Plan of Attack - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh Dave Adams' townhouse sits at the end of a quiet dead-end street in the East Hills. As he stands outside, a couple of young neighborhood girls run up to say hello. He greets them, pats their heads and sends them back to their yard to continue playing.
Despite the calm, 'You can go right out to the end of that block and buy all the drugs you want,' says Adams, the 48-year-old CEO and founder of the Conscience Group, a community think tank that works to solve community problems and issues. 'They used to drive their cars right down in here, until one day I told them to leave this area alone.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Plan of Attack - check out David Adams, city council district 9
This is the introduction we've been looking for.
A vote for new machines
Here is another Dan Onorato screw up. He did the wrong thing. He did the wrong thing despite others telling him what the right thing to do was.
A vote for new machines The panel charged with reviewing Allegheny County's voting system says the county should consider buying new machines if it can't adapt the existing ones.
But the members of the Allegheny County Citizens Elections System Advisory Panel have said that voting machine companies are changing products so quickly that it is best to watch the market for a while rather than doing anything immediately.
BABY TALK and the arrival of "The Golf Fairy"
BABY TALK: "luke worms around ethics. "Big blog posting. This blogger tries to make it to the end of the P-G article with a dance among Luke's twisted logic without exploding his head in the process.
"The only thing of value I received was knowing I played a small part in seeing the work of the foundation will continue," he said.
I hate to break it to you, Luke, but you played no part in seeing the work of the foundation continue. The continuing of the foundation's work comes from the money that golfers and sponsors pay to participate in the tournament. You, as you've already told us, couldn't afford to pay that kind of money. So UPMC and the Penguins paid it for you. Which means they played a small part in seeing that the work of the foundation will continue. You played golf and stalked celebrities and skipped public hearings. For free.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Carbolic Smoke Ball: PEDUTO JOINS FORCES WITH iJUSTINE FOR PITTSBURGH REFORM WEB SITE
Carbolic Smoke Ball: PEDUTO JOINS FORCES WITH iJUSTINE FOR PITTSBURGH REFORM WEB SITE: "Next up for the City Councilman: a Foreign Policy Think Tank with LonelyGirl15 and a couple of YouTube lip-syncers"
George Phillies for President | George Phillies
George Phillies for President | George Phillies George Phillies for President Most Americans know the truth. America is in deep trouble. We are on the wrong track.
* This year, the budget deficit is over $700 billion. We are selling our grandchildren into debt slavery.
* Civil liberties are collapsing. Bush Republicans ignore our civil rights.
America needs answers. The Libertarian Party has those answers: Answers true to our traditions. Answers that will bring us Peace, Freedom, and Prosperity.
Do you know what Bacn is? Hint: It is sorta like spam, but different.
The term got legs at Pittsburgh PodCamp 2.
Charles' Purchasing Certification Blog: How Bad Is Golfing With Suppliers?
Another blogger, but from another industry, Purchasing, sounds off on the Mayor's folly with ethics from on the golf course.
Charles' Purchasing Certification Blog: How Bad Is Golfing With Suppliers? Ravenstahl's 'but-mommy-said-it-was-OK' defense isn't exactly making him look real sharp right now.The take home message:
When I teach conflict of interest in purchasing, I always caution my students to avoid any real or perceived conflicts of interest. Even if certain activities with suppliers may not bias your decision-making, others may have the perception that they do. And that can be just as harmful to your internal influence as a real conflict of interest.
An update from Ron Paul, candidate for President of the United States
Not all the media are biased. A local newspaper in New Hampshire reported on an annual GOP bbq in the town of Hollis. It could be called "the Ron Paul show," they said, since the far bigger crowd that usual consisted mostly of our supporters. One volunteer even rented an airplane and flew a wonderful sign around the sky. What great, creative, self-starting people I'm meeting, at every stop, all of them united by a love of America and American freedom.
Politics is usually about division. But this campaign is just the opposite. Not only are our volunteers a bunch of happy warriors, but they also practice the virtues of tolerance and peace, just as they want the nation to do.
The other day, the state chairman of an opposing campaign (not in New Hampshire!), angrily tore a sign out of one of our supporter's hands and trashed it. Different people with different beliefs might have responded differently. But our people, though they'd been standing in the rain all day, applied the Golden Rule. It's because of quiet heroes that I know we can change this country.
A reporter in New Hampshire told me this story about Florida: she had seen the same three supporters working every day passing out our literature, and so decided to interview them. She was startled to discover that one was a Republican, one was a Democrat, and one was an Independent. But I wasn't.
Freedom brings us all together. We can all agree on leaving people alone to plan and live their own lives, rather than trying to force them to obey at the point of a gun, as runaway government does. Instead of clawing at each other via the warfare-welfare state, people under liberty can cooperate in a unity of diversity.
There is no need to use government to threaten others who have different standards, or to be threatened by them. Looking to our Founders, our traditions, and the Constitution, we can build, in peaceful cooperation, a free and prosperous society.
At a talk show in Nashua, New Hampshire, the host asked me about the fair tax. Well, I agree on getting rid of the IRS, I told her, but I want to replace it with nothing, not another tax. But let's not forget the inflation tax, I said.
This was something she had never considered, but after I talked about the depreciation of our dollar by the Federal Reserve, its creation of artificial booms and busts, and its bailouts of the big banks and Wall Street firms, to the detriment of the average person, she loved it. That is another tax, she agreed, a hidden and particularly vicious tax.
They try to tell us that the money issue is boring or irrelevant. In fact, it is the very pith of our social lives, and morally, Constitutionally, and economically, the central bank is a disaster. Thanks to the work of this movement, Americans are starting to understand what has been hidden from them for so long: that we have a right to sound and honest money, not to a dollar debauched for the special interests.
Unconstitutional government has created a war crisis, a financial crisis, a dollar crisis, and a freedom crisis. But we don't have to take it. We don't have to passively accept more dead soldiers, a lower standard of living, rising prices, a national ID, eavesdropping on our emails and phone calls, and all the rest.
We can return to first principles, and build the brightest, most brilliant future any people on earth has ever aspired to. Help me teach this lesson. Help me campaign all over this country, in cooperation with our huge and growing volunteer army. Help me show that change is not only possible, but also essential. Please, make your most generous contribution (https://www.ronpaul2008.com/donate/) to this campaign for a Constitutional presidency worthy of our people. Invest in freedom: for yourself, for your family, for your future.
Sincerely,
Ron
Don't let the rain come down. Onorato is stuck in a sand trap and can't get out. Flooding folly.
Little white balls on the golf course roll downhill, like other things. Little white lies are another. So does sewage.
Sometimes it is great to be from "the heights" and not where I live, also known as "the flats." A letter to the editor in today's Trib is used as a springboard to talking about 'why' and 'how' some approach problems and solutions. The outcomes I desire are different.
The older communities and the river towns are getting stomped upon by the more suburban communities. Millvale got crushed. Carnegie, in the past, got crushed with water.
How that happens should be understood. And, why it has been allowed to happen also must come into focus. On these later questions, Onorato shows his folly and lack of insight.
Onorato understands 'what happened.' But, Onorato can't get a grip on 'why' and 'how' and even the more simple 'when' and 'where' issues.
Onorato says, "stop subsidizing development in flood-prone watersheds." The first three words are great. Yes, we should stop subsidizing development. Do not use government money to subsidize any development anywhere.
Onorato wants to put the brakes on the subsidization in "flood-prone watersheds." Yes, that is partly right. However that is exactly what Onorato has NOT done. Onorato and County Council pushed for a TIF in a flood-prone watershed, a wet-land, called "Deer Creek Crossing." They wanted to put in a new strip mall in a marsh. I said no. I went to County Council's meetings to fight the TIF. I said that project should be stopped. Onorato and the vast majority of those on County Council was in favor of the tax-payer give-away to the developer for putting buildings, road and parking lot in a marsh.
Thankfully, others protested too. The Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network took up the side I was on and sent messages to deny the TIF at Deek Creek Crossing too. Other voices joined in as well. Objections were raised, in public. This was a few years ago. Onorato was County Executive. Onorato didn't object.
We won that battle. Deer Creek Crossing did NOT proceed. I have a fleeting understanding that the protesting didn't matter much. Rather, the deal fell down because of finance issues with the developer, building matters and perhaps even some common sense marketplace wisdoms.
Onorato wants to put together a map of Allegheny County and identify flood-prone watersheds. Dan, maps don't look into the future. Dan might need some tea leaves to sprinkle about on top if the maps -- in a hard rainstorm.
People are needed for the reading of the maps with the wisdom to understand the potential for flooding. Wisdom is necessary.
But in Onorato's world, put a subsidized development on a greenfield on a hill would be okay for a few reasons.
1. The new development wouldn't flood. It is on a hill. The developer will install rain water run offs. The rain water run offs will be paid for by part of the subsidy.
2. The new development's environmental changes are seen as progress to Onorato. Progress is good. But, to Onorato, way better than "good progress" is new development that hinges upon the buy-in, err, buy-off of political cronies to insure that those deal gets done.
Onorato needs to be the czar of the Sim City Game. He wants to be the one who makes the map. He wants to be the pivot person. He wants to be able to bend the lines and rules to show the flexibility and progress as long as the campaign donations are in his favor.
Onorato wants to have appointment powers among cronies to give blessing for deals. Onorato wants to go to the groundbreaking with a hard hat and shovel as bad as Mayor Ravenstahl wants to play golf.
Presently, properties get flooded and the county's tax incomes go down the drain (pun intended). With new "rain water run off watershed mobilized tax inspectors" reporting to Onorato, Onorato will be able to penalize and punish in indiscriminate ways.
Wonder if the Angry Drunk Bureaucrat is already working on job descriptions or at least going through the Rolodex finding family members to fill those posts.
The letter to the editor:
I favor building upon our urban density, not suburban sprawl.
The purpose of government is to govern, as in working to make sure that the electronic voting machines really work. We need people in government to worry about the basics, such as the constitution, not pie-in-the-sky strip malls.
Onorato, Rendell, and before them, Tom Murphy, stink at the creation of sustainable marketplace jobs and overall wealth creation for the citizens of the region. Their performances are not to be copied nor made into a model for others to copy.
Sometimes it is great to be from "the heights" and not where I live, also known as "the flats." A letter to the editor in today's Trib is used as a springboard to talking about 'why' and 'how' some approach problems and solutions. The outcomes I desire are different.
Flood control - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review As Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato acknowledged during his recent tour of Millvale, it is widely accepted that upstream development is a significant contributing factor to downstream flooding. We cannot undo the decades of building that has increased the magnitude and frequency of flooding. However, we can buck the trends that continue to make it worse.Bingo. Onorato frames the problem well.
The older communities and the river towns are getting stomped upon by the more suburban communities. Millvale got crushed. Carnegie, in the past, got crushed with water.
How that happens should be understood. And, why it has been allowed to happen also must come into focus. On these later questions, Onorato shows his folly and lack of insight.
Onorato understands 'what happened.' But, Onorato can't get a grip on 'why' and 'how' and even the more simple 'when' and 'where' issues.
Onorato says, "stop subsidizing development in flood-prone watersheds." The first three words are great. Yes, we should stop subsidizing development. Do not use government money to subsidize any development anywhere.
 |
| From planning-urban |
Onorato wants to put the brakes on the subsidization in "flood-prone watersheds." Yes, that is partly right. However that is exactly what Onorato has NOT done. Onorato and County Council pushed for a TIF in a flood-prone watershed, a wet-land, called "Deer Creek Crossing." They wanted to put in a new strip mall in a marsh. I said no. I went to County Council's meetings to fight the TIF. I said that project should be stopped. Onorato and the vast majority of those on County Council was in favor of the tax-payer give-away to the developer for putting buildings, road and parking lot in a marsh.
Thankfully, others protested too. The Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network took up the side I was on and sent messages to deny the TIF at Deek Creek Crossing too. Other voices joined in as well. Objections were raised, in public. This was a few years ago. Onorato was County Executive. Onorato didn't object.
We won that battle. Deer Creek Crossing did NOT proceed. I have a fleeting understanding that the protesting didn't matter much. Rather, the deal fell down because of finance issues with the developer, building matters and perhaps even some common sense marketplace wisdoms.
Onorato wants to put together a map of Allegheny County and identify flood-prone watersheds. Dan, maps don't look into the future. Dan might need some tea leaves to sprinkle about on top if the maps -- in a hard rainstorm.
People are needed for the reading of the maps with the wisdom to understand the potential for flooding. Wisdom is necessary.
But in Onorato's world, put a subsidized development on a greenfield on a hill would be okay for a few reasons.
1. The new development wouldn't flood. It is on a hill. The developer will install rain water run offs. The rain water run offs will be paid for by part of the subsidy.
2. The new development's environmental changes are seen as progress to Onorato. Progress is good. But, to Onorato, way better than "good progress" is new development that hinges upon the buy-in, err, buy-off of political cronies to insure that those deal gets done.
Onorato needs to be the czar of the Sim City Game. He wants to be the one who makes the map. He wants to be the pivot person. He wants to be able to bend the lines and rules to show the flexibility and progress as long as the campaign donations are in his favor.
Onorato wants to have appointment powers among cronies to give blessing for deals. Onorato wants to go to the groundbreaking with a hard hat and shovel as bad as Mayor Ravenstahl wants to play golf.
By the way, once Ravenstahl matures, he'll out grow golf. Look to Luke to turn to pursuits. His ambitions will swing him to become a "dirt-turning deal maker and kingpin" like his 'upstream boss.'3. Onorato can call for "routine inspections." Politicians hate doing the "routine" but love the "inspection" element. Making an invasion, in-your-face, notification of owners of record and dishing out fines, charges, extra taxes are turn-ons for tax men. To create jobs where slackers can hang, yet still have inspection powers makes them happy. Then, when a storm brews, they spring to action.
Many local "D-party" politicians choose to go one of two ways. It is as if they have two different watersheds that are clearly visible within the D-party politician personality map. They choose to go dance at the country clubs with golfing buddies who want to do big-time development deals. Or, they go to bingo halls and mingle with seniors, bringing ice cream and sheet cakes. With the seniors politicians promise whatever the seniors crave.
Presently, properties get flooded and the county's tax incomes go down the drain (pun intended). With new "rain water run off watershed mobilized tax inspectors" reporting to Onorato, Onorato will be able to penalize and punish in indiscriminate ways.
Wonder if the Angry Drunk Bureaucrat is already working on job descriptions or at least going through the Rolodex finding family members to fill those posts.
The letter to the editor:
Flood control Wednesday, August 22, 2007I stand for the elimination of all subsidization deals to developers.
As Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato acknowledged during his recent tour of Millvale, it is widely accepted that upstream development is a significant contributing factor to downstream flooding.
We cannot undo the decades of building that has increased the magnitude and frequency of flooding. However, we can buck the trends that continue to make it worse.
For example, stop subsidizing development in flood-prone watersheds. Identify and map flood-prone watersheds in the County Comprehensive Plan and deny public funding that facilitates development there.
Do routine inspections of water detention facilities to ensure that they are functioning as designed. If they are not, notify the owners of record to restore them to their original condition. Funding for the program could come from fees to the municipalities, developers and landowners in the interest of public safety.
Protect large woodland masses as part of a watershed land-use plan. When woodlands are replaced by an equal amount of asphalt, runoff volume can be up to 50 times greater.
A one-time investment in woodland and flood-plain protection can pay dividends for generations and eliminate recurring flood damage and repair costs. Allegheny Land Trust is currently mapping highly functional natural lands that absorb storm water.
These are a few ideas that can be part of a flood prevention strategy that addresses the problem at its source.
Roy Kraynyk, Moon
The writer is executive director of Allegheny Land Trust.
I favor building upon our urban density, not suburban sprawl.
The purpose of government is to govern, as in working to make sure that the electronic voting machines really work. We need people in government to worry about the basics, such as the constitution, not pie-in-the-sky strip malls.
Onorato, Rendell, and before them, Tom Murphy, stink at the creation of sustainable marketplace jobs and overall wealth creation for the citizens of the region. Their performances are not to be copied nor made into a model for others to copy.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
If you don't count the two rounds of golf, Luke is right. But blindspots are now what we need from our mayor.
Luke said, "This was not a gift to me -- I received nothing." It would be different if I was the [beneficiary] of $9,000. I wasn't.Luke played two rounds of golf. That was his benefit. He was the beneficiary.
What about the goodie bag? Did anyone ask. Has that been returned?
Luke didn't benefit -- except for the golf.
Luke told the truth -- except for the lies.
Luke, you should have been a caddy for First Tee participant. Luke could have been sure that he didn't benefit by giving the opportunity to another who would NOT ever have such an opportunity.
The First Tee program could have easily held a skills contest. Figure out who had the best attendance. Give that as a reward. Get a referral from a coach and take a budding athlete to the tournament with you. Let that person play the round. Be a mentor. Bow to someone else. Lend a hand in service.
It would have been different if Luke insured that the $9,000 benefit was targeted to and at a less advantaged golfer he accompanied.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Blow Hard Dean
The storm is now at Cat 5.
No sign of fellow blogger, Matt H. His vacation in Mexico must have been a wash out, sadly. Is he home or headed home yet?
Pointers or insights welcomed on him, fellow Pittsburghers, storm news and whatever goes in an open thread like this.
No sign of fellow blogger, Matt H. His vacation in Mexico must have been a wash out, sadly. Is he home or headed home yet?
Pointers or insights welcomed on him, fellow Pittsburghers, storm news and whatever goes in an open thread like this.
District 3 Election Guide - News from the past
Blast from the past:
District 3 Special Election Guide - News
Mark Rauterkus (L)
Mark Rauterkus grew up in Penn Hills, moved out of state for a few years, and then moved back to Pittsburgh in 1990.
The South Side resident said that part of his motivation for running for council is that the city is in a big crisis, and he believes children have been ignored.
Rauterkus, who has two children, said that if elected to council, he would like to chair the Committee on Youth Policy and the Citiparks Committee.
One of the things that Rauterkus would like to accomplish is to restart the Pittsburgh Marathon.
He would also like to integrate additional programs into the city's neighborhood parks. 'There's a lot to be done there,' Rauterkus said.
Rauterkus is a swim coach for the Carlynton Swim Club. He said he would like to acquire funding to open more of the city's pools, which have been closed at times because of budget cuts.
Rauterkus added that he is dedicated to his campaign 'for the long haul.' If he does not win this election, he plans to build a network of volunteers and issues. 'Whoever does win might only be there for a year and half,' Rauterkus said. 'They're going to have me to contend with next week.'
Senior Staff Writer Laura Jerpi
Sunday Forum: Redefine Pittsburgh
Talk about the future happened in the Sunday paper, at the Cognitive Dissonance blog, and soon in a report. Links include, so far:
The Burgh Report: "Deadline: October 19, 2007 In Sunday's PG, Duquesne University Chancelor John E. Murray Jr. called out Luke Ravenstahl on government reform. He makes a number of strong points."
My post in a thread about this from another blog:
The Ds around here are very good at the creation of new taxes -- not new residents, nor new private sector jobs, nor new scholars, nor new company neighbors.
A merger to work needs to be more like a wedding / marriage. Both sides need to bring something to the endeavor. Presently, the city offers little value to those in suburban reaches -- other than a big headache. The little boat of Allegheny County can't be a life-raft for the sinking ship that is the city.
The city needs to get its act together. The city needs to get a grip. The city needs to get its house in order. Then -- AFTER that has been done, real talks of mergers can proceed.
Bailout mergers suck.
As a city and county resident, I don't want my county to take on the burden of the city. And I live in the city. Both will sink then.
So, we've got to fix the city first. And, those in office now can't. They won't because they don't have the capacity to do so. And, more to the point of my campaigns, others in line with D endorsements don't have a foggy idea as to what to do in these areas either. They (Kraus, Lamb, Burgess, Harris, and of course Luke) are not going to lead the city to better outcomes.
Peduto says that there isn't even a reform agenda being talked about by those on Grant Street and in turn, in his party. To him, the Reform Pgh Now hype is to start the reform agenda discussion. Jeepers.
We can't 'reform until AFTER we replace and redirect.' Then reform. Then merge.
Case in point: The Pgh Public School District is too big. It doesn't match well with any of the suburban districts. One could take the ONE School District approach for the entire county -- as they do in the South. But, this might do wonders for Beaver, Butler and Westmorland. I say chop up with horizontal cuts the PPS.
But, we don't have good metrics on the schools -- because (in part) the D controllers and A+ have fumbled.
We are lagging and sagging -- everywhere. Tossing a few of them out of office will do much to perk up the city with real talk of purpose and vision.
Sunday Forum: Redefine Pittsburgh The Sunday P-G article.
Cognitive dissonance in Pittsburgh and beyond John Murray, Duquesne University’s un-elected city/county official at large, is getting out ahead of the soon to be released Nordenberg committee’s report, trying to spin what he believes will be in the report and what he believes will undoubtedly be counter-spun for weeks after the report’s release (that’s what I am taking away, anyway).
The Burgh Report: "Deadline: October 19, 2007 In Sunday's PG, Duquesne University Chancelor John E. Murray Jr. called out Luke Ravenstahl on government reform. He makes a number of strong points."
My post in a thread about this from another blog:
The Ds around here are very good at the creation of new taxes -- not new residents, nor new private sector jobs, nor new scholars, nor new company neighbors.
A merger to work needs to be more like a wedding / marriage. Both sides need to bring something to the endeavor. Presently, the city offers little value to those in suburban reaches -- other than a big headache. The little boat of Allegheny County can't be a life-raft for the sinking ship that is the city.
The city needs to get its act together. The city needs to get a grip. The city needs to get its house in order. Then -- AFTER that has been done, real talks of mergers can proceed.
Bailout mergers suck.
As a city and county resident, I don't want my county to take on the burden of the city. And I live in the city. Both will sink then.
So, we've got to fix the city first. And, those in office now can't. They won't because they don't have the capacity to do so. And, more to the point of my campaigns, others in line with D endorsements don't have a foggy idea as to what to do in these areas either. They (Kraus, Lamb, Burgess, Harris, and of course Luke) are not going to lead the city to better outcomes.
Peduto says that there isn't even a reform agenda being talked about by those on Grant Street and in turn, in his party. To him, the Reform Pgh Now hype is to start the reform agenda discussion. Jeepers.
We can't 'reform until AFTER we replace and redirect.' Then reform. Then merge.
Case in point: The Pgh Public School District is too big. It doesn't match well with any of the suburban districts. One could take the ONE School District approach for the entire county -- as they do in the South. But, this might do wonders for Beaver, Butler and Westmorland. I say chop up with horizontal cuts the PPS.
But, we don't have good metrics on the schools -- because (in part) the D controllers and A+ have fumbled.
We are lagging and sagging -- everywhere. Tossing a few of them out of office will do much to perk up the city with real talk of purpose and vision.
Pregnant athlete OK'd to play just before giving birth
Pregnant athlete OK'd to play just before giving birth A pregnant Mercyhurst College student-athlete passed a sports physical and was cleared to play volleyball two days before giving birth, police said today.I know volleyball. I published books on volleyball. Women's college volleyball isn't the place for a women who is six, seven, eight or nine months pregnant. I think that is fair to say.
The 18-year-old sophomore, whose baby was later found dead in her on-campus apartment, participated in what police called a 'light workout' the day before the Aug. 12 birth -- even though investigators would later determine she was 39 1/2 weeks pregnant at the time.
How can the coaches not see what's up with her?
How can a doctor not see?
I'm glad that the NCAA does not have a policy on barring pregnant athletes. Fine. But this birth seems to be a mystery to everyone involved.
NCAA rules require physicals for first-time college sports participants. In subsequent years, student-athletes can just update their medical information to remain eligible, Ms. Dent said. Okay. Perhaps she was a sophomore. I think that was what was reported. Okay, perhaps she had not had her first practice. Perhaps she skipped. I don't know.
Frankly, I don't care much about the policy investigation as I do about the care of the player / student / woman. And, I care for sanity.
I hope that common sense did not die -- as did the baby.
Software tool promises 1-click colonialism | The Register
This weekend at PodCamp, I gave a bit of a 'holy war' rant against some rather big-boy players in the realm of new media.
One guy talked to me in the hallway after the presentation and said, 'Man, you've got a lot of nerve to trash on both the Creative Commons and producers at THIS event.
"Yep. I felt as if I went behind enemy lines in a holy war today -- to scout around and do some recon."
Here is another pointer to another angle on this global topic of 'rights' and 'payments' and how one can really make a living.
One guy talked to me in the hallway after the presentation and said, 'Man, you've got a lot of nerve to trash on both the Creative Commons and producers at THIS event.
"Yep. I felt as if I went behind enemy lines in a holy war today -- to scout around and do some recon."
Here is another pointer to another angle on this global topic of 'rights' and 'payments' and how one can really make a living.
Software tool promises 1-click colonialism | The Register: "The music industry has a long and shameful history of robbing black artists of their rights. Now along comes some new software that will help speed up the job. Think of it as a sort of 1-Click 'non-payment' system. Liblicense is a project that Creative Commons hopes to integrate with MIT Media Lab's OLPC, or One Laptop Per Child initiative. That's the rubbishy sub-notebook designed for developing countries, that developing countries don't seem to want very much. The genius of the move is that instead of needing to hire shifty lawyers to bamboozle artists out of the right to be paid, Creative Commons makes the process not only voluntary, but automated, too. Liblicense will greatly ease the process of assigning a Creative Commons license to creative material straight from the desktop.
Cleaning up Pittsburgh - Pennsyltucky Politics
Cleaning up Pittsburgh - Pennsyltucky Politics: "There's a new reform group in town, or at least in Pittsburgh. Reform Pittsburgh Now will have to change its name if it gets bored and decides to pick on folks in Harrisburg, Philadelphia or Tyrone. We imagine they'll find plenty to keep them busy for a while."Who is going to open the next new site? It could be called one of the following:
Bill Ogden has a fine statement about 'reform.' Often the word 'reform' gets tossed around so much that in the end reform is deformed.
I don't want to 'de-form' Pittsburgh.
An constant buzz in Pittsburgh isn't 'reform' -- rather it is enforcement. We have lax enforcement on many fronts. A site, Pittsburgh Enforcement could be of interest. Then what is lax in one area is brutal in another. Those in city hall are happy to make new enforcements, such as with cat licenses. But they want to give free passes to cronies.
My biggest statement about reform concerns the sequence. I'd rather not reform until after we replace. Those who are in office present the worst possible actors for making future reforms.
We need to:
1. Replace
2. Redirect
3. Reform.
That sequence, with reforming at the end, is important.
Ranked as 10th in the state, other net ponderings
In this week's listing of the top 20 PA Political Bloggers, Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates is 10th. Yesterday at PodCamp, it was funny to hear how the contemporary history of Pitsburgh political blogs. My blogs and internet days were reported to have started in the 1970s, so said Bram of the Pittsburgh Comet.
In the early times, there were only two blogs, said Matt. Rauterkus.com and 2PJ. I was nice to get the nods.
The theme of Bram's statement was that the bloggers are now a force that shape the mainstream media coverage. Journalist read the blogs. The blog content is showing up in the coverage. Themes from blogs then run on the evening news and with both the Trib and P-G. Blogs have become a hot source and the bloggers keep more honesty in the coverage. Bloggers that don't get it right are told so.
There is much more 'peer review' with bloggers than with newspapers and tv news. So, when something that isn't 'spot on' gets published, doubts are raised with comments and at other blogs.
Bram gave an interesting take on the value of blogs in these times.
Another way of putting those concepts into action is to say that the bloggers have been providing a wake-up call for the watchdogs. Or, some might say the bloggers are now effective pests to the now-no-longer-slumbering watch dogs.
For years I've been hard on the local media about coverage I've seen that isn't accurate, balanced and as insightful as it could be. People have told me to NOT pick on those who buy ink by the barrel.
Pittsburgh needs, and democracy needs, a viable Fourth Estate. Journalism matters. I'm a J-School (Journalism School) graduate. Pittsburgh's trouble has come, in part, from the poor coverage from the local media.
One guy in the final PodCamp session was all about 'blame' and hitting upon the media. He was funny. Plus, his remarks hit home for me.
There was one person from the P-G at the final session. Who was that? Were there others from the P-G in throughout the event?
The Trib's Sunday paper had a great article on the event.
In the early times, there were only two blogs, said Matt. Rauterkus.com and 2PJ. I was nice to get the nods.
The theme of Bram's statement was that the bloggers are now a force that shape the mainstream media coverage. Journalist read the blogs. The blog content is showing up in the coverage. Themes from blogs then run on the evening news and with both the Trib and P-G. Blogs have become a hot source and the bloggers keep more honesty in the coverage. Bloggers that don't get it right are told so.
There is much more 'peer review' with bloggers than with newspapers and tv news. So, when something that isn't 'spot on' gets published, doubts are raised with comments and at other blogs.
Bram gave an interesting take on the value of blogs in these times.
Another way of putting those concepts into action is to say that the bloggers have been providing a wake-up call for the watchdogs. Or, some might say the bloggers are now effective pests to the now-no-longer-slumbering watch dogs.
For years I've been hard on the local media about coverage I've seen that isn't accurate, balanced and as insightful as it could be. People have told me to NOT pick on those who buy ink by the barrel.
Pittsburgh needs, and democracy needs, a viable Fourth Estate. Journalism matters. I'm a J-School (Journalism School) graduate. Pittsburgh's trouble has come, in part, from the poor coverage from the local media.
One guy in the final PodCamp session was all about 'blame' and hitting upon the media. He was funny. Plus, his remarks hit home for me.
There was one person from the P-G at the final session. Who was that? Were there others from the P-G in throughout the event?
The Trib's Sunday paper had a great article on the event.
Pittsburgh conference draws budding bloggers - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Pittsburgh conference draws budding bloggers"
OwnTerms, legal document templates for use and remixing
Get a free pass to sidestep a laywer in the establishement of various terms and conditions for web sites, blogs and other entrepreneur efforts.
OwnTerms OwnTerms is designed as a repository for “boilerplate” legal documents: those that every web site, startup, or entrepreneur needs but doesn’t want to draft in a lawyer for. All the documents on OwnTerms are licensed under a Creative Commons license, enabling anyone to take them and edit them for their own use provided certain conditions are met.This just opened. Perhaps you can upload your t&cs (jargon for terms and conditions) to that site.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Star-Telegram.com | 08/19/2007 | Are words dangerous?
Star-Telegram.com | 08/19/2007 | Are words dangerous? Are words dangerous? Texas prison officials wouldn't let a man on Death Row read Jackie Robinson's words, saying that to do so might lead to 'strikes or riots.' By DAVE ZIRINI hate the death row. I hate capital punishment.
The state makes so many mistakes in so many parts of its operations, that I'm sure that it has made some 'fatal mistakes' in the past. The best way to make those mistakes non fatal is to not kill anyone in prison.
That's my observation. Go read David's article if you care about life, sports, literacy and the final ticks on the clock.
Concerns Raised on Wider Spying Under New Law - New York Times
Here is another reason why America needs more Libertarians in elected office.
Concerns Raised on Wider Spying Under New Law - New York Times Broad new surveillance powers approved by Congress this month could allow the Bush administration to conduct spy operations that go well beyond wiretapping to include — without court approval — certain types of physical searches on American soil and the collection of Americans’ business records, Democratic Congressional officials and other experts said.Plus, support for Libertarians in campaigns, by votes and by buzz, are welcomed too.
Hopes dim for Chinese miners
Hopes dim for Chinese miners - CNN.com More than 180 Chinese coal miners trapped in flooded shafts have slim hopes of survival, but officials said they would press on with frantic rescue efforts after one of the nation's worst mine disasters.This is one reason why Westinghouse has to go to China to build them the Nukes. They need the electricity. They need to curb the deaths from the coal mines.
In the eastern province Shandong, 172 miners were pinned down after the rain-swollen Wen River overcame flood defenses and surged down the shaft on Friday. Nine others were trapped in a shaft nearby.
China relies on coal for most of its energy needs, pushing coal prices to record levels in the mainland, the world's top producer and consumer of the fuel.However, what happens when the flood waters come and sweep into the Nukes? What about a work site problem, but with radiation?
That demand for coal to feed rapid economic growth in the world's fourth-largest economy has led some mine operators to push production beyond safe limits, despite Beijing's efforts to crack down on corruption and lax enforcement of standards.
The miners make about 1,500 yuan ($198) a month and many were farmers working the fields around Tai'an attracted by the relatively higher wages offered by the mines. It is not unusual for fathers and sons to work together in the coal mines.
The scene of weary emergency workers and anxious relatives echoed a mine accident in the United States, which has a much cleaner safety record but where three people have died trying to save six miners trapped in a Utah coal mine.
Mining is risky worldwide, but China's coal industry is deadlier than any other country's, with about 2,163 coal miners killed in 1,320 accidents in the first seven months of the year.
YOU be the judge.
Jerks like this have no business staying in important jobs in our public sector. None. But what is worse, the Republican Party, again, has given him its endorsement. Now is the time to think again, if thinking at all was part of the process.
This is why people are going to renew the efforts to toss out all the judges.
This is why the old parties (both the Ds and the Rs) have failed the citizens and voters.
Here is a tip: Don't vote for any judge retention.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Local News - Early Returns State Superior Court Judge Michael Joyce, who is facing criminal charges for allegedly bilking two insurance companies out of $440,000, plans to continue his bid for retention for another 10-year term in November.This is why people are angry.
But he won't have an easy time of it.
His bosses, the justices of the state Supreme Court, suspended him with pay yesterday. In a written statement, the court said the suspension was necessary to 'protect and preserve the integrity of the Unified Judicial System and the administration of justice for the citizens of this Commonwealth.'
And the state Bar Association and his own Republican Party say they are reviewing their endorsements of his retention.
This is why people are going to renew the efforts to toss out all the judges.
This is why the old parties (both the Ds and the Rs) have failed the citizens and voters.
Here is a tip: Don't vote for any judge retention.
Specter finds voters just plain angry
Hello. Senator, we're mad. Did you just realize this, or is it something you've come to understand for a while now.
Specter finds voters just plain angry The issues have changed from year to year, but this town hall tour through the state's 67 counties has been the same through the decades. This year, however, the Republican has seen a marked change in the tone and intensity of his questioners.Yes, we are upset about and understand habeus corpus. So now we must turn to Libertarians to reclaim our liberty and freedom.
'The meetings are a lot bigger ... and there's a lot more passion and a lot more anger,' he said as he headed from one meeting to another across the rolling, green hills of Washington County. 'And they're angry at everything. ... They're boiling mad about Iraq. They're almost that mad about immigration.
'They're as mad about Gonzales as they are about immigration. They're mad at the president for taking all the power he has. There are a lot of people talking about habeus corpus. Where in the hell would you expect to have all these people talking about habeus corpus?'
Seeking integrity in government & how Tim Potts is a PA Hero
Tim Potts outlines his quest to make Pennsylvania best in nationBy Heather Stauffer Carlisle Sentinel, August 3, 2007On Thursday, Tim Potts led members of Carlisle Rotary on a flight of imagination.
Imagine, he said, a law that represents the worst thing the state government could do to your family, your business.
Then, with barely a pause, Potts moved from the realm of imagination to the realm of reality. That law, he said, could pass overnight.
"Many people think we began as a result of the legislative pay raise in 2005," said Potts, who was addressing the club in his role as a cofounder of Democracy Rising PA. But the truth, he said, is that the organization started a year earlier, in reaction to the July 4th passage of the state's slots gambling bill.
Before continuing with the story, Potts, a Carlisle resident who occupied high positions in the state Department of Education before he moved on to the Pennsylvania School Reform Network and then Democracy Rising PA, reminded the audience of a relevant portion of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
To protect citizens, he said, the constitution requires three things; That legislation be considered for at least three days in each chamber (PA House & PA Senate), that the legislation's original intent not be altered and that the legislation not be about more than one subject.
The slots gambling legislation started simply enough, Potts said, holding up the one-and-a-half page bill that spent more than the requisite time in both the house and the senate. But then, just before it was voted on July 4, those original pages were amended to 146.
"Not one single word of the original bill survived," Potts said, brandishing a bulky copy of the revised bill. Furthermore, he said, unlike the original, the new wording encompassed a medley of themes.
"It was a process that plainly violated the rights of residents of Pennsylvania," Potts said. But, he said, when the bill was challenged, Pennsylvania courts upheld the procedure by which it was enacted - so in 2005, the legislature used the same procedure to pass its now-infamous pay raise.
And it could do it again, on any subject, whenever it likes, he said.
"That's why we call it the dismantling of democracy," Potts said. "The constitution is supposed to prohibit this."
And that's why, he told the intent audience, Pennsylvania needs an organization like Democracy Rising PA. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has one goal, Potts said: To help restore the principles of democracy to Pennsylvania.
Voters can force change
After a quick litany of further bad news - that Pennsylvania's sunshine and lobbying control laws have been ranked among the worst in the nation - Potts turned optimistic again.
"It doesn't have to be this way," he said. All that is necessary, he said, is for citizens to start getting involved and getting democracy-friendly legislators into Harrisburg. Some good things have already happened, he said, pointing to 2005, when Russell Nigro became the first Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice ever to lose a retention vote.
As one of the leaders of the campaign against Nigro, Potts told the audience it doesn't necessarily take a lot of money to make a difference. When he tallied up what that campaign cost him, Potts said, it came to $32.16 - an amount that he said turned into 736,000 "no" votes.
"Incredible," he said.
Then he dished out more numbers. The only thing that stands between 12 and a half million people and the best state government in America is 129 people - the governor and a controlling majority in each chamber, he said.
"We have the forces of evil vastly outnumbered," Potts quipped, to laughter. But, he said, the current crop of public officials will not change their behavior until the citizens change theirs.
That said, Potts urged the audience to let it be known the principles of democracy matter to them and to throw their political support to people who have proved they feel the same way.
"It's up to us," he said in conclusion. "We can do it."
Depending on judgment
Afterward, Rotarian Tom Williams had a comment.
"As long as we voters elect people on what they can do for us, what reason do they have to pay attention to procedural things?" Williams asked. Potts agreed that he had a point, and then Williams raised an objection to the idea that democracy is no longer functioning in the Pennsylvania legislature.
"My representative lives here. He takes what we tell him and takes it to Harrisburg," Williams said. "We depend on these guys to use their independent judgment."
Yes, said Potts, but in cases like the slots bill, when the amendment was made at the last minute, representatives wouldn't even have had time to read the revisions. While he acknowledged Williams' point in theory, Potts said, in practice it often turns out very differently.
"Half of the time they're not voting for you," said Potts. "Half of the time they're voting for their leaders."
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Reform Pittsburgh Now has a copyright notice on the bottom of its home page
I asked a question about the license for Bill Peduto's new site. He and the others didn't know. I invited him to the 4 pm talk I delivered on open source tools, data, and content. I think Bill had an appointment for a haircut. Does he really use the same barber as John Edwards?
Woody Guthrie including the following note in a 1930s songbook distributed to listeners who wanted the words to his recordings had the following message: "This song is Copyrighted in U.S., under Seal of Copyright #154085, for a period of 28 years, and anybody caught singin' it without our permission, will be mighty good friends of ours, cause we don't give a dern. Publish it. Write it. Sing it. Swing to it. Yodel it. We wrote it, that's all we wanted to do."
It would be great if the new efforts of REFORM would be FREE.
Here is another example, also presented at the 4 pm talk to Pittsburgh PodCamp:
A journal was published with the following copyright statement: "All texts published in (this journal) may be freely reproduced, translated and edited, even without crediting the original source."
Bill, Justine, Justin, Matt and others. I'd love to have a "Podcast" via TalkShoe.com to talk with you all about the new site's license, copyrights and such. It would be best, in my not so humble opinion, to put the contents into the public domain.
I am not a lawyer (IANAL) and this is not legal advice. Furthermore, the contents of this blog posts are not intended to be legal advice nor should they be relied upon as or represented to be legal advice. CreativeCommons.org cannot and does not give legal advice. You need to assess the suitability of Creative Commons' tools for your particular situation, which may include obtaining appropriate legal advice from a licensed attorney. Yada, yada, yada.
Update:
Plus, the word was all about a lot of 'new faces' involved -- except for the campaign manager, Matt, and of course, Bill. So, the guys in charge are not new. They are veterans.
The saga has the same feel, for some strange reason, as the day Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced the formation of the Pittsburgh Promise. Many in the room that day seemed to be impressed with the hype. The mainstream media was impressed with Luke's talking skills. My jaw was still on the floor.
Of course I want to be proven wrong. I want all the kids who graduate from Pgh Public Schools to have college tuition paid for -- starting with the seniors in high school today. Of course I want Santa to climb down from our roof and leave us presents on the night of Dec 24th too. But let's be real. The Pittsburgh Promise is nothing but a broken promise. We must stop the lies we deliver to our kids. They know better and they see it. And, when they can -- they leave. They don't want to live with false hopes. We need honesty.
If we need a fix on local issues without personality -- we can always turn to the Allegheny Institute -- and Jake, who should not be confused with Justine.
Reform Pittsburgh Now Paid for by Reform Pittsburgh Now. Copyright (c) 2007 Reform Pittsburgh Now. All rights reserved.Here is a blurb from the talk I gave at 4 pm.
Woody Guthrie including the following note in a 1930s songbook distributed to listeners who wanted the words to his recordings had the following message: "This song is Copyrighted in U.S., under Seal of Copyright #154085, for a period of 28 years, and anybody caught singin' it without our permission, will be mighty good friends of ours, cause we don't give a dern. Publish it. Write it. Sing it. Swing to it. Yodel it. We wrote it, that's all we wanted to do."
It would be great if the new efforts of REFORM would be FREE.
Here is another example, also presented at the 4 pm talk to Pittsburgh PodCamp:
A journal was published with the following copyright statement: "All texts published in (this journal) may be freely reproduced, translated and edited, even without crediting the original source."
Bill, Justine, Justin, Matt and others. I'd love to have a "Podcast" via TalkShoe.com to talk with you all about the new site's license, copyrights and such. It would be best, in my not so humble opinion, to put the contents into the public domain.
I am not a lawyer (IANAL) and this is not legal advice. Furthermore, the contents of this blog posts are not intended to be legal advice nor should they be relied upon as or represented to be legal advice. CreativeCommons.org cannot and does not give legal advice. You need to assess the suitability of Creative Commons' tools for your particular situation, which may include obtaining appropriate legal advice from a licensed attorney. Yada, yada, yada.
Update:
The Pittsburgh Women's Blogging Society: Bill Peduto's Online PAC: "Today I attended the launch of Bill Peduto's online Political Action Committee at Podcamp. I think there were some mixed signals coming from the audience and the speakers (i.e. Bill & iJustine)."I would never question anyone's experience. Getting new candidates and new helpers is very important. And, the new voices can be much better than the old. Rookie players are fine with me. My knocks go to other sources, such as Bill's statements.
Plus, the word was all about a lot of 'new faces' involved -- except for the campaign manager, Matt, and of course, Bill. So, the guys in charge are not new. They are veterans.
The saga has the same feel, for some strange reason, as the day Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced the formation of the Pittsburgh Promise. Many in the room that day seemed to be impressed with the hype. The mainstream media was impressed with Luke's talking skills. My jaw was still on the floor.
Of course I want to be proven wrong. I want all the kids who graduate from Pgh Public Schools to have college tuition paid for -- starting with the seniors in high school today. Of course I want Santa to climb down from our roof and leave us presents on the night of Dec 24th too. But let's be real. The Pittsburgh Promise is nothing but a broken promise. We must stop the lies we deliver to our kids. They know better and they see it. And, when they can -- they leave. They don't want to live with false hopes. We need honesty.
If we need a fix on local issues without personality -- we can always turn to the Allegheny Institute -- and Jake, who should not be confused with Justine.
Live blogging Peduto's site launch
I'm here at Pittsburgh's Podcamp having a fun time. Friends are calling my cell. Justine is live blogging in a seat in front of me. David T is passing out campiagn materials. He is running for the Allegheny County at-large seat. Travis is next to me. We talked about New Zealand and the Ron Morris show this morning.
Bill is late.
Matt and I heart burgh are here among other Peduto heads.
Steve from Duquesne is here too. He was the caller just ahead of me on yesterday's Lynn Cullen show talking about impeachment, constitutional lines of the president and war. Steve attended my last podcamp presentation some months ago. He'll be a blogger soon.
Guru.com's live wire, Jia, was talking with Justine and then figured out he was streaming. He went on to kick himself. Funny. You gotta know what you say could be out on the web, realtime. Eeeks. Here is a note to self -- always be nice.
WDUQ microphone ison the table. Bill sits. A big screen is in the background. The room is full, about 60 people.
Monthly podcast. V-Cast. Bill's Blog. Online libary.
By the end of October. Every minute of a weekend you'd not have enough time.
Raise the bar and based on issues.
Take out the personality issues. But, the talk was about how the people who are going ON TO council RAN (past tense) on reform.
There are a lot of things that Bill didn't do.
Directing the operation is my former campaign manager, Matt Preston. This is a very different team. Fresh approach.
It is not about personality, but Justine sits down and rides the bus with Steve Bland. You'll be able to click on one button and contact all you state legislatures. You'll be able to send email to all the members on city council.
The Gathering Hurd -- Marshall. ??
To talk to politians.
Pokey, the bobble head doll can tell if your street needs to be re-paved.
Events. What about a Gmail calendar for Grant Street.
Camping, trivia, mini-golf, white water rafting. Bottom line, we want to make it fun, so says Bill.
Bottom line isn't reforming Pittsburgh.
Excited to see the comments. First episode is the public transit. The next episode is emerging economy, the New Mon Valley. The 3rd, culture/arts/history to revitalize the city. Going to be all over the city.
Later, community benefits agreements.
Asked Bill about use of the Google Calendar I started some months (or a year) ago.
Bill is late.
Matt and I heart burgh are here among other Peduto heads.
Steve from Duquesne is here too. He was the caller just ahead of me on yesterday's Lynn Cullen show talking about impeachment, constitutional lines of the president and war. Steve attended my last podcamp presentation some months ago. He'll be a blogger soon.
Guru.com's live wire, Jia, was talking with Justine and then figured out he was streaming. He went on to kick himself. Funny. You gotta know what you say could be out on the web, realtime. Eeeks. Here is a note to self -- always be nice.
WDUQ microphone ison the table. Bill sits. A big screen is in the background. The room is full, about 60 people.
Monthly podcast. V-Cast. Bill's Blog. Online libary.
By the end of October. Every minute of a weekend you'd not have enough time.
Raise the bar and based on issues.
Take out the personality issues. But, the talk was about how the people who are going ON TO council RAN (past tense) on reform.
There are a lot of things that Bill didn't do.
Directing the operation is my former campaign manager, Matt Preston. This is a very different team. Fresh approach.
It is not about personality, but Justine sits down and rides the bus with Steve Bland. You'll be able to click on one button and contact all you state legislatures. You'll be able to send email to all the members on city council.
The Gathering Hurd -- Marshall. ??
To talk to politians.
Pokey, the bobble head doll can tell if your street needs to be re-paved.
Events. What about a Gmail calendar for Grant Street.
Camping, trivia, mini-golf, white water rafting. Bottom line, we want to make it fun, so says Bill.
Bottom line isn't reforming Pittsburgh.
Excited to see the comments. First episode is the public transit. The next episode is emerging economy, the New Mon Valley. The 3rd, culture/arts/history to revitalize the city. Going to be all over the city.
Later, community benefits agreements.
Asked Bill about use of the Google Calendar I started some months (or a year) ago.
It's the spending
It's the spending - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The underlying problem isn't taxation -- it's spending. Unless big government and its programs of welfare, warfare, regulation and intrusion are drastically limited to constitutionally authorized functions, then we'll become a little country with a debt problem plaguing generations to come.
New Web site urges reform in Pittsburgh politics
New Web site urges reform in Pittsburgh politics Mr. Kownacki, who has been producing Web video for four years, said 'a lot of folks just do it for their own personal gain, or to have their own voices heard by the masses. What you don't see a lot of is actual pro-active video, or social media in general that tries to rally people to a cause, get them to actually effect change.'Perhaps Justin does not see a lot of pro-active video nor social media that aims to get people to effect changes for causes. But, it is out there. And, it has been for some time.
Remember Ground Zero and Ground Zero's Art of News?
There have been plenty of social calendar sites in Pittsburgh.
People that have nothing to do with politics as reformers should be interesting. I won't be watching. No, I'll be an uninvited participant.
My first question: Will you need a username and password to view the blog, like the last time Peduto ran a blog?
My next question: Will spoofing be possible. If so, it will be a problem.
My last question now: Can I call for a vote?
Friday, August 17, 2007
The blog is on -- and so is my seminar on Saturday at Podcamp
The blog is on - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review'Pittsburgh was kind of at the forefront of blogging, before it became mainstream,' said Mike Woycheck, administrator of the Web site Pittsburgh Bloggers. The site started in 2004, and now has a directory of 600 blogs in greater Pittsburgh. 'We've been very open and embracing of this new medium.' The city's changing political climate fuels a lot of its blogs, said Woycheck, 32, of Ignomar. 'Pittsburghers use blogging to vent ideas and complaints. It's a way to make creative responses to all the issues we're facing. This medium is really on the pulse of people's concerns.' The demographic of bloggers in Pittsburgh runs the gamut, Woycheck said. 'We have 20-somethings to 50-somethings; blogs about every day life and issues. Sometimes it's bitter, sometimes it's humorous, sometimes it's snarky, but it's always lively discussion.'
ESPN Page 2 - Jackson: Looking for heroes
ESPN Page 2 - Jackson: Looking for heroes It's called 'Books 'N Hoops.' Emphasis on books. A camp where both girls and guys play ball in T-shirts with 'The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall' on their backs. Mandela has their backs.Splendid.
City Council's Shields lived a double life as Stevie Steeler - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
City Council's Shields lived a double life as Stevie Steeler - Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewIt was the hardest day of work in my life.'No kidding.
Festival highlights region’s diversity
Nice insights from the Pgh Courier on the events downtown -- now in session.
Festival highlights region’s diversity The four-day DiverseCITY Pittsburgh Festival seeks to encourage diversity in every aspect of life—in the workplace and in the community.
Parents are voting with their feet. Pittsburgh's brightest depart. Schools and Recreation issues matter greatly.
Allegheny Institute, a local think tank, has issued a position paper on the population decline. The links between the city's population drop and the school district's population sink are clear.
This is a topic area that I've been pressing for years. People vote with their feet. Plus, the biggest motivator isn't yourself. It isn't even your job. Rather, people of Pittsburgh are driven by their children. Their kids are the top priority.
If people were told that they're kids would get an advantage if a parent lost an arm -- we'd see a lot of one-arm parents in Pittsburgh. People in our city would cut off their arm and give it to their child if they knew it would help the kid.
How we treat our kids, our recreational opportunities, our schools, our teachers, our young people and our engagement with them is huge. Few on Grant Street know this, value it, nor seem to get it.
When the consultants arrive on the South Side to ponder what is going on in the business district, they gave a report that didn't mention any of the following words: "babies, children, kids, families." Empty. I asked. Then they had something to say.
The future of our city also depends upon how we handle liberty and freedom.
The combination of those two important concepts, with a touch of technology, diversity, open ways, smart policies and democracy can lead to Pittsburgh's revival.
This is a topic area that I've been pressing for years. People vote with their feet. Plus, the biggest motivator isn't yourself. It isn't even your job. Rather, people of Pittsburgh are driven by their children. Their kids are the top priority.
If people were told that they're kids would get an advantage if a parent lost an arm -- we'd see a lot of one-arm parents in Pittsburgh. People in our city would cut off their arm and give it to their child if they knew it would help the kid. How we treat our kids, our recreational opportunities, our schools, our teachers, our young people and our engagement with them is huge. Few on Grant Street know this, value it, nor seem to get it.
When the consultants arrive on the South Side to ponder what is going on in the business district, they gave a report that didn't mention any of the following words: "babies, children, kids, families." Empty. I asked. Then they had something to say.
The Ongoing Abandonment of Pittsburgh Public SchoolsThe future of our city depends upon how we deal with our kids.
Like Pittsburgh’s population, the enrollment in City schools continues to slide dramatically. Census figures show the City losing 3,480 people from July 2005 to July 2006 to stand at 312,819. That represents a total drop of 21,700 (6.5 percent) since the 2000 census. Among comparably sized or larger cities only four had bigger percentage declines since 2005 and one of those is New Orleans whose loss was propelled by Katrina.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh school district (which includes Mt. Oliver) has seen enrollment fall from 38,560 in 2000 to 29,445 last year and is projected by the district to slide another 1,521 to 27,924 for the school year about to get underway. Thus, the total enrollment falloff has reached 10,636, marking a 27.6 percent plunge since the decade began. Some of the enrollment decrease can be attributed to the shifting of students to non-public schools. However, much of it reflects the departure from the City by families with school age children.
The future of our city also depends upon how we handle liberty and freedom.
The combination of those two important concepts, with a touch of technology, diversity, open ways, smart policies and democracy can lead to Pittsburgh's revival.
 |
| From ormsby-serpents |
Ron Paul wins Iowa exit poll � disinter
Ron Paul wins Iowa exit poll � disinter: Ron Paul wins Iowa exit poll August 14th, 2007 Vote In Sunshine conducted an exit poll at the Iowa straw poll, here is what they found: Ron Paul 332
Libertarian runs for mayor in Pittsburgh, a political novice to the ballot
by Harold Kyriazi with slight edits by the webmaster
On July 23rd, eight days before the ballot access petitioning deadline, Allegheny County LP officials were contacted by an unknown fellow wishing to run for mayor as a Libertarian, named Tony Oliva. (Older baseball fans may recognize that name as an all-star player from the 1960s and 1970s, but alas, there’s no connection.) His introductory letter to us indicated that he was naïve (27 years old, a political unknown, and imagining an upset victory), but someone with potential. He wrote that he was a military veteran, a University of Pittsburgh graduate with a degree in Political Science, a Pittsburgh resident with extensive community ties, currently employed in the city’s Office of Public Safety, and a member of the Libertarian Party.
After thus reassuring ourselves that he wasn’t crazy or mentally incompetent (for years I’ve felt badly that none of us activists here wished to embark upon that particular quixotic quest), we tried to find out more about him. Coincidentally, at the same time a co-worker of mine (who of course knows I’m a libertarian) mentioned to me that one of his former rock climbing students was running for mayor and had hit him up for a petition signature. They both happened to be paratroopers in the Army, and my coworker said he was a good guy and intelligent. It was thus nice to get some independent verification, and also to know that he was already out collecting signatures.
Within two hours of Tony emailing his letter expressing an intention to run for mayor, Tony was handed several clipboards and forms (third party nomination papers) from Allegheny County's highly energetic vice-chair, Mark Rauterkus. For months similar papers had been circulating with political body, Libertarian, and with Rauterkus occupying spots, including that of mayor, as a place-holder candidate.
That’s one of the new and exciting trends about libertarianism these days: we don’t have to go out and find people, and educate them about libertarianism – now young people find us via the internet. We don’t have to teach them much of the philosophy – they’re usually already thoroughly grounded by their readings on the web. A new day is dawning and there is hope. (Go Ron Paul!)
I corresponded by e-mail with Mr. Oliva during that final week, and despite my vow a few years ago to limit my libertarian activities, I spent a few hours collecting signatures, solicited another few from my brother. Tony and I badgered neighbors, and put some energy into the last days. “It’s harder than I thought it’d be!” expressed a few friends who turned up empty.
Mr. Oliva worked hard for sis days, collecting about 115 signatures each day and getting 700. More than 805 were needed. With his total and what everyone else collected, the Libertarians turned in plenty of signatures to clear the hurdle for the election department and challenges.
After the horrendous experience of minor parties statewide last year, I was very worried that the Republican would challenge. But for whatever reason, he didn’t. Subsequently Mark and Tony filed the necessary papers to conduct the switch of their names.
I’m happy to report that we now have three spots on the city ballot: Tony Oliva for mayor, and Mark Rauterkus for both city council and city controller.
My impression of Mr. Oliva, starting from e-mail exchanges, is clear. I can confidently state that he is a competent writer. We also spoke by phone, and then face-to-face. Based on those encounters and positive reports after a WDUQ radio interview, I can also state that he’s a competent speaker.
Some did question why the Libertarians should run someone for mayor. It is entirely possible that the Republican was already fairly libertarian and he could have a better chance of winning than we did. We could thus be hurting ourselves by splitting our vote.
Mark Rauterkus informed me on the Republican candidate, Mark DeSantis. We checked out his website. Nick spoke with someone in his office. It turns out that DeSantis is a serious candidate with typical Republican economic concerns, such as lowering taxes and increasing government efficiency, but one whose position on social issues is difficult to gauge.
We discussed the obvious -- how a libertarian mayor could instruct the city police to make consensual crimes their lowest priority, but we didn’t know Mr. Oliva’s thoughts on that score. Assuming the best, Mark Rauterkus suggested that if vote-splitting turned out to be a legitimate concern, we could always make a splash by withdrawing a few weeks before the election and asking our supporters to vote for DeSantis. That was enough to drive to do the last-minute petitioning for signatures.
Tony and I sat down to lunch last in order for me to get to know him better for this article, to discuss some of these issues, and also to give him any benefit of my political experience.
Mr. Oliva is a handsome, athletic-looking young man, with the attentive and easy, straight-forward manner that seems appropriate for someone with military experience. He still serves with the Pennsylvania National Guard.
Interesting to me as a former diehard Pitt football fan, Tony came to Pittsburgh from New York City (the Bronx) on a football scholarship from Pitt’s legendary coach Johnny Majors. Fortunately, he left any New York accent behind. In fact, Tony was Majors’ last recruit at Pitt, being recruited in 1996, shortly before Majors was fired. Oliva started at Pitt in 1997 under new head coach Walt Harris, as a 175-pound defensive back with 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash. That’s considered a fast time. He was red-shirted his freshman year, and expected to bulk up.
In the off-season, unfortunately, while crossing the street he got hit by a car, and received career-ending damage to a knee. Being the thoughtful, independent-minded young man that he is, he refused surgery that he felt might predispose him to premature arthritis, and opted instead for rehab and more natural, alternative medical approaches.
He stayed on at Pitt, getting a degree in Political Science, and rehabilitated his knee enough to play Ultimate Frisbee for the Pitt men’s team, making nationals for three years.
After graduating, he joined the military. As a paratrooper, he suffered another severe injury, being accidentally “sharked” by a fellow jumper. That’s where another jumper cuts under you as you’re approaching the ground, taking away your air and collapsing your chute, whereupon you fall rapidly, as though a shark has just attacked and pulled you under the water. That fall resulted in a severe shoulder dislocation and accompanying nerve trauma, and left him unable to raise his left arm above shoulder level.
He’s still able to enjoy tennis and other sports, though, and comes from a very athletic family. His brother played football and baseball in college, and his sister was a standout basketball and softball player in high school. His brother is also into NY politics, having been a speech writer for George Pataki, district chief of staff for a U.S. congressmen, and director of communications for a state minority leader.
Mr. Oliva is personable and has many friends here who have offered to help him in various ways with his campaign. Unfortunately perhaps, he is naïve enough to think he has a chance to defeat Luke Ravenstahl, the incumbent democrat and another 27-year-old. Ravenstahl won an election to city council before taking over as mayor when the recently elected then-mayor Bob O’Connor died last year.
Mr. Oliva may be correct in thinking he has the advantage of his libertarian philosophy and exceptional interpersonal skills, but being a political unknown, all the money in the world can’t buy him the trust of Pittsburgh voters, 80% of whom are registered Democrat.
The best he can hope for, in my view, is to run a positive, issue-oriented campaign, impress the people he interacts with, inject some libertarian solutions into the debate (and into the minds of Ravenstahl and his aides and advisors), and pave the way for a run for another race down the road.
Some will suggest that he switch parties to Democrat and starting off as a ward committeeman, rather than thinking he can leapfrog all the way into the Mayor’s office.
Libertarians can certainly win office when they live in small communities where they can personally meet all the voters, effectively negating the negative connotations of a minor party label. But people with a strong desire to actually serve in office in a large district, where they simply cannot personally contact a significant fraction of voters, need to be real, and follow the example of people like Ron Paul. The rest of us can work within the Libertarian Party to educate the electorate, and possibly level the playing field a bit by getting more people to register as Libertarians, so that eventually we’ll have a reasonable chance at winning a major city election.
The baseball Tony Oliva was the 1964 rookie of the year in the American League. Let’s try to see to it that our Tony Oliva develops into a Libertarian Party All-Star.
On July 23rd, eight days before the ballot access petitioning deadline, Allegheny County LP officials were contacted by an unknown fellow wishing to run for mayor as a Libertarian, named Tony Oliva. (Older baseball fans may recognize that name as an all-star player from the 1960s and 1970s, but alas, there’s no connection.) His introductory letter to us indicated that he was naïve (27 years old, a political unknown, and imagining an upset victory), but someone with potential. He wrote that he was a military veteran, a University of Pittsburgh graduate with a degree in Political Science, a Pittsburgh resident with extensive community ties, currently employed in the city’s Office of Public Safety, and a member of the Libertarian Party.
After thus reassuring ourselves that he wasn’t crazy or mentally incompetent (for years I’ve felt badly that none of us activists here wished to embark upon that particular quixotic quest), we tried to find out more about him. Coincidentally, at the same time a co-worker of mine (who of course knows I’m a libertarian) mentioned to me that one of his former rock climbing students was running for mayor and had hit him up for a petition signature. They both happened to be paratroopers in the Army, and my coworker said he was a good guy and intelligent. It was thus nice to get some independent verification, and also to know that he was already out collecting signatures.
Within two hours of Tony emailing his letter expressing an intention to run for mayor, Tony was handed several clipboards and forms (third party nomination papers) from Allegheny County's highly energetic vice-chair, Mark Rauterkus. For months similar papers had been circulating with political body, Libertarian, and with Rauterkus occupying spots, including that of mayor, as a place-holder candidate.
That’s one of the new and exciting trends about libertarianism these days: we don’t have to go out and find people, and educate them about libertarianism – now young people find us via the internet. We don’t have to teach them much of the philosophy – they’re usually already thoroughly grounded by their readings on the web. A new day is dawning and there is hope. (Go Ron Paul!)
I corresponded by e-mail with Mr. Oliva during that final week, and despite my vow a few years ago to limit my libertarian activities, I spent a few hours collecting signatures, solicited another few from my brother. Tony and I badgered neighbors, and put some energy into the last days. “It’s harder than I thought it’d be!” expressed a few friends who turned up empty.
Mr. Oliva worked hard for sis days, collecting about 115 signatures each day and getting 700. More than 805 were needed. With his total and what everyone else collected, the Libertarians turned in plenty of signatures to clear the hurdle for the election department and challenges.
After the horrendous experience of minor parties statewide last year, I was very worried that the Republican would challenge. But for whatever reason, he didn’t. Subsequently Mark and Tony filed the necessary papers to conduct the switch of their names.
I’m happy to report that we now have three spots on the city ballot: Tony Oliva for mayor, and Mark Rauterkus for both city council and city controller.
My impression of Mr. Oliva, starting from e-mail exchanges, is clear. I can confidently state that he is a competent writer. We also spoke by phone, and then face-to-face. Based on those encounters and positive reports after a WDUQ radio interview, I can also state that he’s a competent speaker.
 |
| From people & vips |
Some did question why the Libertarians should run someone for mayor. It is entirely possible that the Republican was already fairly libertarian and he could have a better chance of winning than we did. We could thus be hurting ourselves by splitting our vote.
Mark Rauterkus informed me on the Republican candidate, Mark DeSantis. We checked out his website. Nick spoke with someone in his office. It turns out that DeSantis is a serious candidate with typical Republican economic concerns, such as lowering taxes and increasing government efficiency, but one whose position on social issues is difficult to gauge.
We discussed the obvious -- how a libertarian mayor could instruct the city police to make consensual crimes their lowest priority, but we didn’t know Mr. Oliva’s thoughts on that score. Assuming the best, Mark Rauterkus suggested that if vote-splitting turned out to be a legitimate concern, we could always make a splash by withdrawing a few weeks before the election and asking our supporters to vote for DeSantis. That was enough to drive to do the last-minute petitioning for signatures.
Tony and I sat down to lunch last in order for me to get to know him better for this article, to discuss some of these issues, and also to give him any benefit of my political experience.
Mr. Oliva is a handsome, athletic-looking young man, with the attentive and easy, straight-forward manner that seems appropriate for someone with military experience. He still serves with the Pennsylvania National Guard.
Interesting to me as a former diehard Pitt football fan, Tony came to Pittsburgh from New York City (the Bronx) on a football scholarship from Pitt’s legendary coach Johnny Majors. Fortunately, he left any New York accent behind. In fact, Tony was Majors’ last recruit at Pitt, being recruited in 1996, shortly before Majors was fired. Oliva started at Pitt in 1997 under new head coach Walt Harris, as a 175-pound defensive back with 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash. That’s considered a fast time. He was red-shirted his freshman year, and expected to bulk up.
In the off-season, unfortunately, while crossing the street he got hit by a car, and received career-ending damage to a knee. Being the thoughtful, independent-minded young man that he is, he refused surgery that he felt might predispose him to premature arthritis, and opted instead for rehab and more natural, alternative medical approaches.
He stayed on at Pitt, getting a degree in Political Science, and rehabilitated his knee enough to play Ultimate Frisbee for the Pitt men’s team, making nationals for three years.
After graduating, he joined the military. As a paratrooper, he suffered another severe injury, being accidentally “sharked” by a fellow jumper. That’s where another jumper cuts under you as you’re approaching the ground, taking away your air and collapsing your chute, whereupon you fall rapidly, as though a shark has just attacked and pulled you under the water. That fall resulted in a severe shoulder dislocation and accompanying nerve trauma, and left him unable to raise his left arm above shoulder level.
He’s still able to enjoy tennis and other sports, though, and comes from a very athletic family. His brother played football and baseball in college, and his sister was a standout basketball and softball player in high school. His brother is also into NY politics, having been a speech writer for George Pataki, district chief of staff for a U.S. congressmen, and director of communications for a state minority leader.
Mr. Oliva is personable and has many friends here who have offered to help him in various ways with his campaign. Unfortunately perhaps, he is naïve enough to think he has a chance to defeat Luke Ravenstahl, the incumbent democrat and another 27-year-old. Ravenstahl won an election to city council before taking over as mayor when the recently elected then-mayor Bob O’Connor died last year.
Mr. Oliva may be correct in thinking he has the advantage of his libertarian philosophy and exceptional interpersonal skills, but being a political unknown, all the money in the world can’t buy him the trust of Pittsburgh voters, 80% of whom are registered Democrat.
The best he can hope for, in my view, is to run a positive, issue-oriented campaign, impress the people he interacts with, inject some libertarian solutions into the debate (and into the minds of Ravenstahl and his aides and advisors), and pave the way for a run for another race down the road.
Some will suggest that he switch parties to Democrat and starting off as a ward committeeman, rather than thinking he can leapfrog all the way into the Mayor’s office.
Libertarians can certainly win office when they live in small communities where they can personally meet all the voters, effectively negating the negative connotations of a minor party label. But people with a strong desire to actually serve in office in a large district, where they simply cannot personally contact a significant fraction of voters, need to be real, and follow the example of people like Ron Paul. The rest of us can work within the Libertarian Party to educate the electorate, and possibly level the playing field a bit by getting more people to register as Libertarians, so that eventually we’ll have a reasonable chance at winning a major city election.
The baseball Tony Oliva was the 1964 rookie of the year in the American League. Let’s try to see to it that our Tony Oliva develops into a Libertarian Party All-Star.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Grass isn't greener for Bloomfield football team - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
This isn't right.
City Planning played around with the residents with plenty of half-baked plans and studies over the years. Often the studies are ways to get consultants cash -- much like kick-backs. These come from hand-picked groups, generally. Or better, when there is a bid process -- all the groups know that they have to 'pay to play.' They all are on the line and hook for political donations.
Just last night I was at another city-wide meeting and there was talk about the 'pedestrian plan' of the city. My only question was, 'When is the next meeting?' The answer, after some delay, was "DECEMBER, we think."
City planning has a meeting about a city-wide plan process in August 2007 and the next meeting four months into the future. Glaciers move faster.
I dare anyone to go to the City's Planning Department to get a copy of the city's field study of 2002. I doubt that they will give it to you. I doubt you'll be able to find it online. I doubt you'll be able to read it and have it make sense. I know that the people who put it together did NOT consider the kids and traditions of the sports organizations in the city.
A few years ago the city told the South Side Sabers that they would NOT be able to use that team's field for a year. The city wanted to plant grass. So the city thought it would be okay to tell the team to go away. Growing grass is a higher priority than coaching kids.
The team, rightfully so, said no way. They had the season.
The Park's Master Plan presents another major study effort that is nothing but bunk. I went to the meeting where that was revealed and offered one suggestion. I told them that they had a document with the wrong title. They could have satisfied my objections by calling it the "Parks' LESSER Plan" as it wasn't 'comprehensive.' That document talked about the vegitation and plant life in the parks. The word "coach" was not in the docuement at all. Zippo.
Thousands of hours were invested. Perhaps $200,000 in city taxpayer money was spent. Teams of consultants were engaged too.
The big bang outcome for the city was to be, get this, a park pavilion upgrade to include running water. That's right, indoor plumbing. Another park was going to get a new garden that was similar to the one they used to have in the 1920s.
Any moron knows that there is a major shortage of ballfields in the city. So the city's angle of attack is to take the fields and devote / convert them to single sport venues. That is the wrong way.
We need more play on the fields, not less.
We need to use the parks and the fields so we can teach our kids how to play nice with one another.
We need to put the management and organization of our parks, public parks, into the hands of those who are working with the kids on a day to day basis.
Screw the consultants.
Screw the Grant Street Politicians who are clueless on how to care for our kids. They don't even want to try.
Here is what we need to do, as a city.
First, we need to get all parks programming off the hands of the City of Pittsburgh. Citiparks should be spun off of Grant Street. Furthermore, the Allegheny County Parks and Rec Department has its issues too. They don't care either. So, the County Parks need to be cut out from the County.
Think of the last time County Parks were a topic of discussion. It was about the killing of the Canadian Geese. Before that, perhaps the drivers on roads in the parks when Jim Roddey was ACE. Or, perhaps the shallow water in North Park's lake. We can do better, much better.
Merge Citiparks and County Parks & Rec into a new entity -- the Pittsburgh Park District.
This new entity is NOT an authority. It is NOT like the Pgh Parks Conservancy. It is NOT run by consultants. It is NOT run by women with big hats. It is NOT run by Elsie Hillman nor Bill Trueheart nor other foundation weenies.
The new Pgh Park District needs to be run in an open, democratic way. People who run the programs need to control the parks. Meetings need to be open, on tv, with lots of voting among lots of citizens, parents, coaches, park players, swimmers, footballers, and even Ultimate Frisbee yuppies.
Footnote: Bram of the Pgh Comment blog fell (hook, line and sinker) into a past ploy of Mayor Murphy to get support for a broken promise.
Fields and permits and sports teams should not come under crony considerations. Fields should not be treated like the system used for repaving roads. It is all crooked. Corruption rules.
Every once in a while this comes into focus with a story in the newspaper. But it is a daily event on Grant Street. It needs to be fixed. The way to fix it is to elect people who are NOT Democrats. We need to break the back of one-party rule. Then we can get new people who are loyal to principles of good behavior for the sake of doing the right things.
The Dem politicians do what they do now because they are looking out for their jobs. They take their clues from others in high places who are needed to keep their jobs.
Now the football players in Bloomfield need to rush Grant Street -- blitz if you will -- to raise a stink. Luke has to save the day because he and the others that have come before him and who are on council now have fumbled. They screwed up. They have made dozens of mess ups on top of dozens of other mess ups.
It is time to put some new perspectives on Grant Street so we can get new reform that makes sense.
And I don't want to reform Pittsburgh now because that implies that the people that are on Grant Street now will do the reforming.
I've said that if I'm elected to city council, I want to be the one who is the chairman of the Citiparks committee. I want that job.
Furthermore, if I'm elected to the post of 'controller' I'll be sure to review each of the past master plans and call them bogus by pointing out their weaknesses.
It is obvious to me that bad decisions are being made -- constantly -- because they rely upon bad data. The priorities are messed up. The benchmarks are a joke. And they don't have the perspectives nor creativity to clean up the mess.
The ones who made the mess are the ones who are least capable of cleaning it up.
Grass isn't greener for Bloomfield football team - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The city has committed $300,000 to $350,000 to tear out the turf, plant grass, install dugouts and irrigate the land. That's most of the $450,000 available in the yearly public works budget earmarked for 'park reconstruction.' The work could begin by September -- once a contractor is chosen -- and could take six to eight months to complete. Gable said Mayor Luke Ravenstahl approved the project. As for the one-sport restriction. Gable said the decision conforms to a 2002 study of the city's fields by North Side-based Pashek Associates that recommended limiting each field to baseball, softball, soccer or football to give the grass time to grow between seasons.First of all, the 2002 field study is a joke. It is nothing to pin any hopes and policy upon. It is crap. I have and have had big problems with the field study. I followed the work of the field study. I care about kids and recreation. The field study is not worth the paper it is printed on. And, it is printed on paper so large that it can't be put on a simple photo copy machine. And, the field study wasn't even made into a PDF nor put online.
City Planning played around with the residents with plenty of half-baked plans and studies over the years. Often the studies are ways to get consultants cash -- much like kick-backs. These come from hand-picked groups, generally. Or better, when there is a bid process -- all the groups know that they have to 'pay to play.' They all are on the line and hook for political donations.
Just last night I was at another city-wide meeting and there was talk about the 'pedestrian plan' of the city. My only question was, 'When is the next meeting?' The answer, after some delay, was "DECEMBER, we think."
City planning has a meeting about a city-wide plan process in August 2007 and the next meeting four months into the future. Glaciers move faster.
I dare anyone to go to the City's Planning Department to get a copy of the city's field study of 2002. I doubt that they will give it to you. I doubt you'll be able to find it online. I doubt you'll be able to read it and have it make sense. I know that the people who put it together did NOT consider the kids and traditions of the sports organizations in the city.
A few years ago the city told the South Side Sabers that they would NOT be able to use that team's field for a year. The city wanted to plant grass. So the city thought it would be okay to tell the team to go away. Growing grass is a higher priority than coaching kids.
The team, rightfully so, said no way. They had the season.
The Park's Master Plan presents another major study effort that is nothing but bunk. I went to the meeting where that was revealed and offered one suggestion. I told them that they had a document with the wrong title. They could have satisfied my objections by calling it the "Parks' LESSER Plan" as it wasn't 'comprehensive.' That document talked about the vegitation and plant life in the parks. The word "coach" was not in the docuement at all. Zippo.
Thousands of hours were invested. Perhaps $200,000 in city taxpayer money was spent. Teams of consultants were engaged too.
The big bang outcome for the city was to be, get this, a park pavilion upgrade to include running water. That's right, indoor plumbing. Another park was going to get a new garden that was similar to the one they used to have in the 1920s.
Any moron knows that there is a major shortage of ballfields in the city. So the city's angle of attack is to take the fields and devote / convert them to single sport venues. That is the wrong way.
We need more play on the fields, not less.
We need to use the parks and the fields so we can teach our kids how to play nice with one another.
We need to put the management and organization of our parks, public parks, into the hands of those who are working with the kids on a day to day basis.
Screw the consultants.
Screw the Grant Street Politicians who are clueless on how to care for our kids. They don't even want to try.
Here is what we need to do, as a city.
First, we need to get all parks programming off the hands of the City of Pittsburgh. Citiparks should be spun off of Grant Street. Furthermore, the Allegheny County Parks and Rec Department has its issues too. They don't care either. So, the County Parks need to be cut out from the County.
Think of the last time County Parks were a topic of discussion. It was about the killing of the Canadian Geese. Before that, perhaps the drivers on roads in the parks when Jim Roddey was ACE. Or, perhaps the shallow water in North Park's lake. We can do better, much better.
Merge Citiparks and County Parks & Rec into a new entity -- the Pittsburgh Park District.
This new entity is NOT an authority. It is NOT like the Pgh Parks Conservancy. It is NOT run by consultants. It is NOT run by women with big hats. It is NOT run by Elsie Hillman nor Bill Trueheart nor other foundation weenies.
The new Pgh Park District needs to be run in an open, democratic way. People who run the programs need to control the parks. Meetings need to be open, on tv, with lots of voting among lots of citizens, parents, coaches, park players, swimmers, footballers, and even Ultimate Frisbee yuppies.
Footnote: Bram of the Pgh Comment blog fell (hook, line and sinker) into a past ploy of Mayor Murphy to get support for a broken promise.
Fields and permits and sports teams should not come under crony considerations. Fields should not be treated like the system used for repaving roads. It is all crooked. Corruption rules.
Every once in a while this comes into focus with a story in the newspaper. But it is a daily event on Grant Street. It needs to be fixed. The way to fix it is to elect people who are NOT Democrats. We need to break the back of one-party rule. Then we can get new people who are loyal to principles of good behavior for the sake of doing the right things.
The Dem politicians do what they do now because they are looking out for their jobs. They take their clues from others in high places who are needed to keep their jobs.
Now the football players in Bloomfield need to rush Grant Street -- blitz if you will -- to raise a stink. Luke has to save the day because he and the others that have come before him and who are on council now have fumbled. They screwed up. They have made dozens of mess ups on top of dozens of other mess ups.
It is time to put some new perspectives on Grant Street so we can get new reform that makes sense.
And I don't want to reform Pittsburgh now because that implies that the people that are on Grant Street now will do the reforming.
I've said that if I'm elected to city council, I want to be the one who is the chairman of the Citiparks committee. I want that job.
Furthermore, if I'm elected to the post of 'controller' I'll be sure to review each of the past master plans and call them bogus by pointing out their weaknesses.
It is obvious to me that bad decisions are being made -- constantly -- because they rely upon bad data. The priorities are messed up. The benchmarks are a joke. And they don't have the perspectives nor creativity to clean up the mess.
The ones who made the mess are the ones who are least capable of cleaning it up.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Mayoral Opponent Upset Over Youth Program Shirts Sporting 'Ravenstahl' Name - News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh
Mayoral Opponent Upset Over Youth Program Shirts Sporting 'Ravenstahl' Name - News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh About 232 children taking part in Pittsburgh's summer youth employment program are wearing city-issued T-shirts with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's name appearing on them.
The shirts have Republican mayoral candidate Mark DeSantis upset.
"It's not the mayor's program," DeSantis said. "It's the city of Pittsburgh's program. It's not the mayor's money. It's taxpayers' dollars. It's not the mayor's government. It's city government. There's really no reason to promote his name with a city program.
Hot news from Bangkok's swim meet - World Univeristy Games has Pittsburgh connection wearing gold
AMS Home Page: "World University Games, August 12-18, Bangkok, Thailand ..."Check out the news.
The photos are from our trip to Thailand. Does this guy look like a 400 IMer?
 |
| From thai mix |
Christine Smith, Libertarian Candidate for President, 2008
Christine Smith, Libertarian Candidate for President, 2008 Christine Smith, Libertarian Candidate for President, 2008A women in the race, besides Hillary.
I am happy to share my campaign is progressing very well!
I take this opportunity to invite everyone of you to my campaign website:
http://www.LibertarianForPresident.com
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Ravenstahl makes his own case for being clueless
Esquire.
Luke on Luke --- "Look at me. No hands. No clue either!"
Chew your food. Take your time. Don't eat on the run.
Luke, you need to speak about the duty you have, not the opportunity. Luke, you need to talk of the service you hope to fill, not the perks that float your way. Luke, you need to dodge the hits you inflict on yourself because of the running around in circles. Get a grip. Be hit. Hit back. Stand your ground. Be aware.
Talk of the responsibility, the stewardship, the management efforts.
Luke, it is NOT so important that you tell "Pittsburgh's story" to mayors from around the nation. Those folks are NOT going to move here. What is important in telling that story -- except for you as the teller.
I'm not here to be a slave of history -- or even H I S -- S T O R Y. Pittsburgh's story is something that is unfolding. Let's make history. Let's craft a better story.
 |
| From texture - misc. |
Ravenstahl makes cameo in new Esquire - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The magazine ran a quote from each mayor with his photo. Ravenstahl told the magazine the 'best perk' of being mayor: 'I don't have the political relationships yet, so I think that's an advantage. But because things move so quickly, I haven't had the chance to sit down and digest it. To this day, quite honestly, it hasn't hit me -- the opportunity I have.'Digest it. Barf!
Chew your food. Take your time. Don't eat on the run.
Luke, you need to speak about the duty you have, not the opportunity. Luke, you need to talk of the service you hope to fill, not the perks that float your way. Luke, you need to dodge the hits you inflict on yourself because of the running around in circles. Get a grip. Be hit. Hit back. Stand your ground. Be aware.
Talk of the responsibility, the stewardship, the management efforts.
Luke, it is NOT so important that you tell "Pittsburgh's story" to mayors from around the nation. Those folks are NOT going to move here. What is important in telling that story -- except for you as the teller.
I'm not here to be a slave of history -- or even H I S -- S T O R Y. Pittsburgh's story is something that is unfolding. Let's make history. Let's craft a better story.
Libertarian Party opposes proposed smoking ban on private businesses
Harrisburg latest intrusion tabled till fall
Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
Harrisburg - Although legislators have tabled a state-wide smoking ban until fall, the issue is far from dead. Governor Rendell has expressed his disappointment in the delay and indicated that "I believe a statewide ban would be good, and I'd be willing to sign it."
Today, the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPa) announced their opposition to this ban and re-affirmed their advocacy of the principles of individual responsibility and individual liberty. The Party holds that it is outside the role of government to prohibit legal behavior on private property.
Per Doug Leard, LPPa Media Relations Chair, "We, the citizens of Pennsylvania, do not want or need to be treated as children. We are responsible adults. We can decide whether to attend a restaurant or other privately owned enterprise which allows or does not allow smoking."
Libertarian candidate, Jim Babb, added, "If the governor has his way, his next step could be a ban on unhealthy foods, carrying scissors or mandating hats when it's cold. Free people don't need governmental parents. To assume that Pennsylvanians are too childish to make their own health choices is arrogant and insulting. To assume the politicians can make adult choices is downright foolish and dangerous."
The Senate and House versions would ban smoking in places such as arenas, private stores, private restaurants, and convention halls. The Senate and House bills differ in their list of special-interest exceptions and the ability of local governments to establish more restrictive bans.
Mark Crowley, a Libertarian Party activist from Allegheny County, asked, "What's next? Will Harrisburg bureaucrats target happy-hour promotions because lower-cost foods and drinks lead to bad health decisions? Appetizers and smoking should be personal choices, not government mandates. Let customers choose by voting with their feet and taking the demand for wait staff with them."
The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in both Pennsylvania and the United States. Nationwide there are over 200,000 registered Libertarians with organizations in all 50 states. Libertarians serve in hundreds of elected offices throughout the nation. Please visit www.LP.org or www.LPPA.org for more information.
Assure Schenley's future
What is up with this?
Three Rivers Stadium had a flood. Remember that?
Mellon Arena's lights went out. Remember that?
Schenley High School's ceiling fell -- in time for summer school.
Upkeep. Maintain. Modernize.
Well, Pitt Stadium was modernized. It had great facilities for the players, coaches, trainers and athletes. But, that didn't help much. Pitt Stadium still went away.
Assure Schenley's future 'I'd like to go to Schenley, but I don't know if it is going to stay open. You know, the ceiling fell down.'Funny how things seem to happen, like the sky falling, or floor flooding, when the powers that be want to churn.
Three Rivers Stadium had a flood. Remember that?
Mellon Arena's lights went out. Remember that?
Schenley High School's ceiling fell -- in time for summer school.
Upkeep. Maintain. Modernize.
Well, Pitt Stadium was modernized. It had great facilities for the players, coaches, trainers and athletes. But, that didn't help much. Pitt Stadium still went away.
Pop City - Councilman Bill Peduto launches revolutionary PAC web site
This makes me chuckle on a number of levels. But first, the POP news:
So Peduto, a divisive, mean-spirited politician who has been embroiled in hard-hitting Grant Street politics his entire career is going to turn a new leaf and become the leader of a harmonious enclave of like-mindedness.
Hippies were individuals who wanted to effect change too.
Furthermore, I contend that Grant Street is filled with like-mindedness. Every elected city official is of a like-mind and with a "D" next to his or her name.
The "whole idea" is to strip away all-for-one attitudes. Pittsburgh has been marching with lock-step like-mindedness for decades. They march to the same tune and have created a massive rut as well.
Peduto's leadership hatches a “whole idea." He says the aim is 'to strip away the divisive mean-spiritedness which I was embroiled in and create a new environment that is more harmonious, that will bring about a gathering of like-minded individuals to effect change in Pittsburgh."
Jeepers. Let's put the recovering CRACK DEALER on stage as a model citizen at our kid's school to say, "Don't grow up like me." What is Peduto to stand up and say? "I was bad. Now I'm good. Play nice. Do what I say, not as I've done."
There is plenty of twisted thinking in these statements.
First off, Peduto's 'mean-spiritedness' is autobiographical. He said it himself. Those are his words.
I don't think Peduto was that mean spirited. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. I don't think he has been that gracious and open either. His camp isn't known for singing "We are the world" and other peace and love songs.
Second, I don't shy away from a good battle. I find diversity as a sign of health. I like to see folks split on issues of merit. There is nothing wrong with 5-4 votes, except when they are cast about cat licenses and other meaningless measures.
Bill Peduto must intend on using the Podcamp event as a back drop for the new site launch.
Pop City - Councilman Bill Peduto launches revolutionary PAC web site Reformpittsburghnow.com will officially launch this Saturday. Among the unique features will be videos of people and places in Pittsburgh--what’s working and what’s not; a call to action that includes a library on issues and a single-click contact your legislator; a social network for feedback; a monthly Talk to Peduto forum, and a personal blog by Peduto. “The whole idea,' he says,'is to strip away the divisive mean-spiritedness which I was embroiled in and create a new environment that is more harmonious, that will bring about a gathering of like-minded individuals to effect change in Pittsburgh.”Good to see Peduto found the internet to be his number one source of information. Personally, TV departed as my number one source of news and information after NBC pulled the plug on the Red, White, and Blue cable stations established for 24-hour coverage of the summer Olympics in 1992.
So Peduto, a divisive, mean-spirited politician who has been embroiled in hard-hitting Grant Street politics his entire career is going to turn a new leaf and become the leader of a harmonious enclave of like-mindedness.
Hippies were individuals who wanted to effect change too.
Furthermore, I contend that Grant Street is filled with like-mindedness. Every elected city official is of a like-mind and with a "D" next to his or her name.
The "whole idea" is to strip away all-for-one attitudes. Pittsburgh has been marching with lock-step like-mindedness for decades. They march to the same tune and have created a massive rut as well.
Peduto's leadership hatches a “whole idea." He says the aim is 'to strip away the divisive mean-spiritedness which I was embroiled in and create a new environment that is more harmonious, that will bring about a gathering of like-minded individuals to effect change in Pittsburgh."
Jeepers. Let's put the recovering CRACK DEALER on stage as a model citizen at our kid's school to say, "Don't grow up like me." What is Peduto to stand up and say? "I was bad. Now I'm good. Play nice. Do what I say, not as I've done."
There is plenty of twisted thinking in these statements.
First off, Peduto's 'mean-spiritedness' is autobiographical. He said it himself. Those are his words.
I don't think Peduto was that mean spirited. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. I don't think he has been that gracious and open either. His camp isn't known for singing "We are the world" and other peace and love songs.
Second, I don't shy away from a good battle. I find diversity as a sign of health. I like to see folks split on issues of merit. There is nothing wrong with 5-4 votes, except when they are cast about cat licenses and other meaningless measures.
Bill Peduto must intend on using the Podcamp event as a back drop for the new site launch.
Pittsburgh airport expands enclave for private jets
Luke might be able to hang out at this hangar to collect his autographs.
Of course FedEx and Bayer are going to be more interested in the western area runway. But the teams headed to and from Oakland and Mellon Arena could use the Allegheny County Airport.
Otherwise, I'm worried about the long-term health of the County Airport. How much does that cost a year to operate?
Furthermore, what about that airport under construction in the near north, up by Deer Lakes and Fox Chapel? What has become of that pork spending?
I'd love to see an audit of all our airports.
If the private jets that fly into the airport are a key to the region's economic development efforts, we are in sad, sad shape. Let's subsidize the corporations that need a place to house their jets. Let's give them easy access to their private planes.
Dan Onorato says "you NEED these types of facilities." Rather, he means, he needs to get these types of facilities so he can take care of his campaign donors.
The key to remaining competitive isn't found in high flying CEOs who are paid hundreds more than the average worker in the company. That's bunk.
Here we go, again, bending over backwards to service those who come into town for the US Open and the All-Star Game. Rather, I'd love to have services for those that live here. I'd rather devote attention to our kids that grow up here. I'd rather make sure our parks are open, clean, safe, -- and with coaches and equipment.
What we need -- NEED -- are flights abroad. We need to get to Europe. How about flights to London, Germany, Central/South America, and more locations in Canada.
Pittsburgh airport expands enclave for private jets There aren't many places in Western Pennsylvania that can boast about playing host to Tiger Woods, Ben Roethlisberger, Sidney Crosby, Al Gore and a host of other athletes, politicians and celebrities. Atlantic Aviation Service's Business Aviation Center at Pittsburgh International Airport is one of them. And the company is looking to add to its growing customer base. Atlantic Aviation Services, joined by local politicians and Allegheny County Airport Authority officials, opened a new 30,000-square-foot jet hangar and 7,250-square-foot charter terminal and office center at the airport yesterday.I would be keen to expand these types of private services at the Allegheny County Airport, not the Greater Pittsburgh airport.
Of course FedEx and Bayer are going to be more interested in the western area runway. But the teams headed to and from Oakland and Mellon Arena could use the Allegheny County Airport.
Otherwise, I'm worried about the long-term health of the County Airport. How much does that cost a year to operate?
Furthermore, what about that airport under construction in the near north, up by Deer Lakes and Fox Chapel? What has become of that pork spending?
I'd love to see an audit of all our airports.
If the private jets that fly into the airport are a key to the region's economic development efforts, we are in sad, sad shape. Let's subsidize the corporations that need a place to house their jets. Let's give them easy access to their private planes.
Dan Onorato says "you NEED these types of facilities." Rather, he means, he needs to get these types of facilities so he can take care of his campaign donors.
The key to remaining competitive isn't found in high flying CEOs who are paid hundreds more than the average worker in the company. That's bunk.
Here we go, again, bending over backwards to service those who come into town for the US Open and the All-Star Game. Rather, I'd love to have services for those that live here. I'd rather devote attention to our kids that grow up here. I'd rather make sure our parks are open, clean, safe, -- and with coaches and equipment.
What we need -- NEED -- are flights abroad. We need to get to Europe. How about flights to London, Germany, Central/South America, and more locations in Canada.
LewRockwell.com Blog: The Revolution
Check out the image on this site.
LewRockwell.com Blog: The Revolution The strength of the Ron Paul campaign is the incredible number of self-starting volunteers who organize and work for him entirely on their own. And they show competence as well as heart.
Could these be the weed and seed computers being carried away on a bike
 |
| From china - bike ... |
Team 4: Missing Electronics Bought With Weed And Seed Money - News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh The Weed and Seed program is supposed to crack down on crime while lifting up communities. Lately, there have been questions about the way some money was spent, and about missing computers and other merchandise, according to Team 4 investigative reporter Jim Parsons. The purchases of electronic equipment like computers and digital cameras were made with Weed and Seed funds while Tom Murphy was mayor of Pittsburgh. Now, the federal government is asking the city to locate that equipment.Weed and Seed is NOT providing Fruit.
Neighborhood crime prevention, career center. Pittsburgh, PA
Neighborhood crime prevention, career center. Pittsburgh, PA A City-wide Crime Prevention Program developed for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Monday, August 13, 2007
Stake of Westinghouse Electric sold to Kazakhstan company
For this we need to make local tax breaks so our schools here get less income for operations.
Stake of Westinghouse Electric sold to Kazakhstan company The day before Gov. Ed Rendell travels to Cranberry to celebrate the start of Westinghouse Electric's new corporate campus in Cranberry, Japanese conglomerate Toshiba Corp. agreed to sell a 10 percent stake in Westinghouse to Kazakhstan's state-run energy company.
Toshiba agreed to the $540 million sale to Almaty-based Kazatomprom so it could gain access to Kazakhstan's abundant supply of uranium, a resource used by nuclear power plants. Kazakhstan hopes to become the world's largest uranium miner by the end of the decade; it currently ranks third.
Blogger cures Global warming N@
Cool. Pun intended.
Bloggers should rule the world. It is going to be a much kweler place once we do.
Better link:
Link
Bloggers should rule the world. It is going to be a much kweler place once we do.
GroundReport | Global warming "vanishes" from US temperature record after NASA corrects data Global warming 'vanishes' from US temperature record after NASA corrects dataNASA should say 'sorry.'
Better link:
Link
GroundReport | After floods: urged to work on prevention
GroundReport | After floods, UN urges countries to work on prevention After floods, UN urges countries to work on preventionHumm...
I've been talking about prevention and infrastructure for a long time. We need to do and measure what is prudent.
It is sad that Pittsburgh needs to look to the playbook of Bangladesh to figure out what should be done and where our priorities need to be placed.
Another one bites the dust
Tommy Thompson, R, from Wisconsin is out of the US Presidential race.
He had been out of the cabinet for a week or two. He told the story about his first day back in the 'real world.' He got up in the morning and headed to work. Walked to the car and sat in the backseat. After a moment he realized he was alone. No driver.
Next he talked for two minutes about how hard it is to both find you way around town, be it DC or elsewhere, without a driver. And, how hard it is to find a parking space after you get to where you want to go.
Welcome to the real world Tommy boy!
We did talk about Tommy's brother, an elected official in a small town. He was 'mayor' and he is a Libertarian.
I'm not sure where he is now. And, I wonder what he had to say about Tommy's race for President contrasted to Ron Paul. Now that might be a good tidbit for the history books.
The T.T. for President website had this statement about the Iowa Straw Poll:
Bye!
Romney: Win Not Hollow -- GOPUSA Historically, the straw poll has helped winnow the field of presidential candidates and former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, who ran sixth, dropped out of the race Sunday.I got to meet Mr. Thompson. He spoke to a group of people at a Washington D.C. hotel located next to the White House. He gave a nice presentation.
He had been out of the cabinet for a week or two. He told the story about his first day back in the 'real world.' He got up in the morning and headed to work. Walked to the car and sat in the backseat. After a moment he realized he was alone. No driver.
Next he talked for two minutes about how hard it is to both find you way around town, be it DC or elsewhere, without a driver. And, how hard it is to find a parking space after you get to where you want to go.
Welcome to the real world Tommy boy!
We did talk about Tommy's brother, an elected official in a small town. He was 'mayor' and he is a Libertarian.
I'm not sure where he is now. And, I wonder what he had to say about Tommy's race for President contrasted to Ron Paul. Now that might be a good tidbit for the history books.
The T.T. for President website had this statement about the Iowa Straw Poll:
Tommy Thompson For President - Statement by Governor Thompson on Ames Straw Poll Participation To skip the straw poll is to show fear...fear that a campaign's lack of support will finally be revealed and fear the entire country will see that the king has no clothes.Both Senator McCain and Mayor Giuliani skipped out of the Iowa Straw Poll.
Bye!
How Extremists Are Getting US-Bought Guns
How Extremists Are Getting US-Bought Guns At least three U.S. government agencies are now investigating the massive 'disappearance' and diversion of weapons Washington intended for Iraqi government forces that instead have spread to militants and organized gangs across the region. The potential size of the traffic is stunning. A report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office last month showed that since 2004, some 190,000 AK-47 assault rifles and pistols, bought with U.S. money for Iraqi security forces, have gone missing.There is a good reason why they hate the United States. This is bad. Corruption with contractors is ugly.
Romney "Out Pauls" Paul
Dr. Ron Paul, the Republican candidate for President, has been heralded as the King of the Internet by his supporters for his purported omnipresence on the World Wide Web.
On WashingtonPost.com recently, this blurb by Jose Antonio Vargas in regards to the "back on" YouTube debates with Republicans:
"Romney, the lone GOP holdout, has posted more videos on his YouTube channel (283 as of Sunday afternoon) than any other presidential candidate, Republican or Democrat. But he has resisted the debate, in which videotaped questions are submitted through YouTube. In an interview with Manchester Union Leader, Romney said, 'I think the presidency ought to be held at a higher level than having to answer questions from a snowman.'"
I think the YouTube debate for Republicans could be fun; however, I too believe that it would simply be a venue for "cheap shots" for a historically non-Republican audience.
Then again, Mitt Romney has more of an Internet presence than any other candidate. I reserve the right to be wrong.
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