Coach Michael Lohberg' s 3K Walk/Run Fundraiser
from ASCA
Michael Lohberg, respected and honored coach of Coral Springs Swim Club in Florida, and coach of numerous international Olympians as well as American Dara Torres, fell gravely ill in July with aplastic anemia, a rare and devastating disorder in which the bone marrow stops making enough red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. For weeks Michael received extensive treatments in Bethesda, MD and is now home in Coral Springs where he continues to receive treatments on an outpatient basis while he waits for a suitable bone marrow transplant. He has not been able to return to the pool deck since July. To help with the overwhelming medical costs the Coral Springs Swim Club and friends of Michael have organized a 3K Walk/Run Fundraiser on Nov. 16. You can read information on the Walk/Run here. To read information on making a financial donation visit the Coral Springs Swim Club Web site here .
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Coach Michael Lohberg' s 3K Walk/Run Fundraiser
Pull out firearms and insert handguns
Tonya Payne, D, member of Pgh City Council, was upset that news leaked from city hall that she was somehow against the proposed lost firearms bill now being discussed and voted upon.
Who leaked the false news? She has her opinions and hunches.
Doug Shields was the one who explained for the push to change the law from 'firearms' to 'handguns.'
A public hearing is expected as is a post agenda.
Question from 5th grader to visiting guest in civic's class: "Mr. Kraus, can you please take away the guns."
The answer should be, "No." It wasn't, I dare say.
Bill Peduto's intent isn't to saber rattle. He wants an enforceable law.
City council is again running out with an attempt with 'over-reaching legislation.'
At least this time, they are holding the proposed bill for community wide discussions. See you then.
Who leaked the false news? She has her opinions and hunches.
Doug Shields was the one who explained for the push to change the law from 'firearms' to 'handguns.'
A public hearing is expected as is a post agenda.
Question from 5th grader to visiting guest in civic's class: "Mr. Kraus, can you please take away the guns."
The answer should be, "No." It wasn't, I dare say.
Bill Peduto's intent isn't to saber rattle. He wants an enforceable law.
City council is again running out with an attempt with 'over-reaching legislation.'
At least this time, they are holding the proposed bill for community wide discussions. See you then.
| More Pittsburgh council members sponsor stolen-gun bill Pittsburgh Post Gazette - Pittsburgh,PA,USA The sponsors are Council President Doug Shields and members William Peduto, Bruce Kraus, Darlene Harris, Jim Motznik, Tonya Payne and Dan Deasy. ... |
| Pittsburgh Council invites public scrutiny of firearm legislation Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Pittsburgh,PA,USA But Councilman Bill Peduto said that's not the idea. "It's not my intent to just saber rattle. It's my intent to have an enforceable law. ... |
Citizens Police Review Board, $.02
We voted for the Citizens Police Review Board. Its failure costs us dearly.
The Citizens Police Review Board is a way to challenge power. It is a check and balance. It has never operated as it should and could -- because those in power have not seen fit to let it act on its mission.
The Citizens Police Review Board could bear fruit after we get people into top administrative and elected offices who are willing to do their jobs -- not just grab for all the power that they can leverage.
Also posted at Bram's blog, http://PghComet.blogspot.com
The Citizens Police Review Board is a way to challenge power. It is a check and balance. It has never operated as it should and could -- because those in power have not seen fit to let it act on its mission.
The Citizens Police Review Board could bear fruit after we get people into top administrative and elected offices who are willing to do their jobs -- not just grab for all the power that they can leverage.
Also posted at Bram's blog, http://PghComet.blogspot.com
Networks Police YouTube For Copyright Violations : NPR
Think again.
This is another great example of how it is nearly impossible to get a candidate to run for office.
Networks Police YouTube For Copyright Violations : NPR: "The presidential campaigns have fallen victim to a common copyright problem on the Internet. News networks complained that campaign commercials were using their footage and they demanded YouTube take them off its site. Free speech advocates say this is a high profile case that's part of an ongoing problem.The networks have lawyers. Ouch.
This is another great example of how it is nearly impossible to get a candidate to run for office.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Catherine's day with eye-candy and ear-protection
Catherine, my wife, goes to Beaver County on Wednesday to present to a classroom full of music educators for an in-service day. She'll present for three hours. It is a chance to teach the teachers. The students there must have a day off.
Kids and adults in musical classes could be exposed to sounds that are so loud that they're getting hearing damage. Drumming, brass instruments and other sounds can be so loud, especially in tighter quarters (like rehearsal rooms) with block walls that permanent damage could be a result.
We don't send our kids to school and expect them to get hurt. Furthermore, music teachers appreciate their sense of hearing.
The tiny hair cells in the ears, once damaged, do not grow back. The aim is to never loose them in youth or at later ages due to either very loud short bursts of sounds or with lesser volumes but for longer durations.
Catherine's wish, that ears would bleed. If blood came flowing out of the side of your head after noise (and loud music) exposure, most people would be more careful. Our ears go softly, sadly.
Those in chem class need to wear protective goggles. Play football and you'll need to wear a helmet. Well, march in band and you need to take care of yourself.
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| From Beijing 2008 |
In other news, Catherine has been formally invited from those in China to be on an advisory group. Sadly, she reports, there won't be any need to go back to China to fulfill these duties.
Pittsburgh Promise Program Receives Big Funding - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh
In a Tuesday press conference, the Pittsburgh Promise program announced that it will be receiving $8 million in funding from two
Pittsburgh-area foundations. The program helps parents and students afford their education after high school by helping students pay for college. The Pittsburgh Foundation awarded $3 million, and it has agreed in principle to give another $2 million over the next four years.
The Buhl Foundation awarded $3 million to Pittsburgh Promise over the next 10 years, equaling the biggest grant given in the history of the foundation.
Of the two grants, Grant Oliphant, Pittsburgh Foundation's CEO, said, “They will reaffirm this city’s commitment that makes Pittsburgh famous around the world.
Third Party Presidential Debate to Take Place on Thursday, October 23rd
Free and Equal Elections
Attn: Politics Editors, Campaign 2008 Editors, National Editors
Contact: Christina Tobin, 312-320-4101
This morning, Christina Tobin, Director of Free and Equal, announced an Independent/Third Party Presidential Debate, which will take place on Thursday evening at 9:00pm EST on October 23 in Washington DC at the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel.
All six candidates who qualified for enough state ballot lines to be eligible to win the presidency on November 4th have been invited.
To date, two candidates have confirmed participation: Independent Presidential Candidate Ralph Nader, and Constitution Party Presidential Candidate Chuck Baldwin, who have been endorsed by Congressman Ron Paul.The debate will last for 90 minutes, and follow the below format:
-No opening statements
-There will be six of the following question and answer series: The moderator will pose a question. Each candidate will be permitted 90 seconds to respond. The candidates' preliminary answers will be followed by a 5-minute "discussion" period, during which the moderator will be permitted unlimited follow-up questions and the candidates would be encouraged to engage one another in actual debate. This will last about 60 minutes.
-After the above six question-and-answer series, each candidate will be permitted to ask a single question of one or more of the other candidates, with each candidate permitted 90 seconds to respond. This will last about 10 minutes.
-After this, submitted questions from the audience will be selected and presented by the moderator. This will last for about 10 minutes.
-Each candidate will be permitted a 2-minute closing statement.
School Board Transparency — Sunlight on Board-Union Contract Negotiations
New blog worthy of watching.
School Board Transparency — Sunlight on Board-Union Contract Negotiations: "School Board Transparency"
Monday, October 20, 2008
When do we get to talk about the next banner flap. We're still under marshall law regarding signs.
The Pens are back on the ice and I'm wondering when the next round of silly discussions and governmental finger wagging is going to kick up again about signs, banners, and other goofy governmental intrusions?
Here is a hockey banner to make you blush.
And, it is a women hockey player too.
The Penguins might be able to put up a team banner if it is to include a lost kitten notice within the fine print. When do the Penguins play the "Panthers?" Who is going to 'be found' around here -- or not?
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| From ABCs of sports |
Here is a hockey banner to make you blush.
And, it is a women hockey player too.
The Penguins might be able to put up a team banner if it is to include a lost kitten notice within the fine print. When do the Penguins play the "Panthers?" Who is going to 'be found' around here -- or not?
Hey - we won one. It feels good. Now go watch his Pittsburgh presentation so you know who you are voting for - and against.
It is unbecoming to vote with only half, or 2/5ths of your brain.
Didn't Colin Powell talk about this too on Meet the Press? If he didn't he should have.
So, Bob Barr is on the ballot in PA. It isn't only about Obama and McCain. If you have doubts about both Obama and McCain, do your homework and check this out. You might like what you hear. And, you might want to vote and feel good about doing so on November 4.
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Affirms Libertarian Presidential Candidate Bob BarrBy the way, screw you Republican leaders who see fit to take this type of sillyness all the way to the Supreme Court. And, it goes just as bad to the likes of Dan Onorato who wants to fight the ballot access for those who have obtained tens of thousands of signatures -- as in the drink tax question.
Republican Appeal to Strike Candidate from Ballot Fails
Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
3915 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
www.lppa.org
For Immediate Release: October 20, 2008
Contact: Doug Leard (Media Relations) at Media-Relations@lppa.org or
Michael Robertson (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS / chair@lppa.org
Harrisburg, PA – The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPa) is pleased by the one page per curiam order of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Middle District issued October 17, 2008. The order affirmed the previous order of the Commonwealth Court, confirming Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr will appear on the Pennsylvania ballot. The Supreme Court order was in response to an appeal by Cumberland County Republican Chairman Victor Stabile of his lawsuit contending that the substitution certificate for Bob Barr should be set aside and the candidate disqualified from the November ballot.
The Commonwealth Court ruling from the Honorable Judge Johnny Butler, issued on September 15, 2008, dismissed and denied Mr. Stabile's petition to set aside the substitution certificate of Bob Barr as the Libertarian Party (LP) presidential candidate. This ruling and the Supreme Court affirmation have confirmed the practice of candidate substitution in compliance with Pennsylvania's election code.
LPPa Chairman Michael Robertson noted “It is disappointing that such a prominent member of the Republican Party would undertake this effort to limit the choices of Pennsylvania voters. The citizens of our Commonwealth deserve better than the misinformation offered by the Republican leadership during this episode.”
Former Republican county committeeman John Parks added "I just think that it is a shame that both parties want to disenfranchise the voters of Pennsylvania. If they believe that elections should be free and equal, they should be encouraging people to run, not running them off the ballot."
LP Presidential candidate, Bob Barr, represented the 7th District of Georgia in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003, serving as a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, as Vice-Chairman of the Government Reform Committee, and as a member of the Committee on Financial Services. He now practices law with the Law Offices of Edwin Marger and runs a consulting firm, Liberty Strategies LLC, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with offices in the Washington, D.C. area. Barr works tirelessly to help preserve our fundamental right to privacy and our other civil liberties guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.
The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in Pennsylvania and the United States. More than 200,000 people across the country are registered Libertarians, and Libertarians serve in hundreds of elected offices. Please visit www.LP.org or www.LPPA.org for more information.
Didn't Colin Powell talk about this too on Meet the Press? If he didn't he should have.
So, Bob Barr is on the ballot in PA. It isn't only about Obama and McCain. If you have doubts about both Obama and McCain, do your homework and check this out. You might like what you hear. And, you might want to vote and feel good about doing so on November 4.
Fastbreak for Fathers, Nov. 2 at Carnegie Science Center
Dear Fatherhood Friends,See comments for her email.
Please see the attached flyer and registration sheet for the 6th Annual Fast Break for Fathers and Families event on Sunday, Nov. 2nd. The event will be held at Carnegie Science Center this year due to the impending demolition of SportsWorks. Please forward this to those who may be interested.
If you are willing to volunteer for the event, please contact Evelyn Hines, Executive Assistant, National Fatherhood Initiative, Website: http://www.fatherhood.org.
Bonus pay for Pgh Principals gets some attention and heat
Where is the Act 47 to control the spending of the Pgh Public Schools asks a caller to the KDKA Radio show with Marty Griffin.
My message to him:
Pgh Public Schools' troubles spring from the other end of the spectrum. Bonus blahs for me.
Poor performing principals (and teachers, etc.) need to get the ax more quickly.
Downgrades and 'no pay' options need to be on the table as well.
Finally, Fed $ is still my taxpayer money.
Mark Roosevelt, superintendent of Pgh Public Schools, said that the bonus money was not taxpayer money. But, it is, as the host pointed out. The money is from a 'Federal Grant' so Roosevelt said.
Tranditionally, the problem has been with poor performing principals and other laggards in various roles. They have been allowed to stick around.
This gripe about poor performing teachers and principals are long-standing ones that might be less of a pressing problem now. I'm not sure how many bad performers are in the system this year. Pittsburgh schools could have a perfect staff in place this year where every employee is in a perfect role for his or her talents.
Often a failed teacher and/or a failed principal is a sign of a poor deployment -- not ill will on the part of the individual caught in a situation where there isn't a good 'fit' -- or else worse, in a no-win situation.
The deployment of the teachers, staff and principals needs constant evaluation and management. I've seen some movement and 'musical chairs.' Great. I hope that the moves are made for the right reasons. And, I hope that the right people are being supported in the right jobs.
The radio report says that only five principals got no bonus money. The majority of the principals got a bonus.
My message to him:
Pgh Public Schools' troubles spring from the other end of the spectrum. Bonus blahs for me.
Poor performing principals (and teachers, etc.) need to get the ax more quickly.
Downgrades and 'no pay' options need to be on the table as well.
Finally, Fed $ is still my taxpayer money.
Mark Roosevelt, superintendent of Pgh Public Schools, said that the bonus money was not taxpayer money. But, it is, as the host pointed out. The money is from a 'Federal Grant' so Roosevelt said.
Tranditionally, the problem has been with poor performing principals and other laggards in various roles. They have been allowed to stick around.
This gripe about poor performing teachers and principals are long-standing ones that might be less of a pressing problem now. I'm not sure how many bad performers are in the system this year. Pittsburgh schools could have a perfect staff in place this year where every employee is in a perfect role for his or her talents.
Often a failed teacher and/or a failed principal is a sign of a poor deployment -- not ill will on the part of the individual caught in a situation where there isn't a good 'fit' -- or else worse, in a no-win situation.
The deployment of the teachers, staff and principals needs constant evaluation and management. I've seen some movement and 'musical chairs.' Great. I hope that the moves are made for the right reasons. And, I hope that the right people are being supported in the right jobs.
The radio report says that only five principals got no bonus money. The majority of the principals got a bonus.
Punch her and catch a bullet
Wouldn't it be great if all bullies faced a similar fate.
I'm glad she turned herself in and I'm especially glad the police quickly let her depart.
WPXI is reporting the story as this:
I'm glad she turned herself in and I'm especially glad the police quickly let her depart.
WPXI is reporting the story as this:
Road Rage Incident On Parkway West Ends In ShootingTime will tell if this is the real story, or not. Hard to get too overblown as the names of those involved are not being released and being a bit skeptical is always prudent.
Sunday, October 19, 2008 – updated: 10:43 pm EDT October 19, 2008
PITTSBURGH -- Police said a man threw a punch and a woman turned the tables, pulling out a gun during a violent road rage incident on the Parkway West.
The woman, 24, of Pittsburgh, was pulling onto Interstate 376 from Route 28 when police said she cut off another driver.
Officials report the other driver, a male from Ohio, reacted by speeding in front of the woman and halting traffic, causing her to stop.
State Police said the man walked on foot to the driver's side of the woman's car and punched her in the face.
That is when authorities said the woman pulled out a licensed firearm and shot the man in the stomach.
The woman turned herself in to police after the incident. She has since been released.
The man drove himself to a nearby hotel, where he was transported to Allegheny General Hospital.
Officials have declined to name the parties involved until after the district attorney has reviewed the case.
Since burnout hit Prof Madison and Pittsblog, here is something that he might have posted about:
Thornburgh Family lecture series
DisabiliTy law & Policy
presenter: I. King Jordan, former president of Gallaudet University
October 30, 2008 at Barco Law Building, Teplitz Courtroom, 1–2:30 p.m. with Reception to follow.
I. King Jordan was the first deaf president of Gallaudet University, the world’s only university with all programs and services designed specifically for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Jordan’s historic presidency came after a student-led protest in 1988 that today is called Deaf President Now (DPN). DPN was a turning point in the lives of deaf people worldwide, and Jordan’s term as president was a beacon of self-
determination and empowerment for deaf and hard-of-hearing people everywhere.
In addition to holding positions as professor, department chair, dean, and president, Jordan holds 11 honorary degrees and has been the recipient of numerous awards, among them the Presidential Citizens Medal, the James L. Fisher Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, the Larry Stewart Award from the American Psychological Association, and the Distinguished Leadership Award from the National Association for Community Leadership.
For more information, call 412-648-1373.
Lecture is open to the public.
The Thornburgh Family Lecture Series in Disability Law and Policy was created through the generosity of Dick and Ginny Thornburgh. As 2003 recipients of the Henry B. Betts Award, the Thornburghs donated the proceeds from the award to the University of Pittsburgh to establish this lecture series. The fund has been supplemented by grants from the Office of the Chancellor, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and School of Law.
This course has been approved by the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board for one and one-half (1.5) hours of substantive credit. Register at the door.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Richard sent a message about a techie gathering. Open Street Maps visits Pittsburgh
Email message says:
I'm organizing an OpenStreetMap mapping party for Pittsburgh on or about the weekend of the 15th or the weekend of the 22nd of November. And I need some local Pittsburgh knowledge as a reality check.
Can you tell if there are any advantages / disadvantages of the two dates in terms of Pittsburgh events that would conflict or enhance the event?
And could you suggest a venue for the event? Ideally we like to have a public-ish venue with free wifi and close to public transit and something cool to add to the map.
Do you know of some local technology sites / blogs that would be interested in promoting the event?
Can you tell me of any local cycling, hiking, mountain biking, running groups that might be interested?
And if you would like to help me organize the event beyond the very helpful answers to my questions, I would be thrilled to co-host with you.
Best regards,
Richard Weait.
==
You can also read the message at http://www.openstreetmap.org/message/read/22243
and you can reply at http://www.openstreetmap.org/message/reply/22243
Chill out. You didn't miss the 3rd party debate. We get to watch game 7 without feeling guilty
Game 7 of a baseball series is tonight. It is do or die for both the Red Soc and Devil Rays. But for the 3rd party candidates for US President, it is like a snow day. They've seen their final exam washed out and have an extra week to cram before the big show.
Free and Equal: "Presidential Debate Rescheduled for October 23rd in Washington D.C.
The Independent/Third Party Presidential Debate to have been held in New York at Columbia University on Sunday Oct. 19th has been rescheduled, and will occur on Thursday evening at 9pm EST, October 23 in Washington DC.
Powell, Colin, not David, gives more than thumbs up to the Senator from Illinois
Post-Gazette NOW Powell endorses Obama, chides McCain campaignDavid Powell, the chair of the Libertarian Party of Allegheny County, spoke last week and said he might have been able to vote for the Obama of 2005, but not of 2008, due to his votes on a few key issues in recent years. However, the other Powell, a guy who doesn't give endorsements, until today, had things to say.
I didn't watch the show, but my wife and mother-in-law did. She had it on tape and they rushed to see it after church this morning.
My wife said that there wasn't one thing from Colin Powell that she was in disagreement with. Wow. She said that what he said on Meet The Press was just what she has been saying for many months now.
It's over for McCain. The only thing that Obama needs to do from today forward is keep playing the statements from Colin Powell. Those are her reactions.
For me, I'll watch on Monday after I cool down from Sunday night swim practice with the Phillips kids and Podcamp Pittsburgh, PCPGH3.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Working on my PodCamp Pittsburgh PCPGH presentation
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| From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events |
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| From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events |
It is a small world.
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| From people & vips |
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| From people & vips |
Friday, October 17, 2008
Print your badge, yet? Tonight's social on the South Side for a kick-off.
I'll be on the South Side for a PodCamp kickoff party tonight, after swim practice, of course. It is at AlphaLab (2325 East Carson Street, 15203). Called the official icebreaker. Tonight, on Friday, Oct 17, from 6–8 PM. Enjoy appetizers, drinks and the opportunity to meet your fellow social media explorers, all under the roof of ittsburgh’s new incubator for tech startups.
Still to Come, the Third-Party Debate - The Caucus Blog - NYTimes.com
Interesting.
It would be a hoot and a winning move if either Obama or McCain showed up for these debates. One could go on Saturday and then the next would need to be there when this was a success.
I can dream, can't I?
Bob, pack your bags.
Still to Come, the Third-Party Debate - The Caucus Blog - NYTimes.com Still to Come, the Third-Party DebateIf Bob Barr does not show up to this event, he'll be a jackass in my book. Of course he'll be there. Of course he is just inserting a little drama into the event. Of course he is not going to sink his and our principles and be cowardly.
By Leslie Wayne
If you haven’t gotten your fill of presidential debates after watching the McCain-Obama match-up this evening, mark your calendar for Sunday night.
That’s when Free and Equal.Org, a group formed to encourage third-party candidacies, is promoting a debate at the Columbia Political Union at Columbia University in New York for all six candidates seeking the presidency. The group is pretty much resigned to the fact that neither Senator John McCain nor Senator Barack Obama will be there.
But, others will show, they say. Amy Goodman, principal host of “Democracy Now!” a program of the left-leaning Pacifica radio, will host the event. C-SPAN will also be there to record it. Ms. Goodman, in a recent syndicated column, called for opening the current two-party debates, to more candidates. “It will not only make for better television,’’ said Ms. Goodman in her column, “it will make for better democracy.”
Just exactly who will be there is still murky, since certified letters have just gone out to all candidates, say event organizers. Ralph Nader, who is on the ballot in 45 states as an independent candidate, has indicated he will show up. Cynthia McKinney, former member of Congress from Georgia and the Green Party candidate, will also be there, according to her website. Ms. McKinney is on the ballot in 30 states. Also invited is Chuck Baldwin, running on the Constitution Party ticket in 35 states.
Mr. Baldwin is perhaps the least known of the group. He’s an evangelical minister and hosts a conservative talk show in the Florida panhandle region. He also has gained the endorsement of Ron Paul, whose bid for the Republican nomination garnered a loyal and enthusiastic following.
The only question mark is Bob Barr, the Libertarian Party candidate. Mr. Barr has made it clear that he will only debate Mr. Nader and no one else.
Christina M. Tobin, an event organizer and a Nader campaign staffer, said that she “challenges” Mr. Barr to show up.
“Let him show that he is a true Libertarian,” said Ms. Tobin, who grew up in a prominent Libertarian family. “This is a golden opportunity to get exposure and for people to hear his views. For him not to show up would be denying his Libertarian principles.”
Ms. Tobin added that if this event, which will be held at 8 p.m. is successful, her group plans to hold another one a few days later.
It would be a hoot and a winning move if either Obama or McCain showed up for these debates. One could go on Saturday and then the next would need to be there when this was a success.
I can dream, can't I?
Bob, pack your bags.
Catherine's Cover Story has hit with the release of The Hearing Journal
Catherine and crew at UPMC/Pitt have a cover story in a professional journal that is now hitting mailboxes and the web (with a PDF).
Nutshell without even reading the article: Modern life is about being a continual learner and critical thinker. Both are necessary for success.
Trust isn't a slam dunk as it once was. People can gobble up a bunch of mush and not have the skills, capacity nor value for the critical thinking and they'll be lost at sea, rudderless.
The sidebar of the article by Gus talks about how Catherine has been able to shape the field. Catherine's insistance that the product manufacturers present data with study design and depth not expected before -- shall we say -- raises the bar for the profession.
Critical consumers are great, as are critical voters and 'thinking again.'
Cover Story: Is it Real? Research Evaluation for Audiology Literature Catherine V. Palmer, Elaine Mormer, Amanda Ortmann, Dvid Byrne, and Lindsey Keogh October 2008 The Hearing Journal: "Cover Story: Is it Real? Research Evaluation for Audiology LiteratureThe cover illustration look sharp.
Catherine V. Palmer, Elaine Mormer, Amanda Ortmann, Dvid Byrne, and Lindsey Keogh
Cover Story: Is it Real? Research Evaluation for Audiology Literature
Catherine V. Palmer, Elaine Mormer, Amanda Ortmann, Dvid Byrne, and Lindsey Keogh
Nutshell without even reading the article: Modern life is about being a continual learner and critical thinker. Both are necessary for success.
Trust isn't a slam dunk as it once was. People can gobble up a bunch of mush and not have the skills, capacity nor value for the critical thinking and they'll be lost at sea, rudderless.
The sidebar of the article by Gus talks about how Catherine has been able to shape the field. Catherine's insistance that the product manufacturers present data with study design and depth not expected before -- shall we say -- raises the bar for the profession.
Critical consumers are great, as are critical voters and 'thinking again.'
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Could this be Podcamp Pittsburgh
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| From Tech Pointers of Mark Rauterkus |
They'll be huddled around some computers this weekend, just as they were in Beijing to watch and witness.
Dave Copeland is coming home
Running Mate News!
Plus, the trip to South Africa sounds great. You know, the football world will be in South Africa too. When is the world cup matched with your visit there?
If you are going to be there the same time, expect to pay about a zillion times more for hotel and air fare. Well, not a zillion, but five times at least.
Dave Copeland: "Other news: I booked a flight and a hotel with plans of running the resurrected Pittsburgh Marathon on May3, 2009."Great news David.
Plus, the trip to South Africa sounds great. You know, the football world will be in South Africa too. When is the world cup matched with your visit there?
If you are going to be there the same time, expect to pay about a zillion times more for hotel and air fare. Well, not a zillion, but five times at least.
What are you doing Sunday afternoon? Hope to see you at Pgh Art Institute.
This Sunday, I'll be presenting at Pittsburgh's Podcamp. One session is going to talk about this. The other will be more localized and talk about politics. Hope you can be there. See the link to the upper left side of this blog. PGHPC3.
City Paper covers the Rev Burgess, now on council
A big feature in Pgh City Paper covers a member of Pittsburgh's city council, Rev. Ricky Burgess.
Practicing What He Preaches - The Rev. Ricky Burgess tries to heal the wounds of District 9 - Main Feature - Main Feature - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh Practicing What He PreachesMy thoughts soon enough. What do you think?
The Rev. Ricky Burgess tries to heal the wounds of District 9
Groups can't challenge Stadium Authority land sale, lawyer says
Residents don't have standing, so they think, unless they're already purchased and know their role as part of the status quo machine.
Local government has too many bits of property. Much of this needs to be sold. However, it can't be done at prices that make the rich richer.
Insanity is selling property at $8 when it should sell at $58.
"It is outrageous for the Stadium Authority to claim there is no public right to question whether they are serving the public's interests," he said in a statement.
Groups can't challenge Stadium Authority land sale, lawyer says The city's Stadium Authority is asking a judge to throw out a lawsuit filed by two groups challenging the sale of land between Heinz Field and PNC Park for a proposed hotel development, claiming both lacked standing to press their claims.This isn't a case of every night being a potential nightmare. No way. Rather, we want to save hopes of brewing a nightmare for government trasactions whenever it acts on behalf of special interests to rip off taxpayers.
Local government has too many bits of property. Much of this needs to be sold. However, it can't be done at prices that make the rich richer.
Insanity is selling property at $8 when it should sell at $58.
"It is outrageous for the Stadium Authority to claim there is no public right to question whether they are serving the public's interests," he said in a statement.
From Peking Duck to Chicken Licken -- or Chicken Little
I guess Chicken Licken is the UK bloke's name. We call him "Chicken Little" don't we?
See the link on this page: Uploaded a simple PDF slide show from our Beijing visit.
More to come.
BBC SPORT | Olympics/Paralympics blog From Peking Duck to Chicken Licken in just two months. No wonder the mood was a little muted.The mood of the Olympics has shifted now that the world's finance crash has come.
See the link on this page: Uploaded a simple PDF slide show from our Beijing visit.
More to come.
Victory on the parking give-a-way
This is good news.
It is not good public policy to use bribes to get people to visit, come nor stay in Pittsburgh. Sweeten this and you still get this, if you know what I mean.
No Free Parking For Downtown Holiday ShoppersFor years, wrongly, the city has been giving away parking to a select few.
PITTSBURGH -- There will be no free parking this year for shoppers in downtown Pittsburgh, according to the Tribune-Review.
Last year, free parking was available on weekends during the holiday season.
However, the parking authority will not be offering free parking this year due to increased budget costs.
It is not good public policy to use bribes to get people to visit, come nor stay in Pittsburgh. Sweeten this and you still get this, if you know what I mean.
Trash day was this morning, but there is no pick-up for recycling until NEXT WEEK
In the South Side, we've got dozens of folks who put out the blue bags for trash pick-up for recycled waste on the wrong weeks. I'd hate to see you get a $500 fine.
Other areas of the city are catching up to us in other areas too, it seems.
Citizen alert:
Other areas of the city are catching up to us in other areas too, it seems.
Citizen alert:
Criminal mischief in the East end
Over the last several weeks we have had a large number of reports on someone damaging flower pots, trash cans, breaking into cars, and stealing from peoples homes. Please remember that there are few tips you may want to try;
1. Always remember to check your doors on your car to make sure there locked before walking away.
2. Remember not to leave anything that criminal might want in plain view. This small mistake could lead them to break into your car, and then to something more valuable that you may have hidden.
3. Leaving items on your front porch either secured or not, is not a good idea. these criminals are willing to take the risk of stealing off of your property.
4. Finally, look out for you neighbors and hope they will do the same for you. Become a part of your neighborhood blockwatch, or if you don’t have one call your zone Community Relations Officer to start one.
Internet Archive Link of Bob Barr
The 70-minute video of Bob Barr speaking at CMU has been posted to The Internet Archive:
http://www.archive.org/download/Rauterkus-BobBarrSpeaksAtCMUInPittsburgh924/Rauterkus-BobBarrSpeaksAtCMUInPittsburgh924.wmv
http://www.archive.org/download/Rauterkus-BobBarrSpeaksAtCMUInPittsburgh924/Rauterkus-BobBarrSpeaksAtCMUInPittsburgh924.wmv
Is Pennsylvania a Pro-Pedophile State?
You be the judge
By Mike Ference
PA State Rep. Lisa Bennington, D-Allegheny County, held a press on May 12, 2008, in Harrisburg, PA to discuss House Bill 1137, legislation known as the Child Victim’s Act of Pennsylvania, which addresses statute of limitations and identifying sex abusers.
If the bill passes, it would change the age at which a civil suit could be filed from until the accuser is 30 to 50, bringing the civil statute of limitations in line with the criminal statute. The bill would also suspend the civil statute of limitations for two years in child sex abuse cases in which the statute has expired so that people over the age limit could file a suit. And it would allow the filing of such actions against child sex abusers and their enablers in both public and private institutions.
According to Bennington, it’s the private institutions where offenders have been allowed to move on and continue with their lives. “Their victims have been left behind to pick up the pieces, never getting their day in court and or a chance to see justice carried out. They live with this horrific crime for the rest of their lives,” she points out.
A 2005 Philadelphia Grand Jury Report uncovered 63 priests in the Philadelphia archdiocese who had abused hundreds of children over several decades. In some cases, archdiocese leaders intentionally concealed the abuse to protect the church.
And Bennington stresses, her bill does not target the Catholic Church. Rather, “it pertains to all religious institutions, public schools, youth groups and any organization where child sex abuse has occurred. This bill would give all Pennsylvania victims their fundamental right to hold those accountable that afflicted or allowed the abuse to occur.”
Sounds reasonable and seems like a good thing. Similar legislation has passed in California and Delaware in recent years. In California, about 1,000 victims came forward and 300 predators were identified. Yet, there’s one PA lawmaker who strongly opposes the legislation and doesn’t even intend to give the bill a hearing.
State Rep. Thomas R.Caltagirone D., (Berks County), the House Judiciary Committee chairman, says the proposed bill is driven by victims’ desire to win large legal payouts. Caltagirone goes on to say the bill is all about money, not about justice.
Ironically, Caltagirone was quick to vote with fellow legislators for a 50 percent increase in their pensions in 2001 and the infamous middle of the night pay raise in 2005. The state rep along with other lawmakers chose to take the self-induced pay grab immediately in unvouchered expenses. Many PA residents felt this made the elected officials look like money-hungry crooks, as it was eventually declared unconstitutional.
As expected, the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference deplores the bill. Choosing to continue to protect perverted priests, rather than seek justice. Likewise, the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania is also against the bill. And while Caltagirone has officially declared HB1137 dead, his puppy-protection bill seems to be racing for the finish line.
Could the PA state rep be more concerned about protecting puppies than innocent children abused as sex toys by grown men and women? His recently unveiled, HB 2532 which would forbid dog owners from performing surgery on their pups went before the Judiciary Committee on May 14 and could be voted on as early as June 10.
As someone who has been investigating clergy abuse in Pennsylvania for almost 20 years, this writer can’t help but thing that something is amiss.
On the eastern side of the commonwealth of PA the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office issued a scathing report on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for the high level of sexual abuse among Catholic priests and the cover ups and the reassigning of credibly accused Catholic priests by Cardinals Bevilacqua and Krol and their aides. It should be noted that Bevilacqua first served as Bishop of the Pittsburgh Diocese before his transfer to Philadelphia. Insiders claim Bevilacqua left his successor, Donald Wuerl, quite a mess.
For example, while Bevilacqua was still assigned to the Pittsburgh Diocese he agreed to place Fr. John P. Connor, an admitted child molester first within the Pittsburgh Diocese and later, after Bevilacqua took over in Philadelphia Fr. Connor was assigned there. According to testimony in the Philadelphia Grand Jury the arrangement was based on a “tradition of bishops helping bishops.” Sadly, Fr. Connor went on to abuse others and Bevilacqua was found to be a liar according to the grand jury report.
One has to wonder why the Pittsburgh Diocese voluntarily settled with 32 alleged survivors of clergy abuse. $1.25 million for crimes the Pittsburgh Diocese will never have to admit ever occurred. The settlement would not tarnish the stellar reputation of Archbishop Donald Wuerl who never had to pay a dime to any clergy abuse victims during his tenure as bishop in the Pittsburgh Diocese.
Oddly enough, an underling – so to speak – Auxiliary Bishop Bradley reconciled the situation, only weeks before Bishop David Zubik was to be installed as the new leader of the diocese. So it seems everything fell into place.
Thirty-two survivors received a few bucks, the diocese is off the hook for any future civil or maybe even criminal suits based on the settlement. Wuerl continues to do in Washington D.C. whatever it is that Archbishops do and Zubik was allowed to get a fresh start in the Pittsburgh Diocese without the interference of those civil suits that were resting in limbo for several years.
The settling of the civil suits certainly allowed for an impressive and dignified installation of Bishop Zubik, no hecklers or demonstrators from any groups with compassion for children sexually abused by Catholic priests.
And, although I have no proof, nor anyway to calculate, I would be willing to bet the farm that more money was spent on Zubik’s festivities than was awarded to 32 survivors of alleged abuse by Catholic priests from the Pittsburgh Diocese. No big deal, the worst is over.
Unless of course, somewhere down the road – maybe a year, a few months, a couple of weeks, or perhaps in the next few days – information turns up that the cases of sexual abuse actually occurred and that cover ups were the norm in the Pittsburgh Diocese just like cover ups and shifting priests from parish to parish was the norm in the archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Anyone with a little common sense would be concerned that a man of the cloth might be tempted to hide crimes of clergy sexual abuse of young children only on the eastern side of the commonwealth of PA and not the western side as well.
That’s a lot of ifs ands or buts – only time will tell if Pennsylvania is indeed a pro-pedophile state. For now it’s three cheers for Rep Bennington and HB 1137 as for Rep. Caltagirone – one politician who obviously cares more about dogs than children – maybe it’s time for the law maker to rollover and play dead.Mike Ference is an entrepreneur, writer, speaker and amateur investigative
reporter who has been probing clergy abuse in Pennsylvania for almost 20
years. He’s currently sharing details about his investigation with
Pennsylvania State Trooper John Woodruff. Is a formal investigation
forthcoming? Only time will tell. Mike Ference may be reached at
412-233-5491 or email him at Ference@icubed.com.
Verify our voting software before November
Make sure that our voting software is the approved and authentic software!
Our county has never checked. They must do it before this November's election. The county isresponsible for safeguarding our voting software. Please, politely call Dan Onorato, D, Allegheny County Executive, 412-350-6500. He has blocked this request for months.
Voters of Allegheny County want our voting software verified. Authenticate our voting machines Dan. The public has a right to know that our software is authentic. No more excuses and delays. This was promised two years ago.
http://Pa-verifiedvoting.org
Our county has never checked. They must do it before this November's election. The county isresponsible for safeguarding our voting software. Please, politely call Dan Onorato, D, Allegheny County Executive, 412-350-6500. He has blocked this request for months.
Voters of Allegheny County want our voting software verified. Authenticate our voting machines Dan. The public has a right to know that our software is authentic. No more excuses and delays. This was promised two years ago.
http://Pa-verifiedvoting.org
Bob-Barr08-CMU-all.wmv
Oct 10, 2008 Bob Barr, Libertarian candidate for US President, gives a one-hour talk in Pittsburgh at Carnegie Mellon University on October 10, 2008.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Bob Barr speech via Google Video
The same 1-hour 10-minute presentation from Pittsburgh's CMU that featured Bob Barr, Libertarian candidate for US President.
Depending upon your computer and net connection, you might have better success watching from Google Video or Blip.TV.
Oct. 16, National Ferrell Cat Day
National Ferrell Cat Day is Thursday! There is no content on the page at wikipedia about ferrell cats. http://en.wikipedia.org/Ferrell_cat
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Through the miracle of modern technology, voters will finally have a chance to compare Bob Barr with Barack Obama and John McCain.
Starting this evening at 9:00 PM EDT, live and concurrent with the broadcast of the closed debate between the Republican and Democratic nominees, you will be able to see where Bob differs with his opponents. Using digital video recording technology, Bob's responses to the moderator's questions will be spliced in in real time for viewing at the campaign's website at www.bobbarr2008.com/counterdebate Bob will be broadcasting from Newport News, Virginia on the campus of Christopher Newport University before a live audience.
I encourage you to watch and I ask a favor of you. Would you please forward this message to your friends who may be interested? This is their chance to learn that there's not a dime's worth of difference between McCain and Obama - and that Bob Barr offers hope for real change in Washington.
I encourage you to watch and I ask a favor of you. Would you please forward this message to your friends who may be interested? This is their chance to learn that there's not a dime's worth of difference between McCain and Obama - and that Bob Barr offers hope for real change in Washington.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Election Day ballot includes on PA referendum question
On Election Day, Nov. 4, 2008, voters in Pennsylvania decide on a statewide referendum question.
The lone statewide referendum isn't about the drink tax, giggle. Keep reading.
Touch screen ballots will ask whether the state should incur $400 million in new debt to pay for repairs to the state's water and sewage infrastructure.
The funding would be provided in grants and loans to municipalities and public utilities for various construction, improvements, expansions, or repairs to our drinking, storm, and wastewater treatment systems. Projects could also aim to alleviate pollution created by rainfall, snowmelt, former mining operations, urban and agricultural runoff, and sewage systems. Grants and loans would be awarded by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority.
Judges are still in the process of deciding about the Allegheny County questions about reducing the drink tax.
America could use a few Lessons in Liberty?
Campaign Updates Could America use a few Lessons in Liberty?"Could America use a few Lessons in Liberty?"Of course we need lessons in liberty. But, I don't like the sales question to be asked. New book: Lessons In Liberty.
Sadly, when Bob Barr visited Pittsburgh on Friday there were no books on hand for sale. This book is another book.
New parents group wants city school board's ear
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 By Joe Smydo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A group of parents and taxpayers is coalescing around concerns about the Pittsburgh Public Schools' changes to middle grades and high schools.
Parents United for Responsible Educational Reform introduced itself to the school board last night, saying it expects input into district initiatives and wants officials to answer a raft of questions about school changes.
The group sprang, in part, from some members' unsuccessful fight last school year to stop the closing of the Pittsburgh Schenley High School building. At the time, parents said the district didn't listen to their views or adequately plan for Schenley's dismantling.
Now, they're hoping an organized, unified voice will force officials to pay attention.
"PURE Reform's mission is to review district proposals for public school reform, ask relevant questions, pursue answers to those questions and in general seek transparency and effective public participation in the reform process. We act as a clearinghouse for parents to seek and share information," Annette Werner, a Shadyside resident and group steering committee member, said at a news conference outside district offices.
Later, at the school board's monthly public hearing, Ms. Werner said a commitment to public input only can help the district's leadership turn city schools around.
The district's six-year strategic plan, up for a board vote next month, emphasizes the importance of community input. Asked about the work PURE Reform plans to do, school Superintendent Mark Roosevelt said, "I have no problem with it at all."
Ms. Werner said the group so far has interested "hundreds" of school supporters. It has a Web site at http://www.purereform.com.
Its concerns include whether schools configured for grades six through 12 are effective. The district is moving forward with plans for four such schools, including two that will absorb Schenley's student body.
The group also has questions about extracurricular activities in six through 12 schools, the district's system for evaluating principals and district enrollment decline. In all, 20 questions are posted on the group's Web site.
"Questions we have been asking in person, in the press, via e-mail, via letter and to the school board for more than a year have largely gone unanswered," Ms. Werner said before the hearing.
Ms. Werner said the group wants to work with district officials, not be in conflict with them. But she said the group intends to make an impact -- and get answers to those questions.
"We look forward to the district's response," she told the school board.
Missing cat stirs post-no-bills debate. New champions of US Constitution have 4 legs!
Conventional wisdom says that a dog is man's best friend. Only in Pittsburgh can the four-legged pets be best friends to the US Constitution.
Getting the signs torn down is bad -- but wait for the bill to arrive. There can be fines too.
I don't want some city employee to be the one who determines the reasonable numbers and durations for signs. If the sign is about fluffy -- okay. If it is about freedom -- then watch out.
So, the public officials are to tolerate some statements, despite the city code's overall ban on posting fliers on public surfaces, but take others to jail. That's a typical Councilman Bruce Kraus' effort.
Life is always about an exemption from the bans when the bans are everywhere. Rather than make these exceptions to undo the loss of freedom, it would be refreshing to just propose freedom in the first place. Use what is already in place, at the least.
Now it is written -- at least in the newspaper and this blog. Unwritten rules from government officials are not healthy.
"A written policy is in the works," he said.
How many exemptions are there?
Darn constitution gets in the way of another pea-headed action by some over-reaching legislative do-gooder.
Now we've got constutional champions named "Mochi."
The issue came to the fore when the Shadyside owners of Mochi, a Shiba Inu, were threatened with a fine for posting lost pet signs. The city withdrew the threat, the signs went back up, but the dog was not found.
Mr. Stocke said his friendly, black, white and brown long-haired Mulva has been spotted by someone put on alert by the fliers, but hasn't yet been caught.
Tell Bruce Kraus to put the animal shelter public service announcements at the end of the meetings or at another time.
Thanks to Bruce Kraus, this is what our city is doing and worrying about.
From china - sculpture
Missing cat stirs post-no-bills debate: "When John Stocke's cat, Mulva, got away two weeks ago, he put up lost pet signs, hoping the city of Pittsburgh government had decided how to handle fliers for finding Fluffy or Fido.Furthermore, the start of the weekly city council meetings, Bruce Kraus is keen on putting the cats and dogs of animal shelter at the front of the agenda, before the business of the city and before the citizens have a chance to speak.
He soon learned otherwise when, a few days later, a Department of Public Works employee started ripping them down.
'They take 3 percent of my income and spend it obstructing my efforts to find a lost pet?' he fumed. (The city's earned income tax is shared with the school district.) He said he then called the department, and was told he could keep the signs up for just three days.
Getting the signs torn down is bad -- but wait for the bill to arrive. There can be fines too.
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| From PPS Safety |
I don't want some city employee to be the one who determines the reasonable numbers and durations for signs. If the sign is about fluffy -- okay. If it is about freedom -- then watch out.
So, the public officials are to tolerate some statements, despite the city code's overall ban on posting fliers on public surfaces, but take others to jail. That's a typical Councilman Bruce Kraus' effort.
 |
| Lost cat! From china - sculpture |
"There was some miscommunication with these posters," said Mr. Costa of Mr. Stocke's signs.
He said his employees are supposed to remove most fliers. "We do allow lost pet fliers only when they're at intersections," he said. There are two other unwritten rules: "[Do] not blanket the area and don't exceed two-week postings."
Now it is written -- at least in the newspaper and this blog. Unwritten rules from government officials are not healthy.
"A written policy is in the works," he said.
How many exemptions are there?
That could be tricky. In July, Mr. Kraus included a line in a piece of advertising legislation saying that the city's post-no-bills rule "does not prevent the posting of fliers regarding lost pets."
"We had to take it out," he said, because he concluded that the exception would favor one message over others, and could be deemed unconstitutional.
Darn constitution gets in the way of another pea-headed action by some over-reaching legislative do-gooder.
Now we've got constutional champions named "Mochi."
The issue came to the fore when the Shadyside owners of Mochi, a Shiba Inu, were threatened with a fine for posting lost pet signs. The city withdrew the threat, the signs went back up, but the dog was not found.
Mr. Stocke said his friendly, black, white and brown long-haired Mulva has been spotted by someone put on alert by the fliers, but hasn't yet been caught.
Tell Bruce Kraus to put the animal shelter public service announcements at the end of the meetings or at another time.
Monday, October 13, 2008
What about this quality? Reactions welcomed
Save me from making a mistake! Feedback welcome.
What do you think? Too hard to see? Too small?
We're playing with a new PC and video software settings, in advance of PghPodcamp, of course.
Test #2 goes here:
What do you think? Too hard to see? Too small?
We're playing with a new PC and video software settings, in advance of PghPodcamp, of course.
Test #2 goes here:
OpenOffice.org turns 3.0 with general release
The OpenOffice.org Community is today announcing the general availability of OpenOffice.org Version 3. Right from the opening screen, OpenOffice.org 3 has a fresh new look, with a new start screen, new splash screen, new icons, and a host of usability improvements.I've been using OpenOffice.org's prior releases and it is working well. I'm going to upgrade to the general release on all of our PCs and Macs now.
The Writer word processor has a cool new slider control for zooming, allows multi-page display while editing, has powerful new multilingual support, and boasts improved notes capabilities. As well as conventional office documents, Writer can now edit wiki documents for the web.
The Calc spreadsheet has been given another increase in capacity - now up to 1024 columns per sheet. It also has a powerful new equation solver, and a great new collaboration feature for multiple users.
Draw can now cope with poster-size graphics (up to 3sq metres), and Impress supports multiple monitors for presentations. Chart now produces much more clean looking graphics by default, and has a range of additional features requested by power users.
The popular built-in PDF export facility has been further enhanced with PDF/A support and a range of new user-selectable options.
OpenOffice.org 3 is now also available for the first time as a full Mac OS X application, bringing the power of the world's leading open-source office suite to a whole new group of users. And it's even easier than ever to persuade MS-Office users to upgrade to OpenOffice.org, with new support for MS-Access 2007 'accdb' files, improved support for VBA macros, and a new ability to read MS-Office Open XML files (Microsoft Office 2007 and Office 2008 documents)
OpenOffice.org's support for extensions is really coming of age with OpenOffice.org 3. A rapidly expanding number of additional features are available from different developers to add great features such as an Impress presenter console, support for business analytics, PDF import, and a whole new way of supporting additional languages.
Tell your friends that 2008 is 'The Year of 3'; - the year we released OpenOffice.org 3; the year we make OpenOffice.org available on all 3 major computing platforms (MS-Windows, GNU/Linux, and Mac OS X); and the year to realise the 3 key benefits of OpenOffice.org: it's great software; it's easy to use; and it's free.
Links
Official Press Release: http://www.prweb.com/releases/OOo/3/prweb1459364.htm
Download: http://download.openoffice.org
Guide to new features: http://www.openoffice.org/dev_docs/features/3.0
Technical release notes: http://development.openoffice.org/releases/3.0.0.html
Availability of localised versions and ports: http://download.openoffice.org/other.html
The OpenOffice.org Community
The Tartan Online : Residences on Beeler Street put under law scrutiny
The Tartan Online : Residences on Beeler Street put under law scrutiny: "The independence of Carnegie Mellon students living on Beeler Street is under the public eye and may soon be tested. In the past month, a grievance has been filed with the city citing a Pittsburgh ordinance that makes it illegal for landlords to rent out houses to a group of more than three unrelated residents.The bills to send a student to CMU exceed $50,000 per year and the city is picking a fight with these kids. Golly. There are plenty of matters to focus upon with the city. Even with the life of the college students some matters do need to be addressed.
Here, again, they miss the mark.
The city needs to make a crack down on bad behaviors where victims are involved. Do not get hell-bent on the enforcement of bad laws where there are no victims.
Should there be people from an address that has problems with trash -- fix it.
Should there be some individuals who are loud and disturb neighbors at late hours -- visit them, fix it, and as necessary, have them pay damages to the victims.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Ueberroth goes on offensive in IOC money dispute - Olympics - Yahoo! Sports
Simple math isn't simple when you deploy a pie chart merged with a round globe. Real world math, real world sports, UN style bills, and pocketbook sportsmanship. Humm.
Ueberroth goes on offensive in IOC money dispute - Olympics - Yahoo! Sports: "“Who pays the bill for the world Olympic movement?” Ueberroth said Saturday in his final speech as USOC chairman. “Make no mistake about it. Starting in 1988, U.S. corporations have paid 60 percent of all the money, period. Be sure you all understand that. The rest of the world pays 40 percent. It’s pretty simple math.”
It was Ueberroth’s first extensive response to comments made by European IOC members Denis Oswald and Hein Verbruggen, who said earlier this year that the amount of money the USOC received was not morally acceptable and called for the revenue-sharing deal to be revisited.
Libertarian candidate Barr attacks 'comfort zone' - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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| From people & vips |
Libertarian candidate Barr attacks 'comfort zone' - Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewLibertarian candidate Barr attacks 'comfort zone'"Another good review of the talk.
By Tony LaRussa, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr of Georgia touched on economics, energy policy and national defense during an hourlong speech Friday evening on the campus of Carnegie Mellon University.
Barr portrayed himself as a political outsider who does not meet the qualifications that the media and political pundits are using to judge the Democratic and Republican candidates for president and vice president.
"You might notice that I'm not wearing a flag lapel pin," Barr said, referring to public criticisms leveled in the primary against Democrat Barack Obama, who began wearing one after the issue was raised.
"And I only have one house -- but more importantly, I don't care how many houses these candidates have," a reference to criticisms against Republican John McCain, who hesitated when asked how many homes he and his wife, Cindy, own.
McCain, who has seven homes, later said he was unsure how to answer because he did not know if he should include the homes the couple have provided for their children.
Barr criticized the debate process, which does not include third-party candidates and permits the candidates to set the rules. The problem, Barr said, is that it allows the candidates to "stay in their comfort zone," a term he repeated at least a half-dozen times during his presentation.
"To us, a debate is a real exchange of ideas," he said. "By definition, it is pulling somebody outside their comfort zone."
Barr, who represented the 7th District of Georgia in the U. S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003, spent most of his time providing a professorial outline of major issues, including:
• The economic crisis: He strongly opposes government bailouts of financial institutions.
• Energy policy: He supports domestic oil drilling as a bridge to the development of alternative energy sources.
• The Iraq war: He would seek advice from military leaders to develop a strategy for troop reduction.
The P-G posted an article, scroll below, on the web site. However, that article did not appear in the print edition.
And, because I have a lot of photos, here is another.
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| From people & vips |
Friday, October 10, 2008
Barr brings long-shot campaign to CMU
Introduction from Dave Powell, Chair, Allegheny County Libertarian Party:
Thank you all for coming out, I know you all must be busy.
The subject of this lecture series is political leadership. Like many people here, I got very active in politics with the Ron Paul campaign. I’ll just say right up front that I can think of no other current leader in Congress other than Ron Paul that has any kind of credibility whatsoever.
I would also say that this lack of credibility extends to Senators Barrack and McCain. I might have been able to vote for the Obama of 2005. But he voted vote the MCA, the Patriot act extension and to extend funding for the illegal Iraq war.
So no HOPE or CHANGE for me then.
I went to campaignforliberty.com’s Rally for the Republic in September, which was a great event… no tear gas like the GOP rally, but, you know, fun nonetheless. The cops did bring their gasmasks later in the afternoon but, you know, the mood was gone.
I heard this at the Rally so I can’t claim authorship of this but it’s one of the truest things I’ve heard in years. Sometimes it seems that we have a choice between the Evil party and the Stupid party, as they enact laws that are evil or stupid. Sometimes, though, we get laws that are Evil *AND* stupid. ****We call this Bipartisanship****
And so it is with the Great Wall Street Bailout.
If I could go back in time 10 years and ask myself what I thought about Credit Default Swaps, Habeaus Corpus, RFID chips, or waterboarding I would probably have returned a fairly hostile stare and said “What the hell is all that? Stay away from me you WEIRDO!”
So I must ask:
Do we *want* to be activists? Do we *WANT* to be out hanging flyers at midnight? Do we *want* to be answering emails at 3AM? Do I WANT to be here in a hot suit, talking about politics and arcane Constitutional and financial matters?
NO! We have a lot of things we’d rather be doing. We have families and hobbies and some *really good TV* to watch (My Name is Earl just started back up)…but, for some reason we are all here.
WHY is that? Why is that?
It’s because WE HAVE to be
We HAVE To be activists.
WE HAVE to fight for change –Real change.
I am here today because the government has taken away your rights to Habeus Corpus.
I am here because waterboarding is something that *your* tax dollars pay for.
I am here because this deficit spending is nothing more than stealing from our children and grandchildren. The New York City Debt clock was not big enough anymore – THEY HAD TO UPGRADE IT!!!
I am here because the constitution is the framework that enables our country to be great, and our government has been ignoring it for far too long.
If the government does not follow the law THEN THERE IS NO LAW. It is a government of men, with all their imperfections, shortcomings, and faults.
So, if I may take a moment to address the Financial crisis:
You cannot fix a leaky dam with more water. You cannot fix a debt problem with more debt, it’s as simple as that. You cannot prop up failing businesses with tax dollars. We, in this area, know this firsthand, but they don’t seem to know it yet in D.C. And make no mistake, when they talk about “Credit”, they mean “Debt”.
Failed institutions must be liquidated, so that the good stuff can be bought up by people who saved and returned to productivity as soon as possible. Any money spent to the contrary will just delay the inevitable. Look at AIG – we give them $80 billion, and after they throw themselves a half-million dollar party, they come back for some 37 more.
They authorized 700Billion dollars to hold off a stock market collapse. What did we get?
What’s it’s called again? Oh yeah - A Stock market collapse. Even the socialist independent Bernie Sanders voted against the bailout!
Now, what we *really* have to avoid is a currency collapse. As the great Mister Rogers would say: “Can you say “Hyper-inflationary Depression? Sure, I knew ya could.” In case you are unfamiliar, a currency collapse is when your country needs to sell a lot of it’s currency or debt and nobody will buy it. Or, borrow a whole lot of money, and nobody will lend it. So the central banks prints money and the currency buys less and less the more it gets printed.
If other countries stop lending us $2Billion dollars per day, our government would be forced to cut Social security, Medicare, and military spending IN HALF.
Then, instead of just stock market people going broke through inflation, *Everyone* goes broke.
This is why we must END THE FED!
I stand here today to say to all who will listen: * Your republic, *YOUR* Republic is on the Edge.
This Democratic Congress has not had the will to stand up to a corrupt Administration, preferring instead to lapdog themselves into better standing in the next round of handouts. The fact that Bob Barr, and the other 3^rd party candidates were excluded from the Presidential Debates just shows how it debate was just a big joint press conference under the guise of open debate.
We need people to take a stand. We need people to run for local office, and we have a few here tonight: David Posipanka, Titus North, and Jim Barr are all running for office, please stand guys.
We need someone to stand up against the corrupt beltway politics that are bleeding our country dry.
Folks – we have with us tonight such a man. He is a former federal prosecutor and a former member of the United States House of Representatives. He represented Georgia's 7th congressional district as a Republican from 1995 to 2003. Bob joined the Libertarian party in 2006, and served on it’s national committee.
We are all human, and therefore imperfect. Like Earle Hickey on the My Name is Earl TV show, Bob Barr has made decisions in the past that many of us don’t agree with. But like Earle Hickey, he means to make amends, no matter what it takes, and he stands before you today, as a flag-bearer of the Liberty movement, a champion of the Constitution, and a crusader for your personal freedoms.
He is willing to sacrifice to stand for office, he is Ready to lead, he is Our Candidate for the Office of President of the United States
Ladies and Gentlemen - Bob BARR!!!!!
Got some ink at the event today in the P-G, just published.
Thank you all for coming out, I know you all must be busy.
The subject of this lecture series is political leadership. Like many people here, I got very active in politics with the Ron Paul campaign. I’ll just say right up front that I can think of no other current leader in Congress other than Ron Paul that has any kind of credibility whatsoever.
I would also say that this lack of credibility extends to Senators Barrack and McCain. I might have been able to vote for the Obama of 2005. But he voted vote the MCA, the Patriot act extension and to extend funding for the illegal Iraq war.
So no HOPE or CHANGE for me then.
I went to campaignforliberty.com’s Rally for the Republic in September, which was a great event… no tear gas like the GOP rally, but, you know, fun nonetheless. The cops did bring their gasmasks later in the afternoon but, you know, the mood was gone.
I heard this at the Rally so I can’t claim authorship of this but it’s one of the truest things I’ve heard in years. Sometimes it seems that we have a choice between the Evil party and the Stupid party, as they enact laws that are evil or stupid. Sometimes, though, we get laws that are Evil *AND* stupid. ****We call this Bipartisanship****
And so it is with the Great Wall Street Bailout.
If I could go back in time 10 years and ask myself what I thought about Credit Default Swaps, Habeaus Corpus, RFID chips, or waterboarding I would probably have returned a fairly hostile stare and said “What the hell is all that? Stay away from me you WEIRDO!”
So I must ask:
Do we *want* to be activists? Do we *WANT* to be out hanging flyers at midnight? Do we *want* to be answering emails at 3AM? Do I WANT to be here in a hot suit, talking about politics and arcane Constitutional and financial matters?
NO! We have a lot of things we’d rather be doing. We have families and hobbies and some *really good TV* to watch (My Name is Earl just started back up)…but, for some reason we are all here.
WHY is that? Why is that?
It’s because WE HAVE to be
We HAVE To be activists.
WE HAVE to fight for change –Real change.
I am here today because the government has taken away your rights to Habeus Corpus.
I am here because waterboarding is something that *your* tax dollars pay for.
I am here because this deficit spending is nothing more than stealing from our children and grandchildren. The New York City Debt clock was not big enough anymore – THEY HAD TO UPGRADE IT!!!
I am here because the constitution is the framework that enables our country to be great, and our government has been ignoring it for far too long.
If the government does not follow the law THEN THERE IS NO LAW. It is a government of men, with all their imperfections, shortcomings, and faults.
So, if I may take a moment to address the Financial crisis:
You cannot fix a leaky dam with more water. You cannot fix a debt problem with more debt, it’s as simple as that. You cannot prop up failing businesses with tax dollars. We, in this area, know this firsthand, but they don’t seem to know it yet in D.C. And make no mistake, when they talk about “Credit”, they mean “Debt”.
Failed institutions must be liquidated, so that the good stuff can be bought up by people who saved and returned to productivity as soon as possible. Any money spent to the contrary will just delay the inevitable. Look at AIG – we give them $80 billion, and after they throw themselves a half-million dollar party, they come back for some 37 more.
They authorized 700Billion dollars to hold off a stock market collapse. What did we get?
What’s it’s called again? Oh yeah - A Stock market collapse. Even the socialist independent Bernie Sanders voted against the bailout!
Now, what we *really* have to avoid is a currency collapse. As the great Mister Rogers would say: “Can you say “Hyper-inflationary Depression? Sure, I knew ya could.” In case you are unfamiliar, a currency collapse is when your country needs to sell a lot of it’s currency or debt and nobody will buy it. Or, borrow a whole lot of money, and nobody will lend it. So the central banks prints money and the currency buys less and less the more it gets printed.
If other countries stop lending us $2Billion dollars per day, our government would be forced to cut Social security, Medicare, and military spending IN HALF.
Then, instead of just stock market people going broke through inflation, *Everyone* goes broke.
This is why we must END THE FED!
I stand here today to say to all who will listen: * Your republic, *YOUR* Republic is on the Edge.
This Democratic Congress has not had the will to stand up to a corrupt Administration, preferring instead to lapdog themselves into better standing in the next round of handouts. The fact that Bob Barr, and the other 3^rd party candidates were excluded from the Presidential Debates just shows how it debate was just a big joint press conference under the guise of open debate.
We need people to take a stand. We need people to run for local office, and we have a few here tonight: David Posipanka, Titus North, and Jim Barr are all running for office, please stand guys.
We need someone to stand up against the corrupt beltway politics that are bleeding our country dry.
Folks – we have with us tonight such a man. He is a former federal prosecutor and a former member of the United States House of Representatives
We are all human, and therefore imperfect. Like Earle Hickey on the My Name is Earl TV show, Bob Barr has made decisions in the past that many of us don’t agree with. But like Earle Hickey, he means to make amends, no matter what it takes, and he stands before you today, as a flag-bearer of the Liberty movement, a champion of the Constitution, and a crusader for your personal freedoms.
He is willing to sacrifice to stand for office, he is Ready to lead, he is Our Candidate for the Office of President of the United States
Ladies and Gentlemen - Bob BARR!!!!!
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| From people & vips |
Got some ink at the event today in the P-G, just published.
Barr brings long-shot campaign to CMU: "Barr brings long-shot campaign to CMUGreat re-cap.
Friday, October 10, 2008
By Dennis B. Roddy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Bob Barr, onetime bulldog of the Republican right spoke in Pittsburgh tonight, shorn of both his party membership and his allegiance to some of the policies he voted for as a Georgia congressman and promises to reverse as the first-ever Libertarian president.
He admits it's a long shot.
Mathematically, he could win the Electoral College, after surviving a gantlet of state ballot access laws and a ballot challenge in some of them.
Conventional wisdom -- the kind that usually prevails in national elections -- suggests he has little hope.
Mr. Barr, in fact, opened his speech before an audience of 150 at Carnegie Mellon University by listing his disqualifications for the nation's top office.
"You'll notice I'm not wearing an American flag lapel pin," he said He also noted he has only one house and doesn't care how many anyone else has.
Like Barack Obama, he said, he has also "had coffee with a number of people of dubious background."
"I'm not afraid to operate outside of my comfort zone," he said.
Mr. Barr represented Georgia's 7th District as a Republican from 1995 to 2003, and spearheaded the impeachment of President Clinton in 1998. He left the party after departing Congress, disillusioned, he said, with the party's trajectory away from constitutional principles.
One of Mr. Barr's key votes in Congress was to support passage of the Patriot Act in the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.
He regrets that now, saying powers to wiretap and spy have been abused.
"I voted for the Patriot Act -- something that I came very quickly to realize was a very bad vote," he said.
Mr. Barr said the administration promised the act would not be used for non-terrorism investigations and that they would report openly and fully about how the act was being implemented.
"In every instance they failed to honor those commitments," he said.
One key supporter said that change of heart is hardly a disqualification.
David Powell, Libertarian chairman for Allegheny County, likened Mr. Barr to the hero of his favorite television show, "My Name is Earl."
"Like Earl Hickey, he means to make amends, no matter what it takes," Mr. Powell said.
If Mr. Barr was there to make amends, it wasn't with leaders of either major party.
He referred to President Bush as a leader "who, similar to Sarah Palin, did not have any experience operating in the real world outside of the borders of our country."
He mocked the debates, from which he was excluded, as exercises that consist of candidates "answering questions that they want to be asked. That is not what they're going to be called on to do as president of the United States."
Last night's gathering pointed to the growing blur that has emerged between some groups on both the left and right, with right-leaning Libertarians making common cause with groups such as the overtly liberal Green Party.
Titus North, the Green Party candidate for Congress in the 14th District, delivered a speech prior to Mr. Barr's and was cheered when he attacked the Federal Reserve system, long a target of the far-right.
"The old left-right definitions don't work anymore," noted Mr. Powell.
First published on October 10, 2008 at 6:36 pm.
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| From people & vips |
Parking at CMU is free after 5 pm on weekends (starts on Friday)
In my email blast I said that there was free parking at CMU after 4 pm on Fridays -- and it is really after 5 pm. Sorry.
Fields & Co. give Pittsburgh faithful a reason for optimism - USATODAY.com
I guess this is what we talk about on a bye weekend for both football teams: the Steelers and Pitt.
Fields & Co. give Pittsburgh faithful a reason for optimism - USATODAY.com: "give Pittsburgh faithful a reason for optimism
Refuse proposal smells fishy - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Refuse proposal smells fishy - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Pittsburgh City Councilman Bruce Kraus plans to introduce legislation Tuesday mandating that owners of small apartment buildings and their tenants sign forms indicating their comprehension of city refuse collection regulations.
Violate those rules post-signature and the fines could be, well, hefty: $500 per violation for tenants and landlords after a relatively modest first-time penalty of $50.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
The Associated Press: Bailout angst provides a push for Libertarian Barr
In other news:
The Associated Press: Bailout angst provides a push for Libertarian Barr: "Bailout angst provides a push for Libertarian BarrFurthermore, Bob Barr might get the endorsement of the NRA today. Think again. NRA didn't give its endorsement nor money to the one with an A+ lifetime rating. Rather it went with the C grade candidate, McCain.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Private markets fail, politicians from both parties jump to their rescue, and taxpayers get stuck with the bill. Libertarian candidate Bob Barr couldn't have scripted a better story line to argue that Republicans and Democrats are interchangeable — with a helpless addiction to spending.
B-25 Mystery Search Picks Up Again This Weekend In Monongahela River - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh
Going fishin on the Mon!
B-25 Mystery Search Picks Up Again This Weekend In Monongahela River - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh: "Experts from the group said they are concentrating on locating the engine block, the landing gear, the tires, and the gas tank because they were all bulletproof.
Searchers said that, even if the mystery of the past isn't solved, the new search technology used could benefit others in the future.
The search takes place on Friday and Saturday
Emergency Operation - South Side councilor, residents are taking one last stab to save neighborhood hospital - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh
Emergency Operation - South Side councilor, residents are taking one last stab to save neighborhood hospital - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh Since taking office early this year, Pittsburgh City Councilor Bruce Kraus has fielded calls from South Side residents about everything from unruly drunks to the city's decision to relocate the Zone 3 police station. But nothing compares to the uproar he's heard over the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's plans to close South Side Hospital.No. It is not impressive. Huh is nothing but a time sink. It might be impressive when boy racers spin their wheels and make noise and smoke, but that is generally worthless too.
'We're pushing well into 400 letters,' Kraus says, dropping three two-inch thick binders on his office table. 'Pretty impressive, huh?'
UPMC is going to run the Mercy Hospital. I live on the South Side. Mercy is equally as close to my house as is the South Side Hospital.
Furthermore, UPMC is running the rehab site along the river where the Steelers practice. So, we've already got that facility too. And, UPMC has parking lots as well.
How about if the shuttle buses that run from the South Side parking lots into Oakland are allowed to shuttle people who are not employees. That would be a HUGE victory for local residents and the region.
The time to take on UPMC was when I took on UPMC in 1999. That's when UPMC wanted to buy land at greatly reduced values along the river's edge for no net new jobs. There were better things that should have been done and I advocated for.
The football practice facility should have been built right behind the existing UPMC South Side Hospital so that they would have been able to boost that facilities value. There is plenty of land there that could have been used as it is not locked, closed, filled with a wasteland that was once a community asset and resource. Then we'd have the hospital for decades to come.
But no. Bruce Krause was not to be seen then, when it was needed.
Now it is too little and too late. And, his huffing won't help.
I had concerns about the UPMC Hospital long before the merger was announced.
It is a good idea that these clowns are off!
My instant message to Marty Griffin who is cathing a bunch of state reps in lies as to how much they are working. He wants them to admit that they have a four month vacation.
We should insist that the state reps and senators stay away from capital so as to not pass anything in lame duck periods. We don't want them running a gov after election days.
Be careful what you wish for.
If they were in Harrisburg the deficit would be worse.
Of course you rail on them for their waste. Keep that up!
We should insist that the state reps and senators stay away from capital so as to not pass anything in lame duck periods. We don't want them running a gov after election days.
Be careful what you wish for.
If they were in Harrisburg the deficit would be worse.
Of course you rail on them for their waste. Keep that up!
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Planetarium on defense after McCain criticism - Chicago Breaking News
What does our Running Mate, Glenn W, say about this?
Planetarium on defense after McCain criticism - Chicago Breaking News: "Planetarium on defense after McCain criticism
Dr. Paul Knappenberger, president of the Adler Planetarium, talks about the Zeiss Planetarium Instrument today. Sen. John McCain referred to the instrument as an 'overhead projector' in last night's presidential debate.
Aides to Barack Obama and officials at Adler Planetarium moved today to explain a pair of earmarks Obama has sought for the museum since 2006, at a time when the planetarium's chairman was raising money for the U.S. senator's presidential campaign."
2008 Presidential Candidate Spending Analyses
National Taxpayers Union studies three presidential candidates on spending positions.
2008 Presidential Candidate Spending Analyses: "2008 Presidential Candidate Spending Analyses"
Facebook | Patriot Nation
Facebook | Patriot Nation: "'Bob Barr has been on the barricades defending Americans' privacy and liberty against Big Government ever since 1995. He is one of the modern heroes of the Fourth Amendment, standing up for privacy against the FBI, the National Security Agency, and Homeland Security. He is also one of the most savvy and hard-hitting heroes of the Second Amendment, fighting to expose government abuses around the nation.' - Jim Bovard, Author of Lost Rights and Attention Deficit Democracy"
Reminder, Tonight is trash night
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| From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events |
To my "friends" on the South Side, here is a little clean and green reminder. Tonight is trash night. Put your trash onto the curb for Thursday's early morning pick up.
Life Hint: your landlord may or may not have told you this information about trash collection in the city you now reside. So, figure it out yourself.
Life Hint 2: You don't need to, but it might help matters, if you always took the time to make your bed every morning. You never know when an over-reaching member of council may start to craft legislation about that.
On housing, McCain now likes big government - Oct. 8, 2008
This will be bailout 3.0 -- err -- the Third Bailout.
On housing, McCain now likes big government - Oct. 8, 2008: "WASHINGTON (Fortune) -- Minutes into last night's presidential debate, the already listing ship of free-market Republicanism groaned, keeled over and began a long journey to the bottom of the political seas.The first one's won't work.
John McCain told us he wants the federal government to nationalize much of the home mortgage industry, buying up loans from strained homeowners and renegotiating new, more affordable terms.
Open Debates is a good place to start
Face it, last night's 90 minute debate between McCain and Obama sucked. It was a waste.
So as to not just be negative, while offering the solution of Open Debates -- I've got another.
Tune into the first episode of a new TV show: "Worst Week." Watch them in order from 1 to 3. They are on Comcast On Demand, without an extra charge. Funny stuff, like the Keystone Cops of modern time. Way better than the debates with only the D and R.
Open Debates 'The Commission on Presidential Debates is a corrupt stranglehold on our democracy.'I blame the Ds and the Rs. I blame the media too.
Debates' Commission Masterminds Most Somnolent Event: Last night's presidential "town hall" in Nashville hosted by Tom Brokaw was a bust, suggests Micah Sifry. First things first: the word on the street yesterday was that six million votes had poured in through MyDebates.org, the love child of MySpace and the Commission on Presidential Debates. You might remember that we expressed a bit of skepticism about that rather enormous rate of public participation yesterday, and yes, we're bragging, because last night Brokaw pegged the number at a far more plausible "tens of thousands." No matter how many there were, only four "from the Internet" questions were actually asked during the debate. (Answered is a different story -- both candidates made Laila Ali proud with their ability to bob and weave.) So, Micah, how do we fix it? Luckily, he's got ideas, and they center around finally grasping that we have the tools to handle living in a world of abundance. (By the way, we'd love to ask the CPD how many questions actual came in online, but their website lists no contact information -- or even a debate schedule. Democracy!) If you're newly interested in the idea of debate reform, Open Debates is a good place to start.
So as to not just be negative, while offering the solution of Open Debates -- I've got another.
Tune into the first episode of a new TV show: "Worst Week." Watch them in order from 1 to 3. They are on Comcast On Demand, without an extra charge. Funny stuff, like the Keystone Cops of modern time. Way better than the debates with only the D and R.
Pop City - Wiki-ing our Way to a Better Pittsburgh
The best way to wiki our way to a better Pittsburgh is NOT to fork. Rather to join.
The help at FixPA.wikia.com is welcomed from anyone, any time, on any topic. The original framework allows ALL POINTS OF VIEW -- by design.
The help at FixPA.wikia.com is welcomed from anyone, any time, on any topic. The original framework allows ALL POINTS OF VIEW -- by design.
Pop City - Wiki-ing our Way to a Better Pittsburgh: "It's called Pittsburgh Wiki - a 21st century, web-enabled variation on the kind of pure democracy practiced in Athens 2500 years ago where citizens publicly thrashed out issues until they came to a common resolution, and then worked to translate their thinking into sensible action. The goal is to harness the considerable intellectual firepower of the Pittsburgh region's thoughtful citizenry to help transform it into a world-class city, a leader in the best kind of urban living.Stay tuned.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Live Blogging Debate at Election.Twitter.com
Catch my tweets at Twitter. They are listed on the side of this blog too.
http://Election.twitter.com
http://Election.twitter.com
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