Official Home of the Pittsburgh Penguins: PITTSBURGH PENGUINS STATEMENT ON THE RECENT LETTER FROM THE PITTSBURGH GAMING TASK FORCE

Official Home of the Pittsburgh Penguins: PITTSBURGH PENGUINS STATEMENT ON THE RECENT LETTER FROM THE PITTSBURGH GAMING TASK FORCE: "PITTSBURGH PENGUINS STATEMENT ON THE RECENT LETTER FROM THE PITTSBURGH GAMING TASK FORCE

10/20/2006

“We have said all along that the Isle of Capri plan is by far the best plan for the city and the region, and we are very encouraged that the Pittsburgh Gaming Task Force has reached the same conclusion. Over 50 elected officials, including Mayor Ravenstahl, and a number of major news outlets already have come out in support of the Isle of Capri. The local gaming task force has just added its voice to this growing chorus of support. It’s going to be hard for the state gaming commission to ignore the collective voice of the City of Pittsburgh.”"

It was hard to be the worst team in the NHL.

It was very hard to walk out and not play hockey for the second part of a year in a recent season.

It will be super hard to tear down the Civic Arena, a building that is owned by the public, and not the Penguins, for a new building that the public doesn't want nor need. If the new arena is being built with the windfall from gambling, it would be EASY for the Penguins to own and operate that building and NOT make it a public liability.

The Civic Arena suits us just fine for Disney On Ice, graduation day for Carrick High School, and the circus, when there isn't any demand for luxery box seats.

It will be super-duper hard to put any faith in a task force formed by Tom Murphy that is falling apart at the seams now and had spoke in June that it would NOT endorse any plan. That Task Force is filled with weenies and has had closed meetings throughout. There isn't an ice chip of democracy in their voice.

Want to talk about 'hard' -- let's talk. This is the team that built a roof over an indoor ice rink on the South Side years ago and then left the facility. It is hard to have a city without any indoor hockey facility, other than the Civic Arena. It is hard to have city hockey teams play all their games and practices in suburban rinks, even Pitt! And, it is hard to see that facility stay dark for so many years now.

It is hard to turn your backs on the local kids and leave them high and dry -- for a facility in your own sport. Hockey In the Hood knows about 'road trips' -- to the airport ice facility, from the city, for practices.

Great TV quote from Tom Martin, a candidate in the other part of PA

"We don't need new legislation to protect immoral legislators, we need new legislators who will follow existing laws."

Details about the debate event.

Centre Daily Times | 10/20/2006 | Candidates square off on the defense: "The political confrontations at the League of Women Voters of Centre County Candidates' Night took place before a packed house at the State College Borough Building and a live C-Net TV audience.

Corman, R-Benner Township, is a two-term state senator defending his 34th District seat against challenges from State College Democrat Jon Eich, Huston Township Libertarian Tom Martin and Perry County lawyer Bob Cash.

There, they've got four candidates on the ballot to choose among. Here, in PA's 42nd district, we only have one, an undemocratic democrat who isn't worth anyone's vote.

Libertarian is center stage as Cantwell and McGavick joust

Big victory for a Libertarian on the west coast when he was put onto the debate stage for a US Senate race.

Libertarian is center stage as Cantwell and McGavick joust Libertarian is center stage as Cantwell and McGavick joust

By NEIL MODIE, P-I REPORTER

Democratic U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell and Republican challenger Mike McGavick exchanged mostly familiar verbal blows Tuesday in an hour-long debate, a sedate event except for a barbed zinger by Cantwell about her opponent's tenure as Safeco's chief.

But if anyone 'won' the televised exchange -- Cantwell's and McGavick's second and final formal debate -- it was a third candidate, Libertarian Bruce Guthrie, just by being there.

McGavick accused the senator of being 'the biggest spender' in Congress in 2003 and 2004, of opposing what she terms tax cuts for the wealthy, and talking about 'peripheral issues,' not 'the issues that keep us up at night.' The front-running incumbent ignored or brushed off most of his charges.

The two major candidates disagreed, as they have before, about abortion rights, immigration, border security, oil drilling in the Arctic, how to keep Social Security solvent and how to decide whether and when to start pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq.

But they had to share the podium at the KING/5 studio in Seattle with Guthrie. It gave the polite, well-spoken Libertarian a forum for an earnest presentation of his sometimes out-of-the-mainstream views, a gift of TV exposure and equal footing with two major-party contenders that a third-party hopeful rarely gets.

The article also talks about a Green candidate and Green supporters who were arrested after being blocked from the debate stage.

Dr. Spampinato has taken a leave of absence

She is a top official with the Pgh Public Schools.

In other school news, I'm still worried about the lack of a second Spanish teacher at Frick Middle School. What's up with that? Bad hiring practices. You can't hire teachers after the school year starts. They do things too late.

Caseymania has caught fire.

Mandatory, all-day K.

Giggle post from GrassrootsPA.com blog comments.

Come on, people want a “new direction”. No more “rubberstamping”. No more “98%”. How about that new “bi-partasinship”. We’re finally gonna get Paris Hilton’s tax cut back. No more breaks for “Big Drug Companies” or “Big Oil”. We’re gonna finally close that nasty “Haliburton loophole”. Terrorism….uh…um…. ahh… (wait, I’ve got it here somewhere, oh yeah, here it is) “Fire Rumsfled”, and “new solutions”. For God’s sake UNIVERSAL PRE-SCHOOL FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS. Caseymania has caught fire. We’re just behind the curve.

Compendium Institute - News

Compendium Institute - News: "Compendium to support Open Content knowledge mapping"

Pennsylvania was one of only four states that had a Democratic-Republican ballot monopoly in 2006.

For state-wide office, we can only vote for Ds and Rs.

I hate it when there is only old-party choices.

Wonder why PA's population is on the decline.

Bottom welcome.

This puts the Commonwealth of PA at the bottom of the pile in another, key, economic indicator. Yes, this is 'economic' -- not just political. This is about being a place that welcomes new ideas, new visions, new people. Otherwise, we're just old and rusty.

Marty G (KDKA Radio) asks: "Pandering or Real" concerning the gambling reform from the PA House

My call says, neither. This is process. It isn't real in that there are at least two more steps needed before this becomes real. The PA Senate needs to pass a bill that is the same and the governor needs to sign it.

Hats off to Marty and the show to get the citizens a pipeline to Harrisburg on the making of a bill, and pressures to get it hatched. Mike Turzi went on the air, again, and today he pulled in a guest on his line for the on-air conversation, Sam Smith. Good snag!

For real reform, and something I've been asking for for more than a year: Give TERM LIMITS on the Casinos.

They've sold these casino licenses at a cheap price, without bidding, -- but the kicker is that the license never expires. They have the rights to run the casino forever.

A drivers license for a citizen needs to be renewed from time to time. A professional license, such as for a MD (medical doctor) or hair dresser does NOT go forever.

They sold the rights to the casino operators and should have had a sunset provision for each casino. Give them various terms, say, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of operations. Then make them renew and re-negotiate before they expire.

Give some control to our children's generation. Let them get drunk on the income from the fees for the re-do of the licenses.

If I'm elected to the PA Senate or become a public official, I'd make sure that there are sunset provisions on as many matters as possible. And, I'll work hard to put a terminal point in time for the casinos.

Invite to a Thursday event

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl
Councilman Dan Deasy
Commander William Bochter
West End Valley Business Association
West End Village Residents Association, &
West Pittsburgh Partnership

Cordially invite you to attend a WEST END CELEBRATION HONORING THE OPENING OF PITTSBURGH's SPECIAL DEPLOYMENT DIVISION at 312 South Main Street (Old Zone Four) for a RIBBON CUTTING at 11:30 am to 12:30 pm on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2006. A light lunch will be provided.

ADDITIONAL OPEN HOUSE TOURS from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

Tour the Station - Meet the Staff: Motorcycle, DUI, EMS & Swat Team Exhibits

Maybe a Mayoral Race Candidate: Mike Dawida

kdka.com - Former Commissioner May Join Mayoral Race Former Allegheny County Commissioner Mike Dawida says he's considering running

Mike, give your logic a review.

On one hand, Dawida says he still has "the same ideas when I was 28 years old." But, the young Ravenstahl is too young. Which way is it?

I don't think Dawida will be the only one who is a 'grown up' in the campaign.

I look forward to the second coming of Mike Dawida. The city will be better once Dawida ends his slumber.

Local Net & Minnesota Gubernatorial E-Debate

My observations for MN's Gov Race and the e-debate question about technology and broadband.

SAQ7 - Local Net | Minnesota Gubernatorial E-Debate - Oct. 9-19 Short Answer Question 7 - Which models of community involvement in broadband – be it wi-fi (wireless Internet), fiber, etc. - should be promoted or limited by the state or legislation? This might include the Windom municipal-owned fiber-to-the-home model, the Minneapolis franchise-like public-private wireless partnership, or other private marketplace models? Will you work toward a repeal/change of Minn. Stat. Ann. 237.19 requirement for municipalities to obtain a super-majority of 65% of voters before providing telephone services (including voice over the Internet)?

> Short Answer Question 7 - Local Net
>
> Which models of community involvement in broadband - be it wi-fi
> (wireless Internet), fiber, etc. - should be promoted or limited by
> the state or legislation?.

Seeing what the candidates wrote, I think that they all missed out on the big answer that I would have wanted to see.

What about the schools? What about the kids? What about educational needs?

I think it makes great sense to make investments in technology and broadband for our educational institutions. Then the marketplace can worry more about businesses. But, the marketplace needs to be pulled and pushed to care for the kids, for homework needs, for reserach, for study, and for parental involvement in school efforts.

Did others notice the same absence of info about schools in the initial responses?

+ Schools could be wi-fi hubs.
+ Schools can be places for experimental networks.
+ Schools can do outreach to school students in homes, with justifications.
+ Schools could be places to take caluclated risks with investments in tech and broadband.

Posted to: mn-politics-discuss@yahoogroups.com

Insights welcomed.

Pittsburgh Tuesday takes

Democrat sleaze: The Pennsylvania State Democratic Committee is engaged in what might be the most dishonest and sleaziest political smear job in the history of eystone State politics. Using partial, out-of-context quotes, it is attacking epublican 42nd Legislative District candidate Mark Harris. And it can only be ndicative of a party that thinks its candidate, Matt Smith, is in deep trouble. Mr. Smith should renounce this garbage. If he doesn't, "Matt Smith" will become synonymous with "sleaze."

Come out to hear both candidates at our church for a community forum with candiates from 7 to 8 pm on Monday, October 30, 2006 at 1240 Washington Road, Mt. Lebo. http://Sunnyhill.org.

Cleveland Columnist Who Shut Up to Speak Out - washingtonpost.com

The Columnist Who Shut Up to Speak Out - washingtonpost.comConnie Schultz Gave Up Her Platform to Jump on Her Husband's Bandwagon"

Read about family, couples, politics, media, campaigns and blah, blah, blah.

My only question, "Where is the first wife?"

CT Senate Debate On TV: Not Live, And No Local Media Allowed

courant.com | Senate Debate On TV: Not Live, And No Local Media Allowed: "Senate Debate On TV: Not Live, And No Local Media Allowed

When WFSB-TV, Channel 3, announced plans to sponsor the only debate of all five candidates in Connecticut's nationally watched Senate race, station general manager Klarn DePalma said the event reflects 'our commitment ... to deliver news and information to viewers in Connecticut.'

But it appears that the delivery is going to be delayed.

The Hartford CBS affiliate has banned representatives of the news media - other than its own - from Wednesday's 3 p.m. taping of the debate that is to be moderated by national CBS newsman Bob Schieffer before an audience of specially invited guests at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts.

After a news blackout of 27 hours, WFSB plans to show the canned one-hour event Thursday at 7 p.m.

'We're renting the hall, it's our debate, and we'll invite who we want to invite' - that was Channel 3's position, as paraphrased by Richard Foley, campaign manager for Republican candidate Alan Schlesinger. Polls show Schlesinger running a distant third in the race, and so, Foley said, 'we feel that we cannot make too many demands.'

The statement that this is 'our debate' is crazy.

Shame, shame, shame on WFSB-TV. Same to for any candidate that doesn't raise red flags while on the debate stage about the terms of the event.

Folks, our democracy is frail. We can't let junk like this onto our shared landscape.

Check out what they are doing in MN for the Governor's race. An on-going, on-line debate among all participants is a treasure to witness and makes a model that many others need to repeat in the election cycles to come.

Double zero - Post Gazette endorsement nails Petrone. Big win for Ogden, R, IMNSHO

IMNSHO = In my not so humble opinion. This is great news of Candidate Bill Ogden, R.

Double zero In the House, two painful non-endorsements

This is amazing news and a wonderful victory for Bill Ogden.

The P-G did NOT endorse Tom Petrone. Tom Petrone should retire from the state house. Other suggestions for Petrone will follow later.

Bill Ogden, Republican, was able to push out some of his ideas. However, he felt the interview didn't go as smoothly as it could have. Regardless, this is a big victory for Ogden.

Bill Ogden is much, much more than a personal trainer. He owns his own gym. He has been there for many years.

To call Ogden a 'personal trainer' is the same as calling Kevin Joyce, owner of a downtown restaurant, a cook or a waiter. Bill Ogden is a long-time small business owner. He employs people. He helps the economy by doing business here, in his home town.

How a blogger got in the middle of Foley story

We are investigative reporters.

How a blogger got in the middle of Foley story How a blogger got in the middle of Foley story

Monday, October 16, 2006
By Amy Schatz, The Wall Street Journal

MOORE, Okla. -- For three days, William 'Wild Bill' Kerr huddled over an old computer, trying to solve a curious mystery.

He wanted to figure out the identity of the congressional page who received the salacious instant messages that prompted Florida Rep. Mark Foley to resign Sept. 29, triggering the scandal that's rocking the House of Representatives just weeks before the election.

The 32-year-old conservative blogger said he felt the news media were distorting the story, and he suspected, among other things, that the page in question was over the age of consent.

Save the Internet song on YouTube

The production quality isn't top shelf, but the mix of the song's words, chords and concert setting is neat. Old folkie bloggers might like the tune's message.

I'm often upset with the media. It is nice to see that others share the same concerns.

OMG: Hannah Montana! ... HERE...

Series of made-for-DVD movies to be shot in Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Business Times: ... will star Emily Osment, co-star of the hit Disney Channel television series 'Hannah Montana.'

Do we still close roads, reserve street parking, and alter the bouncers on East Carson Street for film crews and movie stars if they are only working on flicks that are slated for a DVD release?

Let's not roll out the red carpet today, as it is raining. But we are in for something as it took a year of negotiatins for the one crew. It is bad when film crew talks with a city take longer than the creative work to author, direct, shoot and produce.

The broad range of financial support for Dept of Community and Economic Development means what, exactly?

Next months movie title, "Smart People" has its first casting call slated, TBA, in City Council Chambers. Keep watching this blog for details.

Joe Jencks on the Charts!

From Joe Jencks ho...

Joe played a concert for us on the South Side early in the year. His newest CD "Rise As One" charted at #24 on the Folk Music Charts in the US for the month of September! This marks the first time he hit the charts.

"Rise As One" is a live concert CD, celebrating the music of the labor movement in the US, and featuring traditional, modern and original music about workplace dignity. Visit www.joejencks.com for more info.

GrassrootsPA puts up telling quote of GOP Leader on behavior of Rs in leadership

Duhh....

GrassrootsPA � The Online Home For Pennsylvania’s Conservative MovementPA's GOP Chairman said, "We have a platform, but our guys didn’t read it. They lost their way,” Gleason said as he mentioned the pay raise, state budgets, approval of slot machine gambling, expansion of government and this year’s vote to raise the minimum wage as a few examples.