Spanish Teacher -- not at International Middle School -- come on

This just in.... and edited slightly.

Frick's Middle School (in Pgh Public Schools) hosted its PSCC (Parent School Community Council thingie) extra meeting this morning to discuss the Frick action plan for 2006. Before the meeting began, Mr. Walters (principal) announced that the long term sub in Spanish had been pulled and was being sent to Allderdice High School.

The only justification that I can see to pull a language teacher from Frick to send to another (non-international studies) school is if the teacher is being offered a full time contract as opposed to a long-term sub position. I have called and left messages at both the parent hotline and the World Languages Office (Dr. Thekla Fall) to get some clarification on the situation.

When we met with Mr. Roosevelt (Pgh Public School's Superintendent) and Dr. Spampinato (Academic boss of Pgh Public Schools) in August 2006, we discussed the importance of the administration making a commitment to the international studies schools, especially in the areas of language instruction. Languages are an integral part of the Frick education and it is difficult, if not impossible, to maintain the program if qualified language teachers are being taken away. As of this morning, human relations did not have a qualified replacement.

We need to make our position very clear to the people making personnel decisions. We MUST have QUALIFIED language teachers in the international studies program.

I think we have quite a few action people on this email list who probably have better ideas than I on the action that would be most effective at this point. This is one more opportunity for the International Studies cluster to show its strength and commitment to our program. I will pass along any additional information that I receive.

Outside a school building in China.

SCHOOL INFORMATION NIGHT AT THE JCC IS THIS EVENING FROM 7-9 PM. Each year in the fall, the Jewish Community Center holds an information evening with representatives from the public and private schools in the area. Hopefully, the elementary magnets will be represented.

Allegheny Institute hosts an event on Thursday at PAA

You should try to attend.

Allegheny InstituteConference on Improving The Western Pennsylvania Economy on Thursday September 28th. Panel discussions will address the problems of the state’s pro-union laws, tax problems faced by Pennsylvania’s business, and how business leaders can help advance important initiatives. Speakers will include Pat Toomey from the Club for Growth, national public sector union expert David Denholm, and Jim Roddey, the first elected Chief Executive of Allegheny County. The conference will be held at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association in Oakland from 8:30AM to 12:30PM. For more information please contact us at 412.440.0079.

We've all got to fight against Western PA's Tunnel Vision. These guys at the A.I. do it better than most, if not the best.

Jon Delano hosts a discussion tonight at 9 pm on TalkShoe

Talk Shoe.... or in this photo, it is bike shoe.

I'm enjoying the tech application, Talk Shoe. Tonight Jon Delano hosts his 4th program and conversation there at 9 pm. I'll try to tune in if I can.

Grassroots PA -- new design and greatly improved

Giant Drum at a drum tower in China. A bell tower is nearby in the other direction in the courtyard. Looking at a fancy drum is nothing like hearing it.

I've not been to Grassroots PA . com since mid-August when I pulled myself out of the race for PA Senate, until today.

They did a good overhaul there. Now posts from readers to the blog are permitted, again.

I would like to be put on the blog roll, Chris. Call it Rauterkus, or Mark Rauterkus, or Mark Rauterkus and Running Mates: http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com.

And Chris, I'm a little pissed, still, at the lack of any props from you in mid August when I pushed to you some news exclusive on my pending trip to Harrisburg. The papertrail and evidence that goes through my state senator's office concerning my ballot access opportunity should have been put to light in your domain then. Perhaps you were doing the blog overhaul then and had to bench yourself.

GrassrootsPA Judge: Romanelli To Be Thrown Off Ballot. Romanelli Attoney: No Ruling Yet. AND: PA Supreme To Rule On Signature Threshold. ALSO: Santo

GrassrootsPA � Judge: Romanelli To Be Thrown Off Ballot. Romanelli Attoney: No Ruling Yet. AND: PA Supreme To Rule On Signature Threshold. ALSO: Santorum/Romanelli Debate Russ Diamond
Posted Monday, September 25, 2006 at 3:01 pm

If this sticks, there will never be another statewide candidate who is not an R or a D. The Dems have sunk to appalling depths to disenfranchise voters and the clueless and corrupt judiciary is backing them up.

FOLKS, the Ds said he is off the ballot -- and he isn't really off the ballot. The Ds lied, again. Undemocratic Ds suck.

Incumbent Party fixin's (letter to editor by Mark Crowley)

Two party blockheads as shade looms larger.

As a Libertarian Party member, I think the election reform article on the Presidential Funding Act of 2006 ("Incentives can fix campaign financing" by Bill
Bradley and Marty Meehan, Opinion and Commentary, Sept. 24) needs another headline.

Try "The fix is in again."

The Presidential Funding Act of 2006 is the latest protection "fix" for the bipartisan Incumbent Party (i.e., Democrats and Republicans). Prior fixes include:

BiCRA (Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act) protects incumbents by limiting free speech before elections. It restricts challenger parties with regulations to which the Incumbent Party is more immune.

Pennsylvania's 2006 ballot-access signature requirements paralyze statewide challenger parties. Compare 67,000 signatures required for third-party challengers to only 2,000 for Incumbent Party candidates.

The Help America Vote Act mal-aligned the election process so even balloted candidates might not be properly counted. What chance do challenger type-ins
(write-ins) have?

Given the direction of the country and that the Incumbent Party has controlled the White House and the Congress for generations, I can see why they need to "fix" it again.

Source.

Bloomfield Garfield Crop has a job for Youth Employment Coordinator

See the posting in the comments area if interested.

Lane 9 News Archive: Chinese Diving Coach Threatens to Pull Divers From Country

Where are the divers?

Lane 9 News Archive: Chinese Diving Coach Threatens to Pull Divers From Country Chinese Diving Coach Threatens to Pull Divers From Country -- September 20, 2006

BEIJING, China, September 20. ACCORDING to Reuters reports, Yu Fen, China’s former Olympic diving coach, has threatened to pull her divers from the country due to local policies.

Operating out of Tsinghua University, Yu’s divers are not allowed to compete within the organizational structure of the Chinese national team. Since they do not train in diving exclusively throughout the day due to their studies at the university, Yu’s divers are considered non-specialists. The Chinese sports ministry excluded non-specialists from taking part in major events and Olympic trials.

Due to this policy, Yu has lost some of her students to the sports ministry training program.

In response, Yu is contemplating taking her students to train out of the country.

SOS -- for Rutgers Swimming. Jersey Legislatures get calls

CollegeSwimming.com: Bob Steele, retired men's coach at California State Bakersfield and head of the College Swimming Coaches Assocation of America's Save Our Sport (SOS) committee, has been coordinating efforts to preserve the Rutger's men's swimming program.

Steele is working to contact all of New Jersey’s swimmers (past and present), swim parents, coaches and fans of swimming and eliciting their efforts to contact New Jersey state Legislators. This all-out effort, designed to take the high road, by showing why saving the program is good, not just for the swimmers, but also for the university and the state. Steele is also requesting that Non-Jerseyites, 'help by sending letters to university president and people of influence.

Making the process easier is the organization's website, saverutgersswimming. There volunteers can see how they can help, get links to their New Jersey representatives, and send a letter in your own words.

The site also offers valuable talking points to help supporters as they craft their communications. Supporting Rutgers will help stem the tide of cutting swimming in American universities and colleges and thus provide opportunities for men AND women swimmers to:

* compete in a sport they love
* continue developing as a person and student-athlete
* perhaps receive an athletic scholarship
* contribute to the Rutgers university/community
* become a loyal, giving Rutgers alumnus

Libertarian Party Candidates Honor the Right of Self-Defense

Calls for Annual Tax-Free Week for Firearms-Related Purchases

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania, For Immediate Release, September 25, 2006

Harrisburg, PA – Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPA) candidates in this November’s election today issued a resolution

· supporting the right of self-defense as acknowledged by the Pennsylvania Constitution;

· condemning any who propose to infringe upon this right and thereby violate the Constitution;

· recommending that the state legislature adopt an annual “tax-free week” for firearms-related purchases in honor of our vital right to self-defense.

The candidates’ proposal contrasts with the planned introduction (scheduled for 9/26/2006) of a jumble of misguided gun control bills staged by a vocal minority of state legislators who seem to be unfamiliar with and thus simply afraid of any and all defensive weaponry.

James Babb, State Representative candidate for the 157th District in Montgomery County (www.jamesbabb.com) , articulates the Libertarian perspective “Self defense is a basic human right and not a privilege granted by the government.”

Tom Martin, State Senate candidate for the 30th District in Centre County (http://members.aol.com/martin4senate/) notes “Having a tax-free week on firearms-related purchases would be an important demonstration that our freedoms are not supposed to be taxed and regulated. Not only does the first amendment protect one’s right to yell for help, the second amendment protects the means to help defend one’s self.”

Jeremy Levan, State Representative candidate for the 129th District in Berks County (http://www.voteforjeremy.610knows.com/) adds " I think a tax-free week on firearms related sales is a great way to celebrate a right that other countries only wish they had. "

Contact your state legislators and insist that they embrace freedom, support the Libertarian Party tax-free week plan, and reject all legislative efforts to criminalize self-defense.

The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the United States with over 600 officials serving in office throughout the nation. Please visit www.LP.org or www.LPPA.org for more information on the Libertarian Party.

Going To Jail For Doing Your Job Is Not The American Way Of Justice

Going To Jail For Doing Your Job Is Not The American Way Of Justice If Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada go to jail for doing their job, this will be another black eye in American history and by all accounts, it may be the case. As many already know, Williams and Fairnaru-Wada have done a series of investigative pieces on the BALCO case and thanks to much of their hard work, columnists like myself have been able to expound, enlighten, infuriate and even chastise numerous subjects on this matter.

But what they are known for right now is the fact that their work has gotten rave reviews from common people who are not even sports fans to the President of the United States for the steroids issue. Congress moved on hearings because of their work. And that’s the irony because now the very government that applauded them in 2003 is now trying to put them in jail three years later.

'It's a tragedy that the government seeks to put reporters in jail for doing their job,' said San Francisco Chronicle executive vice president and editor Phil Bronstein after the hearing.

As a candidate, I support(ed) the crafting and enforcement of great 'shield' laws.

7 pm Meeting on Monday, Sept 25, concerning South Side Bars

Nightlife

With almost 200 liquor licenses in the South Side, many believe that South Side is THE place to visit on weekend nights. But there are also people who live here, and many hope that those visiting recognize that this is a PLACE, not just a party. It is a neighborhood with many taxpaying residents who are entitled to peaceful and quiet enjoyment of their homes, respect for their properties, and understanding from visitors that we call South Side our home.

Due to increased concerns about quality of life issues here in the South Side, South Side Community Council has formed a Bar Task Force. This Task Force is working to actively address serious concerns regarding public safety and liquor license enforcement. Come learn about the recent work by this volunteer group of residents and business owners and how you can help.

Monday, September 25th at 7:00 p.m.

Brashear Center, 2005 Sarah Street

Refreshments will be provided.

Posted on Sept 21. Now for the insights.
Trivia question: Where am I? Who am I?

(Click to read some answers in comments.)

Call to speak to County Council about voting machines

eVote Blog: "ASK Allegheny County to verify the voting software!

Given that our votes are not observable, recountable, or auditable.

Let at least have software verification and parallel testing!

Call County Council: 412 350-6491

Please Sign Up by Monday 5PM to Speak to County Council on Tuesday, September 26th!"

PS: While you are there you might want to ask about the date of the next mayor's election.

AntiRust: Housing Subsidies: But How Will the Fat Cats Survive?

City life...

Great blog talk at Anti Rust. I am NOT in favor of subsidized housing in Downtown. I am in favor of housing, but it needs to be build if there is a demand for it to be built. The subsidization is one sure method of stopping its supply. Downtown housing won't occur in Pittsburgh once it is subsidized. The subsidization is a poison for the marketplace.

AntiRust: Housing Subsidies: But How Will the Fat Cats Survive? Housing Subsidies: But How Will the Fat Cats Survive?

And this post too.... with a classic line in the threaded comments:

AntiRust: Demand for Downtown Housing Explodes: No Word on Fate of Unnecessary Subsidies: 'Pittsburgh is kind of like NY, run by Homer Simpson.'

kdka.com - Remembering Mayor Bob O'Connor

kdka.com - Remembering Mayor Bob O'Connor The former council president beat a political newcomer to become Pittsburgh's 58th mayor

KDKA is re-writting history.

In the General Election in 2005, Bob O'Connor beat Joe Weinroth, R. Wienroth had run for City Council four years prior. Weinroth was on the STATE GOP Committee. He had gone to Republican National Conventions. Weinroth wasn't a 'light weight' nor a 'political newcomer.'

Titus North, Green, was also in the race in 2005.

Bob O'Connor (Dem) 40,226 67.1%

Joseph Weinroth (Republican) 16,321 27.2%

Titus North (Green) 2,392 4.0%

David Tessitor (About Open Gov) 625 1.0%

Jay M Ressler (Socialist) 397 0.7%

Totals 59,961

Present candidate for State House, Vote on Nov 7

Bill Ogden is on Crafton Boro Council. Bill is on the ballot for State House.

From Joe Jencks ho...

Clean Sweeper of the Week -- photo from Thailand

Photo of "Clean Sweeper of the Week." This guy works at the Presidential Palace in Bankok, Thailand. He is a real clean sweeper. Thailand is hold a 'coup.' They are not interesed in any lame-duck leadership and will have a trustee take over until the October general election. The trusetee just happens to be a military boss with a nod to the king.

Saturday radio

Russ is on with Ron Morris, 1360 AM. I'm on via TalkShoe.com.

Panel delivers advice to Bayou

Panel delivers advice to Bayou 'One of the most amazing things we found was that, for some reason, in the city's long history, hardly anyone seems to have crossed the bayou' and developed the wetlands and pine savanna on the west side of the waterway that gives the town its name, said Tom Murphy, one of the panelists and a former mayor of Pittsburgh.

Golly.
So, let's subsidize the bayou. Get a critical mass. Then tax it to the heavens.

Bugs, critters, waste water, and other tidbits like infrastructure won't present a problem when we all 'work together' and use government money.

Public access to the docks land means public subsidization. If private developers were to enter the scene, they'd want to invest private dollars and marketplace forces. You don't want a free-market landscape because only the government officials should wine and dine and pick the developers. That way government corruption and kickbacks are on the backs and in the pockets of the governement officials.

The 'power point' presentations are nothing but hype. I've got some nifty power point presentations to show you of downtown Pittsburgh that never came true.

These types of gigs are right up Tom Murphy's alley. He gets to come in, present without much follow-up, without much advance community discussion, and then leave. Plus, he gets to use soft money to make slide shows.

On page two of the article comes the 'Tom Sawyer attitude' and getting everyone on a committee. Once there is a committee, there won't be any votes. Once everyone is on the list -- the guy who manages the list becomes the czar. His committee model is all about power for the one at the top and no power for the pawns and everyday citizens and committee members.

Accountability and democracy vanishes in the Tom-Murphy world. You don't need democracy because the committee suggested it. And, the committee is all of us. (Yeah, right.) The vision isn't a shared vision, it is his vision. The vision doesn't need to stand up to public comment as all public comment happened with the private developers and the RFPs (Request for Proposals) and the pre-paperwork to qualify as to who can submit a RFP. There will be RFQs too, Requests for Qualifications.

RFQs are gatekeepers to screen out anyone who isn't able to play the 'cronie game' of kickbacks and secrecy.