Money and Democracy

We hear nearly everyday about the blessings of democracy and how it helps to preserve our freedoms as Americans. Yet, we increasingly hear about the negative impacts of money on political campaigns. There have been efforts made to reform this system, with so-called campaign finance reform. However, this reform has not been successful. We continue to lag in efforts of self-representation. Corruption grips tighter on the system and the players.

As a State Senate candidate, I have two solutions within a campaign-finance plan to fix a series of related problems.

The best way to insure transparency is to make the bank accounts themselves transparent. This isn't a private endeavor. This run for office is a public effort.

The creation of a new style of bank account dedicated for PACs would enable every citizen to have access to the bank accounts recoreds of willing PACs organizers. Such a policy would create greater accountability and improved transparency with a marketplace solution that would cut overhead in government, in campaigns and in media efforts of being watchdogs.

More to come shortly.

Paul's public questions and his discussion

Paul Senter sent out this email. It isn't the best in formats, but I let it rip anyway on the quick. I think a copy also went out via snail mail to candidates. I'll reply in earnest to the issues raised when I have another moment to spare.

short-version:
--- the Pa. Attorney General's office was called = referred to AG Investigative Unit;
--- the AG Investigative Unit was called = seems to be a local matter; referred to District Attorney's IU;
--- the District Attorney's IU was called = suggested sending outline
for their overworked attorney to look at;
--- material was sent to DA's IU;
--- the DA's IU called to say they weren't going to do anything; doesn't seem to be anything outright criminal;
it seems to be a State or Federal matter.
--- AG'S IU was called again, relating DA' s IU verbal response.

if no penalties written into the law, then
possibly no grounds;

seems like a court determination is necessary to establish disregard of the State law by elected officials; extortion, etc.

= anyone can file a motion for a Common Pleas Court hearing seeking "relief from bad actions of City authorities"

---

On the phone the DA's office asked if there was Federal money involved;
the AG's office has said they deal with use of State monies;
the DA's office has not yet replied in writing, as later requested;
the AG has not yet been contacted in writing.

Neither the DA's nor AG's offices seem to have any incentive to dig into the details.

---

At first, filing a "citizen motion" seemed a possible way to go;
it could be a real test of just how well "government by the people",
and democracy itself, exists in Pittsburgh and in Pennsylvania.
It seemed it might be worth the effort just to see how real everything is.

---

Progress through Common Pleas Court would surely be time-consuming and tedious, and would "they" be willing to expose their political cronies/friends (Mr. Hertzberg, City Council members, and the Mayor)?

---

I got to thinking there's possibly a more direct way to RESULTS:

Therefore, on Tuesday, April 26, I mailed a letter with an addressed envelope to the six District 2 City Council candidates, and the three Pa. District 42 State Senator Candidates, requesting a reply be put in the mail by April 30. They were alerted that the results will be posted to the general public.

The letters had a cover-letter and a YES-NO chart, but this is the content
of the chart (I will soon post the cover-letters and charts on the website) :

---

If I am elected Pittsburgh City Council District 2 Representative, I will
persist in accomplishing:

YES NO

a) within 60 days of being elected, introduction, or support of introduction and passage of
a Bill that will
-- repeal Bill 1020-2005 of February 2005
(which took $1 from the partial refund to the 4000+ owners who paid the WE-HAV tax,
so as to give $100 to the 38 or so, who paid to enroll and received a WE-HAV appraisal.)

-- REQUIRE RESTITUTION by the West Pittsburgh Partnership for
Regional Development,
Inc. Community Development Corporation, of the shortage of WE-HAV
tax funds turned over to the City, upon the September 2004 Termination of the
District 2 NID and the WE-HAV operation,
so as to provide a full $20 refund of the WE-HAV taxes
collected by the West Pittsburgh
Partnership', Inc., which as the NID Managing Authority
(NIDMA), permitted spending collected money knowing it was involved in a lawsuit that
could be lost.

b) within 60 days of being elected, introduction, or support of
introduction and passage of a Bill requiring
-- the West Pittsburgh Partnership', Inc. to produce
- a complete and fully itemized public accounting of all
WE-HAV-related funds, funds sources, and expenditures (including the $150,000 of the
Mayor's UDAG funds, accrued interest, etc.)

-- a complete and fully itemized accounting by the City Finance
Department of the "WE-HAV" funds received by the City from the West Pittsburgh
Partnership for Regional Development, Inc., upon the September 2004 Termination
of the District 2 NID and the WE-HAV operation.
- and a complete accounting of the current state of those funds.

c) within 90 days of being elected, introduction, or support of
introduction and passage of a Bill establishing and funding an elected City of Pittsburgh Ombudsman who is charged with receiving, investigating, and appropriately bringing to prosecution, grievances of citizens against the City government and its officials.

Signed _____________________
Date ___________

17 May 2005 Candidate for Pittsburgh City Council District 2 Representative

---

If I am elected Pennsylvania District 42 State Senator,
I will persist in accomplishing within the two years of this elected term:

YES NO

1) introduction of, or support of introduction and passage of Amendments
to the
State NID Act 130-2000, including

--if not deleting Residential Improvement Districts (RIDs) from
the Act, then

-- replacement of the NO_vote mechanism, with referendum of
targeted property owners;

-- specifically-clear detailing of the initial owner-support
requirement,

-- specifically-clear detailing of the complete procedures
required for bringing a NID proposal to the point of presentation to the respective
local municipal authority for approval/passage.

-- adding specific criminal offenses for not adhering to the
instructions and procedures of the amended NID Act.

2) introduction of, or support of introduction and passage of legislation establishing and funding an elected Pennsylvania State Ombudsman who
is charged with
-- receiving, investigating, and appropriately bringing to prosecution, grievances of citizens against the State government and its officials,

-- as well as receiving, investigating, and appropriately bringing
to prosecution, neglected or otherwise un-addressed grievances of citizens of any County or municipality against their respective County or municipal government and its officials.

Signed _____________________________________
Date __________
17 May 2005 Candidate for Pennsylvania District 42 State
Senator

---

This SEEMS to be a real opportunity to put concrete issues, born of our first-hand experience with the WE-HAV scheming, on the record for candidates to publicly accept responsibility for -or not.
--and then to see how whoever is elected acts, according to what they have publicly agreed to do or not do.

Persisting in the introducing and enactment (or refusing or failing to do so) of definite legislation dealing with specific matters affecting us, are specific concrete actions which we the public can see done or not done.

--In my opinion, these specific actions are much do-able and realistic than the typical campaign-rhetoric-hot-air about "jobs", "taxes", "assessments", "the budget", and so on.

It seems this might be way to provide clear instructions to those we select as REPRESENTATIVES, to make commitments, and carry through once in office --or shut up and expect to be de-elected.

I personally do not need self-proclaimed sold-out "leaders" , I want
responsible accurate representation of the electorate, which includes me.

I'd prefer the opportunity of having to decide among all fine candidates, rather than having to figure who might be the best of the worst; and I would hope that whoever of the fine who didn't get elected would join in with getting things done thereafter.

Best Regards,

Interesting interactions with media to note

Bob M of TV 4 called to ask if I was running for mayor as an Indie. As of now, I'm running for PA Senator. If I become the new state senator, I won't run for mayor. I'll make more decisions and announce them on election night as we see the results. Stay tuned.

If anyone else is running for mayor, and is not a D or an R -- that person would NEED to be not a D or an R now, due to the R.C. rule. How is Joe Rossi or Joe King registered at the county election department now?

If I would run for mayor in the general election, I'd be a Libertarian, for what that's worth.

With the Trib, I talked with Colin McN. He told me that the Trib is NOT yet sure if it is even going to talk to candidates for the special election for the PA Senate. I would love to have an opportunity to talk with the Trib's editorial review board. Time will tell if that invite comes or not.

The PG must not have thought there was anything "newsworthy" in our editorial review board meeting of a week or more ago. I don't like the fact that no news is good news. I hate the fact that Diven is calling for a NEW authority. I think that is newsworthy and should be covered -- for its madness if nothing else. So, we hurry up and wait for that ink to flow.

Answers for The Pittsburgh Catholic

What is your position on providing legal protection for unborn children from the moment of conception if Roe vs. Wade is overturned?
Comment: I support state rights. Libertarians’ views on these issues range the full spectrum. The hypothetical question defies further comment, given 30 words. I do favor efforts for the prevention of pregnancy. Generally, I am in the middle on this issue.

What is your position on public funding of abortion?

Oppose

What is your position on banning the cloning of human beings for any purpose?

Oppose

What is your position on repealing the death penalty in Pennsylvania?

Support

What is your position on government requiring that benefits be provided to same-sex partners?

Government can’t REQUIRE benefits. However, everyone has specific RIGHTS. I support PUSH discussions that will one day decouple employment from health care coverage.

What is your position on school choice legislation in the form of direct grants to students to attend the school of their choice (vouchers)?

Support with comment: I attended 10-years of Catholic school: To 8th grade at St. Barts and 9 & 10th at St. Fidelis HS Seminary.

What is your position on increasing funding for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit, which encourages businesses to donate to Pre-K-12 scholarship programs?

Oppose with comment: Schools need serious attention, but a tax credit is far from ideal.

What is your position on reform measures to make assisted living/personal care more affordable and provide more health options for the elderly so that they may choose the setting best suited to their needs (i.e., home care, assisted living/personal care, nursing home)?

Support

What is your position on legislation to impose standards to ensure that all scientific research in Pennsylvania adheres to established moral or ethical principles?

Oppose with comment: Legislators are horrible scientists. Scientists and researchers make horrible legislators. My insistence favors the “peer review legacy” over any legislation.

What will you do to address the growing number of uninsured individuals in our Commonwealth and ensure health care that works for all? Comments: Please be concise (30 words or less) to ensure that your answer may be printed in its entirety.

Wellness is prominent in my Platform.For-Pgh.org. Health care and employment must be decoupled for better medicine and our economy. As a Senator, I'd champion the arrival of PUSH (single payer health care).

Qs without As (yet) for the Pgh Catholic newspaper

How would YOU answer these questions. Or, running mates, what suggestions do you have for me.

My understanding is that both of my old-party opponents are very much right to lifers. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being max on right to life views, I'm going to guess that Diven, now a R, is a 9.9 and Fontana, now a D, is a 9.5.

Some of these questions are insteresting in just their presentation. Clever.

1.What is your position on providing legal protection for unborn children from the moment of conception if Roe vs. Wade is overturned?
__ support __oppose __ support with exceptions – list exceptions?

2.What is your position on public funding of abortion?
__ support __oppose __comments

3.What is your position on banning the cloning of human beings for any purpose?
__ support __oppose __comments

4.What is your position on repealing the death penalty in Pennsylvania?
__ support __oppose __comments

5.What is your position on government requiring that benefits be provided to same-sex partners?
__ support __oppose __comments

6.What is your position on school choice legislation in the form of direct grants to students to attend the school of their choice (vouchers)?
__ support __oppose __comments

7.What is your position on increasing funding for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit, which encourages businesses to donate to Pre-K-12 scholarship programs?
__ support __oppose __comments

8.What is your position on reform measures to make assisted living/personal care more affordable and provide more health options for the elderly so that they may choose the setting best suited to their needs (ie. home care, assisted living/personal care, nursing home)?
__ support __oppose __comments

9.What is your position on legislation to impose standards to ensure that all scientific research in Pennsylvania adheres to established moral or ethical principles?
__ support __oppose __comments

10.What will you do to address the growing number of uninsured individuals in our Commonwealth and ensure health care that works for all? Comments: Please be concise (30 words or less) to ensure that your answer may be printed in its entirety.

Comments

My answers will be posted on my web site, and perhaps this blog, soon.

Coro Fellow on the campaign. Welcome Tim! New press secretary duties to begin in earnest.

Tim Aldinger, 28, a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs has joined the campaign of Mark Rauterkus. Tim and the others on the team are in a quest to win the special election and make Rauterkus, the next PA Senator in the 42nd district.

Tim is working fulltime with the campaign, candidate and others until election day, May 17, 2005.

Tim is a graduate student within Coro's program that offers a diverse curriculum. His fellowship includes assignments on political campaigns.

Tim has been involved in public affairs in a wide variety of settings including a year of service with AmeriCorps and organizing an international conference on community building. His undergraduate degree in International Studies included a semester in the Czech Republic before graduating magna cum laude from Southern Oregon University.

Next year he will complete his master's degree in Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University.

Tim's new title: Coordinator of Media Relations.

Storm over weather service initiatives

Storm over weather service initiatives Sen. Rick Santorum has introduced legislation that would limit the information that the National Weather Service can provide to the public,...

We have a bone to pick with Santorum and the White House for the recent denial of a tour while in DC recently. Now the wind blows again.

If you're for closed, hidden information -- I'm against you. If you are for open, free information, count me as an ally.

A radio interview with PA's Junior US Senator makes it seem unlike what was first reported in the press. Santorum is trying to prevent the US Weather Service from selling its data and expanding its mission. That's a different spin.

However, the alarms ring for me when I hear of any reporting that concerns one media outlet and another. The topic of media to media coverage is always highly charged and most generally wrong. In this case, the press reported something about the National Weather Service -- something that could greatly impact radio and tv news and stations. Watch out. Some hidden agendas and twists are probable.

The media needs to do much more in terms of PEER REVIEW. If one outlet gets it wrong, they should report on that matter. There are too many taboo areas among the journalists and the business outlets that pay them.

So, the story is unfolding in my view. Dig a little deeper before making a value judgement on the issue as the first reporting might be wrong by design to sway public opinion.

I'm still for open access. But I'm not yet sure who else is for open access as well. The free flow of information needs to be protected. Free speech, free travel, free trade, free markets, free association -- all help drive prosperity in America and the world.

Oakland's transit talk recap

Rapid busways were part of the transportation discussion at a forum in Oakland. I attended part of the presentation before heading to another candidates' night.

Common ground was found in a number of elements in the early presentations, but a number of missing points were also noted.

Frankly, I don't want to hear about color coordination among the buses and the signs. Striking logos, eye candy paint jobs and other designer elements was talked about and sounded much like lipstick on a pig.

Too often, we've seen those in power in Pittsburgh try in vain to re-brand, re-market, re-position, re-hoodwink. Don't bat a the leaves on the tree of misery! Let's get serious and dig at the roots of the problems.

A bus sheleter that is built like a little gazebo is no big deal. Nobody cares beyond the pencil pushers at PAT who are in front of an audience showing off their cluelessness.

A classic moment came right at the outset of the presentation from PAT's top planning official. He began his presentation with a question. He asked, "What was happening with light rail in 1978?" He was trying to make the point that light rail was not an industry then. Light rail, in 1978, was nothing but a concept on the drawing board. In the recent decades a new mode of transportation sprung into civilization.

He is right if you IGNORE what was shouted out from the back of the room -- STREETCARS.

Lightrail of the past was called "streetcars."

Duhh. PAT's top leaders are in denial of a number of serious matters.

We had light rail in the past, called streetcars, then PAT ripped it out.

We had heavy rail in the past PAT ripped it out.

We had more than a dozen includes in the past, until PAT ripped it out.

Now we have a busway extension to Carnegie. Now we'll be getting a glass enclosed subway stop in Gateway Center.

PAT has done a lot of damage to our city's and our region's transportation infrastructure. When you take the long view of that authority, it is horrid.

So, what are we doing now? Putting Mr. Roddey in charge of a NEW authority set up by the Governor to find a dedicated funding stream for transportation. Roddey used to be on PAT's board. This is NOT a good signal.

I have other notes on the event and will attempt to post them soom.

Missing topics: Out and back routes. Hub and spoke talk. Re-looking at routes that refrain buses from making so many turns on corners within the downtown streets.

PAT needs an overhaul. It isn't about the money. It is about the oversight and the leadership. There is no accountability within the system. Those in charge -- like county council, county executive, state reps -- are to blame.

As a state senator, I'll be able to ask and insist upon frank answers to tough questions. The others are giving this authority -- and the other authorities -- a 'free pass.' I'll drive home the points of being fiscally frugal -- with both the capital and operations budget. I'll demand customer service viewpoints and priorities -- that service all the citizens.

Editorial: Yes to reform / The public should vote to cut county row offices

I agree with the PG on an election editorial. Should that scare me?

Editorial: Yes to reform / The public should vote to cut county row offices Voters can end all that, regardless of which party has control, if they agree to the proposal on the May 17 ballot. Put before the public by County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and County Council, the plan would reduce the 10 elected row offices to four: district attorney, controller, treasurer and sheriff.

Although the Post-Gazette advocated a previous option that would have eliminated the latter two offices as well, the reform that reached the ballot is better than nothing and deserves the taxpayers' support. In that regard, a recent study by the county controller concluded that Allegheny County would save at least $770,000 a year by having the court and the county executive take over the six functions.

That's a good dollars-and-sense reason to vote Yes on row-office consolidation. But a better reason is to professionalize, rather than politicize, them. The voters have a rare chance to reform their government next month, and they should make the most of it.

What comes next should be interesting.
I hope the voters put a stand alone question or two on the ballot to eliminate the elections for the office of treasurer and sheriff.
Furthermore, I advocated for a yes-no decision on each office. The row-office question should have been delivered in an unbundled package, as 10 individual questions.

Help Marine Second Lieutenant Ilario Pantano

The court of public opinion gets another lift. A segment on Nightline ran on this story.

Defend the Defenders - Who's got THEIR backs? - Help Marine Second Lieutenant Ilario Pantano: "DefendtheDefenders.org raises money and awareness for the defense of soldiers and Marines whose actions in the heat of combat are being second-guessed.

Absenteeism still up at Mt. Lebanon school

Absenteeism still up at Mt. Lebanon school Air sample tests returned yesterday afternoon showed that no asbestos particles were found in the air at Washington Elementary in Mt. Lebanon following a weekend abatement project that involved removing auditorium floor tile and wall panels that contained asbestos.

I'm sure that my kids would NOT be in school if they were students there.

County GOP committee cuts staff

Ouch.

County GOP committee cuts staff - PittsburghLIVE.com Glancy and Douglas both praised Watt's work for the party.

'I very much enjoyed my time there,' Watt said. 'I'm looking at a few different options.'

Perhaps I could speak and have my friends provide the entertainment at the 2006 Lincoln Day event.

FUD alert: Lawsuit stalls tax-notice mailing

FUD = Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt.
The 0-1-2-3-4 plan is FUD at its worst.

Lawsuit stalls tax-notice mailing - PittsburghLIVE.com Allegheny County property owners will have to wait a little longer to receive already delayed assessment notices for the 2006 tax year while a county judge considers a lawsuit that seeks to overturn Chief Executive Dan Onorato's plan to cap the increase of property values.

Pittsburgh's best hope is that the plan put forth by Onorato and authored on County Council by my Dem opponent, Wayne Fontana, is nixed ASAP (as soon as possible).

Thomas Jefferson Think Tank to ponder the 5th with Grant S.

See the comments for the full announcment.

Partisan project - essay - clincher. Is this something to hang your hat upon?

partisan project "... the best secret in Pittsburgh? Simple. You matter here."

Humm.
One would matter more in Somerset.
My matter around my waist would be less if I lived in Southern California and was able to take runs on the beach.
How about we use our grey matter more here in Pittsburgh than elsewhere. There is a double meaning to the "grey" -- being old and grey, like the silver fox. Or, grey matter as in the jello-like organ that fits between one's ears.
That "grey matter" connection plays well with the theme song, "Think again."

But, let's quibble with the notion that one really does matter in Pittsburgh. I always use the example of four years ago in the Dem primary for mayor when there were more than a dozen debates between Bob O'C and Tom Murphy. There were plenty of times when the other three on the ballot -- Leroy, Josh and Earl -- didn't get to debate. They didn't have a seat at the table. They didn't debate.

This time, in 2005, the UJF holds a debate, as does the PDP (Pgh Downtown Partnership) and TV 4 (WTAE) -- and the others in the race don't matter. Only the front runners matter.

I think it is a noble idea to say everyone matters. But with contract patronage, with insider deals, with instutional bias -- it just doesn't ring true to me.

We could and should be a place where everyone does matter. I like that concept. But people are put onto the Citizens Police Review Board -- and they don't show up for meetings. They are on the board to NOT count and to discount the voice of others who care.

The citizens voted against funding for the stadiums. We said, despite large advertising money from the corporate types, that we didn't want to raise money from taxes to pay for two new stadiums and a convention center. We considered it. We voted. We won. But the new stadiums were shoved down our throats. It doesn't taste good.

The voters approved the county charter and then twice stood up for a twist in the rules that make county council members RESIGN from their seats on the county charter as soon as they become a candidate for another office. Well, when candidates announce, campaign, put in for endorsements, get voted upo for endorsements and obtain ballot status -- but STILL DON'T RESIGN -- we've got another problem. The powerful say that the citizens rules don't matter. (I'm speaking directly about Wayne Fontana's late resignation from county council.)

Do our kids matter when the mayor can just pull the plug on all the rec centers and swim pools?

Do the area fitness runners matter when the Great Race is squashed just to make a crisis reach the suburbanites to kick up dust in Harrisburg? The Marathon didn't matter and we have a marathon runner in the Mayor's office.

When we hire a TOP LIBRARIAN and the qualifications deem it necessary to have a LIBRARIAN in that post -- does it matter? Pick someone else, not qualified, but have the clout to overrule the rules.

The elected leaders don't even matter when we have two sets of overlords running this town with Act 47 and the I.C.A.

Do transit riders matter when all night and weekend service was to STOP and fares increase?

Do taxpayers matter when the assessments climb through the roof without rhyme and without reason? The folly in the system, and those that cause it, are saying to people -- this is your tough luck.

I wish everyone mattered here. Some matter more than others.

When you rob Peter to pay Paul, creat a TIF, (or call it what you wish). Then Matt, Mark, Luke and John see the poor stewardship. They hold back. They leave when they can. They vote with their feet. TIF today, KOZ (Keystone Opportunity Zone), or abatement, or Homestead exemption, or 1-2-3-4 caps, -- whatever. It is corporate welfare. It means we flounder.

If everyone mattered, there would NOT be so many blasted incentives to open or keep a business here -- as that takes from one and gives to another. Government can't create jobs in an efficient way. Government that tries to be real estate agents force the developers to be the elected ones. Things are all twisted. Our democracy is frail.

We even have troubled instances of making sure everyone matters when it is time to vote. A Democratic Party vote gets all the committee people to vote -- even the dozen who died last year. That's a great way to say EVERYONE MATTERS HERE.

And I don’t mean to exclude anyone, but I think the young people of Pittsburgh best know what I mean.

I think that the young people have a grip. I think that the young people know a thing or two. However, the young people don't know best. Don't fool yourself. Do inject, entertain, engage, criticize, run spell checkers, and ponder in public. But don't claim the brass ring for the youthful. This isn't Madison Ave where hippsters rule.

Young people have a lot to learn. Some lessons come the day you hold your baby in your arms. Other lessons come on the first day of school for your oldest kid. More know best insights come as you attend some funerals, as you dance a weddings of your buddies kid, or as you are a fulltime caregiver for someone you really don't know well now -- young or old -- family or otherwise.

That buzz about the local music scene is worthy -- but fleeting.

"... that mysterious himp that always keeps getting in the way...

Perhaps that hump is bi-modal and comes like a two humped camel. One hump could be seen when you look in the mirror and notice the ego that stares back. We are always our worst enemy. The troubles from within are much worse than those from elsewhere. That is always a given, for us all. We got to get out of our own way.

In swimming, we teach and coach how to be "streamlined."

Put in another sports and kid's example -- consider a tricycle -- or big wheel. When you are whipping downhill, you take your feet off of the pedals. There are times to get into a tuck and glide and hold form. There are other times to struggle like hell.

The experienced, artful, gifted ones are able to realize when it is time to pedal and when its time to coast and get in the draft of others.

The other hump -- I agree -- has much to do with local and state government.

I'm not too sure what you mean by the push down and pop up effect. Okay with the image of the pop up, push down effect. I get that concept. For me, and for this race for PA Senate, there is now a lot of mailers hitting the street between the old party candidates. Both are attacking. The Dems mailed a hit on the Republican candidate. The Republicans hit upon the Dem candidate. These guys, like me, are popping up. And, boy, they are getting cracked for doing so.

I, however, am a bit insulated. I've not been "attacked" in a mean spirited way -- yet. Perhaps because I'm a Libertarian. Perhaps because I'm not a threat. Perhaps because I'm such an island in terms of my life's position? I don't care to figure out why -- but do intend to bask in the community among neighbors and NOT be fearful nor intimidated.

It is great that Murphy's not running. He is part of the "old guard" of sorts. But, this race in 2005 is NOT our last best chance to strike. This is a great chance to strike, no doubt, but the end of the world isn't just around the corner. We're at the brink. It is grave, serious, and the worst is yet to come. But, the opportunities for betterment are plentyful. Great opportunities are going to be presented for decades to come.

We need to do the struggle -- but -- this isn't the last great stuggle. No way. We have to learn, grow, fight hard, and live to fight again another day.

Finally, on your finally point, the web site should be made more fresh and up to date. NUKE the part about going to the D's side as that date has passed. And, I don't feel that you need to look to the history of the past 70 years and be so beholden to it if you are really about voting for someone. We should strive to make history, not be slaves of it. That 70-years Dem rule stuff is a cut right out of the old school thinking that you hate so much in your rant.

Do the right thing for the city -- by walking the talk. Everyone matters. Republicans and Indies and Libertarians matter.

Nice rant. Keep it up. See ya around town.

Secret weapons -- the first of many -- due tonight

Tonight as I go to a few meetings, I'll be joined by my sons, Grant, 7, and Erik, 10. They'll be my secret weapons that I'm keeping on the sidelines most of the time. Most of the time, they are home with my wife, while I'm out and about. But tonight, my wife is in Washington D.C. on business.

Watch out!

If the boys on in good spirits and get charged up, they can get on a roll! I might need to yeild the remainder of my time, chair, to one or both of the short gentlemen from 12th Street.

TV 11 interview slated for May 3 at 6:30 pm

WPXI, TV 11, is going to have me on as a guest in the studio on May 3, 2005, as we head to the special election on May 17. The station does a live newsmaker interview show following the evening news. I'm looking forward to it.

Tips, questions, topic area suggestions are welcomed, either via email or in advance.

I was on this show four years ago as a candidate for mayor in the contested Republican primary. Then, I was upset at the way the Democratic Mayor, Tom Murphy, was leading this town. Today, Murphy is on the way out. There is still a lot of work to do in the city and the region. We are still dropping in terms of citizens. People vote with their feet and leave.

City Paper interview delivered

Pittsburgh City Paper is doing an election voter guide edition due to hit in the first week of May. I provided an interview and photo to Marty Levine. Hope to get some decent press there. Watch for it.

Hit Parade. Negative mailers churn with counter punches between the old-party candidates.

Another hit mailer arrived in our mail box today. This one is paid for by the Republicans of Pennsylvania against my Dem opponent, Wayne Fontana. It has Fontana's photo, some hurtful remarks on property taxes, and not a mention of Diven, the Republican candidate.

The Dems did the same thing against Diven.

Turn about is fair play, perhaps.

All in all, two wrongs don't make a right. Rather, two wrongs make it favorable for thinking again. As they slug it out in the mud with hits and counter punches, I'm running free and clear.

Anyone who wants a nice button with a kwel image of Pittsburgh's landscape, come see me. I'm the only one not doing NEGATIVE direct mail, nor negative TV ads.

Today at City Council, I again mentioned the need to schedule a public hearing for Campaign Finance Reform. I was on that task force and our work there needs to come out into the public's view.

Democracy (small "d") matters greatly to me.

South Side Slopes Neighborhood Assn said Thank You

This organization was one of my favorites.