahl, trust wearing thin on policing - Views - Potter's Field - Pittsburgh City Paper “Here’s a tip: If you want to prove you are your own man … hire a woman as [police] chief. ... If you want to rein in the cowboys, it can’t hurt to hire a few more girls.”

The Liberty Card - The Most Powerful Tool in the Freedom Movement.

The Liberty Card - The Most Powerful Tool in the Freedom Movement. Get the message out about Ron Paul!

Anyone can order these and help a Pittsburgh product.

Just-Healthcare.org

Just-Healthcare.org Representative Kathy Manderino to introduce 'THE FAMILY AND BUSINESS HEALTHCARE SECURITY ACT' in the Pennsylvania State House Thursday, June 28, 2007