Half Price Tickets -- if you want to risk the seat's availability

From Jerry Starr....

Please check out the Post-Gazette op-ed page today for an editorial by Jules Lobel and me on the Guantanamo detainee controversy. Today’s City Paper and tomorrow’s Post-Gazette also will contain previews of this weekend’s play, Guantanamo: Honor Bound to Defend Freedom.

I want you to be the first to know that, in an effort to make the play available to as many as possible, we have decided to offer half price tickets (just $25) thirty minutes before each performance. Seating is open and a buffet reception with opportunity for discussion follows every performance.

Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8:00pm and Sunday matinee at 2:00pm at the Open Stage Theatre, 2835 Smallman Street in the Strip District (412-257-4056).

Again, just come 30 minutes early to purchase half-price tickets. Proceeds go to the theatre and to the Center for Constitutional Rights, the legal advocate for the rights of the Guantanamo detainees.

For those are curious, I have attached a copy of the program, which can be downloaded with Adobe Reader 6.0.

Jerry Starr, Producer, Guantanamo: Honor Bound to Defend Freedom.

Chicago --- it is nice to be back.

Chicago, here we come!

My wife and I are in Chicago. We are celebrating our anniversary. We flew from Pittsburgh tp O'Hare with first class seats. That was a suprise for me and my kids kept the secret. They wanted to come instead of us because of that upgrade (frequent flyer miles).

Catherine is a visiting scholar at Northwestern University. She meets with faculty today. Tonight we'll all socialize. On Friday she presents to students most of the day.

I'm blogging from the computer area of the massive, beautiful Chicago Public Library. I had a morning business meeting with Mitch at Triumph Books. More on that later.

Last night's meeting with friends has uncovered another interesting blog story to -- and you'll have to wait on that too. Just no time now. Our friends, Mead and Gail, have this company and they were on the phone to The White House while we were there. They are getting set for the China trip, and I'll keep you in suspense....

Another victory for science and public schools -- Dover

All eight members up for re-election to the Pennsylvania-base school board that had been sued for introducing the teaching of intelligent design as an alternative to evolution in biology class were swept out of office yesterday by a slate of challengers who campaigned against the intelligent design policy.

PA Clean Sweep leader to visit South Side soon

PA Clean Sweep's leader and founder, Russ Diamond, will be visiting with me and others in the area at two events in the near future.

Russ will be at a South Side meeting next week. See the South Pittsburgh Reporter. I'll be there.

Plus, Russ is the invited speaker for the Libertarian Holiday Party in December.


Russ Diamond presented for more than 90 minutes at a South Side meeting after the November 2005 election. He has plenty to say about PA Clean Sweep and more.

Claiming victory with the No vote for retention on one out of two

PACleanSweep Claims Victory for Pennsylvanians

ANNVILLE, PA [11.09.05] - PACleanSweep declared a victory for the citizens of Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth's Constitution after learning the voters had ousted Supreme Court Justice Russell Nigro in Tuesday's election. No appellate court justice has ever been not retained previously in Pennsylvania. The race was largely viewed as the first volley in a battle for the future direction of government in the Commonwealth.

In the other Supreme Court retention race on the ballot, Justice Sandra Schultz Newman narrowly retained her seat with apparently less than 54 percent of the vote. Judicial candidates for retention in Pennsylvania traditionally enjoy being retained with at least 75 percent of the vote in their favor. Newman will be forced to retire in 2007 when she reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70.

"Pennsylvania has been stalled at a constitutional crossroads for four months," said PACleanSweep Chair Russ Diamond. "We're pleased that the people have decided to boldly move forward by insisting that those charged with serving as guardians of the supreme law of the land take their duties and their oaths of office seriously."

In recent weeks, the PA Supreme Court has been at the center of a controversy over an unconstitutional pay raise enacted by the General Assembly on July 7. A cadre of anti-pay raise organizations, including PACleanSweep, banded together to protest the Supreme Court's role in the pay raise, pointing out a number of questionable rulings handed down over the last few years.

In just the last week, the two chambers of the General Assembly became deadlocked over a stunning last-minute repeal of the raise, which applied to all three branches of state government. The sticking point in the legislative standoff is the judicial portion of the increase, which may have added fuel to the electorate's angst.

"Voters have sent a loud and clear message to all public officials: You will be held accountable by the voters who've elected you," said PACleanSweep Media Relations Director Jerry Kelley.

Diamond was quick to note that the election results were only the first stirrings of the winds of change in Pennsylvania.

"This is not the end of our fight, it's only the beginning of a revolution in Pennsylvania. The last four months have seen a reawakening of the Commonwealth's citizens to the need for government to regularly consider the Constitution in their day-to-day activities rather than viewing it as some archaic document hanging on a museum wall for school children to admire on field trips.

"Our attention now turns to the Governor and the Senate, who are charged with appointing and confirming a temporary replacement to the bench until a contested election can be held in 2007. We advise Mr. Rendell to tread carefully in this matter, as he is up for re-election in 2006 along with the 228 incumbent lawmakers we've been targeting since July 18th."

"These results should put the entire legislature on notice," added Strategic Director Mike Bergmaier. "We intend to hold every last one of them to the constitutional fire in the upcoming months. The people have simply had enough, and it's time for lawmakers to focus on public service, not self service. Otherwise, they'll likely find themselves in the unemployment line next to Russell Nigro."
About PACleanSweep

PACleanSweep is a non-partisan effort dedicated to defeating incumbent elected officials in Pennsylvania and replacing them with true public servants. For more information, please visit www.PACleanSweep.com.

For More Information, Russ Diamond, PACleanSweep Chair, info@pacleansweep.com

Grimm got burnt and quits

Bethel Park school chief resigns his post The Bethel Park school board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Superintendent Ronald Grimm at its meeting last night.

How did Coon do in her race for school board in Baldwin?

Commonwealth of PA - Election Night Returns -- Retention Votes

Unofficial.
Commonwealth of PA - Election Night Returns

NEWMAN, SANDRA SCHULTZ
'Yes' = 597,411
'No' = 493,115

NIGRO, RUSSELL M.
'Yes' = 529,999
'No' = 533,767

Election Results -- part 1 -- 39K

Mayor Murphy in November 2001 had 39k votes. A similar number is being recorded for Bob O'Connor in November 2005. The vote totals, not so much the percentage, was what I was watching. Would Bob score more than 40,000? Would Bob loose and get low 30,000 or even less?

There was no way that Weinroth was going to win, outright. But, it was very positive news -- yet unconfirmed -- that Winroth won at least one polling place. The score was 70 to 61 to 1, so I understand, in Brighton Heights at one polling location. That shocking news.

Election Results
Bob O'Connor (Dem) 39,416 = 66.6%
Joseph Weinroth (Rep) 16,269 = 27.5%
Titus North (Gre) 2,374 = 4.0%
David Tessitor (Abo) 618 = 1.0%
Jay M Ressler (Soc) 476 = 0.8%
Totals 59,153

Four years ago, the GOP challenger got 12,000 votes. This time Joe jumped the number to 16k. I thought it would be a win to get more than 15,000.

Titus North scored more than 2,000 votes. Not bad.

I was impressed to see far more Titus North signs around town and at the poll vs. the showing of Weinroth signs. There are a few Weinroth signs here and there, and along the Parkway West.

We have yet to hear about the Les Ludwig write-in vote total. Counting those dangling chads might take weeks. David Tessitor, the Indie, got 100 votes more than I projected. He slid past the Socialist Workers Party by .2 percent. David T's vote total was equal to the same amont of votes that split the tight race in the spring 2001 primary between Bob O'Connor and Mayor Murphy.

The Pitt News - Another Democrat favored to win Pittsburgh mayor

The Pitt News - Another Democrat favored to win Pittsburgh mayor Pittsburgh residents probably won’t find many reasons to get out and vote today in an election that appears to have been over before the polling places opened.

Associate Dean of Pitt’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs Dr. David Miller said that voter turnout in Allegheny County is expected to be low because of relative apathy and a lack of public discussion.

No vote, then no hope.

Why bother voting in local elections? That is why people will not vote. I will say I never missed an election in my life, but I don't think I am going to go vote today, this is pittsburgh, and we know who will win. If there were any issues, state or federal elections I would vote, but for local elections my vote means about as much as a snow ball in h***.

I don't see any point in voting this year.

You should vote or else you'll be 'branded' as 'brainwashed.'

Vote because we need a "NO vote" from you twice so as to make history. Say "NO" to the PA Supreme Court Justices on the retention votes.

We have a city of 300,000 people and around 30,000+/- are going to choose to vote for Bob O'Connor. If 90% of the people stay home and don't choose the mayor. The Republican (and I know that the above emmail came from a Republican) can win if 90-percent of the Republicans in the city came out and voted for the Republican.

Vote because Americans are fighting for the rights of others around the world to vote -- and we should do so here at home. Vote for the duty of citizenship because it is a lot less of a burden than service in the armed forces. Because those in the service answer their call -- we should vote to answer our call as well, with them in mind.

Voting is a great way to resolve issues and deal with problems. We solve conflicts -- with peace -- with votes. There's hope with voting. That reason is enough to convince others to vote rather than picking up a rock (or worse) and bashing it around in frustration.

Teachers strike -- and health coverage gets NUKED. Meanwhile Dad's in the ICU with his baby....

Oh my gosh.

Penn-Trafford board accepts teachers' offer to return to work... Striking teachers who tried to use their health benefits last weekend found out they didn't have any... Health benefits for members of the teachers union had been cut off...

... The lack of health benefits affects all of the teachers, but especially those who are pregnant and one whose wife delivered a son nine weeks premature. He is in the neo-natal intensive care unit at Magee-Womens Hospital... His father found out Friday his insurance was canceled.... The tactic is legal.

What would Bob Do -- not Bob O'Connor, but Bob Casey.

The Pennacchio for Pennsylvania email from November 8, 2005, was interesting. It has spunk. He needs it. Our community needs leaders with the right kind of spunk as well. Pennacchio is a Dem who is gearing up to run against Santorum for US Senate in 2006. But, he'll need to be the big boy from his own party, Bob Casey, to get a whack at PA's Junior Senator, the guy most in Western PA love to hate. Well, here is the email, reposted here.

Note, I post a lot of info at the blog. Some I like and agree with -- other times is is just for everyone's awareness. I don't have much to say about the candidates for the US Senate race -- yet. So, don't fly off and think that this posting is an 'endorsement.' Rather, it is a good sign of spunk in a place and time when we need it.

The Congressional Quarterly is reporting that Bob Casey, Jr. has agreed to meet a challenge issued by Rick Santorum's campaign to say "how he would vote on the important issues before the United States Senate." Hey, when they're right, they're right; and it isn't often so let's not discourage them. Santorum's campaign has asked for Casey's position on twenty-two issues. Given Mr. Casey's refusal to address any issue of substance publicly, we'd settle for two.

Living Wage: Chuck supports a living wage; Rick Santorum opposes it. Where does Bob Casey stand? One out of five American children lives in poverty. Last year, 1 in 10 Pennsylvania households experienced food insecurity. 1.38 million Pennsylvanians have no health insurance. The majority of these citizens are employed or from working families. In 1968, the federal minimum wage was 86% of the poverty level. Today, it is 64%. Business interests have predicted disaster every time the minimum wage was raised. It has never happened. Legislators' wages are cost-adjusted; government benefits are cost-adjusted. Where does Bob Casey stand on a living wage for workers?

Alito Nomination: Judge Samuel Alito voted to overturn the Family and Medical Leave Act passed by Congress, upheld the strip search of a woman and a ten year old girl based on a warrant to search a man and his house, and ruled that the government could force a woman to notify her spouse before seeking an abortion -- with no exception for abuse or estrangement -- in Planned Parenthood of Southeastern PA v. Casey. Judge Alito is more concerned with business interests than with the freedom of citizens, especially women and minorities. Chuck opposes Judge Alito's confirmation; Rick Santorum supports it. What would Bob Casey, Jr. do?

If you agree with Chuck on living wage legislation and the Alito nomination, help us take the fight to the US Senate. Someone once said if you want to keep gettin' what you're gettin', keep doin' what you're doin.' If we keep electing the same kinds of politicians, politicians who are indebted to corporate interests, we're going to get the same old non-solutions that keep monied interests happy and the rest of us struggling. You can change politics by backing candidates who refuse corporate money and influence. Chuck doesn't take any PAC money; Casey and Santorum do -- lots of it.
gel button "contribute"

Thanks for your support, and for taking time today to vote. The polls open at 7AM and close at 8PM.

Pennacchio for Pennsylvania

AntiRust: Subsidies for Wealthy Tourists: The Baltimore Sun Has (Finally) Had Enough

AntiRust: Subsidies for Wealthy Tourists: The Baltimore Sun Has (Finally) Had Enough

The Angry Drunk Bureaucrat: Final Thoughts on the 2005 Pittsburgh General Election

I put a different spin on today's election at another blog. Go there and see his posting and then my comments (also posted below).

The Angry Drunk Bureaucrat: Final Thoughts on the 2005 Pittsburgh General Election
It feels a bit presumptuous to have 'final thoughts' on a topic on which I've barely had first thoughts.

---

I wrote on his blog:
No, no, no....

I dare say you are close on some of your assumptions, but the final step to close the thought is missing...

The ratio isn't nearly as important as the vote totals. Murphy go 39K. Bob was in the primary with 30k against Murphy in 2001.

Will O'Connor get 40K? Will he get in the 30s? Will he get less than 30K?

I think Weinroth will do a lot better than Carmine. But, that means 15,000 or so. A 4,000 increase would be way better.

Plus, look back to the vote totals in 1998. You'll be shocked.

Next, Elsie. That choice is much like Roddey. Roddey did win county wide. Been there, done that. But you are right. That is the type of person we'd need for 'mayor.' But, we've got Joe Weinroth. Joe is not radical in the slightest. On one hand you'd say it is his strength -- but also a weakness.

Joe didn't rock the boat much in the campaign. He isn't a flashy guy. He didn't do any breakout moves.

This is where the break-out must come -- on council. We'll have Bob O as the mayor with smiles and handshakes. But we'll need the tough-love approach on council. We'll crave balance, and the break-out needs to come in that role, I dare predict.

Hence vote for Gov Rendell (D) for top spot and give more seats to Rs in the state house and state senate.

But, then again, the real challenger may not be Republican. It isn't just a two-party system, here.

2 of 3 voters may stay away. --- People always vote with their feet. Hence Pittsburgh is half of its former self.

My oldest son is 11. Both of my kids have lived their entire life while Tom Murphy served as Mayor of Pittsburgh.

I would have tried to get the Liberty Bridge and Liberty Tunnel renamed for Tom Murphy -- if he had resigned from office before today's election. Won't happen. Oh well. Some of us tried.

2 of 3 voters may stay away - PittsburghLIVE.com Although Pittsburgh voters will choose the city's first new mayor in more than a decade, voter turnout in the city and across the county probably won't top 30 percent of nearly 900,000 registered voters in Allegheny County, predicted Mark Wolosik, director of the county's Election Division. That's because many local offices up for grabs this year essentially were decided in the May primary. The ballot contains no major statewide contests.

In the race for a successor to replace three-term Mayor Tom Murphy, Democrat Bob O'Connor, of Squirrel Hill, is a heavy favorite to win over Republican Joe Weinroth, also of Squirrel Hill. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans in the city by about 5 to 1, and the Democratic primary has decided the mayor's race for seven decades. Other candidates for mayor are Green Party contender Titus North, of Squirrel Hill, independent candidate David Tessitor, of Squirrel Hill, and Socialist Workers candidate Jay M. Ressler, of Lawrenceville.

Eroding the PA Constitution, why we vote "NO" for the PA Judges

In handling the Constitution, the PA Supreme Court gives an absurd level of deference to the legislature. The following wording has appeared in numerous opinions over the past ten years:

"It is well established that a statute is presumed to be constitutional and will not be declared unconstitutional unless it clearly, palpably and plainly violates the Constitution... Therefore, the party challenging the constitutionality of a statute has a heavy burden of persuasion."

And the following sums up who the Court's bias favors:

"Historically, our Court has refrained from inquiring into alleged procedural irregularities in the passage of legislation and has presumed that a statute has been legally enacted."

Most Pennsylvanians have now come to understand that assuming the legislature works within the confines of the Constitution is akin to believing in the tooth fairy. It all sounds nice, but it simply isn't so.

Additionally, the PA Supreme Court has handed down decisions over the past few years which have directly eroded the protections offered by the PA Constitution, including:

Pennsylvania School Boards Association v. Commonwealth Association of School Administrators (PSBA v. CASA, 2002), which allowed the legislature to change the entire meaning of a bill at the last minute, effectively voiding the Single Subject and Three Day protections. Justice Newman and Justice Nigro both concurred.

Pennsylvanians Against Gambling Expansion Fund, Inc. et al. v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania et al., where the Court upheld Act 71 of 2004 - the slots bill - despite apparent violations of the Original Purpose and Single Subject protections. The decision cited PSBA v. CASA.
PAVING THE WAY FOR THE PAY RAISE

Justice Nigro concurred on Act 71, while Justice Newman recused herself due to a conflict of interest apparently arising from ownership of horse racing interests. This decision was handed down on June 22, 2005.

On July 7, 2005 the legislature approved the pay raise. The Governor quickly signed it. The Chief Justice praised it. It was later revealed the Chief Justice of the court helped author the pay raise legislation and actively lobbied for its passage.

Although Chief Justice Cappy publicly praised the pay raise, Justice Newman and Justice Nigro failed to speak out against it. The pay raise violates the Single Subject, Original Purpose, Three Day and Separation of Powers protections. It also violates Article II, Section 8 in two distinct ways.

LIVING LIKE ROYALTY

$85.00 bottles of wine, $300 dinners, On Star systems for taxpayer-funded luxury cars, paid drivers, car washes and golden junkets in luxury suites at both island and mountain resorts are just some of the expenses the Supreme Court Justices have determined are necessary to their duties and have billed taxpayers for.

In an AP story on October 30, Justice Nigro accused those opposed to his retention of making an unfair attack without examining his record. Justice Newman declined to comment.

We believe the record is very clear and points to advocating a "NO" vote on both Newman and Nigro on November 8.

Got Ink: Parents, community groups hope for best from city schools reorganizaton

I'm quoted in an article that starts on the front-page of today's P-G. This coverage is not about election day, but rather about community and schools.

Parents, community groups hope for best from city schools reorganizaton
Mark Rauterkus, a South Side resident with two children in city schools, said public input should be taken, and responses given, at a series of town hall meetings. He said data that Rand used to analyze school effectiveness should be put online for parents to review.

Mr. Rauterkus said the reorganization will result in some jostling among teachers and administrators for new jobs. He said he's concerned that reassignment of effective principals and teachers could undercut schools already striving for excellence.

Nice article.

Yes, the RAND DATA should be open for "peer review." It should be defended in academic and community circles. This needs to happen online. I'm sure folks in other cities will want to peek at the logic, numbers and outcomes as well.

Frankly, I'm still waiting for the pointer to go live from the main page of the PPS site for the academic presentation in Power Point. See http://www.pghboe.net. Look for the Nov. 1 presentation. I have a copy of the handout. But, others do not.

Furthermore, these forums that I dream about are much more than a one-way conversation to individuals from the school administration. How about minutes from these meetings? Too often as objections are raised, they ping around the room like B-Bs and are never strung together. How are the pearls pulled together like a necklace? The feedback needs to be collected, harvested, organized. If you are not there in the room, you miss a good deal. Give-and-take isn't being broadcasted, gathered, tested, and weighed with real inspection.

Who is going to hold these "round-table forums?" I don't think that the P-G, RAND, A+ Schools nor the Pgh Public Schools can do it. They each need to be there as well as the unions. But tonight, I'm not sure who can offer the glue to make this work as it should. As you might guess, I'm talking about something more than a new parent hot line phone number. Sure, the phone hot line for parents is great. Call 412 622 7920. But we need some serious advancement to leap over the $47-million gap between expenses and revenues for next year at PPS.

And, we don't need a new gambling task force thingie either. Spare us yet another authority creation for goodness sake.

As to the quote above and the concern about jobs and the expected reassignment of effective principals and teachers, let me be clear. I was asked about the worries that are brewing in the community. I don't have many myself, other than that of a dad with a kid going into 6th grade next year. That's a big time to ring alarm bells. But I feel that there are going to be a lot of worries in the months to come about teacher and administrator positions. Who is going to lead this academy? Who is willing to teach to 5:30 pm? Who is going to go here and help jump start those test scores? Meanwhile, who is going to stay put and work with the influx of others. There are plenty of good teachers. There are a number of great teachers too. But, I wonder about there being enough ambitions in the ranks of the professionals because I sense that they are going to have to put some serious skin in the game.

Frankly, some principals, some naysayers and some who might be burnt out for whatever reason are going to balk. I hope that the uninspired and excuse-makers land in Peters Township by April 2006.

We need to strive for excellence everywhere. And, we'll need to have good energy in all the schools. These are my hopes. These are not my worries. But, for the professionals in the schools, I'm sure these (and other) thoughts are going to enter into unfolding decisions.

I have confidence that the goals being set forth are not intended to undercut schools nor students who are already striving for excellence. But I'm also sure that this thought is going to enter into the discussion now and again in the weeks and months to come.

An interesting trend to the city might materialize. Some of the best teachers from throughout the region could be attracted to new roles in Pittsburgh. The new quest for excellence that is unfolding in the Pgh Public Schools might cause some professional mixing. We'll have new directions and new challenges that have been proven to work in other cities and with some charter schools. This district can be more attractive for existing teachers and be an attraction for top notch teachers elsewhere.

Pgh Public Schools can be known as a great place to make a career for gung-ho teachers and administrators. Let's make it so.

Mascots for Beijing Olympic Games to Be Unveiled Soon (photos attached)

Wow. This is impressive.

Mascots for Beijing Olympic Games to Be Unveiled Soon (photos attached)
'The First,' a Beijing-based newspaper dedicated to sports and the Olympic Movement, will launch its 'learn 1,000 English Sentences in 1,000 Days' campaign in collaboration with an agency under the Beijing Municipal Government to promote Beijing residents' enthusiasm to learn foreign languages, especially English. From November 12 till the opening of the Beijing Olympic Games on August 8, 2008, the newspaper will carry one frequently-used English sentence every day on its front page.

Does any running mate want to join with me as we set up sidewalk press stands to sell "The First" on the streets of Pittsburgh, shoulder to shoulder with the sales guys pushing The Trib PM?
Beach sign: Keep away from the shark prevention net. (Another excuse to run another of my photos from China.)

Business Opportunities Weblog | Be Glad You’re an Entrepreneur Now

Nice excuse to publish another photo from China, taken on our most recent trip.

Should have showed this photo to Joe Weinroth and the other three (or four) now a part of "The Whack Pack."

Business Opportunities Weblog | Be Glad You’re an Entrepreneur Now: "Be Glad You’re an Entrepreneur Now

Because everyone loves lists, Inc. has put together a list of 75 reasons to be glad you’re an entrepreneur right now. Some of the really good ones:

* Because English is, more than ever, the language of international business. There are more Chinese learning English than Americans speaking it.

Analysis: Closing plan may start new era for city schools

This statement is a little out of context, in my humble opinion.

Analysis: Closing plan may start new era for city schools He has said right-sizing is part of a broader vision for overhauling the district. He clearly plans to do this once, do it in a big way and move on.

'He doesn't want to go back in a year or two and close more schools,' Mr. Sternberg said. 'He wants this to be what has to be done. Frankly, it needs to be done this way.'

We are going to need to go back and close some more schools in a year or two. The high schools are not being looked at in this round of closings and retoolings. The plan slated for release this week attacks at the elementary and middle school levels. The high schools plan is for another year.

And, should this plan not work out -- other changes are going to be necessary. I think that this plan has a lot of accountability. And, if certain schools do well while others flounder, again, the ax will swing again.

Great. Let's think again, and again. I don't mean to say we'll back track. Rather, we'll be flexibile from this moment forward and do the dance that needs to be done -- for the sake of the kids that are in the classrooms today.

The biggest fear among the parents is that this generation of kids are going to be lost -- too.

Now that I'm talking about high schools, while the others are yet to start -- here is one bold plan that I'd consider.

Turn Peabody and Westinghouse into single gender high schools. Put the boys in one school and the girls in another school.

With single-gender schools, among other benefits, Central Catholic High School would gain a public school rival. Same too for Oakland Catholic.

Let's talk about this again in 2006 -- after we come to understand the new plan this week for the little ones.