Fw: LP Monday Message: Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

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From: Libertarian Party <info@lp.org>

Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:00:00 -0800

To: <mark@rauterkus.com>

Subject: LP Monday Message: Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 18, 2010 Dear Friend of Liberty, While Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. never held political office, his impact on American politics and public policy was huge. Dr. King knowingly risked his life working for freedom and equality during dangerous times for blacks in America. He advocated using non-violent means, such as civil disobedience, to achieve change, and he was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize. Shortly before his assassination, he was an outspoken critic of the Vietnam War. I do not think Dr. King was a libertarian. I think he had much more faith in the ability of government to fix unfairness and lift people out of poverty than most libertarians. However, I think most Libertarians agree with Dr. King's goals of ending government-imposed discrimination, segregation, and oppression. The following is from the Preamble of the Libertarian Party Platform: We believe that respect for individual rights is the essential precondition for a free and prosperous world, that force and fraud must be banished from human relationships, and that only through freedom can peace and prosperity be realized. Consequently, we defend each person's right to engage in any activity that is peaceful and honest, and welcome the diversity that freedom brings. The world we seek to build is one where individuals are free to follow their own dreams in their own ways, without interference from government or any authoritarian power. I'd like to thank again all of our Libertarian Party members, volunteers, and candidates who continue working daily to promote freedom for everyone in America. Sincerely, Wes Benedict Executive Director Libertarian National Committee P.S. If you have not yet become a member of the Libertarian Party and wish to do so, please click here and join the only political party dedicated to free markets and civil liberties. If you need to renew, please click here. If you would like to make a contribution separate from membership, please click here. GET INVOLVED: Paid for by the Libertarian National Committee 2600 Virginia Ave, N.W. Suite 200, Washington D.C. 20037 Content not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. You are currently subscribed as "mark@rauterkus.com". Click here to unsubscribe.

Dr. King and Sports

From: "Dave Zirin"

Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:37:29 -0500

Subject: [E of S] Dr. King and Sports

Folks - If anyone is in Vancouver this week, I'm speaking at multiple spots. Check it out at

http://www.facebook.com/edgeofsports?ref=profile#/event.php?eid=249378115627&ref=ts

Also, here is a short piece on Dr. King and sports. If you want to reprint, please credit sportsillustrated.com with the complete url.

In struggle and sports,
Dave Zirin

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/dave_zirin/01/18/mlk/index.html?section=si_latest

One thing about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: the man understood sports.

I don't mean that King was any kind of a star athlete. The only sport that the young, roundish "Mike" King was known to excel at was pocket billiards, which isn't exactly a sport (the golden rule: anything that you can gain weight or smoke cigarettes while doing is not a sport). But Dr. King understood with remarkable acuity the political and symbolic power of sports. He understood that the athletic field -- and athletes -- could be a powerful megaphone for civil rights and racial justice.

As a teenager in 1947 he watched with rapt attention as Jackie Robinson broke the racial barrier in major league baseball. A decade later, as Robinson's career was winding down with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Robinson started to speak out for civil rights. Many people in the press and civil rights community discouraged Robinson from taking this step, worried it would tarnish his image, and even argued that as an athlete Robinson had no vocal place in the struggle. But King, by then the movement's undisputed leader, said that Robinson had every right to speak because he was "... a pilgrim that walked in the lonesome byways toward the high road of Freedom. He was a sit-inner before sit-ins, a freedom rider before freedom rides."

An emboldened Robinson toured the south to speak for civil rights and became the most requested speaker on the circuit: more requested than even Dr. King. He would end every speech the same way, saying, "If I had to choose tomorrow between the Baseball Hall of Fame and full citizenship for my people I would choose full citizenship time and again."

In the 1960s, Dr. King also embraced, albeit privately, a boxer named Cassis Marcellus Clay (a.k.a. Muhammad Ali). We now know about their friendship because the FBI recorded their discussions. Their relationship was private because Ali, with his membership in the separatist Nation of Islam, was rebuked by the civil rights community. Prominent civil rights activist Roy Wilkins once said, "Clay is like a voluntary member of the White Citizens Council."

King and Ali appeared in public together only once at a demonstration for fair housing in Ali's hometown of Louisville. But the connection was a strong one. In 1967 when Dr King, in the face of torrents of criticism, came out against the war in Vietnam, he invoked the champ saying, "Like Muhammad Ali puts it, we are all-Black and Brown and poor-victims of the same system of oppression."

Also in 1967, track stars Tommie Smith, Lee Evans, John Carlos and others were organizing the Olympic Project for Human Rights arguing that African-American athletes should boycott the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. Their demands were to have Muhammad Ali's title restored, to have apartheid South Africa and Rhodesia disinvited from the Olympics, to hire more African- American coaches and to see IOC president Avery Brundage removed after 32 years of iron rule.

Many civil Rights leaders were again appalled. Protesting the Olympics was unpatriotic, even unseemly. But Dr. King offered his unwavering support saying, "This is a protest and a struggle against racism and injustice and that is what we are working to eliminate in our organization and in our total struggle ... No one looking at these demands can ignore the truth of them. Freedom always demands sacrifice and ... they have the courage to say, 'We're going to be men and the United States of America have deprived us of our manhood, of our dignity and our native worth, and consequently we're going to stand up and make the sacrifices ..."

King even met with a group of the athletes weeks before his assassination in 1968. As John Carlos said to me, "Dr. King was in my mind and heart when I raised my fist on that podium."

Despite criticism from his own civil rights community, Dr. King was involved in three of history's most critical collisions of sports and politics. Yes, the man sure knew his sports.

Dave Zirin is the author of the forthcoming “Bad Sports: How Owners are Ruining the Games we Love” (Scribner) Receive his column every week by emailing dave@edgeofsports.com. Contact him at edgeofsports@gmail.com .

First Conference Call for Swim Team

Former Pitt star DeJuan Blair stands tall as an NBA rookie

Former Pitt star DeJuan Blair stands tall as an NBA rookie: "Just one week after Pitt was eliminated from the NCAA tournament in March, Mr. Blair decided to leave school two years early to begin his professional basketball career. After he plummeted to the second round of the NBA draft in June, there was much debate as to whether he made a mistake, but he has zero doubt that he made the correct choice to pursue his dream.
'I just sit back in the house. I just think, man, I made the right decision,' said Mr. Blair, who earned All-American honors at Pitt last season after a celebrated high school career at Schenley. 'It's just wonderful. I feel so blessed"

I went to the Schenley basketball game on Friday night at home against Perry. The home team lost, but it was a fun game to watch. If you want to go to a Schenley game, get there early. The gym is small. Seating is only on one side. The place fills and then no others are permitted into the gym for good reason. Show up when the JV games are played.

Bruce Kraus is so foolish to wish to play the role of ruler of the marketplace

Not only is he foolish, but he puts the economy of the region in danger.

The last attempt was to limit the number of bars and it failed. There were others on city council who supported it too. And, the mayor even signed the bill. But the courts won. Freedom won. Kraus lost.

So, the next round is even worse. He lost the last battle with a stick -- so now he picks up a bigger stick. He wants to double down or something.

Pittsburgh council gets new approach to Carson Street bars - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 'I don't believe this ordinance is the be-all and end-all to solve the unruliness of the Carson Street corridor,' said Kraus, who hears complaints from residents about public drunkenness and vandalism. 'It puts a stop for now, until we can catch our breath and decide where we're going from here.'

The end all and be all to the problem is the marketplace.

Max and Erma's in Shadyside is closed. So what! Let it be. The corporation had problems. The economy took a dip. Nationwide, they couldn't stay in buesiness. Places open, and places close. There is good and bad. Time marches to a new day. That's how it should be without the city putting up red tape and hurdles to marketplace entry.

Kraus wants to see a balance. Of course he does, but it is his balance. He wants to rule the day, the streets and the lives of others. What Bruce wants is not what Bruce should legislate just because he won an election. Bruce can't legislate balance. Others are smart enough to realize their roles.

Frankly, I want to see freedom and liberties so that others who have a good idea can come here and set up shop as they wish. And, I want to have the people decide if they should support that business or not. And, decisions of employment are to be with the workers. Should they take jobs in that business or not is up to them. And, the banks get to decide if the owners should get capital to invest in that business or not. Thousands of decisions have to occur. Few or none of those decisions should be at the will of Bruce Kraus and others in City Hall.

What isn't serving the business district well is government intervention. "I don't care if it was drugstores that were opening. ... It's not serving the business district well to have almost a monopoly of one certain type of business," he said. Hey, the worst kind of monopoly is a state controlled monopoly. Furthermore, to curb the bars, he needs to curb the eating establishements. That is NOT the monopoly he wants to attack.

Nancy Eshelman, president of South Side Chamber of Commerce, opposes Kraus' ordinance.

"How dare he," Eshelman said. "What happened to free enterprise in this country? What's next? Is he going to decide how many tattoo parlors there are?"

There's no reason the city should restrict any small businesses from opening, said Eshelman, co-owner of Morning Glory Inn, a bed-and-breakfast on Sarah Street. "It's very hard to open a business, and if someone is willing to go through the effort, invest the capital, go through the process -- which is grueling -- he should not be able to say there are too many of them here. It's rather devious."

Kraus said his bill would attempt to prevent late-night drinkers from causing property damage or contributing to crime. "This is not about punishing anyone or going after businesses with alcohol licenses," he said. "This is about keeping people safe."

Again, he is miss directed, fully. No bar nor eating establishment ever wandered the neighborhood and caused property damage. People do that. Places don't. People from those places, perhaps, should be held accountable.

"We just have to begin enforcing the laws we already have instead of having new laws," she said. "I don't think controlling the number of restaurants and bars is going to change behavior."

More:

Bits of this & that ... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Pittsburgh City Councilman Bruce Kraus, stymied in his efforts to supersede state law in determining the number and proximity of bars on the city's South Side, now wants to limit the number of restaurants there.
'I don't care if it was drugstores that were opening,' he said. 'It's not serving the business district well to have almost a monopoly of one certain type of business.'
Such arrogance cannot hide Mr. Kraus' ignorance. The South Side (excluding the SouthSide Works) long has been a wonderful, living, breathing laboratory for the free marketplace. Indeed, the success of such a funky and eclectic district has bred some problems, such as open drunkenness and public urination.
But not only are the South Side's problems tailor-made for beefed-up enforcement of existing laws by the local gendarmes, the Kraus proposal would be a slippery slope toward all manner of even more onerous government diktats that very well could kill the geese that lay so many golden eggs for Pittsburgh's tax coffers."

So sad.

In other news, this dude, is both a Spartan and Olympian.

Waterpark planned for Mills mall site

Waterpark planned for Mills mall site: "Waterpark planned for Mills mall site"

Think again, about swimming

Part 2:



Part 3:



Part 4:



Part 5:

Pay up on over due taxes -- and float another $2 Million in the budget

City council says, "Take this baseball bat and club the voters of the city, but do it under your name, not that of the City Council."

The overall theme of this policy brief is on the money. The city gives tax breaks to the new developers and that means it takes more from those who have been paying all along. The city is not fair.

Policy Brief

An electronic publication of

The Allegheny Institute for Public Policy

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January 13, 2010                                                                                                       Volume 10, Number 3

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  Pittsburgh Tax Revenue: A Better Approach

When Pittsburgh’s plans to use projected tuition tax revenues were denied by the Oversight Board, the resulting loss of $15 million in projected revenue for 2010 necessitated some reworking of the budget to meet the balanced budget mandate.  One of the revenue sources picked for enhancement was delinquent tax collections. Instead of the $4.4 million anticipated in the earlier budget, the City boosted the amount to be collected by $2 million. The amended budget notes that “in anticipation of aggressive collection from a new agent,” the 2010 collection would rise to $6.4 million.

The new agent referred to in the budget document is a private company already employed to collect back taxes owed to Allegheny County. The company will add delinquent City, school, and Water and Sewer Authority bills to its efforts. How serious is the agency likely to be in going after delinquents?  One City Council member noted that the City was “…essentially handing a baseball bat to the tax collector and saying, ‘be more aggressive.’”

Just how forceful the collection agency will be depends heavily on the level of public outcry and pushback by those owing back taxes or water bills.  But it is fair to say that if the City is going to push forward to collect money from overdue bills it ought to expand the tougher approach to the other sources of taxes it already collects by strengthening efforts to ensure correctness and fairness across the board.  This would stand in sharp contrast to its previous modus operandi of appealing to Harrisburg for new taxes or higher allowable rates on existing taxes. 

The foremost example that leaps immediately to mind is the real estate tax, which accounts for $127 million in general fund revenues for the City.  Given the level of dependence on property tax (it represents 30 percent of all general fund revenue, tax and non-tax), one would think that the City would be doing everything in its power to guarantee that the County produces timely and accurate assessments.  Instead, the City remained silent and did nothing during the nearly five year battle over the County’s base year system. It did comment, albeit quietly and somewhat surreptitiously, in the 2009 budget message when the Mayor wrote:

Like all other municipalities in Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh

is faced with the prospect of little or no growth in this largest revenue source

due to the County’s use of a base year assessment system…The base year assessment system also fails to reflect changes in property values, suppresses growth, and leads to inaccurate assessments and disproportionate taxation throughout the City.

The last point in the statement about disproportionate taxation goes to the heart of the fairness question and uniformity issue the Supreme Court ultimately cited in tossing out the County’s base year system.

However, to its discredit, the City never felt the level of outrage necessary to prod it into joining the lawsuit against the base year or filing its own lawsuit. Assuming the City truly believed its claim about disproportionate (unfair) taxation, it should have worked much harder on behalf of its taxpayers who are over assessed or correctly assessed and are thereby forced to carry an inequitable share of the tax burden while the under assessed properties pay less than they should. 

Add to that the City’s policy of encouraging development that takes property off of the tax rolls completely and replaces it with very expensive structures such as PNC Park, Heinz Field, the new Convention Center, and the new Penguins Arena to mention some really large examples—well over a billion dollars worth of buildings.  Likewise, the City has engaged in massive subsidies for private development such as Lazarus using Tax Increment Financing, low cost loans, etc., that have failed miserably to earn a return for taxpayers. Indeed, several of these subsidies have resulted in huge losses.

Achieving solvency for Pittsburgh is probably more in its own hands than most people might realize. Tough enforcement of overdue tax collection is a start, but there also needs to be a shift toward making sure the City is collecting taxes fairly and uniformly from its tax base.  Perhaps revenues would rise enough to permit a tax rate cut, something the City needs.

Still, when all is said and done, there is simply no substitute for freezing—or even reducing—spending. Generating more revenue through available sources without raising tax rates is helpful but is not a permanent solution if spending is not controlled much more rigorously than anything yet undertaken by the City government. A continuation of the same old policies will inevitably lead to future attempts to find new sources of tax revenue such as college students, hospital patients, or people parking in Downtown.  

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Jake Haulk, Ph.D., President                                                        Eric Montarti, Senior Policy Analyst

For updates and commentary on daily issues please visit our blog at alleghenyinstitute.org/blog.

If you have enjoyed reading this Policy Brief and would like to send it to a friend, please feel free to forward it to them.

For more information on this and other topics, please visit our web site: alleghenyinstitute.org

If you wish to support our efforts please consider becoming a donor to the Allegheny Institute.  The Allegheny Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible.  Please mail your contribution to: 

The Allegheny Institute

305 Mt. Lebanon Boulevard

Suite 208

Pittsburgh, PA  15234

Parks are in the news again

Parks are in the news again. Parks are seldom in the news. Most of the time when parks are in the news, it isn't good. For a while, parks was only in the news because of goose killings, lake sludge, closed swim pools, Closed rec centers, and more doom and gloom. Other times, the news is worse -- so let's leave it at that.

Now we are talking about parks to outlaw sled rides. No tubing. No fun snow saucers. No toboggans. Plus, Boyce Park, the only county park with a ski hill, is closed.

Dan Onorato has failed us in terms of his stewardship of the parks. Failed. So sad.

Mark McGwire’s Pound of Flesh

Mark McGwire’s Pound of Flesh In the ten years Brian Williams has anchored the NBC Nightly News, he has never once launched a broadcast by lambasting a public figure. Henry Paulson after the economic collapse? George W. Bush after Katrina? Dick Cheney after everything? All were spared the personal disdain of 'America's most trusted newsman.' Until yesterday. Williams began his broadcast by going after true evil: Mark McGwire.

Rumors and Rants » Blog Archive » What’s Really Going On At USC

Rumors and Rants » Blog Archive » What’s Really Going On At USC

GASP: State Implementation Plan to Clean Up the Liberty-Clairton Area now Available for Public Comment

The Clean Air Act requires the Allegheny County Health Department to create a State Implementation Plan (SIP) to show how it will bring the Liberty-Clairton area (made up of Clairton, Glassport, Liberty, Lincoln, and Port Vue) into compliance with the federal health-based standards for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5).

This SIP is now available for public comment. Let ACHD know you want a strong plan that will clean up our air sooner rather than later. (You may recall that the poor air quality in the Liberty-Clairton area is a big contributor to Pittsburgh's consistently poor national air quality rankings) More information on some shortcomings of the SIP below.

Jan. 14 Public Hearing
The Allegheny County Board of Health will hold a public hearing on Thursday, January 14, 2010, at 6:30 PM at the Clairton Municipal Building, 551 Ravensburg Boulevard, Clairton PA, 15025 (maps and directions)

Oral testimony must be pre-scheduled by calling 412-578-8008 no less than 24 hours in advance of the public hearing. Speakers will be limited to five minutes and should bring a written copy of their comments.

GAST is coordinating a carpool from Squirrel Hill for those who'd like to share a ride to the hearing. If you are interested contact bryan@gasp-pgh.org by Tuesday, Jan. 12th.

Written Comments
ACHD will also accept written comments on the SIP

by email: BOH@achd.net

by mail:
Board of Health,
3333 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

by fax: 412-578-8325.

Please let us know at joe@gasp-pgh.org if you plan to attend the public hearing or submit written comments.

About PM 2.5
PM 2.5 consists of microscopic solid or liquid particles; most of these particles result from the burning of fossil fuels. PM2.5 has been linked to a number of negative health effects including asthma, stroke, heart attack, lung cancer, and premature death.

About the SIP
The Clean Air Act requires ACHD and many other state and local air quality agencies to create SIPs to bring areas where the air is unhealthy into compliance with federal health-based air quality standards. Right now most state and local agencies, ACHD included, are developing SIPs to meet standards for PM 2.5 that were set back in 1997. Based on better data on PM 2.5 effects on human health, EPA established a lower PM 2.5 standard in 2006, but ACHD (along with other state and local air quality agencies) are still working on SIPs to meet the unhealthy 1997 standards. Tell ACHD its SIP must meet the improved 2006 PM 2.5 standards.

The deadline to meet the PM 2.5 standards is April 5, 2010; however, ACHD's draft SIP would make use of every available opportunity to stretch out that deadline. Under ACHD's proposal, their attainment date would be extended 5 years to April 5, 2015, and even then ACHD proposes to make use of another extension provision to allow themselves to wait until April 5, 2016 to provide enough air monitor data for EPA to make a final determination that the PM 2.5 standards have been meet. In other words, 6 years after the standard attainment deadline, ACHD's plan would bring the Liberty-Clairton area into attainment with an air quality standard that is 19 years old and 11 years out of date! Tell ACHD we can't afford to wait until 2016 to breathe clean, healthy air.

It gets worse: To meet even its much-extended deadline, ACHD's air monitors in the Liberty-Clairton area must record its first of 3 consecutive years of data at or below the PM 2.5 standards in the year 2014 at the very latest. But according to ACHD's own numbers, their plan for cleaning up the air in Liberty-Clairton area won't obtain its first year of data at or below the PM 2.5 standards until 2016. After using every trick in the book to extend its SIP due date, ACHD's plan would still be late. Tell ACHD their plan can't just propose a deadline, it has to meet it, too.

In short ACHD's final SIP must:
Aim to meet or exceed the updated 2006 PM 2.5 standards, not the outdated 1997 standards.
Set its attainment deadline as soon as possible, not six years later than the normal attainment deadline.
Actually meet whatever attainment deadline it sets.

More information:
The Liberty Clairton SIP [PDF]
General Particulate Matter Information from EPA
EPA's Clean Air Fine Particle Implementation Rule [PDF] -- a lengthy technical document describing the PM 2.5 SIP requirements

If you have any questions contact GASP's Legal Director, Joe Osborne at joe@gasp-pgh.org
PA Environmental Quality Board seeks comments on controlling particulate matter emissions from outdoor wood-fired boilers (OWBs)
The deadline for submitting comments has been extended until February 12, 2010. GASP will provide talking points in the near future.

A significant and growing source of PM2.5 emissions in Pennsylvania is from OWBs. OWBs, also referred to as outdoor wood-fired furnaces, outdoor wood-burning appliances, or outdoor hydronic heaters, are free-standing fuel-burning devices designed: (1) to burn clean wood or other approved solid fuels; (2) specifically for outdoor installation or installation in structures not normally intended for habitation by humans or domestic animals, such as garages; and (3) to heat building space or water by means of distribution, typically through pipes, of a fluid heated in the device, typically water or a water and antifreeze mixture. OWBs are being sold to heat homes and buildings and to produce domestic hot water.

The emissions, health effects and the nuisance factor created by the use of OWBs are a major concern to the PA DEP. The Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management has conducted stack tests on OWBs. Based on the test results, the average PM2.5 emissions from one OWB are equivalent to the emissions from 205 oil furnaces or as many as 8,000 natural gas furnaces. Cumulatively, the smallest OWB has the potential to emit almost 1 1/2 tons of PM every year. Of the estimated 155,000 OWBs sold Nationwide between 1990 and 2005, 95% were sold in 19 states, of which PA is one. Unlike indoor wood stoves that are regulated by the EPA, no Federal standards exist for OWBs and the majority of them are not equipped with pollution controls.

For more information: http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol39/39-42/1929.html

Written Comments -- interested persons are invited to submit comments, suggestions or objections regarding the proposed regulation to the Environmental Quality Board, P.O. Box 8477, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8477. Comments may also be submitted electronically at BoardatRegComments@state.pa.us. Comments, suggestions or objections must be received by the Board by February 12, 2010.

Group seeks better recruiting, staffing for Pittsburgh schools

Group seeks better recruiting, staffing for Pittsburgh schools: "The Downtown education group A+ Schools this morning recommended recruiting and staffing improvements for the Pittsburgh Public Schools, saying it's concerned about teacher turnover rates at the district's most vulnerable schools.

Score card of swim meet: Schenley vs. Carrick, a typical District 8 dual meet

SUPPLEMENTS Would-be experts and untested products feed a - 05.18.09 - SI Vault

SUPPLEMENTS Would-be experts and untested products feed a - 05.18.09 - SI Vault: "What You Don't Know Might Kill You"

Do not put weirdness into your body.

DA or Wise Guy?

DA Zappala public servant or public enemy
By Mike Ference of Clairton, 412-233-5491, Ference@icubed.com

Looks like the recent revelations of former Allegheny County Coroner and world-renowned forensic examiner, Dr. Cyril Wecht, may turn the tide in the bitter dispute between Allegheny County District Attorney Steven Zappala, Jr. and PA Senator Jane Orie.

According to Wecht, “Steve Zappala said to a legislator back in 2005 that ‘anybody who screws with me or my family is going to be indicted.’ Wecht even volunteered to take a polygraph exam.

If Wecht’s recollection can be proven and Zappala does use his office and all the resources that go with a district attorney’s position, for vindictive purposes this may be the worst case of terrorism ever chronicled in a non-third-world country.

One can only wonder is Zappala a district attorney or a wise guy?

A few predictions for a new prep decade - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Sports predictions:

A few predictions for a new prep decade - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Let's try to predict what will happen in the next 10 years:
» The biggest off-field threat to high school sports will be in 2013, when school districts will be obligated to at least double their contributions to employee pension funds.Taxes will be raised accordingly, and taxpayer-citizens groups will be screaming loudly. You can bet that cutting minor sports in various school districts will be a priority for such groups.
» What will become of small schools such as Leechburg, Springdale and Elderton? Unless additional funding streams are established — such as putting video poker machines in bars, newsstands and convenience stores — small schools will find it more difficult to stay open.
» Look for the City League and the WPIAL to merge. After Schenley closes in 2011, only eight schools will comprise the City League. That's too small for the City to have its own PIAA district.
» Installing artificial turf has been all the rage in WPIAL football the past 10 years. What's next? Schools could be installing video replay boards like Pine-Richland has."

Schenley High School is going to go away. But, U-Prep, Sci-Tech and B.O. High are opening. Perhaps Peabody goes away too?

But, all along, I've been a big fan of putting the city league into the WPIAL. This needs to be done well. It will take some years. But, it can occur and should be a priority so that more families don't move out of the city.

He's not heavy. He's my brother.

Because 99% of the rest of the football watching world looks at this video and thinks, "Dude, what an ass." And 99% of Steelers fans look at this video and think, "Dude, that guy is awesome!!! Wait, is that my brother?"

Full article on NFL's Most Annoying Fans - The Wildcard Winners and Playoff Brackets .

By the way, I don't have a real brother, just four sisters and four farly brothers in law!

The Angry Drunk Bureaucrat points out that a box of rocks is Pgh's City Council President

The Angry Drunk Bureaucrat: "City Government watchdog group, says that 'A Box of Rocks provides the intellectual leadership that Council deserves.'

So, yesterday's vote on Pittsburgh City Council that flipped away from Theresa Smith and to Darlene Harris for the role of President was none other than Darlene herself.

Another interesting point is that Bruce Kraus was all for Bill Peduto. Peduto is a 'progressive.' I'm fine with that support. Bruce stated his intentions in the paper that he'd be voting for Peduto because the president of city council needs to be one who can be mayor should that be necessary. But in the end, Bruce Kraus voted for Darlene Harris so: Bill Peduto could be finance chair; a non-progressive could be president of council; another person from the North Side gets to lead the city's executive branch and the city's legislative branch as well as the county's executive branch; cats, dogs and smoke eaters rise in status; and Bruce Kraus gets out from the chairmanship of Public Safety and can now be the chair of Public Works. Bruce Kraus followed his marching orders and helped to insure a 5-4 unity vote.

Most of all, I'm sad that Bruce Kraus isn't going to be the chair of Public Safety. I had thought he had a great role there, for the past two years. His experience and wisdom with dealing with PFAs and other police matters are now shrunk. Public Safety was a good fit for Bruce, I dare say.

Furthermore, Urban Parks was a great fit for Theresa Smith. I had hoped she'd stay in that role too. Now she jumps to Public Safety. Double rats. Park's got no appointment on day one making it on the back burner again. Before Theresa Smith was the chair of the parks committee, Patrick Dowd was there. He did nothing in that role. Zippo. I watched, asked, pushed, suggested, pulled, challenged and more. Moss grew on Dowd in his Park's Chairmanship more than anything else. The Park's Department kept up with its ongoing efforts throughout, and since the time of Gene Riccardi, with no thanks to its council chair. Citiparks is well practiced -- to use a cook's illustration -- at making chicken soup with only chicken shit for ingredients.

So, I tweeted yesterday, "Who is going to be the chair of the Urban Parks & Recreation Committee?" I even had hopes that Theresa Smith could be voted as City Council President and yet still hold on to the chair's seat for Citiparks.

Today, we can ask again, "Who is going to be the chair of the Urban Parks and Recreation Committee?"

Patrick Dowd at Rec Chair has experience, kids, moss on the chair and some egg on his face.

Rev Burgess is keen on parks, or at least I've seen him at one in the past. Parks are more soulful, spirited and peaceful than the URA, generally. The parks don't need to be lonley places.

Daniel Lavelle, rookie, might get the parks post so he can earn his stripes and gets taken down a few pegs. We might get to see if he can pluck feathers off of some urban, free-range chickens or not.

Who knows?

Rocks grow in parks, right?

Russ Diamond for Lieutenant Governor

Russ Diamond for Lieutenant Governor: "Russ Diamond Launches Bid for Lieutenant Governor"

Solid list of new year's resolutions

I resolve to persevere in the struggle for freedom that many Americans have undertaken tirelessly, and in some cases have given their lives for.

I resolve to thank Libertarians who amplify their voice for liberty by running for office.

I resolve to congratulate Libertarian candidates who win their races, and thank Libertarian candidates who did not win but helped to spread the Libertarian message and to lay the groundwork for future Libertarian wins.

I resolve to thank Libertarian volunteers who help the Libertarian Party and our candidates in whatever ways they can.

I resolve not to forget that Republicans voted for the banker bailouts and Medicare expansion, and that Democrats voted for the Patriot Act and the Iraq War.

I resolve not to be fooled by "independent" organizations who say they want to "take back government for the people," but who really just want to use government power for their own purposes.

I resolve to keep the Libertarian Party door open for those who have worked through other organizations to promote liberty, but decided they might get a bigger bang for their buck working through the Libertarian Party.

I resolve to contribute financially to the National Libertarian Party, and to at least one state and county affiliate, and to at least one Libertarian Party candidate.

The next two, I've changed:

I resolve to vote for Libertarian candidates whenever it makes sense to do so.

I resolve to keep reminding people that every signature that helps to get a Libertarian or other minor-party candidate onto the ballot makes a difference.

Showing off the South Hills

Showing off the South Hills Showing off the South Hills

To sit in the big chair,

To learn personalities,

To throw weight around,

To show off,

To have envy for the overlook of Overbrook,

To address perceptions,

To hold secret one's vote while suspense builds and backroom deals are hatched,

Hummmm..... These are all elements of a good soap opera.

2010 Comes with a Splash -- in the Mon

I got to conduct some business on the Mon Wharf today, just before jumping into the River. I (Schenley High School) gathered with the head swim coaches of Central Catholic/Oakland Catholic and Brentwood High School to discuss future swim meets with them this season. We were hoping to get meets with those two schools to fortify our schedule -- and we sealed (pun intended) the deal today.

 

The one swimmer dude from Central said he'd say in the water for 3 minutes -- and he did. Merci's quote was great. "Well, they earned their varsity letters today." Funny.

 

Most of us were in and out in a matter of seconds, snow flakes in the air. Plenty of crocs were seen floating down the river near the shoreline.

 

The Brentwood coach, Robo, is a police officer in the city. Good to meet his wife too. She works at the school. He swam, as did Dave, Brentwood's Assistant Coach, and a Facebook Friend. We really missed Anna.

• More photos in Kirsten's FB album.  
• Team Photo, before the swim
• Trib article with photos: http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_660415.html 
• WTAE TV coverage with slide show link: http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/22105983/detail.html
• Best slideshow on Flicker from the social media wonks!

Another group:

Naughts List

Top 10 disasters of the 2009 Obama administration (in no particular order):

1. Cash for Clunkers
2. War escalation in Afghanistan
3. Giant government health care expansion bill
4. Post office loses money hand over fist
5. Stimulus package
6. Expansion of "state secrets" doctrine
7. Big increase in unemployment
8. "Bailout" Geithner as Treasury Secretary
9. Skyrocketing federal spending
10. Huge federal deficits

Top 10 disasters of the 2001-2008 Bush administration:

1. Cash for Car Companies
2. War in Iraq
3. Giant Medicare expansion bill
4. Post office loses money hand over fist
5. Stimulus "rebate" checks
6. PATRIOT Act
7. Big increase in unemployment
8. "Bailout" Paulson as Treasury Secretary
9. Skyrocketing federal spending
10. Huge federal deficits

Note similarities to previous administration.

Wes Benedict, Libertarian Party Executive Director, commented, "Republicans and Democrats keep expanding government and creating more and more problems. We're encouraging as many Libertarians as possible to run for Congress in 2010. In Texas, the state with the earliest filing deadline, Libertarians have already filed for 31 of 32 Congressional seats."

Flash Back: And a new invite for Jan 1, 2010

Those were the days. Last year we did it, again. This year's invite follows a refresher.

Original post from 1/1/09

I'm grasping for activities where I can still compete with Erik -- and win. The cold water is a great equalizer.

R, our lead off swimmer, like this was a relay, is next to me. She is still wearing her t-shirt. I'm in the green swim cap with the black Speedo robe. Erik, with grey hat and head down, is next to Rene and Mike, (Running Mate, dad, ex-college swimmer at Duquesne) is behind Erik at the far left of the frame.

The middle of the Frick relay - T, M, Erik.

The action gets hot. T in his leap. M and Erik on deck. The big guys, Mike and I are anchors.

Photo shows Erik in the water and on the way back to the wall.

Did he take a breath after his flip turn?

T and B scramble to the new year ahead.

Four photos from Greg Blackman. Thank you.


We did it! After the jump I'm putting on my shoes and can't feel my toes.

Photo from a cell phone on the edge of the Mon about 9:31 AM on January 1, 2009. Thanks Mike.

We passed out an invite that said to arrive at 9 am, jump in at 9:30 and depart by 9:31. Seems I wasn't too clear. There was some question about that minute when people were required to stay in the water. Wrong. you don't need to stay in the water for a minute. You don't even need to get your head wet. Sorry if I wasn't so clear. Our gang, mixed in the crowd, was all in and out in less than a minute.

None of us signed the official book, by the way. We waited in the line for 20-minutes or so, but then got ready for the jump.

Elsewhere:

Pittsburgh Polar Bear Club Takes Annual New Year's Day Plunge Into Icy Mon River - kdka.com: "Pittsburgh Polar Bear Club Takes Annual Icy Plunge"

---

Start 2010 out with a splash. Visit the Mon Wharf on or before 9:30 am on Jan 1, 2010, and jump in the river with us. Get there before 9, really. It takes some time to mingle and prepare and sign the book. You don't want to linger after the dip.

Then at or around 9:30 am, there are few hundred folks that jump into the river. This year we'll be able to check out the new sidewalk and bike path too. Wee!

After the swim, friends, (wet or dry, but not drunk) can come over to our house, 108 S. 12th Street, South Side Flats, Pgh 15203, and enjoy some whaffles. There is a tweet up as well, and those folks are headed over to Hard Rock Cafe.

The Trib is interested in getting some photos, of course. Look for us in the red and black swim caps that read Schenley Spartans.

Last year some running mates of mine, and my son's, had a wonderful time.

Three-time mayoral candidate gives council an earful - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Who belongs?

Three-time mayoral candidate gives council an earful - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "'I told him from the beginning he doesn't belong in politics,' she said. 'He doesn't know anyone; he doesn't have anyone backing him. He doesn't have any money.'

Les knows plenty of people.

It is oppression that knows not of who it tramples.

Do more with Les! Most of the other candiates in the past elections have said those same words, often in the heat of a candidate debate. They should have been paying Mr. Ludwig some sort of royalty.

I'm glad the gentleman got some ink -- beyond the pages of my blogs and YouTube sites.

I too want to make a better world for everyone, as does Les Ludwig. And, that is a great way to leave your mark on history.

In other news, where in the heck did the spell checking button for Blogger go???

This happened at the swim pool today -- not

Sadly, these are not kids from Point Park University.

Baden Academy Charter School - Welcome

Baden Academy Charter School - Welcome: "With tentative plans to open next year for grades K-3, Baden Academy Charter School will eventually offer a comprehensive, arts-infused elementary and middle school program (K-8) based on a classical education model."

Good luck! The effort has its own Facebook page too.

City Council possessed by presidency politicking

City Council possessed by presidency politicking The last two years have seen the city's nine lawmakers swing wildly between those poles.

That isn't wild.

Olympics lesson: First step, show up.

First things first: Show up!

Olympics: Kohn ... Bobsledder on a mission: "And just like that, the soft-spoken Kohn was given the chance he has longed for since he was recruited to the team in 1990 after starring in high school football and track in Chantilly, Va.
'I put the beer down and got back in the gym,' the 37-year-old Kohn said with a smile. 'Every night for the last 20 years I've been dreaming about this. I guess there's a little flame inside of me that said, 'Hang in there, you never know.' That's what's always driven me.

Company pledges $400,000 for Washington's river trek

Company
pledges $400,000 for Washington's river trek: "Lockheed Martin vice
president and general manager Marshall Byrd also pledged a five-year commitment
of volunteer support from the company's 13,000 employees in the Delaware Valley
area for park maintenance and operations. The company, which also has major
operations in Denver and in Sunnyvale, Calif., specializes in human space flight
systems, communications satellites and missile defense systems."

A Christmas Story

Was on. Wax off.

We had our own Karate Kid moments in China at a Rec Center. I'll look for that video footage soon.

Top 10 Internet Moments of 2009

Top 10 Internet Moments of 2009

Merry Christmas

Our Christmas letter has turned into a Happy New Year letter.



Click the above -- as it is only 14 seconds long. Taken from my fuzzy, but new, Blackberry camera phone. I think I'm going to get another one as the camera is not working at all now.

Foundations help schools pay Roosevelt's $200,000 tax

Bad decision.

Foundations help schools pay Roosevelt's $200,000 tax: "The board also voted last night to name its new International Baccalaureate school in Shadyside the Barack Obama International Studies Academy. Officials said other cities already have named schools for Mr. Obama."

Bye Fred

One of the last bits of news that would have come to Fred, the Honz Man, was that Pittsburgh Public Schools had a board meeting and is selecting to name a new school after Barack Obama. B.O. High is going to be a part of the landscape of schools.

Then Fred expired.

He died early this morning. The school name decision was made and reported upon among insiders last night.

There is some question in my realm as to if the name was just too much to bare, or bear, if you are on radio.

Wacko, not Waco, Texas, a former home town of mine, is what Fred called me.

Then Bernanke gets man of the year. OMG. Let's End the Fed. Ugh. Pittsburgh would be better served to name the International High School as the Fred Honzberger High and not Obama High.

People are outraged at the school now designated with the Obama brand. It isn't going to be accepted as it is a tragic mistake that must be corrected. Not prudent at all.

What a day to name Tiger Woods the athlete of the decade.

$240K Needed For New South Side Dogs Park - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

Ken Wolf does not work for Bruce Kraus any longer.

$240K Needed For New South Side Dogs Park - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh: $240K Needed For New South Side Dogs Park
PITTSBURGH -- South Side dogs could have a new place to play by next spring.
Ken Wolfe, chief of staff for Councilman Bruce Kraus, said the idea for a new dog park is preliminary, but Kraus is optimistic the $80,000 line item will survive the city's budget process.
The dog park would cost about $240,000 but the $80,000 allocation would pay for the fence, which is the biggest hurdle, Wolfe said.
According to Wolfe, a third of the cost would be absorbed by the city's Public Works and another third would have to be raised.

I am glad that the dogs have been removed from the traditional parks. But, there are more things that can be done for the dogs than what is being offered here.

We've got a closed park behind South Side Hospital. What about that?

Even with the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, I hate that there are more investements for sharks to swim than our kids. They've got a nice new pool. Not so much for people.

IB School in Pittsburgh

From US News & World Report:

The International Baccalaureate program is globally recognized for its ability to prepare students for a college education. High school students enrolled in IB classes can earn college credit two ways. They can take individual IB subject tests, for which they can earn credit at some colleges if they score high enough. Students also can opt to earn an IB diploma after completing a series of IB courses and writing an extended essay. Many colleges grant students credit for the IB diploma. This chart spotlights all the IB schools in the America's Best High Schools rankings sorted by the percentage of 12th graders that took at least one IB test at some point during high school.

http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/high-schools/2009/12/09/americas-best-high-schools-top-international-baccalaureate-schools.html?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a41:g26:r25:c0.007056:b20193411:z0&s_cid=loomia:methodology-americas-best-high-schools

Taxing Students is still foolish

Luke is on the wrong path with this.

My solution is different. He should focus on land. The city is mostly just a place. Pittsburgh has borders and only so many square inches. The land-grab over the years of Pitt taking over Oakland, and so on, have been huge. The main tax, and the one tax with the most "fairness" and best sense of justice, IMNSHO, is based upon land ownership. The nonprofits do NOT pay taxes on their land holdings. So, the total footprint of nonprofit land holdings should shrink. If they want to grow, force them to build upward, on less land, but with higher buildings. IF nonprofit land holdings (from stadiums to churches to universities to schools to jails to empty lots and all else in that realm) contracted, then more land gets taxed. Then values for all increase. A win-win for the economy and citizens / ratepayers occurs once Pittsburgh gets a grip on its nonprofit properties.

They own too much land. Shrinking nonprofit land is what Pittsburgh needs most of all. Nonprofits can manage their assets, and they can increase their cooperation -- without being taxed. They can start by putting more offices into leased and taxed spaces.

A 38th birth day. Guess

Venture a guess....

Hint: Not me.

Judge tosses Pittsburgh law aimed at limiting South Side bars - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Judge tosses Pittsburgh law aimed at limiting South Side bars - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "An Allegheny County judge Wednesday struck down a Pittsburgh ordinance aimed at stopping new bars from opening on the South Side."

Another huge defeat from the realm of poor solutions championed by Bruce Kraus. I never liked this law. I spoke against it in the past. It is short-sighted. It is illegal. It is an over-reach that fails in many regards.

What if a bar opens on the top of a building. Do you measure from door to door going up? Can two bars open in the same hotel, one on the first floor, such as in a hotel lobby, and another on the top floor? Go figure.

There are plenty of other things that can be done.

Furthermore, no bar ever came to my sidewalk to take a leak. The bars are not the one's that do the dirty deeds. It is the drunk patrons. And, if there are some at some bars that are doing bad things, those laws can be and should be enforced.

Tuition tax debate gets personal

Tuition tax debate gets personal: "Tuition tax debate gets personal"

Coaching: A Unique Bond

Coaching: A Unique Bond The relationship is so complex, both in and out of the pool.

Talk to any swimmer, and invariably a very memorable coach is brought up - current or past - and the impact that coach has had on the swimmer’s life.

Draft of today's swim memo

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ASN94c3Pp4BpZGR6bnhqNmhfNzI4ZDZka2c1Z20&hl=en

Jazz Time

To enjoy, before her visit to Pittsburgh this weekend.

Speaking tonight at Pgh Public Schools Board Meeting

The public hearing begins at 5:30 pm. But, there are three sections. First and second are devoted to speakers concerning charter schools. There are 27 signed up for that portion. That will take an hour or more.

Then Erik, my son, is speaker 11 and I'm speaker 12 at the third part -- general statements to the PPS Board and Administration. That will take 30 or more minutes.

To speak, call 412-622-3600.

Our topic, the name of the I.B. school.

Up to 28 swimmers on the girls squad at Schenley High School

Love it.

Welcome to the WPIAL to Erie McDowell

Great step.

Erie McDowell to join WPIAL in '10: "Erie McDowell to join WPIAL in '10"

We really need the Pittsburgh Public Schools to begin to blend into the WPIAL and make the city league a great tip-off tournament and holiday classic setting. We have to get the iron curtin that encricles the city to fall. We need more interactions among city and suburban kids, families and school events.

Message to Obama: You Can't Have Muhammad Ali

By Dave Zirin

Message to Obama: You Can't Have Muhammad Ali

On November 19th, President Barack Obama wrote a stirring tribute in USA Today to the most famous draft resister in US history, Muhammad Ali. On Tuesday, Obama spoke at West Point, calling for an increase of 30,000 troops into Afghanistan, with a speech that recalled the worst shadings of George W. Bush's "war on terror."

On November 19th, Obama wrote about why Ali's photo hangs over his desk, praising "The Greatest" for "his unique ability to summon extraordinary strength and courage in the face of adversity, to navigate the storm and never lose his way." On Tuesday, Obama showed neither courage nor strength but the worst kind of imperial arrogance. He asserted America's right to go into a deeply impoverished country that - from Alexander the Great to the USSR to today - has made clear to the world's empires that it wants to be left the hell alone.

On Tuesday, Obama summoned the spectre of 9/11 and said, "It is easy to forget that when this war began, we were united--bound together by the fresh memory of a horrific attack, and by the determination to defend our homeland and the values we hold dear." He didn't mention how many innocent Afghans had already died in eight years of "horrific attacks" on their homeland or how many would die in the months ahead, defending their own homeland.

On November 19th, Obama praised Ali as "a force for reconciliation and peace around the world." On Tuesday the Nobel Peace Prize winner, reconciled himself with war.

Would that Muhammad Ali still had his voice. Would that Parkinson's disease and dementia had not robbed us of his razor-sharp tongue.

Today, Ali has been described as "America's only living saint." But like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, both postage stamps before people, Ali has had his political teeth extracted.

But in a time when billions go to war and prisons while 50% of children will be on food stamps for the coming year, we can't afford Ali, the harmless icon. Maybe Muhammad Ali has been robbed of speech, but I think we can safely guess what the Champ would say in the face of Obama's war. We can safely guess, because he said it perfectly four decades ago:

"Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights? No, I'm not going 10,000 miles from home to help murder and burn another poor nation simply to continue the domination of white slave masters of the darker people the world over. This is the day when such evils must come to an end. I have been warned that to take such a stand would cost me millions of dollars. But I have said it once and I will say it again. The real enemy of my people is here..... If I thought the war was going to bring freedom and equality to 22 million of my people, they wouldn't have to draft me, I'd join tomorrow. I have nothing to lose by standing up for my beliefs. So I'll go to jail, so what? We've been in jail for 400 years."


Replace Vietnam with Afghanistan and it's a message Barack Obama and our troops need to hear. But we shouldn't wait for some celebrity or athlete to make that statement for us. Muhammad Ali may have helped shape the 1960s, but those years of resistance also shaped him. We need to rebuild the movement against war. We need to revive the real Muhammad Ali to inspire draft resistors of the future. We need to reclaim Ali from warmongers who would use his image to sell a war that will create more orphans than peace. This is the struggle of our lives and we have the Nobel-minted President of the United States on the other side of the barricades. Barack Obama can have the fawning media, the oadring generals, the RNC, and the liberal apologists on his side. But he can't have the Champ. Remove that poster from your wall Mr. President. Your Ali privileges have been revoked.

[Dave Zirin is the author of "A People's History of Sports in the United States" (The New Press) Receive his column every week by emailing dave@edgeofsports.com. Contact him at edgeofsports@gmail.com.]

Swimming a cat and hitting lawyers

We are not talking about a swinging cat, err panther, with a Duke at its tail.

Pittsburgh solicitor nominee claims no conflict - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review'I don't think you could swing a cat in this town and not hit a lawyer who hasn't sued the city,' Dowd said. 'What's important here is that we have a solicitor here who can uphold the law and advise the city.'

It is one thing to have that cat hit a lawyer who has ever sued the city in the past. It is another thing to have that cat hit a lawyer who is presently bringing a suit against the city -- and seeking to be the city's attorney -- at the same time. The suit is in the present tense, not the past.

If a conflict of interst exists, and I think one is present, then the way to fix it is to have the law firm of Mr. Reagan, drop the case.

City Council postpones Fair Share Tax vote | The Pitt News

City Council postpones Fair Share Tax vote The Pitt News: "City Council postpones Fair Share Tax vote"

My solution follows as a comment to that news article, reposted:

Pitt needs to make its land grab end

Pitt and the rest of the nonprofits could do something that would be very positive.

I'd love to see a pledge from Pitt and the other nonprofits (UPMC, Catholic Church, etc.) to shrink the land holdings of the nonprofits over the course of the next years.

The nonprofit land grab has been the biggest killer.

Nonprofits can expand upward. And, nonprofits can work in better harmony with others. And, nonprofits can lease spaces in other properties, not designated nonprofit.

Diversity and Swimming -- and community leaders

George Houston, Senior Director at the Center for Creative Leadership, spoke at USA Swimming's Diversity Summit, Nov. 12-14 at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. His topic: Leadership in a Diverse World.


One of the swimmers on the high school team came to me yesterday and said that she didn't want to compete in swim meets. Humm. I said I'd think about it and we'd talk again. That's a moment to educate -- but -- as the coach it can be a move for an new step to diversity and keep the swimmer engaged in the team, but not in the meets. My counter offer is pending. But, the team might have a new head timer. That task is going to be with a bigger burden, perhaps, than that of swimming in meets.

Pittsburgh's help line gets 116,000 messages - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh's help line gets 116,000 messages - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Pittsburgh's help line gets 116,000 messages

I'm glad I suggested it.

Still waiting for the reverse 9-1-1 capacity.

A reverse 9-1-1 would be able to make outward calls. This way, public officials could notify citizens if a train with CLORINE GAS went off the tracks.

Panel to analyze secondary schools in the East End

Single gender schools get a mention, but I'm not invited again, as expected.

Panel to analyze secondary schools in the East End: "Mr. Lopez's e-mail said the group will discuss grade configurations, feeder patterns and the possibility of single-sex 'academies,' extended hours and year-round schooling. He said another topic will be a timetable for the 'transformation and integration of the East End schools.'

Where is my invite?

The option for the establishment of one, two or more, single gender schools is much more than an east end issue, but I welcome that discussion. It is something that I've been wanting for some years and have mentioned in public statements many times.

Central Catholic and Oakland Catholic are REGIONAL high schools in the city operated by the Catholic Diocese. Boys attend one school. Girls the other. They work. They are successful options for families of both the city and beyond of many religions.

Pittsburgh Public Schools should make single gender schools to compete with Central and Oakland. These schools could be city-wide magnets. Then, any boy from anywhere in the city could choose to go to the boys high school in Pittsburgh. Same with the girls.

At one time I suggested that the boys school could be at Peabody and the girls campus could be at Westinghouse. Then every three years, the campus settings would flip from boys to girls. These schools need to be built with a goal of beating the private schools in all realms of being -- from academics to sports to service and to behaviors. Then there won't be a pressing need to beat up on each other, under the same roof.

Now, the locations are more of a moving target. One school could be at Oliver. The other might be at Reizenstein. Then the IB program could be put into Peabody.

But, back to the pressing need. We've got to have global conversations about single gender schools as city-wide magnets. That conversation needs to spill beyond the east end task force of hand-picked folks.