Allegheny scraps deal for new voting machines

GREAT. We dodged a bullet.

Allegheny scraps deal for new voting machines: "With just six weeks to go before the May primary, Allegheny County is scrapping a multi-million-dollar deal for electronic voting machines built by Sequoia Voting System and instead is purchasing 4,700 touch-screen machines from Nebraska-based Election Systems and Software Inc.

County Chief Executive Dan Onorato made the announcement today, saying Pennsylvania Secretary of State Pedro A. Cortes told him last week that Sequoia's system likely would not be certified because of critical software problems."

However, that does not mean there isn't another bullet on its way.

I want and urge, from the get-go, "OPEN SOURCE VOTING MACHINES." That's my benchmark. And, that's what would be BEST.

It is foolish to take something old that works and JUNK it for something that is new and broken.

Even if the new broken elements are paid for -- so too are the old working elements. They are paid for! Keep em.

Rush and hurry to scramble to spend. Forget that. Think again, thank you. We want a hungry, local, 'tiger team' to tell us that these machines work -- flawlessly.

I don't think we need to satisfy the Help America Vote Act -- until there is TRUST. That's the bottom line.

Where are the results of the Allegheny County "TIGER TEAM" who have pounded and tested the new machines on all sorts of angles?

As a backup in May, precincts with long lines will allow voters to use optical scan ballots. Those ballots, which resemble standardized tests, would be placed in secure boxes and taken to a central location for counting.

There will NOT be many precincts with long lines because too few people vote. I don't see a big groundswell of people rushing to the polls for the spring primary, sadly. But, at certain times in the day, there is a bit of a wait.

...The county will begin an "aggressive" educational campaign for voters and poll workers ....

Great, we need an aggressive educational effort. And, we need an aggressive TIGER TEAM approach as well. The TESTING campaign that I'm calling for is part education, part research and development. It can happen as the educational effort happens and the two can have, at times, meetings of the minds. But, both need to occur to raise the various issues and find flaws that are sure to exist.

Allegheny County voting machine with levers.
Mr. Onorato acknowledged the potential for difficulties. But, the biggest difficulty isn't with the act of the vote -- is it the process from within the technology of the voting. The potential difficulties are greatest when trust vanishes. That is the worst of the worst.

Mr. Onorato said the board would hold a public meeting Friday at 6 p.m.

Good. Put that meeting onto cable TV and onto the internet. Start the educational process now, with that introduction. Capture the meeting on video and put stream it off of the county's web site.

And if anyone is going -- please ask about the 'tiger team.'

Ballot Access is a major key to the salvation of Pennsylvania

General News The state Libertarian Party has joined a coalition of minor parties representing a broad range of ideologies. Ranging from socialists to libertarians and from the ultra-conservative Constitution Party to the liberal and environmentalists of the Green Party, the coalition has one thing in common: a goal to bring a level playing field to all political parties in the state.

The Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition has drafted legislation to make it easier for minor parties to have candidate listed on general election ballots, and has asked every state Senator and Representative (all are either Republicans or Democrats) to introduce the legislation; so far, none have done so.

There is bad -- and then there is really bad. Bring it on Madame Justice!

Two examples of what NOT to do follow. I've always said that there are a million ways to do it wrong. However, there is only one way to do it right. Here are two ways to failure.

When things go bad -- one has to wonder.

First, a bit of a hassle has come to Russ Diamond, founder of PA Clean Sweep. There were some board members who were not doing much -- but now they are trying to take over the show. Another asked, are they morons or moles? Good question.

Then from a southern state comes the story of a Pitt Law School Grad, Rachel Lea Hunter, who has ambitions of being elected to the bench. When the power-brokers start to slam a candidate that challenges the status quo -- then things are going well for the challenger. Part of her recent letter follows. (The rest is in the comment part of this blog.)

Release 4-3-2006

Dear Friends & Voters:

It seems that my detractors have been hard at work. Several weeks ago, those in the judicial establishment who are vehemently opposed to me took the opportunity to file a bar complaint against me. Did it relate to taking money or having sex with clients? No. Did it allege some other misbehavior in the practice of law?

No.

What grievous act do I stand accused of committing then?

My use of my nickname, “Madame Justice” on my website in which I render opinions on the law or give free legal advice to those who contact me.

And for this, I am to either withdraw from the race or face censure or disbarment?

This country is facing enormous problems. This state also has its share. There are others accused of committing crimes and those who have committed them but who have not even been charged. And they are worried about what a woman with a brain tumor and a paralyzed face says on a political website?

It sounds ludicrous.

It is ostensibly to protect the poor unsuspecting public, who as we all know is too stupid to think.

There is no “Madame Justice” office in our state; there are only justices and a chief justice. This complaint has nothing to do with protecting the public, which is NOT too stupid to think, as I well know.

Nor is this about prospective clients thinking that I have some special connections with the justices that will help their case. I don’t and never indicated that I had and anyone who thought otherwise has been disabused of that idea. The argument does not hold water, in any case.

We could save all lives by driving at 5 mph. Do we do that? No.

Nor should we prohibit political speech because there might be one misguided soul who might somehow think that I am a real justice or that I might have special connections that will help their case.

This complaint is politically motivated and is a sign that my enemies are so desperate that they will do anything to stop me.

I will not withdraw from the race. Nor will I accede to their attempts to censure or disbar me. If such sanctions are imposed, I will seek redress in the federal courts. And someone somewhere will reveal to me who it was that filed the bar complaint. They too will be part of any lawsuit.

That is why I need your help more than ever to donate to the PAC!

Aside from responding to frivolous bar complaints, I was in Fayetteville a few weeks ago and briefly spoke to the Progressives down there. I will be returning there to speak in more detail about the death penalty. While there, I had the opportunity to meet Luis Olivera who is running for district court there. He has been a prosecutor. He has been in the military. He has been involved in the community. And he is very bright and hard-working. I think he will make a fine addition to the bench and I hope the voters in his district will give him consideration and hopefully their vote.

(... snip ... See the rest of the email letter in the comments, but nothing much of an attack happens there.)

Swann watch

Updates from others who went to the PA Converative meeting. See comments for more on two other keynotes.

The Evening Bulletin - Home - 04/04/2006 - Observations Made At The Pennsylvania Leadership Conference
Lynn Swann kicked off this weekend's Pennsylvania Leadership Conference with a message that was not received well by the staunchly conservative grassroots activists that attended. It appears that Swann is now becoming complicit with the legislative leaders in the rewriting of history about the construction and passage of the pay raise of 2005, specifically the shifting of blame to the governor. As recently as November of 2004, Swann's campaign manager, Ray Zaborney, was a paid political consultant of the political action committee PA Future Fund, which is a PAC run by Bob Asher! Why would our gubernatorial candidate want to dirty his hands with the current corruption in Pennsylvania since he is running as a reformer and a so-called 'outsider?'

...

Lynn Swann gave a mixed performance. When he was off the script or regaling the crowd with football analogies, he was brilliant. But when going through his prepared speech dealing with policy, he seemed like someone who only recently learned a foreign language. The Q and A portion was especially turbulent for him. Questions about the pay raise and the abhorrent spending of House and Senate GOP leaders were given very weak answers, so much so that Swann was heckled a bit. Note to Swann: TRIANGULATE, lest it be rendered true that you are deeply in the pocket of one Bob Jubelirer, a bete noir to conservatives. Swann also dropped a golden opportunity by bunting a softball on Right to Work. Swann said he'd sign a Right to Work Bill, but implied he'd take the Tom Ridge approach and not expend any political capital on it. In other words, if Swann is governor and Right to Work is your top issue, sorry about your luck.

State House gives threat to drop $25-million of school funding for Philly

KYW - Newsradio 1060 In a preliminary budget vote, the Pennsylvania House on Tuesday refused to continue an extra $25-million appropriation for Philadelphia schools that began after the state takeover of city schools.

Over and over and over again, we've heard that the Pittsburgh Public School District is about to be snatched up "by the state." Well, it seems as if the state has little interest in taking over school districts when it won't even pay for the district it had to assume control over in the past.

I don't think we should call the bluff of the state and drive the local school district into nothingness -- just so we can dare them to take it over. Not at all. But back off with those idle threats.

We've got to fix the local school district. We've got to do it ourselves. We got to make progess. We are making steps. And, there is a long way to go.

Coach Bonnie's last day at swim practice.

My guys.

Gators grab the men's hoop crown

Erik, my oldest, had in his NCAA chart (an in-house activity) FLORIDA as national champions.

Meanwhile, B, (name withheld for security and eye-are-ess purposes), won $130 for being the victor in his office pool.

I don't like to bet. I just cheered for the underdog.

Democratic Lieutenant Governor Candidate Gene Stilp to Argue Pay Raise Case Before PA Supreme Court on Tuesday

Monday April 3, 12:36 pm ET

Stilp is Only PA Citizen to File Lawsuit Against Legislative Pay Grab

PHILADELPHIA, April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Democratic lieutenant governor candidate and anti-pay raise activist Gene Stilp will personally argue the pay raise case before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in Philadelphia on Tuesday, April 4.

The hearing will take place in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court hearing room located in Room 468 of Philadelphia City Hall at 9 a.m.

Stockholm Challenge Event 2006 - Program

If I was ever elected State Senator -- I'd start up a Youth Technology Summit. It would have outcomes such as those found within the Stockholm Challenge. Looks like lots of interesting projects to explore.

Stockholm Challenge Event 2006 - Program: "The Stockholm Challenge Event, May 8-11, for the world's best ICT projects

The Stockholm Challenge brings together inspiring people working with ICT from around world in the six categories of the Award. This time around 100 finalists will participate in the Final Event of the Stockholm Challenge 2006.

The finalists will gather for closed workshops on the 9th to share their experience with academic and industrial members of SPIDER, the Swedish Program for ICT in Developing Regions."

Swingers....

Your fly is about to open.

Imagine your favorite, high-speed coaster. What do you like best? Most people go for the fast descent into a wild dip followed immediately by ‘air time’ as you crest the next hill.

Imagine a ride with that thrilling sensation of weightlessness immediately followed by another... then another... and another... over and over again, in very rapid cycles? Yeah, baby!

Everyone knows a coaster descent is only as good as gravity makes it, so this is where our imaginary ride gets even better. Imagine being actually powered down, i.e. driven, into the dip! Imagine that you are then powered back up to the next heart-pounding crest with dragster-like acceleration!

Now that’s what we’re talking about! A real thrill ride! One that isn’t a coaster, but thrills like one! And it is comes into existence as Kennywood’s new ride: SwingShot.

Interesting multi-media from the old-school folks at Kennywood, Welcome to Kennywood - What's New MORE CABLE GIRLS: The SwingShot is featured on Local Cable Show. Park opens May 6. Season Passes are available for Sandcastle and Idlewild for only $49.95 until May 15th. Don’t miss a whole summer of fun for the price of about two visits!

Volunteer at WYEP -- or roar with a campaign

You can get a no pay job at WYEP on the South Side -- or -- if you care about your political life, I would suggest you volunteer for a campaign. Mike Isaac has a political office to manage on East Carson Street, within the Terminal Bldg and the Pgh Courier. With the campaign, you'd do much more and be the boss -- not just a receptionist.

WYEP is looking for several energetic individuals to volunteer at the reception desk in the new Community Broadcasting Center. The receptionist will be the point of contact for the Community Center and be responsible for all incoming calls into WYEP. They may also be asked to assist in some other office tasks such as assisting with outgoing mailings, sort and deliver incoming mail, greet guest and take memberships. This position requires that the individual must have wonderful communication and people skills. Volunteering Shifts are 9am-1 pm and 1pm-5 pm Monday through Friday. For more information on open shifts, or to volunteer, please contact Kathi Radock at 412-381-9131 x 212

Coyote Music is in concert in Pittsburgh on Saturday night

Coyote Music from Ocracoke Island NC COYOTE is the songwriting duo of Marcy Brenner and Lou Castro who make the beautiful island of Ocracoke, NC their home.

At 8 pm on Saturday, April 8, is this season's final Legends Concert to feature Coyote.

The songwriting duo of Marcy Brenner and Lou Castro has a unique blend of folk, blues and rock influences. Hear enchanting audiences with intimate songs and a variety of acoustic instruments at the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh, 605 Morewood Avenue, Shadyside.

Admission for the Evening is $15.00 at the Door and
Students only $5.00.

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But the best is a COYOTE Youth Band Workshop slated for Saturday, April 8 from 2 - 4 pm -- for FREE.

This is open to students age 10-18, but is limited 20 participants. Bring your instrument. You must have taken at least one lesson.

Reservations required, call Calliope at 412-361-1915 before noon on Friday, April 7.
Jam session with five fiddlers.

Catch COYOTE on the radio with Saturday Light Brigade (SLB) 88.3 WRCT-FM, with Larry Berger the morning of the concert, April 8.

Wellness is coming into bloom.

Allegheny Alert from Mke Ference about abuses and kids

Allegheny Parents and Police in the Mon Valley -- state concens about wellness and abuse of kids

PRESS RELEASE

Mike Ference

See the Allegheny blog for the full press release. Mike is doing a lot of whistle blowing.

I noticed in the newspaper how a WVU student was found dead in his room, after choking. And two college age kids have died in the past months with falls from 9-story buildings. And, then there is the other story about a college kid with blood found in the garbage shoot, but no body yet.

There is a lot that can go wrong with a young person. One missed step can be serious. Life gets zapped and others are left wondering. Be safe out there, everyone.

Pitt vs. Penn State --- in baseball on WED night, this week in Washington County -- FREE Tickets

Free Tickets! Yes, that is worth repeating.

Ticket booth in Chicago at Navy Pier.

Pitt and Penn State do NOT play each other in football. But, they'll meet in a baseball game at 7 pm on Wednesday night in Washington County at the baseball field of the minor league team. Nice ad in the P-G today caught my attention.

Want to join us?

My wife is on the road this week to Minn. She'll be at the Am. Academy of Audiology event -- and the boys at home are ready to be out and about. Baseball is on tap for WED night. Then we've got the OPERA on Friday. On Saturday we hope to hit the Carlynton High School musical, Fiddler on the Roof. We know some of the fiddlers.

Meanwhile in Iowa, also home to a fine Audiology program, there is a massive outbreak of MUMPS. I figure they'll all get to the convention and the rest of North America will get hit in about a month. The sky is falling!

Grant, now 8, is really interested in playing baseball this summer. We'll get into softball at Ormsby Rec Center. Those practices and games are when school is out from 1 - 3 pm. If there was a baseball league in the South Hills areas that started after school ended (because I don't want to have conflicts with swimming) -- let me know. Most of the kids seasons start any week, and afterschool sessions (practices or games) won't work for us as I'm coaching and the boys are swimming five nights a week.

Deaf firefighter overcoming obstacles (phillyBurbs.com) | Courier Times

Deaf firefighter overcoming obstacles (phillyBurbs.com) | Courier Times “Not everybody is open and accepting of having a deaf person in the fire department,” McDevitt said.

Searching -- still --- for candidate for November 2006

Candidates wanted for US Congress races too. Do we have anyone who can run in the 1st (Robert Brady), 9th (Bill Shuster), 14th (Mike Doyle) or 15th (Charles Dent) districts? It looks like those races will only have one name on the ballot in November. It is an absolute shame if there is no choice for the voter for federal office.

It looks like there will also be six races for Senator in the General Assembly that will only have one name on the ballot. We need candidates in the 4th, 14th, 22nd, 38th, 40th and 46th districts. There are a lot of state rep slots left to fill, and far too many with only one name.

Anyone wishing to run for office, please let us know so arrangements can be made to collect signatures!

Yes, this is a LIMO.... Babies need not apply.

West Wing talks of bloggers

Josh, the character on NBC's West Wing, hits the roof in the show when a blogger predicts on election day that his guy is going to win three states. It was a funny quip. "How many people read this blog?"

Blogging is sorta important to an election -- but not really important.

On one hand I can feel for the show's characters who get to the finish line and are just spent. I don't think I took a nap on the recent election day, like the Santos character did. But, I know I did in a past race when I was on the ballot. And, I did need about two weeks to get over the race -- in what I call a 'decompresion' period.

So, a summmertime favorite of ours, 'lump camp' came early around here for me due to the March 14 election.

But, on the other hand, this time when I was a candidate, I ran and kept a good bit of the powder dry. I understood my role in the race and knew that it would not be worth the effort to burn out, rack up debt and feak out as they did in the TV show.

Others in the race, to their credit and debt, did run themselves into the ground. The post-election reports are due soon. Our went in last week. I kept it under $250 again and filled out the short form.

My POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES -- PACs -- have been 'closed.'

P-G hits two topics: 'Moblogging' trend and God-podcasting

Airport Blogging... and looking to heaven.
The P-G hits on technology, twice, in the same day.

TechMan: 'Moblogging' trend makes mobile Web posting possible ... pronounced 'mo-blogging,' rather than 'mob-blogging,' as it's a combination of the terms 'mobile' and 'blogging.'

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For years, I was a webmaster at my religious community, Sunnyhill.org. Now the church administrator does some of the work and our minister is shy about the use of the net. I called, in an unsuccessful way, for podcasts of messages from the services. But, few others in the congregation supported it. Some did -- but hardly the board. Now the Sunnyhill blog is just a few points here and there to hold onto the namespace. As a point of irony, after today's fine service by Sue R, others were asking for the speaker notes, a GREAT use of the net. Oh well.

Churches turn to 'Godcasting' Churches turn to 'Godcasting'