Court defeats audit - PittsburghLIVE.com

Jack Wagner, our state's Auditor General, gets put into the realm of "meaningless" when it comes to his power to do an audit on public money in the hands of public officials.

Go figure.

This is just another vivid example of why our state is shrinking. People vote with their feet. People are leaving Pennsylvania.

Corruption! Tradition! Smoke! Not only is there a legacy of a 'smokey city' but in these instances it is also a 'smokey state.' Things are not transparent. Things are not open.

As a state senator, I would change the law so as to guarantee that the auditor general and any voter in the state has the right to audit any source of funds from politicians and governmental assets.

Court defeats audit - PittsburghLIVE.com Court defeats audit

By Brad Bumsted, STATE CAPITOL REPORTER

HARRISBURG -- Pennsylvania's fiscal watchdog, the state auditor general, has no authority to audit the Legislature's $135 million slush fund or its other expenses, Commonwealth Court ruled Monday.

Short of a reversal on appeal, the ruling means that more than $400 million in annual legislative spending won't be audited independently, said citizens' activist Gene Stilp, of Dauphin County, who filed a lawsuit last year claiming the Legislature's internal audit is a 'sham.'

The court dismissed Stilp's lawsuit in a 5-1 ruling.

Stilp, now an independent candidate for lieutenant governor, filed his lawsuit based on stories the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review published last year that reported legislators tapped the so-called 'surplus' money to collect unvouchered expenses authorized by a July pay raise. They repealed the 16 to 54 percent raises in November after outraged constituents complained."

Merits of wireless Internet in Downtown are debated

Merits of wireless Internet in Downtown are debated: "A Downtown wireless Internet network wouldn't get in the way of a later citywide system, one computing executive told Pittsburgh City Council yesterday.

Yes it could, said another.

An online poll runs along with this story. The question should be: Should the Pittsburgh Foundation community pay nearly $1-million to a company to build a downtown wi-fi network so people in PNC Park can be wireless? Or, should a no money be used from the generous Pittsburgh donors so that a city-wide network that is funded by EARTHLINK that is to reach all 88 neighborhoods, not just one, and with the EarthLink we'd get FASTER service and continual upgrades too?

I presented at that meeting. The PDP (Pgh Downtown Partnership) plan sucks. It sucks like old Easter Eggs. It sucks bad.

I gave my testimony. And four or more others were there to agree with me, even after I left the room and questions from Peduto and Shields were put to speakers. The visiting speakers took my stance -- and did not agree with the 'done deal mentality' that council seems hell-bent to deliver by the all-star game.

I'll be at city council today with three charts of my own.

Independent bid: Diamond welcomed in governor's race

The Herald Standard - Independent bid: Diamond welcomed in governor's race As an independent candidate, Diamond, a Lebanon County businessman, is certain to add pit bull bite to the strains of poodle-esque yapping from Democrat Gov. Ed Rendell and GOP nominee Lynn Swann.

DAVID Salo -- Coach at USC -- Superior Choice!

CollegeSwimming.com: Dave Salo, one of the nation’s top club swimming coaches for more than 15 years and a former Trojan assistant coach, has been named head coach for USC’s men’s and women’s swimming teams, Athletic Director Mike Garrett announced today (April 21).

He replaces Mark Schubert, who is assuming USA Swimming’s head coach position after guiding USC swimming for the past 14 years.

“Dave Salo brings a wealth of experience at all levels of competitive swimming,” said Associate Athletic Director Dr. Brandon Martin, who conducted the nationwide search to replace Schubert. “We believe that Dave is a perfect fit for our department, in terms of both developing and educating our student-athletes as well as winning championships.”

Salo, 47, who has coached Olympic medalists such as former Trojans Lenny Krayzelburg and Gabe Woodward, Aaron Peirsol, Amada Beard, Staciana Stitts, Colleen Lanne and Jason Lezak, comes to USC after serving as head coach of the Irvine Novaquatics from 1990 to 2006.

“Returning to USC, following in the footsteps of Hall of Fame coaches Peter Daland and Mark Schubert, is a coach’s dream,” said Salo. “The fact that it becomes my reality can’t be described adequately.

I just blogged about David the other day when a person requested his book. Then I tune into this news.

Wow. This is great for him and for USA Swimming.

“I have had a dream coaching career – coaching some of the best swimmers in the world with one of the best clubs in the country. The opportunity to come back to USC to coach one of the most storied programs in the history of collegiate swimming is tremendously exciting. I am looking forward to contributing to the culture of expected excellence at USC.”

Salo guided the Novas to numerous Junior National and U.S. National team titles as well as several age group championships. He was tabbed 2002 U.S. Swimming Coach of the Year after leading the Novas to U.S. Spring and Summer national titles.

In addition to his work with the Novas, he has served extensively at the national level, including head coaching assignments for the United States at the 2005 World Championships (men) and the 2001 Goodwill Games (men). His assistant coaching duties for the U.S. include the 2004 Olympics (men), 2003 World Championships (men and women), 2002 Pan Pacific Championships (men), 2000 Olympics (women) and the 1999 Pan American Games (women).

Nova swimmers and alums who trained under Salo have consistently dotted the roster of U.S. national teams, often in starring roles. Peirsol, the world record holder in the 100 and 200 backstroke (lcm), is a two-time Olympian and won 2004 Olympic gold medals in the aforementioned events. Beard is a three-time Olympian with seven medals, one of many elite breaststrokers who have come under Salo’s tutelage. Lezak, a four-time Olympic medalist in two appearances, is among American’s greatest sprinters.

Besides duties with the Novas and the U.S. team, Salo served as co-head coach at Orange Coast College from 2000 to 2004. The Pirates won the 2003 California state title and Salo was honored as state Co-Coach of the Year. Also in 2003, he became the Founding Director of Aquatics at Soka University in Alisa Viejo, Calif., where he recently completed his second season with the Lions.

Salo joined the Novas after five seasons (1985-90) working under legendary USC swimming coach Peter Daland. He helped guide Troy’s men’s team to five Top 5 NCAA finishes, including second-place marks in 1987, 1988 and 1990. Troy also had perfect dual-meet records in 1988, 1990 and 1991. Among the USC swimmers he helped coach were NCAA champions and Olympians Dave Wharton and Dan Jorgensen.

Salo graduated from Long Beach State with a B.A. and M.A. in exercise physiology and also served as an assistant women’s swimming coach there in 1981 and 1982. He earned his doctorate in the same field from USC in 1991.

Salo swam for Santa Rosa Junior College from 1976 to 1978 before transferring to Long Beach State.

The second book I ever published, Sprint Salo, by David Salo, was done before he was hired at Irvine for Nova.

getting a medal

This is where RMU and Point Park should be swimming

CollegeSwimming.com The American Swimming Association University League is an association of student-run swim clubs from colleges and universities across the United States that enjoy the sport of swimming in a friendly, competitive environment. ASA U. was founded in response to the elimination of so many collegiate varsity swimming teams across the country. For more information and to join, please visit the 'University' link on www.americanswimmingassociation.com

Old Congress Critter faces school teacher Isaac in D's primary

I like the underdog. I've got to know Mike Isaac a bit in the past weeks. He seems like a good guy that is worthy of your vote.

Campaign 2006: Rep. Doyle faces school teacher Isaac: "The 34-year-old Scott native acknowledges that he is a distinct underdog against the six-term veteran. He says he is running to give the district's voters a choice, noting that he differs from Mr. Doyle on abortion -- he is pro-choice, the incumbent opposes abortion -- and has criticized Mr. Doyle's votes on an omnibus energy bill and an anti-gang measure that would extend the federal death penalty to some juveniles. Reflecting the reasonably civil tone of this race, however, Mr. Isaac noted in a recent interview that he supports significant aspects of the incumbent's record, notably his position on the Iraq war."

Baylor To Coeds: Pose For Playboy, Face Consequences

WPXI.com - Education - Baylor To Coeds: Pose For Playboy, Face Consequences: "WACO, Texas -- The world's biggest Baptist university warned students not to pose for Playboy, but a magazine spokeswoman said some showed up to meet photographers anyway."

I went to Baylor for a year for graduate school in HPER. This same story surfaces every year or so. Then it was the girls of the SWC (Southwest Conference).

The SWC has gone away, but the values of the university remain.

Wi-Fi in the City's Downtown neighborhood -- on the sidewalks -- stinks

I spoke up today about the plans in city council and with the PDP (Pgh Downtown Partnership) about some plans for Wi-Fi. The plans stink because the area is limited to downtown. And, the downtown coverage only goes to the sidewalks and the first two stories of the buildings.

The plan has many reasons to be skeptical.

We'll get wi-fi for the All-Star game and be cutting edge, like Spokane and hundreds of other municipalities.

I was interviewed for story on TV 11. WTAE 4 was in the hearing too.

Squeek, squeek.... I.B. stays at USC and ACLU can pull law-suit

Upper St. Clair keeps it I.B. program!

Now hundreds of families don't have to move to Pittsburgh Public Schools and attend Schenley High School.

The city has an I.B. program. Some have called for plans to expand the city's IB program to middle school grades too.

The Carbolic Smoke Ball - musical chairs

The Carbolic Smoke Ball Bush read a joint statement: “It is admirable that both Don and Craig have exhibited a steadfast willingness to remain completely inflexible and to 'stay the course,' in spite of vast empirical evidence suggesting that innumerable other routes would have been preferable.”

The Carbolic Smoke Ball: Protestor at White House reception yells at Hu to stop religious persecution in China

Funny -- and not so funny.

The Carbolic Smoke Ball: Protestor at White House reception yells at Hu to stop religious persecution in China 'Well, we have an effective way of dealing with them, too,' Bush assured him. 'For example, recently a rich lawyer got out of line, so I arranged for him to go quail hunting with my Vice President.'

Hat tip to Unspace.

Hobnob

Hobnob: "Hobnob, Inc. Corporate Headquarters:

5850 Ellsworth Avenue
Suite 300
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Phone: 412.924.0630
FAX: 412.362.1440

E-mail: info@hobnob.com"

Altoona Mirror: Pittsburgh Law Blogger gets ink

Sorry Mike, not you this time.

Altoona Mirror - Making It Happen For You
It’s still up in the air as to whether bloggers are entitled to the same First Amendment rights as other media, and whether bloggers could be sued for libel and defamation, according to media attorney David Strassburger, partner in Strassburger, McKenna, Gutnick & Potter law firm in Pittsburgh.

Amazon.com: Sprintsalo: A Cerebral Approach to Training for Peak Swimming Performance: Books: David C. Salo

It is always nice to have nice things said about the work you do.

Amazon.com: Sprintsalo: A Cerebral Approach to Training for Peak Swimming Performance: Books: David C. SaloSprintsalo, November 4, 2003
Reviewer: 'tiffanygp' (Portland, Oregon)
This is one of the best swimming books written. It outlines Dave's approach to his training methods that eventually lead his team to win BIG TIME! Great book, I wish it was in print, my copy was stolen by another coach!

Recently I got a request, again, for the book, SprintSalo. This was the second book I ever published. A friend in California is back into coach, as am I. He wanted a copy of the book. So, I check here, like the rest of the world.

Every once in a while I wonder if I should get back into publishing books. I take a nap and the thought passes.

Google's China Problem (and China's Google Problem) - New York Times

Lots of buzz this week on the net with the visit to America of China's President. I don't have THAT much to say and would rather talk about the WPIAL AA Boys Tennis Champion, a girl. But, here is another chance to smear some additional photos from my archive.
Tomorrowland in Hong Kong Disney.

Google's China Problem (and China's Google Problem) - New York Times Inside the New China

A four-hour television series and interactive web site by The Times, The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the ZDF network of Germany.

Disney in Hong Kong, techie cool.

What others are saying, (sorta like self promotion) -- around the Diamond issue

I've gotten a few off-line emails. Generally, I hate off-line emails. Send your comments to the blog, or to a list, or expect the comments to flow out of my mouth some day or onto my own blog.

I'm not so good at thinking on my feet when I've got a bunch of secrets to protect. So, I live best when there are NO secrets to protect. So, I don't really like to be burdened with secrets in the first place. This is a public effort for the public good. I love to be open and try to walk that talk.

Hi Mark,

I just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for very honestly, intellectually, and eloquently destroying these ridiculous arguments that Michele and CO. are making to justify their ridiculous, vindictive actions. ( Bitter, . . Party of 3 your table is ready ) I particularly enjoyed the “come to the commons, drop a turd and call it air freshener” That ROCKS!

Not that it matters (as you write addressing points not people) but I just thought I let you know that .....

Russ will over-come this non-issue with the character and ideology that has carried him to this place, . . and also with the help of intelligent, principled writers like yourself who excel in calling a spade, a spade. . . . Thank you Mark.

Clean sweep journey man.

I took this photo on the streets in China. There, the number one issue with the Communist Party is to fight corruption. They do a lot of clean up too. Lots and lots of people are on trash pick-up jobs. The city landscapes are often way better than anything we have here in terms of efforts to clean up.

Sorta sorry state <;/

That feud is over now.

ALL APOLOGIES. The super-secret folks at the www.politicspa.com Web site sure are sensitive.

Two weeks ago in this space, we accurately reported the Internet site for governmental geeks and policy wonks was off-line and printed speculation widely discussed in political circles as to the reason why.

Last week, we noted the Web site's return and welcomed back its operators.

This egregious conduct resulted in the anonymous people who run the site throwing a hissy fit, demanding a retraction and an apology for publishing correct information.

We're not sure if this qualifies, but we are indeed sorry that we don't apologize for printing facts.

If this doesn't suffice, people, at least get the name of this newspaper right if you again attempt to use it to try to increase your Web site's loyal readers beyond a few dozen. We're the Tribune-Review.

Trust us -- we'll get your names correct should we ever decide to print them.

Philadelphia Inquirer on Pa. legislators boost their pay day by day by...

Philadelphia Inquirer | 04/23/2006 | Pa. legislators boost their pay day by day by... Pa. legislators boost their pay day by day by...
Three lawmakers used the generous $141 per diem to collect more than $46,000 each over the last two years.

By Mario F. Cattabiani, Inquirer Staff Writer

Per diem means 'by the day' in Latin.

State Rep. Gaynor Cawley (D., Lackawanna) speaks it fluently.

So do Reps. Christopher Sainato (D., Lawrence) and Mark Cohen (D., Phila.).

Over the last two years, the three lawmakers each have collected more than $46,000 in per diems - flat payments given to lawmakers for meals and lodging while on official duty.

That's tops among the state's 253 legislators, and about double what the average House and Senate member collects, an Inquirer review of expense records shows.

Another great article.

The Mercury - Diamond comes out of the rough

The Mercury - Diamond comes out of the rough Diamond comes out of the rough, by Tony Phyrillas

The blue jeans and black T-shirt are gone. Russ Diamond is wearing a suit and tie these days.

Diamond, a thorn in the side of the political establishment for nearly a year, wants to be taken seriously. He wants to be Pennsylvania’s next governor.

Great article.