Swim Meet: USC and Stanford

Took some photos at a swim meet today. Click for a larger image.

Photo shows the end of the 200 backstroke:

Image shows 200 back finish. Video shows the 200 fly race. Click images for expanded views.

Click to Play

Be sure to watch the end of this race.

Swim Meet Today: Stanford had USC, and there was no doubt about it.

We were there. Photos shortly.

http://gostanford.cstv.com/sports/m-swim/stats/2006-2007/results.html

No. 2 Stanford Men Overpowers No. 6 USC, 141-95

Fueled by double victories by Shaun Phillips (500 and 1650 free) and Dwight Dumais (1-meter and 3-meter diving), the second-ranked Stanford men's swimming and diving team overpowered sixth-ranked USC, 141-95, in a Pac-10 dual meet on Saturday afternoon at the Avery Aquatic Center.

Phillips swam the 500 free in a time of 4:27.71 while chalking up a time of 15:10.15 in the 1650 free. Dumais captured the one-meter diving event with 336.82 points, and three-meter diving with 356.40 points.

Thirteen events were contested, and Stanford captured ten events. Other individual Stanford winners included Ben Wildman-Tobriner in the 50 free (19.97), Jason Dunford in the 100 free (44.28), Andy Grant in the 200 free (1:37.57) and 200 back (1:47.28) and Hongzhe Sun in the 200 fly (1:46.51).

The victory raised Stanford's season record to 4-0, including a 3-0 mark in the Pac-10. Stanford's next dual meet is Feb. 10 at California.

The meet was also the final home event for eight Cardinal senior swimmers and divers. The list included Matt Crowe, Andy Grant, Kevin McLean, Keenan Newman, Shaun Phillips, Kyle Ransom, Hongzhe Sun and Ben Wildman-Tobriner.

The Stanford 400 free relay team of Andy Grant, Jason Dunford, Kyle Ransom and Matt Crowe had a season-best and NCAA qualifying time of 2:58.55 ... The 400 medley relay team of Hongzhe Sun, Paul Kornfeld, Jason Dunford and Ben Wildman-Tobriner had an NCAA qualifying and season-best time of 3:13.40.

Team Score: Stanford 141, USC 95

Meanwhile, we missed the swim meet with Carlynton, Blackhawk and Slippery Rock.

Krawchuk's Letter to the editor: Ballot Access

To the Editor:

State Representative Josh Shapiro advancing the cause of good government? That'll be the day! Your editorial last Sunday missed the mark by miles. I can tell you from personal experience that Shapiro is more the typical flip-flopping politician than rising star.

About a year ago, I contacted him regarding badly-needed ballot access reform in Pennsylvania. Did you know that last year the law required only 2,000 signatures for a Democrat or Republican to get on the statewide ballot, but third parties and independents needed over 67,000? This atrocious law flies in the face of the constitutional mandate that "All elections shall be free and equal". Fortunately, there is a cure for this bad ballot situation, the Voters' Choice Act (www.PaBallotAccess.org) which would restore the equality of elections.

As a sitting member of the House State Government committee, Shapiro was in the perfect position to advance the cause of good government, so I personally delivered a copy of the Act to him and asked if he would support it. He replied in writing (sic): "I support Free and Equal elections and I will vote in favor of the Voters' Choice Act." Yeah, right. Less than two months later, once hearings for the bill began, he changed his tune and refused to support the Act at all. He still refuses.

One doesn't have to look very far to find out why. Last year there was only one third-party candidate who had the moxie to climb that 67,000 signature wall, but Shapiro and his fellow Democrats would have nothing of it. They pounced on his petitions and had him thrown off the ballot for their own specious, self-serving reasons. Worst of all, they then fined the would-be candidate almost one million dollars for having the temerity to attempt to give Pennsylvania voters a third choice.

Where was Mr. "Good Government" Shapiro? Did he raise his voice in protest? Of course not. No doubt he was out celebrating with his fellow Democrats and slapping each other on the backs for having choked off democracy at the ballot box so thoroughly.

Pardon me, but this sort of behavior won't wash. Either you're in favor of good government or you're not, and Shapiro has now twice weighed in on the topic, both times on the wrong side. If he can be seen as a "rising star", then darkness must certainly have fallen in Pennsylvania.

Thirteen years ago, I ran for the very same state rep seat now occupied by Shapiro. Given his continued rejection of good government and his lack of the basic decency democracy demands, perhaps the time has come for me to give it another try. Or will he simply threaten to fine me a million bucks too?

Ken V. Krawchuk, Abington

Oh My Gosh: Ohio U Bobcats -- CUT Men's SWIMMING -- Worst cut since, .. well ... PAT's cuts

This stinks.

http://thepost.baker.ohiou.edu/articles/2007/01/24/news/17200.html

Update from the OU Swim Coach:

Dear Swimming & Diving friends and family:

First let me take this opportunity to thank you for your phone calls, voice messages, e-mails and letters. Your support is amazing and has not gone unappreciated. I would also like to apologize for this informal e-mail and for not getting back to the majority of you. I simply do not have enough time in the day to do so. Hopefully I will in the near future.

Well the rumors have been swirling for sometime now and unfortunately they have proven to be true. Men's Swimming & Diving, Men's Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field and Women's Lacrosse are the latest victims in this nationwide epidemic. I am not going to go into the exact reasons why; however, a complete transcript can be found at www.ohiobobcats.com. Basically, financial and gender equity issues were cited.

There seems to be a few inconsistencies in the rationale, enough that I believe we can fight this decision. It is my opinion that other strategies were not thoroughly visited before this option of last resort was chosen. Whether or not this decision can be reversed or not remains to be seen; however, I have given the current team (men and women) my pledge that I will fight it. At the same time I give my pledge to all of you as you have earned it.

I have already enacted a plan that includes current team members, alumni, parents, faculty and industry specialists that have been involved on other campuses. This plan is still in the infantile stages, but is becoming much more aggressive each and every day. I will be contacting many of you and asking for your assistance as you are a critical element in the reinstatement of this storied program.

STRATEGIES - We have a few options here.

Gender Equity must be addressed and can via roster management techniques, fundraising and endowment. We are currently 137 female student-athletes short of compliance with the proportionality prong of Title IX. We can reduce the size of ALL men's programs and increase the size of ALL women's programs to meet in the middle or we can add 137 women (more expensive and less likely). We can also fund raise to cover operating budgets and scholarships (another prong of Title IX). The last, most secure and ideal option is to endow the programs. I say "endow the PROGRAMS" as it does us no good to only endow the men's program. We must endow the men and the women to keep the men.

Fiscal adherence is another consideration as a projected $4,000,000.00 accumulated deficit could be realized by the end of this fiscal year. Regardless if Swimming and Diving is or is not responsible for this deficit, it is still present and present due to philosophical priorities that did not and do not include Men's Swimming & Diving. Annually covering our own expenses is a theory but endowment is the key to this option. Accountability to those areas that got us into the red (and those individuals responsible to ensure accountability) is necessary for the future well being of the entire Athletic Department.

Posturing and marketing of our program is another strategic consideration. If we can show that Swimming & Diving is more integral to the academic, athletic and fiscal mission of the Athletic Department and to the university than other sports, then we could possibly save our sport. Obviously this option is not desired or popular as it simply replaces Men's Swimming & Diving with another sport.

SAYING ALL OF THIS, TO DATE THE PREVIOUS OPTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED BY OR PERMISSION TO PURSUE GIVEN BY THE ADMINISTRATION.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Please refrain from personal attacks or comparisons with other programs. We will not win in this scenario. It is natural to do so, to want to identify a villain or to give blame. But remember, the same people that we are asking to reverse their decision are the very ones we are insulting and attacking. In order for us to be reinstated we must rely on facts and logic. Additionally we must become unified and streamlined. The gnat theory works for only so long and then it becomes annoying and will make the administration defensive. Use your time and energy to gather support and commitment from your former teammates, family and friends. I will come calling in the near future and ask for your collective support. Our goal is to get a "stay of execution" so to speak and to be provided with the option to utilize one of the previously listed strategies. BE READY AND WILLING!

I will be forming committees that will streamline, spearhead and represent our communication. I will also ask a few of you to lead in the endowment project as well as an operational fundraising option. The marketing and posturing option will need a few leaders as well.

Money does talk on college campuses and I appreciate all of your past, present and future support. We must show that we are active and influential in this area.

Thank you for your patience and support and please feel free to make any suggestions or communicate any concerns.

Sincerely,

Greg Werner
Head Coach
Ohio Swimming & Diving

Author & Publisher reunion at Stanford

From Mark Rauterkus

How To Run participants get CD from Mark Rauterkus with invite to join as Running Mates

A new CD is hitting the streets today, just about now.

They were given to the organizers fron the League of Women Voters for a seminar, How To Run For Public Office, held today at Point Park. Dozens of people gathered to gain insights and share ideas on being a candidate. Each got a CD with my comments and messages.

Did you go?

What did you think?

If you could NOT attend, but would like a copy of the CD, leave me a note here -- or send me an email.

I spoke at this event in the past and was slated to appear today to offer pointers about running as a third party candidate and some of my tech tips for candidates.

Steve Bland finds himself out on a limb

So sad.

Gratta from the post-gazette.com/pg/07027/757249-147.stm about silence of leaders.

The age old saying is, "Measure twice. Cut once."

PAT didn't measure. Or, to be more clear, the data that they used to measure is a total shot in the dark. They are clueless in terms of understanding the value decisions.

The scorecard is wrong and, to use a Mario term, "offensive."

Steve, I was there.

PAT's current plan at operational cuts is institutional suicide. There are so many things that are wrong with this thinking, that it is hard to begin to list them.

Steve Bland is a hatchet man. He's a hack. He should get no support. What is being proposed can't be defended with common sense. What PAT proposes has no historical understanding of being accurate. PAT's track record is not able to be defended either. And, PAT's track record begins with the lack of justifications for the two tunnels PAT is hoping to build under the Allegheny River for a tiny extension of light-rail to service the stadiums.

Come With Me, song to consider for title track for CDs in 2007

Click to Play

Joe Jencks sings the title track for Elect.Rauterkus.com for 2007 -- at a house concert in Pittsburgh in 2007.

City Paper goes more podcast-ish with political interview

The new direction of City Paper with use of audio links.

PEDUTO IN MAYORAL RACE: NEW YEAR, NEW DIRECTION (News Briefs) By: Chris Potter - January 25, 2007
New campaign manager puts South Hills in play too

Well done Chris Potter.

MySpace to distribute Amber alerts - CNN.com

I've been publishing Amber Alerts for a couple of years.

MySpace to distribute Amber alerts - CNN.com MySpace to distribute Amber alerts
POSTED: 9:59 a.m. EST, January 23, 2007

Another blogger beyond PA asked if others saw any irony of My Space doing Amber Alerts. I agree.

Notebook: PIHL all-stars ready to take ice - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

If the Pens leave and do NOT renew a lease, then the Civic Arena could be used for our kids in a more regular way.

The city could use a low-cost venue.

You don't need corporate box seats for a local hockey game.

Notebook: PIHL all-stars ready to take ice - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The PIHL hopes to eventually have its all-star game at Mellon Arena, but that building won't be used until the championship games March 24-25.

'We'd love to play an all-star game at a facility like that, and we talked about it, but we're just not ready yet' Sam said. 'Whenever we can herd more people into the seats and make it financially viable to do, then we'll end up at Mellon Arena.'

Fire chief nominated for public safety director

Sigh.

Fire chief nominated for public safety director The mayor said there was no formal selection process that led to the new pick.

Okay, if there wasn't a formal selection process -- was it informal? Did he hold interviews at a picnic? Did he draw straws?

Process matters.

The city is ravaged with software problems -- not hardware problems.

Is it too much to ask to have a 'formal process' when hirnig the solicitor and operations director? And, BTW, don't hire the acting solicitor who has already given bad advice. And, stay away from the county's solicitors too. They (Alegh County Assist-Solicitor) are in hot water in my opinion given their lack of judgement in allowing for poll watchers while votes are tabulated.

Hail to the chief! Good luck. Way to go. Nuff said.

The Burgh Report -- pondering Peduto

Good insights from another blogger about Bill Peduto have been floated at his blog. He did two long posts with value that are worth pondering.

The Burgh Report

My extension of the conversation goes to a different conclusion. Look at place and time. These campaigns make a 1-2-3 combo. Its past, present and future.

Perhaps I should have posted this rant on his blog and not mine. That would have honored the thread, but it grew too long. And, I might want to later fix some spelling goofs. So, .... here goes.

In my not so humble opinion, Candidate Peduto stepped into a big trap when he said he has pledges of $500k.

This time, 2007, is not the last time. Now we've got the second stage. And, to be honest, in the spring primary, we've got the first act in the second stage. Think two acts within the second book of a trilogy.

Last election was "Bob's turn." The naysayers, plus Bob's being there leveraged Tom Murphy into the private sector. Yes! One down.

The city's Dems were NOT ready to jump from Tom to Bill in 2005. Didn't happen.

The city's Dems might be ready to jump from Luke to Bill in 2009.

Tip to Bill. Save HALF of what is raised in 2007. Then use it at the end of 2008 to mount a campaign where real contrasts can be illustrated.

In 2007, Bill needs to build political capital and live to fight another day. Bill needs to be a gentleman, schmoozing, unfrazzled and the gracious DEMOCRATIC Party alternative.

Bill's hyper campaign of 2005 edged him past Michael Lamb. That put Bill's stock in good position in 2007 to enable him a sit-down Delano interview with chump change in the bank.

I feel that the energy of Peduto 2005 was a great investment and wise then, but not now. Peduto 2007 has to have a statesman's persona, even like Lamb 2005.

Luke 2007 is going to be like Bob 2005 -- inside lane on the track, don't trip, don't self-destruct.

If a big wedge is driven between Luke and Bill, only 10,000 people will care enough to vote in the May 2007 primary and another 100,000 will vote with their feet and move out of the city before 2009.

A big wedge between Luke and Bill will make their careers crumble.

If Peduto rocks the boat in 2007 but still keeps his oars in the water -- he'll be able to go to the Congress or something that's a lot of fun for him in due time.

If Bill makes fireworks -- they'll backfire.

Luke has a temporary term (now). Then there is a short term through 2009. The REAL Ravenstahl vs. Peduto showdown should be, IMNSHO, in 2009 for the 4-year term that begins in January 2010.

Keep cool everyone. A long view is needed.

Bill should re-issue a statement saying that he meant to raise $500,000 for the upcoming campaigns -- plural.

Prediction: If the 2007 D primary goes with only Luke and Bill -- then Luke wins. But, I feel that if there was another champion D in the contest, such as Jim Ferlo or Jack Wagner, plus Luke and Bill -- then Luke could get third.

I think Candidate Peduto would do much better and could win if there was a three-way race. Bill, Luke and a heavyweight would erode Luke's base of support in the D primary. Plus, a heavyweight could make for more news cycles and a quicker conversation in the market place of ideas. Bill is going to have to slow dance on Luke's timing given a 1-on-1 race. I think it is going to be hard for Peduto to find a groove with a match-up against only Luke.

I'll post predictions about the spring 2007 primary. But count me out of the talk, here, when it comes to predictions for the fall's general election. I'm available for consulting to either, or ANY campaign, including media. Right now, none of them are taking my calls. They never have pulled me in for a Vulcan Mind Melt, yet alone a tuna melt. But if they do, trust me, I'll chat about it.

Key for retaining the Penguins

I want to grow the region. Give the Penguins the development rights of 500 or 600 acres -- not 30 acres -- by building the new arena out of the city and by the airport.

There are plenty of other places in Allegheny County that would allow for the Pens to make a lot of additional money. The Pens can't make enough money in the lower Hill District.

The lower Hill District wasn't the right place for the slots parlor. The lower Hill District is a mess today -- in part -- because of the Hockey Nights in Pittsburgh. The excessive traffic at your doorstep means people won't live there. The Hill District can thrive after the Pens go elsewhere and after Barden's money, $350-million, gets leveraged, say for a new streetcar line that connect downtown to Oakland -- through the Hill District.

Build by the highways, near the river, near the rails, near the customers.

There is space by McKees Rocks and more space, brownfield space sitting idle, in McKeesport. Build two Olympic Villages. Build two arenas -- with their private money, of course. And this can be done with the income from the value that they'd generage by being part of those new neighborhoods. Then you could link the sites (McKees Rocks & McKeesport) by train, with stops along the way.

From planning-urban

Point is, we need to be creative so as to grow the region. The Hill District needs to grow. There are other better places for the Pens where the value of the team, and the region, can skyrocket.

PITTSBURGH - Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato singled out the economic development around the Pittsburgh International Airport as one of the county's success stories last year and a key to ensuring future economic growth in the region.

Right. Four warehouses make his booming success story. Joke. There are now 600 acres of development land -- waiting for a Penguins Village.

Could look like this:

From Pens Village

From Pens Village

Or, you can keep to plan B, and plan C -- and try to squeeze a new arena into this space.

Xplosion hit rock bottom with 107-72 loss

More proof that Pittsburgh needs a new arena. The Xplosion has been stinking up the joint. <;0

Xplosion hit rock bottom with 107-72 loss The struggling Xplosion dropped to 2-20 with a 107-72 loss to the Yakima Sun Kings (18-7) at Mellon Arena.

Mayor to tap Huss for public safety post - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Mayor to tap Huss for public safety post - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl tapped fire Chief Michael Huss as the city's new public safety director.

Finally.

News: John Kerry is NOT going to run for president in 2008

From Art from friends

Will someone be sure to tell Ralph Nader that he should not run for president in 2008 as well.

From Art from friends

Quiz:

Can anyone name the figures in the top red graphic?

Can anyone tell what type of art is displayed in the top red graphic?

Can anyone reveal the local connection to the candidate for US President?

We might run into this guy this weekend

The boys and I are getting on a plane on Friday. We might run into this guy.

From people & vips

Blog postings might slow a bit on local matters and be a travel blog, of sorts, again.

Running Mates can step forward. More running mates are always welcome, as well as comments.

And another we might be able to visit this weekend -- along with her mate, Matt.

From family - travels

Ravenstahl backs blight bill - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Let's talk about this bill.

Ravenstahl backs blight bill - Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewPittsburgh lawmakers could begin requiring vacant property owners to register their deserted domiciles so the city can ensure they are sealed, demolished or renovated.

From people & vips

The first priority of both City Council and the Mayor's Office should be to redd up their own properties.

From playground - usa

The city owns a lot of wasted spaces that are 'wasted away Margaritaville.' Closed Recreation Centers. Closed swim pools. Falling down stairs. Broken streets. You name it. The city's inventory of bad spaces needs to be made public. At the top of the city's fumbles needs to be the city owned ice rink on the South Side that still has not seen a R.F.P. promised months ago and years ago.

From playground - usa

The city needs to get its own house in order before they go into the neighborhoods and get on the case of property owners who have paid their taxes.

Then, if the city has a problem with property owners who have bad buildings, use the building inspectors.

Carl Sutter went into City Council this week with photos of a building that has been a mess for years. YEARS. These guys know of it. They do nothing.

Enforcement sucks. The problems are known. They don't need a new list. The requirement for property owners to do something else is worthless until there is some follow-through with their own duties that mount.

We don't need to demolish properties that are worth saving. Everyone can't buy a condo downtown, for Pete's sake. We've got affordable housing in the neighborhoods that needs to be kept when possible.

The fire in Hazelwood that took down a vacant property and some nearby properties was no secret to the folks on Grant Street. There were complaints made monthly. It sat and nothing was done. Then a tragic fire occured. The fire caused losses that didn't need to occur.

But the point of the matter is that the list was there. A new ordinance isn't going to help put out that fire. A new ordinance is worthless.

To fine building owners $300 a day is insane -- because they don't submit for the list!

From playground - usa

Let's fine Pittsburgh Public Schools $300 a day for its vacant South Hills High School. That building sits in a neighborhood. For months, -- NO -- FOR YEARS, there was a deal that was to happen so that the city's URA (Urban Redevelopment Authority) was to purchase the property from the Pgh Public School District. Just this week at the school board meeting one of the board members, Skip Mc., asked a URA official -- "why in the hell didn't the URA purchase that property already?" -- Skip didn't say "hell" -- but I did. Its my blog.

Screw the URA for screwing the city school budget for so long. The deal with that property was done years ago. The URA is the problem. The city is the problem. There are developers who want to take the building and they've been stalled forever.

From playground - usa

We should charge the URA $300 a day for their blunders and folly.

Recently, 22 schools were shut. Some are getting re-use as other schools. But dozens of school buildings were already in mothballs.

From playground - usa

Gladstone Middle School for example. What about South Vo Tech High School? Nothing is being done there. Beltzhoover needs help. The asset is sitting there, idle.

If the city wants to work on blight, then the city needs to light a fire under the URA. Work on the pressing needs of the school district. Work on the other public assets that are rodent havens.

It is the URA properties that make for the biggest pimples in our neighborhoods.

From playground - usa

Len Bodack and Dan Deasy -- get off the backs of the private citizens and get to work on mending the properties that the city owns. Be good stewards with your acts with your own spaces.

Other empty buildings owned by public agencies.

From playground - usa

Can you name this building, along the river. What good is that? Perhaps we should use this as a Youth Hostel? Perhaps this is the site that is given to the Pens for a new arena.

The Ideas Bucket: Speaking of Bloggers... Peduto Hops on the Blog Wave.

Comments about technology and blogs follow.

The Ideas Bucket: Speaking of Bloggers... Peduto Hops on the Blog Wave."The internet is the future," you wrote.

What about the present?

From Art from friends

Jeepers. Two days ago I went to PAT's second Public Hearing and Bob Grove, PAT's media guy, wouldn't give me a press kit. Then yesterday at PAT's public hearing, a PAT Police Officer took me out of the room to say I could not video tape the public hearing from my seat with my little video camera. This a a public event about a public agency that spends lots of public money. Its about public transportation!

Then today, I get the message, screen shot show above, from a campaign blog. Bill Peduto's blog is off limits to me, for now.

Things up and down on the internet all the time. Content moves and changes. Edits are fine and good. No big deal. So, I expect that this "Do not enter sign" is just a temporary bit of housekeeping with the blog. Let me know when the stop light changes to green as I don't want to generate an automatic traffic violation nor get a citation in the mail from some internet highway 'red light camera.'

Now to look for the YouTube action.