Back in the saddle with School Reform

Jen posted:

Mr. Roosevelt is supposed to make his recommendation regarding Schenley at the Education Committee meeting on Monday, 19th at 7 pm (I think it was originally scheduled at 6 pm but has been bumped back an hour for a closed door executive committee session, I have no idea what that means, if anything!) This isn't a public hearing, just a meeting you can watch. But, show up if you can, maybe wear a little red/black to show your support. You might be able to chat with your board member afterward too. Of course, you can always call, email or write, too. The recommendation will be voted on in June, though we don't know a date yet.

It's taken me a while to get around to writing up Monday's public hearing, but here it is. I'm putting one testimony below my signature -- it's great, be sure to at least read that part of this email! I'll try to mail around my testimony (the updated version is on another computer, if I go get it now, this will never be sent) and anyone else who sends theirs in the next email.

There were 31 speakers listed, with 5 no shows. The basic breakdown was 2 speakers about Miller's criteria for a new principal, several more speaking about high school reform more generally including Carey Harris from A+ schools giving feedback (I missed this three minutes, if anyone sends me a summary, I'll pass it along) and 3 spoke about the need to plan for special education in the new (and/or reformed) high schools from the beginning, not as an afterthought.

Other concerns about reform were expressed including someone sharing accounts of problems in ALA schools and the number of promises made for these schools that weren't kept. About 14 speakers spoke specifically in opposition to the plans for Schenley, and a couple of other more general reform speakers also supported Schenley. A Montessori parent thanked the board for money that made possible a new science teacher and noted the changes that a new teacher and a committed principal can make. (Amazing how well that bottom up, money to teachers and kids in response to stated needs works so well, isn't it?)

Points made about Schenley included:


• little or no effort (that we've heard about, at least) to looking at alternative plans for Schenley, including just removing the plaster which could fall, and continuing to use the building while plans for renovation are made. It was pointed out again that Schenley is particularly well-suited for doing some renovation work while students are in the building -- meaning that a plan renovations could continue over a long-term schedule after any "safety issues" are addressed.


• the loss of ESL (those students are not moving with the current 9th-11th graders) and how that removes an additional international piece that has been part of Schenley/IB


• the number of changes that have been made in the district over the last 20 years that were then regretted and reversed and often reversed again. The need to listen to parental and community input before making plans, rather than after to avoid this sort of waste.


• the buildings which have been renovated and had additions added, in a district with falling population, with far less support than this Schenley has.


• the lack of knowledge in the district (and even in those affected by this change) about the reform plans, both current and future.


• the diversity at Schenley, the interaction among kids at Schenley (despite administration reports otherwise), the fact that Schenley looks like the district in its racial make-up (it felt very odd to be asking to have different kinds of kids together, not only for the direct benefits of that, but also because it links their needs together -- I kept wondering if we are really in 2008).


• statistics about Schenley (I don't count CAPA, it has entrance requirements and can remove kids):

One of three high schools with PSSA scores above the district average and the only majority African-American (70%) school that is above the average
the highest scoring African-American students in the district (white kids tie for highest),
highest %age college bound seniors for every group broken out (black/white x male/female)

(you can look for yourself at http://www.aplusschools.org/ -- the 2007 Report on School Progress: A Closer Look (right hand column) there are more stats there, too)

Let me know if you're hearing anything -- I was asked by two different reporters what our "strategy" was now. I was a little flummoxed by that, I admit. Our strategy is trying to inform people, trying to get the whole story out there, and trying to get answers and be heard...sort of the same thing it's always been! But, if you've got a more exciting strategy than that, PLEASE let me know and I'll pass it around!

Jen Lakin

---

Good evening. My name is Michele Feingold. I am a Schenley and Frick parent who graduated from Allderdice long ago, before I knew Schenley was worth fighting for and preserving.

I currently work in clinical research. Our clinic often chafes at the limits imposed by our Institutional Review Board, or IRB. We sometimes wait for months before we can start enrolling subjects in a study. This is because our IRB requires us to answer every possible question about study protocol, design, safety and documentation to their complete satisfaction.

Perhaps our IRB really has the right idea and their caution is justified. After all, we are talking about human subjects. And don’t you think, truly, this is the approach a school board ought to take? I’m not talking about endless in-depth inquiries, just careful, well thought out and fully vetted plans that consider as many alternatives as possible and examine the real and potential shortcomings rather than just making rosy predictions. For example, when weighing the cost of renovating historic Schenley in the heart of the university district, consider the costs of renovating Reizenstein and Milliones and Frick and Peabody, versus the possible benefits of selling the Reizenstein property. What about the issue of IB students who find themselves unable to fulfill the requirements of the program – would they actually have to leave their school as well as their classes? What about that? What about the meta-message given to mainstream students by sending them to Milliones, away from their supposedly smarter peers and into a more racially segregated environment? What are we telling them about themselves? And what about the inevitable refusal of many white mainstream families to send their children there? Let’s be idealistic, but not naive.

Honestly, did the community ever get an invitation to brainstorm alternative options before the high school reform plan was handed down? Why not let CAPA be the pilot program for six through twelve before we commit ourselves to the master plan? Consider hiring Nick Lardis to plan a renovation of Schenley without having to close it down. Bring University Prep into the building. Institute a school-wide program of diversity training and consciousness-raising that will make Schenley a regional and national model of class and racial integration. (That could even reduce hostilities at board meetings.) Let loose the energy of parents and alumni who are chafing at the bit to be meaningfully involved in their community and their children’s education, and they might dazzle you with their ability to raise money and support the board.

It’s fine to dream big, but let’s dream smart. Grandiose visions have a way of crumbling and leaving a lifetime of bitterness. Slow down, listen to and partner with the stakeholders, and your time spent on the board could be an overwhelmingly positive experience.

Too much to say -- and lots of ORANGE

Internet cafes are great. I'm paying 1 Eurp for an hour. In the hotel, it is 25 Euros for wifi for the day. The biz center at the hotel is too much too.

Amsterdam's weater was great, but might turn on us tomorrow. Biked about 15k. Went 'off the map' for most of it. Got a better map.

It is easy to get lost on the roads here. They have this pie grid system, but the canals don't really always go as they should.

I've rented a bike with coaster breaks and no gears. Don't need em. No helmet either. The guy at Mac Bike told me to just 'pray.'

Swam at an outdoor swim pool today, 50-meter course. Lots of grassy areas all around. But it seems as if that could have been a pool complex with 10 different pools or so. Wonder where they swam in 1928?

That venue will host an international water polo match in September. Got a book in Dutch about it.

We fell in love with Fish & Chips while in Christchurch. Here, they've got the chips. No catcup -- but mayo. Served in a paper cone from street vendors. The fish -- well -- herring. Different vendor.

ORANGE cowboy hats. Anyone want one as a NL gift? Saw a bunch on sale. Let me know ASAP.

Google NL bikes and basket bikes.

Marty G. on the fearless four

Remember, this started at an ask of $80,000.

Even in the final moment at the table last week, Doug Shields wanted to bump the total from $11,000 to $12,000.

Jim Motznik was on the air with Marty Griffin.

Ask Hugh McG if he'd drop his fee!

Four Pittsburgh council members told to not vote - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Heavy or Not? -- Kraus says "not."

Four Pittsburgh council members told to not vote - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "The only penalty is to 'forfeit their office,' which DeSimone called draconian.

'I don't think that it holds any weight at all,' Kraus said of DeSimone's opinion.

Perhaps Kraus will be like Tucker S. He served on council for only a few months.

Go ahead and vote. We dare ya. You can be replaced. Real reform minded people can fill the spaces.

The P-G reports:

Council members in conflict of interest over legal billsThe response, from Ms. DeSimone, bluntly said: 'We caution that a conflict of interest has already occurred in this matter. The course urged here will not eradicate the conflict, but it may lessen the likelihood that someone will file an action seeking to invoke the forfeiture provision.'

I want to see that 13-page opinion.

Furthermore, I could see it go down like this.

Hugh McGough does NOT adjust hill bill downward, south of $400.

Then today, a member of council ask to 'table' the bill. The motion dies for a lack of a second.

Then a vote is taken. Shields and Peduto, by luck of the alphabet and seniority vote AFTER Burgess and Kraus. So, the rookies, Burgess and Kraus each vote to pay the bill, putting themselves deeper into the ethics violation. When it is the turn of Peduto and Shields, both abstain. Suprise, suprise!

The 'doesn't mean anything' nor 'have any weight' comment goes down in history as a way to sum up their careers as an elected politicians on Grant Street. Burgess and Kraus have their seats removed.

Shields and Peduto survive.

The size of city council goes to seven and never returns to nine as a special ballot question is rushed onto the November election.

Pyrite Age: Put a santa hat on the Chengdu Panda and 'gone fishing ' with wooden shoes

Loose ends:

The land was moving in the land of the pandas with the earthquake. Pandas, pyrite, vacation. Oh my.

Wow. The death count is at 10,000 now. But, the roads are bad. Getting a grip on the damages and loss of life is sure to take some time. I'm expecting a few eco issues to gush about as well.

By the way, my internet access might be less than normal in the days to come. I'm going to hang the 'gone fishing' sign and head to the land with the wooden shoes.

If you can, check out the middle school musical at Pittsburgh Frick, ISA (International Studies Academy). The school is in Oakland -- near Childrens Hospital and just across from the Pitt Towers. The play is at 7 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Pay $3. at the door. The musical is called, "Gone With the Breeze." My son, Erik, has a part. Singing, dancing, acting about Hollywood and a casting call for a show that is bigger and better than "Gone With the Wind."

Hope the show goes well. We'll be missing it, sadly. Reviews most welcome. Photos too.

The UPMC sign on the Steel Building is still missing the "M". Is it crumpled on the sidewalk?

I spoke at tonight's school board meeting. Erik also presented a written statement, but he didn't go.

The line-up of speakers was strong for the preservation of Schenley High School in its current location. The asbestos problem is really just a lie.

After I spoke, the school board president let me know that he didn't agree with my positions.

On technology, I feel that the developed software should be put into the public domain with an open source license. The school board is moving to a new dashboard like system and that code base -- not the data from each student -- has no commercial value and could be released to the public. Other districts and other developers might give it a peek, offer improvements and it could be of greater value.

When the news reporter talked about the injured penguin last week, it took a moment to realize this 'news' wasn't about either a zoo nor from anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere. How's the guy who stopped the puck with his face? If the Pens clinch with two more wins there will NOT be a conflict with the weekend swim meet at the JCC on Sunday afternoon.

On the Expresso exercise bike today, Erik and I had another battle. We can both start a course and ride our bikes along virtual pathways, up and down hills, around turns, etc, and RACE. He won by a wheel length. Our times were identical. But, at the finish, he just passed me by. This was the 4th race and my first stage loss. I should not have shown him how to tighten the toe clips nor adjust the seat to an optimum level. He had his pulse up to 210. My max was 150ish.

Pittsburgh gets $1.35 million for new docks on Mon River | AP | 05/12/2008

Pittsburgh gets $1.35 million for new docks on Mon River | AP | 05/12/2008: "Pittsburgh gets $1.35 million for new docks on Mon River

The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh will be getting new docks on the Monongahela River for as many as 17 recreational watercraft.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl says the permanent tie-up facility will be built with a $1.35 million grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The docks will stretch four blocks in the city's South Side and will be part of a $10.5 million park. Work on the docks is scheduled to begin next year and they will be in use in 2011 or 2012.

Construction of the South Shore Riverfront Park is expected to begin in the summer. The park will include historical trail markers, continuing the Three Rivers Heritage Trail system and Greater Allegheny Passage."

Serious, Super Serious: Lawyer says 4 council members have conflict of interest

Lawyer says 4 council members have conflict of interest Assistant City Solicitor Kate DeSimone submitted a legal opinion to City Council today saying that four members should not vote on approving payment of a $10,706 legal expense because there is a conflict of interest.

If they do, they 'shall immediately forfeit their office,' Ms. DeSimone wrote.

Ms. DeSimone said the four -- President Doug Shields and members Bruce Kraus, William Peduto and Ricky Burgess -- already were in conflict by taking part in a discussion and preliminary vote on paying the bill.

Really, I care to know what Tonya Payne is going to do.

I'm uploading a video of the meeting last week. Watch for it at Rauterkus.blip.tv.

---

I I said last week, worth repeating, the best way out of this is to have Hugh McG, to make his bill drop to ZERO, or perhaps $.04 or perhaps $400. At $400, each of the guys would only have to pay $100.

If Hugh's work became "gratis," then the matter goes away. Poof. Mr. Kraus suggested a similar pathway for Lamar, weeks ago. Kraus asked Lamar to act in a way that was counter to its own 'commercial interest.' Lamar had received a permit to build the sign. Kraus wanted them to decline that permit out of 'good faith.' Kraus ranted (and this was weeks ago, around when he called for a moratorium on all billboards for six months) that a voluntary solution from Lamar was the right thing to do. That gesture, sweet as it was, didn't play out then. Well, same need for a voluntary move holds today for the lawyers who worked with the renegade four.

This video is from the meeting. It lasts about an hour.

Do not merge Rodgers Middle into downtown's CAPA High School

Watch this video by clicking on the link and hear from three high school students in Pittsburgh who want a great education. They know the situation and are not afraid to speak as they went to the middle school too.

Click to play

The video is being converted to FLASH now, and a new like will come shortly. Or, go to my blip show site.

Section 8 Housing gets some chatter with KDKA Radio

Marty Griffin thinks Section 8 housing is a problem everywhere.

My solution:

"Section 8" landlords should be required to live within 1-mile of their residence. That would tighten ownership and neighborhoods. People are getting rich building slum housing who do NOT live there.

I'm not certain of the 1-mile distance, but there can be some metrics associated with distance to investments and primary residence. Likewise, a phase in policy can be leveraged into the forumla. Plus, we should get rid of the 'deed transfer tax' to make the marketplace more fluid for the transfer of ownership among home owners.

Suburban landlords are wonderful for urban neighborhoods. But, the landlords who want public subsidization should only go to those who are near.

Commentary: CNN owes China an apology for slandering

Don't think CNN will rush reporters, including Jack Cafferty, to the region to cover the story.

Commentary: CNN owes China an apology for slandering So annoyed by Cafferty's despicable and shameless attack on an American national TV, American Chinese have launched an online petition, requesting an apology from CNN. The petition has got more than 40,000 signatures and the number of signatures is growing by the minute. China's Foreign Ministry, on April 15, also strongly condemned Cafferty's weird remarks, demanding CNN and the anchor himself take back the malicious remarks, and apologize to all Chinese people.

Chengdu Rocked at 2:28 pm

Not good.

Bloomberg.com: Worldwide: "China Is Hit by 7.8-Magnitude Earthquake Near Chengdu

Two years ago, on this day, we were at our 'second home of sorts' in Chengdu, China.

The major earthquake was 90k west-northwest of Chengdu.

China takes home 7 medals from USA Diving Grand Prix

China did not reign supreme Sunday at the USA Diving Grand Prix, giving hope to the other nationhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifs preparing for the Beijing Olympics.

News.

Schenley School stuff, again, of course

Hi all --

Since my last email it looks like my ominous feelings were suitably dark. The numbers I've heard for Schenley renovations this week are higher than any I've heard yet and there's talk of "more taxes" and "cutting teachers." All in all, that sounds grim -- if they save the building, they'll pin every monetary problem the district has on us. Now, it still leaves a lot up in the air. I'm still unable to wrap my brain around a school that has good scores and a tremendous sense of community and history being the guinea pig for reform when there are failing schools getting...what, exactly?

I was #17 to speak when I called the board Friday afternoon at about 4 pm. You can sign up to speak by calling 412-622-3600 before noon on Monday. The meeting is at 7 pm at the Board of Education building in Oakland. (Procedures for testifying in front of the board)

I think there will be some sort of rally beforehand, latest I've heard is starting at around 4 pm (kids have lots of energy!) Consider dropping by and showing your support even if you can't make the hearing. You can also email the board with written testimony at boardoffice@pghboe.net.

The number of talking points is immense. If you know someone else who would testify, consider making sure that you're covering different areas! I think the main point in many of these points is the lack of information flowing from the top down, including to the board members. The administration does a very good job of giving out the pieces of information they want out there and holding back on other facts, including comparisons and context.

Here are some various talking points, culled from various conversations I've had with people (if you have more you want to share, send them along):

Reizenstein's renovation numbers are big too -- and it's a valuable property. So, will the IB kids be moving yet again -- not back to a renovated Schenley but to another building yet to be determined, perhaps Peabody? Do they really have any set plans for this school?

What would convince parents to stick with yet another move to a school that isn't Schenley? If it were Peabody where will the displaced Peabody (or Westinghouse) students go? If the plan is for 6-12, where would the Robotics program being put into Peabody right now go? There wouldn't be room for all these students and Robotics isn't 6-12.

Where do the students for these new schools come from and what happens to the schools they leave as they lose population? Will they gradually lose staffing and programs and die a slow death? Either current high schools or the new schools are going to have to give, unless we suddenly double the number of high school students in the district.

How did additions and renovations for Colfax and Sterrett (and now Carmalt Elementary is to be voted on for additions and renovations) not get blamed for wasting money, cutting jobs, etc.? Why is a district with falling enrollment adding additions anyway? Or opening two buildings where one worked well, in Schenley's case?

Why haven't alternative plans for Schenley's renovation considered? A two or three part plan could address immediate safety issues now in a first part, and then renovate the rest over a period of years (as has happened with most other schools in the district who have received regular ongoing maintenance).

Why aren't all the costs for changes to CAPA, Reizenstein, Milliones, Frick, and Peabody mentioned with staffing cuts and raised taxes, too?

How long can smaller schools (if they are 6-12, there will be fewer students in each grade) maintain sports teams, activities, and clubs? Who will they compete against as each school has fewer teams and activities? How many comprehensive high schools can the district support in conjunction with these smaller schools?

Are these schools planned as "high scoring student" (CAPA and IB) and "low scoring student" (University Prep, Science & Technology) schools? Who does this help? Are we to be segregated in every way possible? Where will kids that don't like a program be allowed to go? How strictly will policies regarding scores and grades be followed or will standards be diluted to insure students maintain a certain score?

What will the new lottery/all school choice plan work?

Why is it May and we still don't know about schedules, teachers, and plans for these schools? How is it that the rest of the district still has no real idea of the scope of the changes coming?

Why are we, as parents, treated as though our questions and concerns are unfounded when we are the ones that actually have kids in this?

I'm sure you can think of more. ;-D

Jen Lakin

Pittsburgh water authority OKs $100 million loan - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Bark, bark.

Pittsburgh water authority OKs $100 million loan - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review City Controller Michael Lamb said the increase in the water authority's debt to roughly $680 million is problematic -- particularly for customers who eventually could see rate increases as a result.

'We're seeing significant increases in payments to the city from the authorities, and we're seeing increases in the authorities for rates, rate increases and debt increases. That's a problem, I think,' Lamb said Thursday.

What a watch dog.

Tube City Almanac - Worthy of All Yohogania

Tube City Almanac - Worthy of All Yohogania: "Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign

We don't like the sign. But, we are also getting a chuckle out of the way it has been going up onto the top of the building.

The next letter after the "U" and "P" was not the "M". Perhaps at the hobby shop where they sell such cut-out letters there was a rash of sales for the letter "M" -- being Mother's Day weekend.

The boy was in the backseat of the car screaming, "The sea is being lifted." I thought he must have been having a holy Moses moment, on our way to church today. Rather, there was a split before the "C".

Ground Broken For New Library On Pittsburgh's North Side - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh

Ground Broken For New Library On Pittsburgh's North Side - Pittsburgh News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh Ground Broken For New Library On Pittsburgh's North Side

PITTSBURGH -- Residents on Pittsburgh's North Side will finally have access to a library again.

It will be located on Federal Street at the site of a former gas station.

On Friday morning, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato joined library officials, community members and several students from area schools to break ground.

Dormont movie house to close May 23 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Dormont movie house to close May 23 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The Hollywood Theater revival in Dormont turned out to be short-lived.

Reopened a little more than a year ago, the Potomac Avenue movie house will close May 23, officials from its parent organization, the Bradley Center, announced Friday.

Software given to law school students

revUp | Issue 48: "Runtime Donates $532,000 of Software to New York Law School
How Revolution Helps Law Students Think More Logically"

This is spooky.

Remember InfoDepot?

InfoDepot 3.0 was the best commercial software product I ever used. It was just about to go 'cross platform.'

InfoDepot's early days was a law school darling. It was called, "Fair Witenss."

Chena, a company in northeastern PA was the publisher. That product found its way into the Village Compass Bundle that I instigated.

The company was sold to WestLaw. The product died. I almost went to Minnesota to get it off of the old Mac that were gathering dust. *ssholes.

Good for RunRev to get into the Law School setting. Perhaps they can get some hooks into the old ways of InfoDepot.

Pittsburgh Baseball League 38 - (Pittsburgh, PA) - powered by LeagueLineup.com

I'm being recruited.

Pittsburgh Baseball League 38 - (Pittsburgh, PA) - powered by LeagueLineup.com: "Welcome to the home of the
Pittsburgh Baseball League 38

They are looking for running mates. I'm a swimmer. I'd be happy if baseball was kicked out of the Olympic Games, for good.

Baseball is okay. Playing sports is great.

If you are 38 or greater, or 48 and greater -- and you want to play ball, this is your ticket this summer.

I'm going to have a birthday, Friday. I'll be 49. So I'm eligible. And, frankly, I'm in much better shape these days than I've been in a while. It has been a blessing for my personal to have my kids swim at the JCC (Sq.Hill) as I've been able to workout on a regular basis.

Speaking of baseball, when are the city league high school play-off games? What teams are in? How is Langley doing? And, what about the WPIAL and City League games at PNC Park?

If you've got the details, please post them in the comments.

These Ron Paul meetings may never end

The latest activities deal with Ron Paul's new book and getting it into various local libraries.

Through Ron's new book The Revolution: A Manifesto we have the opportunity to awaken many people in our local area.

Introducing The Revolution Library Book Bomb!!

Through this project we will be donating copies of Ron's new book to many of the libraries in the area!!

By just buying one additional copy of Ron's book we can help spread the fires of liberty within scores of new people!!

Buying additional copies of Ron's book will also help it to move up on the New York Times Best Seller List where it has opened up at #7. Over the next few weeks we can move that number up to #1!!

Additional copies can be had on Amazon.com for a discount off of the cover price.

On May 24th we will be meeting at Posvar Hall in Oakland where we will be stamping these books with our new website address so people that check out these books at the library and believe in what Ron is saying can get involved. We will also have available a list of local libraries to make sure that they all get covered.

While your at it you can also purchase one of Ron's other books such as "The Foreign Policy of Freedom", or other books by authors such as Andrew Napolitano for donation as well.

Let's make this book bomb a success and continue the rEVOLution!!!

How this works:
1. RSVP 'Yes' to pledge to purchase an additional copy of "The Revolution: A Manifesto" -- go to the Ron Paul MeetUp.com's group to sign up.

2. Purchase the book before the event (soon if purchasing online to allow time for delivery)

3. Attend the event on May 24th at Posvar Hall. Bring the book to have it stamped.

4. After attending the event bring the book to the specified library for donation sometime during the following week.

$11,000 legal bill still in dispute in billboard case - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

$11,000 legal bill still in dispute in billboard case - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 'I represented them in their official capacities,' said McGough, of the Downtown firm Ward McGough. 'I have difficulty seeing how that's in their personal interests.'

Hugh McGough is with his own blind spot. This bill is all about his personal interest. If he did the work, gratis, then this would be fine.

McGough can end this chapter in the saga by making his bill ZERO. McGough's act of grace would save the face and reputation of Peduto, Kraus, Burgess and Shields.

It was Mr. Kraus who was so keen to ask that the corporation known as Lamar would suspend its own ill gotten permit in a voluntary action, if you will.

Queen's granddaughter makes Olympic team

Zara Phillips, a granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, will compete for Britain in equestrian at the Beijing Olympics.

See more.

Motznik on with Marty Griffin

Theme song from OZ, "If I only had a brain...."

The $11,000 spending for private legal bills is being talked about on KDKA Radio, 10 am on Friday.

Jim Motznik is right on! He said, "Or, I've hired attorneys myself, on my own, to pay for work of neighborhood groups. This comes from misc. services and staff money. They already have funds in place."

"It blows my mind. They talk the talk. But when it comes to walking the talk, they haven't learned to walk yet. They are very hypocritical of the things that they do."

The whole thing (with Pat Ford and the billboard) was raised by council members who say the process was circumvented. Then the four members of council circumvent the process.

These members have 'conflict of interest' and 'won't be able to vote.' They are the one's who went out and hired the attorney.

Motznik says: This isn't the first time. They criticize the mayor. They say, let's live up to what Act 47 says. Works for the cars. But, not for themselves in staff spending.

Motznik says, "They put all the time and effort into "blocking process."

"The president of council should have been aware of what Twanda Carlie had."

Then the interview ends. Marty gives props saying Motznik gives interviews.

My instant message to Marty at 10:29.

GREAT interview with Mr. Motznik.

The $11,000 is down from an original $80,000 ask.

Peduto, Shields, Burgess and Kraus are WRONG.

Professor Dowd gave them a 'schooling' on the difference between acts of a council person and acts of a private citizen and who should foot the bill accordingly.

Marty read the posting I sent to him, while I was on hold, callers flipping onto the air.

I'd love to make one correction to what Marty said on the air. He said, "Pat Ford went down in flames." Well, Pat Ford is still on the city payroll. He is still getting a city check -- to the best of our knowledge.

Just as Twanda went to Las Vegas on the city credit card after being charged, Pat Ford is getting pay checks after being suspended by the mayor. Is Michael Lamb still signing the checks for Pat Ford? Why no OVERSIGHT on Pat Ford. Let's take his checks and put the money aside and if he is found to be 'innocent' -- then he can get some back pay. But, regardless, he isn't working now.

So, Pat Ford went down in flames and the taxpayers are still paying the bills to Pat Ford. The losses are still mounting -- against the city's treasury.

Swim site conflict opens debate over sport's video rights

Columbia Missourian - Swim site conflict opens debate over sport's video rights: "Swim site conflict opens debate over sport's video rights
When USA Swimming banned the swimming Web site Floswimming’s press credential, it opened debate over its new partnership with a media company."

USA Swimming is wrong to try to squash open ways. We want freedom. We want coverage. We don't want limitations. We don't want only "corporate" and "association" coverage.

I want swimming to be different from the NFL. Swimming is different. Swimming should strive to be different. Hell, different strokes for different folks should be the cry for freedom and liberties.

One of the largest issues at stake is USA Swimming’s attempt to align itself with other sports’ media ventures. Chuck Wielgus, USA Swimming executive director, said the deal was no different than “what we’re seeing happen with the NFL Network and other pro sports,” in an interview with Craig Lord of SwimNews.com.

Align with the grass roots. Align with freedom, not oppression.

“The most apparent conflict of interest is that when a governing body owns the event and then wants to profit; to me, I think the whole concept is fundamentally flawed,” said Brent Rutemiller,

Go Brent Go! It is great to see him speaking out on the issue.

Nonprofits have a charter to behave in a certain realm for the benefit of the public.

The Quiz: Bush and McCain

I took The Bush-McCain Challenge — a fun online quiz to see if you can tell the difference between George W. Bush and John McCain.

Start the Bush-McCain Challenge at http://www.Bush-McCainChallenge.com.

Go beyond the first round of questions all the way to the "Carrot Round." Don't miss it.

Assessments back in the spotlight. Wealthy neighborhoods are underassessed!

Pittsburgh's WTAE TV just released the results of its assessment study. NEWS: Wealthy neighborhoods are underassessed and poor neighborhoods are overassessed.

This brings the controversy back into the public spotlight.

Dan Sullivan, an expert in this realm, wrote to the investigating team to provide additional
information. He hopes to get a response soon. WTAE TV needs to get it right and keep the story alive until it takes off as a community discussion point. We need the watchdogs to break the news and the citizens need to help sustain the news and discussion.

The transcript of their report is on the WTAE site. Check it out. The video (which seems to have the right edge clipped away) is in the upper right corner of the page.

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/team4/16203574/detail.html

Carlisle invoice features 2 tickets to Vegas - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Carlisle invoice features 2 tickets to Vegas - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "'I can't believe she did this,' Shields said of Carlisle. 'You shouldn't be using public funds to front your personal trip.'"

I can't believe Sheilds didn't have the oversight in place to know nor prevent this. And, I can't believe that he can't believe it.

What Carlisle did is much like what Shields, Burgess, Kraus and Burgess are doing now with the $11,000 expense for their private attorneys. And, the original ask was for $80,000.

No credit card was used. But, spending was done without authorization and without oversight from those who should know much better and are the one's who NEEDED to give authorization.

In another thread on another blog, it was mentioned by a new resident to Pittsburgh that Doug Shields should 'run for mayor' and I gave some history. History like this -- no oversight -- that should disqualify Shields from being mayor.

City council is crooked thanks to the acts of Carlisle and her peers who let her get away with these acts and never said a peep.

---

(my post in that thread)

Doug Shields is the president of city council. He is the leader. He is the #2 guy in Pittsburgh now.

Yes, he knows his stuff. He knows how to organize a slush fund. He knows what union guys to stroke. He knows were the dead bodies are along the road of tears -- err -- the Mon Fayette Toll Road and Hazelwood.

Doug Shields is a typical politician who was able to ride with the waves of the career of Bob O'Connor.

Shields has not run for mayor. He did run for controller last year and got beat by Michael Lamb in a buzzed field. Shields didn't do much to stand out there nor propose solutions for Pittsburgh. But, it was hard to rise above the din made by Luke Ravestahl running against nobody in the mayor's race at the same time.

Shields is an adult.

Shields helped to drive the city onto the rocks in the past. He is a big part of the HARD WORKING COUNCIL. Shields is a veteran of Grant Street that will grow government when given the chance.

Welcome to Pittsburgh! I hope you get out of the house more in the weeks to come this summer.

Saving Schenley High School is going to take a long leap of faith -- i.e., " l-o-n-g - j-u-m-p"

Williams leads Schenley in City League field championships - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Mt. Lebo is pushing to get the public process opened to community viewers

I care about the open process of democracy in local government, within the city, county and elsewhere.

Mt. Lebo's unofficial blog discussions revealed this report.

I've been credited in other blogs for getting video off of my TV by pointing a video camera at it and then uploading to YouTube -- for less than $10,000.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ddznxj6h_459hf29thgn

Feedback welcomed in the comments below.

Expecting:

Our keepers believe that Toma, our female Amur tiger, is expecting again! This would be Toma's second litter and she could give birth any day now! Toma bred a few months ago with her new mate, Globus. Since then keepers have been keeping a close eye on Toma, waiting for signs of her pregnancy. About two weeks ago, they began noticing Toma behaving in much the same way she did during her first pregnancy. A nesting area or den was set up for the births and now we are all watching and waiting. When the cubs are born they are toothless, blind, and completely reliant on their mother for several months. Keepers will monitor the births and the cubs using a hidden camera inside the den. Visitors also can get a sneak peek at the new family from our website and a TV monitor placed at the Tiger Viewing Window.

From the Pgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium newsletter.

Pittsburgh Public Schools | 9th Grade Nation - Be the Change

This is crap, if you ask me. Our kids will be in summer activities and will NOT be attending 9th Grade Nation activities.

Pittsburgh Public Schools | 9th Grade Nation - Be the Change SAVE THE DATES -- July 29th through August 1st. Incoming 9th graders will receive more details in upcoming weeks from their schools and in the mail.

I want to see reports and follow up from the event last year. I want to see a report on the event from the year before -- the first year.

What benefit was delivered?

The kids sat around the stadium and got to be introduced to pro athletes. That's not saying much.

Furthermore, I want to see attendance reports about the long school year at the ALAs. They begin school in August. But, people don't show up.

No school student activities should occur until after Labor Day. Ninth Grade Nation can happen on the first days of September.

Today's track meet is rained out and slated for next Thursday

Oh well.

Hope it does NOT rain next week on Thursday when the make-up meet is slated to occur.

What we should do -- and I'm going to make a phone call on this now -- is to hold the meet at the UPMC South Side Sports Performance Complex -- indoors -- if it is looking like rain next week.

A couple of years ago the girls track meet was washed out with heavy rain on a couple of occasions. The meet did NOT occur that year. Back then I made the suggestion that the meet be held indoors in case of rain. I'm not sure if my chatter back then went anywhere. This year I'll make sure the suggestion gets full consideration.

Pgh Public School's Director of Interscholastic Athletics is Michael A. Gavlik. I talked to him at 9:50 am, the day of the first rain out to confirm that the meet has been moved to next Thursday, May 15. And, I suggested, in case of poor weather next week, calls should be made now to get access to the UPMC South Side Sports Performance Center.

If you agree, give Mr. Gavlik a call and ask, what's up? Voice: 412-622-3944 - mgavlik1@pghboe.net and Office Fax: 412-622-3948.

Next up: UPMC Sports Performance Complex contact info.

http://sportsmedicine.upmc.com/Facilities.htm

Phone for the Steelers is 412 432 7800. That is who UPMC told me to call.

For back up on WHY the indoor facility is OWED to the community, contact the CEO of the Brashear Center, Hugh Brannon, 2005 Sarah Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Telephone: 412-431-2236 - Fax: 412-431-5611.

Letter to Mark Rauterkus from Tim Westergren, Founder, Pandora

Got a nice letter and t-shirt as a thank you gift for the aid I've given to Pandora.

May 7, 2008

Pandora - radio from the Music Genome Proect

Hi Mark-

On behalf of myself and everyone here at Pandora, I want to give a hearty thanks for your wonderful support. I hope you know how much it means to us. For small companies like ours, it's everthing.

This journey is getting more and more exciting with each passing day. Wecreated Pandora and the Music Genome Project to help people discover and enjoy music they love - you should consider yourself very much a part of this adventure.

Please accept this Pandora gift as a token of our gratitude. Welcome to the team!

Sincerely,

Tim Westergren, Founder

Lamar bears its head again around the council table and Kraus spoke too soon, as usual.

This isn't unusual, so said Bruce Kraus.

Jim Motznik put Mr. Kraus onto the carpet for spending money and then going to council to authorize the spending. Then Mr. Kraus said "This isn't unusual."

Council members only have power as a member on the council that votes on matters. Great government 101 lecture came from Professor Dowd.

If city council allows a "post fact expense" come to us and say, 'gold star' -- then council is open to many other expense.

The body did not authorize the action in the zoning board of audustment.

If we are going to do the right thing,

No dollars shall be expended before a vote of council...

Watching on tape delay.

"Think of this as an algabraic formula," said Patrick. That lost em.

Kraus got hot. Rev. Burgess said, "I'm trying to speak less." Mr. Kraus needs to take that same advice.

This is one for the VCRs!

Mr. Burgess wants to spend $11,000.

Have the checks been written? Mr. Kraus asked. The answer is "NO."

Kraus does not understand city government.

Service has been rendered, but checks have NOT gone out. And, council is NOT on the hook.

Kraus said, "We were sued personally and professionally. We did not wrecklessly enter into legal action." -- WRONG.

Kraus said that because we had perfect legal representation, we saved money for the city -- said Kraus. -- WRONG.

To protect the citizens of the city -- my oh my. Kraus is a joke.

Specter: To the extend, that indiv council members or any city employees would be sued in your official capacity that the city law department would represent him (Dowd). And, we (Law Dept) would be willing to get outside council for the employees. The lawyers for the individuals did not want this.

Dowd asked, "What is the public paying for?"

"Council is well aware without doing DNA," said Shields.

Each of the four should pay $3,000 out of their own slush funds.

---

Council votes to pay legal bills for billboard appeal Council votes to pay legal bills for billboard appeal from today's P-G.

Cell Phone Numbers Go Public Tomorrow

From Edith, a trusted source:

Cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies tomorrow and you may start to receive sale calls.

YOU WILL BE (could be) CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS.

To prevent calls to a cell phone, call the following number from your cell phone:

888-382-1222.

The National DO NOT CALL list takes a minute of your time. The list blocks your number for five years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number.

Pens Fans Urged To Wear White To Friday's Game -- but naked is the new white!

kdka.com - Pens Fans Urged To Wear White To Friday's Game: "Pens Fans Urged To Wear White To Friday's Game"

Pens fans get message to NOT wear white -- rather -- go naked.

Get the thrill. Get the chills. I don't know what to expect.

This (having the fans be topless) is something I want bad.

I think we've see that before.

That's good for us.

Excitement. We've gone through a lot of hard times.

Help OpenOffice.Org gather bugs in May

The OpenOffice.org Community is pleased to announce that the public beta release of OpenOffice.org 3.0 is now available. This beta release is made available to allow a broad user base to test and evaluate the next major version of OpenOffice.org, but is not recommended for production use at this stage.

If you are a regular user of OpenOffice.org, here's a great opportunity to help us make the next release the best ever.

What's new in OpenOffice.org 3.0?

The most immediately visible change to OpenOffice.org 3.0 is the new "Start Centre", new fresh-looking icons, and a new zoom control in the status bar. A closer look shows that 3.0 has a myriad of new features. Notable Calc improvements include a new solver component; support for spreadsheet collaboration through workbook sharing; and an increase to 1024 columns per sheet. Writer has an improved notes feature and displays of multiple pages while editing. There are numerous Chart enhancements, and an improved crop feature in Draw and Impress.

Behind the scenes, OpenOffice.org 3.0 will support the upcoming OpenDocument Format (ODF) 1.2 standard, and is capable of opening files created with MS-Office 2007 or MS-Office 2008 for Mac OS X (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx, etc.). This is in addition to read and write support for the MS-Office binary file formats (.doc, .xls, .ppt, etc.).

OpenOffice.org 3.0 will be the first version to run on Mac OS X without X11, with the look and feel of any other Aqua application. It introduces partial VBA support to this platform. In addition, OpenOffice.org 3.0 integrates well with the Mac OS X accessibility APIs, and thus offers better accessibility support than many other Mac OS X applications.

Detailed guide to the new features http://marketing.openoffice.org/3.0/featurelistbeta.html

OpenOffice.org 3 beta is immediately available in US English for MS-Windows, GNU/Linux, Mac OS X and OpenSolaris platforms from http://download.openoffice.org/3.0beta. This page also contains details of where to find localized builds and language packs as they become available. For more details, please consult the appropriate native language project - see http://projects.openoffice.org/native-lang.html

Help us gathering bugs in May!

In order to help us release OpenOffice.org 3.0 on schedule in September, users of the beta release are encouraged to report any bugs, issues or errors at http://qa.openoffice.org.

If you would like to test just the new features, there is a list of test
cases by component at
http://qa.openoffice.org/ooQAReloaded/TestcaseSpecifications/OpenOffice.org_3.0

If you are nervous about reporting bugs through the formal bug reporting system, you can simply email details to the user support mailing lists
http://www.openoffice.org/mail_list.html

The developers look forward to receiving your feedback on this beta
release of OpenOffice.org!

Fish tricks fill front page of section in Trib = Pyrite Proof

The world is buzzing about a YouTube video of a fish that plays soccer! The finned athlete is named, Comet. Not the Pgh Comet -- nor the Pgh Comment.

I've been making some noise that the signal among Pgh Bloggers is hitting a new phase -- and that the silver age is behind us. linkZ, linkY, comments & linkX.

Fish tricks in Gibsonia entertain Web surfers - Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewFish tricks in Gibsonia entertain Web surfers

Comet, the Pomerleau family pet, can soar through hoops, squirm beneath a lowered limbo bar and chase after a soccer ball.

Go fish.

Join the 1 political junkie who is taking a break and hung a sign, "Gone Fishin."

My favorite fish video that I produced:

Instant Message to KDKA Radio and Marty

Background: There is some noise on the radio with KDKA's Marty Griffin. There is chatter about a $100 per year tax on parking spaces in Robinson Township.

The tax on LAND, such as land that is put aside for surface parking spaces, is GREAT public policy. Pittsburgh (and Allegheny County) should SHIFT back to a LAND VALUE TAX.

The killer is the TIF. I'd end all TIFs and tax breaks to favorites.

The formula is the land-value tax!

Mom and Pop Biz Folks do NOT get tax breaks (TIFs). They go to the big boys who loaf with bullies.

Track Clinics in the City -- leading to June 28th Track Meet at Schenley's Oval

Track & Field Mobile Clinic

Presented By:

Citiparks

&

Future Stars Track Club

May 16, 2008 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

• West Penn Recreation Center
• Columbus Middle School

May 30, 2008 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

• Warrington Recreation Center
• Phillip’s Recreation Center (Carrick)

*The track clinics are FREE for all kids ages 6-18. Each participant gets a healthy nutritional bag.

*Track coaches will introduce participants to various events and go over healthy eating habits for race day and everyday.

*You can participant at any site and more than once.

Call Magee Recreation Center to pre-register (412) 422-6546.

Update:

Citiparks is helping to sponsor a city track meet on June 28, 2008. This is the first ever track meet of this kind in the city. The Recreation Centers are getting involved and helping to field track teams.

Events in the novice division for the June 28th track meet include:

• 100 meter dash
  
• 200 meter dash
  
• 400 meter relay
• long jump
• turbo javelin

Mike's brush with Bill. Well, it was more than a brush and hand shake.

Nice story from Mike. He is a Pittsburgher and thinker.

Citizens for Legitimate Government: "I proceeded to tell President Clinton that I was a professor at Duke and North Carolina Central University, where I teach argument. I said that I was very disappointed in my fellow academics, too many of whom support Obama. I teach my students that a good argument is a claim with reasons. Obama, I said, makes a lot of claims without any evidence to support them. He agreed and said he couldn't believe that he'd gotten away with it to this point. At this, he took his arm from my shoulder and thanked me for my support."

Jen's email blast about school stuff

Hey -- I'm always sure this is going to be a quick little email...but it's not! (There's some good stuff at the end to make up for all of this in the middle.)

-- Today's paper: Roosevelt plans to make his recommendation on Schenley future May 19

-- "High School Chaos" story on KDKA: http://kdka.com/video Video from May 2 2008 7:23 pm

"Costs to renovate Reizenstein coming in higher than expected," notes Mark Roosevelt.

How high? It can't hurt to ask your school board member if they know this number -- particularly since that's probably the most valuable piece of property the district has to sell, not only would we not spend the money on an inferior building, we could make money from its sale.

We'll know on the 19th when the vote on the Schenley building is, I assume, since it had been scheduled for this month and now it's moved to June. That seems a bit ominous, though hard to say. It's an interesting position to be in limbo longer -- if you want to email me or call me (412-xxx-xxxx) I'll be happy to share my opinions, but other than saying that you should make your concerns known to your school board member (and any other board members you know), I'll stop here!

There's also a meeting tonight for anyone who wants to show up at Panera (Blvd of the Allies in Oakland) 8 pm about this/reform/Frick, etc.

Please do let people know about the whole situation -- some of the emails on this list are kicking back at me now and some have never worked, so I know that there are people who aren't getting them.

-- Was anyone at the University Prep meeting last week? None of the my usual sources made the meeting, so I can't report anything other than that there were said to be only about 5-6 parents there. No mention of the meeting in the P-G that I saw.

While I do love the way that A+ runs a meeting, I think many of us have come to feel that the input/report they pass along from us is quickly filed away, never to be looked at again. Heaven knows parents and students (and teachers and probably principals) don't have any idea how the schools are run now or any realistic and viable ideas for improving them. (Oops, there's some bitterness rearing its head, I'm trying not to let that happen, I promise.)

Speaking of which don't forget to sign up for more meetings! -->> http://www.aplusschools.org/excel.html

-- I've heard from lots of people that they are exploring other school options (charter, private, homeschool, suburban) or no longer telling friends, co-workers, prospective employees that their children can get a good education in the PPS. If you are one of these people considering pulling a kid or one of those that can't endorse it at this point or know someone like that, please consider (or ask if they'll consider) writing a letter to the school board, the newspaper, or testifying at a public hearing (see next bullet point).

I'm not ready to go, but I can't be the booster I once was for this system. At the risk of sounding maudlin, public education is one of the best things ever in my book. I hate to see how good things from this district have been dropped and removed, pushed out by No Child Left Behind demands and an elementary curriculum that seems designed to ignore the developmental needs of younger kids. I really can't imagine (or see) how this is promoting a love of learning and reading and being in school -- the things that might get kids through high school and on into the future. Dang! There I go again with the bitter.

-- Next public hearing -- Monday, May 12th, 7 pm --

To speak at a Public Hearing, call the Superintendent's Office at 412-622-3600 beginning one week before and no later than noon on the day of the Public Hearing.

Link to Procedures for Testifying at Public Hearings

Location:

Conference Room A, Board of Education Administration Building, 341 S. Bellefield Avenue, 15213

-- No bitterness allowed section:

Kelly Critic review: "All Shook Up," Schenley, April 24-May 3

Not great quality, but even so, you can still tell what an experience it is to be there:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DBisFs4oZs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=706Oa6QLseE

Memories of last year?

Rock of Rages

River Deep, Mountain High

If you hunt around on youtube (my classes are over now, can you tell?!), there's now video from long gone Schenley years, too. Amazing stuff.

Jen Lakin

Roosevelt plans to make his recommendation on Schenley future May 19

They are still spreading FUD (FEAR, UNCERTAINTY, DOUBT).

Roosevelt plans to make his recommendation on Schenley future May 19 Last night, Mr. Roosevelt said the additional study has cast the building's status in a 'different light,' but he declined after the meeting to elaborate.

So, after months of badgering, they finally released the first study. Then they have another. But, it isn't being released either.

And, the studies were not even read. The executive summary statements didn't match with the content within the body of the study.

FUD.

Here is another zinger: about $64 million to address asbestos and other maintenance problems. Red flag.

First, there are no other maintenance problems. None other than regular, expected, normal, routine, fixes that should be part of all buildings. The problem is that there were very few maintenance matters addressed in the past years. They let the drips build up. They didn't fix them as they should. Every facility needs on-going maintenance. Those are NOT maintenance problems.

What's next. Will the kids in first grade be called 'problems' because they can't read yet.

There are NO OTHER MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS.

And, if I stand corrected, please post them in the comments of this message.

Futhermore, there are no asbestos problems. Asbestos has never been a problem at the school. The air quality has been tested and tested and tested -- and there is no problem. Sure, don't eat the floor tiles. That's it. Be sensible. Asbestos is in every school. Asbestos is in our new cars. Asbestos is not a problem with the other schools because they don't want to close them -- yet. They made asbestos a problem in Schenley by design. The asbestos in Schenley can be dealt with.

Fixing asbestos at Schenley does NOT need to include new air conditioning for the entire building. They inflated the fix up numbers. They depressed the real cost of the move elsewhere. Now those numbers are 10-times higher than what they said. And, the fall-out for the students, families, taxpayers and even teachers is massive. The district is about to die.

Faculty wants president's ouster

Wonder what the rank and file members of the Pgh Public Schools teachers would vote if given the option. Would they want to retain Mark Roosevelt or not?

I'm sure that the union is in bed with the administration's brass. But, the teachers, on a one-by-one basis, that would be a different matter.

WVU faculty wants president's ouster faculty wants president's ouster

Hard to think that there were even 19 to vote to keep him.

Changing grades is a serious academic crime. Giving otu degrees is a career breaker.

Wright Might Have Sunk Obama, All Presidential African Americans for Two Decades

The Reverend Jeremiah Wright, clearly not on the side of Jesus Christ, has forced Barack Hussein Obama's hand into a full-blown denunciation.
There is a lot of discussion whether Wright purposely sabotaged the junior Senator from Illinois, or was just on his tour of hatred, controversy and wackiness to sell copies of his upcoming book. Obama, while still ahead in the Democratic delegate count, has clearly and utterly been sunk for November. Fiscally conservative Reagan Democrats, who could hold considerable sway this fall, will never vote for Obama knowing that he either put up with Wright's dementia or never showed up for services altogether.
Knowing that barring a political miracle—Obama tackling Osama bin Laden himself near the espresso machine Hilary Clinton didn't know how to operate—Barack is looking at a November thumping of Mondalian proportions.
The question now becomes: Has Jeremiah Wright single-handedly destroyed an African American's chances of being President for the next 50 years?
Fifty might just be an overstatement but it does grab your attention. Obama was designated to be the poster dude, the salvation for those simply tired of the Clinton shock and awe of self-pomposity. Young, thin, sounds identical to WWE wrestler The Rock, Barack was believed to be exactly the "fresh face" the Democratic Party needed. Never mind the vapid-minded vocal stylings of Michelle Robinson Obama; Barack was to be the King of the Castle, the cut-and-run General in John Murtha's race from the Middle East.
Now the man who officiated Obama's marriage and baptized his children, has by himself knocked the Golden Bird from his perch.
Jeremiah Wright has stolen a great deal of the spotlight from Obama and has actually uncovered a "Black Church" phenomenon that few white folks didn't know existed. It turns out that some churches that count a large African American congregation agree with Wright. A discussion with my own pastor brought this to my attention and an African American church goer at my office attested to the fact that on any given Sunday, one may hear similar rants from "pastors" who should be sharing knowledge of Christ's teachings and not inflaming improper rhetoric.
Every black candidate who will ever come down the pike again will be scrutinized accordingly. Religion, one of the building blocks of the greatest nation in the history of the planet, continues to be of utmost importance to folks in "fly over country," whether liberals like it or not.
Radio host Glenn Beck recently ran Jeremiah Wright's Palm Sunday message for an entire hour on his program. The inflammatory hate and anger that exploded from Wright will resonate not only with voters still eligible to vote in the primary, but all the way to November if Obama makes it past the Democratic National Convention. This process continues to be one for the history books.
Due to Wright's involvement, Obama is now absolutely unelectable in the fall. It's really too bad because a good-looking radical lefty who would send America into an economic tail spin would be fun to have in the race regardless of whether he has incredible character defects (surrounds himself with the most un-Patriotic Dream Team any major party has ever assembled), but now it's apparent that no self-respecting, God-loving voter will ever plunk Obama's name in November, even if gas is $4 a gallon. Tell me how gas prices will go "down" if oil companies are besieged with taxes? They will simply pass the tax onto consumers. People have to go places. That's pure economics.
It really is unfortunate that Obama's political chickens "have come HOME to ROOST."
That's to Jeremiah Wright's audacity of hate, Barack Obama will not be our next President. Nor will any other African American candidate for 20-30 years. Not even Will Smith can overcome this stigma anytime soon.

STEEL CITY DERBY DEMONS HOLDING SKATER TRYOUTS

The Steel City Derby Demons, Pittsburgh's all-female, roller derby league is holding tryouts for skaters. Applicants must be 21 or over, female, and
have basic skating skills.

For more information or to register, email joinscdd@gmail.com

Visit www.steelcityderbydemons.com to find out more about the Steel City Derby Demons.

So -- who in the hell is running for mayor -- and -- is Luke Ravenstahl wounded?

People are asking me all the time, "Who is running for mayor?"

Gosh. What do you think?

The talk is that our existing mayor has worn out his welcome. Well, at least some of the people that talk to me are saying such things. This deal with the URA seems to have flipped a few others to the side that Luke must go.

But, I'm not so sure as to what will happen.

I know that the mayor's race is a big deal and should be a two-step process with primary and general election. It is going to take a one-two combination to land someone other than Luke in the office in January 2010.

I do like the fact that the Dem primary and the races of 2008 have been kicking up such a cloud of dust that people are not yet with a focus on the local races for 2009. But, a little chatter and a little advance planning would be nice.

Funny too, about the media: I expect that when they think about local candidates that they'll do what they have always done. The local media always gets off to a bad start. The editors like to begin the coverage by printing stories of people who are NOT running for mayor.

Pittsburgh Peabody Event, Saturday at 8 am

This Coming Saturday... begins at 8 a.m.

Promise for the Future: Reducing Teen Violence and Enhancing Life Opportunities

EVERYONE WELCOME

May 10, 2008

8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Speakers, Large Provider Fair, Community Workshops, Breakfast and Lunch, Youth Talent Showcase from 1 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Hosted by Pittsburgh Peabody High School and its Community Partners

"I wish I could steal it." A quote from the Pgh Public School Biz Meeting, tonight

Tonight I went to a Business Committee Meeting of the Pgh Public Schools with administrators and most of the members of the school board. A few things came up.

The director of the school district's technology department gave a presentation. The 'dashboard' system is on its way out. Rather, they cooked up a new system.

A guy with a Pitt connection got to say a couple of words in support of what the district has been building. His main statement was, "I do a lot of consulting work with other districts around the region. I wish I could steal the system that you have. It is very good."

After he spoke, I went over to him and say, "You should be able to steal it. Why can't you."

He laughed.

I was serious.

There is no reason why the software that the Pgh Public School is building isn't open source software.

Furthermore, the first question from a board member after the presentation was, "Is there a revenue stream that could be developed with the software." The question came from Heather Arnet. It was her only question in that period.

It is a fair question, given the hype, but it is the wrong direction.

The answer from the tech administrator from the district was wierd too. He said that they've talked a good deal about the business model and the possibility of selling the software and such. But he was leaning to a 'service model' for a possible sales avenue. The PPS District could scan the test answer sheets from the classrooms of the various schools in other school districts and then offer them a turnkey data evaluation and reporting system.

The real value in the system now is the high-speed scanning and the quick turn around. When the central administration gets the test scores by 9 am, the results are generally kicked back to the schools by noon of the same day. Great.

So, the enterprise and value seems to be in the service provider elements. Interesting.

But, the system is NOT open source. And, there was NO discussion of open source, open access and open ways with the entire discussion.

The technology department is trying to be with a good customer service model. They are gearing up to be user driven. Fine. The users are the administrators, principals, coaches (science coaches, math, reading, etc.), and teachers. Humm...

Not a peep about the customers being the parents, the communities, the taxpayers nor the public.

As the public schools develop software, the work product should be put into the public domain.

I'm not looking to harvest personal data and make privacy screw-ups. But, I want the systems to work for the right populations and have the priorities that make sense.

The red flag was raised, slightly, by a couple of board members. The elected school board members are NOT part of the audience from the technology department. School board members have been totally locked out of the data so far. Total firewall. Total blackout. Total denial of services to school board members has been the norm from the get go by design.

The question was asked, and the bureaucrat said, "We'll look into it." He gave the wrong answer. Well, it wouldn't wash with me.

The school reports and data that is now being delivered is a work in progress and it has some merit. It is 'very good' for them to pat themselves on their backs about now. The teachers know nothing of these systems yet. And, teachers have always been a big sticking point.

But, very good isn't good enough, especially when talking about vaporware.

The golden ticket that I'm looking for was NOT mentioned. In this big packet of information there wasn't a peep given to "rate of improvement." That is the key. That is what needs to be identified.

I have a coaching friend in California that has done a lot of work with data and kids -- in swimming. Swimming has data like no other avenue. The golden key is 'rate of improvement.' That number (rate of improvement) needs to be generated by kid, class, teacher, grade, school, district, county, race, gender, subject, skill set and all the other benchmarks that can be imagined.

Kids grow older. We know that. And, they grow at different rates. We know that too. But I want to know if they are getting smarter and more skilled at a rate that is better than before, their peers, and expected.

Allegheny County councilman aims to phase out drink tax - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Bottom's up.

Allegheny County councilman aims to phase out drink tax - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review -- Allegheny County Councilman Charles P. McCullough on Tuesday will propose halving the county's 10 percent tax by July 1 and eliminating it by Jan. 1, 2009.

Big Government Responsible for High Gas Prices

full article

Basic economics says that when government restricts the supply of a good, the price will increase. Yet Congress continues to reject simple measures that could increase the supply of oil. For example, Congress refuses to allow reasonable, environmentally sensitive, offshore drilling. Congress also refuses to remove the numerous regulatory hurdles that add to the prohibitively expensive task of constructing new refineries. Building a new refinery requires billions of dollars in capital investment. It can take several years just to obtain the necessary federal permits. Even after the permits are obtained, construction of a refinery may still be delayed or even halted by frivolous lawsuits. It is no wonder that there has not been a new refinery constructed in the United States since 1976.

Good reason to vote them all out of office when given the chance to do so.

Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper:

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, The Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congress men, one president and nine Supreme Court justices - 545 human beings out of the 300 million - are directly, legally, morally and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress.

In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered but private central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority.

They have no legal ability to coerce a senator, a congressman or a president to do one cotton-picking thing.

I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con / scam regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall.

No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits.

The president can only propose a budget.

He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes.

Who is the speaker of the House?

She/He is the leader of the majority party.

She/He and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want.

If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts - of incompetence and irresponsibility.

I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people.

When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.

If the Marines are in IRAQ , it's because they want them in IRAQ .

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power.

Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like 'the economy,' 'inflation' or 'politics' that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people; and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.

They and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses - provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.

Eleven of us met at Panera yesterday to discuss high school reform, focussing on Schenley/Frick

Eleven of us met at Panera yesterday to discuss high school reform, focussing on Schenley/Frick. The group represented input from Schenley, Frick, Linden, Colfax, Liberty, former East Hills, and Westinghouse. Sorry if I missed anyone.

As usually happens when we get together, we talked about our frustrations with the admin/board who seemingly refuse to listen to our legitimate concerns. Nick, our engineering expert, repeated again that in his educated and experienced opinion, there is no danger for students to remain at Schenley for another year while better plans are made.

ACTION PLAN: The next board hearing is next Monday, May 12, so sign-ups to speak begin today. If you can take a few hours time, please sign up to speak at the hearing. We need to get the message through to this board that they should not make any more decisions concerning our children using our tax money until a master plan is complete. The rapidly declining numbers of the Pittsburgh Public Schools show an increasing distrust of this system.

Contact your board member by phone, by letter, and or by email, letting him/her know that no actions should be taken at this time that commits more money to a failing reform that does not have the support of its constituents. Individual board members might agree to listen to us. If meetings can be arranged, I am sure that a small group of us would be willing to meeting individually or in pairs with board members, especially Mark Brently, Randall Taylor, Thomas Sumter, Sherry Hazuda, and Heather Arnet, the board members who have demonstrated their willingness in the past to be open to us. (sorry for the run-on sentence).

I am very afraid that many parents have given up the fight and are willing to go along with the stated plans. After talking and listening to various groups, including the Westinghouse parents, I am sorry to say that I do not trust these plans, and I think that we need to stay vigilant to react when the promises are delayed and/or broken. Cate Reed has repeatedly stated that all of our concerns will be answered but it is May and there are still too many unanswered questions. What will happen in September if (when) they realize that we were correct and the sign-up lists didn't mean a thing. If only 50 kids show up at Frick for a program that is geared for 150, what happens to the program and the teachers of that program? Frick is having problems with language teachers now, how is that going to be solved by adding another grade with a need for 4 different language teachers?

TUESDAY MEETING: I will try to be at Panera by 8 pm on Tuesday but I am coming from church in Edgewood, so give me a few minutes leeway. Maybe we aren't accomplishing anything with these meetings but at least we know that there are others that are as concerned as we are. It helps me to know that I am not alone.

I have added a few new names to my list. If you do not want to be on the list because you are already on someone else's, just let me know and I will remove. I do not share my list and only send blind copies.

amy moore
(phone #s nuked from this blog)

Called into Marty Griffin, KDKA Radio

Not on hold any longer, after waiting about an hour.

Marty Griffin of KDKA Radio, reported that he had an epiphany this weekend. Marty, it is GREAT to stand up for the "NAYSAYERS."

The bullies do NOT get it.

Marty is ranting, over and over again, about how there needs to be cuts in government, not new taxes. The small business folks and family folks are facing higher and higher bills. Everyone is cutting, except government.

The theme of Marty's ranting hits a bigger, more fundamental philosophy. I'd like to drag his awareness to a higher understanding. It is more than just the economic conditions. That's a huge burden that can't be down-played. It is the economy stupid. Sure thing. But bigger fights are still to be fought, about and beyond the economy.

The root problems are not just within the economy.

We need dissent for democracy to work. Funny how the bullies are generally Dems.

Marty is mad at Ed, Dan and Rich. They want to say that the small business owners who are putting up opposition to the drink tax are 'crazy.' Seems that Dan Onorato called the radio station on Friday -- as did Rich Fitzgerald? -- to complain saying that the kickback to the drink tax is "not newsworthy."

That same day, Dan Onorato was holding his 'closed door meeting' with select police and fire folks from around the county. (see the post below)

Closed door meetings and pegging opposition as crazy naysayers is their mode of operation.

The watchdogs need to do their duties. We naysayers need to do ours. And, bullies need to get their noses rubbed in the crap that they've littered about these parts for so long now.

Job lead: Government Affairs Associate and other: Communications

Interested? Apply there, not to me.

There are two jobs in the same agency.

idealist.org - Government Affairs Associate: "Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, a statewide children’s advocacy organization located in Harrisburg, PA, has an opening for a full-time Government Affairs Associate."

The second job looks good for A.S.

idealist.org - Communications Specialist: "Communications Specialist"

I did find a good job for "our hero" too. But that is with another agency. Seems a Philly nonprofit needs a global development czar. See Global Economic Development.

BTW, I'm not sure who reads this blog. Okay to forward to your friends and foes. Click that envelope email button and a message gets sent to them. And, I don't get to read the messages.

Allegheny fire, police mergers explored

Allegheny fire, police mergers explored - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: About 50 elected leaders, administrators and public safety officials from many corners of the county met Downtown on Friday with County Chief Executive Dan Onorato to talk about the possibility of voluntary police and fire consolidations.

News of the behind-closed door meeting is showing up in the newspapers now.

I hate closed door meetings. Still do. Closed door meetings should not be tolerated among public officials. Pittsburgh is still a 'smokey city' because these closed door meetings can occur. Things get hatched in 'smoke filled rooms' where there isn't transparency and open ways. Those things are good for the power hungry and bad for the citizens.

One of the major, initial topics after the closed door meeting begins is 'supporting grants.' They want to spend more money. The idea of mergers is to save money. The money will help to oil the way -- greese the palms. With money, all problems are much smaller. But, the problem is the money! Duhh...

Power is going to shift with mergers. But, these 'supporting grants' is needed for a pay-off.

If the purpose was to make good government and better services for the citizens, there would be no talk of 'pay-offs.' The money is needed to get the good people thinking in terms of greed and envy -- not quality protection in times of urgent need.

Onorato said he hopes to offer incentives to trigger police and fire consolidations, such as offering foundation support, capital money and state funds.

Onorato wants to offer incentives = pay-offs. Onorato needs to buy the support he needs to gain in power for central command and control.

We need to talk about communications. We need to talk about coordination. We need to champion specializations that have already been nurtured among the various departments in various communities. We need to talk about trouble spots, trouble situations, trouble communities and the roots of those troubles.

We need to talk about best practices. We need to highlight recruiting. We need to look at performance of various departments in an array of situations. Where are the benchmarks?

What are the costs and how are the budgets organized? What are real-time expenses in the various locations among various elements of the budgets? Operating expenses and demands should be put on the table -- for all to see -- for all these communities.

The notion of a 'voluntary discussion' and 'voluntary mergers' is interesting. These people are public servants and they often volunteer. That's the talk and focus I'd love to touch upon first. The ranks of the volunteers is depleted as it stands today. And, the one's that are running these departments have to think about raising the bar in terms of getting more volunteers into the various systems. The hinge of volunteerism is localization. The talk of merger means less localization and in turn, less volunteer engagement.

This is about natural, grass roots vs. OVERLORD thinking.

Futhermore, the residents should have their will be measured, with votes, under the systems of democracy, to see if pathway of merger is desired. Citizens need to volunteer their hopes into the merger bandwagon. That is where the real authority for volunteering mergers should reside.

Onorato's 90-minute meeting offered a refreshing take. Humm... It is easy to not answer questions, as many questions went unanswered, and look good. It is easier to look good when others are not watching.

I could hold my own closed door meeting to counter Onorato's closed door meeting and issue a report that my meeting was "super duper refreshing." But, in the end, it isn't refreshing to have a closed door meeting. I can't get past the stench. Even when you eat in the dark you can smell the food.

Volunteers to fight fires don't have rank nor pensions. So, they think that the fire volunteers don't have standing and can be yanked around at will. Wait. They have it backwards. The one's with rank and pensions can be told what to do much more easily than the volunteers. They take orders for a living. If they don't want to do what they are told -- they can give up their pay checks and pensions. Fine. Others can be hired to replace them but under different terms, more ideal terms among departments and service status.

You don't merger and yank around volunteers and expect them to show up 'at the end of the day.'

Furthermore, volunteers who fight fire have standing. They are there because of quality of life issues. They are there out of a call to duty and service for their neighbors. If you mess with the system and best practices are going to suffer -- you'll not only kill the ranks of the volunteers, you'll also kill the entire community. People will vote with their feet two ways. They won't volunteer for the fire service. And, they won't volunteer to live there. The community will empty. Houses will be put up for sale. Properties will become vacant. Economic prosperity will nose dive.

"Consolidating police departments would be more of a challenge because of pay and pension issues," he said. "These people have rank, and what do you do? But fire departments are volunteer."

Mr. Onorato and his staff will help set up meetings and attend. But, will these always be closed meetings? These meetings will be IR communities want to discuss mergers. But real communities don't hold discussions behind closed doors.

The money matter raises its head again, in terms of bricks and mortar spending. Onorato pledged to seek state matching money to help with mergers such as building or enlarging a fire hall. Gosh. The sticking point isn't in a bigger development deal with a larger fire hall. Development is the extent of what Onorato does. Too often, Pittsburgh gets politicans that only focus upon the ribbon cutting opportunities -- the bricks and mortar projects. They are about buildings. They are about 'hardware.' But the real solutions are within software, programming, services, acts, deeds, humanity.

Whenever there are closed meetings, I get upset. But others are not invited too. Most police chiefs ... of the Alle-Kiski Valley said they were not invited to the meeting ...

Updated post.

LOST -- my iPod Nano

So sad.

Today, Sunday, at the JCC (Jewish Community Center) in Sq. Hill, my iPod with a black arm strap with velcro went missing. We got home and the only thing here was the ear buds. Went back to look and didn't find it.

If you find my iPod -- I'd love to get it back.

Call me: 412 298 3432.

Thanks!

support COMMUNITY vote GRANT

I like this guy.

support COMMUNITY vote GRANT: District 45 and all Pennsylvanians,

Meet Mr. Michael Grant.

He is running for PA House. He lives in the western part of Allegheny County.

Check out his web site.