Arts Alive - Yes, Bob O'Connor is alive. There was a sighting of Bobby O' .

O'Connor, the local blogger, has better search engine rankings in Pittsburgh than our Dem candidate for mayor. But, there is an official sighting. Whale watching tours, submarine races and looking for Mayor candidates in Pittsburgh all net the same outcomes: Long on search, little on sizzle, lonesome on steak. Arts Alive - PittsburghLIVE.com Birthday Bon Voyage: Nearly 50 years ago, savvy skipper John Connelly launched a river renaissance when he set sail on the Mon, Allegheny and Ohio with his Gateway Clipper Fleet. This past Saturday, some 200 family members and friends wished him a happy 80th birthday on a three-hour cruise that brought together well wishers such as grandson Terry Wirginis and Pam with great grandkids Alex, Nic and Hannah; Lt. Guv Catherine Baker Knoll; Anita and Ross Dacal; mayor apparent Bob O'Connor; Kamie Schoonhoven and Duquesne U. music dean Dr. Ed Kocher; Sophie Masloff; Dr. Ralph Affinito; and judge Alan Hertzberg.
Les Ludwig, 73, retired Sq. Hill biz man, and former candidate for mayor in the Dem primary, and I were chatting on the phone today. He too has seen Bob O'Connor, at least twice this summer.

Les is still pushing for "art advertising" solutions for Pittsburgh so as to raise some money for the empty public treasury. Les also visited with two County Council Members. The county did move on the issue and did put in a formal motion that passed with all in favor to do a serious look at art-advertising and sponsorships. The city's lack of ambition on this area is an ongoing frustration.

O'Connor isn't going to do anything, so the report comes from Les, until he is elected.

Well, Les is still upset with the political machine. But I begged him to NOT run for mayor again in the general election as a write in candidate. No Les. Move on. Get with the others who are ON the Ballot. Leverage those 500-votes he got and try to help someone else.

I told Les he'd be much less than 25 votes as a write in in November. But, he could take the 500+ votes and turn them into 5,000 if he would start now and work to unseat Dan Frankle, D, state rep. The D primary for that race is in the spring of 2006.

We need to throw the bumbs out. People like Les are decent candidate options as he'd not be in Harrisburg for much more than a term given his age.

In another conversation today, I spoke with Lynn Cullen, 1360 AM and PCNC TV. The first hour of her radio show is going onto the air as a TV show too, each night, and with a replay at NOON the next day. My call to her was at the start of the second hour of the show.

Lynn's rant against the pay raise was an hour long. But, she did meet with two callers who put cold water onto the issue. A women from the Mon Valley and a guy from Cannosburg were both NOT willing to vote against their existing state reps.

To bring home the bacon is very important to the Mon Valley. I say nuts to that. And, I said it well as a final statement in a debate this spring at Mt. Washington. We have a bigger duty to the consitution, justice, freedom and being AMERICAN than being a rain-maker for neighborhoods of the district.

Another caller did say that the action needs to rests in the primary season for unseating the money grabbers. True, some heat needs to come there. But there are other burners on the stove that all need to fire up and work as well. The primary and general elections are both important parts of the process.

This is the time to recruit candidates, consider options, build teams and organize in the open.

Education Innovations is looking for teachers, students, Pittsburgh

Education Innovations is looking for teachers, students, Pittsburgh
community members, and parents who would be willing to give their two cents worth on the ideal education experience for children. We are hosting a series of focus groups in mid to late September.

We are looking for specific feedback with each focus group so read the description before getting involved. All focus groups will take place at the Education Innovations, Inc. offices in the Kingsley Association at 6435 Frankstown Avenue, at the intersection of Frankstown Avenue and East Liberty Blvd.

Community Focus Group
*When: Wednesday September 14, 2005
*Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
*Location: Kingsley Association 6435 Frankstown Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
*Working Title/question: How does a school fit into the life of the community? What we are going for here is for your input on how a school goes beyond being located in a community, or how a school can be another friend in the community.
*Who we are looking for: Pittsburgh community members at large, parents, students, businesses, etc.

Critical Thinking/Workforce Forum
*Date: Wednesday September 21
*Time 6:30pm – 8:30pm
*Location: Kingsley Association 6435 Frankstown Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
*Working Title: "Critical Thinking: the foundation for a creative and productive workforce." What we are going for here is to gather expert opinion on the role of primary and secondary education in preparing students for the workforce. Further, we are looking for expert opinion on the role of scientific principles (inquiry, creative problem solving) in the creative workforce.
*Who we are looking for: workforce leaders, heads of science related companies, foundations who fund science/critical thinking initiatives

Teacher Focus Group
*Date: Wednesday September 28, 2005
*Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
*Location: Kingsley Association 6435 Frankstown Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
*Working Questions: What makes you /would make an innovative and creative teacher?
Who we are looking for: Teachers who teach in a school environment, whether charter school/public school, or private school, who would like to share their thoughts on how school systems (i.e., teaching, assessment, training systems etc.) make them./would make them innovative and creative teachers. If your child has had an innovative/creative teacher, feel free to nominate him/her by sending us their contact information. We will discreetly invite them to the forum.

If you are interested in participating in any of these focus groups, would like to be involved in the planning process, would like to receive an informational brochure on the Education InnovationsLAB Charter School, or would like to add to the list of potential, students, send email to:

info@educationinnovations.org or call 412.661.8751 xt. 150.

Source: Salvador Wilcox, CEO, Education Innovations, Inc., 914 Heberton Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412.363.7707

Backlash rolls against POLITICIANS in Harrisburg

Here is a nice effort. They have a fiddle MP3 knock off radio ad too. Critique follows.

YCOP Announces Multi-Media Campaign Targeting State Legislators Who Voted for Unconstitutional Pay Increase

HARRISBURG (Aug. 15, 2005)If the state legislators who voted themselves an unconstitutional pay raise thought the summer heat would evaporate the matter from the collective conscience of the taxpayers, they thought wrong.

Young Conservatives of Pennsylvania (YCOP) is producing a multi-media campaign comprising a web site, radio ads, billboards and bumper stickers to fan the flames of a grassroots brushfire across the Commonwealth and encourage repeal of the unconstitutional measure.

The first leg of the campaign begins this week with the launch of InformedPA.com and radio ads that will air on stations in the portion of the state represented by State Senate President Pro Tempore Bob Jubelirer, who voted himself a whopping 34% pay increase.

Visitors to InformedPA.com can hear the radio ads, view the billboards that YCOP will begin popping up later this summer, make a contribution for a "Remember The Pay Raise!" bumper sticker, or even sponsor another InformedPA billboard.

"Instead of defending the unconstitutional pay raise and ignoring the growing public outrage, legislative leaders should rush forward to repeal the measure," said State Chairman Chris Lilik.

For more information on this project please visit www.InformedPA.com.

For starters, I love the bumper sticker, "Remember the Pay Raise." Perfect. Get one if you wish. That's classic and gets two thumbs up.

A negative ad is a negative ad. I'm not fully against negative ads as I often rail against negative ads -- being negative myself.

The bluegrass fiddle music that plays in the background of the radio ad is over the top and hits me as "elitist." Stuffy republicans want to talk down to the people about a 30-year state senator and play hick music to score points is out of whack.

Background music is needed, for sure. But make it blend into the background. Make it pop, a solo rif or more like an orchestra.

Putting a photo on a billboard is POSITIVE -- even if it is a hit. The hit isn't strong enough. I think, in the end, it is going to be a help, not a hit.

I have questions about the motivation of the overall goal, but perhaps that remains to be proven and waits for another wave of postings.

For example, the voting record for the state politicians, with a listing of all their names, only goes an inch deep. No elected politician in Harrisburg raised a voice on the floor of either chamber to object to the middle of the night legislation. I think that the list is presented to give a lot of cover for a lot of people who need the cover.

Compendium Institute and its software: Anyone else in Pittsburgh fiddle with this?

Are there others in Pittsburgh doing anything with this open-source software utility? MeetUp, huddle, whatever?

Compendium Institute Compendium has three key elements: a shared visual space where ideas can be generated and analyzed, a methodology that allows the exploration of different points of view, and a set of tools for quickly and easily sharing data both within and beyond the boundaries of the group. The process enables people to negotiate collective understanding 'on the fly,' capture the discussions, and share representations of their knowledge digitally across communities of practice -- an approach crucial in keeping collaborative efforts on track and on time. More...

Happy Life without a law degree

Pittsblog has a thread and reactions to life in Pittsburgh as a lawyer. Sorry to take this out of context, but anyway... My $.02 posted over there includes:

The low risk mindset in business means tiny action in new/emerging business, and coldness to the entrepreneur spirit.

Hence, the upside is more like a rolling hill and less like a mountain peak.

Plus, we've got a FORTUNE 500 culture too. Heavy rewards are associated with staying within the box, protecting what you've got.

Finally, the fortunes around here came with a tightness to the goods, the carbon-based products and the raw materials.

Bankers were eager to give millions to six-color, perfecting, waterless, plateless printing press -- but wouldn't give a nickle for a book idea, brand building, or knowledge content delivery unless a dozen patents and a Fortune 500 sponsor was to co-sign.

Lawyers in Pgh are asked to play DEFENSE all the time. That ain't as much fun just for variety's sake.

Yet we are wired to work hard, build, make things -- and the lawyers have their noses to the other grindstone with lower satisfaction, frankly.

Jeepers, it sucks to be you. But it is fun to talk about your quagmire of gloom. =;0

The only thing worse than being a lawyer in a town with a Fortune 500 mindset is being a lawyer in the political realm in a town without an ounce of common sense in how to govern and budget.

Insights from Operation Clean Sweep on repealing the Pay Raise in Harrisburg

The latest news from Operation Clean Sweep, an effort to kick-out greedy politicians from public office brings this insight.

The proposed bill in Harrisburg to repeal the "unvouchered expenses" portion of the pay raise is sponsored by Rep. Will Gabig of PA's 199th District. Although it may seem like a good idea on the surface, we say to Rep. Gabig: "Not good enough!"

We demand a FULL repeal of HB 1521, the pay raise bill, including the salary increases for the executive and judicial branches. The wording could be very simple; something like "HB 1521 is hereby repealed andt his repeal goes into effect immediately. All unvouchered expense reimbursements already received by legislators shall be turned over to the General Fund within ten days."

What's curious is Rep. Gabig's reasoning that the unvouchered expenses are unconstitutional. We absolutely agree and have argued this point since July 7. But Rep. Gabig voted YES on the pay raise and initially stated he would accept the unvouchered expenses. Is Rep. Gabig admitting that he just wasn't sure what the PA
Constitution says and has personally violated it by voting for an unconstitutional bill?

That would be a severe offense for a member of the General assembly, as their oath of office swears them to defending and upholding the Constitution. We believe Rep. Gabig's actions are a clear violation of his oath of office. We also view his sponsorship of this bill as nothing more than disingenuous backpedaling.

We're going to see a lot of this kind of backpedaling over the coming months. We'll also have to withstand the incumbents' usual ploy of delivering those oversized novelty checks to try to buy our support. We say ignore them. We can't be bought. We have principles. If they `stick it to us' once, they'll surely do it again if they get the chance.

The Sunday PG had a story on the pay grab on its front page.

The Sunday PG also devoted a good chunk of its front page on the lack of news from the British tabloids. So, our front page news is about their lack of decent front page news? That's worthy and par for the course in Pittsburgh.

Blog Fest III coverage

My only quibble with the article and photo rests in perception of civility among the blog readers and comments at "political blogs."

My impression is that the folks in the real world as well as those online have been respectful on all most all instances.

City's bloggers actually get together face-to-face: Many of the roughly 30 bloggers at Thursday's 'Blogfest' at Finnigan's Wake bar said they have steered clear of politics lately -- writing about it often provokes a burst of brutally negative responses from one side or another, which are no fun to get.

'I never write about politics -- the conflict gets a little too hot,' said Robert, who did not want his last name used. Rather, on his new blog 'Gclectic,' he writes a lot about engineering and geek culture.

Central Park Bench: Skateboard park petition

Don't do it!

Central Park Bench: Skateboard park petition: "Skateboard park petition

Don't.

There are a few other, much, much better ideas. I'd strongly suggest you DON'T do the skateboard park. Give me a call or email -- and I'll be happy to explain, in person, in detail.

I was at the opening of the skateboard park in Pittsburgh at McKinley -- just behind the Liberty Tubes. On opening day THREE kids went to the E.R. THREE on the first day.

Ranting on Republicans. Wanting urban votes for suburban candidates with D history. No thanks.

Letter sent to a Trib reporter and CCed as a LTE:

RE: http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/westmoreland/s_363299.html

Harrisburg Republicans have serious problems. Money flows to NEW Republicans. They don't do anything to grow their own.

Hence, W.PA witnesses money to the former Dem to defeatt Alan K. and money to the turncoat Dem, Michael Diven, to loose to Wayne Fontana in MY State Senate special election.

I was in the Diven, Fontana race. That fact was failed to be printed in your article. Both the D and R out-spent me about 500 to one. Yet Diven only out-voted me five to one.

It would be best if you mentioned my name as part of the race on May 17, 2005. As a Libertarian, I got 2,542 votes from a base of 250 registered Ls on a PRIMARY election day. Those great numbers, and more than 7% in a three way race, can't be ignored.

I'll be back.

Would you like me to mail you a copy of my campaign audio CD?

Thanks for the article and for telling the whole story. Not a single Libertarian voted for the outlandish pay raise. I would HAVE not only voted with the people, but would have been objecting in the open all along.

KDKA: Pittsburgh Task Force Not Firm on Slots Money for Arena

Does anyone care to inform KDKA TV that Tom Murphy is NOT one of the two most powerful politicians in Pittsburgh. Mayor Murphy is a lame duck who was a marathon runner and he couldn't even keep the Pittsburgh Marathon alive.

If Murphy wants money from slots to go to the new hockey arena, then that is good enough reason to object to the concept.

KDKA: Pittsburgh Task Force Not Firm on Slots Money for Arena The two most powerful politicians in Pittsburgh agree that some revenue from a slot machine parlor to be located in the city should be used to build a new arena for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

But the task force charged with studying the idea says there's no consensus on how the money should be used.

Mayor Tom Murphy and Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato are both pushing the new arena proposal.

But the Pittsburgh Gaming Task Force, which is studying the impact of the standalone slots parlor to be built in the city, says there are too many options on how to use the city's share of those revenues to commit to arena funding.

The group is supposed to issue its recommendations on the project -- and how to use the local revenues -- by November.

The standalone slots parlor should NOT be built in the city. Rather we should have the new parlor operators purchase the Pittsburgh Convention Center. Then the slots income could begin in earnest at the close of the 2006 MLB (Major League Baseball) All-Star Game.

It makes no sense to wait while a new casino is built. We have a suitable building that is sitting empty that can be a great site for the casino in the short-and-long term.

County Council Candidate website: Jim Burn, D

Link, not an endorsement, follows. Jim Burn I am running for Allegheny County Council in District Three because I see many issues that are similar to what we have been facing in Millvale, where I have been Mayor for the past 12 years.
I don't see much if anything at all in terms of a "platform" at the nice looking site.

Final Three Shows for the band: The 3 of Us

These folks sing, "A Nation of Burgers and Fries." They have a few recorded CDs and are a PA band. Figures that one is going to move out of state. Bitter ending.

Their one tune was on my campaign CD. They play folk -- and make great music with a mix of voices. Grassroots and great.

We hope that you'll be able to join 'The 3 of Us' as we finish another chapter in our musical journeys. Jeff will be moving out of state at the end of August, and we have decided to retire "The 3 of Us"; but take with many fond memories from the last decade +. We have dedicated nearly 1/3 of our lives to meeting great people and hopefully spreading some good music and goodwill along the way. We have, appropriately enough, 3 more appearances where you can catch us in the next week:

Sunday, August 14th - The Wolf's Den Restaurant Patio - Knox, PA - 4:00 - 7:00 - 814-797-1105 - www.wolfsden.com - This is an Open Mic, so if you're one of the marvelous musicians that we've met along our journeys we encourage you to bring your instruments and help us entertain.

Friday, August 19th - The Franklin Club Car Cruise - Franklin, PA - 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Sunday, August 21st (OUR FINAL SHOW!!!) - The Wolf's Den Restaurant Patio - Knox, PA - 4:00 - 7:00 - 814-797-1105 - www.wolfsden.com

We hope that you'll make room on your schedule to come out and say hi. As a special parting gift, we're offering all 'The 3 of Us' merchandise for only $5!!!!! Better in your hands than gathering dust in our garages, so if you've been hoping to pick up a copy of Allegheny Hideaway or Sketches, this is a great opportunity.

Just some fun facts about the year we were formed:

Bill Clinton was less than 1/2 way through his first term;

The top grossing movie of 1994: Forrest Gump;

Top Pop / Rock Single of 1994: Ace of Base - The Sign (boy, we bucked that trend);

In 1994 Gas cost $1.09 / gallon;

Top news stories of 1994: The "Republican Revolution"; O.J. Simpson; The Major League Baseball Strike cancels the World Series; Susan Smith; Tonya Harding & Nancy Kerrigan; South African elections; John & Lorena Bobbit; and the death of Jackie O'.

What a long strange trip it's been. Hope to see you this week.

Jerry, Jeff, & Jenny

It is hard to say if I'll catch one of the final shows. But, I'll try. And, you should too if you can. I'm sure sad that they're going to split.

Reunion tours can be fun too!

Blog Fest was well attended -- even by the PG

Another nice party from those instigators at www.PghBloggers.org was held.

I was the one with the tye-die t-shirt and kids in tow who seemed as if he just arrived from spending the day at the outdoor swimming pool.

Tim McN and a PG photographer was present. We didn't get our photo taken.

---

John of Drinking Liberally was there too. That event was a bit later, but at the same venue.

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In other blog and wiki stories these hours, this is of interest and makes for a good reason to attend those types of gatherings.

Posted by Steve Outing: Mainstream Press Messes Up Wikipedia Story

This is an item about a story that I got wrong -- and so did many blogs, and mainstream media on at least four continents. And for those people distrustful of what they read in mainstream media (not to mention, blogs), it will probably encourage that viewpoint.

Here's the story: On Monday, the wire service Reuters carried this story
(http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050805/wl_nm/media_wikipedia_dc) about comments that Wikimedia president Jimmy Wales made to a German newspaper. In it, Wales supposedly said that the Wikipedia open-access Web encyclopedia ould impose stricter editorial rules to prevent vandalism. The Wales quote from ueddeutsche Zeitung read: "There may soon be so-called stable contents. In this case, we'd freeze the pages whose quality is undisputed." Reuters repeated that.

The story spread worldwide. Bloggers wrote about it (including me http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=31&aid=86822). Lots of mainstream news outlets carried it, citing the German paper's report.

But there's a problem: Wales didn't say that. He told me in an e-mail exchange and a phone call this morning: "The interesting thing is that the media simply made up the story about us permanently locking some pages. It's just not true. ... There is absolutely no truth at all to the story. None, zero. It is a complete and total fabrication from start to finish."

Wales says the problem appears to be in the translation. He was in Germany recently and was interviewed by dozens of reporters, including from the Sueddeutsche Zeitung. He thinks the SZ reporter may have misinterpreted his comments. Then Reuters apparently translated his comments in German back to English, and his meaning got turned into something he didn't say.

(Here's what he did say, as relayed by Wales on Slashdot.org (http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?cid=13256889&sid=158204&tid=187)
: "I spoke to one journalist about our longstanding discussions of how to create a 'stable version' or 'Wikipedia 1.0.' This would not involve substantial changes to how we do our usual work, but rather a new process for identifying our best work." In other words, no announcement -- just a mention of longstanding internal discussions.)

Meanwhile, bloggers and mainstream news organizations trusted the Reuters report (and thus SZ's) enough to write it up on their own without contacting Wales to confirm that it was accurate. The faulty news spread quickly around the world.

Obviously, this is a rather sad indictment of media practices. An inaccurate report can quickly circle the world. It's not just a case where blogs pick up bad items and the blogosphere amplifies them; the same thing can happen with mainstream news outlets.

And here's yet another angle to the story that's unflattering to mainstream media. Wales says: "The story seems to have legs, even though we've contacted Reuters and every other outlet to try to get a correction, no one seems to care at all. ... No response. We're important enough to write about, but not important enough for them to listen to at all." ... Well, here's at least one correction. Mea culpa.

It stinks to get the news wrong at the first blush. It stinks much worse to not correct the errors when given the opportunity for a second take.

The FREEDOM march in DC needs a registration? Well, 254 comments flew up on that guys blog.

EschatonFREEDOM!

The Carpetbagger Report makes the obvious point that it's a bit odd that one has to register - name/telephone number/address - to participate in a 'freedom walk' along public streets between public monuments.

Odd concept of freedom.
-Atrios 9:52 AM
Comments (254) Trackback (0)

High Schoolers Want More Demanding Work

High School kids are not asking for more lock-downs at bed-times. (See the story in the next posting). I think kids thrive and welcome opportunities to face challenges. Every kid can't be pushed in every setting. But too often we push nobody in any setting.

By Monisha Bansal

(CNSNews.com) -- American high school students generally want more difficult coursework, but are willing to cheat in order to handle the pressure that accompanies the more challenging work, according to the Horatio Alger Association, which released a report Tuesday on the "State of Our Nation's Youth."

"The state of America's youth provides invaluable insight into the attitudes, perspectives, and goals of America's young people," said Anthony Hutcherson, communications specialist for the Horatio Alger Association.

"There is no sense that the status quo is acceptable. What students are saying is that we want to raise the bar. We want to do things differently," said Peter D. Hart, president of the firm that conducted the survey.

Eighty-eight percent of students aged 13 to 19 said schools weren't doing enough, and that they would work harder if expectations were higher, the survey results demonstrated. They called for more real-world learning opportunities, earlier advice about careers and more opportunities for advanced placement courses.

"Four years after No Child Left Behind (Bush education initiative), there is no difference in how students rate their own schools. It's acceptable, but not impressive," said Hart.

The survey also revealed a high level of dishonesty among today's American teenaged students. Half of them admitted to cheating and 97 percent said they knew students who had cheated.

"In a world where all institutions from athletes to business corporations to the media are not playing by the rules, you can hardly be shocked that students say that they are cheating," said Hart.

Nitika Sethi, a high school junior from Vienna, Va., explained that "there is a drive to get the grade and students are willing to go to new limits to get a certain percentage at the end of the marking period."

The survey reported that 80 percent of students considered pressure over grades a problem. Combined with the many other issues potentially producing anxiety for teens, like the threat of terrorism, Hart concluded that high school students are facing a "more serious world than ever before.

High Schoolers Cheat, But Want More Demanding Work -- GOPUSA

Group wants curfew center opened again - No need if they just reopened CHAUNCY'S

Better than a cerfew center -- just re-open the Station Square nightspot formerly known as CHAUNCY'S.

Group wants curfew center opened again - PittsburghLIVE.com

Street-savvy youngsters in Pittsburgh know the police can't touch them for breaking curfew, but their late-night carousing has at least one neighborhood group calling for changes.

Chauncy's was famous for drinks, thugs, gun violations, high-life and bitter-sweet endings in the parking lots. The nightclub resided in a commercial district -- away from homes, sleeping kids and easy for police to buzz with "raids."

Once the casino opens, we might have a suitable replacement as well. Perhaps we can get the casino's bar to call itself CHAUCY'S and then we'd have a real magnet for maggots. The upside is that the police don't have to babysit at a curfew center.

I'm one who would rather not build a new jail but provide better things for people to do instead -- like recreation. Let's start a dozen water polo teams around town.

Rep's "Charity" Dig Just Plain Wrong

There's an taped radio interview of Jess Stairs, R-Mt. Pleasant, complaining that his constituents are upset that he was going earmark his enormous pay raise to charitable organizations.

Is Mr. Stairs oblivious to reality or just THAT STUPID.

If he receives an additional $11,000 in his paycheck and Mr. Stairs donates some, or all, of that to charities...HE STILL GETS A TAX BREAK! And it's also been reported that the $11,000 would also be put toward his pension fund.

He gives nothing up by giving it away. Sure, his favorite pork "pet projects" get funded, and he gets patted on the back by all of the machine politicians that keep him in power. D or R, the pay grab was wrong.

Guys like Harry Readshaw, D-Carrick, did the right thing. Told everyone from day one that he wasn't going to accept the greedy pay raise. Mr. Readshaw, in a career before politics, was a full-time funeral director. Heck, sometimes you call the Readshaw Funeral Home on a Saturday and Harry might answer the phone!

Mr. Readshaw is the rare Pennsylvania public servant. He probably took a pay cut to have the distinction of driving four hours to Harrisburg. The best thing ever in Mr. Readshaw's political career was when he lost his bid for City Council more than a decade ago. He's done a much better job in our state's Capital.

Guys just like Stairs and state Senator Sean Logan--who was going to take the pay raise before radio's Fred Honsberger said that he might run for the seat himself--are not worthy of our trust when it comes to personal gain. Some of the guys are more honest: "I work 24/7 and deserve every cent I get," says the elected leader least qualified to lead.

True leaders say this pay grab is wrong. I don't want any part of it. "My constituents, many of whom are far more educated than I, don't make nearly $69,000, let alone $80,000 annually," is the right thing to say.

Too bad we don't have more more "leaders" who know how to lead.

'Open government' referendum for Pittsburgh fails to get on November ballot

The PG gave a good amount of ink to a proposition that didn't get onto the ballot. Sadly, the effort didn't get enough signatures. The bar is high in terms of the total numbers needed to get onto the ballot. But, such is life.

So, the amendment is off -- but -- David T is on. Things would have been much better to get both onto the ballot. There is a bit of zip when there are multiple areas of concern rather than a lone-wolf effort.

However, getting the 4,000 signatures will help with voters when it comes to pulling a lever on election day. It gave a bit of a kick-start to the outreach of the campaign.

'Open government' referendum for Pittsburgh fails to get on November ballot: "Open government' referendum for Pittsburgh fails to get on November ballot

Pittsburghers won't have a chance to vote for an 'open government' referendum on Nov. 8, but they will be able to vote for the referendum's creator -- longtime activist and Squirrel Hill resident David Tessitor.

Tessitor, former head of Pittsburghers for Open Government, is running for mayor as an independent candidate.

He met a deadline yesterday to file more than 1,000 signatures with the Allegheny County Elections Division, and he joins two third-party mayoral hopefuls, Titus North of the Green Party and Jay Ressler of the Socialist Workers Party.

Joe Weinroth is the Republican nominee for mayor and Bob O'Connor is the Democratic nominee.

The referendum needed 8,493 signatures to get on the November ballot, and a group of 100 volunteers managed to collect about half that number over the last seven weeks, Tessitor said.

If approved by voters, the referendum would have amended the city charter to require that all public documents and video of public meetings be made available on the city's Web site.

It also would have created a citizen advisory panel, open to any city resident, property owner, taxpayer or business owner. The panel would give residents more opportunities to voice their concerns to the mayor and City Council.

'It's designed to open government communication in two directions,' Tessitor said.

He said Pittsburghers for Open Government will conduct a new signature campaign either during the winter or next summer.

Now the pressure is on Weinroth to not finish the election in third, fourth or fifth place.

If the Green Party and Socialist Party candidates are any good at all, and if they would choose to work together by showing up at the same events and on the same blocks to door-knock -- then they might be able to beat the Republican candidate. But, that would be asking a lot.

The Socialist Party has a history of running candidates for Mayor as a party awakening effort. They buzz about themselves and have more meaningful meetings.

The Green Party in the area has a long, long way to go to get on its feet so as to have some strength in issues as well as candidates. I am hopeful that they will now have something to brag about and build up the organization. The Greens in other parts of the country are much stronger than what we have in Pittsburgh. But, Pittsburgh should be a hot-bed for Green-party activity. People often put a high value on being "sustainable" and on being "friendly to the environment." But, the transition to Green Party Politics is not generally made in the minds of many locals.

BlogPac.org :: Pennsylvania = a blog aggregator

Seems that the PghBloggers.org site has had some reorganization. The summit is on Thursday. I'll try to attend and get the keen, in-person insights.

Another lineup of blogs in politics is blogpac.org/section/pennsylvania/

BlogPac.org :: Pennsylvania Writing a blog post is not enough. Reading a blog post is not enough. Commenting on a blog is not enough. The next step requires doing something.

BlogPac.org is that next step -- a group of bloggers not content to simply write words or read them, but eager to take action on the pressing issues of our day.

BlogPac is waging politics online.

Declaration of Action - another site dedicated to kicking out the bumbs in Harrisburg

Declaration of ActionThis is our house.
Something's wrong.
We need to fix it.