Local Campaign Finance Reform discussion comes back into focus

by Mark Rauterkus

Part 1 on Campaign Finance Reform

Hot Political Topic: Campaign Finance Reform

The issue of campaign finance reform is coming into focus again. Nationally, John McCain, R, helped to pen a bill that changed the rules and earn him plenty of scorn among the conservatives. In Pennsylvania, PA's top court recently gave the green light to changes for campaigns in Philly. In Pittsburgh, Bill Peduto of city council has re-tooled his suggestions. Even the media is getting in step, as the City Paper devoted this week's cover story to campaign finance reform. (http://PghCityPaper.com)

Local, recent HISTORY:

A few years ago, other campaign finance reform measures were introduced by Peduto for Pittsburgh. Some feeble effort unfolded in Allegheny County too. Back then, I helped to derail the city's legislation. Nothing was enacted. As citizens, we calling a public hearing, raised a ton of questions, and insured that the bills were tabled. A task force on campaign finance reform was organized. After some begging, I got included.

A conversation resumed through a diverse task force. We devoted a few months and dozens of meetings to cover the angles of Peduto's bill and the issue. A list of suggestions, a work product of the task force, never got any public review. Our discussions were suspended for the next few years, at the will of the bill's sponsor, until last week.

We're back.

GLOBAL PROBLEM:

As a city and region, if not nation, our political landscape is fragile. Citizens face corruption at every turn. Money goes to the root of the troubles. Campaigns are costly. Elections and influence hinge upon pay outs and pay offs. Issues and solutions take a back seat to electability and power struggles among those with massive amounts of cash from their own PACs (political action committees) and cronie PACs.

As a lover of liberty, I hate to see new solutions that restrict freedom and generally cause new sets of problems. Swiftboats came rushing out of past efforts to clean up elections. Campaign finance reforms are needed as the system is such a mess. But, elections and the democratic process can turn for the worse. We need to think it through.

If all of us are able to put on our thinking caps from time to time, we can avoid some future pitfalls. This is one of those times, locally, when it comes to campaigns in Pittsburgh. Let's not toss the baby out with the bathwater, like was done with the decision to get those electronic voting machines without a paper trail.

HAMMER HOME The LOVE

The first major flaw within the entire discussion of local campaign finance reform is focus. This is clear within the first mentions in the above mentioned article by Chris Potter in the City Paper. Every year, city gives out plenty of "No Bid Contracts." No bid contracts are, by design, an avoidance of competition. Sweetheart deals having nothing to do with Valentine's Day, flow outward from the public treasury all the time.

Politicians love to spread around governement work to certain businesses who choose to play in those quarters.

Of course, Pittsburgh has a big problem with "No Bid Contracts." But, fixing no bid contracts should have nothing to do with campaign finance reform.

They go hand in hand. Sure, those that get no-bid contracts are the same one's that make big campaign contributions. However, the fix comes with a total elimination of all no bid contracts. In the government sector, all the contracts should proceed through a sealed bid.

More problems will surface as campaign finance laws are written to fix no-bid contracts.

TRANSPARENT

Campaigns for public office are public activities. Everyone should be able to witness every move. I want to know how candidates are raising and spending their money. Who gives, how much and when matter. Every transaction should be fully visible in real time. Those who want to know should be able to research daily updates from the internet with ease of real-time and online banking simplicity.

Trust funds and online banking systems can allow for open access to witness deposit and expense transactions.

I'd love to chart new ground with the formation of TRANSPARENT PAC ACCOUNTS. PACs are the political action committees. Those PAC bank accounts can be put into a new class of banking product so the general public can witness deposits and expenses.

Enterprise Bank, expect my call. Let's make a best-practices product and model what could and should be done for greatly increased observations on the campaign process of candidates.

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Postings in this series:

Part 1: Local Campaign Finance Reform http://rauterkus.blogspot.com/2008/02/local-campaign-finance-reform.html

Part 2: Making an ethical stand. http://rauterkus.blogspot.com/2008/02/making-ethical-stand-ethical-operations.html

Part 3: Proposal to Bankers for a Campaign Marriage, with drive-through guests http://rauterkus.blogspot.com/2008/02/proposal-to-bankers-for-campaign.html

County Parks News

Onorato preps new parks organization
By Justin Vellucci, TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato charged the new county Parks Foundation with repairing and maximizing the potential of 12,014 acres of park land.

"I'm glad that we're finally here at this point," Onorato told board members Wednesday at the nonprofit's first meeting. "We are talking about rethinking the whole park system."

The foundation, formed in September to help clean up county parks while privatizing some operations, includes a dozen members representing regional groups and businesses -- from the University of Pittsburgh and the Eat'n Park Hospitality Group to Mascaro Construction Co. and U.S. Steel.

Onorato budgeted $1 million to get the group running and find its executive director. An additional $10 million is available as matching dollars for projects and deferred maintenance the county has neglected for the better part of 30 years.

"It's a huge number," Onorato said. "We'll start picking it off project by project."

The board's first projects will address North Park's boat house, the stables at Hartwood Acres, the South Park fairgrounds and Boyce Park's activity center, Onorato has said.

The idea of forming a park foundation dates back to at least 1998, and was endorsed by then-Chief Executive Jim Roddey and County Council around 2002.

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, a city entity similar to what Onorato has created for the county, has tended to Schenley, Frick, Highland and Riverview parks for several years.

North Park, at 3,000 acres, is the county's largest park and nearly seven times larger than Schenley Park.

Marty's radio show reveals

Marty is talking with Dan Onorato about his recent trip to Europe and the lack of direct flights from Pittsburgh.

My wife and I are going to Amsterdam in May 2008.

But, another real problem for direct flights is the TSA (Transportation Security Administration of Homeland Security) body cavity searches. The way our officials play smashmouth customs practices to our visitors and guests is a HUGE turnoff. Sure, we don't have the market need, nor the other links once people land in Pittsburgh too.

Come to the US via Pittsburgh only if you want to rent a car. And, that isn't so easy for those who are used to driving on the other side of the street. And, it is a major problem with navigation too. But, if you need to rent a car and then drive to West
Virginia -- Pittsburgh is a great flight destination.

In other conversations, we now know that Darlene Harris has cameras on her house. She can roll the tape.

Matt H of the Hoagie blog is blasting the Public Works Dept and the handling of the road cleaning efforts.

Price: The Silent Partner

Part 1:

SI.com - Writers - S.L. Price: The Silent Partner - Wednesday February 13, 2008 11:56AM The Silent Partner
As China quashes critics, IOC continues to look away

Part 2:

SI.com - Olympics - China says links to Darfur are 'nonsense' - Thursday February 14, 2008 12:37AM: "Efforts to link China to the Darfur crisis are 'irresponsible and unfair,' a government spokesman said in comments published Thursday, following director Steven Spielberg's decision to drop out as a Beijing Olympics adviser on human rights grounds.

Jeepers. The folks at Sport Illustrated are starting to jump on the China bashing theme -- before the Olympics.

If they want to replace Steven Spielberg's role as an Olympic advisor, I'm available.

The 2008 Pennsylvania Leadership Conference announces Campaign School! As an added bonus, the PA Leadership Conference will present a Campaign School hosted by the Westlawn Group and the Leadership Institute on Friday, April 25th from 9:00 A.M. until 12 noon at the Four Points Sheraton. There is no additional charge to participate in this seminar. We hope that you'll join us for this informative pre-conference event!

Date and Location: April 25 & 26, 2008 Harrisburg, PA - Four Points Sheraton

Register at www.paleadershipconference.org.

Save the Internet - Fighting for Internet Freedom

Save the Internet : Fighting for Internet Freedom: "Don't take the Internet for granted"

Last night, a bill was introduced in the U.S. House that would stop Comcast, Verizon and AT&T from controlling the free flow on information on the Internet.

The only way we can stop these gatekeepers is if we all take action to support this crucial legislation:

Tell Rep. Michael Doyle to Support Internet Freedom

In 2006, your voice helped stop mighty phone and cable companies from gutting Net Neutrality. In 2007, you pried open their cell phone networks and gave users a choice.

This year, we're going to stop Internet blocking and censorship once and for all.

Why This is Important: Reps. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Chip Pickering (R-Miss.) introduced the "Internet Freedom Preservation Act" (HR 5353) to stop relentless corporate attempts to set up roadblocks on the information superhighway.

It guarantees Net Neutrality by restoring it in the foundation of communications law. This bold move promises that the public -- not phone and cable companies -- will control the fate of the Internet.

The legislation also calls for a nationwide series of public hearings before anyone in Washington hands these gatekeepers and their lobbyists more power. (Read more about the bill here)

Take Action Now: Save the Internet

How Far We've Come: In 2006, more than 1.5 million Americans called on Congress to keep gatekeepers off our Internet. Last year, more than a quarter-million people sent comments to the FCC and opened up cell-phone networks to user choice and innovation.

This new bill was made possible by our amazing grassroots movement. SavetheInternet.com has brought together Democrats and Republicans, consumer groups and small businesses, bloggers and video gamers, in a new bottom-up majority that's shaking up the status quo.

What You Can Do: For too long, communications policymaking has been rigged against us. But by taking action to support this bill, you're telling Congress that high-priced lobbyists will no longer set the agenda.

Tell Rep. Michael Doyle : 'Support the Internet Freedom Preservation Act'

The purpose of the Internet is to give power over information to everyone. The role of our elected leaders is to protect our basic right to communicate from those who want to take it away from us.

We've started a new chapter in the fight for an open Internet. We realize that it takes more than one piece of legislation to reverse decades of corrosive telecom policies.

But with this bill -- and your help -- we are on our way.

Thank you,

Timothy Karr
Campaign Director
SavetheInternet.com

P.S. Bloggers, activists and Internet experts are logging on to the Free Press Action Network to discuss Net Neutrality, an open Internet and people-powered broadband policy. Join the discussion at http://www.freepress.net/action/

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Take action on this important campaign at: http://free.convio.net/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=241

Tell your friends about this campaign at: http://free.convio.net/site/Ecard?ecard_id=1161

Schenley Winter Sports

Both the girls and boys are in the city league basketball playoffs. The boys' quarterfinal game was postponed from yesterday because of the snow. They will be playing this evening at Schenley. Due to the size of Schenley's gym, it is quite possible that the game will sell out.

The girls' team will be playing tomorrow, Thursday, at 6:30 PM at Allderdice High School against Perry, the third place finisher. The girls could really use your support as they battle for a place in the finals and the Allderdice gym can hold a lot of fans. The girls have had some really impressive wins with balanced scoring and a lot of exciting moves.

Also at Allderdice, at 3 PM is the final regular swim meet of the season. Allderdice, once again, has a very strong team but the Schenley swimmers do have a chance to beat them, or at least make for some very exciting races.

amy moore

Ron Paul had 21% -- and then the counting stopped

People who take short cuts in counting votes need to spend the next 10 years in jail.

Local News | Huckabee won't concede state; GOP resuming delegate count | Seattle Times Newspaper According to the GOP's Saturday tally, Arizona Sen. John McCain won about 26 percent of delegates, Arkansas Gov. Huckabee won 24 percent, Texas Rep. Ron Paul finished with 21 percent, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who has dropped out of the race, got 17 percent. Most of the rest were non-committed.

We needed a 2-hour delay today!

Only 2 of the 8 buses arrived to Phillips Elem School today.

The middle school buses were called off from the bus dispatchers. So, Erik and his mates were at the stop for a while and then we departed. We'll drive to middle school in another 30-minutes.

City Council to review planners' OK of billboard

City Council to review planners' OK of billboard Pittsburgh City Council will look into a decision by planners to allow a 1,200-square-foot electronic billboard Downtown without any public hearing or vote, members said yesterday.

'The question is not about the sign at all. Most parties, including myself, seem to think it's appropriate,' said Councilman Ricky Burgess, who heads council's zoning and planning committee. 'We just want to make sure we're following a transparent process.'

Can a giant (20-foot by 60-foot) electronic sign be 'transparent?'

Planned Parenthood 10-week internship matched with pro-choice campaign

Have a passion for politics?
Want to work with pro-choice candidates in Pennsylvania?

THEN JOIN WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD FOR THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME!

Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates is offering a 10-week summer internship that will pair you not only with us, but also place you on the campaign of a state pro-choice legislative candidate!

The Details:

• Our Campaign Organizer Internship includes a week long training in all aspects of grassroots organizing: canvassing, phone banking, recruiting volunteers, and doing community outreach!
• In addition to the opportunity for professional development by working with Planned Parenthood staff on a weekly basis, interns will be assigned to a region of the state where there is a high priority, competitive state legislative race with a viable pro-choice candidate.
• Interns will be a crucial component of the Planned Parenthood Million Strong Campaign, which will engage and mobilize one million pro-choice voters nationwide to go to the polls on Election Day!
• Applicants must have experience and/or sincere interest in grassroots action for change and a strong commitment to reproductive freedom. Interviews will be conducted in March.

How to Apply:

• Fill out the online application here: http://www.plannedparenthoodpa.org/office/internapp.php?internship=Campaign+Organizer
• E-mail your resume, letter of interest and two professional references to administration@pppamail.org
  

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS MARCH 1ST, 2008.

Know someone who is a perfect fit for the campaign internship?! Forward this email and make sure they know about this amazing opportunity!

Deadline fudged in flurrrry, burrrrry, way

All along I asked that the PA election NOT be moved to a sooner date in the calendar. In part, the risk of putting the primary on a snow day.

As it turns out, the deadline for candidates seeking to get onto the ballot has been extended by the Governor.

GOVERNOR RENDELL TO SIGN EXECUTIVE ORDER EXTENDING DEADLINE FOR CANDIDATES’ FILING PETITIONS

HARRISBURG – Governor Edward G. Rendell will sign an executive order extending
the deadline for candidates to file petitions to appear on the April 22 Pennsylvania Primary Election ballot. The deadline, which was set to expire today at 5 p.m., now will be at noon on Thursday, Feb. 14.

“Throughout the day, winter weather has caused accidents and forced the closure of
interstates at various times. In light of this fact, extending the deadline is warranted,” Governor Rendell said. “I moved the date until Thursday because the weather forecast tomorrow could also cause problems.”

“For those candidates who already are on their way to Harrisburg, we will keep the
Department of State’s Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation open to receive
petitions until 5 p.m. today.” The extension only covers the filing of petitions. It does not extend the deadline for the collection of signatures. The extension will move the last day for filing objections to the petitions to Feb. 21.

To view the current candidates’ list or to learn more about elections in Pennsylvania, visit www.dos.state.pa.us.

It would be ideal to allow for on-line signature gathering of candidates to get onto the ballot.

Video Update from Ron Paul

How do we organize buses from Pittsburgh to DC for the Grand Freedom March?

Plan to erect LED sign bypasses city panels, gets approval anyway

Plain and simple, this is what corruption looks and smells like.

Plan to erect LED sign bypasses city panels, gets approval anyway Plan to erect LED sign bypasses city panels, gets approval anyway
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A 1,200-square-foot electronic billboard will decorate the rising Grant Street Transportation Center as part of a deal between Pittsburgh officials and Lamar Advertising to trade old, paper signs for new, illuminated ones.

Digital Democracy -- a baby from the busman's holiday. Beep, beep. Jump on the bus and be there.

Bob Mayo, reporter for WTAE TV, with the city hall beat, sent this email. I'll try to attend.

Digital Democracy is a special event happening here in Pittsburgh next month. This is a project I've been working on for months and I'm excited to let you know about it now.

It's a conference that will explore how the digital revolution -- including blogs, online video, websites and social media -- is changing traditional news media coverage and citizens' access to the political process.

The event includes national-caliber speakers who are coming to town on Saturday, March 15.

Its website is now online at:

http://www.spj.org/pittsburgh

Our speakers include:

• New York Times Online Politics Editor Kate Phillips, who writes for and edits The Caucus, The New York Times politics news blog.

• Newsbusters.org Executive Editor Matthew Sheffield

• MediaMatters.org Senior Fellow & Director of Special Projects Paul Waldman

• Hearst-Argyle Director of Digital Media Content Jacques Natz

• J-Lab Executive Director Jan Schaffer

• Media Bloggers Association President Robert Cox

Other speakers include former USA Today reporter Toni Locy, who's topic is "Subpoenaed For Her Sources". She's the subject of a contempt-of-court request for her refusal to identify sources who provided her information about the 2001 anthrax attacks and the subsequent investigation.

There will also be sessions on "Bloggers as Journalists and Journalists as Bloggers", on new media skills and digital literacy for reporters, and on Open Records laws.

Digital Democracy is a Society of Professional Journalists regional conference, hosted by the Pittsburgh chapter. Region 4 covers Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Michigan, but the event can draw from beyond. Its something for all journalists -- and you don't have to be a member of SPJ. In fact, given the theme, bloggers, students, and others with an interest and involvement in the conference theme are welcome to attend. The Digital Democracy website has links for online registration and there's a special rate for students and SPJ members.

If you've been wondering why I haven't been blogging as much here on the Busman's Holiday for a while, it's because I've been working on this event. I'm program chair and have been lining up the speakers. I also created the website for the event. I know some fellow journalists check out the blog here, and I want to encourage you to join us and to spread the word. This is a professional enrichment event intended everyone in news organizations across the region. Links to more specifics are on the website. I hope to see you there.

In the past, I had been a member of the SPJ -- as I'm a Journalism Grad, BSJ, Ohio Univ. 1982.

Father crucial in Icer career

Dad gets props for supporting his son through sports.

Father crucial in Icer career - The Daily Collegian Online: "Nate Obringer used to wake up at 4 a.m. on weekends in the middle of winter. Battling the cold, harsh conditions of western Pennsylvania, his father Tim Obringer would take Nate to practice on the one outdoor ice rink at Schenley Park.

Now as a member of No. 2 Penn State ACHA Division I Icers, Obringer has emerged as a scoring threat and senior leader who's looking to cap his collegiate career with a national championship.

No one in Obringer's family played hockey, but he benefited from growing up in Pittsburgh in the early '90s.

Nice article about local kid that is doing well.

Too bad that the lone indoor ice rink in the city is still closed.

Streakin'

Schenley hasn't lost a City League game in four years. The Spartans also haven't lost a City League championship since 2004, when they fell to Perry. The streak started when Pitt center DeJuan Blair returned from a knee injury and played his first season at Schenley as a sophomore. The Spartans, who are led by Deandre Kane and Greg Blair these days, will look to continue their dominance tonight when they take on Langley in the semifinals at home.

The boys City League championship will be held at 5 p.m. on Feb. 21, and the girls title game will be played at 7 p.m. Both games will be played at the A.J. Palumbo Center.

Streakin'

Schenley hasn't lost a City League game in four years. The Spartans also haven't lost a City League championship since 2004, when they fell to Perry. The streak started when Pitt center DeJuan Blair returned from a knee injury and played his first season at Schenley as a sophomore. The Spartans, who are led by Deandre Kane and Greg Blair these days, will look to continue their dominance tonight when they take on Langley in the semifinals at home.

The boys City League championship will be held at 5 p.m. on Feb. 21, and the girls title game will be played at 7 p.m. Both games will be played at the A.J. Palumbo Center.

American Policy Center calls for action against the Real ID. Nice summary too

From: American Policy Center, www.americanpolicy.org

Real Rebellion Needed - DUMP The Real ID Act!

The Real ID Act passed the Senate on May 10, 2005, and was signed into law by President George Bush with a compliance date for State DMVs of May 11, 2008. Most Americans have staunchly and consistently opposed any kind of a national ID card each time it had previously been considered. But Congress approved the Act, tucked largely out of sight inside an emergency war spending and tsunami relief bill. This stealth passage of the Real ID Act shocked and angered many Americans, especially those who remembered Congress' own assurances when creating the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with language actually written into the US Homeland Security Act of 2002, that "Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the development of a national identification system or card."

Now in 2008, after nearly three years of incessant fear-mongering and challenges to opponents' patriotism, the public is still outraged, and resistance is swelling. Seven states have now enacted binding legislation to stop Real ID (Georgia, Maine, New Hampshire, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Washington), with Oklahoma on the verge of being the eighth. Fourteen more states have passed resolutions in at least one chamber registering their dissent, and similar efforts have been introduced in 11 more.

The American Policy Center has issued many warnings of the serious threats to public and national security this liberty-smothering law, and ultimately wealth-suppressing law brings to bear on the American public.

The public comment period has come and went. All 50 state governors notified DHS Secretary Chertoff, President Bush, and all 535 members of Congress they opposed the Act, at least as written, for a variety of reasons. Despite the strong negative reaction, whether from average citizens, state agencies, or members of Congress, on January 11, 2008, Secretary Chertoff released his department's final Real ID regulations, which can be read here: Part 1, and Part 2

Secretary Chertoff says he's heard the concerns, rectified many shortcomings of the Real ID Act, and is now offering states an 18-month (with the option of an additional 18-month) extension period within which to comply (by demonstrating material compliance with the core requirements of the Act). Additionally, only those born after December 1, 1964, will have to have their current Driver License re-issued. The rest of us can choose to keep our current DL, so that by December 1, 2017, all 245 million Americans that hold either a State issued Driver License or ID card will be compliant. Encouraging news, right? After all, any delay is a victory.

Secretary Chertoff has taken some hits. On January 18, 2008, Montana's Governor, Brian Schweitzer (D), invited the governors of 17 other states to join Montana in all-out rebellion against the Real ID Act. The Montana Bill states in part:

"The legislature finds that the enactment into law by the U.S. congress of the REAL ID Act of 2005, as part of Public Law 109-13, is inimical to the security and well-being of the people of Montana, will cause unneeded expense and inconvenience to those people, and was adopted by the U.S. congress in violation of the principles of federalism contained in the 10th amendment to the U.S. constitution.

(2) The state of Montana will not participate in the implementation of the REAL ID Act of 2005. The department, including the motor vehicle division of the department, is directed not to implement the provisions of the REAL ID Act of 2005 and to report to the governor any attempt by agencies or agents of the U.S. department of homeland security to secure the implementation of the REAL ID Act of 2005 through the operations of that division and department."

Schweitzer's letter went out to the governors of Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Washington.

A piqued Chertoff snapped that opponents of the Act needed to "grow up." He further warned that, as of May 11, 2oo8, anyone not presenting a Real ID-compliant state, or federal, ID at an airport will be subject to a complete pat down, screening of their carry-on luggage, and possibly will not be allowed on a commercial airplane.

Governor Schweitzer wants Congress to show some leadership and enact alternative legislation to stop Real ID, while re-instating the commission working on driver's license rules before the Act assigned DHS sole authority to set the rules. He took "great offense at this notion we should all simply 'grow up'," saying Chertoff's remarks "reflect DHS continued disrespect for the serious and legitimate concerns of our citizens."

Laura Keehner, a DHS spokeswoman, said DHS has no intention of backing down. Her comments indicated a department policy of trying to turn States' citizens against their governors, stating failure to comply "will mean real consequences for (a rebel state's) citizens starting in May if their leadership chooses not to comply." Keehner suggested that patted-down citizens will turn their wrath on their state leadership, rather than the federal government.

Secretary Chertoff has also hinted the Real ID card will soon be used for a wide variety of purposes not specifically detailed in the Real ID Act, stating DHS will do nothing to prevent non-government private parties from requiring the ID card. So you could soon be required to have a Real ID card to obtain or hold a job, open a bank account, enter a school, receive medical care, purchase a gun, or a virtually unlimited host of unrelated purposes. Eventually, once smart chips are incorporated, these ID cards will contain your entire life history - not just identification, but birth, school, employment, medical, financial, purchase and travel records.

Incredibly, Secretary Chertoff has no plans for encrypt the stored data on these cards, leaving unprotected the very personal records and access to the financial assets of 245 million Americans. The Real ID Act does not require DHS to secure the records they create or link to. Thus, this national web-like database will provide easy, one-stop shopping for identity thieves, swollen beyond recognition as not only state and national government agencies input and share data, but the private sector accesses the system for routine tracking, monitoring, and regulation of everyday Americans' every move and activity. These ID cards will truly be "internal passports," utilized by the federal government to determine where and how you will be allowed to travel, whether within your own state, or within your own country. Do you really want Big Brother making these decisions for you? Do you want to be tracked in office buildings, subways, or on buses?

Governor Schweitzer has demonstrated great leadership. The Real ID Act will impose rules that threaten the privacy, security and freedom of 245 million Americans. This Act is, as was so aptly stated by the New Hampshire legislature, "contrary and repugnant" to state and federal constitutions. We must all demand other state governors follow suit. We must call Secretary Chertoff's bluff! Follow the spirit of Governor Schweitzer's command to his fellow Montanans - report demands by any federal employee that you produce a Real ID card to your elected state and federal representatives. Complain loudly! Complain in your own best interest, and that of your children. The Real ID Act is fatally flawed, and will soon result in massive litigation. That litigation will be funded, in all phases, by your tax dollars!

Rebellion against the Real ID Act goes far beyond simple defiance of an unpopular public program. Our national roots, our heritage, the very foundation of America springs from a profound understanding that the power of our federal government must be limited - restricted to certain enumerated powers. We have allowed, as a society, and as individuals, the usurpation of much of our liberty and freedom of choice. We're already allowing ourselves to be video taped in private, and on public roads and within public facilities. When is enough, enough? The United Kingdom has one video camera in place for every 14 people in the whole country. Video cameras do NOTHING to increase security; they merely assist the police with later identification of the perpetrators of whatever horror or crime HAS ALREADY BEEN COMMITTED.

Likewise, improved, so-called tamper-proof identity documents that cannot be counterfeited (Oh, really!) will do little, if anything, to secure our borders, and they will DO NOTHING to protect you from a suicide bomber. After all, most potential suicide bombers are already in country, may well have been born and raised here, and will not have a history of this criminal activity. We need to get real, people, and DUMP THE REAL ID ACT!

ACTION NEEDED

Contact your State Governor. You will find their name and contact information here :

Tell your Governor:

a.. S/he must defend your state's sovereignty, and the police powers granted by your state constitution, and acknowledged by the U.S. Constitution.

b.. S/he should oppose imposition of the Real ID Act on the state's citizens.

c.. S/he must not waste the state's precious, and limited, financial resources on the fatally-flawed Real ID Act.

d.. S/he will bear the full wrath of the state's voters if those voters are betrayed, and forced like slaves into acceptance of this arguably unconstitutional, and very dangerous program.


Contact your State Legislators:

Tell your Legislator:

a.. S/he must defend your state's sovereignty, and the police powers granted by your state constitution, and acknowledged by the U.S. Constitution.

b.. S/he should oppose imposition of the Real ID Act on the state's citizens.

c.. S/he must not waste the state's precious, and limited, financial resources on the fatally-flawed Real ID Act.

d.. S/he will bear the full wrath of the state's voters if those voters are betrayed, and forced like slaves into acceptance of this arguably unconstitutional, and very dangerous program.

Contact your U.S. Representative. Call the House Switchboard at (202) 225-3121. Tell the Operator your Congressman's name, or the city and state where you live, and you will be connected.

Office of Congressman (Name)
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Tell your Representative:

a.. Congress mandated in the U.S. Homeland Security Act of 2002 that "Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the development of a national identification system or card."

b.. Congress is over-reaching its authority by dictating to state Governors and state motor vehicle departments requirements for state-issued driver licenses and identification cards.

c.. Congress is exposing precious, and limited, tax dollars to fund a fatally-flawed program that is arguably unconstitutional, and that will be the subject of massive, taxpayer-funded, litigation.

Contact your U.S. Senator. Call the Senate Switchboard at (202) 224-2131. Tell the Operator who your Senator is, or what state you live in, and you will be connected.

Office of Senator (Name)
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

Tell your Senator:

a.. Congress mandated in the U.S. Homeland Security Act of 2002 that "Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the development of a national identification system or card."

b.. Congress is over-reaching its authority by dictating to state Governors and state motor vehicle departments requirements for state-issued driver licenses and identification cards.

c.. Congress is exposing precious, and limited, tax dollars to fund a fatally-flawed program that is arguably unconstitutional, and that will be the subject of massive, taxpayer-funded, litigation.

Source: American Policy Center, 70 Main Street, Suite 23, Warrenton, Virginia 20186

Landing on all four paws and one tooth: James Traficant

Panther Rants: "PITTSBURGH (PR) - Panther Rants has learned through a source close the athletic department that former Ohio Congressman and Pitt quarterback James Traficant is a candidate for the Panthers' vacant defensive coordinator's position.

State parks going without lifeguards in '08

State parks going without lifeguards in '08 Swimming at state park beaches soon will be at your own risk.

Starting this summer, the Bureau of State Parks is getting rid of lifeguards at all beaches except at Presque Isle State Park on Lake Erie. The move will save about $800,000, eliminate the challenge of hiring enough lifeguards and allow beaches to be open longer, state officials said.

Panther Rants noticed that the Pitt Scrip clothing has been hijacked from the store shelves, again.

Panther Rants: "If that's the case we are left to believe that its simply back to business as usual with Pederson and his well documented out-of-control ego. He's been on the job two months and the FIRST PRIORITY is killing off a line of clothing that re-connects some fans with a part of the school's history. Not a new season ticket plan for football. Not a new advertising campaign for football. Not anything to make the athletic department more fan friendly and palatable. Nope, Steve reverts back to his good old fashioned obsession: uniforms, logos and colors.

Pink slip clothing to come?

Grass gets legalized -- that's moving forward

The Steelers are keeping a grass surface at Heinz Field. What was there stays. Humm.... That's same old same old.

Moving forward would be the legalization of grass.

Steelers to keep it "real" at Heinz Field 'The majority of our players have told us that they prefer natural grass to any artificial surface,' said club president Art Rooney II in a statement today, 'and grass is also the preference of our coaches and athletic staff. We also discussed this with the University of Pittsburgh officials to make sure everyone is comfortable moving forward.'

Steve Pederson is in the news again -- the 'moving forward AD' if there ever was one. He was the old AD that was responsible for the destruction of Pitt Stadium.

Seems that the prices to the Pitt football games are going to drop -- because there are so few people who are attending the games at Heinz Field.

PIIN -- and update from the Pgh Interfaith Impact Network

In the wake of the murders of two African American youths, Jolesa Barber (12) and Ernest Tolliver (15), on the 28th and 29th of January, 2008, Rev. Johnnie Monroe and the PIIN Spiritual Leaders caucus declared enough is enough.

On January 30th, Rev. Johnnie Monroe called on the spiritual leaders of PIIN to meet with police Chief Nate Harper to begin discussions on stemming the proliferation of gun violence. During the meeting, PIIN leaders decided to launch a Holy Ground Campaign and Chief Harper agreed to fully support the initiative.

On February 1st, Rev. Welch organized a meeting with the NAACP’s religious affairs committee to further engage non PIIN members in the campaign. During that meeting a candle light vigil was organized to take place on the street where Jolesa Barber was murdered as a show of support for her family and to declare our campaign. 20 pastors including 10 who were members of PIIN committed to the campaign.

On February 5th at 9 PM, 200 women, men, and children gathered at Bright Ridge Place, where Little G (Jolesa Barber) was gunned down to declare that we would not stand for the gun violence any more. Reverends Monroe, Grayson, and Welch led the group in a series of prayers. Court of Common Pleas’ Judge Dewanye Woodruff was on site to support the event and plead with the people to “do something” to help save our children who want to do the right things. There were pastors from the northside who committed to join our effort, leaders of other community groups and initiatives who declared that they would partner with us to begin addressing gun violence and the upstream issues that lead to it.

In a rousing benediction, Rev. John Welch announced that “We are declaring Holy Ground on the North Side. We are declaring Holy Ground on the East End. We are declaring Holy ground in the West End. And, we are declaring Holy Ground in the South Side. It is time for us to stand up and let the powers that be know that the people of Pittsburgh are some bodies too”. He also reminded the people that our situation did not get like this over night and that it was not going to be addressed over night., That the solutions to these problems will have to addressed in the School board chambers, city chambers, county chambers and in Harrisburg and Washington D. C.

Members of PIIN, this is the year that we take unwavering stand to combat those issues that stamp out prosperity and cause a sense of hopelessness. This year we declare Pittsburgh Holy Ground!!

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...

---

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?

---

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

--
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.