The Pittsburgh Comet shoots foot with a poor use of the Libertarian tag

The Pgh Comet is making another mistake. This one can't go past without me taking a public swat at it.

The posting on Speculation 2007 was very good up to this point. Then a nerve was hit.

The Pittsburgh Comet Real Answer: Peduto certainly seeks to fashion our Democratic party into a left-center coalition -- with a Libertarian streak, actually, on tax breaks and subsidies. The 'Libertarian Left' is totally in right now. If Peduto puts that together, that is potent stuff. But he still needs to add a couple of wagons to his wagon-train.

There is NO LIBERTARIAN STREAK within William Peduto. None. Zippo.

There is a lot of good within Bill Peduto. There are some nice ideas within his plans. But, those items don't have LIBERTARIAN roots. No way.

There is an expression I use from time to time. When you go WEST long enough, you end up in the EAST. But this doesn't apply to Peduto at this stage in the game.

I think Bill Peduto could mature into a Libertarian in another decade or two. But, he isn't there now.

Bill Peduto came from Dan Cohen's office. These guys hate the people in that they will work against referendums. They will always put trust into bigger government. They think that they, (in office, in government) know better.

The best case use of "Libertarian Streak" in association with Peduto would be, "Peduto takes office and Libertarians streak for New Hampshire to join the Free State Project." Perhaps Libertarians could shriek at Peduto's proposals if they choose to stand their ground and don't vote with their feet.

There is nothing Libertarian about Peduto's use of tax breaks and subsidies. That is big government, Republican. You could fix the posting by calling it a Roddey-like streak. Or, a Allegheny Conference-ish streak. Or, a URA-streak.

I agree that the "Libertarian-anything" is totally in right now. But, that isn't what Peudto puts on the table. Libertarians are hip. Libertarians are like the South Side. The South Side has pockets that are very Libertarian.

A Libertarian tax cut is universal. It is for everyone. It is for any kind of building. It is for every kind of use. It is driven by market place demands -- not some weenie in government who needs to see an artistic credit coupled with a re-use credit coupled with energy efficient red tape.

The REAL ANSWER of the LEFT LIBERTARIAN is a tax on the land. The simple, elegant, proven Libertarian solution -- or streak -- isn't part of Bill Peduto's pitch.

Peduto's plan and Ravenstahl's plan are very similar when contrasted with a real Libertarian plan. Those two have put forth Democratic Plan(s).

In no way, shape or form do I want Bill Peduto to be the one to carry the water for the Libertarian-streakers.

Your advice to Bill is with mixed feelings too: But he (PEDUTO) still needs to add a couple of wagons to his wagon-train. That's so Democratic and not Libertarian. For Peduto to get closer to the Libertarian wagon-train of policy points he isn't going to need to add. Rather, he'd need to subtract.

The Libertarian way is small, lean, nimble, simple. Think Johnny Appleseed as a Libertarian. That's not a wagon-train. Think Daniel Boone. Think Green Mountain Men.

In your post, to make your point, call it the "Gore-Roddey LEFT", not the "Libertarian Left."

As for "maverik Mike Dawida" -- Oh My Gosh. John McCain, at age 70, isn't a maverick any more. Dawida is ... well ... I won't even waste the time to type what I think and then need to defend it.

Think again about your descriptions. A couple of the concepts fail, much like a beam in the convention center. But, I did giggle at the nuts and bolts joke on the blog.

Who's The Boss? Ravenstahl Video Making Rounds On YouTube - News

Who's The Boss? Ravenstahl Video Making Rounds On YouTube - News Ha, ha, ha.

Let's continue the joke.

If it is in the city's and region's best interest to have Luke and Dan work together, one taking the lead on city issues, the other on county issues, then, perhaps, the logic holds that I might have a leg up on them. Since I'm bucking for both positions, plus four others, I'd never have to stand before an audience and pass the buck and say, "Ask the boss."

If you want tight integration between the mayor and the chief executive -- then it makes great sense to vote for the same person for both. Then, the blending of one to the other is a complete overlap.

The buck stops here, with me, as long as multiple personalities don't emerge.

Think of the time we'd all save. There would be no waiting around to see what the other is going to say, think or do.

Think of the money we'd all save. There would be no need to have extra benefits with health insurance, auto perks, retirement and wardrobe expenses. I wouldn't need to wear six suits, say, all at the same time. No way. I promise, I'll only wear one suit -- and to "sweeten the deal" -- I'll pay for it.

Once the "who's the boss" issue gets traction in the MSM beyond the Bussman, I'll take-off in the polls.

Should the Grant Street Politicans want to upgrade their web site, look here

If Luke, Bill or Jim want ideas for an upgrade to their web sites in the days to come, perhaps they should play copycat and nick from with this guy's site.

ClickPress | Nigerian politician Jimi Agbaje Launches Web 2.0 Campaign Site

Nigerian politician Jimi Agbaje has commissioned the first Web 2.0 social networking political site in Africa, jimiagbaje.com, for his political campaign.

Who said anything about Pittsburgh's government elite being backwards?

Real ID Act Deadline Pushed Back to 2009 - Mar 01, 2007

They blinked.

Real ID Act Deadline Pushed Back to 2009 - Mar 01, 2007 Real ID Act Deadline Pushed Back to 2009
March 1, 2007 By Gina M. Scott
According to a statement released today by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), states will now have until December 31, 2009 to implement the regulations of the Real ID act.

I'm against Real ID. Many states have already said "No Thanks" to the Real ID concept. Real ID is not going to work as some of the states are not going to do it. Put a fork in it.

Check back on Feb 12, in ten days

I've been promised things before. We'll see if Luke can stick to this one.

Mayor, Peduto trade jabs over tax-break plan The mayor's plan would waive the first $2,700 in city property taxes, for 10 years, on units of new housing built Downtown and in 21 other neighborhoods. The neighborhoods were chosen based on a formula involving dozens of factors, including stagnant development, population loss, low education levels, single-parent families, tax delinquency and violent crime.

He said the full data would be released within 10 days.

I'll read the report -- then react. Until then....

Collegians too special for their own good

Collegians too special for their own good Collegians too special for their own good
Mister Rogers saw it coming: Today's students self-centered

This is another reason why I love the sport of swimming. Swimming has time standards. Records are good. You can't cheat the clock, easily.

The strange thing about this article is the discussion with the ghost of Fred Rogers. Fred Rogers saw it coming and knew it could be a problem -- but -- he's gone. A dead man tells no lies.

Will Mr. Rogers re-runs be able to predict other trends for the future? Wonder what the C.Smoke Ball is going to post about this?

Isn't there anyone alive who care to give the quote about spoiled rotten brats? I don't.

China and the stock market roller coaster ride this week

From family - travels

Jerry Bowyer - BuzzChart: Red Tuesday, Part Deux On Tuesday the Chinese government was talking about interest-rate hikes and taxes on capital gains. In an instant, almost 10 percent of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) Composite Index was gone. The following day, the government reversed course, and almost half the index's value returned...

Personal endorsements from Jonathan and Mary Robison

Jonathan Robison, an Oakland attorney and long-time activist and D committee person, has a personal newsletter. I've hired J.R. in the past in a court case about ballot access. Anyway, he has some interesting insights. I've kept most of the content and cut out some other bigger chunks. See him for the entire posting or look at my Google Documents folder, but the blasted link isn't working.

RICK SWARTZ FOR ALLEGHENY COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Richard Swartz, D., executive director of the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation, is running for Allegheny County Executive against incumbent Dan Onorato.

Of course, he doesn’t have a chance, and he knows it. But his candidacy is important, and I hope that you’ll help him. Why is he running? He was asked to run by several people who were unhappy with some of Dan’s positions and with his attitude. (Rick’s decision to run was made too late to apply for the Democratic party endorsement.)

For me, the big issue is public transportation. At first, Onorato said that we would have to make a disastrous 24% cut in PAT bus and trolley service if we didn’t get additional funding from the State Legislature before PAT’s fiscal year ends June 30. (Please see the ‘Save Our Transit’ article below.) This, sadly, may be true. Then he said that he would make these cuts even if we got the money from Harrisburg. He said that he would “right-size” the system. This is cruel and stupid.

That the cuts would be cruel was made clear by people, thousands of people, at meetings, in letters and e-mails, and at PAT’s own public hearings.

The plan to cut service regardless is also stupid because it undermines years of our efforts to get the funding the state’s transit systems all need – dedicated, predictable, inflation-sensitive and adequate. The bipartisan Transportation Reform and Funding Commission has proposed funding for transit, and to fix our dilapidated bridges. Governor Rendell has his plan for funding transportation. But why should any legislator risk the voters’ wrath by supporting any taxes or any expenses when Onorato says that he intends that the transit riders will be devastated regardless?

This transit issue is crucial for our region and its people. It is easily an adequate reason to make me vote against Dan Onorato. But there are other issues. For example, there is the freeze on assessments, which hurts both the elderly homeowners and the municipalities and the school districts, while it subsidizes real estate speculators.

Underlying the issues are is a larger problem: Dan Onorato doesn’t listen.

Besides, it’s not good when a candidate is unopposed for an office this important.

Please help Rick Swartz. Call Joy Sabl, campaign coordinator pro tem, 731-7020, and leave a message.

MAYOR

The race May 15 with the highest visibility is the primary to nominate a Democratic candidate for mayor of the City Of Pittsburgh. I’m glad we’re getting a special primary as well as a special election in November for the two years remaining in the term of the late Bob O’Connor. Usually, in special elections there is no primary, and the parties’ nominees are chosen under the rules of each party.

I support Bill Peduto. Both candidates have strengths and weaknesses.

Bill is bright, dedicated, and independent-minded. He has many good ideas. He has supporters who will help him carry out new ideas. His supporters include many of the activists whose work brought victory last November. For example, Bill has been endorsed by the Sierra Club Allegheny Group, based on the work that he has done for the environment, including his opposition to mining in the woods overlooking the Hays neighborhood and opposition to the Mon-Fayette Turnpike. This is Bill’s best opportunity. If his opponent serves a couple of terms, Bill will be ‘no longer young.’ Believe me, at 64, I personally can relate to his situation. I hope that Bill has learned to listen better, especially to people who don’t share his ideas and to city employees, some of whom are very dedicated.

Luke means well. He is off to a good start, including his buy-back of the city liens. The city sale of tax liens provided money in the short run but later proved to be a hindrance to neighborhood development. Both Peduto and Ravenstahl have proposed tax breaks to draw new residents to targeted city neighborhoods. But, as a Post-Gazette editorial Feb. 25 said, one is “a thoroughly researched and analyzed 64-page proposal from Councilman Bill Peduto. The other is a thin and speculative concept from Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.”

Despite his youth, Luke’s support seems to be based on the old guard, such as Dennis Regan, who was his director of public safety until Commander Catherine Mitchell blew the whistle on his interference in a police personnel problem. And Luke is continuing to pursue disciplinary action against Catherine Mitchell, in the face of the unusual preliminary injunction won on her behalf by the ACLU.

There is also reproductive rights, which is not an issue one expects in a mayoral race. Luke opposed the “bubble zone” ordinance championed by Bill Peduto to prevent harassment of women going to health clinics that provide abortions. He did not propose an alternative, but merely said that he was “pro-life.”

City Controller – Several Excellent Candidates

I’m still having personal difficulties with this race.

Michael Lamb is certainly well qualified, not just well-known and well-funded. He continued to do an excellent job as Allegheny County Prothonotary after the County Charter was amended to change to position from one of the elected Allegheny County “row officers” to an appointed position. He has done a good job of computerizing the office, saving money and making the office more user-friendly to both attorneys and the public. He has been progressive on social issues, and I consider him a personal friend.

On the other hand, Tony Pokora, who was deputy city controller when Tom Flaherty was elected to a judgeship, has done a good job. He is also an old friend – in fact, I got him started in politics. In 1972 I was George McGovern’s legislative district coordinator. We had an office on East Carson Street. I asked Tony Pokora, who was still in high school, to help run the office. He got the politics bug, and the rest is history.

On the third hand, Doug Shields is also well qualified, a good progressive, has good ideas, and is a friend. The only problem is that he is running for two offices – city controller and his seat on City Council. I personally advised him against that, and like Bill Peduto two years ago, he didn’t take my advice on that subject. It hurts to not support him because he is doing such a good job where he is. But I told him that he can make more difference for Pittsburgh as President of Pittsburgh City Council.

If the person running who ran in 2005 against Bill Peduto for City Council hadn’t been a total twink, Bill might have lost both races, and been in a weaker position to run for Mayor. Doug Shields, on the other hand, has a strong opponent for his City Council seat, Pittsburgh School Board member Theresa Colaizzi.

There is a fourth candidate, former County Commissioner Mike Dawida. I also like him, but I’ve run out of hands.

Patrick Dowd for City Council

The 7th City Council District runs from Highland Park to Bloomfield and Lawrenceville. I support Patrick Dowd, another School Board member, who is running against the incumbent Len Bodack.

Pat is bright and has done a good job on the School Board. He has a young activist base. He has good ideas, including housing utilizing our 15,000 vacant units, and plans to improve our public transit/ Len Bodack is one of the brighter of the old guard, and better than his father, former party boss and former State Senator Len Bodack Sr. Still, we need Pat Dowd on City Council.

Patrick Dowd’s campaign office is 4326 Butler St, 403-9295, www.dowdforpittsburgh.org

Bruce Kraus for City Council

Another challenger I support is Bruce Kraus.

Bruce ran before and narrowly lost the special election in the 3rd District to Jeff Koch. Kraus was endorsed by the Gertrude Stein Political Club, the multi-partisan electoral politics organization for lesbian and gay rights and reproductive rights, of which Mary and I are charter members. Since his election, Jeff Koch has been a steady member of the old guard. He did do one very good thing – he put our ward chair, Eileen Conroy, on his staff

We Need Doug Shields – on City Council

In the 5th District, Doug Shields has done an excellent job. His colleagues have elected him president of City Council. But he is running for two offices this May – City Controller as well as his City Council seat – please see above. I can’t support him for City Controller, but I strongly support him for re-election to City Council. He has a well-qualified opponent, School Board member Theresa Colaizzi.

9th City Council District

There is a crowd of candidates in the 9th Council District against Twanda Carlisle, who made some questionable uses of her Community Development Block Grant funds. It is not clear who among the nine or more challengers will emerge as the stronger candidates.

County Council – Re-Elect Joan Cleary

In the County Council – 9 of the 15 essentially unpaid seats are up this May. There has been a progressive majority, led by County Council President Fitzgerald from the 14th Ward and At Large County Councilman John DeFazio, who is a district director of the United Steel Workers. Both are running this year on strong records, and may be unopposed. John is a strong supporter of funding for our transit service. I wish I could say the same about Rich Fitzgerald. (Please see the ‘Save Our Transit’ article below.)

In this year’s primary, we may be seeing an attempted revenge of the old guard.

Joan Cleary, one of the best of the newcomers, was elected in the 6th District with the strong support of the Service Employees International Union, is being challenged by John Palmieri of Baldwin Township.

In the 13th, Brenda Frazier is being challenged by Matt Arena. She is an independent-minded and active African-American, even though I am still unhappy with her vote on the proposed Living Wage ordinance. Matt Arena appears to be one of the old guard candidates. Nonetheless, I would consider him an old friend from my work with him against an unnecessary highway when he lived in Frazer Township. I guess that shows my age.

Several Good Judge Candidates

There are perhaps a dozen candidates for the four positions to be elected to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. All are well qualified, and they seem to vary from good to excellent. In addition, more than half the candidates are women. It’s about time. We would like to mention a couple of favorites.

One is Wrenna Watson. She was appointed by Governor Rendell, along with Joseph K. Williams III. Both are African-American, both are highly qualified, and neither is likely to be confirmed by the Republican-controlled State Senate. Wrenna Watson serves on the Pittsburgh Zoning Board of Adjustment and the City Planning Commission. She also has extensive experience actually adjudicating cases as a hearing officer in mental health commitments and for the state Liquor Control Board.

Another outstanding candidate is Cathy Bubash. She is a district magistrate on the North Side. We are impressed by her judicial deportment and diligence as a district magistrate. I was particularly impressed when I appeared before her as an attorney. Lots of magistrates treat us attorneys with respect. But she treated everyone with respect and consideration, whether they came from the county bar or Joe’s bar.

Hugh McGough is a proven worker and a proven leader. As assistant city solicitor, he defended the Constitutionality of Pittsburgh’s Human Relations Ordinance, including sexual orientation. He also served as President of the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force.

Shirley Novak, a twenty-year legal veteran, is almost a sentimental favorite for me. I worked with her, her sister Gloria, and her mother Thelma Novak, along with Dr. Marty Krauss and others in HEART, in the fight to save the East Street neighborhood from I-279, in the successful fight from better compensation for those displaced, and in the successful fight to save St. Boniface Church from demolition. She is part of the reason why “A home for a home and a business for a business” is a standard in eminent domain.

Another good candidate is Laura Ditka. She is a single woman who adopted a child. That takes fortitude.

Judge Anne Lazarus for Pennsylvania Superior Court

We’re also electing two members of the state Supreme Court and two members of the state Superior Court. Anne Lazarus is well regarded as a Common Pleas judge in Philadelphia, well regarded by the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and a good feminist.

For the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, there are two well-regarded candidates, both incumbent judges, Debra Todd and C. Darnell Jones. Judge Jones is African-American and is President Judge in Philadelphia.


Referendum on an Appointed Sheriff

County Council has voted to have a referendum to further amend our County Charter to make the County Sheriff an appointive office. It will be at the top of the machine. Especially in the wake of all the troubles in the Sheriff’s office, there seems to be no organized opposition.

Who will be President (... cut ...) Same to with Iraq section.

SAVE OUR TRANSIT

This fall, we must fight again to save our transit system. Pennsylvania’s assistance for operating funds is simply inadequate. Years of interim action and inaction have caught up with us. PAT’s budget for fiscal 2006-2007 requires $31 million in additional operating funds. Without new state sources of money, PAT (and ACCESS) would need fare increases. PAT is now planning elimination of about a quarter of their service, including elimination of over half of the bus routes. PAT needs a balanced budget for the 2007-2008 fiscal year, which starts July 1. The PAT Board meets on the fourth Friday of the month, and currently plans to vote March 23 on a plan to cut service AND raise the fare, probably to $2.00. Originally County Executive Dan Onorato supported a horrible plan to cut service if the State Legislature failed to provide essential statewide transit funding. Then he said he supported 24% service cuts regardless, to “right-size” the system. (Please see above.) Now he is talking again about supporting the efforts to get the state money. What next?

Governor Rendell saved the system two years ago by “flexing” federal highway funds, but he can’t do that again. The Governor’s bipartisan Transit Funding and Reform Commission issued a report, spelling out the need for $659 million to keep the state’s transit systems going – and $1.013 billion needed to repair and maintain our bridges and roads. (The $1 billion would fund NO significant new capacity highways.)

Please take action. Call, write, or e-mail your legislators, especially in the State Senate, and urge them to approve a solution for providing funding both for public transportation and for maintaining and fixing our bridges and roads – funding that is dedicated, predictable, inflation-sensitive, and adequate. And tell Dan Onorato – people depend on our buses and trolleys. Don’t betray us.

I am tired of talking or writing about this issue.

JOIN ME ON THE M.S. WALK SUNDAY APR. 22

There will be an M.S. Walk Sunday morning, April 22, to raise money for MS research.

I will be on the walk -- not walking, of course, but on a new power wheelchair. We have a Power Team on the five-mile route – power chairs, scooters, and friends who just walk. You are invited to join us. We gather at 8 am at Heinz Field and start at 9. Please join me, or join by making a contribution to the National MS Society for medical research into a cure for MS. Tell us you’ll walk, or send a check to the National MS Society, 1501 Reedsdale St. #105, Pittsburgh 15233. Please mention the Power Team.

This cause is personal. My MS – multiple sclerosis – got worse this fall, and I switched to a new medication, Tysabri. I’m glad to say it’s working, and I’m better. Please join me on the MS Walk, Apr. 22.

Love and Peace,

Jonathan and Mary Robison
(with some snips)

All in all, the biggest problems with the above endorsment letter resides with his selection of Bruce Kraus over Jeff Koch. But, I understand that he'd have an impossible time giving an endorsement to Koch. I can't endorse either -- but it isn't my place to say much, yet.

I'm with Jonathan in that an endorsement is not a prediction as to who will win. Finally, I'm sure that most of you out there are clueless to the fact that Dan Onorato is going to have an opponent in the D primary in May. That will be interesting to watch.

400 poker machines seized in raids

Entertainment in the Mon Valley to a kick in the teeth.

400 poker machines seized in raids

To connect the dots. On one day, the slots parlor opened in Erie. The next day, private-owned the video poker machines in private (small business) establishements are pulled out of dozens of bars. Then comes the news today about the Pittsburgh slots parlor -- it has been delayed by a few months.

City casino delayed until mid-2008 Barden unable to start building until appeals deadline passes

The crack down on video poker machines will snowball in the months to come. They will be snuffed out within a year of the slots parlor's opening.

To bad David Caligurri, and his group with Isle of Capri, did not issue a statement that said that it would NOT file any appeal. Too bad the Pens owe $10-million to IOC and too bad the cost of the new arena just went up $20-million.

Rendell says arena deal ... costs more and not yet done

Rendell says arena deal 'very close' but adds caution The governor also revealed that the projected price of a new arena has gone up $20 million.

Pittsburgh Indymedia on Green Candidates and the color of Steve's bottom

From texture - misc.

single feature archives : Pittsburgh Indymedia Pittsburgh's Green Mayor?
03/01/2007
City Council Member Bill Peduto is challenging Incumbent Mayor Luke Ravenstahl in the next mayoral Democratic primary. Both candidates are promoting themselves as the environmentally friendly choice.

So which of these candidates is really green? Local activist Stephen Donahue says the answer is neither.

Right on Steve.

My reactions on the merits of his remarks follow:

* My stance on the parking tax is not like their stance. I say we need to sell the Parking Authority. Parking rates might need to climb if there is a demand and supply problem.

I don't want to give TIFs to build parking garages.

Even in our neighborhood, South Side, Jeff Koch is working hard to get an expansion of the Parking Authority. It is a big problem that big band-aids won't fix.

Ask why a new “green building” has a parking garage built along side it and you will be told not to worry because the parking garage will have a bike rack.

* I'm in favor of the creation of miles of bike lanes throughout the city, not just along the river's edge.

Pittsburgh is in a parking garage building spree right now. Every new development comes with one or more parking garages attached. Bill and Luke are using tax money to finance four new parking garages along Second Avenue at the Pittsburgh Technology Center. The renovation of the old Nabisco Bakery by luxury condo developer Walnut Capital will include a 1,200 car parking garage. This Bakery Square project is in the heart of East Liberty a major public transit hub but that doesn’t matter. Bakery Square is being built for the car not the bus.

I've spoken about the bad deals mentioned above.

Why when most cities are moving toward establishing “car free zones” does Bill Peduto want to make downtown a “bus free zone?”

* My downtown vision isn't like Bill's. I think we need more buses -- but in a back-and-forth manner.

Free parking on holidays does not promote public transit.

Click comments for full article because it is a keeper.

New Orleans and Police and insights from a great American Storyteller

From texture - misc.

T.H.E. .M.U.S.E. .A.N.D. .W.H.I.R.L.E.D. .R.E.T.O.R.T. hit my email box today, and as always, has some sharp insights from Chris. He has a new song on his myspace page that features a three letter word three times. Chirs is a bit like MacYapper -- but far better in his wit and entertainment value. Perhaps MacYapper should have him as his first guest on his next radio show.

Thomas Wolf said, “You can’t go home again.” I don’t think he meant it like this.

D. R. and I just spent several weeks in New Orleans. It has been a while since I reported in on the progress there. I believe that Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome can effect a place as well as an individual.

New Orleans, the grizzled veteran of American culture stands on the expressway interchange – our cultural cross roads – like a military veteran – homeless, on drugs and prone to sudden inexplicable acts of violence.

She has a cardboard sign scrawled “will work for food.” A few sympathy dollars have been stuffed into her change box, enough for a Po-Boy sandwich today, but like the homeless veterans – it has taken her all day to get it. She can do little else. Survival.

New Orleans should be our proudest triumph, like our veterans – but when we see her taking small chunks of charity, suffering from extreme PTSS, stuttering and staggering, on drugs and prone to violent pointless flare-ups, we roll our windows up, turn up the stereo and stare mindlessly at the traffic light hoping it will change before we are approached.

But New Orleans is a combat veteran still seeing active duty. She is herself a war zone. Twenty-one murders this year. More than one hundred shootings. Seventeen shootings and five Murders in the two weeks I was there.

As many of you know, most of my stories start off with the phrase, “My car broke down.” This one is no exception. I was in the 9th Ward waiting on the bus to a mechanic up in mid city when I heard shots ring out clearly in the block I was standing. I counted 5 shots while keeping low and moving quickly away from the shots and calling 911.

I lived there for many years and I am used to hearing gun shots – but rarely so close and almost never in the day time.

As I ran towards the next bus stop several blocks away a cop approached and I flagged him down. “I am the one who called, or at least one of the ones that called,” I explained. There were 5 shots three blocks ahead on St Claude. With No exaggeration what so ever, the cop did a U turn around the neutral ground and headed quickly in the other direction. He was not responding to my call at all. He just happened to be there, a coincidence. The cops never responded to the call and the next day there was a double homicide in the exact same place – two fifteen year old kids were gunned down. It is a war zone. It is America. It is a crime.

At the car repair place, I waited patiently for my ignition switch to be switched out. A new Orleans cops walked familiarly into the waiting room. He was greeted with habitual how-do-you-dos as he walked behind the counter and sat at a computer terminal. It turns out the cop had to go to the car repair shop to get on-line to file his reports. He has no lap top in his cruiser.

While much of the 9th ward has been cleared to vast swaths of nothingness – there are still countless empty houses and piles of rubble. Some houses still sit in the middle of the streets. Few remain. Nine live in one neighborhood, a dozen in another. Only the most tenacious can survive. Orange extension cords run from construction poles illuminating whole houses with desk lamps. Gas inspectors are few, so people have tapped lines themselves bringing the inevitable fires. In many neighborhoods there is not enough water pressure to put out the fire so helicopters scoop water from the Mississippi river to extinguish them.

I went down to the By-Water to do my laundry. The By-Water only had three feet of water compared to the twelve in much of the ninth ward, so it is coming back – and due to the efforts of some amazing volunteers and courageous residents it is in many ways better than it was before.

At the Laundromat there was a notice of a place going up for rent on Desire Street – a street I had lived on years ago. I wrote a poem about it back then: (LINK if your see his online newsletter.) – our rent was two hundred bucks a month. Now, advertisement for a building two doors down was a thousand dollars.

People are paying triple and quadruple rent, while paying mortgages on what is left of houses and trying to restore them while getting run arounds from crooked insurance agencies and inept Federal Emergency Administrators.

I took the senseless tragic murder of a prominent white Canadian to make the country notice at all http://www.helenhill.org/news/. The city, known for parading of a different kind, took the streets. Black banners decrying “ENOUGH” hung from balconies. Action was demanded. Little has been accomplished since.

At the ensuing city council meeting the police chief and district attorney pointed fingers at each other and not at violent criminals. The end result is a 60 day revolving door policy in which perpetrators fail to get prosecuted and are back on the street. There is no crime lab. The evidence rooms are crowded with rodents and in disrepair.

To illustrate the extent - in the middle of the Bacchus parade, one of the largest Mardi Gras parades, one of the largest economic engines the city has, one of the biggest tourist attraction ever – in the heart of the heart: my friends were at a hot dog stand when shots rang out. The mobbed crowd of tourists scattered in chaos. Another teenager had been shot in the chest, one of several dozen since action has been demanded.

I guess I am unlikely to get that job with the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce I was hoping for – but someone has to say it.

A very tenacious woman I know in the ninth ward actually rescued her refrigerator after having been submerged for weeks. She cleaned it, scrubbed elbow deep unspeakable maggot encrusted slime inside and out. She fixed it – because she loved it.

It ran for a month. It is dead.

That women's flooded refrig lasted about three weeks longer than Motznik's blog.

I did giggle at today's MacYapper's statement about the give-a-ways of candidates seeking office.

MacYapper: E-DAY APPROACHING EDITION MacYapper - And what do you do with blankets? Why you COVER-UP!

I was thinking of a security blanket that might come from a little tyke, as in Linus, a friend of Charlie Brown.

I try to give away CDs, content and experiences. We provided 'community concerts' and last night I gave out, as a citizen, a batch of free tickets to a pre-release movie called PRIDE. Philly's tough sections in the 1970s look mild next to today's New Orleans.

Slide closes McArdle until 3 p.m. and Wabash Tunnel Pledges

Landslides are in the news again. Infrastructure crumbles. It isn't any one's fault. It happens.

I do wonder why they have built expensive homes on the edge of the slipping mountain side. I don't think that the city should insure those new construction sites.

Furthermore, the emergency funds (really rainy-day-funds) need to be in the budget. Repairs need to be made. Prevention needs to occur, as prevention is generally less expensive than rushing to the scene of an accident and overtime.

Slide closes McArdle until 3 p.m. McArdle Roadway, the steeply inclined road connecting the Liberty Bridge with Grandview Avenue atop Mount Washington, will be closed today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. so crews can remove debris that remains behind a wall running along the hillside.

I'd rather seem money being spent on landslides and basic infrastructure rather than other boondoggles, such as the twin tunnels under the river for a tiny light-rail extension. So, this is one instance, with landslides, where they need to pick the shovel up. Same too for salt boxes on hills on neighborhood streets.

The Wabash Tunnel, a past boondoggle, is back in the news. Seems Dan Onorato can make an order and lift the HOV (high occupancy veichle) restrictions. Today, autos with lone drivers as occupants get to pass through the tunnel. Generally there are restricted hours so that only cars with two or more people get to utilize the tunnel.

The tunnel provides a long cut so that those on Mt. Washington can come down the back of Mt. Washington and go to Station Square. Otherwise, they get to go to the West End or pass through the Liberty Tunnel.

The Wabash Tunnel provides a often used 'talking point' for many reason. By and large, it is a waste.

The HOV restrictions should be removed from the Wabash Tunnels forever more.

Furthermore, the Wabash Tunnel is closed for two hours every day. Nobody can use it then. Buses, vans, car-pools, and emergency EMS vehicles can't use the Wabash Tunnel then.

In the mornings, the Wabash Tunnel is one-way to Station Square. In the afternoons, the tunnel's one-way direction switches from Station Square. The tunnel takes about 2-minutes to travel its length. But, it takes PAT, the owners of the tunnel, an hour to switch the directions of the one way traffic flow in the tunnel.

This job should take five minutes. It takes an hour. And, it happens twice a day. So, what should take 10 minutes takes 120, wasting 110 minutes of road time.

If I'm elected County Executive, I'm going to close the Wabash Tunnel for more than two hours on one day because that's where I'm going to hold the block party on the day I take office. We won't have an inauguration ball. We'll have a block party in the Wabash Tunnel. One of the block party activities will be a game to see how long it takes to flip the switch to turn the Wabash Tunnel's traffic flow from inbound to outbound. We'll be rocking.

Furthermore, if and when I'm in charge, I'm going to turn one of the two lanes within the Wabash Tunnel into a bike/blade/pedestrian lane. This lane will always be open in both directions. The other lane, for cars, will be open in one direction, as required. The cars that travel in that tunnel, in one lane, don't need two lanes. I'll put that other lane to use, split by a jersey barrier from pedestrians.

Summary:

End the HOV restrictions at the Wabash Tunnel.

Wabash Tunnel should include a protected, two-way sidewalk that is always open for non-motorized use.

Wabash Tunnel should not be closed for 2 hours a day to change traffic direction when the change merits only five minutes of time twice a day.

Wabash Tunnel will be the site of the Elect.Rauterkus.com inauguration gala -- err, county-wide block party, in January 2008.

Early Returns - another saga in our political world known as city. As the world turns....

Early Returns - A Post-Gazette Journal Cops and campaigns

If one takes the long view, remember that there was a campaign that was about the EMS. Mayor Murphy pledged that the EMS contract would be made equal with that of the firefighters. That was a benchmark lie. But, it won him an election.

Then there is another famous lie that Murphy slurred to firefighters. Their t-shirts for O'Connor went to the rag heap and Murphy won his last election.

Now this is the time for the police and politicians to share the limelight.

Really, it might be just another play in the playbook used by Tom Murphy. This time, the QB is a rookie kicker.

In a game, or on a team, there are certain big-time players that need to get the call. The union employees who work for the city who can deliver a network of voters are important to a candidate. Tom Murphy has proven that fact. He went to that well and shouted his promises.

The promise and the delivery of the promise is NOT one in the same, of course.

Even at the meeting on the South Side on Wednesday night, Luke made a promise or two of interest along this theme. He went out on a limb and said that he is looking to split up Zone 3. The west end lost its police station. That was one of the final moves that Murphy made and it has stuck. Well, well, well, -- we've got a police centered promise, again. But it isn't really a promise. It comes from Luke Ravenstahl as a hint of a promise.

And this promise impacts citizens, activists and voters. It is a ploy. But, this is also one of the reasons that are MISSING from the EARLY RETURNS blog.

Police matters count for the politics, which is getting blogged about. And, the matters and management count too, because of the enforcement, the feelings of safety and the overall 'peace keeping presence.'

The issue of re-opening the west end police station and splitting zone three is a quagmire that politicians love. Luke is going to be in his glory here. He'll be able to double-talk, hint at, and wonder in public. But, no matter what half truth is said to an audience full of 'very concerned citizens' -- he'll still have his hands in cuffs by the OVERLORDS.

Neither Luke nor Bill can simply re-open a police station. Can't be done. They are just beggers.

Furthermore, when it comes down to putting assets into the neighborhoods or putting them into the pockets of rich downtown developers with tax breaks, there won't be enough left over to keep the streets in the neiborhoods as they should be.

Early Returns. Interest in tax cuts for the rich downtown crowd less of a blog hurdle

Poaching and Counter-pokes.

Early Returns - A Post-Gazette Journal Because it's more fun than the last issue, dueling tax abatements.

In the duel, on this issue, I see the shot from one headed into the heart of another. Meanwhile, the counter shot from the one just hit in the heart goes between the eyes of the foe. Both get tagged. Both shots passed in the moment. Both are dead on.

Watching on the sideline, in horror, are all the downtown developers, the rich residents and the authorities.

Hiding in the hills, but hearing the shots are the kids who in failing schools, the transit riders who can't catch a bus that never arrives, an the rest of the citizens in the neighborhoods who are seeing and planning for the next wave in outward migration.

It isn't FUN, as the early-return blog says, to talk and blog about the dueling tax abatements because nobody is going to win. Both candidates are killing the region. Both candidates prove to be nearly identical. Both are bleeding liberals quick to give away the treasured income of today to increase debt and sway potential political donors. There is no victory here, except the wealthy. And that win is only fleeting.

Philly -- home of a great swim team -- and a ballot access question about casinos

From Art from friends

Philly is on my mind as we just got back from an advance screening of the Hollywood movie, PRIDE. Very good movie.

In other news, from Jeff Shields Inquirer Staff Writer:

The fight over development of two casinos on the Philadelphia waterfront turned nasty yesterday, as SugarHouse Casino claimed "widespread and pervasive fraud" in the petition drive to ban slots parlors from Delaware Avenue.

The allegations are contained in a complaint that casino lawyers said will be filed today in court. A copy was provided in advance to The Inquirer.

SugarHouse lawyers, led by two attorneys who are investors in the project, Richard Sprague and William Lamb, accuse activists of forging signatures and circulating petitions with two different versions of a proposed ballot question.

John Miller, a spokesman for SugarHouse, said Sprague and Lamb would not comment, but confirmed the complaint will be filed today.

Jeffrey Rotwitt, an attorney for the city's second proposed casino, Foxwoods, said SugarHouse and Foxwoods have "been in collaborative mode" to prepare the complaint.

The complaint contends that fewer than 25 percent of the 27,254 signatures submitted last week can be validated. If true, that would leave anti-casino groups far short of the 20,000 signatures of registered voters required to start the process of putting a ballot question before voters in the May 15 primary.

It would ask voters to approve a charter change that would ban casinos from within 1,500 feet of any home, school or church. If passed, the measure would likely halt casino construction for months, years, or permanently, and potentially void the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board's Dec. 20 decision to license SugarHouse and Foxwoods over three competitors.

SugarHouse is on the Delaware River in the Fishtown neighborhood; Foxwoods is on the riverfront in South Philadelphia.

The court must schedule a hearing within 10 days and make a decision within 15. If the activists lose, it will be too late to get on the May 15 primary ballot via a petition.

The court challenge makes it clear the casinos take the ballot initiative seriously - particularly with a City Council primary coming up and officials courting votes.

If the anti-casino activists are found to have 20,000 valid signatures, the City Council will be required to vote on whether to put the measure on the ballot. Opinion has been divided on whether nine votes for the measure can be found on the 17-members Council. Twelve Council members could make the petition drive moot by voting it on the ballot themselves.

Members of Casino Free Philadelphia, which led the petition drive, as well as neighborhood residents who collected signatures, expressed shock and defiance at news of the SugarHouse allegations.

"We were ready for a petition challenge, but to be accused of fraud is really another level," said Anne Dicker, a Casino Free Philadelphia organizer. "It's outrageous - it's absolutely outrageous. I don't think a grassroots group should have to face this
onslaught by corporations."

Mary Reinhart, a retiree from Pennsport, said she spent more than 30 hours collecting signatures, often in the freezing cold. "I don't care how aggressively and highly paid they are," she said. "I'm going to stand right up and protect my house and protect my neighborhood."

The forgeries referred to in the complaint involve at least two petition sheets in which the same handwriting is apparently used to fill in all the names, addresses and signatures.

Thomas Neher, who signed an affidavit validating one of those sheets, said he had handed out a number of petitions to friends and relatives. He then signed the affidavits on the sheets when they were returned.

"I did not forge those signatures," Neher, who lives on Front Street, said yesterday.

Other problems include names that don't match up with voter rolls and incomplete or inconsistent addresses, according to the complaint. In exhibits attached to the complaint, there are also some non-Philadelphia residents, and some prank names.

The petitions also carried two different referendum questions. At least 1,020 signatures sought to bar casinos from within 1,000 feet of homes, churches and school, while the others endorsed a 1,500-foot buffer.

Dicker said Casino Free Philadelphia changed its language to 1,500 feet in the process, but submitted the older petitions "in the spirit of making sure that their voices were heard."

Those 1,020 signatures would not likely count toward a referendum calling for the 1,500-foot buffer, City Solicitor Romulo Diaz Jr. said.

Otherwise Diaz said, he expected the signature battle to play out in court much like elections challenges are.

"I wouldn't be surprised if they're argued signature by signature," Diaz said.

Casino Free Philadelphia presented its petition Feb. 21; today was the last day SugarHouse could file. City code requires SugarHouse to submit its lawsuit along with 100 signatures. It is not known how many will be filed today.

Council has scheduled a hearing for tomorrow on the legislation required to put the referendum, which changes the City Charter, on the ballot.

Who let the dogs out? Ruff, Rough -- Joey Porter gets shot down

Cut.

Perhaps he'll be able to wait tables or be a bouncer at the new Bus Stop Grille #36 to be leased in an empty place in DelMonte's riverfront building on the North Side.

This is why I enjoy sports that feature athletes that 'graduate.'

Didn't get any love from the P.G. coverage of blogs. But, the P-G did do some reading on the topic.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Pittsburgh Steelers: "Big Cat: Porter YouTubes
Steeler Watch: Last of the Bad Boys
Pojo Dojo: No Port-er in storm
Joey Porter's Pit Bulls: It was bound to happen
Sports Idiots: Boot R.I.P.
Carbolic: New guy Tomlin breaks news to Porter's dogs
Black & Gold Blog: Farewell, Sweet Peezy
Steelers Fanatic: It stinks being correct
Mondesi: Porter era over
Steeler Tribute: End of the road
PittGirl: I'm okay"

Black male teacher more than an anomaly

Black male teacher more than an anomaly Last year, he was offered a position as an interim principal in the Duquesne City School District, as well as the principal’s position at Westinghouse High School. He turned both down.

“I couldn’t take an interim position,” he said. “And I don’t think I was ready for Westinghouse, or high school period. That’s a big step for a first-year administrator. Now middle school, that’s not a problem. That’s what I do.”

Wonderful news. Wonderful decision.

The Pittsburgh Region often feeds its young to the trash heap of life. When a star is found, it needs to be advanced in due time. I don't want people like him to burn out. I'm happy he said "NO."

The teacher ratio -- that is another story. Point 39 percent. Ouch. That is a PAINFUL fact. Not 39 percent. But .39 percent.

Could that be true?

Movie Vouchers for tonight's screening of PRIDE -- still remain

I've still got a few 'ticket vouchers' for tonight's advance showing of the Hollywood movie PRIDE. It is at 7:30 pm at the AMC/Lowes in West Homestead, the Waterfront.

The vouchers do NOT cost anything. But, there is no guarantee of a seat either. This is first-come, first served with me and with the cinema. You'll want to show up early.

Call me: 412 298 3432.

The movie's release in slated for March 23, 2007. I expect to do other special events then too. More on that later.

More on what we think of the movie -- after the show ends.

Otherwise, go WPIAL Swimmers: AA and AAA live results.

Ron Paul grassroots support proved - Homeland Stupidity

Ron Paul grassroots support proved - Homeland Stupidity“He is a living, breathing, elected, example of what our founding fathers had in mind for limited government,” said Ed Naile, chairman of the Coalition for New Hampshire Taxpayers. “You won’t see much in the press about it, but 150 is quite a large crowd for a Congressman this early in the campaign. Enough to make some of his issues part of the debate on the Republican side, I would say.”