Letter from school

This came, and when it did, I didn't tell anyone. And, I don't think we changed any behaviors. There was nothing to bark at. Same old, same old. 

 

Tension -- like the morning Rosa Park's decided to ride the bus.

My wife is in Chicago. I dare not get arrested. I've got my mother-in-law to get in Oakland after her LAST day of work, FOREVER. She is 71. She is to retired for good. Today the office folks are taking her to lunch.

I've got my kids to get after school too.

This was an advanced copy of a prepared statement that is NOT valid. Diven and Fontana fumbled. The most recent statement is now on the blog in another posting.

Proposed Prepared Statement – Mark Rauterkus – 6 May 2005

First of all, I would like to thank Michael Diven and Wayne Fontana for supporting
my inclusion in today's debate.

Needless to say, I’m extremely disappointed that the AARP deemed it necessary to exclude me. In my opinion, the national and state AARP organizations should allow the local affiliations the latitude to make their own decisions in regard to local matters. But, this is simply a microcosmic version of how Federal and State Governments’ use bully-tactics when dealing with local government. Protection of the status quo is more important than the voters’ issues. And that’s something near and dear to my heart … and an issue with which I take very strong exception.

I am not a member of AARP, I acknowledge its right to run its organization as it sees fit. I simply disagree that an organization should be able to promote a legitimate view of the candidates without including all of the candidates.

Given the crisis mode and the band-aid mentality throughout the city, region and state, we also need to address the larger issue of one-party and two-party government. Neither one party rule nor two-party government provides the options needed by a diverse electorate.

Organizations, such as AARP, and events such as today's candidate forum, provide the opportunity to bring more representation to government.
Today's event provides an opportunity to bring representation to the multitudes of disaffected voters throughout this region, not to mention the country.

--- The AARP has chosen to pass on this opportunity.
Today's debate is an example of how those in power allow, condone and support an imbalance of power.

--- The disaffected voters of this region demand balance.
Today's debate will provide an excellent chance to see two-thirds of the options.

--- This District’s constituency knows that 67% is a failing grade – and this District’s constituency is clamoring for 100%.

Many democracies involve a multitude of parties – Iraq with more than 120 parties this past January, is just one example. But our present system is designed to eliminate all but the two old parties. Today's frail democracy is a conundrum specifically designed to be an endless, impenetrable loop.

You cannot participate without a 5% minimum past representation, yet you cannot get a 5% minimum representation without prior participation. And please note that celebrity candidates don’t qualify in quite the same manner as those of us with serious issues to address.

To close, let me reiterating my thanks to Mike Diven and Wayne Fontana for their support. All future debates must take serious candidates seriously. Thank you for your time!

Diven and Conquer -- City Paper Ink -- a few notes and CDs about a "RECORD"

Whether they vote on little things like issues and records is another question. As is often the case, the one candidate without a record, Libertarian Mark Rauterkus, seems to have the most specific ideas, pushed in Web sites and blogs (Rauterkus.blogspot.com, Rauterkus.com, Platform.For-Pgh.org).

I don't have a record. No criminal past here.

I don't have a record -- because I've got a CD.

Really, by now, I've got five CDs that I've used on the campaign and community trails.

One was for the relief concert in advance of Mindy Simmons' last visit. That had public domain art from last years travels.

Two was in advance of Johnsmith's concert.

Three is the present Elect.Rauterkus.com offering with the theme song, "Think Again."

Four and Five is a two-CD offering called Dad's Perspectives with Pround Dad's founder, Hogan Hilling. That CD appeared for the first time on May 3, 2005, at a Parent Engagement Conference hosted by Pgh Public Schools at my presentation.

Another insight on "records" -- I do have one. I've been on the record on a large range of issues. I'm here to make history, not be a slave of it. My record is out there in many ways.

And a final "record insight." As a swim coach, I've coached swimmers who have broken STATE-RECORDS in four states (Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and New England). The New England swim association includes a few "states." So, I'm no stranger to records, record breaking feats, and overall performance.

Next week's City Paper is going to have more from my perspective, so I'm led to understand. The article by Marty Levine was good. It showed some of the character of the heavyweight opposition.

AARP showdown

The AARP, the biggest political lobby group in the nation, is holding a candidate forum on Friday, May 6, 2005 at the Sheraton Station Square. Mayoral candidates are on from 9 to 10 am. The heavyweight candidates in the 42nd State Senate special election have been invited for 10:30 am.

I am not yet invited.

I am not able to participate. The stupid, national AARP guidelines require that an independant candidate must register at least five percent in voter support in official polls conducted by news media or other independent polling organizations OR if the candidate belongs to a political party, the party must have received at least five percent of the last general election vote, if the party ran a candidate.

KDKA TV didn't do a poll. Or, they didn't release the numbers.

In states where third parties are not strong, this last two points can be large hurdles.

The other two candidates in the race support my participation in back-channel conversations and in theory. We'll see what happens.

I can attend and have campaign literature available. But, I'm going to say something. If any of you can come to support the efforts of inclusion, of thinking with your entire brian, of not putting the cart before the horse, of democracy, of fighting for the right to make an educated vote -- that will be greatly appreciated.

I'll be the one with the American flag in my hands.

'Super-voters' to cast ballots - PittsburghLIVE.com

'Super-voters' to cast ballots - PittsburghLIVE.com The 2001 election was the lowest turnout among the five most recent Pittsburgh mayoral primaries, Wolosik said.

The predictions are wrong. The facts are right.

In 2001, everyone was in a tizzy about the race between Bob and Tom. Both burt $1-Million. Street money was at an all time high too.

The buzz before the election was NOT carried to the polls on election day. When it came time to vote -- the masses of people didn't. The people were turned off.

Bob and Tom earned votes at a rate of $30 per vote.

G.W. Bush got 39,000 votes in the general election in the city. He would have crushed Murphy. He would have crushed O'Connor. Both of those got just a few more than 30K votes -- from Democrats.

People VOTE for candidates, against candidates -- or -- not at all. More often than not, people vote with their feet.

In 2001, more people left Pittsburgh while Tom Murphy was mayor than voted for him to continue being our mayor. The same holds for Bob O'Connor, who then was city council president.

Bob has his base. Bob's base has shrunk since 2001.

The prediction that 25,000 votes could win the city's mayor's race in the Dem's primary is what I expect.

Meanwhile, in the PA Senate 42nd race -- there are two NEGATIVE candidates and myself. The negative race being waged by both Diven and Fontana is epic. Yesterday negative mailers arrived from both camps.

The negative messages are a turn off to the sensible citizens. The question of the month is about the turn off. Does off mean votes for the other alternative who is positive? Does off mean that no vote is cast?

I expect that a lot of people won't vote for either Diven or Fontana. Our race could be won by much less than what it takes to win the Mayor's Primary on the Ds side.

Meanwhile, Diven and Fontana might earn votes at a rate of $100, $90, or $80 per vote.

Montour Record - and Coverage in Baldwin Township -- getting this profile

Gageway Newspapers did an article on the race for PA Senate. Here is what came out about myself.

Montour Record

Mark Rauterkus

The third candidate in one of the most expensive races in Pennsylvania history is Mark Rauterkus, but he's not putting out the $1 million plus like his two opponents.

The representative of the Libertarian party is as a community activist who feels there are a number of issues not being presented to the state Senate.

'I think I would help Pennsylvanians in the area of quality of life,' Rauterkus said. One of his ideas is assessment buffering, which would avoid municipal-wide windfalls. Assessment would change over three years, similar to Maryland.

He proposes a tax on the land (land-value tax) as opposed to homes, based on a square footage factor.

'People are rewarded for letting their building go to pieces. There's no reason to be penalized for taking care of your home.'

Parks, volunteering, education and treatment of children are also major issues for the South Side resident. He wants to create a park district in the city as a governmental overlay after consolidating several county and city entities and form a new group that would oversee that kids don't get the short end of the stick.

'Our parks have been, for a long time, held together by a band-aid. The swimming pools have been grossly neglected.'

In the suburbs according to Rauterkus, voters need to know that the issues that effect the city also hit the taxpayers on the outside. The huge parking tax, having too many authorities and limiting corporate welfare deals are some things he would want to look at changing to benefit all residents.

Rauterkus works as a swim club coach in Carlynton and considers himself a community activist.

He also publishes a blog on his website. His political career includes a run for mayor four years ago, when he was defeated by Tom Murphy.

After graduating from Penn Hills in 1977, he earned a journalism degree from Ohio University. He is married and has two sons.

'I'd be a lightning rod for every other independent person,' said Rauterkus.

'I'm an advocate for citizens. I would offer a strong voice of alternative thinking in Harrisburg.'

Click the comments to see the entire article.

Technical blunders elsewhere are at every turn. The frustration mounts on lack of quality throughout.

The lack of effective and efficient governmental services drove me to run for public office. The lack of efforts to support quality of life elements is depressing. But, same too with the efforts at hand with the campaign.

Allow me to rant on this 5-5-05 occasion.

On the PCNC TV show with David Johnson -- neither my ear monitor nor my microphone worked. There was a terrible sound buzzing through the show's broadcast.

On the City Paper article, now at newstands, lacks a working link to the article from within the City Paper's own web site.

Our purchase of hardware brought the excuse, "new firmware." Now the third unit is entering the office.

The web content's migration to disk hasn't been smooth sailing.

With a race, you expect to find a few hurdles. They are out there.

Oakland article in the City Paper. Oakland is part of the 42nd District

Some of his neighbors, however, think they can change Oakland -- several members of the Oakland Community Council, an advocacy group focused on quality of life in the neighborhood, for example. Led by architect Nathan Hart, the group believes that preservation is the way to revive the neighborhood, or at least bring it into a future that isn’t a student-dominated rental ghetto.

With frames, its impossible to point to the articles in the pghcitypaper.com site. Click to the comments for the article.

In the months to come, I'll re-energize the Newcolonist.CLOH.org site -- and get the message of "Come Live Over Here" the platform it deserves. As a PA Senator, this would be a snap.

Nonprofit event for capital fund planning on North Side, May 13

FYI

A Breakthrough in Non-Profit Capital Funding

The Seeds Of Hope Foundation / Linx 2 Funds presents Val Hills, a speaker from Atlanta. at 1 pm on Friday, May 13, at CCAC (North Side) Allegheny Campus, Byers Hall, 808 Ridge Ave. Val's 90-minute presentation of invaluable information helps to establish a sustainable capital funding campaign for nonprofit organization. Learn how to replace dried up donations with a new flow of funds.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!

•Bypass all the challenges of traditional fundraising!
•Do the fundraising work ONE TIME and CONTINUE to receive tax-free dollars YEAR after YEAR!
•Supporters don’t have to attend any functions or buy anything!
•Everyone benefits! DONORS, VOLUNTEERS and YOUR ORGANIZATION!

Registration, $20, due by May 6, 2005. Make check available to CCAC. Contact Mary Jo Guercio; North Side Allegheny Campus Byers Hall; 808 Ridge Avenue; Pittsburgh, PA 15212.

Marsha Miller, 724-832-3891, Project Director, The Seeds Of Hope Foundation, 724-832-3891, mjmiller -at- zoomlinx -dot- net

Zip Codes in the PA Senate District -- 42nd

The 42nd District includes parts of these zip codes:

15017
15106
15108
15136
15202
15203
15204
15205
15210
15211
15212
15213
15216
15219
15220
15222
15225
15226
15227
15228
15233
15234
15236
15243
15282

Questions from another source

2005 General Assembly Special Election Candidate Questionnaire

Dear Candidate:

We hope you will take just a few minutes to answer the attached questionnaire. Your responses will be provided to all of the organizations listed below.

The candidate must sign and date this form to signify agreement with all statements made. Please also initial each page. Please answer all questions, and please print or type. We welcome additional comments and clarifications.

Please return your completed questionnaire as soon as possible. You can return your questionnaire by fax to: 215-351-5594 or return it by mail to the address below.

NAME_________________________

Office sought:____________District:______
Party___________Campaign Manager _____________

Campaign
Office Address ______________

Home
Address_________


Telephone Numbers (Campaign) ___________ (Fax)______

(Home) __________
(Work)_______

I certify by my signature that I have read and agree with the statements I have checked and/or the written comments I have made on the attached questionnaire.

____ Yes, I wish to have the endorsement and support of pro-choice organizations.

____ No, I do not wish to be endorsed by pro-choice organizations.

___________________________________________________ _________________________
(Candidate Signature) (Date)

Organizations that participated in the development and distribution of the questionnaire are listed below. These organizations will also receive a copy of candidate responses:

NARAL Pro-Choice Pennsylvania
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Chester County
Pennsylvania's Campaign for Choice
Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania Advocates
Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates
Planned Parenthood of Central Pennsylvania Advocates
Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC
Planned Parenthood Western Pennsylvania Action Fund
Planned Parenthood Action Fund of Bucks County
Planned Parenthood Advocates of North East Pennsylvania
Planned Parenthood of the Susquehanna Valley Action Fund




Return form to or contact with any questions:


Public Affairs Dept.
Planned Parenthood Southeastern PA
1144 Locust St., Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-351-5505




I. PREVENTING UNINTENDED PREGNANCY

A. STATE FUNDING FOR FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES
State Funding: In Pennsylvania, some 750,000 low-income women are at risk of unintended pregnancy and qualify for subsidized family planning services, but no more than 300,000 actually receive services. Family planning services include screening for conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sexually transmitted infections and cancers including breast and cervical cancer, as well as a variety of birth control methods. By preventing unintended pregnancies, subsidized family planning services prevent 70,000 abortions in Pennsylvania each year. Family planning also allows women to plan their pregnancies. Women who utilize family planning services seek prenatal care earlier and have healthier babies.

These services save taxpayers money. Often, an unintended pregnancy will cause a woman to lose her job and precipitate an episode of welfare dependency. Nationally, an annual family planning examination and provision of birth control for one year costs a patient between $300 and $400 per year, while the birth of a child costs between $8,000 and $12,000.

Currently, subsidized family planning services are supported by federal grants, limited state funds, patient fees, and private donations. The present network of providers is able to serve fewer than one-half of the eligible women at risk. Increased state funding, such as the proposed Keeping Women Healthy program (which would provide a broad range of preventive health care services) is needed to support and expand this network to serve more women.

1. Do you support state funding for comprehensive family planning? (These services do not include abortion.)

_____ Support _____ Oppose


Federal grants support confidential services to teens. The effectiveness of these services in reducing teen births and abortions has been demonstrated over twenty years, as has their effectiveness in preventing and treating sexually transmitted diseases among youth. According to the Alan Guttmacher Institute (AGI), without family planning services, the number of teenage pregnancies would likely increase by 20 percent. In Pennsylvania, 46 out of one thousand teenagers become pregnant each year. The Journal of Pediatrics has noted that 85% of teens said they would not seek care for a sexually transmitted disease if parental consent or notice were required. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports the provision of confidential family planning services for teens without requiring parental consent, as does state and federal law. Although reports have noted a decline in teen pregnancy, a recent study by AGI found that 80% of this decline from an increased use of more effective methods of birth control.

2. Do you support comprehensive confidential family planning services to teens?

_____ Support _____ Oppose



B. COMPREHENSIVE SEX EDUCATION
"Abstinence-only" sex education programs teach a "just say no" approach to sexuality and exclude information about birth control and safe sex practices. Comprehensive approaches include discussions of abstinence, work to build self-esteem and enhance refusal skills, and provide age-appropriate information about the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Studies have repeatedly shown that quality, comprehensive sex education helps teens delay sexual activity, prevent unwanted pregnancy, and prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

3. Do you support the teaching of responsible, age-appropriate sex education, including information about both abstinence and contraception, in public schools?

_____ Support _____ Oppose

Insurance Coverage for Birth CONTROL
Nearly half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended, and nearly half of those unintended pregnancies end in abortion. Contraceptives have a proven track record of enhancing the health of women and children, preventing unintended pregnancy, and reducing the need for abortion. Although contraception is basic health care for women, many insurance policies exclude this vital coverage. A recent study found that only 29% of Pennsylvania insurers typically include contraception in their prescription plans. As a result of this type of inequity, women of reproductive age spend 68% more out-of-pocket for their health care then men do. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and one federal district court have ruled that not providing for equitable contraceptive coverage is a violation of federal anti-discrimination laws. As reported in HealthPlan, an industry magazine for health insurers, cost-effectiveness studies show that “every dollar spent on contraception saves several dollars in costs associated with unintended pregnancy.” (HealthPlan, Nov/Dec 2001) Twenty-two states have now passed Contraceptive Equity legislation requiring insurance companies to cover prescription contraceptives in the same way they provide coverage for other prescription drugs and devices.

4.Do you support requiring insurance companies to provide coverage for all FDA-approved prescription contraception drugs, devices, and services if they cover other prescription drugs, devices, and services?

_____ Support _____ Oppose


EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION
Emergency Contraception contains hormones that reduce the risk of pregnancy when taken soon after unprotected intercourse. The sooner the Emergency Contraception is taken after unprotected intercourse, the more effective the treatment. It is currently recommended that medication be started within five days after unprotected intercourse. Emergency contraception does NOT interfere with an already established pregnancy as defined by American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the US Department of Health and Human Services. According to a recent survey, out of the 89% of Pennsylvania hospitals surveyed, only 46% routinely offer and provide Emergency Contraception to victims of sexual assault.

5.Do you support legislation that would require all hospitals in Pennsylvania to provide Emergency Contraception to victims of rape and incest?

______Support _______Oppose





II. SAFE, LEGAL ABORTION

A. RIGHT TO CHOOSE ABORTION
In 1973, the Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision established a framework to regulate the provision of abortion services in the United States. Roe and subsequent Supreme Court decisions stated that government may not ban abortion before the point of fetal viability. After the point of fetal viability, Roe allowed the government to prohibit abortion except when it is necessary to preserve the life or health of the woman. More than 70% of all people in Pennsylvania believe that the decision to have an abortion should be made by a woman in consultation with her family and doctor without interference from the government.

6.President Bush has stated that he would appoint anti-choice justices to the US Supreme Court. If this happens, the likelihood that Roe v. Wade would be overturned would increase dramatically. Do you support legislation that would guarantee a woman’s right to an abortion as provided for in Roe v. Wade?

_____ Yes _______ No


B. ABORTION METHOD BAN
Anti-choice organizations have tried to erode the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision (which ensures a woman’s Constitutionally protected right to choose) by banning specific abortion procedures. Congress recently passed, and President Bush signed, legislation outlawing one abortion procedure. This law has been blocked by the courts from taking effect and is the subject of several court cases because it does not provide for an exception to preserve the woman’s health – an exception that the US Supreme Court ruled in 2000 is required. Abortion method bans like the one signed by President Bush interfere with a physician's ability to choose the safest method when abortion must be performed to protect a woman's life or health. This type of legislation also interferes with a woman's right to choose, in consultation with her physician, the method of abortion that will best protect her life and preserve her health. The Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act already prohibits all methods of abortion at 24 weeks of pregnancy or later while providing exceptions to preserve the woman's health and life.

7.Do you support a woman’s right to choose the abortion method most likely to preserve her life and health, in consultation with her physician, and free from government interference?

_____ Support _____ Oppose


C. ABORTION ACCESS FOR LOW INCOME WOMEN
The Constitutionally protected right to choose abortion means little to low-income women who can not afford to exercise this right. At present in Pennsylvania, the Medical Assistance program (which pays for health care for low-income persons) covers abortion only for women whose health or life is threatened by continuing their pregnancy or who are pregnant as a result of rape or incest. Unintended pregnancy is very common among women of all economic classes in the United States. One half of all pregnancies are unintended and half of those end in abortion. For a low-income woman, an unintended pregnancy can prevent her from completing education or job training or from obtaining employment, with the result that she and her family remain in poverty. As a result, several states have continued to provide Medical Assistance coverage for abortions in order to guarantee that low-income women have equal access to the right to choose.

8.Do you support the restoration of Medical Assistance coverage of abortion for low-income women to ensure they have equal access to choose abortion?

______ Support ______ Oppose



D. PENNSYLVANIA'S ABORTION CONTROL ACT
Pennsylvania's Abortion Control Act, which was designed to restrict and limit access to abortion, went into effect in March of 1994. Since its first year of implementation, women, hospitals, and reproductive health care providers reported an increase in the number of adult and teenaged women who left the state in order to choose abortion and an increase in the number of women unable to exercise their right to choose at all.

Mandatory 24-Hour Delay and State-Mandated Lecture
Pennsylvania's Abortion Control Act requires a woman to receive a state-mandated lecture and then delay her decision at least 24 hours before having an abortion. There is no public health rationale for these restrictions, which were designed solely to make abortion more difficult to obtain. The mandatory 24-hour delay often causes a wait of up to a week that can result in riskier procedures.


9.Do you oppose the restrictions that require a mandatory 24-hour delay and a state-mandated lecture prior to having an abortion?

____ Yes _____ No


Mandatory Parental Involvement for Minors Seeking Abortion

Pennsylvania's Abortion Control Act requires that a teen seeking an abortion obtain the written consent of a parent. In order to give consent, the parent must also listen to a state-mandated lecture and wait at least 24 hours. If the minor and her parent cannot meet this requirement, the teen must appear before a judge to obtain a court order, often a difficult and traumatic process, or leave the state to obtain an abortion. Reproductive health providers work to help teens involve their parents in these decisions, and most do. Forced parental consent, however, does not encourage family communication; rather it puts teens at risk. Such statutes cause later abortions and may contribute to self-induced or illegal abortions. The law also places teens from dysfunctional families at risk of physical, emotional or psychological harm. In other states, an adult other than a teen's parent, such as her minister, rabbi, aunt or uncle, may consent to her abortion.


10.Do you oppose Pennsylvania's mandatory parental consent statute?

______ Yes _____No


E. STOP CLINIC VIOLENCE
In recent years, a campaign of violence, intimidation, and harassment has been waged against reproductive health providers, patients, and their families. NARAL-PA and Planned Parenthood believe that all levels of government should take an aggressive role in enacting and enforcing laws to deter these illegal acts, and in prosecuting the perpetrators of such acts.

11.Do you support the enactment and enforcement of laws that help prevent violence, intimidation, and harassment specifically directed at reproductive health providers and their patients?

_____ Support _____Oppose

Can you spell and visualize "disaster"

The city needs actors and extras (about 900 and 14,000 respectively). It should be a really cool event, so they say. Efforts are to provide a learning tool to Pittsburgh's emergency medical system.  

And who can pass up A FREE CONCERT WITH DONNIE IRIS, JOE GRUSHECKY, AND B.E.
TAYLOR? 

Get involved with www.swpa.redcross.org

A simulated disaster drill at PNC Park is to occur on May 7, 2005. The PNC Park Disaster Drill is a full-scale exercise testing the emergency response capabilities of the City of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Pirates and PNC Park, local area hospitals, and various response agencies from around the region.

The event will take place in real-time over a 6 - 8 hour period. The agencies involved will test many facets of emergency response including the PNC Park evacuation plan, medical injury classification or triage, victim transportation, scene preservation, scene security, decontamination and communications.

The true success of this exercise greatly depends on the participation of individuals such as you. As a participant in this exercise, you will get a first hand look at how our community would respond to a terrorist event.

Entertainment from the "Pittsburgh All-Stars" featuring Donnie Iris, Joe Grushecky & B.E. Taylor will be provided to volunteers that day! In addition, each volunteer/participant will receive incentives for participating in the disaster drill. These incentives include two free tickets to a Pirates game, a Red Cross First Aid Kit and a Replica of PNC Park. Free parking is provided.

Appreciation for Parent Involvement Conference

Getting a pat on the back is a nice thing. Sadly, the next decade PPS would only be passing out kicks in the teeth. 

On TV show, Talkback

Mayor hopefuls agree on development agency -- I'd move to liquidate all the authorities

Mayor hopefuls agree on development agency Mayor hopefuls agree on development agency...

Pittsburgh has too many authorities with too many powers and too many assets. That amounts to too little accountability.

I'd MOVE to LIQUIDATE the various authorities. I'd turn in that direction. This take apart is going to take years to occur. Don't just sell all the properties in one blink -- as the market would get a knock and all the other property values would nose dive. That's bad. A steady sell off makes sense.

Then, if the next leaders want to re-build the authorities -- they could have that option.

Political lawn signs cleared from Allegheny County land

I am NOT doing lawn signs. I am doing CDs and artisitc buttons.

Political lawn signs cleared from Allegheny County land: "The signs had sprouted like wild weeds over the last few days.

Tough battle for Wagner's District 42 Senate seat -- PG article

Tough battle for Wagner's District 42 Senate seat The campaign has been heated. Diven and Fontana regularly trade shots at public forums and through their advertising campaigns. Mark Rauterkus, a former Democrat and Republican running as a Libertarian in this race, seems to take turns blasting his opponents.

That is a good recap. I'm able to put out my ideas -- and -- I'm willing to knock the lame ideas I see from both the opponents. I've been picking on both equally as hard. And, with luck, neither will slam me.

"He's an independent thinker who will do what he thinks is best for his district."

Bingo. That answer above scares me.

Our 42nd districe needs a senator -- not a city councilman-like, hand-holding-ish, get-your homestead exemption form-filler-outer, reactionary.

Pennsylvania needs a senator who will do what is best for the citizens of the commonwealth -- for the sake of general landscape. This contrast and thought came together within my closing statement on the debate that will be on TV on Sunday at 7 pm on WBGN. Watch for it. The other two gave their identical answer as expressed in the quote above.

We don't need a senator who is only about bringing home the pork. We've tried that style of local government -- and it has not been effective. The state "bailout" is less than it needed to be. The band-aid for transportation is going to fall off in less than two years. The economic development efforts are geared only for the management of decline.

We are broke. The system is broken. We can't be spending what isn't available. The debt -- thanks to past city council efforts it way too high. We can't elect special interest tax and spend career politicians and expect to flourish.

This election calls for a choice of a senator who is going to understand concepts of freedom, justice for all, liberties, -- and being an American in both a modern and classical sense.

Diven and Fontana have been so negative and miss-placed in their priorities in the campaign and in the past half-decade that neither should be rewarded.

This is a short term opportunity. May 17 is a special election to fill the vacant seat. If I win, trust me, they'll be back. Or, someone better will be back from the old parties in seemingly no time at all.

Putting a Libertarian in the PA Senate will send a message that the people of Pittsburgh know how to "think again." We are not satisfied with the same old same old.

Join with me. Wear a button. Come get my CD. Tune into TV 11 tonight at 6:30 pm for Talkback, as I'll be the guest. Tune in -- and tape -- the TV debate, 7 pm on Sunday evening at WBGN.

Spread the buzz.

Propaganda Tour to Spread Random Student Drug Testing

Drug Czar in Pittsburgh on Thursday!

I've talked a lot about the creation of a YOUTH Technology Summit. A different type of summit is slated for this week, one I don't favor in terms of policy push.

Drug Czar John Walters is traveling around the country on a taxpayer-funded drug war tour to promote student drug testing as the "silver bullet" to adolescent drug use. He comes to Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Fellow Pennsylvania parents, take a moment and make mentions educators, coaches, other parents and our kids about Walters' quick fix solution. Their plans are ineffective and with dangerous unintended consequences, like taking drugs. To violate the rights of parents and the physical and moral integrity of young people isn't what America is about. We can't simply violate the Pennsylvania Constitution -- even for drug abuse reasons.

Since the 2003 Supreme Court case, which upheld Pennsylvanians' heightened constitutional right to privacy, many school districts in Pennsylvania have abandoned their programs, however some districts continue to test.

Join with us and others (such as the Drug Policy Alliance) to speak against this
insidious policy at the Pittsburgh summit.

In Walters' first two summits held in Dallas and St. Louis, Alliance members made their voices heard with thoughtful questions that pressured the ONDCP to acknowledge the harms of student drug testing. Their inquiries highlighted the flaws and inconsistencies in the messages of the presenters for other attendees.

An online toolkit contains action ideas and it has a meet-up tool to connect you to other reformers to strategize before attending the summit.

An organizer, jkern@drugpolicy.org, asks for copies of the summit's handouts, photos and other insights, if you attend.

The event is from 9 am to 5 pm on Thursday, May 5, 2005, at Crowne Plaza Pittsburgh, 1160 Thorn Run Road.

Drug TESTING is humiliating, costly and ineffective, but it's an easy anti-drug soundbite for the White House. Student testing breaks the trust between children and
adults, and drives students away from extracurricular activities. What's more, studies even show that student drug testing doesn't work to deter drug use.

Even corporations are getting into the act, sadly. PPG is one such employeer that gets a thumbs down from me for their drug testing policy.

PG loves Udin for city council

The PG picked Udin. Oh my gosh.

Sad that the other candidates were not at the PG meeting. Sad too that the PG editors are not seeing these three in action at community meetings.

Editorial: Udin in District 6 / The Democrats' best choice is the incumbent Neither Ms. Payne nor Mr. Brentley met with the Post-Gazette editorial board, but it hardly matters. Sala Udin is someone we do know.

Formerly seen as a prickly antagonist for minority jobs during the stadium and convention center constructions, Mr. Udin has more recently gained the reputation of a fiscal tightwad.

To write that Udin is "a fiscal tightwad" is a classic ROTFL. That's net jargon that means Roll On The Floor Laughing.

Solid track record in putting Pittsburgh into the hands of two oversight boards. Sala was there helping the city go into its tailspin.

Put Sala into the private sector -- too.

Pittsburgh school board races heat up

Pittsburgh school board races heat up When it comes to serving on the Pittsburgh Public Schools board, hard-won experience trumps good intentions, says defending incumbent board member Theresa Colaizzi.

I'm sorry I didn't hold a debate among the candidates. In the past I've organized and hosted such events -- along with others.