Barking up the wrong tree: Lynn Cullen and her radio guests

Open Debates | The Issue

The CPD (Commission on Presidential Debates) exists to decieve American voters in order to protect the major party candidates, and that deception unacceptably harms our democracy.

Want a unique way to get in depth on the presidential election coverage -- worthy goals for Evon, Dianna and Lynn. But, your hitching your wagon to the wrong horse. The debates are bogus as the ballot isn't on the stage.

Who wins the election and who gets to debate are not factors that should be equal. The debate isn't to pick the winner. The vote picks the winner. The debate is to frame the issues and the old parties do not have any monopoly on ideas.

The show of the debate would be much better if all the candidates were on the stage.

Back when Bob O'Connor was a candidate for Mayor, in 2001, I told him to NOT go into any debate with Tom Murphy without insisting upon the others who were on the ballot. Bob O'Connor got smashed in the debates. He went into the debates and Tom Murphy cleaned the floor with Bob's bumblings. Bob O'Connor didn't follow my advice. Bob O'Connor LOST the election.

Had Bob O'Connor gone into the debates with Josh (the young guy), LeRoy (the black guy) and Earl (the retired guy) -- then Bob would be our mayor now. In the Dem primary in 2001, there were five candidates on the ballot. But at least three debates were on TV with only Bob and Tom.

Shame too spreads to the local broadcasters: PCNC, WPXI, KDKA, and now Renda Broadcasting and PCNC. Campos.com

No steam for EMS again as agenda swirls in toilet

No deal to privatize city's EMS this year - PittsburghLIVE.com: "A proposal to save money by privatizing Pittsburgh's emergency medical services is not likely to be part of a five-year budget scheduled to be unveiled today. "

Merging EMS with the Firefighters was promoted as a "solution" by Tom Murphy and his Administration some years ago. When that failued, the next wish-upon-a-star promise from Mayor Murphy was a merger of EMS with the local hospitals. Both plans, as is the overall agenda of Mayor Tom Murphy, are stalled. He can't move an agenda forward.

On the hard issues, there is no hope with Tom Murphy as our mayor. The political capital in city hall is gone. Too much betrayal in the past is proviing too great a burden for the present.

"The timing is short. The hospitals themselves are not of one mind what to do. They don't know how to approach it," Lieberman said.

The timing on the EMS deal has been looming since the first re-election of Tom Murphy. Promises were made in the late 1990s that still smolder as burt bridges. The timing is long, not short. And it is not the duty of the hospitals to solve the city's mess. The hospitals are going to be guarded, thankfully, on any approach.

Jim Roberts, who heads the Act 47 recovery team, said ... the five-member board backs the idea... "We support the formation of an authority to run the EMS with the hospitals contributing the revenue for the operation," Roberts said.

Of course a non-elected oversight board member would endorse the creation of a new authority. But, all the king's horses and all the king's men won't be able to fix this.

Pittsburgh can begin to heal as soon as Tom Murphy leaves Grant Street.

"The hospitals are an attractive partner for us because they understand the job we do," said Jeff Vesci, president of the Fraternal Association of Professional Paramedics.

The unsaid: The Mayor's office and the authority boards don't understand the role and vital mission of the professional paramedics. The mayor and the annointed are clueless when it comes to building complicated solutions.

PA Row Office Races Money Update

Grassroots PA
With six weeks to go, I find it strange that those with more money in the bank are given props as to being 'ahead.' If one is really putting forth the effort to win the election, then the cash on hand might be much closer to zero. On the other hand, folks like Jack Wagner are more interested in a career in politics. They want a "war chest" so other races can be waged. The idea for them is not to win the race and do something in that office. Rather that rules is self-preservation.

These row office politicians are more sizzle than steak. And, most of their real meat is parked in their wallets under their seat. Or, it is already put into the freezer.

Auditor General

Jack Wagner, of Pittsburgh, raised about $357,000 in cash and in-kind contributions and spent $161,600 in the period. He now has $387,200 on hand. Overall, Wagner has raised nearly $692,000 and spent $287,500 in the race.

Former Scranton police officer and federal prosecutor Joe Peters, raised $246,000 and spent $136,400 in the period, and now has almost $135,000 on hand. Peters has raised a total of $463,300 and spent $330,000 in the race.

Treasurer

Robert P. Casey Jr. raised $352,000 in cash and in-kind contributions in the period and spent nearly $124,000, and has about $528,700 on hand. Casey, who is the state's two-term auditor general, has raised $979,000 and spent more than $417,000 in the race.

Jean Craige Pepper, a financial consultant from Erie who has not run for public office before, raised $110,000 in cash and in-kind contributions in the period and spent about $83,400, and now has $34,400 on hand. All told, Pepper has raised about $269,000 and spent $240,000.

Parents, nonprofits stepping in to keep Pittsburgh facilities open (phillyBurbs.com)

(phillyBurbs.com)

Keeping Pittsburgh facilities open

by JUDY LIN, The Associated Press
PITTSBURGH - Across the river from downtown Pittsburgh, Mark Rauterkus walks around his neighborhood and sees basketball courts in need of repaving, a swimming pool in need of water and an indoor ice rink in need of restoration.

Fed up with Pittsburgh's political leaders, ....

We are still making progress, so we dust off this blast from the past. Our first night of soccer at the Market House was a success. We could use a few more 10, 11 and 12 year old players however.

Next, the search begins for badminton players! Stay tuned.

Burgh not that drunk of a town

Survey coverage in PittsburghLive says, "They know how to handle their liquor. "

As a South Side resident, I'd dispute the degree of self-control displayed in Pittsburgh's late-night. Sure, we might not have as many alcoholics and lower 1/1000 rates of liver disease. Our D.U.I. rates are also down, but, I bet that is more of a factor of aggressive enforcement. But, many folks can drink and stumble home without getting behind the wheel, as we have bars closer to our homes.

Left out of discussions

PittsburghLIVE.com: "'We weren't even included in the discussions when decisions were made that will affect our ability to do our jobs,' King said following the meeting. 'They just want us to sit back and swallow what they give us...'

Councilman Len Bodack Jr., who chairs council's public safety committee, said he, too, has been left out of discussions about restructuring the fire bureau. "

Mayor Murphy does not play well with others.

Music fans will miss this place

PittsburghLIVE.com: "Unfortunately, the Rock and Roll Hotel has heard its last note, long before most Pittsburghers ever got a chance to visit."

This is so Pittsburgh. Write about it after its dead.

Mike, please don't wait until I'm dead to talk about the things I do and care about.

Suburbs melted into Ontario's 'Steeltown'

PG covers Ontario's 'Steeltown': "Government consolidation -- or what Canadians call 'amalgamation' -- took place in Hamilton in two stages spaced nearly 30 years apart. In 1974, the province of Ontario eliminated through mergers five of the 11 municipalities in the Hamilton area. Simultaneously, the province superimposed a new county-like government, called the Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Council."

Fine. That's called "evolution." Pittsburgh needs to evolve. Pittsburgh does NOT need a massive jamming.

This is a serious but subtle problem with Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh's leadership has been stuck in self-service and can't and won't evolve with modest steps. To close schools, for instance, takes a massive upheaval. Rather, schools should be phased out over time and everything at everytime needs to be under constant evaluation. Rather than call for the elimination of seven or eight or nine row offices in one sweeping cut of the ax, let's close one office each year for the next five years. Row office reform was such a hot topic a year ago and both candidates (Dan O. and Jim R.) wanted some type of it. However, now is the time and it isn't getting done.

I don't want "metropolitanism." Rather, I want serious, measured, ongoing change that is calculated, managed, obvious and sets a trend to actions based on principles and common sense. Furthermore, everything is on the table at all times. The creativity needs to be in the mix at all juntions.

For example, the hoped for merger of EMS and the Firefighters didn't happen. People in the Mayor's office have been working on that for years and failed. Then then hope of getting the hospitals to pick up the EMS units is now the pathway of narrow-minded, agenda driven, top-down wish-for-the-sky approach. Folks, it isn't going to work.

All the king's horses and all the king's men can't put Humpty together again.

For example, think Fifth and Forbes. The Mayor's plan called for a massive re-do. His golden ticket was tied to "critical mass." Now it is time for us all to be critical of the mayor and his mass-appeal. He can't move along his agenda as he isn't creative. He is spent. He is an all-or-nothing bone head who can't manage day-to-day instances.

Finally, the media doesn't get it either. The PG is looking for that fountain of youth and award winning story. It is hard work to cover the ordinary done in exceptional ways.

Time, again, to kick-in at the Market House

We play today!

Our kids are going to be running around at the Market House again. We should be holding a ribbon cutting.

The Market House Childrens Athletic Association is about to resume programming after a year of no activities due to the lay-offs and closures by the Mayor.

Sign ups for the fall youth soccer program will be from 6 to 8 pm on Friday, Sept. 10 and from 10 to noon on Saturday, September 11.
The Market House is located on the South Side, at 12th Street, and Bingham Square, very near to East Carson Street, the main street through the South Side Flats.

The Market House youth soccer program, for both girls and boys, is slated for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for ten weeks. Times are 5 pm for ages 4, 5, and 6; 6 pm for ages 7, 8 and 9; and 7 pm for ages 10, 11 and 12. Charges are a $25 nonrefundable registration fee of $25 for the first child and $15 for each additional child. Additional info and scheduling will be provided at signups and in the first week of practice to follow.

The goal is to get up to 15 players on six teams in each age group --- and no more. Registration will be limited. Parents are needed as volunteers and coaches.

Hope to see you there.

The Pittsburgh Hip Hop Initiative's Education Series Presents:

Carnegie Mellon's University Lecture Series on Thursday, September 23. The lecture will take place at 6 p.m. in Rangos Auditorium"

Education Innovations, Inc. is searching for a volunteer artist

Assignment: Draw our vision for the proposed, uptown, NatureLAB space. The drawing for perspective sponsors, customers, and partners is to depict the 26,000 square-foot property with greenhouse, geodesic dome classroom, performance space, and working mini-farm. If interested, s.wilcox @ educationinnovations.org or call 412.363.7707.

Source: Salvador Wilcox, CEO, Education Innovations . Org
914 Heberton Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Humor in big type

Today's chuckles in PG sports headlines:

Strictly for the birds (i.e., Baltimore Ravens)
Stuck in idle (@ The Bus)
Little elbow room (@ #7's elbow injury)
A heap of trouble (@ Todd Heap, #86 for the Ravens after getting pushed back after being injured the prior play)

ESPN.com - MLB - Neyer apologizes for anonymous book review

ESPN.com - MLB - Neyer apologizes for anonymous book review

Posting under a fake name and posting as anonymous are two different matters. I have no problem with you being a faceless coward and voice in the crowd, like a heckler. Shout and duck and be without a name. But, don't post and say you are who you are NOT.

On this blog, you can post without a name. But, don't post as "Joe Sixpack," when that isn't your real name, please.

Furthermore, some do have real "nicknames." Pen names can work, if you always go there.

local disaster

Bush declares local disaster - PittsburghLIVE.com: "'We'll get through this because we are all working together,' said Mayor Tom Murphy."

Mayor Murphy's statement about "working together" is such a joke as it comes on the day City Council is holding a POST AGENDA and the Mayor has refused to show up and has instructed others in the administration to NOT show up. Tom Murphy isn't working together when he doesn't respond and stops others from responding. This is his duty. The topic of the Sept. 20, 2004, post-agenda is, get this, EMERGENCY RESPONSE TIMES.

We'll get through this in a much better way when Mayor Murphy shows up in the PRIVATE SECTOR. As mayor, he isn't working with others. Tom Murphy isn't showing up in city council chambers to discuss a ballot question that will be in front of voters in the city in a few short weeks.

Our shared landscape has a lot of boats parked within Point State Park at the moment. But the real local disaster is when Mayor Murphy is parked elsewhere when he should be before the citizens and city council on matters such as EMERGENCY Response Times.

Mayor Murphy is absent on the agenda again.

Bucs sweep double header

Shiver me timbers! The Pirates played the Mets at PNC Park in two games and swept them both. Too bad it wasn't through Sharpsburg and Millvale. Great Sunday for a game, for all 86 people in the stands.

Yard sign drop off

Some good soul, (unknown to me) delivered an Arlen Specter yard sign to our house this morning. Thanks.

I wonder if the sign came because I miss-spelled both of his names in a blog comment at some other site this past week. Woops. I don't claim to be a good speller. I'm way better as a re-write communicator. I always try to touch up my prose and typos. But, I can't re-visit and edit my postings on other sites.

The sign will sit in the office in easy view as penance. It won't go in my front window as I'm staying "neutral" in the elections (so far). I've got a few public roles to fill. From the podium one can't be too overboard in partisanship.

Flogged by the blogs

PittsburghLIVE.com: "As in all revolutions, first, the old order must be destroyed, then we will learn both the strengths and the shortcomings of the new order. We're now getting a glimpse of the Internet bloggers' strength."

The eiditorial is about Dan Rather by an out-of-town writer. Perhaps that same headline will ring true when it comes to Mayor Tom Murphy and his administration. Time will tell.

He Said She Said

Union bosses attack official on Act 47 plan: "Marlene Lamanna at a news conference yesterday -- said Lieberman also told them to lobby against the recovery plan."

What the heck is going on here? Generally I'm in the know. Generally I have a sense of what's about to happen before it is ever reported (as far as city politics). I'm not bragging, but more so discounting what get reported.

But, from time to time, as this is, I find a real head scratcher.

Bill Lieberman is on the ICA (oversight board). For starters, Lieberman should resign. Isn't he the one who wants to be a player in a new gambling venture in the city? For even thinking about the play for the lone license -- I sense a real conflict of interest. His conflict occurs in the gamble to get the gambling permit -- not after hitting the jackpot.

Next, he's puffing up the ICA (oversight board) and taking the air out of the Act 47 Recovery Team. Right? Is this just a selfish power play? Is this just a deal where more power can be secured by helping the enemy of an enemy?

But, why in the hell does any enemy exist? Just to undercut?

And, why are we only seeing about this comment in the PG now? Because of the press event? And, what did the other union officials say about what got said. Is the crossing guard union president being left out in the wind and rain by Rossi and Vesci and who knows who else.

PA Aspen and how to land on your wallet at the slopes

Bank takes control of Laurel Mountain ski lodge: "We have some very interested parties lined up,' said Somerset Trust Vice President Lee Murdy."

We can (as does the State) sell management rights to facilities and keep on top of the contractors for the sake of the public good.

The closed indoor ice rink on the South Side that was once operated by a contractor -- but there was NO oversight from the city, sadly.

Welcome Cornhuskers

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Three cheers to the good people of Nebraska for taking Steve P off our our hands. He is your Athletic Director now. You sent him to us, and I'm glad we could send him back. Sorry, an 'at.

Enjoy your stay.

Pitt's campus, should you care, is in a part of town called Oakland. That's where you'll find the acadmic buildings, the medical centers, a wonderful cultural hub and the old as dirt Cathedral Of Learning -- the landmark building for education.

The Cathedral of Learning, Pitt's visual showcase, was built some time ago -- just about the time of the once great Pitt Stadium. When Steve was in town he did all he could to put the wrecking ball to the grand old venue called Pitt Stadium. He ripped it from our landscape before a lease to use Heinz Field was even crafted.

Pitt should be playing Nebraska at Heinz Field. But, the band should hold its practices, the track team should hold its meets, the intramural games could occur, and the injured athletes could get their rehab at Pitt Stadium too.

Point being: If my neighbor offers me the use of his new motor home for our family summer vacation each year -- great. I don't need to get rid of the family station wagon for the other 355 days a year.

We are doing the same foolishness with the talk of the Penguins arena. They want a new home for NHL hockey, should it ever resume again. Fine. Mario can build a new home without destroying the existing Civic Arena. Then we could host a city-league or PIAA championship basketball game in town and have a NHL game on the same date.

Steve's failed lesson: 1 + 1 = 2
But, he's in good company as Mario and others around here can't seem to grapple with that as well.

We churn. We even got two new stadiums (PNC Park + Heinz Field) but lost 3RS and it had a $50-million mortgage still outstanding.

Hope he doesn't bring Nebraska more of the same.

And, how did that loss at home to a non-confrence foe feel last week?