Britain moves against offensive Oly protests - Sunday February 10, 2008 3:39PM

Original post from Feb 10, 7:46 pm. Update below from Feb 11 at noon.

The world gathers and the UK players do nothing else, by design, as stipulated in contracts.

SI.com - Olympics - Britain moves against offensive Oly protests - Sunday February 10, 2008 3:39PM British athletes at the Olympics must sign a new clause in their contracts which prohibits making politically sensitive remarks or gestures during the Beijing Games.

"The reality is, given the level of political scrutiny of the world's media on these games and the way China will handle them, the BOA felt it was sensible and proper to flag that rule to our athletes," British Olympic Association communications director Graham Mewson said Sunday.



The International Olympic Committee already has a rule which states that "no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."

The rules of the game are in the rulebook. What is out of bounds is marked, clearly.

What goes on in life, beyond the playing court, is not as 'clear cut' as what goes on in the time of the competition. Rules of life are NOT so neat nor so specific.

Review: Sports are games of space, time and relationship. (Kevin DeForest, author)

Life is not a game.

Life is about space, time and relationship.

As the UK tells its athletes, officials and coaches -- under contract -- about their restrictions in life, beyond the game, these sports warriors become less free.

Athletes are masters of time space and relationship. And, we play in sport so we can develop skills that are transferable to life -- beyond the game.

Sports should help us become 'better.' That's better citizens, better consumers, better managers of time, better organizers of relationships, better thinkers in a diverse, tolerant society.

Rules and contracts like this, from the Brits, make me sad. They make sports less human. They diminish the Olympic experience. They zap freedom. And, finally, they are hard to enforce. So, they don't work as intended.

More problems fuss about as a result of these rules and contracts. Let the black-gloved fisted salute occur from the medal podium as a sign of solidarity because the effort to prevent such is to put new flavors of slavery onto everyone's backs.

Creative expressions and characters and struggles are necessary. Otherwise, we've got robots. Otherwise, we've got a de-humanized game. Otherwise, we got the big boot of officials (government) with justifications for interventions.

If you win the attention of the world, bring your "A Game." To the victors go the spoils, an olive wreath and a trinket of gold, silver or bronze, if you are so fortunate. Celebrate. Smile freely. Speak with the skill that equals that of the dexterity of the sports moves we all just witnessed.

Play hard. Play fair. Then, it is time to live your life fully. Speak and act as your spirit moves you.

From NZ dump - tra...

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Update: The Brits change their tune. Link.

BOA says it won't censor athletes

Olympic Chiefs claim no intent to "gag" comments
Posted: Monday February 11, 2008 10:54AM; Updated: Monday February 11, 2008 11:05AM

LONDON (AP) -- The British Olympic Association has "no intention of gagging" its athletes at the Beijing Games.

A day after the BOA said it would require its athletes to sign a new clause in their contracts prohibiting them from making politically sensitive remarks or gestures during the Olympics, the association clarified its stance.

"Clearly (the instructions) had been misinterpreted and we now accept they may have been open to misinterpretation," BOA spokesman Graham Newsom said Monday. "But there is no intention of gagging anyone. We are trying to mirror what it says in the Olympic Charter."

Simon Clegg, the BOA's chief executive, acknowledged that the BOA's Team Members Agreement appeared to go beyond the provision of the Olympic Charter.

"This is not our intention nor is it our desire to restrict athletes freedom of speech and the final agreement will reflect this," Clegg said.

Newsom said no such gagging order existed. He said the organization had not tried to put a block on free speech and had been under no political pressure from the government.

"The reality is that we have historically had a very strong independent views and we are completely different from government," Newsom said. "We don't take any government funding and we make our own views."

The BOA has sent out instructions to athletes headed for Beijing that they should abide by IOC-backed regulations which state they should not comment on any politically sensitive issues or take part in political, religious or racial propaganda at the Olympic sites and venues.

Newsom said the instructions had been in place for at least 20 years and were sent out to those athletes going to their first Olympics who had not seen them before.

In January, Belgian athletes were told they would be prohibited from raising human rights or other political issues at Olympic venues. Outside the sports venues and Olympic village, however, they will be free to speak their mind.

Great!

Tech Pres observations from Mitt's Video Guy

Michael Kolowich of DigiNovations, the folks behind Mitt Romney’s Mitt TV video channel offers ten observations about the successes and challenges of his video arm.

Among them: YouTube is weak at inspiring voters to act;

YouTube can be used for and against a candidate;

It’s important for a candidate to find ways to control his or her message;

Make the software work; and

Reach out to bloggers.

He’s writing from the perspective of helping Mitt win, and doesn’t seem particularly interested in actually involving voters in a campaign, so in my mind he overemphasizes the need to control the message. But, hey, Mitt knew best, right?

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Here, first of all, are my ten most important observations:

1. YouTube is a two-edged sword
2. A YouTube channel is necessary but not sufficient
3. A content-managed video platform is vital to success
4. When choosing a platform, back-end workflow is a key decision criterion.
5. Prepare for success: use a CDN (content delivery network)
6. Maintain one asset collection, many faces
7. Build a fast & flexible production process
8. Seeds and feeds build viewership
9. Don’t believe everything you read about clip length
10. Listen to the data

John He Is, musical video.

You've seen, I hope, the one for the other guy. Now you can check out the one for John McCain.

Mayor defends staying put in wake of growing text message scandal

Mo-Town Music charges top dollar for whistle blower.

Mayor defends staying put in wake of growing text message scandal Brown sued, contending he was fired for opening an investigation that could have exposed the mayor's affair. After he won in the trial and the city said it would appeal, he and two other ex-cops settled their lawsuits last year for $8.4 million. The amount rose to more than $9 million after legal costs.

Who let the the texted dogs out?

Update: Blogger changes the world! Yep, spot on!

See the post below about how the Brits wanted to insert a clause into the contract with the UK's Olympic Athletes. Notice the update.

Ron Paul Fallout from Libertarian perspectives

Libertarians in PA, are pondering, in part, these concepts with party divisions and libertarian leaning candidate in the R-party, Ron Paul. This is a merged post from M&M R (PA Libertarian Party leader) and Dan Sullivan, Pgh L and political friend.

Headline: McCain Moves Toward Republican Nomination

Sub headline: Libertarian Party Conducts Snide Antic

Some have said that Ron Paul has no place in the Republican Party. Dan posted, "It is fairer to say that he has no place in the American political process, period. Certainly he has gotten more attention and more support as a Republican Party than he could have gotten as an Libertarian Party candidate.

Dan feels that Libertarians could have great credibility as a philosophical movement, or as a political force that uses its party mechanism as one of the weapons in its arsenal.

Ron Paul has done far more to discredit the dominant warmongering, corporate-welfare big-government Republican than we (Libertarians) could ever hope to do within the Libertarian Party.

If Obama wins the D Party nomination, the race will effectively be over, thanks largely to how well Ron Paul forced the other Republicans to be explicitly in their
defense of Bush's war. Of course, if Hillary Clinton wins, it will just be a more competent warmongering corporate-welfare liberty-smashing administration against a less competent one. Incompetence being a virtue in such a situation, McCain might be the better choice.

Questions linger as to it Libertarianism has never been a prominent feature of the R Party.

-- Republicans in Pennsylvania introduced home rule, freeing counties and municipalities from top-down control by the state.

Libertarianism has not been dominant in recent times in American politics generally.

-- Eisenhower warned of the influence of the military-industrial complex.

-- Goldwater was a Presidential candidate.

-- Reagan paid some lip service.

Republican Presidents unduly used or expanded federal power or sat back while their corporate backers so trampled on individuals that government had to act with things like anti-trust legislation, pure food and drug legislation, and worker safety standards.

Congresses controlled by the R Party have been bad for liberty. Those who have been successful in getting to Congress have, for the most part, made matters worse, regardless of what party's mechanisms they used as stepping stones.

Libertarian Party Congressmen have not been guilty of betraying the public trust simply because there is no such thing as Libertarian Party Congressmen.

Yes, politics makes strange bedfellows, but is there virtue in our chastity if we offer ourselves up and have no takers? Are we really in a position to denounce those who failed in the sense of turning the country around, but whose successes vastly exceed the successes of those who work only within the LP? Dan doesn't think so.

The two-party system has not been imposed on our form of government; it is our form of government.

Leaving aside the additional injustices of discriminatory ballot-access laws, etc., the fact of the matter is that a winner-take-all electoral system is, de facto, a two-party system. It aways was, and it always will be. One does not change that reality merely by running a third party as if reality didn't matter, but by using every means at one's disposal to fundamentally change the structure of government itself.

To do that we need credibility and the confidence of the voters. While it may be fun to conduct these antics, I'm not sure it will help to convince anyone that the LP is the party representing the fundamental principles of American government.

That's not such a difficult task. The difficult task is to convince people that the LP actually matters. If, in order for us to matter, we must elect enough LP members that we actually control legislation, thenhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif we simply don't matter, period. However, if we can matter by shaping the debate and making major-party candidates explicitly state their unacceptable authoritarian views, as Ron Paul did, then we can matter
very much.

In other discussions:

Milwaukee GOP to Vote 'No' on McCain
http://www.opednews.com/articles/1/genera_patrick__080209_milwaukee_gop_to_vot.htm

According to a draft copy I have received, the Republican Party of Milwaukee County is penning a resolution to oppose Senator John McCain as the GOP nominee for President of the United States. The resolution will be proposed during their meeting on Monday, February 11, 2008.

The resolution includes a long list of grievances against McCain, including his past efforts towards illegal immigration, campaign finance reform, and tax increases. McCain has long been rejected by the Republican base and his success on Super Tuesday has apparently stirred that base into action. It is to be expected that once a front-runner has clearly emerged, the party base will rally; though normally they rally for their candidate, not against.

What may prove even more interesting is that the resolution is being penned by one of Milwaukee?s leading supporters of Ron Paul. With Romney stepping aside and clear disdain for McCain, will Republicans finally see Ron Paul as the only true conservative in this race?

One can only assume that the Milwaukee GOP is not alone in taking this action. Perhaps this is the beginning of the end for the media-anointed nominee John McCain. The question remains however, will it prove the beginning for the true conservative nominee Ron Paul? Only time will tell as Wisconsinites prepare for their own primary on February 19.

The draft resolution reads as follows:

WHEREAS the Republican Party is founded upon the conservative political philosophy derived from the belief that individuals are endowed not by the government but by the Creator with certain unalienable rights and the belief that the Constitution of the United States of America is designed to guarantee the free exercise of these rights through strictly limiting the power of government whose powers are derived only from the consent of the governed, and

WHEREAS the Principles of Conservatism promote Liberty, Prosperity and Individual Freedom, and

WHEREAS the leading presidential candidate for the Republican Party, Senator John McCain, has consistently demonstrated a record of public service counter to the philosophy and principles of conservatism and the Republican Party. To prove this, let these facts be submitted.

He has colluded with Tom Daschle to vote against President Bush's tax cuts in 2001 and 2003 and joined leading liberal senators in offering and voting for amendments designed to undermine the tax cuts.

He has colluded with Russ Feingold to undermine the First Amendment to abridge citizens' free speech in the political process.

He has colluded with Vice-President Al Gore and Senator Joseph Lieberman to expand greatly the power of government in order to combat global warming in ways that would greatly increase energy prices and negatively affect consumers.

He has colluded with Ted Kennedy to promote amnesty for 20 million illegal immigrants.

He has colluded with Ted Kennedy and John Edwards to create the Patients Bill of Rights, which allowed the government to impose a set of onerous mandates on insurance coverage instead of allowing individuals to make their own decisions about healthcare plans in the marketplace.

He has undermined the principles of a free market economy by voting for an amendment that would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to set prices on prescription drugs under Medicare.

He has voted to undermine American Sovereignty by granting consulting rights to Mexico concerning the erection of a southern border fence

He has a consistent pattern of shocking verbal abuse of Senate colleagues who oppose his bills.

He has exercised extremely poor judgment by intervening with the federal regulators on behalf of Keating in the Savings and Loan Crisis of the 1980s.

He sponsored and voted for a 282% tax increase on cigarettes that also would have increased the size of the federal bureaucracy exponentially.

He supports raising Social Security taxes.

He has promoted the granting of the unconstitutional line-item veto power to the president that tramples the constitutional separation of powers.

He has undermined the Republican Party and opposed the constitutional duties of the vice president to break a tie on judicial nominations.

He has demonstrated consistent leadership to undermine second amendment rights by his promotion of bills that regulate all sales at gun shows; that force gun-owners to purchase trigger locks making their firearms useless for self-defense; that restrict the legitimate transfer of firearms over the internet; and that extend the restrictions of the Brady bill to pawn shops and gun repair shops.

He has voted to use taxpayer funds to harvest stem cells from human embryos.

He has refused to take immediate and direct action to protect the life of the unborn; he opposes the repeal of Roe v. Wade; and by opposing a constitutional amendment to protect all human life.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Republican Party of Milwaukee County [branch omitted] opposes any effort to promote, support, or endorse Senator John McCain as the Republican nominee, and

RESOLVED that the Republican Party of Milwaukee County [branch omitted] will only support candidates who promote the philosophy and principles of conservatism in government, and promote Liberty, Prosperity and Individual freedom, and whom have consistently demonstrated a record of public service as evidence of their principled beliefs.

---

With perhaps a few exceptions, the vast majority of those in the LP are seeking to maximize individual liberty and minimize the role of the state. Of course there are different ideas on how to this is best achieved, but that should not be confused with wavering. I think this over-arching principle makes for a more coherent political party than most.

The LP is for the most part bereft of those wanting government to provide things like health care, retirement security, moral guidance through legislation, or legislative support of special interests. There are other political parties, including other non-mainstream parties, that work toward those goals.

Mik Robertson

Stop Teacher Strikes Website, call for action

Some insights...

Stop Teacher Strikes Website: "Calling PA School Board Directors to action!



http://www.stopteacherstrikes.org/index.php?pr=School_Boards

The Pennsbury School Board in Bucks County was the first School Board in PA to do it. Two news reports with reaction from upset local teacher union officials:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-02082008-1484750.html
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-02092008-1485171.html

The Bucks County Courier Times Editorial Board had this favorable opinion:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/321-02102008-1485538.html

The Pennsbury School Board took a public stand on an important issue where many week-kneed state legislators will not. They are now sending a copy of their signed resolution to Governor Rendell and all Bucks Co. legislators. This activity helps put pressure on the legislature. We encourage everyone to contact their local school board to do the same thing as Pennsbury did.

Stop, tread, go home, re-tool: NZ Open Water Swimmers won't be in Spain

11th February 2008

Open water swimmers need further nurturing

Swimming New Zealand won’t be sending any open water swimmers to this year’s World Championships in Spain.

The selectors decided that the current crop of talented young open water swimmers need to be nurtured through an international pathway aimed at the 2012 Olympics.

The New Zealand swimmers did not come up to world standard at last week’s Oceania Open Water Championships to force selection to Spain, which is the major selection event for Beijing.

Rotorua’s Kane Radford finished in second place, Philip Ryan (Auckland) fourth and Joyce Wiegersma (Southland) third behind the Australians in the 10km at Lake Okataina last weekend.

“All three are excellent young prospects but based on their swims last weekend the selectors believe they are not yet at a standard to warrant selection to the World Championships this year,” Swimming New Zealand’s Clive Rushton said.

“We do recognise that they are real talents for the future but they need much more experience in top international open water swimming before they could expect to prosper at the World Championships. And we will look to see how we can assist to get them on the FINA World Cup open water circuit to gain much more international experience.”

The selectors took into account the overall standard of the Oceania field and also the expected quality of this year’s World Championships, where a top-10 finish will be required to qualify for Beijing.

The Oceania 10km winner Trent Grimsey was 16th in the Australian 10km Championships, while the event in Spain will draw an extremely strong field including the likes of three time Olympic gold medalist Grant Hackett and Olympic and World bronze medalist David Davies.

“The World Championship will be highly competitive and it is unrealistic to believe that any of the New Zealand swimmers would be a top-10 candidate in Spain.”

Radford is the best of the New Zealanders, placing 36th at the World Championship Open Water Swim in Melbourne last year, with the field expected to be substantially more competitive in Spain as the Olympic qualifier.

[Highland Park] Tire Slashing

Hello all,

Within the past couple days, there has been three known tire slashings. This took place on Jackson St. past Heberton near the bend and probably during the middle of the night. I had contacted the police this evening, but to no suprise they are unable to do anything until Monday. I hope no one else is experiencing the same problem.

Name Removed by Blogmaster

Libertarian Party leader says it is time to come home

Lots of Libertarians have jumped to the Ron Paul campaign to offer support under the "R" banner. Now the conversation is about to shift. In half the states, or so, the primary is history. Now what?

In PA, there is still a need to keep votes flowing to Ron Paul on April 22. But, then comes another fork in the road.

Even today's radio show from Downsize DC asks the question as to what will happen to the revolution? The hope is to make sure that the long-term life of the movement has more staying power than Ross Perot.

FROM THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY:
Dear friend,

Late Friday evening, Ron Paul sent out a message to his many supporters stating that he had a "nearly zero" chance of winning the Republican nomination in a brokered convention. Dr. Paul also stated loud and clear that "there will be no third party run."

Many of our own members, maybe even you, have been enthusiastic supporters of Dr. Paul's campaign over the past year. Many thousands have given their time, money and their passion to support the efforts of Ron Paul's presidential campaign.

The efforts of these thousands of supporters were noble, but in the end, Republicans rejected Dr. Paul's message of peace, prosperity and freedom.

The GOP will more than likely move forward with the nomination of a compromising politician who does not cherish the merits of liberty and shows little interest in shrinking the size and power of government.

This leaves the Republican Party right where it started and where it has been for many, many years -- a party without principle. With its partner on the left, both parties continue to represent a compromising beast that continually thirsts for more power at the expense of our liberty, our property and our privacy.

In stark contrast, the Libertarian Party stands firm. Our values are unwavering. Our commitment is unstoppable.

This is not because we hold a strong partisan loyalty to our party structure, it's because we have trust and love for liberty in its purest form. Our party serves as the vessel to affect change within our nation. And unlike the GOP, we don't need to change the party from within and regain our principles, as they have never been lost.

The Libertarian Party is the last remaining stronghold for liberty in American politics.

Unfortunately, the Ron Paul campaign has unintentionally taken a toll on our party. Many of our members have changed their voter registration to vote for Ron Paul in a primary while others have allowed their support to lapse as they gave all that they could for a candidate that represented their values.

Early on, I made the decision to not interfere or discourage this activity. I felt it was wrong for me to place our party above such an incredible opportunity for liberty that existed with Dr. Paul's run for the White House.

But today, it's time to come home.

If you have switched your party registration, allowed your membership to lapse or have put off your decision to join the LP, I now ask that you reverse course and renew your support for our principled party.

In spite of the events of this past year, we were still able to make significant gains in membership with a 28 percent increase while we moved onto a firm financial footing. We did this while seeing inspiring electoral success by winning 20 percent of our races.

This proves that Americans are waking up to liberty and a historic opportunity for growth exists for the LP in 2008. However, in order to take advantage of this time, we need every last man and woman back in our party.

It's time to come home.

Liberty is alive in America today but it is suppressed by the significance and power of the two-party system. Partisanship, combined with ignorance, is destroying our nation by taking away our freedoms and even the lives of those we love through wars of aggression.

The two-party system must be beaten back and destroyed.

Fighting from within either the Republican or Democratic structure does nothing to accomplish this goal and only increases our many problems as time, energy and money is wasted to change a monstrosity that is corrupt beyond repair.

Why fight to move your own party in the direction of freedom when you can fight each day to move your nation in the direction of freedom?

It's time to come home.

Liberty is something that can be everything to one man and nothing to another. Some accept that, while they are born free, they do not live free. They go about their existence either in resignation that they cannot change their personal destiny or they have grown comfortable in their shackles.

Libertarians are different.

Our hearts burn for freedom. We wake each morning, intent on moving our nation in the direction of liberty.

Our passion cannot be diminished or compromised through party labels or the actions of cunning men. Libertarians working through the Libertarian Party will continually challenge those who mean to enslave us through taxation, fear and warfare.

It's time to come home.

Among the many opportunities that exist for our movement, one of the most important is reaching out to the thousands of men and women whose passions have been ignited by the Ron Paul campaign.

All Libertarians must put out a welcome mat to these Americans as they continue to learn more about liberty but are now politically homeless. Most importantly, we must tolerate the minor differences that we may have and accept the differing stages of development of our political thought.

Many of you will be receiving a letter in the mail with the intent of welcoming Ron Paul and his supporters into our party. While that letter was written before the rush of recent events, it is vital that you respond to signal your support for giving these supporters a home within our party.

It's time to come home and to offer a home to those whose minds have been opened to liberty.

Take action today:

To renew your membership, go to www.lp.org/renew

To join the Libertarian Party, go to www.lp.org/join

To donate, go to www.lp.org/donate

To change your voter registration to Libertarian, contact your state party, by visiting www.lp.org/states

Also, do not hesitate to contact me or any other member of our staff by calling 1-800-Elect-Us.

Please take action after you finish reading this message.

In closing, I would like to give the following words to those who stubbornly continue their fight to change the corrupt and destructive Republican or Democrat parties from within.

"If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen." – Samuel Adams, 1776


Our founding fathers did not hope to change the tyranny of British rule from within. They faced their challenge head on. They did not waver, even in spite of the very real possibility that they would lose their very lives against an overwhelming power. They stood together, and eventually they won their freedom.

It is up to us -- we passionate Libertarians -- to reclaim our liberty.

With respect and sincerity,

Shane Cory
Executive Director
Libertarian National Committee

An update from Ron Paul

I put in the bold statements.

February 8, 2008

Whoa! What a year this has been. And what achievements we have had. If I may quote Trotsky of all people, this Revolution is permanent. It will not end at the Republican convention. It will not end in November. It will not end until we have won the great battle on which we have embarked. Not because of me, but because of you. Millions of Americans -- and friends in many other countries -- have dedicated themselves to the principles of liberty: to free enterprise, limited government, sound money, no income tax, and peace. We will not falter so long as there is one restriction on our persons, our property, our civil liberties. How much I owe you. I can never possibly repay your generous donations, hard work, whole-hearted dedication and love of freedom. How blessed I am to be associated with you. Carol, of course, sends her love as well.

Let me tell you my thoughts. With Romney gone, the chances of a brokered convention are nearly zero. But that does not affect my determination to fight on, in every caucus and primary remaining, and at the convention for our ideas, with just as many delegates as I can get. But with so many primaries and caucuses now over, we do not now need so big a national campaign staff, and so I am making it leaner and tighter. Of course, I am committed to fighting for our ideas within the Republican party, so there will be no third party run. I do not denigrate third parties -- just the opposite, and I have long worked to remove the ballot-access restrictions on them. But I am a Republican, and I will remain a Republican.

I also have another priority. I have constituents in my home district that I must serve. I cannot and will not let them down. And I have another battle I must face here as well. If I were to lose the primary for my congressional seat, all our opponents would react with glee, and pretend it was a rejection of our ideas. I cannot and will not let that happen.

In the presidential race and the congressional race, I need your support, as always. And I have plans to continue fighting for our ideas in politics and education that I will share with you when I can, for I will need you at my side. In the meantime, onward and upward! The neocons, the warmongers, the socialists, the advocates of inflation will be hearing much from you and me.

Sincerely,

Ron

Ron Paul needs some help with the finances for his Congressional PAC. He can NOT move money from the US Presidential race to the race for re-election to congress.

Funny, he says he is a "R" -- and he is -- but, the "Rs" have generally run people against him throughout his career.

Another week goes by -- and not a word from Michael Lamb

Where and when can we expect some action from Michael Lamb and the city's controller's office???

Things are too quiet for my tastes.

Is the watchdog awake? How long should we have to wait?

Take Action: Tell Congress: Reject Bush's Cuts to Public Broadcasting

Pittsburgh has its own problems with QED and QEX.

Take Action: Tell Congress: Reject Bush's Cuts to Public Broadcasting Tell Congress: Reject Bush's Cuts to Public Broadcasting

This past week, the New York Times reported that the Bush administration has once again proposed deep cuts in federal funding for public broadcasting. Unfortunately the cuts proposed this year are even more severe than in past years -- but with your help, we can convince Congress to restore this funding.

Wikinews interviews an icon: Walter Cronkite on modern media - Wikinews, the free news source

A great news man of the recent past, Walter Cronkite, is giving an interview to a bunch of new media folks at Wikinews.

Wikinews interviews an icon: Walter Cronkite on modern media - Wikinews, the free news source: "Wikinews interviews an icon: Walter Cronkite on modern media"

I've been a lurker in those discussions for years. Wikinews is a way to send out news -- but -- with a wiki. Go figure.

This should be fun.

At 41, 4-time Olympian is trying to make 2008 Olympics -- OrlandoSentinel.com

At 41, 4-time Olympian is trying to make 2008 Olympics -- OrlandoSentinel.com: "I want to believe in swimmer Dara Torres so badly, especially now that we are six months away from the Beijing Olympics. If all goes according to plan, Torres will become the oldest female swimmer in the history of the Games at age 41."

Target 11 Investigates Pittsburgh Land Use - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

Now we are talking. This is good stuff.

Target 11 Investigates Pittsburgh Land Use - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh It's a developer's dream: 20 acres of land along the Allegheny River, north of the Strip District, but right now it's home to many garbage trucks and the Pittsburgh Auto Pound.

Councilman Bill Peduto said he doesn't believe the best use of the riverfront property is a place to store stolen cars.

Another hot spot is recently shut down Reizenstein Middle School, right in the middle of marketable property in East Liberty.

'That's prime real estate that could be sold. And that money could be used to keep Schenley open,' said Peduto referring to the popular school that had to be shut down because of money problems.

Critics of the city's land use have said wasted rent is another big problem.
Target 11 discovered that the city of Pittsburgh has paid more than $300,000 over the last five years to rent a warehouse for public works near Hazelwood.

Think again. Pittsburgh is getting next to nothing from its assets. The stewardship stinks. The holistic thinking and approach is nothing but backwash junk.

The don't want to buy the warehouse in Hazelwood because of fears of the Mon Valley Toll Road. That was a pipe-dream of a project in the 1960s. It isn't going to be built as they don't have the money. The threat of the new road has been driving big parts of the city to ruin.

Go figure -- and INVENTORY of assets. Golly.

It is hard to expect a study from those who do not meet nor think at all.

Bring it on.

Open the Birmingham Bridge to Pedestrians and Pigeons

Who and how are they going to keep the pigeons off of the now closed Birmingham Bridge?

If I was mayor, I would INSIST that the bridge be kept OPEN to the pigeons and pedestrians.

Post a sign on the bridge, if you think that this bridge is going to fall, please call PENN DOT and 3-1-1. That way everyone that walks along the bridge could be a deputy bridge inspector.

Seriously, how much strain is there on the bridge due to pedestrian traffic?

Meanwhile, there is a LOT of GRIEF for those that can't walk to get their groceries and to classes and such.

For the sake of city residents, fitness and the general flow of the city -- for the sake of safety -- re-open the Birmingham Bridge to walkers.

Local High School Students to Design Pittsburgh's First Video Conferencing System - Government Technology

Local High School Students to Design Pittsburgh's First Video Conferencing System - Government Technology: Peabody High School students will embark on an adventure in technology today when Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl challenges them to research, design and implement the City's first video-conferencing system.

As part of the Pittsburgh Technology Council (PTC) and Catalyst Connections Adventures in Technology (AIT) program, Peabody High School is one of six Cisco Academy sponsored schools in Allegheny County to take their classroom lessons into the real world this year.

'We are offering our youth the opportunity to examine first-hand one of the challenges facing city technology,' Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said. 'We hope that by sharing with them our growth and technology strategies, they will see potential to remain here and continue to improve Pittsburgh after they graduate.'

Let's also give the Peabody students the ability to run a city wide WiFi system.

And, give up the idea of letting Peabody students run the net security for city employees. They can be the ones who are sure to prevent that city employees are NOT able to surf the blogs while working on the city clock.

These types of solutions, with the youth, would be slam dunks if the city hosted (for the region and the world) an annual Youth Technology Summit.

Still getting the shaft

Good morning all,

Any XM subscribers (or any Ron Paul supporter for that matter):

POTUS 08, XM channel 130, broadcast CPAC live yesterday including Ron Paul's speech. However, after the live coverage, John McCain and Mitt Romney's speeches were replayed NUMEROUS times, while of course Ron Paul's was not replayed ONCE. They also had special reports by "experts" saying that John McCain was the Republican nominee - not the front runner, not the likely choice, but the NOMINEE.

Please take a few seconds and join me in letting XM know that this is completely unsatisfactory. You can call XM's Corporate HQ at 202-380-4000; just ask to speak to someone about channel programming. Also, email them with the form provided at: http://www.xmradio.com/help/emailus.xmc?ch=130

Please remember to be polite and professional as we are representing Ron Paul to other American citizens and potentially voters. This is the email I sent:

Good morning,

I am writing to thank you for your live CPAC coverage yesterday. I was very excited to have the opportunity to listen in.

I am also writing in regards to election coverage last night after the live CPAC broadcast. I was very upset and disappointed that the speeches by John McCain and Mitt Romney were played several times while Ron Paul's speech was not replayed ONCE. He was not announced at all as a presidential candidate. As a Ron Paul supporter, I listened all night to hear his speech again and was let down.

Also, many of the "experts" on XM 130 were speaking of John McCain as the official Republican nominee. This is both outrageous and untrue. The nominee is not officially announced until the Republican National Convention in September. This is a blatant untruth and abuse of media influence. While other coverage has been decent, allowing "experts" to completely misrepresent the election race and the Republican Party is shameful and disturbing and discredits XM and POTUS 08. This is extremely upsetting to me- to the point that I am seriously considering switching to Sirius Radio. However, I wanted to give XM the chance to respond to this issue.

Thank you very much for your time; I look forward to your response.

Respectfully,

Crystal M. Jones

Let's at least be a pain in their rear!

For Liberty,

Crystal M. Jones

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Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.
~ Thomas Jefferson

What kind of peace do we seek? Not a Pax Americana enforced on the world by American weapons of war. Not the peace of the grave or the security of the slave. I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living....
~John F. Kennedy

Disobey when obedience would cause more harm than disobedience.
~Thoreau

In the beginning of change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for it costs nothing to be a patriot.
~Mark Twain

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Pittsburgh Public Schools is Looking for Judges for 2008 THINK-A-THON

Pittsburgh Public Schools is currently looking for parents, community members and District employees to serve as judges at the 2008 THINK-A-THON. Judges are asked to commit their time from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2008. Judges will be trained in the morning at 8:00 a.m. so there is no need to be prepared in advance. All judges will receive breakfast, lunch, and a THINK-A-THON t-shirt. To sign up to become a judge please contact Dr. Jerry Minsinger at 412-338-3820.

WHEN: Saturday, March 29, 2008

Judges Orientation: 8:00 a.m.

Competition: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Lunch: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Awards Presentation: 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Pittsburgh Brashear High School, 590 Crane Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15216

WHY: The Pittsburgh Public Schools THINK-A-THON is now in it’s 10th year. This year, over fifty teams of 4th through 12th grade students will compete in seven different events designed to test their creativity, teamwork, artistic expression, higher level thinking skills, and communication ability. Teams compete in two long-term challenges prepared at their home school and five spontaneous challenges throughout the day and accumulate points as they compete for awards.

Media is invited to attend this event

Protesting the tunnels under the river to the North Shore

Now they protest. We could have used some protesters before they started to dig that wasteful tunnel.

Politics is about the future.

We knew that they would be tearing apart downtown. We know that the city is on one hand trying to spruce up downtown and on the other hand the city is getting bogged down in its own mud.

Birmingham Bridge Closed in BOTH directions

Woops.

Infrastructure investments are needed and could make for a great political platform for any candidate who means it.

Keith Olbermann | Special Comment Regarding FISA

Original from 2/2/08 with update on 2/8/08 (below)

The cost of freedom is priceless.

This, Mr. Bush, is simple enough even for you to understand: If Congress approves a new FISA act without telecom immunity and sends it to your desk and you veto it - you, by your own terms and your own definitions, you will have just sided with the terrorists.

Ya gotta have this law, or we're all gonna die. But you might veto this law!

It's bad enough, sir, that you are demanding an ex post facto law which would clear the phone giants from responsibility for their systematic, aggressive, and blatant collaboration with your illegal and unjustified spying on Americans, under the flimsy guise of looking for any terrorists stupid enough to make a collect call or send a mass e-mail.

We need more libertarian thinking -- and people in office with those thoughts -- for the next three decades to undo what President Bush and the Republicans have done.

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Update from 2-8-08

Important Phone Action: The Third And Final Stand Against Telecom Immunity, If They Want Yet Another Filibuster We'll Give It To Them.


Day, Another FISA Veto Threat By The Bully In The White House

Yesterday, Bush again put the self interest of himself and his giant telecom criminal co-conspirators above our national security, by threatening to veto the FISA update bill unless we gave them all get out of jail free cards. And if Congress were to bend over yet again, he would still probably veto it to demand even more changes and/or defy other major provisions with a signing statement, as he so outrageously did with the recent defense bill.

We must be just as relentless as the criminals who are working overtime to gut our constitution. We have had two successful filibusthttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifers so far, and it looks like we're going to need a third. And we need strong opposition in the House too, for that is our last bulwark.

No Immunity of Any Kind Action Page:
http://www.usalone.com/no_telecom_immunity2.php (anyone can use this link, includes local district phone number lookup for all your
members of Congress)

Facebook Version

Please AGAIN call all your members of Congress, toll free at 800-828-0498, 800-614-2803 or 866-340-9281, and submit the action pages above to back that up with an email message. 1) Tell them NO immunity, and while you are at it, them 2) no basket warrants or reverse targeting, 3) no sequestration of illegally harvested evidence, and Yes to 4) making FISA the exclusive means of surveillance.

The latest scam they are trying to run down on the American people is to retroactively lower the liability bar to some kind of flimsy "good faith" standard, the clear intent of which is to ensure that the telecoms get off the hook, another snaky end run around the law. Suppose a bank robber told a judge he had a good faith belief it was his own money. How far would that one fly? What part of NO immunity don't they get?

The American people deserve to know how far this is gone. We are not going to allow one of the most precious amendments in our Bill of Rights, the protection against unwarranted search, to be swept under the rug. And even beyond that, informed commentators believe that creating the Big Brother database of Cheney's dreams would in fact invite a nightmare of new national security vulnerabilities.

Dennis Kucinich Is Still Standing Strong

And what greater hero do we have than Dennis Kucinich, still standing strong as ever on every issue that matters. Here is his own leadership statement opposing telecom immunity

The veto threat by the President is just the latest example of the use of fear and intimidation -- in the name of "national security" - to secure legislative authority to violate the Constitutional rights and protections of American citizens. I strenuously object to any immunity for telecommunications companies and demand a full accounting of these companies' involvement to Congress and to the American public. When corporations cooperate with the government to strip people of their Constitutional rights, that is a textbook description of fascism. There must not be any place in America for this type of conduct.

And yet, even now, powerful corporations are pouring money into Dennis's district, to try to buy his seat out from under him by threatening him in his own primary. They are running malicious attack ads in heavy rotation. Please consider making a donation to Dennis now, to help him fight back.

Fight Back Dennis Donations:
http://www.usalone.com/fight_back_kucinich2.php

And to thank you for standing with him, Dennis wants to send you his own special commemorative edition of the pocket Constitution with any donation of $100 or more. Remember, even if you had already donated the limit to his courageous presidential run, you can donate as much as another $2300 to the congressional seat defense. In fact, if you are so fortunate as to be able to contribute $1000 or more, Dennis will personally autograph your new pocket constitution for you.

Dennis would not be silenced and neither will we. We need more like Dennis Kucinich, not less. We need to protect the ones we've got with everything we've got.

So please, submit the action pages on telecom immunity, call all your members of Congress again and again, because that is the most important contribution of all. But if you also have to means to help Dennis continue to stand up for you, your contribution to him right now could make the critical difference.

Paid for by the Re-Elect Congressman Kucinich Committee

Please take action NOW, so we can win all victories that are supposed to be ours, and forward this alert as widely as possible.

If you would like to get alerts like these, you can do so at http://www.usalone.com/in.htm

Invite to the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania Convention

Dear Libertarian,

I am proud to invite you to the 2008 Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania Convention on March 14, 15 & 16 at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern, Pennsylvania (www.desmondgv.com). This location, west of Philadelphia, offers easy access via the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the Schuylkill Expressway or Rt 202. The hotel facility was selected for it's high quality accommodations, great food and state-of-the-art technology.

This convention will be of particular importance, as we prepare for the 2008 elections. So far, we have eight Libertarian Presidential candidates confirmed to attend. Each contender for the party's nomination will have an opportunity to address the convention attendees with a short presentation and then come together for an exciting debate. This will be an excellent opportunity to evaluate these presidential hopefuls prior to the national convention in Denver.

To ensure that this will be one of the best conventions ever, the LPPa has joined forces with the New Jersey Libertarian Party and the West Virginia Libertarian Party. This unique tri-state convention will provide great opportunities to collaborate. In addition to the presidential debate, a wide range of workshops, speakers and social events are scheduled. Featured speakers will include Larken Rose, Michael Badnarik, Bill Redpath and Don Ernsberger. Our members are sure to be informed and inspired. Important party business and officer elections will also take place, so don't miss it.

In addition to the regular convention activities, members are invited to attend the Montgomery County Hospitality Suite on Friday & Saturday nights. Enjoy beverages with your fellow Libertarians while supporting our local activists.

Arrive Friday morning to take Michael Badnarik's full day Constitution class. Convention attendees save $50 on the tuition. Register for this class at www.ConstitutionPreservation.org.

Please take a minute to register online at www.lppa.org/convention. Save money by signing up by February 15th.

If you have any questions about the event, feel free to call me at 610-539-8825 or email jamesbabb@mac.com.

I look forward to seeing you!

James Babb
2008 LPPa Convention Chair

PS: Reserve your room at the Desmond by calling 610-296-9800. Mention "Libertarian Party" to get a room with a king size bed or two queen size beds for only $119 +tax.

PPS: Do you have a product or service of interest to Libertarians? If so, we have a limited number of exhibition tables available as well as advertising space in the convention booklet. Call 610-539-8825 for more information.

Now there are three. Memo to Mike Huckabee, counting counts

It is hard to support a guy for President that can't count.

Newsmax.com - Mike Huckabee Comments on Romney News: "'This is a two-man race for the nomination, and I am committed to marching on. I believe in the importance of a strong national defense -- which includes winning the war against Islamic extremists and the protection of American sovereignty.

Huckabee should know better, when making an official statement.

Bush asks Senate to OK international pact against steroids - Thursday February 7, 2008 2:53PM

When Bush asks the US Senate to act swiftly, I take pause.

SI.com - More Sports - Bush asks Senate to OK international pact against steroids - Thursday February 7, 2008 2:53PMPresident Bush asked the Senate to swiftly approve an agreement ratified by more than 70 nations to fight the use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs in sports.

It is okay to move swiftly against something that allows people to move more swiftly.

It is NOT okay for government to move swiftly into a realm where we play and just want to have fun. Getting government involved has a way of sucking the fun out of things.

How can the US be a leader -- or -- "solidify our nation's place as a leader in the worldwide effort to rid athletics of cheating through chemistry" -- when there are already more than 70 other nations that have approved the agreement.

When the US is 71st -- at best -- it isn't at the front of the pack. Well, to be sure, there are plenty in the US of A -- plenty of US citizens that is -- that have been at the cutting-edge in this battle for fairness, education, exposure -- and sadly, cheating too.

I like the fact that the war on drug use in sports has been a private affair so far. It has been beyond the scope of the US Senate and US Government officials -- mostly.

"The use of performance-enhancing drugs by elite athletes sets a dangerous example for millions of young Americans, encouraging young people to take grave risks with their health and safety," Perino said.

I do worry about the use of performance-enhancing drugs from the sandlots to the scholastic arenas more than at the elite levels.

Preposterous! Penn Hills Parents go far from the Indian Reservation to dish out a living hell.

Gordon's coaching future uncertain'I just think you don't have the right to play God with kids' lives,' Mr. Rash said.

No coach wants to play the role of God with kids' lives.

However, some parents seem willing to put some coaches through a living hell with preposterous claims.

Go get your mail yourself. Check in. Self determination works.

YMCA To Build New Facility In Pittsburgh's Hill District - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh

YMCA To Build New Facility In Pittsburgh's Hill District - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh: The YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh is planning to build a new branch in the city's Hill District.

McCain was born ... where exactly? McCain's eligibility to be President is questioned.

Some were talking and ... for what it is worth, ...

John McCain was born in the Panama Canal Zone, to U.S. parents. The U.S. Constitution requires that anyone serving as President must be a "natural born Citizen."

Here's an entry from Wikipedia on the subject.

Three major candidates have sought the Presidency who were born outside the United States: Barry Goldwater (ran in 1964) was born in Arizona while it was still a U.S. territory, George Romney (ran in 1968) was born in Mexico to U.S. parents, and John McCain (ran in 2000 and runs in 2008) was born in the Panama Canal Zone to U.S. parents. Barry Goldwater's case among these three is unique in that although Arizona was not a state, it was a fully incorporated territory of the United States, making it debatable whether or not he was born "outside" the United States. The Panama Canal Zone was under United States sovereignty between 1903 and 1979.[7] None of these candidates was elected, so it has never been fully addressed whether children born to Americans overseas are "natural-born citizens" and thus eligible for the Presidency. However, McCain is currently seeking the 2008 Republican nomination for President.

It'll be interesting to see if the issue is raised in a serious way.

P-G's blog, Early Returns, talk about they hype of conflict

City Council Members are NOT permitted to contact and meet with any of the directors within the city's administration. This is a new policy from Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. The mayor has to approve all meetings and conversations in advance.

August Wilson house a political football... This seems a lot like the media relations policy instituted when Mayor Bob O'Connor took office in 2006 and his spokesman Dick Skrinjar told managers not to talk to reporters without his approval. That policy remains in force under current spokeswoman Alecia Sirk, though it isn't always rigorously enforced.

Under Mayor Tom Murphy, reporters could call department heads directly and get answers to factual questions, on the record, without anyone's approval.)

There's talk of a council revolt, which could take the form of refusal to act on bills the administration wants, or even the subpoenaing of managers. We at ER don't think it's going to come to that, but it certainly has soured relations between the administration and the new council.

It is a sad, sad day in Pittsburgh when we long for the times and policies of ex-Mayor, Tom Murphy. When Tom Murphy is a signal of the 'good old days' -- Pittsburgh is in deep, deep trouble.

Of course there will not be a 'revolt' on council. There can't be as they are all among the same party. They are all on the same page, mostly. They try to kick up some marginal grumbles so as to look like they are different.

When the real revolt begins -- the D-party monopoly will shatter.

The Judge -- a Nation of Sheep

A soft form.

More: Home The DVD’s are a dollar. Please, share them with friends and neighbors.

Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community gearing up to purchase South Side Property on Jane Street

The funky South Side has a funky church full of love and short on spaces to hold its musical, soulful, spiritual worship. The group is now gathering in Mt. Washington. Newsletter details, to get up to speed:

SUNDAY, FEB. 10
Worship Service, 12:30 p.m. at Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church (213 Bailey Ave.). There we can provide a place for kids to worship and play, and a time of fellowship and food following the service.

NOTE: We will no longer be meeting at the Walton Church on for Sunday Worship. The

Rev. Bebb Stone and the Mt. Washington congregation have graciously extended their invitation to allow us to worship in their space on Sundays through the Lenten Season. We are so thankful to have their support as we pursue purchasing a permanent worship location.

UPDATE ON THE SPACE ISSUE:
The zoning hearing is scheduled for March 6. On that day, we will present our request to meet at the 2700 Jane Street location as a religious assembly to the zoning board. Please continue to pray that we will be well received-- by the zoning board, the South Side community groups and our South Side neighbors.

You can contribute funds to be used specifically for the purchase and improvement of the building. The United Methodists have given us $300,000 to help buy the building, which is a crucial blessing in our mission to offer a place of worship in the South Side. However, we still need to raise money to help fund the initial purchase, plus money for whatever improvements we may need to make to building.

From the beginning, we have acknowledged that pursuing the purchase of the 2700 Jane St. location was going to take incredible amounts of patience and gracious contributions of time and money from our supporters. If you are considering giving to Hot Metal, now is the time.

Checks can be sent to :
Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community
2000 E. Carson St. #300
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Memo: Building Fund

We will also be sending out other information in the following weeks highlighting how you can help. Thank you for all your support thus far. Please continue to pray that God's will be done in this situation.

email: hotmetal@hotmetalbridge.com
phone: 412-481-4010
web: http://www.hotmetalbridge.com

For years, I had hoped, requested and pushed (a bit) to the church leaders that they should purchase and move into South Vo Tech High School. They could have got the building for a song, and music isn't such a problem. And, they could have then opened a year-round pre-school, day-care. Plus, other business opportunities could have flowed in the spaces as well, providing community service and income streams.

Another option that made a great deal of sense to me, as well as to other members associated with the church was to move into the now vacant ice rink facility within a shut-down park on the South Side located behind the UPMC South Side Hospital. The city owns that park, the padlocks and the lost opportunities. Ever hear the story of the guy that takes a candle and puts it under a basket?

There was a big effort to put in a bid for the ice rink facility in the May 2007 Request For Proposals (RFP) organized by the city after years of requests. A guy named Ray championed the effort. He had been a part of nonprofits and worked full time on the project for a number of months. They had an extensive committee of nearly 50 people from within and beyond the church. He had meetings all around town to make the proposal and get it into the city before the deadline.

Well, the deadline was in mid-May, 2007. There was NO NEWS of the city's selection until September 2007. Nothing was said for four months. And, then the news wasn't nice. Seems that all the proposals "stunk." They all were rejected. The city got to do nothing with the property -- again -- as I expected.

The Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community wanted to acquire the property and turn it into a year-round youth and community center. There would be a day-care in working hours. There would be places for Sunday morning service too. In the evenings and nights -- as well as weekends, there would be staff to supervise kids and adults in social work, group classes and light recreation. They had a gym space with a basketball court in there -- but it wasn't a big time sports operation.

This city's treatment of its resources stinks.

They would have had a long term lease for the facility and been able to go in and make updates, clean-up the facility and park, and build activities that would have had positive impacts on the region.

In the past few years, the Hot Metal Church has grown by using space in the Goodwill Building. But that space is no longer available to them with changes to the building expected.

A Bright Light in the Big Cities: How Urban Home Sales Boost Profits | RISMedia

A Bright Light in the Big Cities: How Urban Home Sales Boost Profits | RISMedia: "While some brokers across the country wallow in the difficulties of today’s market, others instead look to new avenues to maintain and even grow profitability. One such avenue is the growing trend toward urban living.

With a coast-to-coast footprint comprising 35 major metropolitan markets, NRT LLC is well-positioned to capitalize on the urban real estate market. Both the higher populations of these metro areas, as well as average sales prices, bode well for brokers and agents who target residential sales in the city. And in many cities across the country, urban living is witnessing increasing numbers. From empty nesters who want no part of retirement communities to single women embarking on homeownership, city life is where it’s at."

DefectiveByDesign.org calls to Libraries: Kick DRM out!

Join us 2/09/08 at the Boston Public Library.

Take action at your own library! (Modify our flier).

DefectiveByDesign.org will be taking action this Saturday at the Boston Public Library to demand that they remove DRM technology from their collection! We will be gathering outside the entrance at the main branch of the Boston Public Library (700 Boylston St., Boston MA 02116) at 1PM on Saturday, February 9th, 2008. Please, Sign-up if you are attending.

If you can't join us, we encourage you to take action against any library in your area that has DRM technology infecting its collection. You can customize our flyer and pass it out to the local patrons and librarians in your area.

The Boston Public Library has Digital Restrictions Management (DRM) on its ebooks, audio books, music, and videos, and we are demanding that they remove it, and establish a policy against DRM -- a policy that respects user freedom.

We know that the real motive behind DRM technology schemes is to increase profits for those who impose them, but their profit is a side issue when millions of people's freedom is at stake; desire for profit, though not wrong in itself, cannot justify denying the public control over its technology and its libraries. Defending freedom means thwarting DRM.

Join us in demanding that the BPL Trust and libraries worldwide eliminate DRM from their collections.

We'll report back on the success of our action here in Boston -- Be sure to tell us about your local actions too!

Sheryl Crow on Gather: Watch, Share & Win by Music Editor — gather, sheryl crow, exclusive | Gather

Sheryl Crow on Gather: Watch, Share & Win by Music Editor — gather, sheryl crow, exclusive | Gather Available on February 5, Sheryl Crow's Detours is the latest pinnacle in a sky-high career. With songs about socially charged issues like Katrina, it delivers solid lyrics and catchy hooks.

Sheryl wants to know: If you could write a song about an issue that's near and dear to your heart, what would that song be about? Comment to share your ideas with her. And do it as many times as you want. She'll pick her 10 favorites. If yours is among them, you'll get a FREE copy of Detours!

Song ideas must be submitted by midnight, February 22. Sheryl's choices will be revealed on February 29. Be creative. And good luck!

Perhaps she could do a song with Amy Carol Webb, Mindy Simmons, Anne Feeney or Meg Barnhouse -- to get a few ideas.

City considering sci-tech school at science center

This would be cool. Homeroom in the port quarters. Recess could be topside. Lunch would be at the dumpsters at Heinz Field. Gym could be on the virtual hang glider within SportsWorks. Drop out -- then you are in the next showing of bodies.

City considering sci-tech school at science center Pittsburgh Public Schools is considering locating its new science and technology school at the Carnegie Science Center.

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Jen wrote in a public email:

Next public hearing is February 18th.

With the decision to hold off on a vote about Schenley, an important point is making sure that no more money is spent on permanent changes for those students until more comprehensive decisions are made. This would give the administration time to develop the plans and curriculum for new and changing programs in a well thought out manner, including taking into consideration community input. Back in November the board approved spending to hire architects and contractors to begin planning to reconfigure several schools (CAPA, Frick, Milliones, Reizenstein). Amounts were approved, although they had huge caps on them (things like we'll spend $250K but if it's more than $5M we'll get back to you).

I will be writing to the board suggesting that no more money be spent on Reizenstein (and /or Milliones) than is necessary to use one of them as a temporary school for the students to move into for a year, saving any extra money for Schenley's repairs. If Reizenstein were to be sold after that, we wouldn't have sunk millions of dollars into it, just to sell it. All the 9th graders could attend a high school, as a high school student. Plans or programs to instill the study habits necessary to excel in a rigorous program could be part of the entire 9th grade planning, as well as increased emphasis on mentoring and guidance counseling.

Or, you know, something like that, I'm clearly still working on it!

If you have any great ideas, send them along --

Jen Lakin

UltimateRonPaul.com | Homepage

UltimateRonPaul.com | Homepage CLICK HERE to write Ron Paul’s Inaugural Address or his State of the Union Address—and to comment on others’ submissions.

LinkedIn: Answers: Headed to Olympics -- and wondering about blogging and potential backlashes

I asked a question at Linked In -- about a pending trip and blogging. Not sure what will come from this, so I asked.

LinkedIn: Answers: Headed to Olympics -- and wondering about blogging and potential backlashes Headed to Olympics -- and wondering about blogging and potential backlashes

I'm not sure if I can point non-users of LinkedIn to the question or not.

I'd love to grow my Linked In network as well. If you are a member there, let's swap pointers.

Update:

Google to Offer Free Music Downloads

Google is planning a joint venture with Chinese online music company Top100.cn that would permit it to provide free, licensed music downloads in China. The service, which is likely to offer access to tunes from global music giants, could start in the next several weeks.

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB120226551059746565.html

Valentine's Day Babysitting by 5th graders at Liberty School

Liberty Elementary (in Shadyside) is sponsoring a Valentine's Babysitting Service (on February 15th, the Friday evening following Valentine's Day) from 6–9 p.m. All proceeds will be used to help fund the 5th graders' trip in May to Washington, D.C., which they are really looking forward to!

Children aged 2 and up are welcome. They will be cared for (and entertained) by Liberty 5th graders, supervised by parents and staff.

See comments for more details.

Ron Paul matters.... proof

It was said that Ron Paul is NOT a factor in the GOP race. Well, I don't think that is true.

Yesterday, to the south, in West Virginia, a deal was hatched to get Ron Paul three delegates to the GOPers Big Dance -- out of 17 total. Interesting.

Ron Paul 2008 — Hope for America In an agreement first reported by West Virginia television station WSAZ, the three Ron Paul delegates were secured through an agreement with the Mike Huckabee campaign.

Ron Paul delegates to the state convention swung their support to Huckabee – putting Huckabee over the top – after Congressman Paul was eliminated in the first round of voting. With three national delegates, Ron Paul secured 17 percent of the 18 delegates that were decided at the State Convention.

Those who think they know it all are full of it. I don't know what's going to happen. But, I know that you have to show up first. Ron Paul is showing up.

Penn Hills Republican Committee

Regular Meetings on the third Tuesday of every month.

7:30pm @ Penn Hills Senior Center, Jefferson Road.

For more information contact Mike Myers at 412-373-0077 or pennhillsgop@verizon.net

I wonder what they have to say about the school district's coaching situations.

Coach Situation Divides Penn Hills Community

kdka.com - Coach Situation Divides Penn Hills CommunityCoach Situation Divides Penn Hills Community
PENN HILLS (KDKA) ― The controversy surrounding former Penn Hills Football Coach Neil Gordon fueled tensions at a packed school board meeting Tuesday night.

The district is divided over the decision not to renew his contract last month. Gordon led the team to five conference championships and playoff appearances for 10 consecutive years.

Another thread on another board.

Scout.com: Neil Gordon withheld recruiting letters? Neil Gordon withheld recruiting letters?

SWAT team around the corner on East Carson Street

I'm not going to live blog the police incident. We have to take the kids to school. But, we did gander out onto our deck, after hearing KQV's Walt G, reporter, say that there is the 8th, 9th and 10th shot from the roof of the Iron & Glass Bank into the apartment on the other side of the street.

Yep, we could see them. And, while we peeked, there were another 4 to 6 shots. The shots were soft-sounding. And, we could see a big puff of smoke. About six guys were on the roof of the building.

I know nothing else. Tell me -- or just make something up if you wish.

Have a nice day.

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Update at 9:09 AM: The situation on East Carson Street is over. The guy got away.

Meanwhile, a resident was walking to the South Side this morning, passing on the pedestrian bridge over the tracks, and sees this guy running like hell through the swampy, muddy area by the rail road tracks at the foot of the slopes. He is looking over his shoulder and in a huge hurry. This info gets told to the police at the scene, just 2 or 3 blocks away. "Hey guys, ..."

The response from the police then and there was that the guy they were looking for was in the apartment.

Life goes on.

Lock your doors.

Tactical tear-gas was shot into the apartment. It dissipates.

Video soon.

Dollars and Education Performance: Same Old Story

Policy Brief

An electronic publication of

The Allegheny Institute for Public Policy

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February 5, 2008 Volume 8, Number 8

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In the recently released Governor’s Report on State Performance, the pages are filled with the typical puffery about the Commonwealth’s accomplishments since the Governor took office. The usual items are highlighted; increases to the state’s economic indicators such as employment, per capita personal income and state gross domestic product—although as usual, there is little context for the state data in the form of comparisons to the U.S. or states with strong performances.

However, in an unusual twist, the Governor mentions the inadequate performance of the state’s education system, particularly Pennsylvania students’ performance in math when matched against those in other countries. This twist is out of character with the normal self administered back slapping tone of the rest of the report, but clearly this is nothing more than a ploy to justify throwing more dollars at education. Indeed, the Governor’s latest budget proposal calls for $290 million in additional education outlays for the coming fiscal year. A mere down payment on the massive $5 billion more in state spending the Commonwealth’s education lobby claims is necessary to lift all students to proficient levels in reading and math. A claim based on one of the most fatuous studies of education and spending every produced.

The Governor’s Report notes that only 38 percent of Pennsylvania’s students mastered math skills as measured by an internationally administered test while students in other countries, specifically Asian countries such as Singapore (73 percent), Hong Kong (66 percent), and Japan (57 percent) are doing remarkably better. Pointing out this deficiency is followed by this statement: “Ensuring that all children in the Commonwealth have access to an education that prepares them…is the goal of Pennsylvania’s publicly-supported education system.” The Report then lists the programs and money this administration has spent since taking office, such as “$2.4 billion in new state investments to schools” to make sure these students can compete in the “competitive knowledge-based economy”.

But what is not mentioned is how much these other countries spend to get the much better results they achieve. For example, in 2003 Japan spent about $7,500 per pupil whereas Pennsylvania spent $8,916.

Singapore recently (2006) spent about $6,500 per student (and that includes post-secondary) whereas Pennsylvania’s recent data (2005-06) show public school per pupil expenditures of more than $10,000. If the Governor wants to actually increase educational proficiencies, maybe he should consider options other than spending more money. Enlarge the corporate donation scholarship program and create a voucher program open to all, with per student vouchers worth at least 75 percent of the current per student spending in Pennsylvania.

While critics will contend there are cultural differences between students from different countries, we don’t need to go overseas to show how public school students fare in Pennsylvania —we can make a comparison based on private schools in the Commonwealth. The most recent SAT scores (2007) show a significant disparity in educational achievement.

According to the College Board (the group administering the SAT exam), Pennsylvania’s public school students scored a combined average of 986 (Math and English).

Meanwhile, students attending religiously affiliated schools scored an average of 1024—and most religiously affiliated schools do it for thousands of dollars less per pupil than the state average of more than $10,000. Students claiming to have attended independently affiliated schools had an even higher average score of 1056.

Spending more money on public education does not translate into higher scores. If that were the case those attending Pittsburgh Public Schools, where per pupil expenditures exceed $18,000, would show proficiency levels well above the state average and rank higher than the foreign countries mentioned in the Governor’s Report. Instead, the eleventh grade math proficiency rate as measured by the state PSSA exams comes in well below the state average—with three of the City’s high schools at less than 15 percent proficiency.

Throwing more money at the problem clearly isn’t the answer. It merely rewards those who have been responsible for the unsatisfactory outcomes of the past and who continue to try to convince the taxpayers and the legislature they know best. Just another $5 billion will do the trick they now say. What a windfall for consultants and curriculum design “experts” that would be.

Some Pennsylvania schools and districts perform reasonably well. But the same students in private settings with the same level of spending would almost certainly perform even better than they do now. Unfortunately, many school districts are not doing well at all and throwing money at them is not the answer. What is needed is a genuine and dramatic overhaul of the system. Create vouchers for parents and students who want real choice.

The state has a constitutionally mandated role to play in establishing a thorough and efficient system of education for the people of Pennsylvania. That system does not require the public sector to be the monopoly provider. Other countries offer choice. It is not rocket science. It can be done here if those who truly care about our children’s future would demand and work for real change by challenging the entrenched education establishment. Otherwise it will be more of the same.

Underperforming students, ever more spending and higher taxes; something Pennsylvania can simply not afford to continue doing.

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Jake Haulk, Ph.D., President Frank Gamrat, Ph.D., Sr. Research Assoc.

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Please visit our blog at alleghenyinstitute.org/blog.

Neil Gordon on KDKA Radio

Kevin Mathews, on KDKA Radio, has an interview with Coach Gordon. It is on at 12:30 pm on Tuesday.

Lots of nice callers to the show.

Why? All roads lead to Erin V, said one caller. She is on the school board. She got into a big fuss with PA's ex-junior senator, Rick S. about residents.

There is a School Board Meeting tonight at 7 pm at the PH School District Admin Building.

Wow, we dodged a bullet.

No trough urinals! - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Trough urinals are a contradiction to a new civic center that is intended to celebrate the achievements of our civilized way of life and, specifically, our unique city.

Splash Zones called 'wave of the future' by Motznik

Sure, Citiparks Director, Mr. Ashley, has a way of making chicken soup without all the necessary ingredients, but let's be real.



City council voted to spend up to $250,000 on two new splash zones. One is slated for Beechview and the other for Troy Hill. Plus, two more similar facilities will go into other neighborhoods with federal funds. The second wave of these splash zones, facilities #3 and #4, are for CDBG (Community Development Block Grants) money. That means that the money must be spent in poorer neighborhoods.

Bill Peduto wanted to say that an Aquatic Committee got the idea rolling.

The Aquatics Task Force was a joke, Mr. Peduto.

Troy Hill has lost its Rec Center, Swim Pool, Firehouse, bus routes and soon will see the departure of North Catholic High School (where Mayor Luke Ravenstahl went).

A splash zone is a playground with water features. There is no need for a lifeguard as there is no swimming. There is no coaching. The learning is on your own. This is a place for play for kids in a certain age group.

Splash zones are not 'cutting edge.' Not even close. There is little to no sense of fitness, learning, teaching, teamwork, competition, wellness and supervision.

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 02/04/2008 | Federal deficits soaring higher, menacing the future

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 02/04/2008 | Federal deficits soaring higher, menacing the future President Bush took office in 2001 with a budget surplus, but his final budget proposal envisions federal deficits of more than $400 billion a year for the next two years. As big as those numbers are, experts think that the administration is lowballing the deficits, and they put little stock in Bush's vow to balance the budget by 2012.

'I think the promise that it will be balanced by 2012 is ridiculous,' said Chris Edwards, the director of tax policy for the Cato Institute, a libertarian policy research group.