Psych Up for Back to School

Back to school. Let's start to count the months, weeks and days -- and make the most out of each moment. The photo shows Grant and Erik outside a school in China. We had purchased a smaller version to bring to Cameron, a cousin. Sadly, the gift broke in transit.

Cameron is starting his Junior year at Middleburry College. He'll go back to school this week too.

The family Labor Day picnic brings us time to play with other cousins who live in the North Allegheny school district. They all start to school tomorrow.

Grant already gave notice that second grade won't include as much fooling around as first grade.

This year (academic 05-06) is our last "gravy year" for our family. Both of our children attend the same school. Next year Erik is slated to attend FRICK Middle School for sixth grade.

Erik is in a reading club and is diving into the book, Library Card. And he has begun to tackled the first draft of his first essay. That's what I need -- more drafts of my comments before they are "finished." However, he can NOT write on the computer. He needs to be doing it on paper so that the edits can be clearly seen.

One day we'll look back at paper based homework and giggle -- how old fashioned. Old fashioned, like what is shown in the photo above.

Labor, Legacy and Lucky HEX

In these parts, we have a serious relationship with "labor." It stretches far past a giant parade and has much to say about politics and how we govern ourselves.

I've run for public office twice. Both times I was a serious underdog. Neither time did I get a penny as a donation from any "labor group." I'm not sure if that is a complaint or a brag. Perhaps it is a bit of both.

My wish is for open-mindedness. But, those in control have a good way of controlling information. When information is controlled, other system-wide controls are easy to maintain.

Labor gives its money and its endorsements to candidates. Those candidates are generally the candidates that are going to win. When the established candidates win -- and win with such frequency and domination -- then the citizens generally loose. Our downward spiral continues.

We need labor to help snap the cycle that has caused such a downfall to our greater, public landscape.

The labor endorsement should NOT be given with a wink, a handshake and a three or four figure check. And, there are those who know what really occurs -- so there is a major turn-off in many ways. Candidates who would be great public officials for the rank-and-file are rejected without hesitation.

The oak hex, illustrated above, stands for "courage" and "strength." I long for the time when labor's political quarterbacks leverage additional "courage" and "strength" with serious research into all possible options entering the public realm.

Too many ballot box decisions are made far in advance of election day. Labor has had a huge role in causing the cancer of our body politic to persist.

From what I've seen -- many union memebers have been working to change the status quo. Those efforts need to turn a corner and become more than a 'steamfitters' pipe-dream.'

Today's offers:

I'd be glad to meet with any union leadership team or union members so as to talk about my campaign. That's a no-brianer.

Furthermore, I'd be happy and eager to talk about how improves to our political landscape can occur when considering serious, system-wide adjustements to to political outreach among unions.

Union members: Be strong. Be with courage. To many candidates, a good way to act with courage and strength is to generate endorsements and donations to all candidates in the race, even Indies. And, another avenue of strength is going to build as labor takes the effort to look harder and longer at those who are NOT already in the office presently.

Happy Labor Day!

The weather could not be better.

Next weekend, Erik (my oldest boy), 10, and I are going to to make a bike trip. That Dam Ride goes 69 miles on Saturday and a return trip on Sunday with tent camping and group meals.

Next Friday night brings a trip for many Pittsburghers to Athens, Ohio as Pitt takes on the Bobcats.

I hope the weather smiles upon us next weekend too.

Now, we're headed to the parade.

John O's art of PSU player walking again

Artist site.

Hat tip to KDKA TV interview.

Jury Rights Day 2005

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
3863 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
1-800-774-4487
www.lppa.org

For Immediate Release:
Date: 09/05/2005

For more information contact:
Doug Leard (Media Relations) or David Jahn (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS

Recognizing the power of jury nullification

The Libertarian Party acknowledges September 5, 2005 as Jury Rights Day and calls for greater public awareness of the powers and duties of jurors – including the largely ignored power of jury nullification.

LP spokesman Tim Crowley, explained that, "Juries are empowered to consider matters of fact as they pertain to guilt or innocence, but they also are empowered to consider the morality of the law in question. That’s the power of jury nullification."

This power is seldom mentioned in today’s courtrooms, but it is real and has a long historical tradition in the U.S. and England. John Jay, first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, said in a 1794 ruling, "The jury has the right to judge both the law as well as the fact in controversy."

This is by design. Our Constitution and its Bill of Rights specifically inserts juries into this process. It gives citizens a final say over lawmakers.

We should be thankful for this final say. An English jury stopped the religious persecution of our own William Penn. Juries protected members of the Underground Railroad. Juries sent a message that helped to end Prohibition.

Henry Haller, 2002 Libertarian candidate for Lt. Governor added, "Unfortunately, jury rights advocates have been arrested for distributing juror nullification pamphlets on the same city block where courthouses are located. Judges never inform juries of this power and believe it represents a threat to their domain."

Conscientious use of this pow! er represents anything but a threat. It can represent dignity for suff ering terminal medical marijuana patients victimized by cruel unintended consequences of drug laws. It can represent self-preservation for citizens confronted by a government that wants to disarm everyone but violent criminals.

For more information on this critically important power held by everyday citizens, contact the Fully Informed Jury Association, 1-800-TEL-JURY.

The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the United States with over 600 officials serving in office throughout the nation. Please visit www.LP.org or www.LPPA.org for more information on the Libertarian Party.

Schools and Katrina

Thanks for the pointer to the offers from various colleges to absorb students. See the pointer in the thread about Semester At Sea.

Visit www.edweek.org for DUCATION WEEK's continuing coverage of Hurricane Katrina and its impact on schools. Recent stories include a roundup of efforts to educate displaced students, insurance complications for the schools affected, the impact of previous natural disasters on schools, and a look at the management challenges ahead for the New Orleans school district.

http://www.edweek.org/ew/collections/hurricane-katrina/index.html

Pointers: Schools Open Doors to Katrina Victims as Recovery Begins
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2005/09/02/02region_web.h25.html
Houston-Area Schools to Enroll Evacuated New Orleans Children

ACORN is on the move

We started the day with every ACORN member we could reach calling their Congresspeople in outrage about how the people of New Orleans were left low and wet! One woman called me back to tell me that she told Santorum's aide that they got soldiers over to Iraq to start a war faster than they could send soldiers to NOLA to save people in the disaster!

So many of our staff and members are missing. ACORN's National Headquarters was in New Orleans. It is so horrible. Today, we found twelve ACORN families in various places, hungry, wet, thirsty, but alive. One family had nineteen people, cousins, grandmother, kids, etc. They suffered much, but searched for each other then stayed together. They have found homes with other ACORN families in Houston, and do not have to live in the Astrodome.

This heartened me, and I sent out a challenge to my church- I will take in a family, will you? We have several families who would open their homes. I think we should send out a church challenge to every church- we will find many takers.

Fundraisers, two are in the planning stages. The first, a fundraiser by Jazz musicians to benefit Jazz musicians who are victims of the hurricane. The second, a big fundraiser by several local musicians who have huge followings, which will raise money for resettlement, as well as temporary needs.Both of them will be staffed out by ACORN staff and members. We are looking for volunteers. We asked Rev Johnny Monroe from Grace Memorial Church to take care of the financial conduit, and he said he would.

See you in church on Monday.

Maryellen (see comments for contact info)

Tulane -- purchase the Semester At Sea challenge / opportunity

What's up with Pitt's Semester at Sea program -- other than its last tour? If I'm at TULANE or LSU -- I'd be happy to get a visit from those who run the Semester At Sea program.

KDKA: City, County Ready To House Katrina Refugees

KDKA: City, County Ready To House Katrina Refugees: "They are also waiting to see how many people in New Orleans would be willing to travel the long distance -- nearly 1,100 miles -- to Pittsburgh.

My only advice -- "Don't wait. Go. Go as soon as possible."

The details of the exact number can be ironed out after the buses get loaded. Send ten. Perhaps five return right away. Perhaps five return a few days later.

Fill the buses with some supplies and hit the road. Drop the supplies as you move southward. How many frozen perogies can you get in 24 hours on one of those PAT buses?

And, I'd not be too, too worried about getting all the people from New Orleans proper. Go to Dallas. Go to Houston. Go to the other counties and pick-up some people who are interested in the offer.

Otherwise, I'm very happy to see this news. I'm happy to see the outreach from city and county officials. Way to go.

My only tip -- (hardly advice) -- is to get 10,000 or so copies of a two or four page newsletter together that puts on paper the offer for travel and housing to Pittsburgh. Put the basics into words and make a few maps. Show the distance to Pittsburgh. Show the set-up around Allegheny County as to what areas have the spaces. Give a sample of the set-up. Give some phone numbers, web sites, and more FYI content.

It might be an impossible sell to get folks to Pittsburgh without a hand-out. Once people see something on paper -- and it doesn't need to look slick and glossy -- it becomes easier to understand and believe.

My only other hope -- (hardly advice and hardly a tip) -- is that the educational community is ready for the influx too. That extra capacity for the Pgh Public Schools doesn't look like a waste of money when you consider what those in Houston are facing. What suburban schools and what private schools are okay with students too? And, are the university leaders working their networks too?

A friend at LSU is still without email. However, a school in Florida has set up those professors and are offering services. That was quick thinking on their part -- and the benefits are sure to follow.

Water, Swimming, Boating and even Floating is getting a lot of media coverage these days -- for the worse and otherwise.

Total Immersion Swimming Swimming in Saddam's Pool -- or -- How to Practice TI in a War Zone
By CDR Bryan Caraveo

The link above is an interesting read.

As a coach, I know about "swim like a fish" techniques. As a participant in the Pittsburgh Triathlon, I did compete in the Clydesdale division too. But that limit was set at 190, not 200. My goal for the next time, is to be under that weight.

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are.

Click image for larger view.


Quote from Mary Jean Iron. Card by a friend who is putting some of the income to relief efforts. 

The Community Artisans' Bazaar is starting to heat up with talents and efforts for those in the wake of the storm down south. Louisa Wimberger, creative force behind weehah! cards from Charlottesville, VA, was inspired by Amy Carol Webb's recent donation idea and designed this quotation card.

I find the quote SO relevant right now, when I am feeling grateful for even being able to buy a loaf of bread at the store, drink tap water, walk down a street, or pick up a phone and talk to friends/family.

My oldest childhood friend has lived in New Orleans for almost 15 years, and she and her husband just finally bought a house right in the city two years ago. All gone now, as you know. I can't get her off my mind, and feel quite helpless. So, here's my little effort from Charlottesville on a beautiful and sunny day.

The cards are $3.00 each, or a pack of 8 for $18.00. For the month of September and perhaps beyond, she will give half the proceeds of this particular card to the American Red Cross. Her donor plan allows her to cover the necessary costs but still set aside a substantial amount to donate to the relief efforts. She accepts orders via phone (434.923.0561). Cards can be sent for a minimal postage fee.

James, we miss you.

My kids had their second day of school today. James, a teacher's aid, has not yet been to the school. He is generally in the same classroom as Grant (my youngest on the left).

The last time we saw James was in Thailand. He took us to a Thai Boxing event, where this photo was taken.
James is flanked by Grant and Erik in this picture.  

Erik's teacher from last year, Dr. Smith, is not in school either. She is taking a year to study in Mexico. Erik and Grant are both in the Spanish magnet track at our local school. We wish Dr. Smith, a 4th grade teacher, great success in her year that is sure to bring lots of exploration abroad.

At the open house before school started, I did get to meet the new Mark R, the boss of PPS. But, I didn't take any photos.

The football schedule for Pittsburgh Public Schools got an adjustment from the past. For starters, South isn't in the league. Games at Cupples Stadium, on the South Side, occur on Thursday night, 7 pm; Friday at 7 pm; and three times on Saturdays at noon, 3:30 and 7 pm.

Bloggers Debate Code of Conduct for Political Sites - Pgh Bloggers drink beer without any agenda or even wireless gathering place

Bloggers Debate Code of Conduct for Political Sites On Saturday, more than 50 of the state's bloggers -- on the right and the left, the young and the old -- spent a day meeting each other and debating whether there is a need for a common moral compass for this new form of political communication.

Pittsburgh's bloggers gather to drink beer and eat wings -- every other month.

The idea that "no one has any business telling them what they should say or how they should say it" is only one side of the coin. There needs to be more said in terms of "responsibility."

I long for "peer review" as is the case in the academic world. Peer review is an important element among watchdogs -- and it is often absent.

Furthermore, the common moral compass resides within each person, not in some other agency. The hook to each moral decision resides with the person -- each with a name. This means that faceless, nameless and undercover phantom postings of blogs with content of consequence are out of bounds.

I am certain that many politicians and lawmakers are knocking on the doors of state board of election officials to raise concerns to keep their jobs and mask the flow of truthful reporting. My wish is that governmental workers document those concerns and statements and post them. Then people can see the thought (or lack of thought) process and in turn, vote the small-thinking and selfish out of office as soon as possible.

I have no use for any lawmaker who aims to make new legislation for bloggers.

A blog conference with meaning and purpose is a great idea.

If Virginia's political bloggers want more influence and credibility, they should begin by earning reputations for telling the truth, being upfront about who they are, and treating their audiences with intelligence and decency.

Philadelphia Inquirer - Election test starts online donations

Changes to the rules come very late in the game in New Jersey.

Philadelphia Inquirer | 08/29/2005 | Election test starts online donations: "With the deadline to qualify in New Jersey's first 'Clean Elections' only eight days away, rules have been eased for collecting the 1,500 small contributions candidates need to participate in the public-financing pilot program.

This is junk. Citizens are being asked to make $5 and $30 donations and the transactions are at a State Treasury Department site that isn't even open yet.

Prior planning prevents poor performances.

On the other hand, at least they are trying. Meanwhile in Pittsburgh, seems as if efforts are dead in the water. Peduto was to champion a campaign finance reform bill, and I've heard NOTHING about this in months. Nothing, and I was on the committee.

A total of 2,500 guardsmen from Pennsylvania have gone or are going to New Orleans.

There is no schedule for their return; they will stay as long as they are needed. (KDKA TV is the source.)

Flashback: The Great Wall

Grant Rauterkus stands at The Great Wall in China in 2004. 

I'm in the process of uploading a lot of new images to the blogs. Some of these came from our trips to China. I'm not sure, yet, how to best handle the images for regular visitors of this blog. The utilities Picasa2 and hello from picasa, are sweet.

To live in die in 2005 is nothing more than poverty, age and skin color ... so it was said

A Represenative from Georgia is sounding off now about the conditions in New Orleans. He is strong in his talk about this saga being all about poverty and the frail urban treatments. This problem brews beyond New Orleans' dire situation.

This is a topic that we should be blogging about. But, it is hard to write and break into a conversation as talk can be taken out of context.

First things first. We need permission to blab. And, we need safe places to do so. And, frankly, this blog is not a "free flowing, anything-goes" space on the digital landscape.

Next, we need pointers to what he and others are saying. We need to pull those comments out for others to find or repost (even here). Then, after the light gets put onto the statements, in fair treatments, then we can reply and respond.

Parts of what is being said make sense. On one interview I heard him say that the US Senate's passage of a bill for $10.5 BILLION was not nearly enough. He was seeking $200 Billion for all urban centers to make programs to fix these urban poor situations. Humm....

At first blush, I find myself at odds with that concept ($200 Billion of new Federal money for urban programms).

I don't think they should start the printing presses so as to print new money to give away in new urban programs.

Now, let's see what we can find and begin to get a sustained conversation on these matters -- somewhere, somehow.

Clean sweep advocates need all the various tools at the ready -- from mops, to brushes, to brooms. 

A Clean Sweep Needs a Better Ballot Access Broom

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
3863 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
1-800-774-4487
www.lppa.org

For more information contact: Doug Leard (Media Relations) or David Jahn (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS

The Voters Choice Act

Harrisburg, PA – The state legislature’s pay increase has created outrage across the state causing groups such as the PA Clean Sweep organization (www.pacleansweep.org) to call for a “no incumbent” election in November.

Some challengers will confront the Democratic and Republican incumbents head on in the Primary Election. Other frustrated voters are turning their backs on the old parties and seeking third party and independent candidates with innovative new approaches to today’s challenges. However, third party and independent candidates face a critical challenge with Pennsylvania’s ballot access laws.

Under current law, Democrats and Republicans will need to gather 2000 signatures in 2006 to have their names placed on the statewide ballot. By comparison, third party and independent candidates must collect over 67,000 signatures, more than 33 times as many. This inequity seems to violate provisions of the state constitution requiring all elections to be “fair and equal”

“We must run a state-wide candidate in order to maintain our minor party status,” stated David Jahn, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania. “The two old parties have their drawbridges up and moats filled. These insurmountable barriers are obviously designed to protect incumbents by denying Pennsylvania voters a choice of candidates. This protection squashes the democratic process and makes it difficult to provide voters with new choices on the ballot.”

Currently, the Libertarian Party is working with the Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition (www.PaBallotAccess.org) to reform the state’s unfair ballot access laws. On Saturday, September 24th, at 4 PM, the Coalition will hold a kickoff rally in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg to introduce their Voters Choice Act with a reception to be held immediately afterwards at the Harrisburg Hilton, Second and Market Streets in Harrisburg, beginning at 6:15 PM. Both events are open to the public.

Per L.P. spokesman Doug Leard, “in November 2006, we need to send a strong message to Harrisburg about their under-handed pay increase. To do so, we need improved ballot access to provide the voters of Pennsylvania better choices. We are asking citizens to contact their legislators asking them to sponsor and support the Voters Choice Act.”

The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the United States with over 600 officials serving in office throughout the nation. Please visit www.LP.org or www.LPPA.org for more information on the Libertarian Party.

Neighborhoods want slice of slots pie

Greed is deadly. Envy has been driving too many decision in Pittsburgh for too many years.

Neighborhoods want slice of slots pie: "But Pittsburgh Council President Gene Ricciardi yesterday proposed eliminating the middle man all together. He said the city itself should apply for the slots license.
He said an estimated $250 million in revenue the city could glean as a slots operator could eliminate city property taxes, reduce the debt, improve infrastructure and help fund a new arena.
Ricciardi said he'd ask council to pass a resolution supporting such an application. Council lacks the power to force such a move, however.

The city can't even do a decent job in the oversight of an ice rink, nor the management of outdoor swim pools, nor its own budget and pension funds.

Now a city leader wants to run a casino.

The city can't build a convention center that gets proper use because it forgot about the hotel space for visitors.

Deals don't get done to take care of the whole problem.

The city needs to focus on fixing roads and bridges -- not running a casino.

If you want to cut out the middle man, then give the casino license to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. That would be much better than what Ricciardi suggested.