We are all missing this gentleman.

Time to lower our heads in prayer....
Now Bob gets to look down upon us, from heaven.

Much is being said and written. I'll listen and share in the grief.

Funeral, then football. Weird set of events today for Pittsburgh.

Crazy for Liberty displays Atlanta Constitution article about Libertarian Party

Crazy for Liberty The Libertarians, unlike the Republican and Democrat parties, actually take their platform seriously, rather than viewing it as a quadrennial exercise designed to throw red meat to the faithful then to be ignored for the following 47 months.

The Idea Round Up - This Saturday!

At this one-day event, The Sprout Fund will engage creative young thinkers and regional leaders in a conversation that promotes new thinking about the topics that matter most to our community.

This Saturday, September 9, 2006
CAPA High School, Downtown
9 AM - 4 PM
$10 (includes lunch)
Only 100 spaces left!
Register now: engagepittsburgh.org

Not Your Typical Civic Meeting

Roll up your sleeves and be a part of community change at a day-long civic engagement symposium

Learn what's going on nationally in other cities, engage in panel discussions with regional leaders, and work in small design groups to generate as many brain-busting ideas as possible. All ideas will be welcome-the wacky, the way out, the logical, the needed, the necessary, the fun, and the futuristic.

The Idea Round Up promises to be a highly visual and highly interactive day with 20 local artists on hand to illustrate all the ideas generated.

Sprout will announce plans to release $100,000 in funding to support projects that grow directly out of the ideas developed during this exciting collaborative design event.

Meeting to address new aquatic center for Mt. Lebanon

Serious talk of a swim pool is back to the front burner in Mt. Lebo tonight.

Meeting to address new aquatic center for Mt. Lebanon
Mt. Lebanon residents are invited to the first of three public meetings to help plan the municipality's new aquatic center at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center, off Cedar Boulevard.

The talk of a swim pool in Mt. Lebo should be associated with the talk of a swim pool repair and/or rehab at Dormont too.

If we had a Pittsburgh Park District, we'd put these decisions into a venue and forum that makes much more sense. We'd be thinking more as a region and not as tiny municipalities.

This summer I collected signatures at the Dormont Swim Pool and there were many who were there from Mt. Lebo.

Mayor's term goes to when ???

There has been some talk about how long Luke gets to be Mayor of Pittsburgh, without an election. That is a valid conversation given the ugly conflicts of words within the City's Charter. But that is for another thread. See below.

What became of the "TERM LIMIT" idea? Presently, Pittsburgh has NO TERM LIMITs for its Mayor, nor for City Council Members.

The US President and even the PA Governor can only serve two terms.

We have the potential of Luke, now in his mid-20s, serving as mayor until he is in his mid-60s. With a 26 year old mayor at the helm, we could have a 40-year period where Luke is the boss on Grant Street.

The concept of 'term limits' goes both ways. To favor democracy, let the people decide, not some charter. But, to avoid a czar-like state, keep a revolving door in the top offices.

I think we need to think again about 'term limits' in the city, for mayor and for those on city council.

Webcast Interviews - Happy Educational Listening

Thursday evening (September 7), hear an interview of Larry Cuban, emeritus professor of education at Stanford, and author of "Oversold and Underused: Computers in the Classroom." The one hour interview starts at 5 pm PDT, (8 pm in Pittsburgh) and is set for a live webcast with a question and answer session at the end.

The webcast and the concurrent chatroom are available. Upcoming interviews on Open Office (Solveig Haugland & Ben Horst), Open Source Software in Education (Eric S. Raymond & Doc
Searls), and Open Source licensing (Ruth Lutes & Ragavan Srinivasan
from HP).

Recordings of the interview (.mp3 and .ogg) with Prof. Cuban will be available on Friday. Recent interviews recordings are available at
http://edtechlive.wikispaces.com/Recordings+List.

* Victoria Davis and Adam Frey on "Wikis--What Are They, and Why Use Them in Education?"

* Michelle Moore on "Moodle: An Open Source Learning Management System"

* Mike Huffman and Laura Taylor on "Indiana's ACCESS Program: Affordable Classroom Computers for Every Secondary Student"

* Daniel Howard and William Fragakis on Atlanta Public Schools' Linux Thin Client Project

* Jim McQuillan and Eric Harrison on LTSP, K12LTSP, and Linux Thin Client for Schools

* Dr. David Thornburg on "Free and Open Source Software in Education"

Attempt to embed a FEARLESS podcast widget

Excerpts from the pending book: On Becoming Fearless, by Arianna Huffington. www.huffingtonpost.com

Rendell's sleazy even with the little stuff - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

My only quibble with the editorial that follows is that mention of "little." Mixing the politics with the efforts of the office -- while in office -- isn't little. It is a big deal.

Headline should be: "Rendell is sleazy with web stuff too."

Rendell's sleazy even with the little stuff - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Rendell's sleazy even with the little stuff

Sunday, September 3, 2006

The issue that you first read about here in Whispers last month refuses to die: Gov. Ed Rendell still is unabashedly using the state Web site to link to his campaign Internet site.

The Democrat governor's official schedule is linked to his campaign schedule -- and from there, to the whole cyberworld of re-electing Rendell to a second term.

Republicans have been making it an issue over the past two weeks. The governor's office says there is no issue, and contends it saves time and money by not having to refer political inquiries to the campaign.

Not every Pennsylvania elected official is so nonchalant about using public resources to finance a political campaign.

At last week's Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon, U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Penn Hills, was asked whether he would link his official Web page to his campaign site.

'No,' Santorum said. 'As a matter of fact, I'm not even sure if I'd be allowed to, if I could. But, no, I don't think you're allowed to. But I think -- look, I can't tell you -- I'll show you the two Blackberrys I have; I keep everything separate.'

He continued: 'We go out of our way to keep everything as separate. ... We put up firewalls everywhere we possibly can to make sure the taxpayers are not putting one cent into this campaign.'

Courage, Katie

Courage, Katie: "It isn't her fault, but CBS has made Katie Couric into Joan of Arc."

Humm....

In Pittsburgh we've got a young Luke R -- who is our Young Jedi Mayor.

The two have taken the helm of tow rather large, visible insitutions in the same week. The common ground ends about there -- on the calendar that is. But, we'll see who lasts the longest.

I figure they both have rather long tenures.

International Studies in Pgh Public Schools -- holding meetings and volunteers needed

Here is the deal: Pgh Public Schools has a new I.B. coordinator. This role had NOT been filled in the past two years. Or, if there was someone there -- they were not doing much. Now it is the time for the parents to offer up some support for the new agenda and programs for the next school year.

Now that you have had time to check the school calendar, I am sending a second request for volunteers. Mme. Smith has scheduled a grade level activity for Sept 12 (sixth grade), Sept 13 (seventh grade), and Sept 14 (eighth). While the students will be watching the movie, Akeelah and the Bee, the parents will be meeting to hear the plans for the IS/IB. Several volunteers are needed each evening to sell concessions before the movie, from 6:15 to about 7:15. Since you plan to be there for the activity and meeting, please help get the year off to a good start by volunteering. So far I have 2 mothers for Wed and 1 who can come any or all 3 days.

I am having problems with this first attempt at getting volunteers because of my limited email list; I have the people who have signed up for my IS list that I have identified as Frick parents. I do not know all of the Frick people and I have very few 6th grade parents. IF you know of someone who would be interested in helping, please have them email me.

amy moore
412-244-0444

Please do NOT leave a comment here for Amy. Contact her directly.

Emma's Revolution and Anne Feeney in DC tonight

I sorta wish I was able to go to this concert and be in DC this week. But, we can't swing it.

Tuesday, Sept. 5th, 9:30 - 11 pm, Camp Democracy Concert on the National Mall, Emma's Revolution with singer-songwriter-hellraiser, Anne Feeney!
Constitution Ave, between 14th & 15th St NW, Washington, DC

Camp Democracy is a three week encampment of activist activities, trainings, workshops and culture will take place on the National Mall through Sept. 21st and address issues including ending the war and corporate welfare, defending human rights and the environment, and much more. http://www.campdemocracy.org

This is the week for the American Swim Coaches Assn. Meetings too. http://www.swimmingcoach.org.

Joseph-Beth Special Event -- and Drinking Liberally to follow

On Saturday night, a special event unfolds at a South Side Bookstore. Following, there is a gathering of folks with "Drinking Liberally" at the Irish Pub in the same complex.

Joseph-Beth JEROME ARMSTRONG and MARKOS MOULITSAS ZUNIGA sign Crashing the Gate
Saturday, September 9 at 7:00 pm
Written by two of the most popular political bloggers in America (www.dailykos.com and www.myDD.com), Crashing the Gate hails the new movement--of the netroots, the grassroots, the unorthodox labor unions, the maverick big donors—-that is the antidote to old-school politics as usual. Fueled by advances in technology and a hunger for a more authentic and populist democracy, this broad-based movement is changing the way political campaigns are waged and managed.

I have no clue as to the contents of the talk nor the book. Reviews welcomed. Nonetheless, it is fair to say that I like the title of the book. I've been known to 'crash' and 'rock the boat' on many instances.

Mayor's Election Must Take Place In 2007

by Tom Leturgey

Soon the city of Pittsburgh will be back to normal on Grant Street. The tragic death of Bob O'Connor will continue to cast a shadow over our city for some time; however, we must move forward.

New interim Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is a "transitional" leader: a compromise canidate from Pittsburgh City Council, undoubtedly scared out of his wits. He's probably a good guy, but no 26-year-old on the planet can successfully run a major metropolitan city with no experience.

When he was appointed city council President, the city was being led by a healthy, robust Mayor who was easily expected to serve two terms.

Bill Peduto should have been council president, but he ran against O'Connor and the "powers that be" weren't going to allow him to be in the city's second-most-valuable position.

Jim Motznik thought the position was going to be his, but the Overbrook resident's only claim to governmental claim is publicly running away from a television news reporter. He's now President of City Council.

Tawanda Carlisle reportedly wanted the city council president post at the beginning of the year. Can you imagine if she had been the original "compromise" canidate? She grabbed headlines earlier this year for allocating untold thousands of public dollars to personal friends, stating the money was paid for "reports" or "studies." Turns out the funds were transfered to pay for nearly-plagerized works.

Bob O'Connor's former chief of staff, now councilman Doug Shields, reportedly also wanted the city council presidency, but he didn't have the votes.

That allowed Ravenstahl, a former college placekicker and council's only four-year college graduate, to be given what was perceived to be a largely ceremonious tip of the hat.

There is already differences of opinion how long Ravenstahl can serve as interim Mayor. Common sense says that a special election will be held next year; however, there is arcane verbiage in the city charter that states a city controller and Mayor's race cannot be held in the same year. And you guessed it, that row office election is in 2007.

Ravenstahl has just started to represent his north side constituency; only those with a pure personal agenda can believe that the interim Mayor can serve until 2009, which is the next year of municipal elections.

Ravenstahl has not been elected Mayor. He was not even a decisive choice as city council President, as O'Connor had been years ago. It can be argued that Ravenstahl shouldn't be an interim Mayor at all.

IF the smartest and most civic-minded heads prevail, there will be a special election for Pittsburgh's 60th Mayor in 2007. Don't count on it, however, as this issue will surely bog down our system for some time to come.

The Point -- not Pgh's Point State Park -- at Camp Chikopi

Have you ever heard the story of "Old Man Barlow?" We go to "The POINT" at Camp Chikopi, light a fire, and hear from the Camp's Director, Bob D. Just before dusk, as the sunset is on the brink, the swimmers gather with the lake as an embrace on three sides.

The swimmers in the 15-and-older age group at the awards event following the 1-mile swim at Camp Chikopi. I didn't mind getting 'last' in this race to these guys.
(Click to see larger image.)

Nick Coleman: In ballpark vote, democracy takes back seat to money

Nick Coleman: In ballpark vote, democracy takes back seat to money ... to observe the last charade of democracy as the county pulled the trigger on a new park for our beloved Minnesota Twins without bothering to win the consent of the besieged taxpayers.

Jazz on Flagstaff Hill

Flagstaff Hill presents Labor Day Jazz Festival

FREE!

September 4, 2006 from 1:00 – 6:00 PM at Flagstaff Hill – Schenley Park.

Featuring: Dwayne Dolphin, Salsamba, Three Rivers Jazz Orchestra with Sheryl Bailey and Dave Samuels, Maureen and David Budway, and Joey DeFrancesco Trio.

September 4th, Labor Day, MCG Jazz and Citiparks partner to present more than 30 musicians at the Labor Day Pittsburgh Jazz Festival, a celebration of jazz music with local and national artists. The music begins at 1 p.m. and lasts until 6 p.m. at Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park. This festival is free and open to the public.

Organized as a community outreach event by MCG Jazz as a part of its 20th anniversary celebration, (one of almost 30 performances Duquesne Light and MCG Jazz are bringing to the Pittsburgh area this summer) the Festival continues MCG Jazz’ history of presenting quality jazz festivals in Western Pennsylvania.

THE CENTRIST: Russ Diamond: PA Supreme Court to Decide Fate of the World

I raised this objection in my battle to stay on the ballot too.

THE CENTRIST: Russ Diamond: PA Supreme Court to Decide Fate of the World Article VII, Section 1 of the Pennsylvania Constitution sets forth the “Qualifications of Electors” as being based on age, U.S. citizenship and residency. No mention is made of being a registered voter.

If the Court rules in favor of the plain language of the Constitution, not only would the current challenge to Romanelli be in serious jeopardy, but the ability of anyone to challenge a minor party or independent petition in the future would be severely hampered. Without the ability to rely on the statewide voter database - the SURE system - to validate signatures, how could a potential challenge even be formulated?

Future efforts by minor party and independent candidates to gather signatures to overcome Pennsylvania’s ballot access hurdles would be bolstered, adding the important element of competition to the electoral process. Those candidates would no longer need to worry over whether a signer has matched letter-for-letter their information on file with the Department of State.

Home, home, home. -- Rest at home.

Today (Sat, Sept. 3) we (Erik, Grant and I) left Canada. Our escape and encounters at Camp Chikopi came to a close. http://www.campchikopi.com.

I've been out of touch with the blog, email and all news . Since mid-August, I only got to talk to my wife three times on the phone as my cell phone didn't pick up a signal on the camp's site. We drove and Chikopi is three-and-a-half-hours north of Toronto.

As we were making the drive home, around Erie, PA, I checked my cell's voice messages to the news of Bob O'Connor's death.

We got a good meal and visit with my parents on the way home in Cranberry.

Then, just after 8 pm, we pulled into town, parked on the Blvd., and paid our respects at the City County Building on Grant Street. My boys didn't want to go to the visitation. Erik objected as we didn't have on a suit. They had no choice.

It was a sad experience but they were glad to have gone.

Both of my boys had a real relationship with Mayor O'Connor. Bob once pulled out a $5 bill from his wallet and gave it to them to split -- so that they could get some ice cream.

We all miss Bob and we all have stories to tell and share.

We had a great, great, great trip. Being home is nice. But home has an bit of an empty feel tonight.

Bob's campaign made great play on the word, "home." The one campaign message was simply, "Because this is home."

Well, I'm home. I'm back. But moreover, Mayor O'Connor, rest in peace. Bob will have a home in our hearts for generations to come.

As a final tidbit for tonight -- my wife is stuck at O'Hare airport for the second time this week. So, we're home and she is not and that is an uneasy feeling too after being apart for so long and after this journey's solemn final steps.

Rest In Peace Bob O'Connor

by Tom Leturgey

Bob O'Connor was a good man who worked for 12 years to become Pittsburgh's top guy on Grant Street.

He ran for Mayor in 1997 and 2001 but barely lost to Tom Murphy both times.

The third time was the charm as it was clearly "Bob's Turn" to become Mayor. He was clearly the nicest guy in a crowded pack of mostly Democrats. He would make eye contact with you from across the room and it made you feel like the only person in the room. He was that type of guy.

He quickly took charge of Pittsburgh and his "Redd Up" campaign was a successful clean up project to make the city sparkle for the Major League Baseball All-Star game and festivities.

When he was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer the same day the city shined for the Home Run Derby at PNC Park, the news sounded incomprehensible. Not Bob. Not the healthy, robust 61-year-old who had more energy than a man half his age.

At first, news came that he was taking the cancer treatments well. Then those positive news reports suddenly stopped. Somewhere along the line it just seemed that Bob wasn't doing well.

People prayed. People prayed A LOT. Prayer serves were held that brought hundreds of people from all faiths together downtown.

Secular radio hosts began having DAILY PRAYERS for him. Bob released an appreciative statement, thanking people for their overwhelming prayers and concerns.

It might have been those prayers and concerns that helped him hang for all those weeks.

His entire family were class acts throughout the whole ordeal, especially his wife, Judy, who attended the prayer services downtown.

Bob O'Connor did more in six months as Mayor than his predecessor, Tom Murphy did in 12 years.

The city has lost a great man on Friday, September 1. Rest in peace, Bob O'Connor.