Pittsburgh man drowns in Florida

So sad.

Pittsburgh man drowns in Florida: "Officials say a 50-year-old tourist from Pittsburgh drowned off Daytona Beach Shores, Fla., in an area where rip currents were seen.

Beach patrol Capt. Scott Petersohn said beachgoers spotted Paul Peters of Pittsburgh floating in waters offshore Friday afternoon.

When lifeguards reached him they found he was unresponsive and took him to a hospital. He was pronounced dead approximately two hours later.

Rip currents were spotted in the area where Mr. Peters was swimming, but it was not clear if they were a factor in his death.

A great reason to be a swimmer.

Are your kids signed up for swimming lessons?

Adults -- what about you? Can you swim? Are you in shape to battle or float out a rip tide?

Let's work to make sure that vacations don't end like this.

Adults can be taking swim lessons too.

Local cycling team to compete in major race - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Local! Here! Athletes.

Local cycling team to compete in major race - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Local cycling team to compete in major race

Six on the team include:
Chris from Mechanicsburg (200 miles)
Turner of Renfrew (30 miles)
Eliot of Lock Haven (173 miles)
Justin of Philadelphia (310 miles)
Brett of Wind Gap (306 miles)
Adam of Oswego, NY (365 miles)

Some home-team. The Tour of Pennsylvania expects to have 22 teams. They will be here June 29.

Marriage law draws crowd

Shame, implore, fear, injustice, moral, cowardice. Humm. Did he say "na-na-na-na-na" too?

Marriage law draws crowd City Councilman Bruce Kraus yesterday described such a qualification and the entire move to ban civil unions as a 'mark of shame.'

He implored members of the Judiciary Committee and the Legislature to stand against the constitutional amendment.

'This need not become your mark of shame, but rather your call to courage,' he said. 'The courage to overcome fear and injustice; to leave behind moral cowardice.

Here is an invite. I'd love to have the text of the Bruce Kraus statement put into the comments of this blog. Click the button below. Copy text. Paste.

As a Libertarian, I am all in favor of live and let live approach. Government should net set the bounds for behavior among men and women as they choose their life partners.

We need a strong constitution so as to limit the scope of government. So, it makes little sense to craft a new amendment to the constitution that diminishes rights of individuals.

People that want to wed, marry, get into unions, have life-partners -- whatever -- should stand together, in love, before their place of worship, and swear to each other. That's great. And, it is often a religious act. At its roots, it is a 'willing act' of couples that choose to be with other.

Religion is optional. In an ideal world, state involvement would be optional too. But, at the least, the government involvement should be minimal.

The proposed constitutional amendment makes government's position a maxim, a 'deal breaker.'

No thanks.

By the way, I still would like to see the full statement from Mr. Kraus, and any others who have published their public comments. Pointers are welcomed.

Nike sponsoring Oly through 2012

SI.com - More Sports - Nike sponsoring Oly through 2012 - Thursday April 10, 2008 3:06PM Nike will sponsor the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams through the 2012 London Games.

The company announced the extension of its agreement with the U.S. Olympic Committee on Thursday. Nike provides the uniforms that American athletes wear on the podium during medal ceremonies.

Bloggers Rule: Bram was on the radio today

In a matter of moments after the show, I was able to upload a video with sound of the interview of Bram and Kevin. Nice 12-minute segment.

Now live at Rauterkus.blip.tv.

Click To Play

First toys - now roids: Greek weightlifting coach blamed for supplying tainted supplements - Thursday April 10, 2008 12:23PM

The bashing of China is with some big-time, heavy lifting muscle now.

SI.com - More Sports - Greek weightlifting coach blamed for supplying tainted supplements - Thursday April 10, 2008 12:23PM: "Iakovou blamed the test results on a tainted batch of diet supplements from China. He said he had used the Chinese supplier from late 2007, and insisted he had informed the Greek federation.

USOC's Oly revenue share disputed - Thursday April 10, 2008 9:56AM

In related stories:

SI.com - More Sports - USOC's Oly revenue share disputed - Thursday April 10, 2008 9:56AM: "The fight over the U.S. Olympic Committee's share of global Olympic revenues is getting ugly.

Have we got a guy for you. "Our Hero" should get hired by the US Olympic Committee.

Other than the puffing on cigars, a banned substance, perhaps, he just needs to curl dumbbells.

And the press secretary: She can get a gig doing PR for the remainder of the Olympic Torch Relay.

ANOC backs off statement to get China, Tibet to reconcile

SI.com - More Sports - ANOC backs off statement to get China, Tibet to reconcile - Wednesday April 9, 2008 12:01PM: "ANOC backs off urge to reconcile
Earlier, Oly body said China should settle with Tibet

Another article:

SI.com - Writers - Frank Deford: Yesterday's party - Wednesday April 9, 2008 12:31PMThere is something wonderfully ironic about the Olympic torch, which is making its journey around the world with what appears to be, a big 'KICK ME' sign on it for China.

Merger chatter: Dan is on with Marty

My instant message:

Louisville prohibits ALL mentions of political parties for All candidates in city and county. NO "Ds" and NO "Rs" for local races.

That's the fix that is missing in Dan's plan.

By the way, going to the polls is suspect as the voting machines can't count with necessary confidence.

Second update:

Voters decide: We VOTED to NOT fund the STADIUMs.

Meanwhile, the DEBT of CITY won't be "SHARED."

Go figure.

15211.org 911 vs. 311 | 15211.org

15211.org 911 vs. 311 | 15211.org: "Also, if you live in District 3 you can do a little more than just call 311 or email a picture.

After calling 311 and receiving a reference number District 3 residents should contact city Councilman Bruce A. Kraus’ office with the complaint and reference number. The office will follow up on the call.

We all know there is nothing like a three-pronged approach to dealing with a nuisance. We should all take this info and start calling 311 any and every time you see or hear something that brings our neighborhood down. Just remember, if it’s serious enough for a police officer, call 911!"

My reply on that blog:

Calling Bruce Kraus is a sure fire way to insure that political paving continues. Kruas wants to be a litter getter. But, that role is NOT what he should be doing. He is over-reaching. In turn, he is compounding the folly.

Kraus and others on city council are not to be air-traffic controllers for 3-1-1 operations. That is what Luke Ravenstahl has called "micro-management." The separation of powers needs to be realized by him -- and by citizens.

This bad advice will get Kraus sued again. And, I think it would be the 3rd time in his first 100 days. And, it is unethical advice for Kraus to spew and perhaps -- for the blog to advocate -- unless it is as a watchdog.

The acts like this in the past decades have sent the city into its financial despair. It is time to break the evil pattern of the wrong people trying (in vain) to do the wrong functions. It only leads to frustrations, a broken budget and patronage.

Call 3-1-1. Send the photo. Tell Kraus to get out of the way and do his job. He does NOT need the distractions as he battles cluelessness in his proper capacity.

Mayor's spokeswoman resigns; URA head placed on leave

Great news.

Mayor's spokeswoman resigns; URA head placed on leave Mayor's spokeswoman resigns; URA head placed on leave

Time to celebrate.

Bad news has just left the building.

The URA Board, going to the state ethics commission, as reported in the news is interesting -- because -- once reports are put to the state ethics commission you can't talk about them. There is a cloak of secrecy involved.

Go figure.

The Pittsburgh Comet reports that Kraus wants a 'do-over.'

But wait, wait, wait....

The Pittsburgh Comet: Wednesday: Other News 'Has this been politicized to such a point that some are willing to jeopardize public safety?' asked Bruce Kraus. He recommends again voting to override the veto on the original legislation, to send it back with guidelines for vehicle eligibility.

The veto from the mayor arrived to city council. So, city council voted yesterday. The votes in council were FIVE. Six are needed to over come the veto. Kraus lost. So, today, Kraus wants to it again. He wants to vote again.

This is exactly what happens when a dog runs around in a circle and chases its tail. Over and over again.

Kraus is good at spinning in the same place.

Meanwhile in other news, from yesterday, Penny Folino, owner of a diner on East Carson Street, had to deal with the 'do over mentality' again from Kraus.



The spring is here. The outdoor cafe is set to open for the season -- and with a new schedule of operation -- 24 hours a day. But, the railing that was used and approved last year by city council is now NOT PERMITTED.

Kraus revisited that bit of legislation. He got a re-do done again.

But, I have a feeling that this saga is not finished yet. The lawyer for Falino's was in council chambers as well.

Boycotts, partial or otherwise, won't have the desired effect - Olympics

ESPN - Boycotts, partial or otherwise, won't have the desired effect - Olympics The San Franciscan torchbearer received a 4.5 for dropping the torch and failing to pass it to the next runner after he was attacked by Gluten Free Tibet vegan monks, but scored an 8.0 for style points when he set the security van on fire before driving it off the Golden Gate Bridge in a spectacular plunge into the Bay.

Well, I sorta agree with the general article.

Boycotts do have some purpose, and boycotts are better than streakers that run nude through the pitch or go jumping off of the diving board with some URL for a casino in black marker on his chest.

The torch relay began as a six continent circus and turned into a three ringed one.

Libertarians kicking the merger matters

The Libertarian Party of Pittsburgh is chatting and pondering an official position on the city/county merger issue. Some basics follow:

We're in favor of any increase in government efficiency and decrease in size -- as long as it's an integral part of the process, not a hopefully-some-day projection.

For example, if a consolidation plan were to reduce taxes (as part of the enabling legislation) or reduce the number of government employees (again, as part of the
enabling legislation) that might be encouraging. But we do not support consolidation plans which would rewrite the relationship between Allegheny County governments which would not include any actual mechanisms for improving efficiency and reducing size.

One example would be an explicit cap on the number of government employees as a fraction of population.

Given the unfortunate history of the region, for example the involuntary annexation of Allegheny City by Pittsburgh, and the subsequent decline of the annexed area, we strongly oppose any involuntary annexations or changes in government.

Given the degree of detail available so far from proponents of consolidation, we do not believe the plans are clear enough to warrant a referendum in November of 2008.

Advocates of the merger are not proposing to put the question on the November 2008 ballot, but to continue promoting the idea for at least a year and a half, and to put it on the ballot only when they think they have enough support to pass it.

Who are the experts on the merger with the city and former Allegheny City? Who can speak with authority on how it was an improper merger and bad for Allegheny City? Leave a note in the comments if you are that person or can point us to an expert.

The gist of the controversy is that the state had quietly passed a law allowing the merger if a majority of residents in the combined municipalities had allowed it. Before that (and again after that), separate majorities in each jurisdiction were required. (Birmingham had merged with the city prior to this, and several other southern municipalities had merged afterward. I believe that none of these
other mergers were "forced.")

For an overview of the Allegheny City question, see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegheny,_Pennsylvania

The Allegheny City Society would be a good place to start, but with some caution, as it appears to be populated by pro-development establishment types who might be friendly to the proposal.

http://www.alleghenycity.org/
The issue of consolidation can be talked about in the context of the stadium referendum in which the voters were ignored. It is part of a pattern of conquest, not only of the city and county over smaller municipalities, but of subsidy-sucking corporate elites over the taxpayer.

Consolidation: Law Department Software Upgrade

Patrick Dowd was able to advance a couple of strong point while the Law Department's director was at the seat.

Tip: The software upgrade for the law department should be for "open source software."

Do not do maintence and upgrades of systems from the past unless that system is open source.

The Gospel, According to Luke - washingtonpost.com

DC ink.

The Gospel, According to Luke - washingtonpost.com: "YOUTH VOTE
The Gospel, According to Luke
Pittsburgh's Young Mayor Wants City to Line Up Behind Clinton

In other news, last night, as the hearing on the OVERLORDS was unfolding, I was at W&J, Luke's last college. W&J hosted the Water Polo team from Chatham University in a scrimmage / clinic. I've been helping with the new water polo club in recent weeks. (video to come)

Lamar sues 5 councilmen for challenging electronic billboard

Woops.

Lamar sues 5 councilmen for challenging electronic billboard: "Lamar Advertising filed a civil lawsuit today against five members of Pittsburgh City Council, alleging that they have 'developed a plot, under the auspices of their elected office' to try to have a permit revoked for a 1,200-square-foot digital billboard slated for the Grant Street Transportation Center."

The plot thickens.

When the dog chases its tail and catches it, then bites -- it must feel similar.

Lamar already paid for the blinking lights on the billboard.

Perhaps Lamar should bring suit against the folks in the planning department that issued the illegal (sorta) permit. And, they can file against the employee that opened the door so that the four members of council could pile on after the desk had closed.

I guess Lamar didn't heed the foolish advice from Bruce Kraus who asked them to revoke their own permit.

IOC to review Beijing torch problems - Tuesday April 8, 2008 11:13AM

SI.com - More Sports - IOC to review Beijing torch problems - Tuesday April 8, 2008 11:13AM The IOC will review plans for the remainder of the Beijing Olympic torch relay and consider scrapping the international portion of the event for future games.

Everything is always subject for review. That's what it means to be alive, be open minded, and being 'free.'

The torch relay is not for sports. It is for 'promotion.' The torch relay is a magnet for those who want to self promote, raise a stink, draw attention to issues.

Petition | Vote Both!

Pointer from techPresident.com:

Petition | Vote Both!Paid For By Clinton/Obama 08

Vote Both is calling for an unity ticket with Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton (no word on who comes first). It’s a nice idea. I’d also like to ride a flying pig across the Atlantic Ocean some day.

Shopping Spree with Tour Bus to Wilkinsburg

Get on the bus, Gus. Call Tonya's office if you live in the Hill District and want a tour of the grocery store.

Mayor's veto on 2008-0154 hits council and the take home cars are ...

Rev. Burgess, on city council, pushed to nix the take home cars. The veto vote came after a letter from the councilman to the mayor was put into the record.

It would be good to have that letter published. Pointers welcome.

Existence of 'unofficial' take-home cars could complicate stricter city rules: "A city of Pittsburgh public works vehicle is parked nightly on Salisbury Street in Arlington, across from the home of Streets Program Supervisor Jeff Koch, a former city councilman.

A city-owned 2002 Chevy pickup rests behind the Stanton Heights fire station, a block from the home of the construction supervisor to whom it's assigned. A 2007 pickup and a 1999 GMC Jimmy settle every evening in the Moore Park parking lot in Brookline, the home neighborhood of the public works supervisors who use them daily.

They're unofficial take-home cars, or take-almost-home cars, not included on the lists of vehicles City Council and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl have wrestled over for weeks. Their existence may complicate a move toward firm rules on the use of city cars, an issue that is the subject of a veto override vote set for today's council meeting.

Yesterday's broken leg of Darlene Harris' mother kept her out of council chambers. Go figure. Her vote would have been necessary to over-ride the veto.

The mayor won that round with a veto proof margin.

Another fruitless tail chaser from Kraus

Tom's Diner is going to be open 24-hours a day and they still want to keep their decorative fence bolted into the sidewalk for the outdoor tables for patrons.

Beyond the expansion of hours, Penny (owner) and her business is finishing the move into three storefronts.

Last year this sillyness hit council when Jeff Koch was on council. Well, this didn't sit well with the challenger, Bruce Kraus. Kraus got the seat. To the victor's go the spoils -- so it seems with him. The present aim is to heap hassle upon local business and cause a fuss about little of merit.

Folly looks like this.

It flows from some more than others.

So, Kraus wants the rope to be pulled off of the sidewalk at the close of business. But, now that the place is going to be 24-hours.

Another law department opinion is needed. Perhaps the opinion will come before this volcano of an issue comes to a head.

We need railings to corral sillyness that spews from council chambers.

Doug Shields mentioned that the Pgh Downtown Partnership is pushing for standards.

Tonya Payne said she'd abstain, breaking a personal preference. When asked by Kraus if he could resolve any questions she has, she said it would take too much time.

Kraus won the vote. The business owners get the shaft from the city, again.

Dan Onorato now backing Barack Obama - Change We Can Believe In - Berks County Democratic Committee Spring Fling

Barack Obama : : Change We Can Believe In | Event | Berks County Democratic Committee Spring Fling Berks County Democratic Committee Spring Fling (Meeting)
Join Berks for Obama in showing support for our candidate at the Berks County Democratiic Committee Spring Fling

Featuring Guest Speaker: Allegheny County Executive Don Onorato
6:00pm, April 18, 2008 Social Hour
7:00pm, April 18, 2008 Dinner
Riveredge Restaurant 2017 Bernville Road, Reading, PA 19601

Tickets are $40

So, Dan Onorato is speaking at a spring fling in eastern PA at an event that is PRO Obama.

Everyone in the eastern part of PA needs to know that Dan Onorato is on the same side as Gov. Rendell and Onorato is supporting Hillary Clinton.

Camp appeals ruling keeping rafts off Yough

Camp appeals ruling keeping rafts off Yough A Christian camp booted off the Youghiogheny River now is making waves in Commonwealth Court.

This is nuts. I hope that the camp gets to access our river.

Jury "Deadlocked" -- fitting end to case for the Dr. C. Wecht

KDKA Radio reports that the jury is 'dead locked.'

How fitting.

http://post-gazette.com/pg/08099/871436-100.stm

City school board warned to cut budget

City school board warned to cut budget: "More budget cuts are coming to the Pittsburgh Public Schools, officials warned last night, raising new questions about what the district will do about under-used high schools and capital projects.

The sky is falling.

Clarification needed: What is a "utility cost?"

I'm sending an email to the P-G reporter, Joe S.

Is that the overall cost of the building? Is it the cost of heat, light, water? Is it the cost of capital elements within the budget? Are teachers, administrators, building support people part of this 'utility cost?' Or are just some of those expenses included?

The district in recent years has closed 22 schools and eliminated hundreds of positions, many through attrition. But to put the district on solid financial footing for the long term, Mr. Berdnik proposed a 10 percent spending cut in 2009, another 10 percent cut in 2010 and 3 percent cuts in years after that.

"Part of our challenge continues to be to right-size district staff to enrollment," Mr. Berdnik said, meaning the district still has more employees than needed.

Mr. Berdnik also repeated an earlier warning that capital projects are straining the district coffers.

The latest alert comes as parents lobby for a renovation of Pittsburgh Schenley, which Mr. Roosevelt proposed closing at the end of the school year because he said the district could not afford $64 million in needed renovations to the Oakland building. Mr. Roosevelt said the remarks about capital projects were not directed at Schenley supporters but were intended to urge board members to be "cautious" about spending.

Pgh Public Schools needs to cut staff because so many families are cutting out of the city. The population decline happens because parents are NOT happy with the life in the city, and at the city schools.

The value of the city education while living in a city home is fleeting. Hence, the families with the ability to depart often do.

Cuts are needed because QUALITY has been cut.

The fix is not more cuts. The real fix has to do with doing a better job with the kids and with the families and with the volunteers so people stay in the city, learn, feel safe, have solid expectations that life can be trusted and people can thrive.

Just as the Brimingham Bridge failure was known 20 years ago and nothing was done about it -- same to with this school saga. The inspectors knew that the bridge had troubles. Yet nothing was done. Recently, life came to a crawl -- making a living hell for everyone from miles around when the bridge was closed. Today the bridge is only at one lane in both directions.

They ignore problems.

Staffing isn't the real problem of Pgh Public Schools. The real problem is what happens in and around our schools in the school day and beyond. The problem is the 10,000 students that are NOT there because they departed in recent times.

The closing of Schenley High School is another signal that 500 families are going to depart the city. Schenley's closing is stupid and Mark Roosevelt's fault.

ESPN - Phelps falls asleep on tower, still wins 400-meter individual medley - Swimming

ESPN - Phelps falls asleep on tower, still wins 400-meter individual medley - Swimming: "Phelps said while he was stretching on a lower dive platform he apparently dozed off, preventing him from qualifying for the 400 free.

'I was kind of stretching, so ... you could say I was stretching,' he joked. '[Coach Bob Bowman] always gives me a hard time about not stretching. I was holding that stretch for at least 10 or 15 minutes. My legs were definitely stretched.'

Townhall.com::How 'Community Organizers' (like Obama) Created the Subprime Crisis::By Jerry Bowyer

I'm not happy with Hillary for advancing the concept of our president, GWB, boycott the Olympic opening in Beijing at 8 pm on the 8th day of the 8th month of 2008.

Townhall.com::How 'Community Organizers' (like Obama) Created the Subprime Crisis::By Jerry Bowyer How 'Community Organizers' (like Obama) Created the Subprime Crisis

So let's get the punches in to both of the D party candidates.

Sen. Clinton wants Bush to boycott Olympic ceremony - Monday April 7, 2008 3:03PM

Clinton just lost my vote. But, I don't vote int eh D-party primary.

SI.com - More Sports - Sen. Clinton wants Bush to boycott Olympic ceremony - Monday April 7, 2008 3:03PM: "Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is calling on President Bush to stay away from the Olympics opening ceremonies in Beijing this summer.

City Solicitor George Specter's Latest Legal Opinion Just In: Homestead Strike Was Illegal

Carbolic Smoke Ball: City Solicitor George Specter's Latest Legal Opinion Just In: Homestead Strike Was Illegal: "A long-awaited legal opinion from the office of the city solicitor is in: The Carnegie Steel Company acted appropriately when it looked workers out of its Homestead Works in June of 1892.

Campaign Finance Reform gets attention in post agenda meeting in city council chambers

Bill Peduto's long awaited campaign finance reform bill took another step today with a post agenda meeting in city council chambers. It was put onto the city cable.

Bill Peduto said he'd put a 'hold' on the bill if he had the necessary support to offer a 'clean money' alternative. That's code for public financed campaigns.

Humm...

I'm not sure where this is going to go.

Pointers from the MSM expected shortly.

Trib news:

Proposal sets limits on political donations in Pittsburgh
By Jeremy Boren
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, April 8, 2008

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Pittsburgh isn't among more than two dozen major U.S. cities that cap the amount a person can donate to candidates at $5,000 or less.

The city has no limit on individual campaign contributions to City Council and mayoral candidates -- but it should, said Councilman Bill Peduto, who portrayed himself as a case in point during a hearing Monday on campaign finance restrictions he has proposed to city lawmakers.

"When I ran for mayor last year, I received a donation for $50,000. The most presidential candidates can receive is $2,300," Peduto said. "For a City Council member running for mayor, the sky's the limit. There's something inherently wrong with that."'

Peduto wants to limit annual, individual donations to City Council members to $2,500; mayoral and city controller candidates would be capped at $5,000.

story continues below



Limits in other cities range from as high as $3,400 on council members and the mayor in Detroit to as little as $270 on council members and $200 on the mayor in San Diego.

Under Peduto's proposal, those who donate the maximum would be prohibited from receiving no-bid contracts from the city. Candidates would be prohibited from raising more than $250,0000 (mayor), $100,000 (city controller) or $75,000 (council members) in non-election years.

Tim Potts, co-founder of Democracy Rising PA, attended Peduto's hearing to emphasize that unchecked campaign fundraising inhibits democracy.

"You don't want someone going in with a huge war chest that makes it nearly impossible for anybody else to compete," Potts said of non-election-year fundraising.

Potts said state lawmakers, for example, spend an inordinate amount of time fundraising. Forcing politicians to stick to smaller goals could reduce time they spend not doing their jobs.

Councilman Jim Motznik said fundraising doesn't stop him from listening to constituents.

"The amount of time I spend with my people and residents who aren't in my district ... doesn't depend on whether they gave me money," he said.

Peduto's legislation doesn't specify penalties for those who don't follow the caps. It leaves that to the city's Ethics Hearing Board.

Peduto said he's willing to negotiate to lower or nix the off-year election limits and amend the legislation to lower the individual contribution caps to $1,000 for council and $2,500 for the mayor and controller.

Even those changes would help Pittsburgh shake off the yoke of pay-to-play politics, said Barry Kauffman, director of Pennsylvania Common Cause, who attended the hearing.

Only 11 states, including Pennsylvania, do not have some form of statewide campaign finance reform, Kauffman said.

Finding the five votes on the nine-member City Council could be difficult.

Peduto doesn't have the votes yet, said Council President Doug Shields.

"As the old saying goes, 'When you've got the votes, vote; when you don't, talk.' Right now, we're talking."

Jeremy Boren can be reached at jboren@tribweb.com or 412-765-2312.

9000 PCs in Swiss schools going Linux only | Education IT | ZDNet.com

9000 PCs in Swiss schools going Linux only | Education IT | ZDNet.com 9000 computers in Swiss schools have been dual-booting Windows and and Ubuntu for some time now in anticipation of guidelines from the Switzerland’s Department of Public Instruction, whose motto is “Long Live Free Software.” The Tribune de Geneve featured a story on Friday about the elimination of dual boot capabilities in all of these machines and a migration exclusively to Linux (the original story is available here in French or here in English courtesy of Google’s language tools).

Beginning this September, all 9000 computers will run only Ubuntu and free and open source software.

Sri Lanka marathon ceremony bombed, 14 killed

SI.com - More Sports - Sri Lanka marathon ceremony bombed, 14 killed - Sunday April 6, 2008 7:55PM: A suicide bomber attacked the opening ceremony of a marathon outside Sri Lanka's capital Sunday, killing a government minister and 13 other people, authorities said. Dozens were wounded.

The torch relay has had its trouble keeping on track. The news above is much worse.


View Larger Map

Sri Lanka is an island south of India.

Baseball, MLK, Clemente and throw-back swimming

A valued sports journalist, Dave Zirin, posts the following, fitting for this blog on the opening day for the Pittsburgh Pirates home season.

This piece was posted on sportsillustrated.com’s home page this past weekend. As always, please consider posting comments at the below link.
In struggle and sports,
Dave Z

http://edgeofsports.com/2008-04-06-334/index.html

Common Bond for Uncommon Men: Roberto Clemente and Martin Luther King
By Dave Zirin

As we remember the 40th anniversary of that dark day of April 4th 1968, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was gunned down in Memphis, it's worth recalling the reaction by Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star Roberto Clemente.

Clemente was devastated by the news of King's assassination but didn't suffer in silence. Instead, he led a charge to prevent the Pirates and Astros from opening their season on April 8th, the day before King's burial. He convinced his teammates on the Pirates, which included 11 African Americans, to stand with him. Opening Day was moved to April 10th, and Roberto Clemente had put sports in its proper perspective.

It might seem odd that Clemente, a proud Puerto Rican national, would have led such an extraordinary action. But Clemente, who had a passionate belief in social and economic justice, considered King a personal hero. He had even met face to face with Dr. King, spending a day together on Clemente's farm in Puerto Rico.

David Maraniss quotes Clemente's feelings about King in his 2005 biography of the Hall of Fame outfielder:

"When Martin Luther King started doing what he did, he changed the whole system of the American style. He put the people, the ghetto people, the people who didn't have nothing to say in those days, they started saying what they would have liked to say for many years that nobody listened to. Now with this man, these people come down to the place where they were supposed to be but people didn't want them, and sit down there as if they were white and call attention to the whole world. Now that wasn't only the black people but the minority people. The people who didn't have anything, and they had nothing to say in those days because they didn't have any power, they started saying things and they started picketing, and that's the reason I say he changed the whole world..."

Clemente's affinity for King and the civil rights movement was rooted in his own experience with racism in the United States. Clemente played from 1954 to 1972, years that saw profound change in both Major League Baseball and U.S. society. His career spanned the entirety of the black freedom struggle from the Montgomery Bus Boycotts to the urban ghetto rebellions; from Rosa Parks to the Black Panthers. Being raised in a proud Puerto Rican household did not prepare Clemente for the racism he encountered in the U.S. Even as a dark-skinned Puerto Rican, Clemente never knew of the existence of racism before coming to the U.S. mainland. He would tell reporters that he learned that dark skin "was bad over here."

The first half of his career, the Pirates held their spring training in the still-segregated south. The Pirates' spring games were in Ft. Myers, Florida, which even by the standards of 1950s Florida was deeply segregated. Years later, Clemente's only memories of his first spring training consisted of eating on the bus with other players of color while his white teammates dined inside at both fancy restaurants and greasy spoons.

For someone who had never heard of Jim Crow, these were painful times. Clemente's friend Vic Power, a highly skilled Puerto Rican player for the Kansas City Athletics, was dragged off his team's bus one spring by the local authorities for buying a Coke from a whites-only gas station. Speaking together later, Clemente seethed at the humiliation, feeling it as if it were his own. Power tried to calm Clemente down. His approach was humor. Power liked to tell the story of a waitress telling him, "We don't serve Negroes," and responding, "That's OK. I don't eat Negroes."

But Clemente just couldn't handle it that way. In Maraniss' biography, Clemente was quoted thusly: "They say, 'Roberto, you better keep your mouth shut because they will ship you back.' [But] this is something from the first day I said to myself: I am in the minority group. I am from the poor people. I represent the poor people. I represent the common people of America. So I am going to be treated like a human being. I don't want to be treated like a Puerto Rican, or a black, or nothing like that. I want to be treated like any person."

Clemente had a profound social conscience and drive for justice, colored by a belief that he would die before his time. This came to pass when he died on December 31, 1972 after he boarded a ramshackle plane, attempting to fly to earthquake-stricken Nicaragua with 4,000 extra pounds of relief materials. His wife Vera remembered, "He always said he would die young -- that this was his fate."

Dr. King shared this personal fatalism. On April 3, 1968 King gave a speech saying, "I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we as a people will get to the promised land."

We aren't yet at any kind of promised land, but Clemente and King both helped chart a path in the right direction. It's critical to remember them not as superhuman icons, but as ordinary people who sacrificed to do extraordinary things. As the Black Panther Party newspaper Panther Speaks wrote in their obituary of Clemente, "It is ironic that the profession in which he achieved 'legendry' [status] knew him the least. Roberto Clemente did not, as the Commissioner of Baseball maintained, 'Have about him a touch of royalty.' Roberto Clemente was simply a man, a man who strove to achieve his dream of peace and justice for oppressed people throughout the world."

[Dave Zirin is the author of "Welcome to the Terrordome:" (Haymarket). You can receive his column Edge of Sports, every week by emailing dave@edgeofsports.com Contact him at edgeofsports@gmail.com. Comment on this article at www.edgeofsports.com]

Meanwhile, not too far from Forbes Field, in Oakland, but high on the hill, they are about to do a fix up of a past decision and rehab a swimming pool, Trees Hall at Pitt. In the last meet, held later this month, the swim distances are going to be 55-yards. This is what the Pitt coach posted in an email:

Trees Pool, April 26-27- The Dan Mazzei Spring Sprint Challenge

A Renovation Celebration Meet!

The LAST 55-YARD meet! Join us April 26-27 (Saturday and Sunday).

The Dan Mazzei Spring Sprint Meet will have a special “twist” this year.

We will be celebrating the renovation of Trees Pool at the meet and will be commemorating the last 55-yard meet ever run at Trees Pool!

All of the events will be run in the 55-yard “Commonwealth” distance. We will have the 55-yard free, the 220 Yard IM, and the 110 Freestyle, just to name a few.

Join us in the fun. We will ask coaches and teams to dress in the style of the 60s for the meet.

The 60s- The time of Flower Power, Long Hair and Bell Bottom Pants.

The time of Paisley Shirts and Platform Shoes.

The time of Afro Hair and Just a lot of Hair.

The time of Beach Jams and Jellies and Striped Racing Suits.

Trees Pool was one of the last 55-yard pools built in the USA. Completed in 1962, the 55-yard long-course distance pool at Trees was the “Commonwealth Distance” swum by the US, England and in the Commonwealth of Great Britain. 55-yards is about one foot longer than the now dominant 50-meter course used all over the world as the “long course” Olympic distance.

Trees Pool has been the site of at least one AAU National Championship. At that meet in 1964, a then new American Record-holder Donna deVarona (of NBC sports commentating fame) swam at Trees pool to defend her National title in the Individual Medley.

The renovation of Trees Pool will take about four months and is scheduled to be done by September 1, 2008. They will include a new pool surface, all new tiled decking, a new one-meter platform for 1-meter springboard diving, new deck heating, and a new stainless steel gutter system and pool circulation and filtration. The pool will also be shortened to 50-meters.

We are excited about celebrating the almost $2 million renovation at the Dan Mazzei Meet .

Sign your team up today for the fun! The meet entry is on the AMS Web site!

Thanks!

Chuck Knoles and the Team Pittsburgh Staff and Pitt Staff

I don't know the history of the building of the main swim pool at Trees Hall and the 55-yard length. I sorta expected that the builders did NOT have a metric ruler, so the 55-yard distance was used instead.

In other meets, a bulkhead is sunk into the water to shorten the pool. It holds the touchpads and starting blocks just fine. In the same line of thought, I sorta wonder if the meet is being held at 55-yards this year because the bulkheads, bulky, wooden, and dust-gathered, were tossed already. They would have been in the way. Lots of materials and prep work has already begun at the construction site.

What other 55-yard swim pools were built in the US and around the world?

In New Zealand, there are plenty of 33-meter swim pools. New Zealand has cut times for nation meets and records and conversion charts for 25-meter, 33-meter and 50-meter lengths.

I got to coach for a semester at Baylor University in a swim pool that was 33-and-a-third yards in length.

I hope that the upgrade at Pitt's pool goes well. Too bad they decision to upgrade Pitt Statdium didn't go as I had hoped.

Word on the street -- before the fur flies fling from ballots

Prediction: The Clinton supporters are going to 'steal the election in PA' They've got the skill and seasoned pros (snicker) in the trenches to sway 10-15 percentage points. They will be cunning. The idealists, (Obama supporters) if not prepared, will go down. Vote counts won't even be necessary.

Florida was so bad in the past that their votes don't even count this cycle.

Pennsylvania is as bad if not worse than Florida.

The surge for Obama is going to have to go into overdrive in Pennsylvania to counter the ruthlessness of the old-guard vote counting tricks from the less idealistic and more realistic camp.

Army Is Worried by Rising Stress of Return Tours to Iraq - New York Times

Army Is Worried by Rising Stress of Return Tours to Iraq - New York Times Army Is Worried by Rising Stress of Return Tours to Iraq

Sure, there are serious mental health issues with the returning soldiers.

But there are plenty of physical health problems too. Many of these folks are not being killed on the field of battle when confronted with the bomb blasts. Their eyes, ears and brains (central processing) are gone.

These men and women won't be able to work again. The injuries are life changing, of course. The cost to the individuals is steep. The long term cost of the wars are high.

The United States needs to get out of Iraq and Afghanistan.

How this as about a Constitutional Amendment: US Soldiers should NEVER serve a second tour of duty.

420 (cannabis culture) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'm not part of this "culture." However, as a Libertarian, I'm all in favor of the legalization of drugs.

420 (cannabis culture) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "420 (cannabis culture)"

The Pgh Bloggers Guild is sending up some smoke as to a new PR effort among our blogs about 420 on 4/20 (April 20).

Fine.

A new Google Group has been established too. Pittsburgh Bloggers Guild | Google Groups: "Pittsburgh Bloggers Guild"

Perhaps you missed the Pittsburgh guy, speaking at Pitt, while running for President of the US

I have some new videos. Here is the first peek.

North Side residents want to send gangs a message - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Note: Kraus has floated another balloon that is made of lead.

North Side residents want to send gangs a message - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The U.S. Postal Service warned that doing so is illegal.

'We cannot allow anyone but our own maintenance crews to service our boxes,' said postal service spokesman Tad Kelley.

The words "total failure" are at the tip of my lips.

Back-channel!

Or, another way -- ask for forgiveness if you are so strong in your convictions.

Send the US Postal Service a bill for the boxes already painted.

Act on your convictions. Then we can talk about 'illegal.'

Pitt event: public debate on Mon Valley Toll Road

University of Pittsburgh: News From Pitt: "University of Pittsburgh to Present Public Debate on the Future of Transportation in Pittsburgh on April 14
The debate is titled “Should the Mon-Fayette Expressway Be Completed?”

EYE WEEKLY - Richard Florida rules

EYE WEEKLY - Richard Florida rules: "“We have got to stop whining about how bad this place is,” Richard Florida suggests as a headline in the antiseptic commons of the Rotman School of Management yesterday, launching his new book Who’s Your City? “Just stop it.”

In honor of Richard Florida, and his newest message, "Just stop it." -- I'm going to stop blogging for the next 24 hours, Canadian.

The REVOLUTION MARCH! - REVOLUTION March on D.C. - RESTORE THE CONSTITUTION for Feedom, Peace, and Prosperity

Our goal is to organize the largest, peaceful, non-violent rally in support of The Revolution that is happening in America. Most people that have been involved in the revolution are frustrated by the lack of Media attention given to it.

We stand in unison with the other planners of this march. Including, but not limited to, RonPaulMarch.com. Please consider us a source for ACCURATE information about the march on D.C.

The REVOLUTION MARCH! - REVOLUTION March on D.C. - RESTORE THE CONSTITUTION for Feedom, Peace, and Prosperity

New Zealand and Pennsylvania -- compare and contrast

An interesting program is on tap. It discusses New Zealand and PA.

TOMORROW'S PROGRAM | Saturday @ 8am

New Zealand's Lessons for Pennsylvania

New Zealand, in the 1980s, was strapped with a stagnant economy, huge deficits, high unemployment, and burdensome taxes. The revitalization of the island nation occurred following the implementation of market-oriented reforms in the '80s and '90s.

One of the key players in New Zealand's resurgence was Maurice McTigue, who served as a Member of Parliament, Cabinet Minister, and Ambassador. Currently, Mr. McTigue is Vice President, Director of the Government Accountability Project, and Distinguished Visiting Scholar at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. He will join Matt to discuss the New Zealand experience and lessons Pennsylvania policymakers can learn from that nation's economic revitalization.

* * *

Not a morning person? THE BOX will be available for downloading immediately after it airs on WHP 580 AM each and every Saturday at TheBOXprogram.com.

* * *

THE BOX: Inside -Outside - On is a media project of the Commonwealth Foundation, an independent, nonprofit research and educational institute located in Harrisburg.

For more information on the Commonwealth Foundation, visit CommonwealthFoundation.org or call 1-888-THINK-88.

www.theBOXprogram.com

Forward

The Pitt News has coverage of Ron Paul's visit last night

The Pitt News Paul campaigns at Pitt

The P-G reported that Ron Paul went to Univ. of Pgh Medical School. Say what? Tim, he had some advanced medical training here. But, the Dr. Paul bio has him as a med school graduate from Duke. Note, this isn't Duquesne, but the other Duke.

Pitt News: Originally from Green Tree, near Pittsburgh, Paul graduated from Gettysburg College and trained to be an obstetrician/gynecologist at Magee Womens Hospital. He met his wife, Carol, when they went to high school together in Dormont.

I wonder if Magee was UMPC when Ron Paul was here as a young doctor? Did it have a University tie?

Amber Alert for 16 year old female, from Bedford, and White Nissan Sentra

AMBER ALERT 04/03/08 1945 HRS PSP-BEDORD WHITE 2003 NISSAN SENTRA SDN PA FDS7415 CRYSTAL ANN BECK W/F AGE 16 502 110 BRO HAIR BRO EYES BLU JEANS YELLOW HOODED “SOUTHPOLE” SWEATSHIRT WHI SNEAKERS, SCR ON LEFT CHIN CALL 911 IF SEEN

The Pennsylvania State Police has issued an Amber Child Abduction Alert for the Pennsylvania State Police – Bedford Station in Bedford County, Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania State Police – Bedford Station is searching for Crystal Ann Beck a 16 year old white female, 5’02",110 lbs, with straight brown hair and brown eyes. She may be wearing blue jeans, a white sleeveless shirt, a yellow Southpole hooded sweatshirt and white tennis shoes. She was last seen in the area of West 6th Avenue in West Providence Township in Bedford County, Pennsylvania on Thursday 04/03/08 at 7:45 PM.

A possible vehicle involved with this abduction is a 2003 White Nissan Sentra sedan with Pennsylvania tag FDS7415.

Anyone with information about the abduction should immediately contact the police by calling 911.

This has been an Amber Child Abduction Alert for the Pennsylvania State Police – Bedford Station in Bedford County, Pennsylvania.


Affected Counties: Bedford, Somerset, Cambria, Blair, Huntingdon and Fulton counties.

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy taps revitalization officials - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy taps revitalization officials - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Griffin is a former congressional aide.

Go figure.

Merger and the latest report

I don't even like the title:

Government for Growth:
Forging a Bright Future — Built on Unity, Efficiency, Equity, and Equality —
for the People of Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh

Why not "Government Shrinkage for Growing Liberty."

I don't need a 'bright future.' Day will follow night. Summer follows spring.

There is a lot of 'bright lights' in Las Vegas. Same too in Disney World. A future that hinges on 'brightness' might also be driven to casinos -- not just slots parlors. It is bright for some to build a tunnel under the river for light-rail extension. What is bright to the construction trades is debt to the taxpayers. What is bright shopping -- like Lord and Taylor -- is not economical for most.

Even "authentic" beats the pants off of "bright" as in "flasher" and "full moon."

Forging, okay. I'd rather engineer and not use the brute strength of the hammer -- and sickle. I'd rather have government 'resign' and 'relax' and 're-tool.'

Unity, well, that's gotten Pittsburgh in its mess. The city's leadership has been full of unity. We need dissent. We need diversity. We need to break the one-party choke hold.

To be strong, it is often much better to bundle and gather together. Steel cable that support our bridges are often formed from smaller strands that are inter-twined.

Those 9-0 votes on council are all about 'unity' -- and often are full of folly.

Equity and equality -- both in the title -- is overboard. The formula has to be more complicated. Life isn't fair. It is easy to have equity -- when everyone is poor. The marketplace is nothing that government (especially the city and county) can control so as to inject equity.

And equity is not about 'growth.'

People grow in different spurts. Nature is about progress as it comes, on its own. Not about unifority, equity, cutting the blades of grass into a sea of equality.

The Mon River is not like the Allegheny. Things are as they are. How about 'reality' and 'judgement' and 'potential' and 'nurturing.'

I have two kids. I don't treat them with perfect equity. They are not equals in most things.

In governmental settings, I'd love to have one person with one vote -- but the concept I'd want to run up the flag pole is 'dignity.' Give us dignity and don't dish out equity so we have K-8 schools where those in middle-grades are eating elementary sized lunches sitting in wee desks.

Sigh. I'll have to read the rest of the report in the shower.

Ron Paul visited Pitt with standing room only audience -- sans 4th Estate

I didn't see a reporter nor a TV crew.

Perhaps there were people in the audience from the mainstream media. I expect that the Pitt News reporters were there. College students are not poisoned with the coverage like the biased media in this region.

Ron Paul did a great job, as expected.

I have it on video.

Can Ed Rendell Deliver for Clinton? - TIME

TIME coverage:

Can Ed Rendell Deliver for Clinton? - TIME The next order of business is a Clinton fund raiser in western Pennsylvania. 'I want each of you to come as close to or exceed $100,000 for your guys,' he tells Pittsburgh mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Allegheny County chief executive Dan Onorato. 'If you need me to make any follow-up calls, I will.'

Report on city-county merger due out today

Report on city-county merger due out today The tight-lipped 13-member Advisory Committee to Enhance Efficiency and Effectiveness of County and City Government has reviewed city and county functions, studied regions that have merged, and spent months trying to build consensus and finalize language in a report.

City, county and university officials all refused to talk about the findings yesterday.

The place where a merger could and should happen next is PARKS.

But better than a merger, we should move to create a new Park District that is not either the city nor the county nor the schools nor even the universities. Nor should the Park District be a 'tight-lipped' nonprofit without accountability that has Elsie Hillman (or some other nonprofit weenies) pulling the wires.

The new Pittsburgh Park District should be a public entity with elected trustees, a citizens' congress, a new model of cooperation as its own entity, working under the light of sunshine laws.

The Pittsburgh Park District is NOT a quick fix. But it is a logical next step in the overall blueprint.

People are willing to work together when it comes to places where we play together. We'll do great things for the sake of our kids.

We cherish the parks and crave real cooperation with an entity that isn't with a headquarters on Grant Street.

Full consolidation of city and county government could kill the region. Meanwhile, the new Pittsburgh, regional, Park District could be a major support system to the citizens and provide a base of experiences to work from as we merge government -- or not.

Star for the day goes to fleeting memory

Char at another blog has a recap of the 6-2 vote in Pittsburgh's city council that allows Council Critters to keep the slush fund and over spending as prescribed in the Act 47 bailout plan.

My reaction there in that thread:

Those 'fab 5' had better fix the 'slush fund.' Otherwise, this was no win at all.

Truth is, the budget is full of smoke and mirrors. Slush funds prevail in every corner of city government.

The Act 47 plans are not worth the paper they occupy.

Members of council have hired lots of staffers for political patronage posts at less than living wage for things that are beyond the scope of council.

City Council needs to get its house in order first.

Council needs those aids as few can think for themselves.

Council may have had a victory -- and the mayor may have had a defeat. However, the citizens did not win squat.

In the big picture, Dan Deasey was on the right side and is able to defend his position to taxpayers.

Michael Morrill's new blog has a historical twist

I've started a new blog with a distinctly left tilt.

The blog is at www.morrillmajority.org

I intend to have this site be a little different from most blogs. I'll have the usual combination of opinion and news. But I'll be adding some history to the mix. We too often forget that our struggle is historical. It has existed as long as one person has wanted to dominate another, as long as one group of people has subjugated another. A little historical perspective can help us to realize that our issues are not new, that working people have fought even greater powers and prevailed.

I'm looking forward to reading your responses. Together we can create the ideas that will bring us to victory.

Absurd Q: Kraus running for mayor in 2009?

Bram, fellow blogger at the PghComment has lost his 'blogger guild' press pass privileges five minutes ago. They were suspended for 5 minutes. Next he'll be asking Sala Udin if he is running for mayor too. Find Tom Cox and ask him as well.

Mr. KRAUS, now on city council, is always "overlanguaged" and without completed "homework."

Radio news says the measure (billboard moratorium) gives council time to write tighter rules. Well Kraus can NOT be in that process "at the end of day, if you will."

The technology in the industry is moving "lightening fast" -- so -- Kraus says STOP. Hint: Do NOT take a 'break' so as to play 'catch up.'

Duhh.

If Kraus wants to have a conversation with all the sign companies in the city then he needs to call and hold that meeting. Do it. Don't wait.

The ones that litter the landscape more than the sign companies are the politicians with their 'litter on a stick' (Ferlo's words) paid for by union donors.

Kraus floated an 'illegal' bill that "may have been construed to forbid what are in fact permitted uses." Kraus is great a making additional red tape.

That's the WRONG way.

To waive rule 8 to 'ponder' for the councilman is typical from Kraus Rule 8 screws the citizens. Rule 8 isn't about council critters that can't think on their feet nor do their homework in a speedy fashion. Again, when something does need to move quickly -- Kraus becomes a time sink and slow poke.

Kraus delivers: "You know, honestly, I haven't had a chance to take a look at that yet."

Tips to Mr. Kraus:
1. Do your best to say as little as possible.
2. Get out of the way as much as possible.
3. Do your homework. (hint: Legislation matters.)

Putting a hold on new billboards - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Pittsburgh puts a hold on new billboards"

Ron Paul 2008 — Hope for America

We'll be going!

Ron Paul 2008 — Hope for America: "Ron Paul Freedom Rally at University of Pittsburgh
Bellefield Hall, 315 South Bellefield Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15260 at 9:00 PM

Latest info on Dr. Ron Paul's visit

Dr. Paul will be speaking at Bellefield Auditorium, at 9 pm, Thursday April 3rd, according to the latest info received.

I would adopt a mailbox

I'm impressed. Bruce Kraus is trying to do something that can help.

This isn't even an April Fools gag.

I would adopt a mailbox by my house. It sits at 12th and Bradish Street.

The will of council is asking the US Postal Service for the opportunity to establish an
'adopt a post box program.'

Postal police were in the North Side on a sweep looking for the jerks who shot a postman in the hand recently.

I knew Kraus would be good at lint picking. It is his "passion." It has never been worse. Kraus would be great as a litter czar.

The program works in other cities. It isn't original. Bring it on. And, spread it to the other elements in the neighborhoods, such as traffic light switch boxes, etc.

Pastor Jeremiah Wright to Address PA Leadership Conference

APRIL FOOL!

Petition for the Community Benefit Agreement for the new arena development

Are you going to sign?

The League of Young Voters: "I support Community Benefit Agreements!

The Community Benefit Agreement process between One Hill CBA Coalition and the new
Pittsburgh Penguins arena is important for the health of our city and region."

UNCOUNTED: The New Math of American Elections

Pittsburgh big-screen premiere of the new feature-length documentary...

UNCOUNTED: The New Math of American Elections

A Film by David Earnhardt

"...powerful and persuasive..."

Howard Zinn, Author, "A People's History of the United States"

"A vital and important work...Uplifting, encouraging, optimistic..."

Brad Friedman, Investigative Journalist, BradBlog.com

"Very powerful. Clear and succinct. This film is urgent viewing

if you care about democracy and the integrity of the electoral process."

Robert Koehler, Syndicated Columnist, Tribune Media Services

Watch the Trailer

PITTSBURGH FILMMAKERS - Melwood Screening Room
Thursday, April 3, 2008 - 6:30 pm

Includes Q&A with filmmaker David Earnhardt,

special guest Marybeth Kuznik, and others,

and a bite or two to eat, too.

Hosted by: VoteAllegheny and Pittsburgh Filmmakers, benefiting VotePA, a 501(c)(4) organization

UNCOUNTED is an explosive documentary that shows how the election fraud that changed the outcome of the 2004 election led to even greater fraud in 2006 - and now looms as an unbridled threat to the outcome of the 2008 election. This controversial film examines in factual, logical, and yet startling terms how easy it is to change election outcomes and undermine election integrity across the U.S.

UNCOUNTED is a wakeup call to all Americans. As we approach the decisive election of 2008, UNCOUNTED will change how you feel about the way votes are counted in America.

Please forward this invitation to others who may be interested in seeing UNCOUNTED.

For more information about the film, visit: www.UncountedTheMovie.com

Suggested donation $10, seniors/students $7.

www.VoteAllegheny.org/uncounted.htm

Final Notes and Quotes from Federal Way

CollegeSwimming.com::Final Notes and Quotes from Federal Way Penn State slung shot up the team standings as junior backstroker Patrick Schirk made his first appearance in either a championship or consolation final and became the first ever Nittany Lion to stand atop the podium at the NCAA championships.

More quotes on growing up a Penn State fan and the meaning of winning this title for PSU:

"I grew up a Penn St fan all my life, being from Pennsylvania. All my family is Penn State alumni so it feels great and start to make the first steps to build a tradition at Penn State that we never really had before. So it feels great to be part of a first step in the direction of building a tradition like a Michigan or Texas."
Pitt had a diver make it into the top 8.

Entrepreneur finds possibilities problems are vast when doing business in China

Entrepreneur finds possibilities problems are vast when doing business in China: "Entrepreneur finds possibilities problems are vast when doing business in China

Ron Paul may visit Pittsburgh on April 3

Thursday, April 3, 1:00 AM

Where: (A location for this meeting hasn't been chosen yet)

Meeting Description: Rumor has it that Ron Paul will be visiting Pittsburgh (Oakland) on April 3, 2008. The exact time and location is unknown. Keep your schedule clear.

A request for the Olympic Team from Mark Schubert, Swimming

This letter is going out from the US Swimming's top coach to the network of other swim coaches in the USA. It was sent to the director of the American Swim Coaches Assn, John Leonard.

Dear John:

I am a STRONG believer in positive visualization. I KNOW that the Olympics will be GREAT.

Since China is a totalitarian government, any protests will not be seen. The American government and the USOC will not allow our team to go into an unsafe situation. The pollution will be handled by the Chinese government, totalitarian. The nutrition will be monitored by the USOC. Our team will not focus on the cheaters, only on our own great performances.

The only time that my positive attitude has ever let me down was the 1980 Olympic boycott. On second thought, my attitude didn't let me down, Jimmy Carter did.

My only concern about the current "Doom and Gloom" press coverage (boycott, pollution, Tibet, human rights, steroids, new swimsuits) is the possibility that our less savvy coaches and athletes might believe what they hear from the media as fact. This will cause them unnecessary stress in what is already an inherently stressful situation.

The biggest gift that The American Swimming Coaches Association can make toward our Olympic effort is to KEEP THE CHATTER POSITIVE. It is infectious and believable!

Thanks for your help in passing this forward John.

Mark Schubert
National Team Head Coach

The boycott is more about the 'opening ceremonies' and NOT about the Olympics, thankfully.

Candidate Obama said that he does NOT favor any boycott.

The pollution is what it is. Rather, the pollution is what it will be. Beijing is a large city in a huge country with billions of people. It is spotless in some areas. It is dirty in others. The air quality at the Olympics will be equal for all as everyone sucks oxygen from the same environment.

I have good faith that the air quality will be good as I have seen how the air quality after the May 7th, weeklong holiday changes. When the factories shut for vacations -- the air clears. They will shut down the factories in that region for that month.

The LZR Racer swim suit from Speedo is another matter. It might be buzz that is okay. Our swimmers and coaches can have some control on that front. That discussion should occur, with research, with vision, with the intensity of the 'doom and gloom media' to bring resolution and solutions for the sport for both short and long-term.

Tibet. Dafur. The best we can do is pray and ponder. Become aware. That is the best approach. Be smarter. Be open minded. Think again. Don't trust the sources of propaganda. Those are deep concerns and need deep understandings. Care. Seek insights as you are able. This is a time to 'study' as time permits.

Steriods -- humm. Stay clean. Eat well. Don't be ignorant there either. Nor should it be our position to be finger pointing.

Center for Creative Play remembered

Center for Creative Play remembered: "Today the Center for Creative Play is shutting its doors. Sad doesn't even come close to the emotions I feel.

This is a day of blogging 'equity.' Well, the kids are not equals.

Kids do NOT vote. Seniors do.

The link above points to a new blog. Check it out.

The fight to have a new center for creative play is an important struggle.

Parents need help. Pittsburgh should be known as a great place to raise a family.

When you have a baby -- your life changes. When you have a baby and child that isn't easy -- life gets very different. For most, this "change" isn't just different -- but it is difficult. Even with an easy child, there are difficult moments.

Thanks Mara.

Let's put another "Center for Creative Play" together -- or ten of them -- within our communities in the months and years to come.

That place was 'sacred' -- 'valued' -- 'timeless' -- and 'caring.'

It should NOT go away forever.

Super Suit’ Could Be Banned From Swimming Competitions - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News

Of course the suit needs to be banned. Boycott Speedo -- not the Olympics.

FOXNews.com - ‘Super Suit’ Could Be Banned From Swimming Competitions - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News A new, faster competitive bathing suit is the buzz of swimmers worldwide, but the revolutionary athletic attire could be banned from the upcoming Beijing Olympics.

Mary Griffin goes over the top in slamming Hillary

Marty Griffin of KDKA Radio has been tossing lots of dirt in Hillary Clinton's direction. Today he said that she should "give it up" in Pennsylvania now.

The election is in three weeks.

Her opponent, Barack Obama, thinks that Hillary should run as long as she wants to run.

But Marty made up his mind and thinks that the voters don't need to vote.

Furthermore, Griffin calls himself an 'independent.'

Let the voters decide.

Swimmer faces charge after nightclub fight - Monday March 31, 2008 2:06AM

Swimmer faces charge after nightclub fight: Swimmer Nick D'Arcy was charged Monday with assault following a nightclub altercation several hours after being named to Australia's Olympic team for Beijing.

After the swim meet, before the Olympics, a hockey game broke out down under.

In some cultures, sports is just an excuse to drink. I bet, and I'm not a betting type, drinking had a role in this fray. It is bad when the people in the sports get into the celebrations and drinking.

It will be interesting to see what the Australians do about this. And, it will be interesting to learn of more of the details.

In China -- drinking behviors and public intoxication is NOT often seen. You just don't do that there.

Creative Commons Expands Documentation Project

San Francisco, CA, USA -- March 24, 2008

Creative Commons today announced the expansion of a documentation project to explain various facets of Creative Commons licensing. The initiative includes links and PDF downloads to information on critical CC specifications, recommendations, research studies and tutorials. Some of the topics covered include the CC+ and CC0 projects, a simple licensing how-to, and best practices for integrating Creative Commons licensing in websites. The documentation project also offers posters, flyers and other creative media such as the "Sharing Creative Works" comic book. These documents may be downloaded directly from the Creative Commons Documentation page (http://creativecommons.org/projects/documentation) and are suitable for high quality printing and display.

Alex Roberts, Senior Designer at Creative Commons, explained the benefits of the documentation initiative. "We're always trying to make Creative Commons licenses easier to understand and use. From the beginning, CC has championed human-readable copyright licenses. Our documentation project works to extend this practice by offering short guides and explanations to a variety of CC topics." All of the documentation is released under a Creative Commons Attribution license for redistribution, reuse and remix.

In addition to the documents created by staff, Creative Commons called upon the larger community to help build a rich documentation portfolio. Jon Phillips, Community & Business Development Manager at Creative Commons, said that user participation is crucial in the documentation process. "There are so many interesting projects using Creative Commons licenses. We need to be able to draw upon these innovative organizations and talented individuals to help define and share their best practices. We've provided the framework and source files for many of our documents to get this process rolling." Creative Commons also asked for help from the broad community of CC adopters and open content supporters to help translate the PDF documents into other languages.

Visit http://creativecommons.org/projects/documentation to learn more about the project and get involved.

About Creative Commons
Creative Commons is a not-for-profit organization, founded in 2001, that promotes the creative re-use of intellectual and artistic works, whether owned or in the public domain. Through its free copyright licenses, Creative Commons offers authors, artists, scientists, and educators the choice of a flexible range of protections and freedoms that build upon the "all rights reserved" concept of traditional copyright to enable a voluntary "some rights reserved" approach. Creative Commons was built with and is sustained by the generous support of organizations including the Center for the Public Domain, the Omidyar Network, The Rockefeller Foundation, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, as well as members of the public. For more information about Creative Commons, visit http://creativecommons.org.

Contact
Jon Phillips
Business + Community Development Manager
jon@creativecommons.org
+86 1-360-282-8624
Creative Commons
http://creativecommons.org

Press Kit
http://creativecommons.org/presskit

Chelsea Clinton campaigns on South Side - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Chelsea Clinton campaigns on South Side - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Clinton was introduced by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, who noted that he and Clinton are both 28 years old were born 21 days apart, he on Feb. 6, 1980, and she on Feb. 27 of that year.

Ugly News: Center For Creative Play is closing

This is bad, bad news.

Swissvale's Center For Creative Play is closing MondaySwissvale's Center For Creative Play is closing Monday

I took my kidhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifs to this place often. We went when it was in Station Square. And, we went when it moved out by the parkway east in Swissvale. Of course, as our kids grew, we didn't go.

My one boy held a birthday party there. It was one special place for lots of great reasons.

I hope the media sticks on this story and finds out why it is closing. What went wrong? What are the bills? Did the nonprofit weenies just fumble their duties?

Tell us! We really want to know. We want to be certain that this does NOT happen again.

Update, a new blog:
http://centerforcreativeplayremembered.blogspot.com

Pittsburgh mayor, council trash 'truce' - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh mayor, council trash 'truce' - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "'Don't throw stones when you live in a glass house, and that's what they've been doing,' Ravenstahl said."

Our Rights: ACLU Sues Over High School Dropout Rates

WireTap Magazine - Our Rights: ACLU Sues Over High School Dropout Rates.. The ACLU filed a lawsuit against the Palm Beach County School District in Florida over what it claims is a violation of its students' basic right to quality education as promised in the state constitution.

Dogs chase tails, the next round. Kraus' non-solution spins in place.

Spin. Productivity's arrival is seldom -- if ever. Spin around and around and go only around.

Council cancels meeting with solicitor on billboards Council President Doug Shields said yesterday that he nixed an executive session that had been set for Monday. Instead, moratorium sponsor Councilman Bruce Kraus and Mr. Specter will work privately to resolve concerns about the resolution's legality.

Kraus says that the sign technology is moving like lightening. Therefore, he calls for a break to take a deep breath.

That is an approach of failure.

The closed door sessions are also NOT welcomed.

It must be dizzy for them to be in the middle of their folly.

Birmingham Bridge lane closings planned for tomorrow

Birmingham Bridge lane closings planned for tomorrow: "Birmingham Bridge lane closings planned for tomorrow
Friday, March 28, 2008
By Joe Grata, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The single, temporary northbound lane on the Birmingham Bridge will be closed from 8 a.m. to noon tomorrow while crews remove conflicting lane markings.

Traffic will be detoured to the Hot Metal Bridge. Southbound traffic will not be affected at that time.

However, the on-ramp from Forbes Avenue to the Birmingham Bridge in the southbound direction will be closed from noon to 5 p.m. when the work moves there. Traffic will be circled through South Oakland via Craft Avenue and Fifth Avenue and back to the bridge."

Russ Diamond says, "I await your response."

This letter is sent to his opponent in a race for the PA House.

March 21, 2008

Mrs. Gingrich:


Over the last four weeks you have made numerous remarks in the media regarding your desire for me to address "the issues." Although I believe integrity is the Number One issue in this race, I am more than willing to discuss any other state government issue you believe is important to the people of the 101st legislative district.

Because you have not yet enumerated any of the particular issues you wish to discuss, I am writing to suggest a few.

1. Article II Section 8 of the PA Constitution states: "The members of the General Assembly shall receive such salary and mileage for regular and special sessions as shall be fixed by law, and no other compensation whatever, whether for service upon committee or otherwise." I believe this language is quite plain, and I have already pledged to accept only the salary and mileage allowed by this section, if elected.

Perhaps you could explain why you are the only Lebanon County legislator currently participating in the taxpayer-funded pension and health care programs. Perhaps you could also explain why you believe these perks are not in violation of the plain language of Article II Section 8.

2. The Pennsylvania State Education Association's political arm (PSEA PACE) recently asked candidates for legislative office to fill out a questionnaire in anticipation of garnering the PSEA's endorsement. Frankly, I found the questionnaire to be incredibly taxpayer-unfriendly and was stunned that the PSEA would keep our answers from the public, as indicated on its cover page.

I believe secret questionnaires fly in the face of the transparency and openness that Pennsylvanians have been demanding over the last three years. As such, I have posted my answers at http://www.russdiamond.org/psea. I challenge you to make your answers public as well so we can discuss any differences we might have on these particular issues.

3. Our very own state Senator recently introduced SB1290 to enable a constitutional convention of the people to provide a vehicle for Pennsylvanians to exercise their "inalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform or abolish their government" as enumerated by Article I Section 2 of the PA Constitution. If this bill was currently before the House as written, would you vote in favor of it? If not, what particular changes would you make to the bill to make it acceptable to you?

4. The House State Government Committee, of which you are a member, recently held a hearing in Philadelphia regarding altering the method we use to redraw legislative districts after each decennial federal census. Many reform-minded people believe this particular issue should be the next priority for the legislature to tackle. Did you attend the hearing? If so, what is your opinion of the testimony presented? How do you feel we should alter the redistricting system to make it more fair to all Pennsylvanians?

5. Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts recently held a press conference in the Capitol announcing pending legislation to create a "merit selection" system for appellate court judges in Pennsylvania. Do you support merit selection? If not, what particular steps would you take to improve our current system of electing appellate court judges?

6. You recently voted against a plan that would have put Pennsylvania on track to eliminating school property taxes. Instead, you voted for former Speaker John Perzel's proposal to dedicate gaming proceeds to only addressing the property tax situation for a select few. I believe Pennsylvania's working class homeowners and families deserve property tax relief as well. What in particular would you do to further address the property tax issue in Pennsylvania?

These are just a few items off the top of my head to get our discussion of the issues started. As I've been knocking on doors across the district, Republican voters have brought up many other topics that are currently on their minds. There are likely some issues that you feel are important, and I would welcome any you might suggest.

In 2004, I publicly challenged you to participate in three separate debates on the issues. That challenge was widely reported by the media but went unanswered by you. Instead, you claimed at the subsequent League of Women Voters forum that it was the only debate to which you were invited.

This year, I will allow you to name the time, place and method of discussing these and other issues important to the people of the 101st district. We can meet face to face, create a joint blog, appear on television or radio, conduct a written correspondence series in the spirit of the Founding Fathers, or utilize any other public forum you choose.

I await your response.

American E -- sizing up a potential Bomb Thrower

Ron Morris, The American Entrepreneur, rips the honeymoon rug out from under the new boss of Pittsburgh's High Tech Council.

The American Entrepreneur - Newsletter Articles So, Do We Have a Bomb-Thrower, or Not?

Hon, get to work. Burn the midnight oil. Nose to the grindstone. We'll burn that bridge when we get to it.

PA Gaming Control Board Announces Public Input Hearing Schedule For Category 1 And 3 Slots Casino License Applicants - Pennsylvania Gaming Control Boa

Speak up friends in PA.

PA Gaming Control Board Announces Public Input Hearing Schedule For Category 1 And 3 Slots Casino License Applicants - Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board: "PA Gaming Control Board Announces Public Input Hearing Schedule For Category 1 And 3 Slots Casino License Applicants"

County To Use Non-Lethal Method To Control Geese

Never say never.

kdka.com - County To Use Non-Lethal Method To Control Geese: "County To Use Non-Lethal Method To Control Geese

Hogan got a National Parenting Award for his book!

The National Parenting Publications Awards have named “The Modern Mom’s Guide to Dads” (www.momsguidetodads.com) authored by my friend, Hogan Hilling, as a 2008 Gold Award recipient. NAPPA Parenting Resources winners are considered to be the best in books, CDs, baby gear and other innovative products that make parenting easier and more enjoyable.

Way to go Hogan.

Hogan came to Pittsburgh a while ago and gave a talk to a national meeting at the Hilton. I have a copy of that presentation and should make it available with a new interface some day. I often give it to new parents as a gift on 2 audio CDs.

Interested?

Pittsburgh could and should brand itself as the ideal place to parent.

When the economy sours -- playing with your kids is in one great activity. It is cheap. And, it is rewarding too. We have a good culture of parenting here, in this region. With some attention, outreach and devotion -- it could be a GREAT CULTURE for parenting and community!

Upgrade or get OpenOffice. 2.4

he OpenOffice.org Community is pleased to announce the release of OpenOffice.org 2.4, the latest version of the leading open source office productivity suite. OpenOffice.org 2.4 includes new features, enhancements, and bug fixes to all its core components. OpenOffice.org 2.4 is available for immediate download from http://download.openoffice.org.

New features:

Users will appreciate changes such as usability improvements in printing, and further enhancements to PDF handling (OpenOffice.org creates PDF files 'out of the box' to ISO standard). The default font is now DejaVu, which supports more languages/localisations than the previous BitStream Vera -part of a raft of localisation improvements covering languages from Hiligaynon to Quechua. Mac OS X users will appreciate the use of the native Quicktime player and spell-checker.

Writer, OpenOffice.org's word processor, now has easier selection of the language for spellchecking; users can set options for printing hidden and place holder text and for following hyperlinks; text selection and 'find and replace' have been improved; and 'power users' will appreciate new extra keyboard shortcuts for paragraph styles.

Regular users of Calc, OpenOffice.org's spreadsheet, will appreciate the streamlining of data and formulae entry. Other new features include a 'smart move and copy' for blocks of cells; the ability to transform data into columns; and improvements to printing, data filtering, and the Data Pilot.

Usability improvements have been made to Draw, the drawing and diagramming module, and Impress, OpenOffice.org's application for creating presentations. Both applications have enhanced PDF export capabilities. In addition, Impress now has a new range of thrilling 3D transition effects supported through an extension.

The Chart module, used throughout OpenOffice.org, continues to evolve rapidly. Novice users benefit from more intelligent default choices from the graphics engine; advanced users have more options allowing them to fine tune a chart exactly the way they want it.

OpenOffice.org's database application, Base, now supports MS-Access 2007 (accdb files on MS-Windows), and has enhanced capabilities for MySQL, Oracle/jdbc, and native (HSQL) databases. The Query Designer is also improved.

OpenOffice.org 2.4 is the eleventh release in the 2.x series (launched in October 2005) and demonstrates the Community's commitment to continuous and regular improvement of its software. The next major release - 3.0 - is planned for the autumn/fall this year. If you would like to help us, please visit http://contributing.openoffice.org.

The OpenOffice.org Community

This is how they stop UNIVERSAL Health Care

Looks good on the outside. But, these types of groups, (Chambers, etc.), have been the ones who offered up a great deal of push back to universal health care. The organizations sell insurance. They know that they'll die if all the members are insured.

Announcing a Health Care Plan for the Arts Community

The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council is proud to announce the arrival of a health care program for local individual artists and part-time and seasonal employees of local cultural organizations. This is not a traditional health insurance program, but a limited benefits medical plan that was designed based on input from the arts community about desired benefits and pricing. Eligible Arts Council members will have the opportunity to choose from three tiers of coverage. Starting at under $60 per month, the HM Care Advantage plan includes benefits for physician office visits, annual wellness tests and screenings, ambulance and emergency room coverage as well as discounts on pharmacy, vision, fitness and wellness services. Some plans also include an additional critical illness component. Coverage will begin on July 1, 2008.

First Information Meeting
Monday, March 31 at the New Hazlett Theater

The first informational meeting about the program will be held on Monday, March 31 at 6:15 pm during Last Days Café at the New Hazlett Theater. Last Days Café is a casual happy hour held the last day of each month from 5:30-8:30 pm that features time for networking, complimentary refreshments and a brief program. The New Hazlett Theater is located at 6 Allegheny Square East on Pittsburgh’s North Side. If you cannot attend, visit the Arts Council’s website www.pittsburghartscouncil.org after April 1 for dates of upcoming meetings and webinars and to download an informational brochure.

Questions? Interested? Contact us at 412.391.2060 x 234 or rfreytag@pittsburghartscouncil.org.

With the introduction of this plan, the Arts Council has taken an important first step towards making health coverage available to everyone in the local arts community who needs it. We look forward to taking more steps forward in the future!

Best Wishes,

Mitch Swain, CEO
Tiffany Wilhelm, Director of Development and Membership
Ryan Freytag, Development and Membership Coordinator

Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council
707 Penn Avenue, 2nd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3401
412.391.2060

All British athletes to be tested before Olympics - Wednesday March 26, 2008 12:26PM

Wonder if this was a 'no bid contract?' The bill has to be heavy.

SI.com - More Sports - All British athletes to be tested before Olympics - Wednesday March 26, 2008 12:26PM Every British athlete going to the Beijing Olympics will be drug tested at least once in the run-up to this summer's games.

UK Sport announced plans Wednesday for the country's most comprehensive pre-Olympic testing program, with more than 1,500 tests set to be administered on the athletes competing at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Frank Deford: Pollution, politics have turned the glory of the Games into disrepute - Wednesday March 26, 2008 11:09AM

SI.com - Writers - Frank Deford: Pollution, politics have turned the glory of the Games into disrepute - Wednesday March 26, 2008 11:09AM: "in many respects the IOC and China are good bedfellows.

Chatham University to play Varsity Water Polo next year -- this weekend club games at CMU

CMU is hosting a water polo tournament this weekend.

Chatham University - Chatham Athletics - Water Polo: "“By adding Water Polo we are building on the strength of our Swimming/Diving program and utilizing our athletic facility in a new way,” said Buxbaum. “This team wouldn’t be a possibility if it weren’t for the addition of the AFC to campus in 2005 and we look forward to recruiting from a new group of students looking to compete in collegiate-level women’s Water Polo.”

The Blog of Burgher Jon: FIGHT!

The Blog of Burgher Jon: FIGHT!: "# Councilman Kraus says 'liar liar pants on fire.'
# Mayor Ravenstahl says No, you're the liar.'

Good back up:

The Busman's Holiday: Notes & Quotes -- Alleged Mayoral Threat Edition

Closed for executive session. Moratorium pending. Death eminent.

Local politicians seem to be hell bent on shutting down this once thriving town.

In other news: Rev. Burgess (city council member) asked a question where he didn't know the answer.

A bill proposed about 'signs' by Bruce A. Kraus is headed to 'executive session.' Then I expect it will hit the meat grinder.

Legislative Search gives the details of the bills from Motznik

Legislative Search: "2008-0238 Resolution In Standing Committee 3/25/2008
Resolution amending the City Council and City Clerk's Office 2008 Operating Budgets to comply with the Act 47 Plan of 2004."

Come and get it.

You'll notice resolution 2008-0238. That sends you to a PDF file.

The other is 2008-0239.

Looks like a resolution amending the 2008 operating budgets.

Vote: aid the U.S. Olympic Hall Of Fame

- U.S. Olympic Hall Of Fame -: "Vote now for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class of 2008."