Vote "NO" on the retention votes for judges in Pennsylvania

Reason #10: The Judicial Swindle

On July 7, 2005, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed a bill providing pay raises for all three branches of government. The bill was passed at 2:00 a.m. with no public input and was an example of 'gut-and-run' legislation, in which a one-page bill was stripped of all text, replaced with a 22-page amendment in a conference committee and quickly passed without debate.

The bill contained a non-severability clause, meaning that if any portion was struck down in court, the entire pay raise would be struck down as well. This was an attempt to insure against any future lawsuits against the pay raise bill. In practice, if any single judge ruled against any part of the bill, every judge, legislator and executive branch member who received a pay raise would lose it.

What judge in their right mind would want to jeopardize the pay raise of every one of his or her colleagues? All for one and one for all.

By his own admission, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ralph Cappy was a chief proponent of the pay raise package and claimed the legislature showed "courage" in passing it. He also met privately with members of the other two branches of government to hammer out the details.

The bill did not adhere to the Constitution's 'original purpose' or 'three day' rules. Just weeks earlier, however, the Supreme Court sent a clear message to the legislature that such a bastardized process was acceptable in the Court's eyes - via a decision on a case regarding the bill that created the Commonwealth's slots industry, which was passed in much the same manner.

The public was outraged by the pay raise. Activist Gene Stilp filed suit against the bill and its clear violations of constitutional provisions for the legislative process. A four-month public outcry eventually led to a repeal of the pay raise by the General Assembly on November 16, 2006.

The pay raise repeal also included a non-severability clause, meaning that if any court struck down any small portion of the repeal, everyone would get their raises back. In for a penny, in for a pound.

Since the pay raise was repealed, Commonwealth Court dismissed Stilp's suit as moot. Two subsequent suits were filed by judges against the repeal, however. These cases revolved around the constitutional provision that judicial salaries cannot be cut unless the salaries of "all salaried officers of the Commonwealth" are also reduced.

There is no definition within the Constitution of what a "salaried officer" is. Short of a constitutional definition of the term, an act of the General Assembly is the next best thing - so the legislature created a definition within the repeal specifically to prevent court challenges based on this point.

While the Stilp case dealt with the procedural issues involved with the pay raise, the judges' cases against the repeal only sought to keep the money. In an extraordinary move, the Supreme Court used its King's Bench power to pull the two cases filed by judges directly to the high court for adjudication. In an even more unusual move, the Court brought the Stilp case back from the dead so they could rule on all the pay raise issues at once.

The case took an even more bizarre twist in January 2006 when state Treasurer Bob Casey, Jr. - who was named as a respondent in the both the Stilp case and one of the judges' cases - filed an amici curiae (friend of the court) brief siding with plaintiff Stilp. A similar brief supporting Stilp's procedural arguments was filed by activists Tim Potts, Eric Epstein and Russ Diamond.

Many Pennsylvanians quietly opined that the "fix was in" as soon as the Court decided to use its King's Bench power to combine the three cases into one. Because the salary of every single judge in the state was at stake, conflict of interest issues abounded. What state court could possibly give this case a fair hearing?

Oral arguments were heard on April 4, 2006, in Philadelphia and the Court handed down its opinion on September 14, 2006. The decision came as no real surprise, but Pennsylvanians were outraged nonetheless.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court combined three separate cases - including one that was already DOA - in order to cherry-pick pieces from each to build a decision that would allow all judges in the Commonwealth to keep the loot. It was an act of legal gymnastics the likes of which no Pennsylvanian had ever seen.

Despite the non-severability clause in the repeal, the Court restored pay raises for the judicial branch only. The legislative procedural issues of the Stilp case were not resolved.

"This was a judicial swindle," Duquesne University Law School professor Bruce Ledewitz told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "They went out of their way to uphold every other part of the constitutional challenge except the part that would have affected their own pay raises." Ledewitz later stated it was only the second time in American history a non-severability clause was ignored by a court.

Justice Ronald Castille, author of the Court's majority opinion, later wrote a letter to Duquesne University Law School that arguably threatened to bring Ledewitz up for disciplinary action due to his comments. With Ralph Cappy's recent resignation, Castille is due to become the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 2008.

Every single member of Pennsylvania's judicial branch now benefits from this judicial swindle. When they want to talk about "their record," they must first explain how they justify keeping the loot from what many non-judge and non-lawyer Pennsylvanians consider to be a disgraceful act of self-service.

Just because it has been deemed "legal" doesn't make it right. After all, how was it deemed "legal" in the first place? That's right - judges pushed for a pay raise, the top judge held secret meetings behind closed doors to get it, judges filed the challenges to the repeal and judges made the final "legal" decision.

Judges may decide the law, but We the People decide who the judges are.

Permission is hereby granted to reproduce text from this article with attribution to PACleanSweep.

2007 Retention Candidate List

Top Ten Reasons to Vote 'No'

What YOU Need to Do on November 6

PACleanSweep Judicial Retention Poll Results

Pennsylvania's Judicial Retention System

About PACleanSweep

PACleanSweep is a non-partisan effort dedicated to reforming state government in Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.PACleanSweep.com.

For more information: Russ Diamond, Chair chair@pacleansweep.com 717.383.3025

Fixture: Clean Sweep

From clean-sweep

Ron Paul: Libertarian Apostle - Is Pittsburgh native Ron Paul the champion that libertarians have been seeking?

Big article in Pittsburgh City Paper quotes me, Mark Rauterkus, about Ron Paul for President.

Ron Paul: Libertarian Apostle - Is Pittsburgh native Ron Paul the champion that libertarians have been seeking? Or just an Internet flash-in-the-pan - Main Feature - Main Feature - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh

'He's definitely the best candidate out there right now for this country,' says Mark Rauterkus of the South Side, a vice chair of the local Libertarian Party and a fixture on local ballots. 'I think he's a libertarian through and through, and I am certainly supporting him.'

Of course others are quoted in the article too, including our F-bomb dropping neighbor and fellow blogger, M.L.

The article is long and it isn't all positive. Furthermore, there are few points that I'd want to touch up. Generally in an article of that length, it would open plenty of areas where more clarification would be justified. But in this article, I want to begin by being complimentary to the writer, Charlie D.

For starters, my quote is fine. Hey, I'm a fixture! There might be a future in that fixture statement. How about: Rauterkus, a fixture for freedom. Or, Fix our Future and vote for Rauterkus, the fixture for controller. Perhaps, Rauterkus, the fixture with a grip.

Bumper stickers and button slogans welcome. (Fixture, future, framework, fitness, flow, freedom, flush, ...)

From signs

The worst statement in the article is at the top. The article say: He (Ron Paul) opposes the government enforcing any law, or offering any service, that is not explicitly prescribed in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. One world is missing. Insert FEDERAL before GOVERNMENT.

When I talked to the reporter and gave the interview we covered this topic. Ron Paul has a much more limited view of what the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT should do than other politicians. The FEDS need to do certain things. The STATE of PA needs to do other things. County government and city (municipal) government needs to do certain things too. Each layer of government has its PURPOSE. Purpose is very important to the overall health of the system and it makes a huge call to process.

Too often those in power now try to blur the divisions among the various levels of government. Local concerns need to stay local. National concerns should be managed at the federal level. State's rights issues directed to a candidate for US President are out of bounds and need to be dealt with accordingly.

Sure, there is some overlap. Sure, I want to be open and honest. But, we need to have discipline in what we expect and demand from government and the people we elect in these political roles.

Federal money should not be paying for a tunnel under the Allegheny River for light rail expansion to the new stadiums. This is just one example of how the region and nation has its wires all crossed these days. We have certain groups of people and other piles of money doing different things -- and it is all done so as to avoid accountability. The confusion is often done by design to help the status quo. We are talking about FUD 101 (FUD = fear, uncertainty, doubt).

The FEDERAL Money comes to PAT (Port Authority Transit) for a capital project so local people can't object, yet they pushed for it, and are able to say falsehoods. City council, authority boards, overlords, county council, county executive -- yet alone voters, are all 'off the hook' and 'without accountability' for hundreds of millions of dollars that goes under the river (literally).

Ron Paul is not against finding lost children. He is against the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT doing it. Ron Paul is right. Ron Paul got some local money for the sheriff to beef up its missing children programs.

Ron Paul would say that government could and should enforcing law and offer services that are not prescribed in the U.S. Constitution if those activities happened at the state, county, and municipal levels.

I call myself a "COMMON SENSE LIBERTARIAN." Government has a role to play in our lives. Really, governments have various roles in our lives as we need to keep distinctions among the various levels of government.

Pittsburgh's political landscape is in terrible conditions because many people in high places are clueless as to how the different branches of government and the different levels of government should behave.

City issues need to be handled by the city -- not with state bailouts nor state appointed overlords. Mission creep is killing our public process and our public lives have become a heavy burden and anchor that pulls down our private and economic lives as well.

From RonPaul

More from the article.

Nit picks: Ron Paul is a Republican. He is also libertarian and constitutional. Not "OR" -- but "and."

What a guy did when he was five is not as important as what he did last week. But, I guess this article needs to be written in Pittsburgh as he was here when he was five. But the milk man chatter and image of him in a white hat serves little use.

Furthermore, what was published on the internet in hate-filled sites serves little use as well. Furthermore, Paul's newsletters published decades ago -- and taken out of context -- is hard to battle.

From RonPaul

Quote: Paul is delivering a radical, energizing political message to the masses. I don't think Ron Paul is 'radical.' He is more like 'milk.' Meanwhile the others who want to run for president are the pop, fizz, bubbles and JOLT. Many of the others seeking to be president are drunk on power.

Quote: running ... as an Internet insurgent.
Insurgent! Ron Paul is a ten term US Congressman. He is a veteran -- with a "stint" of six years.

Quote: ... ... the ideas he touts, some of which would barely be recognized by many of those living in his old hometown. Say what? The people of Green Tree are sure to recognize the idea of 'freedom' and 'liberty.' That makes little sense. People in Green Tree today might not recognize a person's face from the neighborhood -- as he moved away in college, some 50 years ago. But the people are sure to understand and recognize what the IRS does and how it could go away. The people are sure to embrace many of Ron Paul's ideas -- and the all will be able to recognize the issues.

Quote: Cyberspace has long provided a home to those whose beliefs fall out of the mainstream. For those looking for a candidate to call their own, the Ron Paul message came floating by and they grabbed it in droves.

Ron Paul's message didn't come floating by. The message has roots in the American Revolution and Constitution. What went "floating by" -- was that plane that crashed in Shanksville, PA. I worry when talk of liberty and freedom is not made to be mainstream -- but only found on some remote edge of culture cyberspace efforts. Gosh. Terrorist and terror isn't the things that should be turned into the 'mainstream.'

From RonPaul

Rt. 28 getting another on ramp

Great photo in the P-G, on the front page of its web site, shows the Sarah Heinz House, sorta. Looking at the photo of our city, I don't see a lot a space where people can live. I don't really see much of a way for people to cross those highways. Nor do I see a need to create more roads.

P-G Link of article.

I don't know what time that photo was taken, but it looks kinda nice without any cars on the road. Perhaps this was take at 2015, and I don't mean time of day. In the year 2015 our roads might be as empty as the photo shows at all times of the day.

I'd like to stress the creation of bike lanes.

I'd like to stress the use of existing railway lines and heavy rail as transport for people.

I'd like to see more people live in the city so they don't need the highways every day to get into and out of town.

No doubt, it is a bit of a pain for drivers to go from Rt. 28 to 579 and handle the various turns involved from one road to the other. But the pain involved with the loss of our city neighborhoods has been massive as well.

Furthermore, the bottle neck in the road network isn't at the end of Rt. 28, is it??? I think there are lots of other problems with Rt. 28. This is not the biggest issue in that commute.

Double Negative -- Luke and Dan -- and homeless with status quo

Effort to reduce homelessness behind schedule 'We have a concern that the resources that are coming in are not simply funding a status quo that doesn't work.

The resources that have come to the county are $60-million dollars in the past five years.

Neither Luke Ravenstahl nor Dan Onorato care about the poor. The poor are very bad campaign donors. The poor are not welcome in the cultural district either.

The poor are -- in the minds of Luke and Dan -- much like the Canadian Geese of North Park. The status quo plans are worthy as long as everybody ignores both the problem and the efforts to a solution. Keep em scattered so they don't dwell in any one location.

Penn Hills High School -- Class of 1977 -- missing classmates

We're working on our 30th reunion, slated for November 2007. I graduated with more than 1,200 classmates. We have found and sent an invitation to a vast majority of the classmates. But, if you click the posting's comments you'll find a list of those we can't quite locate.

Do you know of these folks? Can you help us locate them -- for the benefit of our class reunion?

Email me, Mark@Rauterkus.com, and I'll pass along the info.

Thanks.

The Angry Drunk Bureaucrat: Ravenstahl Announces Pending Announcement

From people & vips

The Angry Drunk Bureaucrat: Ravenstahl Announces Pending Announcement

My reply to his wonderful posting:

Luke is known to always be the one who will tell us what, when he feels like it, where ever, how ever, and why ever.

Got it?

Come on Matt H, back me up on this, wood you.

---

View video of Luke saying, ... well ... watch it yourself. (It is very short). Isn't that a ringing endorsement of Elect.Rauterkus.com and this blog?

This guy is about to make the news again, oh boy.

From people & vips

Go Russ Go.

A press event is slated for Thursday in Harrisburg.

What's cooking with this new high school proposal?

I don't know why they have to say space is limited. Call the meeting. If overflow space is needed, find it.

The Pittsburgh Science & Technology Secondary Learning Community: A Community Discussion

Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 5:30 to 8:30p.m

Reizenstein School, 129 Denniston Avenue, East Liberty

Learn about plans to open this new school, potentially with 6th – 9th graders in August of 2008. This is an opportunity to gather information about the innovative design and offer your feedback. Pittsburgh Public Schools will present the information and incorporate community feedback into the plans. Parents, students, and anyone interested in public education and high school reform are encouraged to attend.

Space is limited! Light dinner provided. Childcare is available for registrants with children ages 1 and up.

The deadline to register has been extended! To RSVP click HERE or call 412-258-2660.

Recent community meeting -- details pending posting to this blog

Oh, if these seats could talk.

Gregg Behr nicks Ronald Reagan, saying it is morning in Pgh. The story we tell -- it is time to morn

Pop City, flush after an fine wine and cheese party at the North Side's New Hazlet Theater two nights ago, is talking whine and cheese like few others.

Pop City - Gregg Behr: The Stories We Tell OurselvesRemember when President Reagan declared it to be morning in America? Well, it's morning in Pittsburgh.

Gregg is a well heeled foundation type.

I morn for a few reasons.

America's political system depends upon debate and competition. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh's mayor has no time for debate. He fills his schedule with quickies in the community that is hardly an opening statement and uses the chief of police, director of parks, staffers and public works supervisors as pawns.

The mayor, like the boss of the political party of the Dems, have a lot of work to do. It is morning alright. They need to wake up. They need to do the right things at the right time.

We are just a month before election day and I want 30 debates, not three -- or NONE.

Morning in the city could come in January 2008 after Luke Ravenstahl departs Grant Street.

Morning could come after Pittsburgh's voters elect people from outside the Democratic party for Mayor, Controller, and with three different districts in city council.

Pittsburgh is hell with the lid off -- because we have a lot of smoke. We have people who want to be cloaked by smoke. We have people who want to breeze in and sail out of meetings without accountability and go forward, depending upon the way the wind blows.

The myth lives on because the political players of this town are not trustworthy.

It is demoralizing to have NO DEBATES. Ours is a placed marked by economic downtrun, dislocation and discouragement because our political landscape carries the same traits. The political elite want it that way. By design, they aim to fool and sustain their folly.

From people & vips

Pittsburgh is roboburgh as too many of the voters act like robots and only pull the party line. Pittsburgh is "green" in its buildings and bricks and hardware -- but not software nor politics nor actions against corporate welfare, a central green party plank. Pittsburgh's knowledge town works if you look at the ivory tower, the flood of studies and analysis, and the sterile operating rooms. Too bad they can't perform some type of magical organ transplants for our culture of community engagement.

Pittsburgh citizens lack the knowledge of where our city stands in terms of its finances. The people are not told. The tools for self monitoring are absent. The story is not being told because those in power want to inject self-doubt to everyday citizens -- keeping the power and upper hand for themselves.

The stories that we tell ourselves do frame who we are and where we are going. Sadly, guys like Michael Lamb and Bruce Kraus want to be controller and on council, yet they do NOT want to say anything or do anything. So, we are not going to go anywhere. They want to get the job. They want to coast. They want to have dislocation.

I don't think all of us need to be those 'great communicators.' But, the leaders need to be that way in times of crisis.

PhoneyFred.org site hits Thompson campaign and comes from realm of Mitt Romney.

Thompson aide: Romney will 'do anything, say anything, flip-flop on any position' to win - On Politics - USATODAY.com The statement from Todd Harris, communications director for Fred Thompson, accuses Mitt Romney's campaign of a 'half-baked cover-up' of what he alleges is the association between a Romney consultant and a hastily pulled website that said nasty things about Thompson.

Harris concluded with the kind of rhetoric that tends to warm Democratic hearts: 'This latest episode only serves to prove what many voters are already figuring out: Mitt Romney will do anything, say anything, smear any opponent and flip flop on any position in order to win. The American people in general and the Republican Party in particular deserve better than this.'

Bang, bang.

Have you opened any new web sites?

Surrender Should not be an Option

Surrender Should not be an Option ... We have achieved the goals specified in the initial authorization.

Another shell game - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

This is what a lie looks like. This is what a liar does. Meet Dan Onorato, the guy who said no local tax money would go for the new arena.

Another shell game - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Pennsylvania's taxpayers already have spent millions on the new Penguins arena despite assurances they would be held harmless.

'Loans' of $19.7 million for site preparation from a state capital fund have morphed into grants. Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato have said no local tax money would be devoted to the project.

But speaking in such highly technical terms belies the fact that all Pennsylvania taxpayers -- of which 'local' taxpayers are a significant subset -- are helping to pay for the hockey arena.

Money to buy the land under the Civic Arena, land that is owned by the public, is going to be purchased back from Penguins in 10 years. So, $15-million needs to be put aside now. \

Large sums of money is being put in reserve today to purchase land in the future to the benefit of the Penguins ownership. The team ownership would have a new areana and would have fumbled on the development of the area around the new digs.

Go figure.

Any way you size it up -- Onorato lied.

Half the money is from the city. The other half is from the county. In total, all of it, $15-million, is from city residents as we live in both the city and the county.

I don't want the public authority to buy back land that is already owned by the public.

Furthermore, I want the new arena to be owned by the Penguins. That's going to be public land too.

This is a deal that is as bent as a hockey stick.

By the way, we'll get a free skate in two sessions at the Civic Arena for RAD Days. Oh my gosh. How wonderful. See the Google Calendar along the side of this blog for September 25.

Meanwhile, the only other indoor ice rink, on the South Side, is still closed. And, there is little hope of it opening as the city rejected all the proposals that arrived in May 2007.

They are putting away $15-million for the Penguins and can't release the land where another hockey rink sits, that can be used by city and county residents. We don't need $300,000. Nope. We need the city to grant permission for a developer to make that opportunity real.

Rumble: Hampton & Deer Lakes bad boys

What's up with that?

KDKA radio news is making sure everyone knows that this was NOT a school sanctioned event. A few went to the hospital.

City Council OKs TIF for Bakery Square

No TIFs.

City Council OKs TIF for Bakery Square City Council OKs TIF for Bakery Square Wednesday, September 12, 2007 Last night, City Council approved $10 million in tax increment financing for Bakery Square in Larimer.

The financing plan for the Walnut Capital Inc. development at the site of the former Nabisco plant at Penn Avenue and East Liberty Boulevard was proposed by the Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority and is still awaiting action by the city and the Pittsburgh school board.

Half of the money will help with the cost of the garage. The other half will help pay for the traffic lights and construction costs of turning Penn Circle into a two-way roadway all around the circle.

This was a "County Council" matter, not as reported, by City Council.

There was a County Council meeting last night at 5 pm. And, the meeting was NOT on the internet, as it should have been.

Regulation, Free Trade and Mexican Trucks

Regulation, Free Trade and Mexican Trucks ... Within the next few days our borders will be opened to the Mexican trucking industry in an unprecedented way. A 'pilot' program is starting which will allow trucks from Mexico to haul goods beyond the 25 mile buffer zone to any point in the United States . Officials claim this is being done with utmost oversight, but Americans still have their legitimate concerns. Rather than securing our borders, we seem to be providing more pores for illegal aliens, drug dealers, and terrorists to permeate. ...

Happy New Year!

Enjoy!

Let's blend cultures with this post, as it seems to be the year to bash China.

From hex

One bomb away from losing rights by Robyn Blumner

From ads - political

Source: http://tampabay.com/

Published September 9, 2007

For months, Democrats in Congress had resisted White House demands that they pass a bill to approve warrantless domestic wiretapping. Democratic leaders were willing to make small technical fixes to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, but not give the president a swath of new, unchecked powers to eavesdrop on Americans.

Then a funny thing happened. Just before Congress took its August recess, President Bush and Republican leaders in Congress started suggesting that an al-Qaida attack was imminent in the nation's capital.

Bush told the nation in his weekly radio address on July 28 that "America is in a heightened threat environment," and "our national security depends on" passage of his version of the wiretap bill.

At about the same time, Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott, R-Miss., shared that he had been warned that "disaster could be on our doorstep." He said people should leave Washington until Sept. 12 to be safe.

The Democrats, nervous that any domestic attack would be blamed on their failure to let the president ignore the Constitution, predictably caved. At least temporarily, they handed Bush the power to intercept Americans' international communications without court oversight, swatting away the explicit protections of the Fourth Amendment like an annoying gnat.

Then, with mission accomplished, the imminent threat disappeared. We didn't hear another thing about it.

Accusing opponents of inviting the next attack on American soil if they don't acquiesce is one of the administration's favorite tactics. That is how it passed the USA Patriot Act and later its reauthorization, as well as the disgraceful Military Commissions Act of 2006. It is also how the administration beats down those on its own team who deign to raise civil liberties concerns.

A fascinating piece in today's New York Times Magazine features extended interviews with Harvard law professor Jack Goldsmith, a conservative lawyer who for nine months headed the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel. In vivid detail, Goldsmith describes how the administration used the specter of terrorism as a means to expand the power of the presidency.

This was especially true, according to Goldsmith, of Dick Cheney's top aide, David Addington, who once told Goldsmith that if the OLC ruled against an administration policy, "the blood of the hundred thousand people who die in the next attack will be on your hands."

Addington seemed to relish the coming of another big one and what powers loyal Bushies could arrogate in the aftermath. Goldsmith recalls him saying: "We're one bomb away from getting rid of that obnoxious (FISA) court."

In other words, after one more terrorist attack, the administration could get Congress to wipe away any kind of warrant requirement for domestic spying.

These fly-on-the-wall insights are contained in Goldsmith's soon-to-be-released book, The Terror Presidency. He is donating the profits to charity, Goldsmith told the New York Times, so no one will think that he is doing this for the money.

Goldsmith came on board at the OLC in October 2003 as a true believer in broad executive power and the need for exigencies in the face of dire threats, he told the New York Times. But he couldn't countenance the many constitutional excesses of the White House, particularly its open contempt for the other branches of government.

Goldsmith said he regularly clashed with White House insiders, Addington especially, who was always the "biggest presence in the room" and Cheney's proxy.

Goldsmith said he infuriated Addington by determining that the Fourth Geneva Convention applied to all Iraqi civilians, including terrorists and insurgents. The administration was used to picking and choosing to whom the Conventions applied.

And Addington was again enraged, Goldsmith said, when the OLC head withdrew two legal opinions that came to be known as the torture memos. One had been used to give the CIA legal cover to engage in abusive prisoner interrogations.

Goldsmith - flashing his right-wing stripes - expressed in the New York Times interviews lingering regard for some of his former colleagues. But with the same breath he explained how they demonstrated an almost pathological disregard for the law.

In his book, according to the New York Times, Goldsmith wrote that they did to FISA what they did to other objectionable laws: "They blew through them in secret based on flimsy legal opinions that they guarded closely so no one could question the legal basis for the operations."

Team Bush and its "one bomb away" agenda would use the next attack to finish the job of consolidating the nation's power in one man. And since Congress is demonstrably cowed into submission by the mere prospect of the next bomb, imagine how it will fold when the next one actually falls.

The resiliency of our constitutional system is only as strong as the will of the leaders we have defending it. Which is to say, not very - not very, at all.

St. Petersburg Times

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mike Ference 412.648.1066

mference@katz.pitt.edu

IEE seeking innovative, incisive entrepreneurs for 2008 Entrepreneurial Fellows Center Class

Pittsburgh, PA – September 14, 2007 – The University of Pittsburgh Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (IEE) at the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business is looking for a few good entrepreneurs. Now recruiting for the Entrepreneurial Fellows Center Class of 2008, the organization is calling all leaders of high-growth businesses interested in unmatched educational seminars, mentoring and networking opportunities.

“High-growth entrepreneurs need immediate and practical suggestions for dealing with organizational growth, complexity, transitions and performance so that they can meet increased demand and successfully compete on a larger scale,” said Ann Dugan, assistant dean and IEE executive director. “Our program offers a unique balance of the many different things an entrepreneur needs to succeed.”

The course consists of a comprehensive, 10-month Katz certificate program that includes monthly presentations by Pitt’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business faculty and respected business leaders, one-on-one mentoring with an experienced entrepreneur, and access to an interactive, private online service offering an exclusive forum for students, mentors and Katz faculty to share ideas. After graduation, alumni continue learning with Alumni Association programs and discounts on future Katz educational programs.

“Our students have put their learning to work and as a result have outperformed their industry counterparts,” Dugan said. “According to a recent survey of alumni, participating businesses have seen tremendous growth since becoming involved in the program, including a 69 percent increase in assets, a 56 percent increase in annual sales, a 31 percent increase in number of employees, and a 32 percent increase in average wages per month. These are the tangible results of the Entrepreneurial Fellows Center program.”

Alumni of the program are today’s dynamic leaders, successfully navigating the challenges of a complex entrepreneurial environment. All business leaders interested in applying for the Entrepreneurial Fellows Center Class of 2008, which will run from January through December 2008, can learn more by contacting Mike Ference at 412.648.1066 or mference@katz.pitt.edu.

######

The Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (IEE) at the University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business helps businesses grow and prosper in all stages of their lifecycle. From conceiving an idea to creating a legacy for future generations, the IEE provides education, advice, and innovative services to entrepreneurs through FirstLink, PantherlabWorks, Small Business Development Center, Entrepreneurial Fellows Center, and Family Enterprise Center.

Our mission is to be the innovative leader of economic renewal and growth serving enterprising people and businesses in the Region.

www.pittentrepreneur.com

David Adams speaks again

Click To Play

Video from today's city council meeting.

Are they going to turn this into a drive in instead?

Waterworks Cinemas to close after tonight's shows: The Waterworks Cinemas will close at the end of business tonight. The 10-screen complex on Freeport Road behind the Waterworks Mall opened in 1990.

9/11 A time to remember

Libertarian Party pays tribute to victims of 9/11 and renews commitment to our country's founding principles

Press Release from the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, PA – The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania today pays tribute to the 30 Pennsylvanians who died in the 9/11 tragedy. The LPPa also pays tribute to more than 170 Pennsylvanians who lost their lives since then in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the government’s war on terror.

"Our hearts go out to those who have lost family members as a direct or indirect consequence of the 9/11 attacks," stated Doug Leard, LPPa Chair of Media Relations.

The LPPa also asks Pennsylvanians to today reflect on the individual liberties on which our country and Commonwealth were based. The party pledges to continue its efforts to preserve and where necessary restore these liberties.

Unfortunately, the government has used 9/11 as a pretext to attack many of these liberties. The Patriot Act has damaged our fourth-amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure and our fifth-amendment right to due process. The Military Commissions Act has effectively eliminated hapeas corpus for foreigners and U.S. citizens traveling outside the country. The Real ID Act establishes national identity cards.

In the name of the war on terror, Washington has embroiled our troops in the Iraq war. In the name of security, the government has nationalized 43,000 transportation security jobs. Since 9/11, government bureaucrats have increased their spending by more than 40%. On this day, the LPPa renews our commitment to small, limited government dedicated to peaceful international relationships.

Michael Robertson, LPPa Chair, commented “Our nation was founded on the ideal of Liberty, which so many people have fought and died for. It makes our country a beacon of hope to all people, and if we lose our Liberty, then surely the terrorists have won."

Interesting crash course on PFAs, DV and public life

City Council got an ear full of valued info today at a post agenda concerning our shared public life, jobs, hires, anger, protection from abuse, and -- of course -- domestic violence.

More to come.

Tonight there is an event on the North Side. See my calendar.

Petition for the voters of Allegheny County - don't raise taxes -- put it to a vote

KDKA radio host, Marty Griffin, is talking on the air about a new petition so a question can be put before the voters. Interesting.

I called the show to ask about the nexus of the petition.

I was engaged in talks about two weeks ago about another petition effort. I also talked at the Labor Day parade with this individual. He was working on the form and and its associated electronic version / PDF.

Are these petition efforts the same? I hope there is some coordination among the two.

Marty said that many were working on the question including those at the Allegheny Institute.

Update: I did swing by the KDKA Radio Station reception desk and got a copy of the form from Marty Griffin. I've been checking matters out with the election department, county clerk, Allegheny Institute and other interested players.

Voters should have a voice. Furthermore, Dan Onorato is NOT going to be happy with the call for a vote. He wants to raise the taxes. He wants to be king and not be subject to the will of the people. Heck, Dan Onorato can't even pick the proper voting machines despite getting excellent advice on what to get from experts.

We need, and I advocate for, more questions on the ballot in the city and Allegheny County.

Once 500 signatures are gathered on the petition, the matter goes before Allegheny County Council. They can then put the matter onto the ballot -- or not.

Getting 500 signatures, with the help of KDKA radio host, would be a slam dunk. Putting the word out that this petition is buzzing in the neighborhoods with Marty's help would kick start someone on County Council.

I don't think they should dream up new taxes. The Democrats in Pennsylvania and Allegheny and the city are great at the creation of new taxes -- and fail in efforts of getting new jobs and residents.

Russ Diamond and PA Clean Sweep, working election magic again

PACleanSweep to Announce Intentions on Retentions

PACleanSweep, a non-partisan organization aimed at reforming state government in Pennsylvania, will hold a news conference Thursday, September 13 in the Capitol rotunda in Harrisburg to announce its intentions regarding November's judicial retention elections.

PACleanSweep was instrumental in the ouster of Supreme Court Justice Russell Nigro in 2005, marking the first time a member of the Commonwealth's highest court was not retained by voters. The organization followed that effort by recruiting or aligning with over 110 candidates for legislative seats, accounting for over one-third of all challengers in the 2006 primary election.

35 PACleanSweep candidates won their primary races, seven of whom defeated the sitting incumbent head-to-head. Eleven PACleanSweep candidates eventually won legislative seats in the 2006 general election, accounting for 20 percent of the total 55-seat turnover in the General Assembly during that historic election year.

The group's efforts for the 2007 judicial retention elections will be based on the results of an informal survey offered to visitors to the PACleanSweep.com website and its 5500 email list subscribers.

The event will begin at 10:30 a.m. and the public is invited to attend.

Divers know dangers, take plunge anyway - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Divers know dangers, take plunge anyway - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review take plunge anyway

The rivers are scary... so the urban lore sustains itself. Nice 'feature article.'

Hardy won't seek Fayette commissioner seat - Tribune-Review

Wow. Mr. Hardy is out of the race.

Hardy won't seek Fayette commissioner seat - Tribune-Review Fayette County Commissioner and 84 Lumber founder Joseph Hardy announced during a campaign rally Sunday that he is withdrawing from the commissioners race. About 1,200 Hardy volunteers and supporters attended the rally, which doubled as a Steelers game day party, at the Fayette County Fairgrounds.

During halftime, Hardy's campaign manager and spokesman, Jeff Nobers, stood at the podium with Hardy and broke the news. Nobers said the crowd was saddened by the unexpected announcement, but supportive and understanding.

Hardy, 84, a Republican, is serving his first four-year term as commissioner. Nobers said Hardy went on with the rally as a way to thank his supporters.

Broken hearts are brutal.

Domestic abuse by police gets city hearing

Domestic abuse by police gets city hearing

Big time article. We'll see what the hearing brings.

Ron Paul slated for TV at 8 pm on Monday

Ron Paul will be on the O'Reilly Factor on Fox News tomorrow. The show is on at 8 pm.

Pitt A.D. Long finalist for Arkansas job

Pitt A.D. Long finalist for Arkansas job Pitt A.D. Long finalist for Arkansas job

Now Pitt will be able to make another change to its logo and mascott, for another $100K or more.

The next guy or gal should bring back the Script Pitt -- or be asked about it.

And, what is the trend in colors? Isn't the mustard gold the new pink?

Where the presidential candidates line up on war in Iraq

Where the presidential candidates line up on war in Iraq Mr. Paul, the most passionate opponent of the war among the GOP candidates, unsuccessfully proposed legislation that would have removed all troops from Iraq by the spring of this year.

If you care about peace, you'll hang a Ron Paul sign in your window. Make one yourself.

'Reforming' pensions, US Airways & the Chinese - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

'Reforming' pensions, US Airways & the Chinese - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "'Reform' is one of those words that politics has rendered meaningless."

Exactly.

Reform has become 'deformed.' Once reform of this and that happens, it is a short step before all is deformed.

Rather than talk of reform here -- I often want to do other things.

First, we need to replace.

Second, redirect.

Third, reform.

The worst thing would be serious reforms implemented by the jerks and clueless politicians that are in office these days.

For example, Dan Onorato can't choose the right voting machines. He can't even manage our democracy despite being told by experts and advocates for democracy what we needed and what to choose. Onorato picked the wrong voting machines -- against strong advice otherwise. I don't want him to lead reform efforts.

The Row Office Reform effort was goofy as well.

Rather than putting forth a package deal where all the various row offices were considered with one yes or no vote -- the citizens should have been able to vote on the future of each row office as an individual decision.

Elect a sheriff? Yes - or - No.

Elect a treasurer? Yes - or - No.

Elect a clerk of courts? Yes - or No.

Look at how hard it is for Luke Ravenstahl to see what is ethical or not. He is the worst person to help make up new rules for the ethics code. He can't do it. He can't even understand that letters to the mayor from ethics hearing board chairs are not private correspondence.

This is why we can't have LUKE reform the rules that govern the ethics hearing board. Rather, we need to replace, re-direct, then reform.

All the talk about reform needs to take a back seat to more urgent talk -- REPLACING the politicians that are in office now.

South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association

South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association: "StepTrek 2007 Oct.14 - Register Now!"

Oasis Project - shelter and domestic violence with IT company

Oasis Project | TeachMac: "We'll Give a Million—Can You Spare $10?"

This might be a nice cause for the next round of giving for bloggers.

Or, perhaps this would be a good effort to establish in Pittsburgh.

IT background insights.

Open Letter to Bill Peduto, as a result of radio conversation

Dear Councilman Peduto,

On a local radio show hosted by Ron Morris, The American Entrepreneur, we talked about Pittsburgh's political landscape.

Ron Morris asked me, on the air, if I knew who was behind (supporting) Mark DeSantis?

I said, "Mr. Roddey."

He said, "Bill Peduto."

Humm... "If Bill Peduto is behind or supporting Mark DeSantis in the race for mayor in November 6, 2007, then it must be below the radar."

Bill, what's up?

The entire conversation is saved and available for review. LINK will be posted here after the show get uploaded to TalkShoe.com. Play audio of the entire show. Navigate.

For the sake of the bloggers reading this post, let's review a few important predictions from the past. Early in 2007, as you, Councilman Peduto, toyed with the idea of running for mayor in this year's primary against the appointed, Luke Ravenstahl, I said that you'd not run a campaign that "rocked the boat." Well, no race happened in the Dem primary as the feeling of "give Luke a chance" was too much to counter.

Back then I posted that there was no way that lifelong politician and loyal Democrat, Bill Peduto, would dare to rock the boat in the 2007 campaign because, in part, the term up for grabs was only for two year. We'll have another election for mayor in 2009. Well, you bailed back then. You lived to fight another day.

Now it is time to renew a challenge to you, Councilman Peduto.

The best opportunity that knocks for Bill Peduto to get into the mayor's office in January 2010 comes about as follows:

1. Bill, you need to become an INDEPENDENT voter (urgently). Renounce your Democratic Party allegiance from now until December 2007.

Sure, you can rejoin the ranks of the Ds or Rs to vote in the 2008 presidential primary, if you like. By the way, political leaders don't sit on the fence when elections unfold. Take sides in the 2008 race for the White House. As an Indie, you'll be able to plug both Ds and Rs in the national race -- for good and bad. Put skin in the game with the various races now. The races are on.

2. Bill, support, with vigor and volunteers, Mark DeSantis for mayor in the 2007 general election. Don't support DeSantis behind the scenes. Be bold. Be honest. Be open. Break ranks when you must. Don't be beholden and expect to lead the city later. We need leadership now.

3. Bill, ramp up all your efforts for the 2009 general election race for Mayor.

4. As you step out as a real supporter for DeSantis until early November and then for yourself after that, you should 'cool your jets' on the Reform Pittsburgh Now site. (link) It is a mockery. It isn't going to be the 'revolutionary site' you boasted about. It can't go far while your intentions are cloaked. You don't really want to reform Pittsburgh now. You really want to get elected later. If you wanted to reform Pittsburgh now, you'd be doing all you can to help DeSantis today.

Do blog and be active on the net henceforth. But, "NOW" isn't really "NOW." You need to win elections in the future to make real reforms, so says conventional wisdom.

5. Bill, skip the primary in 2009 as a ballot candidate. However, work like crazy to get thousands of signatures to get onto the general election ballot before the primary is held. On election day in May 2009, get you poll workers out there and get another couple thousand signatures too.

6. Bill, work hard to get as many write-in votes as possible in both the D and R primary in the spring of 2009. Strive to win one or both of the old-party primary elections in 2009 -- as a write in.

Notice Dan Onorato. Onorato heads into the fall 2007 election with a victory in the D primary (beat D, Rich Swartz), and Onorato was also a write-in victor in the R primary too. Onorato is on the November 06 ballot twice. Bill, you should aim to do one better than what Onorato has done this year. Imagine Peduto on the ballot three times: Get on the ballot as an Indie. Plus, win both the D and R primary races. That's a mandate!

7. Push the concept that the general election in Pittsburgh is an important and critical step for our revival. Pittsburgh can't flourish again if it only thinks with half of its brain. The city will continue to bleed resident. If the primary is the end all and be all -- then the city will stay in its rut. Those who want more from our politicians and political landscape are sure to continue to vote with their feet, as they have done for the past decades.

We need meaningful general elections. We need to break the status quo. We need flexibility. We need freedom. And, we need a leader such as yourself who is free to chart his own course. Otherwise, there is oppression. Otherwise, citizens can't be free -- except to depart.

8. All good plans have an exit strategy. Bill, your exit strategy, should the mayor's race of 2009 not bring you that office then, is to be hired as a city council's aid by the new city councilman in your district, Dan Gilman. That's an easy downside. Finish out the rest of your term and then you and Dan switch jobs.

---

Update: See the comments to read the quick reply from Bill.

TalkShoe and Ron Morris open thread

Let me know what you'd like to pass along to political players in the region.

I'll merge the ideas into the 'open letter' to them I'm crafting.

David Adams, candidate for Pgh City Council, district 9

In case you missed the kick-off, David Adams made a mini-movie.

Same video, but hosted on YouTube.

From signs

TCS Daily - Shakespeare vs. Larry Craig

Splendid article -- must read -- about Idaho Senator and Liberal Judgements.

TCS Daily - Shakespeare vs. Larry Craig You can't build a political coalition of lasting viability on leaders who trash by their actions the standards they profess with their mouths. The Prophet and the playwright tells us that it just won't work.

Progress.

Or, perhaps it is time for the old football cheer that goes, "Push em back, push em back, -- way back."

kdka.com - Downtown Pittsburgh Grocery Store To Open In Oct.

kdka.com - Downtown Pittsburgh Grocery Store To Open In Oct.

We are in the Cultural District on the other side of the 7th Street Bridge.

Humm...

The new store's location is about 10 blocks from The Strip District. Cheese is sold in the strip.

Growth of downtown residents has gone from 2,700 to 4,000 today. This store is going to allow for how many new residents, exactly?

The Parkway East, Inbound, will be closed this weekend. Ho humm.

Yawn.

A major roadway has to be shut down, again, so repairs can be made.

What's wrong with this situation? And, why is this called 'great news' with the MSM?

Lights went out last night 3 or 4 times

Water was out yesterday. Lights were out last night.

A telephone pole is fried in the neighborhood.

From RonPaul

[412] This is NOT too much about me -- yet. Do you want to opt into the media list as well?

I sent out an email blast:

[412] This is NOT too much about me -- yet. Do you want to opt into the media list as well?

---

Hi All,

The political campaigns of 2007 and 2008 are starting.

I am on the ballot for the November 6, 2007, election, twice. Voters in the city of Pittsburgh will be able to vote for me for CONTROLLER. Furthermore, voters in Pittsburgh's city council district 3 can vote for me for CITY COUNCIL.

But today's email is more for others:
+ Ron Paul, R;
++ David Adams, Indie;
+++ David Schulenberg, Indie; and
++++ Tony Oliva, Libertarian.


+ Debates for the 2008 election are being held and Pittsburgh-born Doctor Ron Paul, http://www.RonPaul2008, is doing well. He is my favorite by far. This is the time to get to know Ron Paul because the primary election period is going to be here sooner than expected. Study Ron Paul and learn more about LIBERTARIAN solutions.

I worry about local elections slated for 2007 as debates are NOT being scheduled. NONE. Zippo. I'm blogging, of course, http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com. My campaign planks, web sites, CDs, phone calls, press releases, book and podcasts are going to replace the need for debates and media -- if you care to listen and engage. Expect more news from me soon.


++ On Friday (tomorrow), I'll stand with David Adams, candidate for city council, district 9.

Pgh City Paper article on David:
http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A34679

Independent Candidate David Adams will formally announce his candidacy for the 9th district City Council seat on Friday September 7, 2007, at the Frick Park Entrance on Homewood Avenue, and Reynolds in the North Point Breeze community. The time of the event will be 12:30 P.M.

Adams will highlight the points of difference between what Ricky Burgess has presented as his plan, and the strategies Adams has envisioned, and is currently developing for the district, which Adams says will "change the way the 9th district does business as a community!"

The event will also include special guests, who are running for various positions in the November 6th election.

This event is open to the district residents, television, press and radio.

Adams sends a special invitation to candidate Ricky Burgess, in order to clarify any stated errors concerning his plan.


+++ David Schuilenberg is another independent candidate running for Pgh city council (district 1). I support him as he is much better than who is in office now.
http://206.130.100.156/wiki/index.php/David_Schuilenburg

A third David, David T, is running for Allegheny County Council's at large seat.


++++ Tony Oliva, Libertarian, is on the ballot for Mayor, City of Pittsburgh. He and I worked together to secure that ballot spot with my 'placeholder efforts.'

http://rauterkus.blogspot.com/search?q=tony+oliva


= = = = Opt In for More News = = = =

News and content about Pittsburgh and our issues is expected to snowball for the next couple of months. I've got a new media helper, Travis. I'm not going to flood this email list, http://Rauterkus.com/mailman/listinfo/412-public-campaign, with too much noise. I'm going to make another list.

If you'd like to get more news and insights about campaigns for public office, please send me an email: Mark@Rauterkus.com.

Thanks for listening and your ongoing comments.


Mark Rauterkus Mark@Rauterkus.com
http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://Elect.Rauterkus.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Libertarian Candidate for Pittsburgh Controller &
Libertarian Candidate for Pittsburgh City Council, district 3
Vote November 6, 2007

Water is OFF on our street

No water this afternoon. UPDATE: Water came back about one hour later. All is well, except a hole in the nearby sidewalk.

A neighbor had been hearing the sounds of running water while in her house. But, the water wasn't running in her house -- but outside, under the street or sidewalk.

The crew came by yesterday. Today we've got the hole in the road.

Our city's infrastructure has crumbled. We have plenty to do in these areas. We need to get to work by turning attention to infrastructure. And, we can't do other things as there isn't enough money.

We can't go to war and have money for sewer and water pipes.

We can't go to war and keep our bridges in good shape.

We can't expect gambling windfalls from slots to pay for it all -- yet alone pay for property tax relief and unfunded pensions.

And, I'm not interested in expanding the slots parlor operations to table games until after the discussion about video poker machines. They've got their head in the sand.

Guarding Angels invited to Pgh by KDKA

Kevin Miller, KDKA Radio host, wants the Guarding Angels to come to Pittsburgh.

The Guarding Angles are a very libertarian organization. The concept is to fix it oursevels, with the help of other freelance citizens.

I'm in favor of this effort.

The idea is to bring in some leadership to model the program. Learn from their experiences. But the goal and real effort is to train our own and do it ourselves.

School of Hard Knocks - News - Pittsburgh City Paper

Great article. Ugly story.

School of Hard Knocks - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh: "'I think the double standard has gotten worse. We live in a different city.' Their frequent calls to police rarely result in citations, she says, and they're often told, 'It's Oakland, it's where the students are, what do you expect?'

University of Pittsburgh officials, while refusing to comment on a specific incident, say that any community member can file a complaint against a student, on or off campus, through the Office of Student Affairs.

'If they just tell us about a situation, we'll address it with a student,' says Kathy Humphrey, vice provost and dean of students at Pitt. Humphrey adds that students are expected to be familiar with Pitt's code of conduct. 'Everybody understands it, we know what our expectations are -- inside and outside our community -- the respect of others is just a value that we have,' she says."

Delano's Den: Campaign 2007 -- Does Anyone Care?

Jon Delano tells the truth.

Delano's Den: Campaign 2007 -- Does Anyone Care? Truth be told, it's not easy to blog every day -- which has only increased my tremendous admiration for those bloggers who manage to find time every single day to write something.

It is sad that he has to do a 'truth alert' when something honest get posted.

Humm. Perhaps that's why the blog was idle from June 30 to September 6. (snark, snark)

But the point of the post -- does anyone care? This question comes from a guy who is in the media and who isn't helping to set the debate stage. And, he'll be behind the microphone. So, he's got skin in the game but only for the paycheck.

KDKA cares about selling soap. That's advertising. The money is important to KDKA -- not the discussion and solutions. They want to make a race so they get advertising dollars. They don't care, sadly, if another 50,000 move out of the city. The KDKA signal goes beyond the city limits. KDKA does not even care much if the people move to Butler, Westmorland and Beaver County locations. KDKA still works there as well.

I care Jon.

Get to work. Host debates. Make em happen. Prove to us that you care a little.

Yes, both Michael Lamb and Bill Peduto supported Bob O'Connor in the fall. They are Ds and they know how to take marching orders -- boosterism, lockstep, don't break ranks.

Jon thinks that both the news media (MSM) and the blogosphere will enjoy reporting of a good old-fashioned slugfest between these two. WRONG. The MSM would enjoy that. But, I won't. I don't think that the bloggers are going to get their jollies by being so shallow. "Old-fashioned slugfest" ... humm... why not post "dog fight?" Is that too Vick-ish?

The race isn't a TWO WAY race for starters. There are FOUR on the ballot. Number five is 'stay-at-home.' Number six option is NONE OF THE ABOVE. What I'm looking to enjoy is a whole view -- introductions included. That's what didn't happen yet on KDKA, should have happened by mid August.

Fumbled opportunities KDKA.

Furthermore, old-fashioned isn't ideal. We are 'knowledge town.' We have old-fashioned water pipes. We have old-fashioned, back-room dealings. I don't want old-fashioned status quo behaviors.

Screw the idea of a slugfest. Rather, I crave a sustained conversation. I give and take. I want understandings to be shared. I don't want people to get beat up and pile on.

I want hopes to soar. I want solutions that work. I want community involvement. I want effective parenting.

What I enjoy and what Jon seems to rant about are not the same, just as I live in the city and he lives in the burbs.

I'll keep my own list of things I enjoy -- and mowing the lawn is not one of them. Old-fashioned slugfests between two are another.

Welcome back.

Debate recap - and who was that rude jagoff who shared the stage?

Thanks to FOX for hosting the debate. We need more debates where every candidate is involved. The bulk of the GOP candidates know how to "stick to their guns." But, they have no clue as to how to 'win' and what 'victory' means. Dr. Ron Paul won the debate and he has the only positions that can win the White House -- and win for humanity and peace.

Here is what others are saying:

FOXNews.com - Who Won the New Hampshire Republican Debate on the FOX News Channel? - FOX Fan 'Ron Paul wins all the time because he is the only one who upholds the United States Constitution 100 percent.' — Gerrit (Ephrata, PA)

I had some pressing questions after watching. They are put forth by others from the Ron Paul site:

Ron Paul FOX 9/5/2007 Footage | Ron Paul 2008 Revolution - Ron Paul for President - Daily Paul: "Dr. Paul did an amazing, excellent job. He keeps getting better and sharper with each debate. This was his best performance to date. Each time he picks up new supporters who cannot believe their ears - they are actually hearing some truth coming out of the TV for once! This time is certainly no exception. The loud cheers for Dr. Paul show clearly that we are not alone.

Obviously FOX is threatened by this and attempted to use every dirty trick in the book to belittle the message. It was nearly half an hour before Dr. Paul got his first question, after other candidates had already answered three.

Furthermore, you can hear snickering every time Dr. Paul is asked a question, or begins to reply. It sounds like Giulianni to me. Why did FOX news encourage and permit that? In spite of this, Ron Paul stole the night! This post from the RonPaulForums.com makes it clear:"

Who was the rude person with groans among the other candidates on the stage? Jagoff. Was is Rudy? And, it wasn't once -- but many times.

Video is 12 minutes. Covers questions and remarks from Ron Paul. Giggles from Rudy remain, sadly.

Convention center audit to include firm with Onorato ties - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

From Convention Ce...

Talk about tail wagging the dog follows:

Convention center audit to include firm with Onorato ties - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review An engineering firm with ties to Allegheny County's top elected official will be among companies scrutinized by county Controller Mark Patrick Flaherty in a forensic audit of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center's construction and collapses.

Flaherty is forming a team of experts to review the center's design and structural failures, spokeswoman Pam Goldsmith said Wednesday. The audit will be completed in nine months, she said.

The audit is taking place as the insurer for the city-county Sports & Exhibition Authority prepares to notify certain companies that they will be blamed for the Feb. 5 collapse of a beam supporting the second-floor loading dock.

This is smoke. This is typical Pittsburgh.

The noise of this audit comes after the news of the past audit that has NOT been released or even completed.

We've got nothing but a house of cards and a massive white elephant.

The Convention Center is not being used to its potential. It can't be used to its capacity. The overall project was stretch that the taxpayers must pay to build and upkeep for decades to come -- if not a century.

However, I had a way to get us out of the quagmire.

The Convention Center should be sold. The Convention Center would be fine place for a slots parlor. Mr. Barden should own it, manage it, upkeep it, and pay taxes on it as well.

The city, county and its authorities need to sell off public ownership of various assets such as the stadiums and the convention center.

RAD tax incomes to these facilities should stop. The RAD tax needs a major overhaul.

As City Controller, I'll do a performance audit on the entire RAD tax legacy and account for our priorities. And, I'd offer solutions.

This audit from the county controller about building specs, subcontractors and donors to politicians is a joke. It is not going to uncover anything of substance.

The fix is to cut our losses and end all public subsidization of these boondoggles.

From Convention Ce...

Update at 10:15 am:
Onorato is on KDKA Radio with Marty G. Onorato said that the article is much about nothing. Dan is right this time. The audit and efforts are nothing much.

"My county manager has a masters degree from CMU. These are the kind of people you want in county government."

The donations are going to everyone, because they are allowed.

Onorato has nearly $2-million in his campaign bank account now.

Onorato said, "When you raise $3-million, no one person dominates your fundraising... No one sticks out. If they get mad and leave, it doesn't stick out. I don't have an appearance problem.

Political influence is given out by Dan Onorato. He is in the process with the governing issues and political issues.

Job posting: Assistant Counsel Pennsylvania Department of Education in Harrisburg

See comments for more.

Was going to live blog the debate -- but my keyboard would have been shattered

The GOP candidates for President gathered on stage tonight. There was so much said that was so ugly that I couldn't blog as it unfolded.

Go Ron Paul. He has to win as the others were too bad to deal with.

Dave Zirin: After a rough summer, let's rediscover joy of�sports - Wednesday September 5, 2007 11:09AM

SI.com - Writers - Dave Zirin: After a rough summer, let's rediscover joy of sports All of us who love sports should drop to our knees and thank the sporting gods for Appalachian State.

I love the entire article. This part is worth repeating.

We also need to channel our disgust onto far greater sporting crimes. It's a crime that the bridge in Minneapolis fell away two days before the groundbreaking on a $500 million dollar stadium. It's a crime that the good people of the Twin Cities were subsidizing the dreams for Twins owner Carl Pohlad, the richest owner in baseball.

Carbolic Smoke Ball ponders the recent Michigan football game

Carbolic Smoke Ball: "ANN ARBOR -- In what is being called college football's 'upset of the century', 5th ranked University of Michigan lost their opening game 34-32 to the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute 'Fighting Chefs' on Saturday. No one would have guessed that a school of culinary education steeped in the history and methods of the esteemed Le Cordon Bleu program could beat a Big 10 football powerhouse.

'You've got to give them credit,' said Wolverine coach Lloyd Carr. 'They were well prepared. And that souffl�they sent over after the game was out of this world!' In the photo above, U-M players are stunned to learn that soy sauce makes a terrific marinade."

Taking another step in the long climb to the White House

From RonPaul

Ron Paul is on with another debate tonight. Watch it.

The advancement of primary elections in places like Michigan and Florida is going to make this into more of a sprint and less of a marathon.

From RonPaul

The Pittsburgh City Paper is running an article on Dr. Ron Paul next week. I just provided them with and interview and some good quotes. For example:

The purpose of government has been blurred greatly around here. The city folks decide to build a tunnel under the river with federal money and say it can't be changed. Federal Housing people decide to buy up houses in certain neighborhoods to warehouse people and city government can't be leveraged so better decisions and outcomes can be found. Those in power are fine with the creation of confusion, doubt and uncertainty. They want to avoid accountability.

I want clear talk with a common sense purpose based upon the actual intent of government at the various levels from municipal to county to state to federal.

News For The Left: Lobbyist Fred to (finally) announce

Let the flood gates open.

News For The Left: Lobbyist Fred to (finally) announce Michael Shear has the info over at the Washington Post's The Trail. Lobbyist Fred has hurriedly put together a 4pm conference call to announce to folks what we've known all along: He's running for President.

Once you get over the shock of the surprising news, you should be aware that this does not make his gross violations of Federal Election Law disappear. As Cenk Uygur of the Young Turks pointed out last week, 'Just because Lindsey Lohan is driving sober today doesn't make her DUI charge go away.'

We should all continue to hold Lobbyist Fred accountable for his intentional disrespect for the rule of law. This man is not Presidential material.

City-council plan reserves cash for Penguins

Look away from the goofy spending. We own what?!?

This is wrong. This is why I want to be controller. I won't let this slide. I won't let this go without notice. I'll be a watchdog for the people against this sillyness with taxpayer funds.

City-council plan reserves cash for Penguins City and Allegheny County redevelopment authorities are working to ensure that cash will be available to the Penguins for any portion of $15 million in credits the team doesn't use in redeveloping the Mellon Arena site.

Under the agreement reached in March to keep the team in Pittsburgh, the Penguins get $15 million in credits that can be used to buy Mellon Arena property for redevelopment. If they do not use all $15 million after 10 years, they are entitled to cash for whatever amount remains.