United Press International - Student told to write essay as punishment -- NO HE DIDN'T. Big error in the article.

This seems to be getting national news, and perhaps it should. But, the story isn't accurate as posted below. I heard the young man, (the DU student), on a radio interview with KQV today. He did not call anyone 'subhuman.' However, he did use that word as a description for certain actions.

United Press International - NewsTrack - Student told to write essay as punishment: "Student told to write essay as punishment

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- A student of Pittsburgh's Duquesne University has been told to write a 10-page essay on homosexuality as punishment for his blog remark on gays and lesbians.

Ryan Miner says he's willing to risk expulsion rather than write the essay that must discuss the pros and cons of homosexuality, reports the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

The newspaper said the 19-year-old had called gays and lesbians 'subhuman' in a blog."

If they are going to make a mountain out of a molehill -- or blow something into the mainstream discussion -- start with factual coverage.

Now, where is that blog in question? Any pointers are welcomed. This isn't a mountain, nor a molehill. But, it is a bit of hot air that bubbles up from time to time in a faithful kinda schedule. That's me and my son, Grant, standing in front of Old Faithful just before she blows.

Film: Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price, 7 pm Friday Nov 18

Presented at First Unitarian Church in Shadyside, come find out why Wal-Mart needs to be held accountable for unjust practices that impoverish workers and threaten ommunities.

The controversial new film, by director and producer Robert Greenwald (Outfoxed and Uncovered: the War on Iraq), debuts in Pittsburgh in November as part of Wal-Mart Premiere Week, an unprecedented grassroots effort that will see over 3,000 screenings
across the nation from November 13-19, 2005.

This free public event is being hosted here in Pittsburgh by UUs United for Faith in Action. The screening will take place at 7 p.m. on November 18 at First Unitarian Church in Shadyside. Immediately following the film, there will be a brief presentation by two local groups and a discussion about the effect Wal-Mart is having on Pittsburgh and the nation.

The film takes the viewer on a deeply personal journey into the everyday lives of families struggling to fight against a Goliath. From a small business owner in Missouri to a preacher in California, from workers in Florida to a poet in Mexico, dozens of film crews on three continents bring the story of an assault on families and American values.

At The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania meeting. M. Ross and Dr. Davis, both from Pitt.

Gambling discussion.

Dr. Larry Davis, Mayor Tom Murphy, Tonya C. Andrew C. Gary R., Dr. Evan Stoddard of the South Side and past leader of No Dice.

Flashback and Housekeeping

Elephant envy.

Because some have asked, my photos are going to go into the public domain. They are being organized and are go be released shortly on CD and DVD. This way, others could use the photos as they wish, in commericial and noncommercial works, in multimedia and for posters, whatever. You'll need to buy the CD or DVDs and this will be part of a funding efforts for other things we do.

So, a campaign manager for a republican candidate, say John Pierce who lived in the city and then moved to suburbia and now is seemingly in Harrisburg, could use these photos freely.

Don't overlook this endorsement

Bob Hillen's endorsement in the Post-Gazette is huge.

Bob's endorsement was not mentioned at the conservative site, GrassrootsPA.com.

The PG made another fine endorsement with Doug Price for County Council too.

Editorial: Price in District 4 / The Republican has been dedicated to reform Price in District 4 / The Republican has been dedicated to reform

SPORTSHAVEN comes crashing down in downtown Pittsburgh. This block was cleared for the building of the African American Cultural Center. It is on Liberty Avenue. The workers on the job with the demolition company faced a picket. I don't think that they were on 'contract.' A day care, a cleaners and a few other small businesses were in the various buildings in that triangular block.

City likely to keep all-Democrat council - PittsburghLIVE.com

OUCH!
Dogs are cats and cats are dogs. "Gatekeepers" gone gonzo.

What's up is down!

The Trib, the newspaper that should be friendly to Republicans, slams the three hopeful GOPers in their quest for city council seats. Meanwhile, the Post-Gazette, endorsed the City's GOP Chairman, Bob Hillen, over the Dem in yesterday's editorial.

City likely to keep all-Democrat council - PittsburghLIVE.com Three of four Pittsburgh City Council seats are contested this election year, but none of the races represents a significant threat to the city's all-Democrat council.

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PG Editorial: Hillen for council / The city can no longer afford business as usual

The print media's ying and yang are fussed these days.

Get Out The Vote advice and pollworking advice from Tim

Unofficial Advice for Operation Clean Sweep or No to NN poll workers on Election Day, Nov 8, 2005.

I've worked the polls for several Libertarian candidates before. Here is my (Tim C's) unofficial advice.

1. Go to www.pacleansweep.com and download some No to Newman and Nigro flyers. Especially the one that is cut into 8 small flyers per sheet. Also a few that are an entire page, with tear-off phone numbers on the bottom.

2. Put the full sized sheets up in places like grocery stores, community bulletin boards, campus bulletin boards, on poles when no one is looking, etc. Bring thumb tacks and a good stapler. It is against the law to stick them in mailboxes, though.

3. A few of the full page NNN flyers can also be stapled or taped up at the polling place. There are somerules regarding how close to the actual polls your signs can be -- just put yours where eveyone else has theirs. Cut the llittle strips at the bottom in case anyone wants to join OCS. They can tear off the phone number instead of the entire sign.

4. Cut the ones that are eight to a page into individual mini flyers. These can be handed out at the polls. You can ask people where the best polling places are. Figure out the most convenient photocopying places too. Also the mini NNNs look better on colored paper than white. They still cost about one cent apiece since there are eight to a sheet.

5. If anyone calls or emails you, just give them this same advice. Ask them where they vote. Have them either download the NNN flyers or photocopy some of them and take them over to the volunteer.

6. When it comes to volunteers, you want to keep it simple. Have them go to their regular voting place. If they are computer literate, they can download the NNNs. If not, take them over, or have them meet you at Starbuck's, Behive, etc. They will need about 80 little ones (ten photocopied pages) and about four of the full page NNNs. You can go back inside and 'recycle' the flyers. The 80 little NNNs can be given to about 200 people.

7. Also advise them to wear comfortable shoes, take a water bottle, umbrella, and put a folding chair in your car -- there might be room to sit down outside the polling place in between voters. Repeat several times that the election is Tuesday, Nov 8th.

8. Try to figure out who will hand out mini NNN flyers and which polling place they will commit to. Make a chart of the 3-4 local polling places and the times that people will commit to. It pays to drive around to the different polling places and see how they are doing. Bring extra flyers, tape and staples in case they haven't posted any signs in the designated area. Get their cellphone numbers and give them yours, in case they have a problem. Call them on Nov 8th to remind them. Go with them if necessary and spend a few minutes with them.

9. Come up with something short and sweet to say to the voters as they enter. The old standby is "Would you like some literature, sir/maam?" But you might want to say "Defeat the Pay Raise, Vote No to Newman and Nigro" If you say that over and over, the people coming up next will hear part of it too. Just repeat it endlessly and give them a small NNN flyer. If they have questions, answer them, and say that the web site is on the little flyer. Remember to make eye contact and smile.

10. Obey the election laws. You can't stand within 15 feet of the doorway, etc in most places. For the most part, be courteous, don't block anyone's path, stand where the other political volunteers are standing, and remember that you have as much right to be there as anyone. Don't argue with those who disagree with you. Just wish them a good day and wait for the next person.

7 district judge slots still open - PittsburghLIVE.com

I don't think so.

7 district judge slots still open - PittsburghLIVE.com Martini, who is chief of staff for State Rep. Thomas Petrone, wants to make the office 'more user friendly' and start evening hours one night a week.

'No one knows the district better than me,' Martini said.

Arrogant statement. I guess he must know that many people in the district despise his boss too, Thomas Petrone, long-time state rep. And, I guess a lot of people know too about the folly of the West Pittsburgh Partnership.

Who wants to have lunch on Oct 27 and support Evan

Chris Moore, WQED Multimedia's host of Black Horizons and co-host of OnQ, will moderate a panel discussion featuring:

The Honorable Tom Murphy, mayor of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Patricia Beeson, professor of economics and public policy at the University of Pittsburgh, where she is also vice provost for graduate studies.

Dr. Evan Stoddard, past president and current board member of No Dice, an anti-gambling lobby. He is associate dean of McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts at Duquesne University, where he is also associate director for community outreach in the Graduate Center for Social and Public Policy.

Reporters Andrew Conte of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and Gary Rotstein of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

WHEN: Thursday, October 27, 2005.

WHERE: Engineers' Building, 337 Fourth Avenue, downtown Pittsburgh.

WHAT: Lunch will be served at noon. Program ends by 2 p.m.

HOW: $20 for Press Club members. $25 for nonmembers. $200 for table of 10.

For reservations, please send your check by October 21 to The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania, Engineers' Building, 337 Fourth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222. Questions? Linda Parker at 412-281-7778.

Update: Chris Moore missed the event, but another from OnQ was the moderator.

The social worker on the panel is a friend, Dr. Davis from Pitt. That meant I knew all the people on the panel.

I should join The Press Club. It was a great event. I should also join The Economic Club of Pittsburgh too. They also have wonderful speakers and programs. Any running mates interested???

Badminton brews here.

More news shortly.

This photo shows my children among those from Chengdu, China, with a coach at a Recreation Center. The coach had played for the national team of China. The real irony of this photo: It was taken as all the rec centers in Pittsburgh were closed. So, we went to China to play and research what they do. Plus, we didn't come back empty handed. The ideas are being revealed in behind the scenes challeges to establish some new endeavors locally. (By the way, that's Erik R., the tall kid in the middle of the group with the Pitt t-shirt and Grant R. on the far right.)

School Board Member to give a talk on Thursday night

Patrick Dowd, will be at Tazza D'Oro on Thursday, 10/27 from 7-8:30PM. He will be there to give a "State of the School District" address. Please come to hear about the new direction that we are headed in the Pittsburgh Public Schools as well as the hopeful "age of accountability" for our school board and superintendent. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Keep city school closing plan whole, board told

Keep city school closing plan whole, board told Mr. Matthews is taking the novel step of proposing that board members vote on the plan without additions or subtractions when Mr. Roosevelt puts it before them.

I and about 40 others went to a meeting with Mark Roosevelt last night in Oakland at Frick Middle School. Great session, not like the one the prior night in Banksville -- so we were told.

The more novel idea came up in the conversations. Why not have the board vote on the plan without even reading it. They can't tinker with the plan by makng any adjustments at the board table, so is the hope of Matthews. Why not just vote it up or down based on its looks from the outside. Don't even read it -- just vote for it.
Standing tall behind a fence to deal with those who might tinker.

That would remove horse trading.

Some honeymoon!
Inspecting...

I agree. We should not cut up the plan. Don't butcher it! Keep it whole.

Comments before city council

Statement before Pittsburgh's City Council

My name is Mark Rauterkus. My family and I reside at 108 South 12th Street on the South Side. My home on the internet is at Rauterkus.com. Please check my blog frequently. My email address is simple: Mark@Rauterkus.com.

A supporter of mine emailed me with tragic news while my family and I were in Hong Kong for two weeks in early October. That's how I learned of the death of your son, Sala. I want you to know that we all payed. We were not able to attend the funeral – but my heart breaks too with all of this violence and shooting. You know I've got two sons. I think that must be one of the worst fears in life.

Welcome back to council. Count me and my family as one of the many who really care.

The other night's meeting about gun violence that was organized by Ms. Carlisle is another that I did not attend – but was there in spirit. I did listen to the proceedings the next day on the internet at the Post-Gazette site. The PG gets a welcome nod in its recording of the meeting. Well done, by in large.

My brief hope and observation goes to the matter of guns. Our Second Amendment and the US Constitution – as well as the PA Constitution still matter. I wish the Constitution had more weight – but this is American. That meeting was NOT a beginning. We are with this legacy of rights and guns are here. It is my hope that we don't start to bark up the wrong tree and get into an impossible situation where advancements can not be made.

We can't ban guns from the streets of Pittsburgh and expect that legislation to hold up, be enforced, and really work. Let's not fool ourselves. Nor, try to fool the public.

Even the weed and seed program, something I respect, is like two legs of a chair. That formula, with two prongs, isn't going to be the entirety and be expected to stand up to make a platform for prosperity and wonderful places for raising our children. Weed and Seed needs a third leg to work. If you just weed and seed, weed and seed, -- who is going to harvest? We are going into Thanksgiving season. The fruits of the seeds don't just plop onto you tables to feed ourselves.

I worry about that third leg, most of all. I think that is the missing part in our government. You can't (as government officials) manage how one should flourish. But, you can, and you have, managed to mess up the capacity for allowing others to flourish.

You can crack the back of freedom, pathways to prosperity, and kill the harvest.

You can let the field turn to seed – prevent the harvest – and be rotten by blocking and bumbling and taxing and subsidizing and sustaining the floundering ways.

That's scary. And the fact of the matter is that some around here (Mayor's office mainly) just don't get it.

Halloween, -- a scary time of year. I want everyone to come to my hose for trick-or-treat. I've got CDs as our treat.

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This is like 'candy for the mind.' You'll be able to play this on a CD and hear music and a message from myself. Plus, put the CD into your computer and get OpenOffice.org. A free-and-open software package that is now at version 2.0.

Furthermore, if you'd like to give-away these treats to those that come to your house – or your circle of friends – that can be arranged.

We've never given out candy at our house for Halloween.

You can give out CDs – and they'll only cost you fifty-cents each. Or, come to the house with your spindle of blank CDs and we'll burn them for you while we have a cup of tea.

I live at 108 South 12th Street, South Side. You can place an order by sending me an email: Mark@Rauterkus.com. Give me your phone # and I'll get back to you right away.

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Voters: Please vote “NO” on the retention vote for the PA SUPREME COURT. Retention votes are being called for because the bench played an important role in getting the pay raise. And, the bench ignored the fact that the raise (unvouchered expenses) is unconstitional. The raise is not legal in terms of the PA Constitution. But the judges wanted to get a part of the pay-raise cash grab.

My (Rauterkus) advice to Ludwig and others in the Whack Pack: Pick your time and bail!

Today I talked with Les Ludwig in a hallway on Grant Street as city council was in session. On Saturday I talked with David Tessitor at the WPLUG.org meeting at CMU. On both instances, I asked these candidates for mayor to resign their race. The wise thing for them both to do is to make an exit statement and toss their support to another candidate who has a chance of getting more than 1,000 votes.

My generous predictions say that Tessitor will get less than 1,000 votes and Ludwig will get less than 50.
G.W. and David Tessitor in front of news cameras with efforts on the North Side some years ago.

This same advice was given by me to Ludwig as soon as I heard that he was not going to quit his race for the general election after his poor showing in the Dem's primary. I feel that Ludwig is doing the wrong thing.

I am a realist.

These two, Ludwig and Tessitor are not helping the city's discussion in the final weeks and are not going to have any impact at the polls with voter results.

I am going to make a rash statement as well about the Socialist Party candidate as well and put him in the same category. But, so what. That's their history of being harmless, once every four years. The Socialist Party has a long-standing practice of running a candidate for Mayor, City of Pittsburgh. It happens all the time. Four years ago the Socialist candidate was a coal miner. Frank has since moved out of town. To some degree, the Socialist does not get under my skin because he is on the ballot, nor on the debate stage. Likewise he was full of national views.

I think that Ludwig and Tessitor could make more noise and have a bigger impact for the good of the city as they exit the race than they could if they were in the race. They both have some decent ideas -- be they hidden under a mountain of other burdens. But the ideas are not catching on in the minds of the voters when it comes to election day. The election avenue, at this time, for them, is a dead end!

On another matter, the Green candidate won't cave to the Republican.

Finally, sadly, I don't think Joe Weinroth has done much waving an olive branch of peace in the directions of his loyal opposition on the ballot, yet alone the masses of voters in the city.

Pittsburgh Media Has Done It's Job With "Whack Pack"

In today's Pittsburgh Post Gazette there is a story about the "debate" among all six candidates for Pittsburgh Mayor.

First off, Les Ludwig shouldn't have been there. He's NOT on the ballot, AND he lost in the Spring. The folks who invited him to Tuesday's debate were extremely generous.

Then there's a candidate who talks exclusively about things national...and wants "to end capitalism" from the Pittsburgh landscape. Again, above and beyond acceptable levels of generosity.

Bob O'Connor, the presumptive next Mayor of Pittsburgh, did all the right things to make these candidates look even kookier: he talked about the "basics" like keeping the city clean and safe. Bob's plan is overly simplistic and in some ways naive, despite his years in office.

Joe Weinroth, the Republican candidate who on paper should be the next mayor, was in debates in the spring despite having no opposition, received similar generosity. However, Joe earned his place on the spring ballot AND fall ballot.

The media in Pittsburgh has featured all of the characters on the ballot--and with Ludwig--those who aren't. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever to continue this trend.

Any future TV debates should only include candidates who could win (and truly deserve to be on the ballot)...O'Connor and Weinroth.

This mayoral race is about the future of Pittsburgh and not liberal showbiz.

Utility talk

ACORN, a nonprofit political group, is doing work on utility matters. They are worried about the high price of gas, electric and such for residents.

See that comments below for more insights and to leave your comments too.

Techies meet with Damian Conway: Sufficiently Advanced Technologies

Pittsburgh Perl Mongers meet with Damian Conway: Sufficiently Advanced Technologies on Saturday Oct 29, 2005 at 18:30

CMU, Wean Hall Room 7500, Pittsburgh, PA

In module design, interface is everything. Going one step beyond this
dictum, Damian demonstrates and explains several practical applications of
Clarke's Law ("Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable
from magic") by presenting a series of useful modules whose interface
is...nothing.