A Silent Cacophony: The 'larger' Army

A Silent Cacophony: The 'larger' Army Here's another interesting dilemma facing the military in terms of reaching its recruitment goals, and this one doesn't have anything to do with the war in Iraq. It's the problem of a literally growing America's ability to muster enough volunteers who 1. Want to join; 2. Meet the minimal physical and mental standards; and 3. Are lean enough.

To All Who Will Listen by Coach Chuck Klausing

Jerry S., a regional business owner who has multi-media tools for coaches, sent along this story from coaching legend Chuck Klausing.

I failed with the greatest football player I ever coached. He played for me in high school and I predicted he would be a great pro player someday. He led us to three undefeated seasons. People told me he reminded them of Jim Brown the great Cleveland back.

No player was more coachable… he believed in me and would always listen. Maybe, because of two incidents that occurred during his high school years when he played for me.

The first was when he was a sophomore linebacker. He collided head to head with a teammate and dislocated his jaw. The joint was up around his ear. No doctor was around so I used my first aid training and relocated it. The pain was terrible, but afterwards, he remarked, “Thanks Coach, I will always listen to you”.

The second incident occurred during training. We would go to pre-season camp and had no place to shower so we bathed in a small river. He wandered out too far and went under. I swam out and brought him to shore. He remarked, “Thanks Coach, you saved my life, I will always listen to you”.

With his success, he played in the Big 33 game and was awarded the Most Valuable Player. In college he was named the most outstanding sophomore in the Big 10.

At 21 years of age, he died of a drug overdose.

I went to his funeral and I prayed at his coffin. His parents told me it was my fault he died. I was stunned, “How could it be my fault” I wondered. They said he would have listened to me. He never smoked tobacco or drank liquor because I told him not to – these were my rules; no tobacco, no alcohol. I never mentioned drugs. Drugs? In the 1940’s and 50’s? I knew nothing about drugs then, but they are certainly with us today.

I am very concerned about the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco by kids. I have 12 grandkids and 3 great grandchildren. I hope to get this message to them.

If you’re a coach, don’t take the players in your charge lightly. A coach is a teacher, a role model, an authority figure and a protector. It’s a powerful role. Please learn from where I failed and respect that power.

More on Chuck Klausing

Chucks Podcast

Supporting video from one of life's sunsets.

Honz Man Spouts about Blogs

Honz is in a rant about blogs on Friday at his show -- noon to 5 pm.

He wants to hear from us. Giggle.

One of Fred's points, the mainstream media has rules. Blogs don't. For the record, I'm a grad of Ohio University, school of journalism. I understand the rules.

My last conversation with Honz ended when he said, "You have some good points. Many agree with you." Click. But trust doesn't mean anything. So if we are going to pick-up the conversation on rules and ethics, Honz has to come clean with me on this little point of 'trust.' I blogged about this and we had a good chuckle because the very next thing out of our radio, after turning up the volume, was "KDKA, news you can trust."

A blog expert is slated to be on the air shortly, I guess. Fred, I'd be glad to have serious conversations with you, any time.

The Pittsburgh Comet and its sick name-calling

The Pittsburgh Comet It's hard to blog about 'Prescription Pennsylvania.' Not even Rauterkus has tried yet, and that guy's a machine.

Machine! I'm not a machine politician. I'm sorta sick of Rendell.

Rendell was so-machine-like when the Gov let this cat out of the bad the day after starting his second term while NOT talking about these efforts for even a dying breath in the campiagn season of 2005.

But, to be honest, I did blog, slightly, about this. And, some views on healthcare are on the wiki. Platform.For-Pgh.org. Senate Bill 1085 was nice.

I'm more about wellness. But I'd love to have more detailed views into what's what.

Thanks for the pointer.

Jon Delano news flash: JD admits: "Truth is, you have to think!"

Delano's serious back-peddling came on the air with KDKA Radio today. He contrasted what he said yesterday on the very same show.

My message to "Dime a Dozen Delano:" Pittsburgh should be so lucky to have political bloggers at dime a dozen rates.

Then he asked this question on the air: The fundamental political question, does it really matter? YES!

There is more out there. Out there is out there.

In the end, Pittsburgh is going to be a better place when we are more caring, loving, open and honest -- and online. We need political bloggers to care and cover issues. Next, we need politicians to get into the game of living in the open. We need debate and dissent. We need opposition. We need a ying and a yang among all yinzers, even elected ones.

Yesterday, Jon Delano said political bloggers are a dime a dozen. To bad this value wasn't the case a decade ago. If bloggers were a dime a dozen then, news crafters would not have been able to sweep this (see example illustration) under the rug.



I'm dancing in the street because this is the week when political bloggers made a hit. We have an impact.

Yesterday I sent an email to Marty Griffin when he was talking with the old County Executive and the long-time Political Eore, James C. Roddey. I'd be happy to share my thoughts on why people will and will not run for public office in Allegheny County -- including Republicans. Dan Onorato is NOT un-touchable. Marty sent a short message about booking me on the show, and I look forward to that early next week.

Today's email to Marty was to ask MacYapper about his triumph with Betty Ford. Not the clinic, the person. Yes, J.D., you still have to think. Some things are just funny. Other things are for real. And the internet is so nice because the things that one thinks is real can be turned into what it is worth in short order. The cycles are quick. The reach is long. The depth of knowledge is way bigger than any one group of cronies.

Truth is, you have to think. And, you have to think with others. And when yo think out in the open -- like on the internet -- then soaring becomes possible. Even probable.

Now if the Pgh MSM (main stream media) would just drink from the well more often -- we'll be much more free and prosperous.

Another fitting bit of digital dust from 2001:

Humm.... I don't think that these are open souce contracts.

No longer just developing software used to let somebody ELSE make the better weapons, CMU has beat out Lockheed-Martin for a contract to actually make six prototype search-and-destroy robots.

MacWorld S.F. feedback. This is sad to have a closed phone.

Revolution Newsletter Walking around the show floor, I was struck with how commercial the show has become. It seemed that outside of Apple, there was little to see that was innovative. There were lots of people selling 'stuff' like cases for ipods. But what was missing for me was the smaller creative software companies showing the exciting new features of their products. And is it surprising? Apple has made it harder to be a part of their experience. Once they invited us in, giving us free space and promotion. Now there is discussion that the iPhone will not be open and thus all the creative people who want to express themselves by creating programs for this device may not be able to do so.

Justine, you might want to have some extended pillow talk with your husband about this.

Death of a utility. The day the photos died. I miss my blogger bot!

We will live to fight another day. We will survive. But, rest in peace, dear blogger bot. I loved using the button and zipping a photo to my blog. Now I've got to do some other tricks -- or else I might need to break down and build a new widget.

March 16, the early show, with passport

Some promo is to happen with The Early Show and March 16 in Pittsburgh. Get a free trip to some place around the world.

Look to apply on the web. Gotta take the kids to school and pack for New Zealand. So, if you win, perhaps you can visit us there.

??

Pointers welcome.

County eyes storage site for new park; riverfront plan targets Atlas Self Storage land | YourPennHills.com

County eyes storage site for new park; riverfront plan targets Atlas Self Storage land | YourPennHills.com: "County eyes storage site for new park; riverfront plan targets Atlas Self Storage land

Vera Miller
Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Allegheny County officials who want to create a riverfront park have their sights set on a Penn Hills property being developed as a storage facility."

City authority OKs free parking schedule - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

This is so Jim Ferlo-ish.

City authority OKs free parking schedule - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Free parking is so romantic.

Sweethearts who travel to Downtown on Feb. 14 will be able to park for free on the first of seven parking holidays this year at the Pittsburgh Parking Authority's 5,000 garage spaces and 800 parking meters.

Free parking on Valentine's Day will be from 4 p.m. to midnight.

The other free days are Nov. 23 and the five Saturdays between Thanksgiving and Christmas: Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, 8, 15, and 22. They will last all day.

Perhaps this is a the sentimental "bobble" to smoothen the jilted relationship with the public. You know. Some couples have a 'spat' and then the Mrs. gets a new family jewel. I think this happened with some NBA player who was caught red handed, right?

So, for Pittsburgh, the citizens get to feel the day-in-day-out sting of high taxes on parking -- but -- get to park for free on a few Saturdays. Sparkle season smiles.

This kiss and make up deed and news release costs $100,000.

Why not give $100,000 to the pipe dream called the Pittsburgh Promise? That's the hope that city kids will get college scholarships and only $10,000 went into the kitty.

This is weirdness as well when David Onorato starts to speak for the private parking operators. The Parking Authority is a steward of our public assets. They feel that they are entitled to give away $100,000 as they wish to who they wish. But, he has to have his head examined to say that the private parking business folks MIGHT offer a similar give-a-way.

Is this public servant going to show up in other private marketplaces and demand that others give away free trinkets too?

If he is trying to figure out the best way to serve the public then he needs to think again. The give-a-way is a positive thing for his self interest.

Here are a few free parking spots:

From merge city

From china - bike ...

Pittsburgh Penguins, National Hockey League - CBS SportsLine.com

Why do anything in public when it is so easy to be private with the spending of the public's money. As these guys jump into bed together, it shouldn't be done in the family hours of programming time. I'm happy Rendell waited until after 9 pm before he popped into the scene. But, I wouldn't mind if this courting wasn't so 'hush-hush.'

Pittsburgh Penguins, National Hockey League - CBS SportsLine.com Asked why neither side was talking - unlike the previous meeting, when Lemieux and Rendell both appeared optimistic during interviews -- Ardo said, 'We don't intend to negotiate through the media.'

Ardo said no face-to-face meetings are currently scheduled, but, he said, 'Negotiations are continuing' with an agreement hoped for 'as soon as possible.'

A surprise guest at the talks was Don Barden, the Detroit gambling casino owner who was picked by a state panel last month to build a new slots machine parlor in Pittsburgh. Barden has agreed to contribute $7.5 million a year toward the arena costs.

'I want to do everything I can to see that the Penguins stay in Pittsburgh,' Barden said.

Before the meeting, Onorato told reporters, 'We're coming down to try to finalize the deal' - the most optimistic comment any of the principals have made to date. But Onorato also cautioned it would take time to work out details such as the Penguins' lease and financing.

Back-room deals have killed this town. This one is sure to be just another milestone, if not headstone.

Purchasing merger timetable proposed

Tossing money out the window is a Grant Street sport.

Purchasing merger timetable proposed 'We've seen enough studies,' said Mr. Peduto, who is set to announce his mayoral candidacy Monday. 'We know exactly what the savings will be. ... We can't afford not to do this. It's time we stop throwing money out the window.'

The other game played there is leap-frog.

Hurry and form another task force.

Connect the dots. The one wants to buy printing with a joint purchasing department. This means that those borchures about the bulk gargage pick-up days can be with more color and gloss. One doesn't have his face on all the junk mail in the city yet -- but -- should he win he would and he'd have suburban taxpayers pay for it.

Then again there is the dog license merger thingie that was big-news in the last election. Why hasn't Peduto fixed that yet? Is he saving it for after he announces? Or, is it a low priority because Michael Lamb is only running for controller? Or, do they want Mr. Lamb to keep using his old lines for the pending cycle. Everyone loves puppies.

From china - bike

Blogging Causes Ravenstahl Incident To Hit High Water - News

Explosive. But not like thugs, right?

Blogging Causes Ravenstahl Incident To Hit High Water - News McIntire's decision to go public unleashed the explosive power of the Internet in a way never before seen in Pittsburgh's politics.

Funny quote: These blogs are not affiliated with WTAE-TV. Some of them may contain rough language. Too bad the fourth estate, the jouralist-watchdogs, don't bark with "rough language." Rough-ruff! =:0

Gotta love the headline of hitting high water. Worth a video clip. You write the caption to the video clip in the comments.

Click for short video of high water.

Political Bloggers: "Dime a dozen" says Jon Delano

Dime a dozen. Jon Delano just earned new nick-name from me. Dime a Dozen Delano.

What I post on this blog is MORE accountable than what goes out on the air at KDKA-TV because there is a "comment button" here. One can't talk back to the TV with any satisfaction.

The press is free as long as you have one. I do, too.

Marty Griffin and Jon Delano were talking about one of their own, the MacYapper. Delano said that the bloggers can say anything they want and the Main Stream Media (MSM) would never stoop so low. Giggle. It was the MSM guy, the recent KDKA-radio show host, that is taking about thug-like behaviors.

Oh well. Let me edit this audio file in the days to come.

Bar Legislation goes to City Planning Meeting - Jan 23 at 2 or so

It's called an Exhibition: Council Bill 2006-0935 – Sections 911.02 and 911.04 (Bar legislation) is the last item on the agenda for the PLANNING COMMISSION (as part of the Dept. of City Planning) at 200 Ross Street to start at 2 pm on January 23, 2007. This is the last item on the agenda, so you might not need to be there until 2:30.

MacYapper -- should be a 2 way race at the end of MAY, not day.

John posted, in part:

MacYapper ... ruminations of countless pols, hacks, ne'erdowells, scalliwags, and scumbags, it looks like it's a two person race at the end of the day. Or at least, at the end of the sentence.

The race for mayor comes in two waves. One is at the end of 'may' -- or middle in the month of May, 2007. That's the primary.

The other wave comes in November 2007.

Plenty of races are looming on the ballot this year. Any scalligwags who want to shout out here can do so. Or, send me a pointer to your site / news.

School board and municipal elections happen this year. I hope that the bench is packed and the opposition is present, for both the spring and fall elections.

4,832 Votes in Allegheny County didn't count in November 2007 election

After some digging, here is a report about the recent election.

When Allegheny County Executive says that the election went on without a hitch -- he lied.

Tim Martin, Libertarian, candidate for US Senate against Rick Santorum and Bob Casey and Carl Romanelli, got 45 votes. None were reported from Allegheny County to Harrisburg. Zero.

Carl J. Romanelli got 107 votes.

Scattered votes = 595.

For Governor, Swann lost to Rendell. Russ Diamond scored 46 votes and NONE were reported to the state. Zero.

Marakay Rogers / Christina Valente got 50 votes that were reported.

In the 14th District for US Congress, votes were given to Michael Keaton, Mike Turzi, Bob Logue and Jim Quinn -- but none were reported. The reported amount of scattered votes is 577.

In the race that I wanted to enter, PA Senate, 42nd, against an un-democratic democrate without any other opposition, Michael Diven got 29 votes, Mark Harris got 16 votes, I got 14, and 588 votes went scattered to others.

All in all, in this year's write in votes I was suprised at how poorly the Disney characters did in the totals. But, I was very impressed with the creativity of the citizen voters. But the bottom line, we're not being told. Many vote didn't count.

A summary of the scattered votes, by my count: 4,832.

Other counties report the results of every voter, vote and candidate. Allegheny County doesn't.

These insights are not going to change the course of the world. No candidate stands a chance to be beaten by scattered write in votes. But, nobody should have confidence that everything is on the up and up.

The 'fat letter' - got ink in a Trib article

The 'fat letter' - Tribune-Review "'It's a pretty flaky measurement,' said Mark Rauterkus, whose two sons, ages 9 and 11, go to Phillips Elementary on the South Side. 'I wouldn't hang my hat on it.'

Rauterkus said he has coached youth swimming for several years, and thinks a more accurate way to measure kids' fitness is looking at body fat percentage, or by physically measuring how many pull-ups a kid can do.

The doctor quoted in the article, Dr. David, is our family doctor. He says good things too.

Nice article.

Years ago I published a book, Pull Your Own Weight. The author's philosophy was to have the kids to pull-ups, or chin-ups. And, it connected with a new weight equipment device, the Total Gym. Chuck Norris has sold the Total Gym on TV info-comercials for years since then.

The Pull Your Own Weight concepts were put into practice with a group of at-risk kids at a public school in Rock Island, Illinois. They made great improvements. All the classrooms to the school had pull-up bars installed in the doorways. Kids had some special attention each week with their pull ups. Generally, the kids were assisted by an adult to complete the pull ups.

Some of the kids at the school that year got very strong. I saw the results, and this was years ago. I think, if memory serves me right, there were more than a dozen kids who could all do more than 12 pull ups. The school record climbed to 23 or some such number, way higher than anything I could ever dream of doing.

Check out the article. It is posted in full in the comments of this blog post.

As a note: It is a typical clash of cultures to have my former opponent and heavyweight senator, Wayne Fontana, quoted in the news concerning the Penguins saga and a give-a-way of more public money to the team through the cover of the venue -- while at the same time have a newspaper quote from me in an article about kids -- and FAT measurements. (See the post below.)

Rendell to meet today with Penguins on arena

Rendell to meet today with Penguins on arena No one is predicting, however, that a final accord will be announced as part of this evening's gathering.

'I think they're getting closer to a deal,' said state Sen. Wayne Fontana, a board member of the city-Allegheny County Sports & Exhibition Authority, which has been involved in the talks. 'I'm confident that progress is being made.'

If the Pens get a greater share of the Mellon Arena revenues, then don't say that no new dollars are part of the deal.

Pay SMG $5-million, up front! What's up with that?

Do they just print the money and give it to SMG?