Henry Haller's Letter to the Editor about GWB and GOPers of history

To the Editor:

As a high school student, I was inspired to take an interest in politics by the 1964 Presidential campaign of Barry Goldwater, and thus I must take issue with David Shribman's assertion that "the Republicans eventually embraced the Arizonan's creed." (Revolution of '64, PG, July 31) In fact, the administration of George W. Bush more resembles that of Lyndon Johnson than it does any hypothetical Goldwater administration.

First there is the spending. While Senator Goldwater advocated reduced spending, President Bush increased spending by 33 percent in his first term - more than any President since Lyndon Johnson. Senator Goldwater was an advocate of states' rights; he would have found appalling the Bush administration's attempted intervention in the Terri Schiavo case, and the Bush Justice Department's crack downs on medical marijuana and assisted suicide. Finally, Senator Goldwater was a firm supporter of the Bill of Rights, and would never have signed a bill such as the Patriot Act that violates our First and Fourth Amendment rights. These are only a few of the many ways in which Senator Goldwater was far more libertarian than these so-called conservatives of today.

Henry Haller

Personally, I didn't get into politics to any great degree at such a young age. I always voted and cared a great deal about "communities" -- but did little "study" of the editorial and op-ed views until I became a student of journalism with a news/editing degree at Ohio University.

Good points with the letter, Henry.

Public School Reports

Education Law Center/PA School Reform Network is releasing two new reports containing data analysis and policy recommendations addressing achievement and opportunity gaps in Pennsylvania public schools. The reports and a related toolkit allow parents and community leaders to compare the status of their school district to other districts and to state averages. All of this will be a kick-off for our "Closing the Gaps Campaign" to intensify our school improvement efforts during the 2005-2006 school year.

A three page summary is attached to this email for your review. You may click on our web site at www.elc-pa.org and read the reports and toolkit in their entirety. On the left side of the home page, click on "Reports and Data about Achievement and Opportunity Gaps." When reviewing the reports, you may especially be interested in Appendices E and F of the Achievement Gap Report which show where your district ranks among others statewide. In this location you will also find a listing of districts that have made significant progress in closing achievement gaps among subgroups of students.

Reactions welcomed.

Getting ready for some football

Crews working OT on renovations - PittsburghLIVE.com There should be no delay-of-game penalties at six Western Pennsylvania high school football stadiums this fall.

A lot of nothing but hot air from Murphy's expresions without doing all the homework!

Tom Murphy and I have something in common. We both are gambling skpetics. However, Murphy liet the city spiral downward so that the only way we could come back to life was with a gambling bill.

City leaders advised on slots gambling, its impact 'I am a gaming skeptic,' said Murphy, as he left an hour into Lendler's three-hour talk. 'I think it will have consequences to the city both positive and negative, and it's important to understand that now.'

Too bad Murphy didn't leave after one term into his three term stint.

Championship Meet and the close of the swim season

Last night was the Championship Swim Meet for our summer swim league. I think the final team standings had: Crafton, Scott, Lebo, Green Tree, South Fayette.

Green Tree and Mt. Lebo were in a tight battle for third headed into the final relays. In the dual meet, Green Tree won out in the relays and was able to win. The same fate might have played out in the Championship meet too.

Last year, Green Tree won. But Coach Mike S., last year's coach, went to Crafton for this year. There was a bit of movement among the team's stars and that was all healthy as Green Tree had lots of new swimmers on its squad this year. Anne, a Green Tree assisant from 2004 went to Scott in 2005.

It is a great league and the kids, by and large, had a great season of summmer swimming.

South Fayette did a wonderful job of hosting the championship meet. The All-Star meet was today, since it was rained out in the early part of the week. Storms stopped three meets this summer -- more than they had for the past decade.

Erik, 10, won the breast event and was second in the relay and near the top in the free. Grant, 7, scored in the top 5 in fly and free and was second in the free relay. They both wore swim caps -- to go with their tapers. Next year we'll shave! (half joking)

The officials were tough on the DQs, and that is great -- IMNSHO. (in my not so humble opinion) We need to teach the kids that you gotta follow the rules. One bad pull, one bad stroke, one bad touch -- and you're done. Poof. That lesson alone is a great one for the kids to realize.

Next year, it would be great to get an additional team or two into the league. Perhaps a city-based squad could materialize or else another from the south burbs.

Jason Miller, a Pitt swimmer who is headed into his senior year, was our first-year head coach. He did a wonderful job. Jason is swimming at Senior Nationals next week in Irvine. Best of luck to him there. Thanks for all the work with the kids -- and with the line-ups.

The funny story of the night: Sophia, 5, was called into action. She is a good little swimmer and her older sister was in the meet. Sophia was only entered in the All-Star Meet -- not Championships. But, when a swimmer didn't show up -- we needed Sophia for the 8-and-under free relay. Thankfully, the lost-and-found had a suit that fit Sophia perfectly. She did a :32 split, dropping 4 or more seconds, and keeping her team right in 3rd place, going anchor.

Moments like that make swimming magical. Plus, we don't have the same heat stroke considerations!

Training Camp -- HEAT stroke

This is the time of year the footballers are getting ready to put on the pads. Steeler camp is starting. But the college, high schoolers and midgets are gearing up too. Furthermore, the women's volleyball squads are starting to hit the gyys too. Western PA has a great tradition with the great game of volleyball.

An online coaching site put out a message (pointer below) that makes sense and is worthy a replay, with slight adjustments. No matter how hard we work, or how good we are, our bodies will shut down when they can't cool themselves off, and the result can be death.

Full blown heat stroke is not new. In the past, football teams saw players fall a few times a week -- if not a few times a day. Coaches and players ran, crawled and otherwise navigated through serious conditioning drills.

Victims of heat stroke are often the one who are very strong and very healthy. The best athletes and ones who aim to impress are at risk.

In the olden days, deaths were seldom. These years, deaths are more frequent.

Lives are saved because everyone gets in tune with an emergency plan, in place before the emergency. Everyone knew what the plan was, and everyone was watching out for their buddies. In the old days, TUBS OF WATER and bags and bags of ice were at the field. Dinky ice packs aren't enough.

It's no hotter now than it was years ago, but we're not as acclimated to the heat now. There is more air-conditioning. We're heavier, and (for some reason) we think that soft drinks actually quench thirst.

Everyone on you team should know the signs and symptoms of heat illnesses and they should be prepared to act, because quick, decisive, correct action SAVES LIVES.

Hat tip to Wayne of http://www.mycoachonline.com.

Restricting eminent domain

Finally! I've been harping against eminent domain for years. We need to curb the powers of eminent domain on many fronts. Here are some pending measures. These are reactions to the recent ruling from the highest court. I'd rather see leaders shape the powers of government on a more proactive basis. But, this is a start.

The bills are awaiting action, and the waiting might last forever.

Restricting eminent domain - PittsburghLIVE.com Two bills are awaiting action in Harrisburg -- and more legislation is in the works -- to protect property owners from a U.S. Supreme Court decision last month that allows governments to take private property in the name of economic development.

Rep. Tom Yewcic, D-Johnstown, introduced a pair of bills in the House that would bar governments from taking property from one private owner and giving it to another. Sen. Jeffrey Piccola of Dauphin County, a Republican gubernatorial hopeful, has a team of lawyers working on a bill for the Senate, as does Sen. Jim Ferlo, D-Highland Park.

One interesting provision: If, after the property is taken, it is ever used for a "nonpublic purpose," the deed must go back to the original owner or the owner's heirs.

That's something to consider but would be silly in the real world. As property is taken with eminent domain, that property is purchased at "fair-market value." So the original land owners got their just compensation. They should NOT have the right to the property again should the public use be vacated.

I worry greatly about rights that last forever. We don't have a good track record in these matters. Look no further than the treatment of the Native Americans for some examples.

Consider the real world actions when a highway is built and then later turned into a bikeway and the path of public right of way can be greatly reduced or even given back in full. Even if it is only a generation away, the state should not have to go back to the original owner's heirs. The red tape alone would be a sizable hurdle so as to keep well enough alone and NOT return the property. Plus, the only one's to benefit are some lawyers.

The market place doesn't work that way. When I buy a car from you, I can sell it if I want to when I want to and to anyone who wants to buy it. I don't have to give back the car to seller of the car.

I do like the spirt of limiting eminent domain. But, we've got to be real.

The other avenue that needs serious attention is the "blight" designations. When a property is called "blighted" then it is easier for the state to take it. But with Murphy's actions (and that of city council too) most of downtown Pittsburgh is under the umbrella of "blight."

I want to see some blight reduction bills!

If I was mayor, or if I was a city council member, I'd get rid of all blight in the city or at least in my council district. Poof. With the stroke of a pen and a new designation -- the charge to take property with eminent domain got much more difficult.

To prove the point, consider this quote from the article:

When you run into (blighted) areas, a lot of times you'll find a lot of these properties have liens on them that exceed the value of the property," Gariti said. Often, the properties have been abandoned and the owners can't be found. "The only way they can be reused is if we clear the title to the property" by taking the land through eminent domain.

If owners of existing property can't be found -- often -- then I have no faith in the government to find past owners and heirs of past owners of property that was taken by eminent domain long ago. And, if the governement is mostly using eminent domain (ha, ha) to take these types of "abandoned property" then impossibible would be found within the suggested bill.

Mostly, I'd hate to see property owners hide from the government when they posses a net loss asset and then re-appear to the government in future generations when the property is being given away by the government.

We don't need more dumb laws with good intentions.

When property is no longer needed by the state, that property should be sold to the highest bidder.

Piccola said he's not sure he wants to prevent governments from using eminent domain as a development tool because it can help revitalize blighted areas.

Piccola is NOT sure. I am sure. I do want to prevent governement from using eminent domain.

Ex-Murphy aide gets probation - PittsburghLIVE.com

There are two sides to every story, given Pittsburgh is a two newspaper town with the PG and Trib. Notice how the Trib hooks the public employee to Mayor Murphy in the headline as a former executive assistant. Same story with slightly different insights follows from the PG's coverage.

Ex-Murphy aide gets probation - PittsburghLIVE.com
A federal judge on Friday sentenced a former executive assistant in Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy's office to four years probation and 100 hours of community service on a federal money-laundering charge.

U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti imposed the sentence on Chatiqua Good, 33, of the 1600 block of Buena Vista Street, Manchester.

Prosecutors said that from December 2002 to February 2003, Good conspired to launder drug money by buying real estate along Columbus Avenue in Manchester.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti said the charge against Good was the result of a multiagency investigation into drug-trafficking on the North Side that eventually led to the seizure of multikilogram quantities of heroin. Good was fired as a result of the investigation.

Meanwhile, the same news was covered in a different way with the PG:

PG: Ex-city aide gets probation

Ex-city aide gets probation A former neighborhood policy assistant for Mayor Tom Murphy was sentenced in U.S. District Court Thursday to four years' probation on federal money laundering charges, officials said.

Chatiqua Good, 33, of the 1600 block of Buena Vista Street on the North Side, pleaded guilty in September 2003 to helping a relative, Michael Keith Good, launder $70,000 in drug money from her desk in the City-County Building, said U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan.

In taped conversations, she plotted with Michael Keith Good, who she called 'Uncle Mike,' to purchase a $70,000 apartment building on the North Side and place the deed in the name of another relative, so as not to raise suspicions about where he got the money.

Chatiqua Good also must perform 100 hours of community service.

Four years of probation is nothing. The 100 hours of community service is a joke. I think she is very, very lucky. Workers who are employed by government have a higher duty to earn and keep the public trust.

In China, a worker for the state who would do something like this, yet alone for drugs profits, would be put to death. That might be too harsh. However, what we have here is far to soft.

Bassmaster Classic live discussion transcript

Bassmaster Classic live discussion transcript Welcome to today's chat with Don Hopey on the ongoing Bassmaster's Classic. Don is here and starting to answer questions. Just a reminder that the questions go a moderator before the answers are sent to the room.

My questions are within the text.
The chat room was a little lame as it is moderated. The questions were nice. But, this isn't 1995, is it?

Lump Camp meets Swim Taper -- Championships today.

Yesterday was our greatest day ever for lump camp. We did nothing and are so proud of our accomplishments.

The day started early as I helped my wife get into a taxi for the airport. She is now in Colorado. This trip is special for her as it is the first time she is speaking to a professional organization and giving the "keynote address." She is a presenter at many events, worldwide. But her main mission is to give 'tutorials.' So, this opportunity has a different twist. She'll also be giving a tutorial on another day.

The night before, we got her lap top set up with some music for the presentation. She'll be playing a country western song that deals with the kids being little for just a while. She helped to write the standard for babies and kids -- and their ears are little, but just for a while. I'm sure she'll provide a great and inspired talk and with iTunes, a slice of music as well.

At home, our first duty is to "hold thumbs" that everything goes well for her in Colorado. To hold thumbs is sorta like crossing our fingers. The tradition of holding thumbs comes from M, of South Africa and Northwestern.

Our second activity at home for this ultimate lump camp was play computer games. Grant's is loaded with Star Wars and I'm getting quite good. He and I often play together. Not multi-player, rather he or I will do the shooting while the other moves the character around the battle. Our sidestepping coordination is now perfected. Erik played an entire Madden NFL season, going with only 3 defeats, winning the Super Bowl, and getting to half-time in the Pro-Bowl. He plays at the New England Patriots. I don't know if that is a political statement or his hard-headed individualist notion of not cheering for the same team that everyone does.

Breakfast and lunch is on your own, fully. We do practice violin.

We had a bit of park time in the afternoon for some catch, but we didn't overdue it. We took a walk to get subs and gyros for dinner! On the way was the TV interview with KDKA.

We also took a walk to the riverfront for sunset. Saw ducks, baby ducks, geese and rats.

In our walk, I got to explain to them about a "swimmers' taper." I love great tapers. As a coach, our team always does very, very well at the championship meets. This season's taper got bumped with church camp last week as we didn't get in any swimming. Paddling, caving and a fun were replacements. That was good enough for this summer's season, but it won't work in the future. We didn't even go to evening swim practice. But we sayed up past 11 pm.

Another motivation to dink around with a few more games of Star Wars on the computer is to get their personal clocks shifted to west coast time. We'll be headed to California soon and will want to be in the groove when we get there.

There won't be many more days like this in our lifetimes. Go Green Tree Great White Sharks.

Shrink 'em, bounce 'em or sue 'em = Throw the bums out, And they're all bums.

This outrace is still a hot topic in the media. Let's fire a few new logs on the campfire and keep it burning.

Shrink 'em, bounce 'em or sue 'em: "Thursday, July 28, 2005
By Brian O'Neill

Could it be that Pennsylvania's ruling caste has finally gone too far?

The backlash against America's Largest Full-Time State Legislature for its audacious midnight money grab is wide. But is the reaction to this 16 percent pay raise strong enough to last? Or will Pennsylvanians soon return to being the meek sheep we've always been?

August 22 -- Operation Clean Sweep tv date with PCN

Russ Diamond, Operation Clean Sweep founder, will be addressing the PA Press Club luncheon on Monday, August 22 in Harrisburg. The luncheon will be broadcast statewide on PCN that evening. Stay tuned for broadcast time.

South Side violence in early morning -- a block away

The talk of the neighborhood today was generated by TV crews in the wake of a couple of thugs that seemingly hit a couple late at night. It was a "Brutal Attack." The assult lifted the tv news crews into the streets to get interviews.

I talked, while walking on East Carson Street with my kids, to KDKA's M.R.J.

Q: "Oh how the South Side has changed. Are you fearful?"

A: Sure, there have been some changes. But people have a short memory. There have been troubles here in the past. There are troubles throughout the city every week. We need to do a better job of looking out for each other. Some of that happens here and it happens elsewhere in other neighborhoods too.

Q: "But there used to be families?"

A: Families are making a bit of a comeback to the South Side. We have lived here for 15 years and there are more parents and younger kids in recent months than in the past decade.

My exact quote that aired: "These things are going to happen, sadly. We have to work as best we can in the community to prevent them and to look out for each other."

The next KDKA NEWS story, H. Ward, 29-years of age, may sit out the entire Steeler season. Then came the coverage of the Little League players who testified against their coach. The coach, it seems, offered money to one player to hurt another to keep him on the bench and out of the game. A few minutes later came a story of how State Senator, Jane Orie, is trying to raise the bar with new laws and stiffer penalties against "predators."

Victims, our prayers are with you to get well soon.

I've not heard much about the NAN (Neighborhood Awarness Network). I'll need to check into those efforts in the days to come. I hope that the organizers didn't burn out on those efforts.

e-Democracy '05: The UK's Largest E-Democracy Conference

November 9, 2005, CBI Conference Centre, London.

Early Bird Registration Rates until end August
http://www.headstar-events.com/edemocracy/

e-Democracy '05, hosted by Headstar, VoxPolitics and the Hansard Society, is set to be the UK's largest ever dedicated e-democracy conference and exhibition, with 200 delegates and one of the strongest speaker line-ups ever assembled. Topics to be covered include e-voting, e-campaigning and e-consultation, and much more including
interactive workshops.

http://www.headstar-events.com/edemocracy/

All registrations received before the end of August will qualify for an Early Bird registration rate of 95 pounds for public sector and 145 pounds for private sector delegates.

Sponsorship opportunities, email Claire Clinton, claire -at- headstar -dot- com.

Want to enter into the Green Building Alliance Dragon Boat for Sept. 17's festival?

The Green Building Alliance is extending invitations to join the Green Dragon Boat team! The GBA is looking for individuals to form a Green Team through the Three Rivers Rowing Association and participate in the Dragon Boat Festival in the South Side Riverfront Park on September 17, 2005. No prior rowing experience is necessary – just an enthusiasm to get out onto our rivers and have a lot of fun! Expect four practice/training sessions between August 23 - September 17. Cost for four training sessions is $65/person and to compete in the Dragon Boat Festival costs $40/person – Total $105.

Send an email expressing your interest to Karen Puff at karenp@gbapgh.org by August 15th. Indicate the best times for you to participate in practice sessions – weekdays, weeknights or weekends. And mark your calendar for September 17th for the Festival.

League of Pissed Off Voters:hosts a Smackdown 2005 in Pittsburgh

For what its worth... and I'm not sure what that is or isn't. This isn't my cup of tea. The indy part is more of a GREEN, LEFTIE, all DEM thing mostly. The smack down was mainly an anti-Bush thing as well, I think. But, it is local. The national organization might be as big as western PA and eastern Ohio. ???

League of Pissed Off Voters:�Smackdown 2005 Input: "SMACKDOWN 2005 Application

SMACKDOWN 2005 is a national conference for League organizers and trainers and our allies. The weekend will offer performances, inspiring speakers, beginning, intermediate and advanced level trainings in voter organizing, as well as time to scheme, strategize and build with some of the dopest young organizers del mundo. It will take place from August 4 - 7 on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA. Hotel accommodations will be provided for all participants. Everyone who wants to participate in the conference needs to fill out the application form below. The application deadline is July 14, 2005.

Penn State's Keefe wins silver medal in open water swim at Worlds

Rather than bass fishing, I dream of more high speed excitement without the motors on our rivers. How's this for an event to revisit for the future?

Centre Daily Times | 07/19/2005 | PSU's Keefe wins silver medal PSU's Keefe wins silver medal

From CDT staff reports

MONTREAL -- Penn State junior swimmer Margy Keefe captured second-place for the United States in the 5K Open Water Swimming race with a time of 55 minutes, 44.3 seconds.

Keefe came within 4.2 seconds of becoming Penn State's first world champion swimmer. She led at the halfway point and at the 4.5K mark, but she was eventually passed by Russia's Larisa Ilchenko, who successfully defended her world championship in the same event with a time of 55:40.1.

From the start, the Australian and German..."

A race could start at Station Square and go to Sandcastle and back. Or, the race could start at the POINT and go up and back on each of the rivers.

The junior races could start upstream and finish downstream. Say from the boat ramp in the Mon on the South Side to Station Square or else the West End Bridge.

I'd love to take the open-water concept to the next level with fin swimming, snorkels, wet suits, and floating teather balls tied to the swimmers' waists.

Techies: An Open Source Picnic - August 7

WPLUG's 4th Annual Open Source Picnic is this Sunday August 7, 2005 from 1 pm to 6 pm. You and your family are welcome. If you've been around WPLUG for awhile or if you are a list lurker, you are more than welcome to join us.

The official WPLUG picnic website is http://www.wplug.org/picnic
It will have all the important links to all of the urls mentioned in this
email.

Directions

Looks of the park.

The reason why we call it "Open Source" because everyone who attends is to
contribute by bringing food, helping out, or organizing activities. It will be
as good as the community makes it! Like last year we will have burgers on the
grill, chips, potato salad, "not quite goulash." For fun we will have Chez Geek
and balloon critters.

All of this is made possible without utilizing WPLUG treasury funds due to
the generosity of the contributers listed on the meeting details page...
http://www.wplug.org/meetings/one-meeting?wp_meeting_id=3186

You too can help us out by making a contribution. Please consider the "Most
Needed" list as you make your pledge. We will be keeping track of the pledges
and what is still needed on the meeting details page...
http://www.wplug.org/meetings/one-meeting?wp_meeting_id=3186

We need everyone to RSVP by sending mail to picnic2005@wplug.org
Please consult the meeting details page to see if your name is there. If we
don't see your name then we do not know if you are coming or not!
The RSVP list will be updated on our meeting details page...
http://www.wplug.org/meetings/one-meeting?wp_meeting_id=3186

As you RSVP, please let us know how many people you are bringing and if you
have a special diet. This is a pot luck however some of us have
volunteered to make meat-free dishes if we have some vegetarians.

I can not emphasize enough that we need *you* to RSVP! At the rate of
$3.50/minute WPLUG treasury can not afford to consult psychic hot-line to find
out how many hot dogs buns we need to buy. Please consider the more economical
decision and drop a note to picnic2005@wplug.org Tux would RSVP so should you.

Hope to see you there!

Pittsburgh financial oversight agencies strike a deal

Don't do today what can be put off for tomorrow. Might as well make nice. The city isn't going anywhere.

Pittsburgh financial oversight agencies strike a deal A peace treaty between the City of Pittsburgh's fiscal overseers encourages the city to further cut its Fire Bureau.

The Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, created by the General Assembly, and the Act 47 recovery team, empowered by Gov. Ed Rendell, agreed yesterday that they would require the city to seriously consider new cost-cutting measures by January 2007.

When oversight is of the mindset to hurry up and wait -- we are not sitting in a good spot.

On the other hand, I don't think law suits are the way to fix anything. But, I'd be more encouraged if those who are to be instramental in fixing things would meet more than once a season. The "no" vote by phone proves my point.

Perhaps a collaborative relationship with the city is fine -- like us all 'drinking the coolaid.'

It is not about the firefighters, nor the stations, nor some other blame game that could be sheltered with some 'expert report' and 'commissioned study.' This is about do nothingness. This tailspin is about being asleep at the controls. Now, the slumber is proven to be deep for the oversight board too.

Africa making waves in pool. Quotes from David Salo, author and Irvine Nova coach

David Salo is quoted in today's trib in the article about the rise of swimming medalists from Africa. David authored a technical swim training book, Sprint Salo, that I published. That was the second book I published. The indie imprint was called Sports Support Syndicate. The book is now out of print. I get requests for it every other week or so.

Africa making waves in pool - PittsburghLIVE.com: "The move surprised U.S. men's coach Dave Salo.

'It's disappointing,' he said before Michael Phelps led the Americans to a relay victory. 'Our guys want to win the gold, but they want to win against the best.'

The other point that is behind the text of the article is Jonty Skinner, a world-record swimmer in 1976. Jonty's home is South Africa. In 1976 he set a world record at the US National Championships in the 100-meter free in a meet in Phili. South Africa was not permitted to compete in the Olympics that year. Jonty was a scholarship swimmer at Alabama.

The first book I ever published, Tide Teamwork, was authored by Jonty Skinner. It is a swim training book too.

However, Tide Teamwork and SprintSalo are at two different ends of the spectrum in terms of workouts and coaching philosophy. Both books are great and were perfect for their time. Each helped to advance the realm of understanding in the sport of swimming and offered plenty of groundwork for a sustained discussion.

In the days to come, we'll be in Irvine, California, at Dave Salo's pool to watch a bit of the US National Swimming Championships.

It is great to see the world send its best and brightest to America for education and competition with swimming. One of my biggest hopes is that those in Allegheny County can keep up.